[pt] Vários setores têm buscado inovações a partir da transformação digital (TD). No entanto, há uma grande diversidade de definições da TD, o que dificulta seu entendimento e aplicação prática. Paralelamente à TD, as tecnologias digitais têm apresentado uma nova perspectiva para estratégias e processos de negócios, produtos e serviços. A TD inclui o relacionamento com fornecedores e clientes e envolve diferentes setores e indústrias, gerando oportunidades para novas estratégias de negócios. O escopo da pesquisa inclui o setor de telecomunicações, um dos segmentos de base para a TD, responsável pelas transmissões de dados, serviços móveis e banda larga. Apesar de sua importância, faltam pesquisas que abordem esse setor e as transformações digitais de seus processos de negócios. A dissertação compreende duas etapas para entender conceitualmente a TD e observar os facilitadores, barreiras e resultados desse fenômeno nos processos de negócios. A primeira é uma revisão sistemática da literatura que resultou na estruturação de um framework analítico da TD. Ela fundamenta a segunda etapa sob forma de um estudo de caso em uma empresa nacional de telecomunicações, contrastando os achados da literatura com um caso real. A pesquisa contribui com um framework unificado para análise e implementação da TD, evidenciando que os processos de mudança ocorrem na organização, em sua cadeia de suprimentos, atingindo toda a indústria neste setor e à sociedade em geral em particular, devido à interação empresa e serviço ao cliente, trazendo um melhor entendimento dos processos de TD relacionados à experiência do cliente no setor de telecomunicações, servindo de guia para pesquisas futuras e gerenciamento de iniciativas. / [en] Several sectors have sought innovations from digital transformation (DT). However, a great diversity of DT definitions makes its understanding and practical application difficult. Parallel to DT, digital technologies have presented a new perspective for business strategies and processes, products and services. TD includes relationships with suppliers and customers. It involves different sectors and industries, generating opportunities for new business strategies. The scope of the research includes the telecommunications sector, one of the key segments for digital transformation. It is the sector responsible for data transmissions, mobile services and broadband. Despite its importance there is a lack of research on the sector and the digital transformations of its business processes. The dissertation comprises two steps to conceptually understand DT and observe the facilitators, barriers and results of this phenomenon in business processes. The first is a systematic review of the literature that resulted in structuring an analytic digital transformation framework. It supports the second stage as a case study in a national telecommunications company, contrasting the literature findings with a real case. The research contributes with a framework for analysis and implementation of TD, evidencing that the processes of change occur in the organization, in its supply chain, reaching the entire industry in this sector and society in general, in particular due to the interaction company and customer service, bringing a better understanding of the TD processes related to the customer experience in the telecommunications sector, serving as a guide for future research and management of initiatives.

Social Work / (M.A.(Social Work)

This study set out to explore how Official Development Assistance was practised in South Africa. An exploratory narrative design was followed to uncover the ‘strategy in the skin’ of strategy practitioners in the unit of analysis and to respond, therefore, to the research questions. This study has contributed to the body of knowledge in that it has brought together an alternative confluence of three theoretical perspectives of strategy as practice; complex adaptive systems and organisational hypocrisy and has explored the impact of the practice lens on these standpoints. While there has been extensive research on each of the theoretical perspectives, there has not yet been a study that has drawn together the three perspectives in relation to an empirical unit of analysis such as Official Development Assistance practices and practitioners. The study responded to a knowledge gap in relation to how public sector organisations, such as government units and the strategy practitioners of such units, practice strategy beyond the reified, formalised conceptions of strategy and in relation to their inhabiting complex, political organisational systems. The study arrived at two central theoretical findings. Firstly, that strategising represents a calibration of strategic practices towards strategic outcomes through the activities of complex adaptive practitioners v within the more politically inclined organisation. Secondly, that beyond the text of strategy, there is sub-text that is equally part of the micro strategy towards strategic outcomes.The skilful and sometimes delicate balancing act, that strategists perform to legitimise the calibrated combinations of action and politics in organisational strategy, equally needs nuanced, subtle and more complex forms of organisational communication. The study, therefore, makes the claim that complex adaptive systems and the characteristics of political organisations (as not being geared to action) are inherently broadened through the multiple dimensions of the practice turn and strategy as sub-text. The research confirmed that strategy as practice is a useful lens to understand strategy beyond the formally documented scripts and espoused pronouncements of strategy within organisational studies / Business Management / Thesis (D. B. L.)

