Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / Emalahleni, situated in Mpumalanga Province in South Africa, has been exposed to over a hundred years of continuous mining of coal. Evident challenges include the sterilisation of land due to underground fires, polluted water, surface collapse and acidification of topsoil (McCarthy & Pretorius, 2009:65; Schneider, 2016:1). The researcher reviewed existing literature to determine existing frameworks thereby identifying gaps. Consequently, the researcher found no published decision-making framework that may assist coal mining companies in South Africa to preserve the environment and its natural resources. Research objectives and research questions as well as a preliminary framework were developed. A qualitative research design was adopted in which personal interviews were employed to gather primary data from coal mining companies in South Africa whilst a focus group was utilised to validate the framework. Personal interviews established that majority of participants were not familiar with EMA and that EMA tools such as ISO, LCC and the green strategy would add value to the coal mining industry. Furthermore, there was no consistency in the application and adherence to environmental regulations. Participants also indicated that current processes employed by the coal mining industry were not effective in saving the environment. In validating the framework, the focus group established that tools (methodologies) will serve the purpose as indicated in the framework and that the framework was relevant to the coal mining industry. There was a general consensus that regulatory aspects can go a long way in controlling adverse effects on the environment, so long as these would be applied to all industries, and not only the coal mining industry. Input from the focus group assisted in enhancing the framework by testing the associations and links. Key recommendations indicated that coal mining companies should incorporate environmental accountability in their corporate decisions; education and training should be conducted in all coal mining companies in order for these companies to know the type of information that they need to utilise in identifying waste. Future research could include a similar study of statistical nature that will test the decision-making framework developed in this study. Going to the coal mining companies to exercise the framework on a real-life setting. / Emalahleni, hu wanala kha Vundu ḽa Mpumalanga Afrika Tshipembe, ho ṱanea lwa miṅwaha i fhiraho ḓana nga migodi ya malasha ine ya khou bvela phanḓa. Khaedu dze dza vhonala dzi katela, nyiledzo ya mavu zwo vhangwa nga mililo ine ya thoma fhasi migodini, maḓi o tshikafhadzwaho, u wa ha nyalo na esidi kha mavu a nṱha. (McCarthy & Pretorius, 2009:65; Schneider, 2016:1). 65; Muṱoḓisisi vho sedzulusa hafhu maṅwalwa ane a vha hone u topola furemiweke dzi re hone, nga u topola zwikhala. Muṱoḓisisi a vho ngo wana furemiweke yo ganḓiswaho ya tsheo yo dzhiwaho ganḓiswaho ine ya nga thusa khamphani dza migodi ya malasha Afrika Tshipembe u vhulunga vhupo na zwiko zwadzo zwa mupo. Zwipikwa zwa ṱhoḓisiso na mbudziso dza ṱhoḓisiso na furemiweke thangeli zwo bveledziswa. Ho shumiswa ngona ya kuitele kwa ṱhoḓisiso kwa khwaḽithethivi he ha shumiswa inthaviwu dza vhuṋe u kuvhanganya data kha vhathu u bva kha khamphani dza migodini ya malasha Afrika Tshipembe ngeno tshigwada tsho sedzwaho khatsho tsho shumisiwa u khwaṱhisedza furemiweke. Inthaviwu dza vhuṋe dzo sumbedzisa uri vhunzhi ha vhadzheneleli vho vha vha sa ḓivhi zwishumiswa zwa EMA na zwa EMA zwi nga ho sa ISO, LCCP na muṱalukanyo une wa dzhiela nṱha mveledziso ya matshilisano na mveledzwa dza vhupo zwi ḓo engedza ndeme ya nḓowetshumo ya migodi. Zwi tshi ya phanḓa, a hu na u tevhekana ha zwithu kha kushumisele na u tevhedza ndaulo dza vhupo. Vhadzheneleli vho dovha vha sumbedzisa uri maitele a zwino o shumiswaho nga nḓowetshumo ya migodi ya malasha o vha i si khou u shuma kha u vhulunga vhupo. Kha u khwaṱhisedza furemiweke, tshigwada tsho sedzwaho khatsho tsho bveledza uri zwishumiswa (ngona) dzi ḓo thusa kha ndivho sa zwo sumbedzwaho kha furemiweke na uri furemiweke yo tea kha nḓowetshumo ya mugodi wa malasha. Hu na thendelano nyangaredzi uri zwiteṅwa zwa ndaulo zwi nga ya kule u langula masiandaitwa kha vhupo, tenda hezwi zwa shumiswa kha nḓowetshumo dzoṱhe, hu si fhedzi kha nḓowetshumo ya migodi ya malasha. Muhumbulo u bva kha tshigwada tsho sedzwaho khatsho wo thusa kha u khwinisa furemiweke nga u linga vhuṱumani na vhushaka. Themendelo khulwane dzo sumbedzisa uri khamphani dza migodi ya malasha dzi fanela u dzhenisa vhuḓifhinduleli ha vhupo kha tsheo dzayo dza bindu; hu fanela u farwa vhugudisi na pfunzo kha khamphani dzoṱhe