Införandet av ett informationssystem är en vanlig strategi för att kunna öka konkurrenskraften i företagets verksamhet med syftet att stödja och effektivisera verksamheten. En typ av informationssystem är ett Treasury Management System som kan effektivisera företagets hantering av finansiell information. Att införa ny teknik är dock en utmaning och införandeprocessen kan vara kritisk för att systemet ska vara möjligt att användas framgångsrikt. Införandet av ett Treasury Management System är inget undantag, det är ofta en komplex process med omfattande finansiella data där kritiska affärsprocesser hos kundföretaget behöver bearbetas. Även brist på utbildning, kunskap och kommunikation är vanliga problem som kan kopplas till relationen mellan kundföretaget och systemleverantören. Avsaknaden av en god relation mellan kund–systemleverantör kan i många fall resultera i att införandet misslyckas. För att nå ett framgångsrikt införande av Treasury Management System är det därför viktigt att förstå vilka faktorer i relationen mellan kund–systemleverantör som kan bidra till en framgångsrik införandeprocess. Syftet med denna kandidatuppsats i informatik är att identifiera och beskriva faktorer i en kund–systemleverantörsrelation som bidrar till en framgångsrik införandeprocess av ett Treasury Management System. Fallstudiemetoden har tillämpats och en litteraturstudie har genomförts. Utifrån litteraturstudien har en analysmodell upprättats. Primära empiriska data har samlats in genom utförda semistrukturerade intervjuer via Google Meet. Fem intervjuer har utförts med anställda på fallföretaget Nordkap och tre av dess kundföretag. Uppsatsstudiens tre viktigaste slutsatser är: kommunikationen mellan kund– systemleverantör är avgörande för att införandeprocessen ska bli framgångsrik. Kundens engagemang spelar stor roll för att användarutbildning och kommunikationen ska fungera och därmed bidrar det även till en framgångsrik införandeprocess. För att uppnå en framgångsrik införandeprocess är det av stor vikt att etablera en tydlig och gemensam målsättning som omfattar hela införandeprocessen och som återspeglar kundföretagets förväntningar på både systemet och införandet. Kunskapsbidraget från denna genomförda studie är en variabel: Engagemang, samt tre indikatorer: Grad av engagemang, Omfattning av tillgängliga resurser och Grad av gemensamt språk, som har lagts till i en modifierad analysmodell under studiens slutsatskapitel.

Studier visar på att Agila IT-projekt har en större lyckandegrad än traditionella IT-projekt där ett mer vattenfallsorienterat arbetssätt anammats. Trots att den agila approachen i många avseenden har bidragit till att fler projekt anses framgångsrika är det långt ifrån alla projekt som färdigställs i tid, inom budget och till rätt kvalité. Sedan det agila manifestet utgavs i början av 2000-talet har en rad faktorer, såsom kundinvolvering och teamets förmåga, identifierats som avgörande för agila IT-projekt. Trots att de inom teorin i stor utsträckning råder konsensus kring dessa så kallade framgångsfaktorer är forskningen begränsad när det kommer till effekterna av dessa framgångsfaktorer och relationen mellan framgångsfaktorer och effekter. Problemet som denna studie syftar till att adressera är således avsaknaden av en konkretisering av effekter kopplade till framgångsfaktorer för agila IT-projekt och hur dessa relaterar till varandra. För att adressera detta problem, är syftet med studien att utforska och kartlägga kritiska framgångsfaktorer inom agila IT-projekt. För att sedan undersöka de effekter som respektive faktor medför och dess inverkan på projektframgången. För att samla in data, genomfördes totalt fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer, hos SEB Kort AB, Pulsen Omsorg AB och IT avdelningen hos Högskolan i Borås. Respondenterna som intervjuats besitter praktiskt erfarenhet och kunskap av agila- och traditionella utvecklingsmetodologier. Bland respondenterna återfinns roller som Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer, Project Manager och System Developer. Intervjumaterialet transkriberades och analyserades. Analysen av befintlig teori och de empiriska fynden resulterade i en framgångsmodell bestående av organisatoriska, mänskliga, process och tekniska framgångsfaktorer tillsammans med dess tillhörande effekter. Resultatet från studien och den föreslagna modellen kan vara användbart för studenter, yrkessamma och organisationer som önskar få en ökad förståelse för kritiska framgångsfaktorer inom agil mjukvaruutveckling och vilka effekter dessa faktorer medför. Likaså kan modellen fungera som inspiration för framtida forskare som vill forska vidare i denna riktning.