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit, University of Technology in the Faculty of Commerce, 2007 / Entrepreneurship, business knowledge and skills within micro and small businesses play an important part in the economies of countries across the globe by being the drivers of economic growth, as well as, creating employment. The role of micro and small businesses is matching that of big business and in some countries contributes up to ninety per cent of revenue. The difficulties from supply and demand perspectives are receiving increasing attention from government and academic institutions and researchers, and the purpose of this study is to establish to what degree the presence of entrepreneurship is present in the region concerned, as well as, investigating the extent of knowledge and skills within the sample of micro and small business owners. The study uses descriptive statistics drawn from a questionnaire survey, to achieve its purpose. One hundred and seventy micro and small businesses were drawn using a stratified random sampling method. Businesses surveyed were grouped into the following categories: services, manufacturing, hardware, clothing and food. Entrepreneurial traits were found present in the micro and small business owners, however certain behavioural aspects argued against this presence. In terms of knowledge and skills, the extent was found to be limited in terms of both academic qualifications, and business acumen. Growth rates of the businesses in the survey seem to be low and the presence of real entrepreneurship would need further investigation.

The airline industry has grown rapidly over the past few decades, recording a ten-fold rise in passenger numbers and a fourteen-fold increase in cargo volumes. This growth has created overwhelming value to airline passengers, employees, suppliers and the broader economy. Unfortunately, this industry has been affected by terrorism attacks, wars, revolutions, pandemic fears, earthquakes, volcanoes, failing economies and skyrocketing fuel prices all of which have negatively impacted on profitability and resulted in intense competition. Consequently, airlines have spent the last decade in survival mode having to adapt to harsh changes. Air Zimbabwe, a state-run organisation which operates in this highly regulated and turbulent industry, is faced with numerous micro and macro environmental challenges and has been purposively selected for this study. According to company statistics, the airline’s annual passenger uplifts have declined from a peak of over 1 million in the 1990s to less than 200 000 in 2011, with revenue generation declining in correlation. Whilst Air Zimbabwe has experienced depressed demand for its services, competitor airlines are recording brisk business. The aim of this study was to investigate how a struggling organisation, which operates in a turbulent environment, can improve its competitiveness and profitability by better understanding the impact of industry role players and adapting organisational strategies to industry variations. This study examined, from the point of view of the industry players themselves, the extent to which customers, suppliers, competitors, regulatory authorities, substitute products and new entrants have impacted on the competitiveness and profitability of the airline. Major findings reveal that an organisation cannot operate in isolation and be competitive or profitable, but constantly needs to analyse the industry environment in which it operates in and to amicably interact with other industry role players. The research outlines the need for competition in certain areas and cooperation in others. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

This study set out to explore the strategising practices of middle managers and thereby expand the body of knowledge in terms of middle management practices in strategising in general, and makes an original contribution at the frontiers of middle management practices in a university context in South Africa. Although some research has been done on middle managers and strategy, a knowledge gap still exists, especially regarding strategising in emerging economies, such as South Africa. More specifically, the actions of middle managers at universities are open for exploration. Universities are increasingly exposed to new challenges in a competitive environment due to declining state funding, changing student demographics, new technological developments and increased market pressures. The sustainability of universities is also threatened by changes inside the universities, such as the drive for corporatisation and a changing