dza migodi ya malasha uri khamphani idzi dzi ḓivhe lushaka lwa mafhungo ane vha tea u a shumisa kha u topola malaṱwa. Ṱhoḓisiso dza tshifhingani tshiḓaho dzi nga katela ngudo i fanaho ya nḓila ya zwitatisiṱika ine ya ḓo linga furemiweke ya u dzhia tsheo yo bveledziswaho kha ngudo iyi. Hezwi zwi do katela u ya kha khamphani dza migodi ya malasha u ita tsedzuluso ya furemiweke kha nyimele ya vhukuma. / Steenkool word langer as honderd jaar ononderbroke om Emalahleni in Mpumalanga ontgin. As gevolg hiervan raak grond steriel weens ondergrondse brande, word water besoedel, sak die grondoppervlak in en versuur die bogrond. In die literatuur kon die navorser kon geen besluitnemingsraamwerk waarvolgens Suid-Afrikaanse steenkoolmaatskappye die omgewing en natuurlike hulpbronne bewaar, vind nie. Navorsingsdoelwitte is gestel, en navorsingsvrae en ʼn voorlopige raamwerk is opgestel. ʼn Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gevolg en persoonlike onderhoude is by Suid-Afrikaanse steenkoolmaatskappye gevoer om die primêre data te versamel. Die geldigheid van die besluitnemingsraamwerk is met ʼn fokusgroep getoets. Uit die persoonlike onderhoude het geblyk dat die meeste deelnemers onbekend was met omgewingsbestuuraanspreeklikheid (OBA) en dat hulle nie geweet het dat hulpmiddels soos ISO, ʼn lewensikluskosteberekening (LSK) en ʼn groen strategie waarde tot die steenkoolbedryf kan toevoeg nie. Afgesien hiervan is omgewingsregulasies nie eenvormig toegepas en nagekom nie. Deelnemers het eweneens laat blyk dat die steenkoolbedryf se huidige prosesse gemik op omgewingsbewaring oneffektief is. Die fokusgroep het vasgestel dat die hulpmiddels (metodologieë) die oogmerk van die raamwerk verwesenlik, en die raamwerk dus geldig en van groot nut vir die steenkoolbedryf kan wees. Daar was eenstemmigheid dat die regulerende aspekte die nadelige uitwerking van mynbouwerksaamhede op die omgewing kon beheer, op voorwaarde dat dit nie alleen in die steenkoolbedryf nie, maar in alle bedrywe toegepas word. Die raamwerk is aan die hand van die fokusgroep se insette verfyn deur die verbande en skakels te toets. Die belangrikste aanbevelings behels dat omgewingsaanspreeklikheid deel van steenkoolmaatskappye se besluitneming moet uitmaak, en dat alle steenkoolmaatskappye opgelei moet word in die soort inligting waarvolgens bepaal word wat afval is. In die toekoms kan ʼn soortgelyke statistiese studie onderneem word om die besluitnemingsraamwerk wat in hierdie studie ontwikkel is, te toets. Dit sal behels dat die raamwerk in lewensegte omstandighede by steenkoolmaatskappye ondersoek word. / Business Management / D. B. L.

Recently, South African company law underwent a dramatic overhaul through the introduction of the Companies Act 71 of 2008. Central to company law is the promotion of corporate governance: companies no longer are accountable to their shareholders only but to society at large. Leaders should direct company strategy and operations with a view to achieving the triple bottom-line (economic, social and environmental performance) and, thus, should manage the business in a sustainable manner. An important question in company law today: In whose interest should the company be managed? Corporate governance needs to address the entire span of responsibilities to all stakeholders of the company, such as customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers and the community at large. The Companies Act aims to balance the rights and obligations of shareholders and directors within companies and encourages the efficient and responsible management of companies. The promotion of human rights is central in the application of company law: it is extremely important given the significant role of enterprises within the social and economic life of the nation. The interests of various stakeholder groups in the context of the corporation as a “social institution” should be enhanced and protected. Because corporations are a part of society and the community they are required to be socially responsible and to be more accountable to all stakeholders in the company. Although directors act in the best interests of shareholders, collectively, they must also consider the interests of other stakeholders. Sustainable relationships with all the relevant stakeholders are important. The advancement of social justice is important to corporations in that they should take into account the Constitution, labour and company law legislation in dealing with social justice issues. Employees have become important stakeholders in companies and their needs should be taken into account in a bigger corporate governance and social responsibility framework. Consideration of the role of employees in corporations entails notice