As one result of the higher expected lifespan and lower fertility rate, an aging society has become an inevitable trend in many countries worldwide. According to the prediction of the newest census outcomes, China will confront an aging society around2022. An aging society requires the development and improvement of the domestic elderly care system to match the increasing caring need for all the aging people in China. This research aims to explore the critical success factors for a typical community-based aging care project – the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in China from the perspectives of private developers. Based on the theory of the decision-making environment and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), qualitative method (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative method (questionnaire survey) are applied to collect and analyze the potential Critical Success Factors. Twenty-five critical success factors are identified and verified for China’s CCRC projects and categorized into three components. Furthermore, most private developers’ attitudes toward CCRC in China are positive and believe in a bright outlook. The findings might help private developers better understand the decision-making environment of developing and operating a CCRC in China. It may also inspire policymakers with more practical policies for the future development and operation of CCRC projects in China. / Som ett resultat av den högre förväntade livslängden och lägre fertiliteten har ett åldrande samhälle blivit en oundviklig trend i många länder världen över. Enligt förutsägelsen av de senaste folkräkningsresultaten kommer Kina att möta ett åldrande samhälle runt 2022. Ett åldrande samhälle kräver utveckling och förbättring av det inhemska äldreomsorgssystemet för att matcha det ökande omsorgsbehovet för alla åldrande människor i Kina. Denna forskning syftar till att utforska de kritiska framgångsfaktorerna för ett typiskt samhällsbaserat åldrandevårdsprojekt - Fortsatt vårdpensionsgemenskap (CCRC) i Kina ur privata utvecklares perspektiv. Baserat på teorin om beslutsmiljön och teorin om planerat beteende (TPB) tillämpas kvalitativ metod (semistrukturerade intervjuer) och kvantitativ metod (enkätundersökning) för att samla in och analysera potentiella kritiska framgångsfaktorer. Tjugofem kritiska framgångsfaktorer identifieras och verifieras för Kinas CCRC-projekt och kategoriseras i tre komponenter. Dessutom är de flesta privata utvecklares attityder till CCRC i Kina positiva och de tror på goda framtidsutsikter. Resultaten kan hjälpa privata utvecklare att bättre förstå den beslutsfattande miljön för att utveckla och driva ett CCRC i Kina. Det kan också inspirera beslutsfattare till mer praktisk politik för framtida utveckling och drift av CCRC i Kina.

Faculdade Cearense / A implantaÃÃo de modelos de GestÃo pela Qualidade (GQ) tem sua origem em instituiÃÃes da iniciativa privada e pesquisas mostram que a GQ à uma forma de gestÃo que conduz a melhoria da qualidade dos processos produtivos dentre outros resultados ExperiÃncias de implantaÃÃo de GQ no setor pÃblico sÃo mais escassas e em especial quando se trata de InstituiÃÃes de Ensino Superior (IES) os exemplos de implantaÃÃo sÃo raros A realizaÃÃo de pesquisas que investiguem as causas desse fenÃmeno nas IES pode contribuir para a definiÃÃo de aÃÃes que possam reduzir nesse cenÃrio dentro dessa linha de pesquisa O objetivo desse trabalho à uma investigaÃÃo dos fatores crÃticos que afetam o processo de implantaÃÃo da GestÃo pela Qualidade em IES dos setores pÃblico e privado Como metodologia de pesquisa foi aplicada uma pesquisa qualitativa onde a partir de um questionÃrio estruturado e aberto aplicado Ãs unidades de ensino das IES pÃblica e privada que tiveram suas experiÃncias de implantaÃÃo de GQ Dessa forma foram realizadas anÃlises dos fatores crÃticos que afetaram essa implantaÃÃo A pesquisa revelou que ocorreram fatores de sucesso na implantaÃÃo da GQ nas IES pesquisadas tais como o comprometimento dos serviÃos tÃcnico-administrativos / A implantaÃÃo de modelos de GestÃo pela Qualidade (GQ) tem sua origem em instituiÃÃes da iniciativa privada e pesquisas mostram que a GQ à uma forma de gestÃo que conduz a melhoria da qualidade dos processos produtivos dentre outros resultados ExperiÃncias de implantaÃÃo de GQ no setor pÃblico sÃo mais escassas e em especial quando se trata de InstituiÃÃes de Ensino Superior (IES) os exemplos de implantaÃÃo sÃo raros A realizaÃÃo de pesquisas que investiguem as causas desse fenÃmeno nas IES pode contribuir para a definiÃÃo de aÃÃes que possam reduzir nesse cenÃrio dentro dessa linha de pesquisa O objetivo desse trabalho à uma investigaÃÃo dos fatores crÃticos que afetam o processo de implantaÃÃo da GestÃo pela Qualidade em IES dos setores pÃblico e privado Como metodologia de pesquisa foi aplicada uma pesquisa qualitativa onde a partir de um questionÃrio estruturado e aberto aplicado Ãs unidades de ensino das IES pÃblica e privada que tiveram suas experiÃncias de implantaÃÃo de GQ Dessa forma foram realizadas anÃlises dos fatores crÃticos que afetaram essa implantaÃÃo A pesquisa revelou que ocorreram fatores de sucesso na implantaÃÃo da GQ nas IES pesquisadas tais como o comprometimento dos serviÃos tÃcnico-administrativos / The implementation of quality management models (GQ) has its origin in private sector institutions and research shows that GQ is a form of management which leads to improvement of the quality of the productive processes among other results QA deployment experiences in the public sector are more scarce and in particular when it comes to higher education institutions (HEIs) deployment examples are rare Research to investigate the causes of this phenomenon in the INSTITUTIONS of HIGHER EDUCATION can contribute to the definition of actions that can reduce in this scenario within this line of research The objective of this work an investigation of critical factors that affect the implementation process of quality management in INSTITUTIONS of HIGHER EDUCATION of the public and private sectors As research methodology qualitative research was applied where from a structured questionnaire and open applied to the units of public and private INSTITUTIONS of HIGHER education which had their deployment experiences / The implementation of quality management