internal focus. The way universities respond to and pre-empt dealing with these challenges will influence the sustainability and competitiveness of the university and subsequently the nations it serves. However, very little is known about the university managers who are powerful in terms of the administrative systems and decision processes. In order to understand strategy work viii and to know what enables or constrains it, it is necessary to look at middle managers at universities. This research puts forward three main arguments: firstly, strategy is dispersed throughout the entire organisation and includes middle managers’ strategising activities. Secondly, a need exists for practically relevant research founded in the organisational realities. Thirdly, universities present a relevant context within which to study strategising practices. An exploratory qualitative case study was followed to answer the research questions. Findings indicate that university middle managers, who operate within a machine bureaucracy, create systems within systems in order to cope with the organisational demands. Middle managers are mostly responsible for strategy implementation and the support role of university managers is prominent. Findings also indicate that the strategy loses its meaning and in an environment where the strategy textual artefacts and talk are abundant. In such an environment compliance takes precedence over buy-in. Finally, this study identified the enablers of and constraints on the strategy work of university middle managers. This research confirmed that strategy and strategising are human actions and confirmed that knowledge of what people do in relation to the strategies of organisations is required. / Economics / D. Com. (Business Management)

Thesis (MAcc (Accountancy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The successful implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System can help an organisation to redefine its business processes and enhance its competitive advantage. An ERP System Implementation is a transformation project, which changes the way an organisation thinks and acts about its business. An ERP System implementation is also a complex endeavour, and as such, it requires rigorous risk management. The understanding and management of risks relevant to ERP System Implementation Projects are critical in order to ensure that the project delivers on its objectives within the specified budget and timelines, and eventually realises the envisaged business benefits. The purpose of this study is to discuss how key risks relevant to ERP System Implementation Projects could be addressed by applying project management disciplines derived from the PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environment) project management methodology. This methodology was developed by the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom. This study also provides a framework that could be applied at the outset and during an ERP System Implementation Project by business management, to understand the risks (“what could go wrong?”) and project management disciplines that should be applied to address these risks (“what must go right?”). This framework was derived by: • Identifying key risks relevant to ERP System Implementation Projects; • Mapping these key risks onto SAP Implementation phases to highlight where these risks could materialise in the SAP Implementation process; • Then mapping these key risks across PRINCE2 project management processes and SAP Implementation phases by creating the SAP Implementation Key Risks Map; and finally • Providing a detailed description of how to apply PRINCE2 project management disciplines to address each risk in the SAP Implementation Key Risks Map.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa requires sustained economic growth in order to alleviate the poverty of its urban population. This study is based on the hypothesis that in order to sustain the existing "good" infrastructure and secure the "high-quality" human resource base of our country, it is necessary to be proactive with regard to the management of commercial/business nodes in order to ensure that they do not deteriorate or become stifled and/or excluded from delivering their full economic potential/contribution towards the urban economy. This study contains a synopsis of the research conducted by the author on behalf of the City of Cape Town - Economic Development and Tourism Directorate during 2003. The purpose was to develop a uniform model to ascertain and monitor the economic health of business areas within the Cape Town metropole. The research was