that the Constitution grants every person a fundamental right to fair labour practices. Social as well as political change became evident after South Africa's re-entry into the world in the 1990s. Change to socio-economic conditions in a developing country is also evident. These changes have a major influence on South African labour law. Like company law, labour law, to a large extent, is codified. Like company law, no precise definition of labour law exists. From the various definitions, labour law covers both the individual and collective labour law and various role-players are involved. These role-players include trade unions, employers/companies, employees, and the state. The various relationships between these parties, ultimately, are what guides a certain outcome if there is a power play between them. In 1995 the South African labour market was transformed by the introduction of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995. The LRA remains the primary piece of labour legislation that governs labour law in South Africa. The notion of industrial democracy and the transformation of the workplace are central issues in South African labour law. The constitutional change that have taken place in South Africa, by which the protection of human rights and the democratisation of the workplace are advanced contributed to these developments. Before the enactment of the LRA, employee participation and voice were much-debated topics, locally and internationally. In considering employee participation, it is essential to take due cognisance of both the labour and company law principles that are pertinent: the need for workers to have a voice in the workplace and for employers to manage their corporations. Employee participation and voice should be evident at different levels: from informationsharing to consultation to joint decision-making. Corporations should enhance systems and processes that facilitate employee participation and voice in decisions that affect employees. The primary research question under investigation is: What role should (and could) employees play in corporate decision-making in South Africa? The main inquiry of the thesis, therefore, is to explore the issue of granting a voice to employees in companies, in particular, the role of employees in the decision-making processes of companies. The thesis explores various options, including supervisory co-determination as well as social co-determination, in order to find solutions that will facilitate the achievement of employee participation and voice in companies in South Africa. / LLD, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Recently, South African company law underwent a dramatic overhaul through the introduction of the Companies Act 71 of 2008. Central to company law is the promotion of corporate governance: companies no longer are accountable to their shareholders only but to society at large. Leaders should direct company strategy and operations with a view to achieving the triple bottom-line (economic, social and environmental performance) and, thus, should manage the business in a sustainable manner. An important question in company law today: In whose interest should the company be managed? Corporate governance needs to address the entire span of responsibilities to all stakeholders of the company, such as customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers and the community at large. The Companies Act aims to balance the rights and obligations of shareholders and directors within companies and encourages the efficient and responsible management of companies. The promotion of human rights is central in the application of company law: it is extremely important given the significant role of enterprises within the social and economic life of the nation. The interests of various stakeholder groups in the context of the corporation as a “social institution” should be enhanced and protected. Because corporations are a part of society and the community they are required to be socially responsible and to be more accountable to all stakeholders in the company. Although directors act in the best interests of shareholders, collectively, they must also consider the interests of other stakeholders. Sustainable relationships with all the relevant stakeholders are important. The advancement of social justice is important to corporations in that they should take into account the Constitution, labour and company law legislation in dealing with social justice issues. Employees have become important stakeholders in companies and their needs should be taken into account in a bigger corporate governance and social responsibility framework. Consideration of the role of employees in corporations entails