models (GQ) has its origin in private sector institutions and research shows that GQ is a form of management which leads to improvement of the quality of the productive processes among other results QA deployment experiences in the public sector are more scarce and in particular when it comes to higher education institutions (HEIs) deployment examples are rare Research to investigate the causes of this phenomenon in the INSTITUTIONS of HIGHER EDUCATION can contribute to the definition of actions that can reduce in this scenario within this line of research The objective of this work an investigation of critical factors that affect the implementation process of quality management in INSTITUTIONS of HIGHER EDUCATION of the public and private sectors As research methodology qualitative research was applied where from a structured questionnaire and open applied to the units of public and private INSTITUTIONS of HIGHER education which had their deployment experiences

The live music performance industry is growing tremendously in South Africa, with more and more international artists performing on our shores year after year. Competition is growing and various companies are beginning to identify this as a business opportunity to make money. However, managing live music performances is a complex task which involves managing various aspects (critical success factors) of the event in order to ensure that it is a success. Apart from this, visitors attend these performances hoping that their expectations will be exceeded and the performance is something which can be treasured and is worth remembering once everything is over. This is referred to as a memorable experience. In order to ensure a memorable visitor experience, it is essential for managers to be aware of what the visitors regard as important critical success factors. These are aspects that management can control and improve. Thus, the critical success factors should be implemented effectively in order to ensure that the event is memorable for visitors attending the live music performance. While various critical success factors are familiar to event organisers, they differ from event to event. Thus, the critical success factors of one event cannot be implemented at another with the same expectation of success. This is due to the heterogeneous groups of people who attend these events and who cannot be regarded as being the same, as each individual will have different expectations of the same event. Therefore, it is also important for the managers of live music performances to determine how the visitors to the different genre events regard the various critical success factors that are vital for a memorable experience. This is significant, as various music genres attract different attendees who each have their own expectations of a music genre and which may differ from those of visitors to other music genres. For example, the expectations for a memorable experience of individuals attending a classical live music performance will differ from individuals attending a rock or pop live music performance. In addition, it is also important for management to compare those critical success factors identified by the visitors to their own ideas of what is important for a successful event in order to identify any shortcomings. Thus, it was expedient to seek answers to the questions of what visitors to live music performances regard as important critical success factors as well as what the managers consider to be important for a memorable experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the critical success factors for managing a memorable visitor experience at live music performances from both the demand and supply sides. The said factors were subsequently compared in order to establish whether any shortcomings exist. This thesis comprises three articles. Firstly, the research was conducted from a demand (visitors) side. Thus, the aim of Chapter 3 was to determine what attendees at live music performances regard as being critical success factors for different music genres so as to enhance memorable visitor experiences. Surveys were conducted at various genres of live music performances which included classical music (Il Divo), R&B (Usher), rock (Sting), blues (Michael Buble), pop (Roxette) and Afrikaans music (Steve Hofmeyr). A total of 4 110 questionnaires were administered and a general profile of the visitors in terms of the different genres was compiled. A factor analysis was subsequently performed in order to determine the critical success factors for all six genres. Thereafter, an Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied in order to compare the critical success factors of the various genres with one another. The results indicated significant statistical differences amongst the different music genres with regard to that which the visitors to the different live music performances regard as being important for a memorable visitor experience. Secondly, the research was conducted from a supply (managers) side and the objective of Chapter 4 was to determine what the managers consider to be important critical success factors in ensuring a memorable visitor experience at a live music performance. A qualitative research method, by means of interviews, was used to obtain the relevant information from the selected participants. All the data collected in the process were transcribed into text and presented in a narrative form. The six step method formulated by Cresswell (2009:185-189) for data analysis and interpretation was used to analyse the data. Four major themes emerged from the analysis where each theme was differentiated in terms of various categories and subcategories. This process contributed greatly towards gaining detailed information regarding the main purpose of organising a live music performance; identifying the aspects that managers consider to be important when organising a live music performance and those aspects that are important in pre-, during- and post-event planning phases as well as how managers define a memorable experience. Lastly, in Chapter 5 a comparison was performed between the demand and supply sides of live music performances in order to establish whether any differences exist amongst the aspects that management consider to be important compared to the critical success factors that the visitors