presented to the City of Cape Town in the form of a protocol, which has subsequently been utilised to establish economic profiles for the Athlone Central Business District, Gatesville/Rylands business centre and Airport Industria. The focus and purpose of the protocol was to place tbe City Council in a position whereby the relative economic health of specific business/mixed-use areas within the Cape Metropolitan Area can be properly assessed, selected interventions made where necessary and results monitored. The point of departure that was adopted from the outset was that the assessment need not just relate to negative trends or indications of economic distress, but that there is substantial merit in assessing nodes that are seemingly "getting it right" or "booming". / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika benodig volgehoue ekonomiese groei ten einde die armoede van sy stedelike bevolking te verlig. Hierdie navorsing is gebaseer op die hipotese dat ten einde die bestaande "goeie" infrastruktuur te handhaaf en ons land se menslike hulpbronbasis van hoë gehalte te verseker, dit nodig is om proaktief te wees ten opsigte van die bestuur van kommersiële/sakepunte ten einde te verseker dat hulle nie agteruitgaan of doodwurg en/of uitgesluit raak van die lewering van hulle volle ekonomiese potensiaal/bydrae tot die stedelike ekonomie nie. Hierdie tesis bevat 'n sinopsis van die navorsing wat die outeur gedurende 2003 namens die Stad Kaapstad - Direktoraat: Ekonomiese _Ontwikkeling en Toerisme - gedoen het. Die doel was die ontwikkeling van 'n eenvormige model om die ekonomiese welstand van sakegebiede binne die Kaapstadse metropool te bepaal en te monitor. Die navorsing is in die vorm van 'n protokol aan die Stad Kaapstad gelewer. Die protokol is daarna aangewend om ekonomiese profiele vir die Athlone Sentrale Sakegebied, Gatesville/Rylands sakesentrum en Airport Industria op te stel. Die fokus en doel van die protokol was om die Stadsraad in 'n posisie te plaas waardeur die relatiewe ekonomiese welstand van spesifieke sakegebiede of gebiede met verskillende ondernemings in die Kaapse Metropolitaanse Gebied behoorlik geassesseer kan word, geselekteerde intervensies waar nodig gemaak kan word en resultate gemonitor kan word. As uitgangspunt is van die begin aanvaar dat die behoefte aan assessering nie net met negatiewe tendense of aanduidings van ekonomiese nood verband hou nie, maar dat daar ook wesenlike meriete lê in die assessering van gebiede wat op die oog af "dinge regkry" of "floreer".

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Globalisering, tegnologiese vooruitgang, die Internet en veranderinge in Suid-Afrika vanaf 1994 het bygedra tot die huidige nuwe ekonomie. Indien organisasies wil oorleef in die nuwe ekonomie sal hulle moet aanvaar dat die nuwe ekonomie ‘n aantal nuwe uitdagings te weë gebring het tot die manier waarop besigheid gedoen word in Suid-Afrika en in die res van die wêreld. In die nuwe ekonomie moet organisasies takties te werk gaan om volgehoue sukses te verseker. Besluitnemers moet die impak wat die nuwe ekonomie op hulle besigheid en hul stand in die betrokke mark het analiseer en strategiese beplanning doen oor hoe die organisasie gaan aanpas in die nuwe ekonomie om oorlewing te verseker in ‘n mark wat aanhoudend verander. Verwantskappe met interne en eksterne belangegroepe en deelhebbers is van kardinale belang in die nuwe ekonomie. Organisasies moet hul fokus plaas op verwantskappe met belangegroepe wat deel is van die besigheidsproses en sodoende deelhebbers beïnvloed tot voordeel van die organisasie. ‘n Aantal nuwe toetreders tot die mark (klein tot medium ondernemings en internasionale organisasies wat investeer in Suid-Afrika) het ‘n beduidende toename in mededinging veroorsaak. Die toename in mededinging het op sy beurt gelei tot ‘n groter veskeidenheid aanbiedinge wat beskikbaar gestel word aan verbruikers en ander belangegroepe. Die reputasie van ‘n organisasie, sy produkte en sy werknemers speel ook ‘n baie belangrike rol in die nuwe ekonomie aangesien belangegroepe en deelhebbers verkies om geassosieer te word met geloofwaardige en suksesvolle organisasies, produkte en dienste. Dit is dus belangrik dat indien ‘n organisasie will oorleef in die nuwe ekonomie moet die organisasie homself onderskei van ander en seker maak dat hulle ‘n plek in die gedagtes van hulle belangegroepe en deelhebbers toe eien. Die enigste manier om ‘n mededingende voordeel binne die nuwe ekonomie te bewerkstellig is om die besigheid takties in die gedagtes van alle belangegroepe en deelhebbers te posisioneer. As gevolg van die uitdagings en veranderinge wat