notice that the Constitution grants every person a fundamental right to fair labour practices. Social as well as political change became evident after South Africa's re-entry into the world in the 1990s. Change to socio-economic conditions in a developing country is also evident. These changes have a major influence on South African labour law. Like company law, labour law, to a large extent, is codified. Like company law, no precise definition of labour law exists. From the various definitions, labour law covers both the individual and collective labour law and various role-players are involved. These role-players include trade unions, employers/companies, employees, and the state. The various relationships between these parties, ultimately, are what guides a certain outcome if there is a power play between them. In 1995 the South African labour market was transformed by the introduction of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995. The LRA remains the primary piece of labour legislation that governs labour law in South Africa. The notion of industrial democracy and the transformation of the workplace are central issues in South African labour law. The constitutional change that have taken place in South Africa, by which the protection of human rights and the democratisation of the workplace are advanced contributed to these developments. Before the enactment of the LRA, employee participation and voice were much-debated topics, locally and internationally. In considering employee participation, it is essential to take due cognisance of both the labour and company law principles that are pertinent: the need for workers to have a voice in the workplace and for employers to manage their corporations. Employee participation and voice should be evident at different levels: from informationsharing to consultation to joint decision-making. Corporations should enhance systems and processes that facilitate employee participation and voice in decisions that affect employees. The primary research question under investigation is: What role should (and could) employees play in corporate decision-making in South Africa? The main inquiry of the thesis, therefore, is to explore the issue of granting a voice to employees in companies, in particular, the role of employees in the decision-making processes of companies. The thesis explores various options, including supervisory co-determination as well as social co-determination, in order to find solutions that will facilitate the achievement of employee participation and voice in companies in South Africa. / LLD, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Abstract in English, Zulu and Afrikaans / The primary intent of this study was to develop a competitive intelligence (CI) programme implementation strategy framework for the effective use of CI in strategic decision-making (SDM) in a conglomerate, using embedded multiple units and a single-case exploratory study that is qualitative dominant. The study therefore explored the strategic value of CI for SDM in a company that has a conglomerate structure and whose subsidiaries are vertically integrated. Despite the perceived usefulness of CI for distinctive SDM, the case conglomerate and its subsidiaries had collected and employed the available CI products to support their strategic, tactical and other business decisions. Overall results indicated differences between the subsidiaries and the headquarter; and among the subsidiaries on CI practice (CI collection, CI coordination, CI sharing and CI effort) and CI usage for SDM and other decisions. Although a similar strategy development process (guided by the grand corporate strategy), management structure, decision-making process and orientation in the subsidiaries existed, these uniformities did not significantly result in a uniform level of application and usage of CI for SDM across the conglomerate. The conclusion is that CI application is very subjective and contextual even in a vertically integrated conglomerate. Through theory, literature review and empirical findings, synthesis and iteration, a middle-range theory that integrates the CI and SDM disciplines in terms of the contextual issues both share is also constructed. The study also developed a novel way of crafting CI for SDM, which may fit into the existing structure and realities of the conglomerate so as to formalise CI. The CI programme implementation strategy framework was developed considering the proof of tested theories, best practices, existing context, strategy, decision-making process, structure, enabling factors and capabilities of the conglomerate. The CI programme implementation strategy framework, accompanied by a proposed CI structure, has immediate pragmatic