regard as being important to achieve a memorable visitor experience. Both qualitative (supply side) and quantitative (demand side) research methods were implemented in this research. The results of the critical success factors drawn from the first and second articles were used to conduct this research. The results of both the demand and supply sides were subsequently compared with one another where significant differences had been identified. This was the first time that research was conducted from both the demand and supply sides within the live music performance environment. The results of this research contribute greatly to literature and to the music industry. In addition, this was also the first time that both a qualitative and a quantitative research method were applied in research conducted at live music performances and which were subsequently compared with one another. Determining the differences between the critical success factors identified contributes towards event specific education and information for current as well as future live music performance managers. Therefore, results of this research can be employed to educate and inform current and future managers in the live music performance industry regarding important aspects relating to the enhancement of the important critical success factors that contribute to a memorable experience when individuals attend a live music performance. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The live music performance industry is growing tremendously in South Africa, with more and more international artists performing on our shores year after year. Competition is growing and various companies are beginning to identify this as a business opportunity to make money. However, managing live music performances is a complex task which involves managing various aspects (critical success factors) of the event in order to ensure that it is a success. Apart from this, visitors attend these performances hoping that their expectations will be exceeded and the performance is something which can be treasured and is worth remembering once everything is over. This is referred to as a memorable experience. In order to ensure a memorable visitor experience, it is essential for managers to be aware of what the visitors regard as important critical success factors. These are aspects that management can control and improve. Thus, the critical success factors should be implemented effectively in order to ensure that the event is memorable for visitors attending the live music performance. While various critical success factors are familiar to event organisers, they differ from event to event. Thus, the critical success factors of one event cannot be implemented at another with the same expectation of success. This is due to the heterogeneous groups of people who attend these events and who cannot be regarded as being the same, as each individual will have different expectations of the same event. Therefore, it is also important for the managers of live music performances to determine how the visitors to the different genre events regard the various critical success factors that are vital for a memorable experience. This is significant, as various music genres attract different attendees who each have their own expectations of a music genre and which may differ from those of visitors to other music genres. For example, the expectations for a memorable experience of individuals attending a classical live music performance will differ from individuals attending a rock or pop live music performance. In addition, it is also important for management to compare those critical success factors identified by the visitors to their own ideas of what is important for a successful event in order to identify any shortcomings. Thus, it was expedient to seek answers to the questions of what visitors to live music performances regard as important critical success factors as well as what the managers consider to be important for a memorable experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the critical success factors for managing a memorable visitor experience at live music performances from both the demand and supply sides. The said factors were subsequently compared in order to establish whether any shortcomings exist. This thesis comprises three articles. Firstly, the research was conducted from a demand (visitors) side. Thus, the aim of Chapter 3 was to determine what attendees at live music performances regard as being critical success factors for different music genres so as to enhance memorable visitor experiences. Surveys were conducted at various genres of live music performances which included classical music (Il Divo), R&B (Usher), rock (Sting), blues (Michael Buble), pop (Roxette) and Afrikaans music (Steve Hofmeyr). A total of 4 110 questionnaires were administered and a general profile of the visitors in terms of the different genres was compiled. A factor analysis was subsequently performed in order to determine the critical success factors for all six genres. Thereafter, an Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied in order to compare the critical success factors of the various genres with one another. The results indicated significant statistical differences amongst the different music genres with regard to that which the visitors to the different live music performances regard as being important for a memorable visitor experience. Secondly, the research was conducted from a supply (managers) side and the objective of Chapter 4 was to determine what the managers consider to be important critical success factors in ensuring a memorable visitor experience at a live music performance. A qualitative research method, by means of interviews, was used to obtain the relevant information from the selected participants. All the data collected in the process were transcribed into text and presented in a narrative form. The six step method formulated by Cresswell (2009:185-189) for data analysis and interpretation was used to analyse the data. Four major themes emerged from the analysis where each theme was differentiated in terms of various categories and subcategories. This process contributed greatly towards gaining detailed information regarding the main purpose of organising a live music performance; identifying the aspects that