die nuwe ekonomie te weeg gebring het kan ‘n organisasie nie langer net staat maak op tradisionele bemarkingsbeginsels om hulle self te posisioneer nie. ‘n Posisionerings- (of plasings-) strategie moet ontwikkel en toegepas word deur ‘n stelsel benadering te volg waar die hele organisasie betrokke is in posisionering. Die navorser het hierdie studie aangepak omrede ‘n handleiding te ontwerp en daar te stel vir besluitnemers in organisasies wat hul betrokke organisasies takties wil posisioneer in die nuwe ekonomie. Om die konsepsionele model vir posisionering (of plasing) van ‘n organisasie in die nuwe ekonomie daar te stel het die navorser kwalitatiewe navorsing gedoen wat ‘n studie van gepaste vak-inhoud, teorieë, beskikbare studiemateriaal, opinies van deskundiges en ‘n inhouds-analise van steekproef onderhoude ingesluit het. Die resultaat van die studie is ‘n goed geformuleerde teoretiesie model vir posisionering van ‘n organisasie in die nuwe ekonomie wat enige organisaie wat dit toepas in sy geheel sal bevoordeel en sy posisionering sal versterk. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globalisation, technological enhancements, the Internet and changes in South Africa from 1994 led to the current new economy. If a company wants to survive in the new economy it will have to realise that the new economy brings a number of challenges to the way that business is conducted in South Africa and abroad. Companies need to work tactically in the new economy business environment to ensure sustainability. Decision-makers are to access the impact that the new economy has on the company and its position in the market and strategise how to adapt to the new economy in order to survive in an ever changing market. In the new economy relationships with internal and external stakeholders have become more important and companies need to focus on the relationships within its value chain in order to influence its stakeholders to the benefit of the company. Competition has increased due to a number of new entrants to the market (small to medium enterprises and international companies investing in South Africa) which led to a vast amount of offerings being available to consumers and other stakeholders. The reputation of a company, its products and its employees also play an important role in the new economy as stakeholders want to be associated with a credible and successful company, product or service. It is thus important that if a company wants to survive in the new economy it needs to differentiate themselves from others and make sure to own an area in the minds of their stakeholders. The only way to create a competitive advantage in the new economy is to position a company tactically in the minds of all stakeholders. Due to the challenges and changes that the new economy brought about a company can no longer only use traditional marketing principles to position themselves. A positioning strategy needs to be developed and implemented from a systems point of view where the whole company is involved in its positioning. The researcher embarked on this study to create a tool for companies that will assist decision-makers in the tactical positioning of their companies within the new economy. In order to create a conceptual model for positioning of a company in the new economy qualitative research was conducted, that included a study of content, theories, available material, views from experts as well as a content analysis from sample interviews. The outcome of the study was a well formulated theoretical model for positioning of a company in the new economy that will benefit and enhance the positioning of any company that applies it in its entirety.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 1999. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globally the mining and minerals market is experiencing a decline. With this decline, focus is turning to Africa as an unexplored mineral wealth. In terms of global exploration expenditure, Africa is said to be experiencing the highest percentage growth of any other regional budget. The Halliburton company is reputed to be the premier source for the engineering and construction of refineries, chemical plants, and pipelines along with office buildings, infrastructure systems, government facilities, and much more. The South African office has recently established a mining and minerals division, which has experienced certain measures of success, however, a failure of the division appears to be the total lack of a significant growth strategy. This has resulted in the division becoming a one-client business. The Sub-Saharan market is characterised