utility. It could enable the conglomerate to initiate a formal CI programme without delay and to develop it following an organisational maturation cycle. The study makes an original contribution by conceptualising a CI programme implementation strategy for a unique case and theorising the case within a novel extension within middle-range theory (“SDM and CI application can be viewed in the contextual domains both share”). The exploratory study itself, which led to merging theory and best practices with empirical results and fitting the theories and best practices into case conglomerate’s realities, also makes the study unique in terms of its approach and outputs. / Inhloso enkulu yalolu cwaningo kwakungukusungula uhlaka lokuqala ukusebenzisa uhlelo lwamasu obuhlakani bokuqhathanisa izinkampani ezincintisanayo, obaziwa ngokuthi yiCompetitive Intelligence (iCI) ngesiNgisi ukuze isebenze kahle ekuthathweni kwezinqumo ezihambisana namasu okwaziwa ngestrategic decision-making (iSDM) ngesiNgisi kwinhlanganyela yezinkampani, kusetshenziswa uhlobo locwaningo olungamayunithi amaningi afakwe ndawonye, oluhlola udaba olulodwa nolugxile kakhulu ekuqoqweni kwemininingwane. Ngakhoke, lolu cwaningo luhlole umthelela omuhle wamasu eCI ngokuthatha izinqumo ezihambisana namasu (iSDM) enkampanini enomumo wenhlanganyela yezinkampani enezinkampani ezingena ngaphansi kwayo ezenza imisebenzi eyahlukahlukene. Phezu kokumsebenzi obonakalayo weCI ngokuhlukile kwiSDM, inhlangayela yezinkampani okuyiyo ebhekiwe kanye nezinkampani ezingaphansi kwayo yaqoqa yase isebenzisa imikhiqizo yeCI etholakalayo ukusingatha ukuthatha kwayo izinqumo ezihambisana namasu, namaqhinga kanye nezinye izinqumo zebhizinisi. Imiphumela ephelele yabonisa ukuthi kukhona ukungafani phakathi kwezinkampani ezingena ngaphansi kwayo kanye nekomkhulu; kanti futhi phakathi wezinkampani ezingena ngaphansi kwayo kokuphathelene neCI (Ukuqoqwa kwemininingwane yeCI, ukuhlanganiswa kwemininingwane yeCI, ukusabalalisa imininingwane yeCI nokusebenza kweCI) nokusetshenziswa kweSDM nezinye izinqumo. Nakuba kwakukhona inqubo yokuthuthukisa isu elifanayo (elandela imigomo yesu elihle lenkampani), ukwakheka kohlaka lwabaphethe, inqubo yokuthatha izinqumo kanye nokuqondiswa kwezinkampani ezingaphansi kwenye, lokhu kwefaniswa akuzange kube ngokufanayo endleleni yokwenza nokusebenziswa kweCI kwiSDM kwinhlangayela yezinkampani. Isiphetho ukuthi uhlelo lokusebenza lweCI luncike kakhulu ohlangothini nasengqikithini eyodwa kwinhlanganyela yezinkampani ezenza izinto ezahlukahlukene. Ngokulandela ukuhlaziywa kwemibhalo yemibono yezinzululwazi, kanye nokutholakele uma kwenziwa ucwaningo olubheka izinto ngenkathi zenzeka, ukuhlanganiswa kwemininingwane kanye nokuphindaphindwa kokuhlolwa, kuphinde kwakhiwe imibono yezinzululwazi emibili ehlanganisa imikhakha yeCI neSDM maqondana nezingqikithi ezifanayo kuyona. Ekugcineni, ucwaningo luphinde lwasungula indlela engakaze ibe khona yokwakha iCI iyakhela iSDM engangena ithi khaxa ekwakhekeni nasesimweni esikhona senhlanganyela yezinkampani ukuze iCI ihleleke ngokusemthethweni. Uhlaka lwesu lokuqaliswa kokusebenza kohlelo lweCI lwenziwa ngoba kucatshangwa ngobufakazi obutholakala kwimibono yezinzululwazi ehloliwe, okusebenze ngempumelelo, indikimba ekhona njengamanje, isu, inqubo yokuthatha izinqumo, ukwakheka, yilokho okwenza izinto zenzeke futhi kusebenzeke kwinhlanganyela yezinkampani. Uhlaka lwesu lokuqaliswa kokusebenza kohlelo lweCI, oluphelezelwa ukwakheka okuhlongoziwe kweCI kukwazi ukuhlolisisa kahle umqondo wokukwazi ukubona ubungako bolwazi nesidingo solunye ucwaningo. Kungasiza inhlanganyela yezinkampani, cishe, ukuba ikwazi ukuqala uhlelo olusha lweCI nokulithuthukisa kulandela uchungechunge lwendlela yokukhula yenhlangano. Ucwaningo lufaka ulwazi olusha esivivaneni ngokuqhamuka nomqondo omusha wesu lokuqala ukusebenzisa uhlelo lweCI odabeni olungajwayelekile, bese lubeka imibono ngodaba olubhekwayo ngendlela engakaze yenzeke nehlanganisa imibono yezinzululwazi kanye nocwaningo olubheka izinto ngenkathi zenzeka (“Ukusetshenziswa kweSDM neCI kungabhekwa ezizindeni zengqikithi ezifanayo kukona”). Ucwaningo oluhlolayo, lona uqobo, oluholela ekuhlanganisweni kwemibono yezinzululwazi nokubhekwa kwalokho okucwaningwayo ukuthi kusebenza kahle kuphi kanye nemiphumela yocwaningo olubheka izinto ngenkathi zenzeka, nokuhlanganisa lokho nokwenzeka ngempela enhlanganyeleni yezinkampani, nakho kwenza lolu cwaningo lube ngolwehlukile maqondana nendlela oluyilandelayo kanye nemiphumela evelayo. / Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om 'n strategieraamwerk vir programimplementering van mededingingsintelligensie (MI) te ontwikkel vir die doeltreffende gebruik van MI in strategiese besluitneming in 'n konglomeraat, deur 'n vasgelegde veelvoudige eenhede, enkelgeval-verkenningstudie, wat ook kwalitatief dominant is, te gebruik. Die studie het dus die strategiese waarde van MI vir strategiese besluitneming verken in 'n maatskappy wat 'n konglomeraatstruktuur het en wie se filiale vertikaal geïntegreer is. Ondanks die waargenome nuttigheid van MI vir spesifiek strategiese besluitneming, het die gevallestudiekonglomeraat en sy filiale die beskikbare MI-produkte versamel en aangewend om hul strategiese, taktiese en ander sakebesluite te ondersteun. Algehele resultate het die bestaan van verskille tussen die filiale en die hoofkantoor aangedui; en tussen die filiale oor MI-praktyke (MI-versameling, MI-koördinering; MI-deling en MI-pogings) en MI-gebruik vir strategiese en ander besluite. Alhoewel daar soortgelyke strategiese ontwikkelingsprosesse bestaan (gelei deur die groot korporatiewe strategie), het hierdie eenvormigheid in bestuurstrukture, besluitnemingprosesse en oriëntering in die filiale nie 'n beduidende eenvormige vlak van toepassing en gebruik van MI vir strategiese besluitneming regdeur die konglomeraat tot gevolg gehad nie. Gevolglik is MI-toepassing baie subjektief en kontekstueel, selfs in 'n konglomeraat wat vertikaal geïntegreer is. Deur teoretiese, literatuuroorsig- en empiriese bevindinge is sintese en iterasie, twee middelvlakteorieë, ook saamgestel wat velde van MI en strategiese besluitneming met betrekking tot die kontekstuele kwessies wat albei deel, geïntegreer het. Op die ou end het die studie ook 'n nuwe manier ontwikkel om MI vir strategiese besluitneming te bewerk wat by die bestaande struktuur en realiteite van die konglomeraat kan inpas om MI te formaliseer. Die strategieraamwerk vir programimplementering van MI is ontwikkel met die bewys van getoetste teorieë, beste praktyke, bestaande konteks, strategie, besluitnemingsproses, faktore wat strukture moontlik maak en vermoë van die konglomeraat, in gedagte. Die strategieraamwerk vir programimplementering van MI, saam met die voorgestelde MI-strukture, het onmiddellike pragmatiese nut. Dit kan die konglomeraat onmiddellik in staat te stel om 'n formele MI-program te inisieer en dit te ontwikkel deur 'n organisatoriese verouderingsiklus te volg. Die studie maak 'n oorspronklike bydra deur 'n strategie vir programimplementering van MI te konseptualiseer vir 'n unieke geval, die teoretisering van die geval binne 'n nuwe uitbreiding in 'n middelvlakteorie ("Toepassing van strategiese besluitneming en MI kan in die kontekstuele domeine beskou word wat beide deel"). Die verkenningstudie self, wat tot die samesmelting van teorie en beste praktyke met die empiriese resultate gelei het en die passing van die teorieë en beste praktyke in die gevallestudiekonglomeraat se realiteite, maak die studie ook uniek met betrekking tot sy benadering en opbrengs. / Graduate School for Business Leadership / D.B.L.

Both globally and locally, agriculture faces ever increasing challenges such as high input costs, strict environmental laws, decrease in land for cultivation and an increase in demand due to the growing global population. Profitability and sustainability requires more effective production systems. Precision agriculture is identified as such a system and is built upon a system approach that aims to restructure the total system of agriculture towards low input, high efficiency and sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to analyse the state of precision agriculture in the summer grain producing areas of South Africa, specifically the North West and Free State provinces. In order to achieve this, a literature study was conducted. During the literature study the term ‘precision agriculture’ was defined and discussed. The precision agriculture cycle and its components were explained and benefits of precision agriculture were identified. The literature study was concluded with identifying and discussing the most widely used and most beneficial technologies as well as reasons for slow adoption. Findings from the literature study were used to investigate the state of precision agriculture locally. In order to achieve this, a quantitative approach was used and information was collected by means of an empirical study using a questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed to farmers using selling agents of an agricultural company that is well represented in the targeted areas. The data was then statistically analysed. The survey showed that only 52% of summer grain producing farmers in the North West and Free State provinces of South Africa practises precision agriculture as defined in the v literature study. The study also revealed that the majority of precision agriculture farmers are over the age