by unique challenges, which require a strong culture aligned with its market environment, strategic choice and distinctive competencies to be successful in the market. The purpose of this study project is primarily to make a contribution to the formulation of strategic direction in order to obtain practical implementation guidelines given the unique opportunities and challenges presented in this market. The formulation of the strategy for the mining and minerals business unit is achieved firstly be analysing the Sub-Saharan market, the dominant economic traits, and conducting a full industry and competitive analysis. Secondly, organisation situation analysis of Kellogg Brown & Root is conducted in order to assess the competitive positioning of the firm and distinct capabilities that the firm possesses, and those necessary for success in the market. This will include conducting an analysis of the internal strengths and weaknesses, of the company, and the external opportunities and threats facing the company. From the analyses conducted, strategic challenges are identified and suggestions are made to address these challenges. A strategic intent is proposed together with a mission statement, and a strategic and financial statement of objectives is developed. These statements of intent are not intended to prescribe to the firm and it's employees what the strategic approach should be, but to form the basis of further discussions and research and should not give way to misleading and unwarranted interpretations. The strategy formulated is superimposed onto the corporate strategy and no major discordance is evident. From the analyses conducted and strategy formulation process, suggestions are made that could provide manageable guidelines for the final implementation of the strategic business plan for the minerals division. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tans word 'n afname in die mynbou en minerale mark wêreldwyd ondervind. As gevolg van hierdie afname het die fokus na Afrika as 'n onverkende minerale rykdom verskuif. In terme van wêreldwye eksplorasie besteding, word beweer dat Afrika die hoogste persentasie groei ten opsigte van enige ander streeksbegroting ondervind. Die Halliburton maatskappy word beskou as 'n vername bron vir die ontwikkeling en konstruksie van raffinaderye, chemiese aanlegte, pyplyne, geassosieerde kantoor geboue, infrastrukture, regerings fasiliteite en vele meer. Die Suid Afrikaanse kantoor het onlangs 'n mynwese en minerale afdeling op die been gebring wat al 'n mate van sukses ondervind het. Dit wil egter voorkom asof 'n tekortkoming van die afdeling 'n gebrek aan 'n doelgerigte groei strategie is. Dit het tot gevolg gehad dat die afdeling tot 'n een-kliënt-saak verval het. Die Sub-Sahara mark word gekenmerk deur unieke uitdagings wat 'n sterk kultuur inlyn met die mark omgewing, strategiese keuses en relevante bevoegdhede verg om suksesvol in die mark te wees. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is om 'n bydrae te maak tot die formulering van 'n strategiese koers met die doel om praktiese implementerings riglyne daar te stel, met inagneming van die unieke geleenthede en uitdagings wat in die mark bestaan. Die formulering van 'n strategie vir die mynwese en minerale besigheidsektor word eerstens verkry deur 'n analise van die Sub-Sahara mark, dominerende ekonomiese eienskappe en 'n ontleding van die industriele en mededingende omgewing. Tweedens word 'n organisaie situasie analise van Kellogg Brown & Root uitgevoer om die kompeterings posisie, huidige kenmerkende bekwaamhede en die wat benodig word vir sukses in die mark, van die maatskappy vas te stel. Dit sluit 'n ontleding van die interne swak en sterk punte van die maatskappy, asook die eksterne geleenthede en bedreigings vir die maatskappy in. Vanuit hierdie analise word strategiese uitdagings geidentifiseer en word voorstelle gemaak om hierdie uitdagings aan te spreek. 'n Strategiese oogmerk, tesame met 'n doelwitstelling word voorgestel, en 'n strategiese en finansiele doelstelling word ontwikkel. Die doel van hierdie studie projek is nie om aan die maatskappy en sy werknemers 'n strategiese benadering voor te skryf nie, maar om die basis te vorm vir verdere bespreking en navorsing. Die studie moet nie aanleiding gee tot verkeerde en misleidende vertolkings nie. Die geformuleerde strategie is ook met die huidige korporatiewe strategie vergelyk en geen noemenswaardige verskille is ooglopend nie. Vanuit die analise en die strategiese formuleringsproses word praktiese riglyne voorgestel vir die implementering van die strategiese besigheidsplan vir die mynwese en minerale afdeling.