of 40, have more than 16 years of farming experience, are well educated, cultivate more than 1,000 hectares and uses none or little irrigation. The most commonly used precision agriculture technologies were grid soil sampling and yield monitors. The perception among most of the farmers was that precision technologies are not very affordable, not easily available and that it lacks proper testing with regards to efficiency. The group of summer grain–producing farmers that have correctly implemented precision agriculture as per definition stated that the benefits they derived from precision technologies include reduction in input costs, increased outputs and improved management skills. Too high implementation costs and technologies not providing enough benefits were among the main reasons farmers do not implement precision agriculture. It was concluded that a significant effort and amount of work is needed to increase the use of precision agriculture among summer grain–producing farmers in the targeted areas. A consolidated effort from government, agricultural institutions and agricultural companies will be needed to achieve this goal. Implementing precision agriculture as a system will require education (from primary to tertiary institutions) and improved marketing strategies. Only then will precision technologies be able to help meet the future demands placed on the agriculture sector. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Both globally and locally, agriculture faces ever increasing challenges such as high input costs, strict environmental laws, decrease in land for cultivation and an increase in demand due to the growing global population. Profitability and sustainability requires more effective production systems. Precision agriculture is identified as such a system and is built upon a system approach that aims to restructure the total system of agriculture towards low input, high efficiency and sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to analyse the state of precision agriculture in the summer grain producing areas of South Africa, specifically the North West and Free State provinces. In order to achieve this, a literature study was conducted. During the literature study the term ‘precision agriculture’ was defined and discussed. The precision agriculture cycle and its components were explained and benefits of precision agriculture were identified. The literature study was concluded with identifying and discussing the most widely used and most beneficial technologies as well as reasons for slow adoption. Findings from the literature study were used to investigate the state of precision agriculture locally. In order to achieve this, a quantitative approach was used and information was collected by means of an empirical study using a questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed to farmers using selling agents of an agricultural company that is well represented in the targeted areas. The data was then statistically analysed. The survey showed that only 52% of summer grain producing farmers in the North West and Free State provinces of South Africa practises precision agriculture as defined in the v literature study. The study also revealed that the majority of precision agriculture farmers are over the age of 40, have more than 16 years of farming experience, are well educated, cultivate more than 1,000 hectares and uses none or little irrigation. The most commonly used precision agriculture technologies were grid soil sampling and yield monitors. The perception among most of the farmers was that precision technologies are not very affordable, not easily available and that it lacks proper testing with regards to efficiency. The group of summer grain–producing farmers that have correctly implemented precision agriculture as per definition stated that the benefits they derived from precision technologies include reduction in input costs, increased outputs and improved management skills. Too high implementation costs and technologies not providing enough benefits were among the main reasons farmers do not implement precision agriculture. It was concluded that a significant effort and amount of work is needed to increase the use of precision agriculture among summer grain–producing farmers in the targeted areas. A consolidated effort from government, agricultural institutions and agricultural companies will be needed to achieve this goal. Implementing precision agriculture as a system will require education (from primary to tertiary institutions) and improved marketing strategies. Only then will precision technologies be able to help meet the future demands placed on the agriculture sector. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.