managers consider to be important when organising a live music performance and those aspects that are important in pre-, during- and post-event planning phases as well as how managers define a memorable experience. Lastly, in Chapter 5 a comparison was performed between the demand and supply sides of live music performances in order to establish whether any differences exist amongst the aspects that management consider to be important compared to the critical success factors that the visitors regard as being important to achieve a memorable visitor experience. Both qualitative (supply side) and quantitative (demand side) research methods were implemented in this research. The results of the critical success factors drawn from the first and second articles were used to conduct this research. The results of both the demand and supply sides were subsequently compared with one another where significant differences had been identified. This was the first time that research was conducted from both the demand and supply sides within the live music performance environment. The results of this research contribute greatly to literature and to the music industry. In addition, this was also the first time that both a qualitative and a quantitative research method were applied in research conducted at live music performances and which were subsequently compared with one another. Determining the differences between the critical success factors identified contributes towards event specific education and information for current as well as future live music performance managers. Therefore, results of this research can be employed to educate and inform current and future managers in the live music performance industry regarding important aspects relating to the enhancement of the important critical success factors that contribute to a memorable experience when individuals attend a live music performance. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Study of the critical factors for TQM implementation throughout the years, and longitudinal analysis of secondary quality winners of prestigious awards such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA), is important. The longitudinal analysis in this research will enable verification that there are generic critical factors (CFs) for TQM implementation and generic critical areas of measurement (CAM) that if implemented fully and successfully will deliver excellence. Also, it will enable verification that these generic CFs help to ensure sustainable performance and this could help in answering how excellent organisations sustain their performance constantly. By studying what excellent organisations measure and what they place emphasis on throughout the year, the study will document measurements that have been used to sustain excellence and will consider empirically how these have led to tangible results over a period of twenty years; the study will examine MBNQA winners from 1988 until 2008. Finally, an excellence maturity assessment tool 'assessment software' was developed as result of examining winning case studies over a long period of time, lists of critical factors of implementation (CFI) and critical areas of measurement (CAM) were extracted and used accompanied by the EFQM Excellence Model, and Zairi's two model 'Index of Excellence' and 'Ladder of Excellence'. This formed the basis of the assessment tool developed; companies through this will be able to understand their level of excellence implementation and their position compared to world class organisations.

non / Statistics in the 2008 World Leasing Yearbook showed that China’s leasing volume was only US$5.35 billion for the year 2006, lagging far behind that of other high-GDP countries. However, leasing in China did experience extraordinary high growth rates over the past few years and seems to have ample room for growth in the future. As we know, each industry has its own set of critical success factors (CSFs) and a match between these factors and a firm’s strengths may ensure the firm’s successful performance. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to explore CSFs for leasing in China and explain the major influences behind these factors. This research is analyzed based on the PEST analysis framework and Porter’s five forces model. The CSFs identified in this study can provide guidelines to develop leasing in China as well as for those planning to enter China’s leasing market. Based on the findings, the business environment for leasing in China, though better than it has ever been, still leaves much to be desired. For leasing to further develop, the following CSFs must be handled with care: Public awareness and understanding; An enabling legal framework; Credit risk management capabilities; Diversified funding sources; Qualified and well-trained staff; A vibrant second-hand equipment market, and Information technology infrastructure and know-how. The identified CSFs also lead to several strong policy recommendations. Among these are the following: Embarking on campaigns promoting leasing; Passing the Financial Leasing Law as soon as possible; Removing tax disincentives to leasing; Establishing a national credit information center; Providing funding support and credit guarantee schemes in favor of SME leasing; and Strengthening information technology infrastructure. Without improvement of these critical elements, the outlook for China’s leasing sector may not be so promising after all.

With numerous artists coming to South Africa, the event industry is becoming congested with competition. This makes the production of a memorable visitor experience to events particularly challenging for the management of the event. Various aspects are required to occur when managing an event, and these contribute to the success and memorable experience of visitors. These aspects can either be controlled or uncontrolled by management. To ensure a successful event and memorable experience for visitors, event managers have to consider all of the various aspects that can be controlled within the event organisation when hosting a major music event. It is therefore important for management to ensure that the controllable key management aspects, also referred to as Critical Success Factors (CSFs), are implemented effectively and efficiently to ensure a memorable visitor experience. However, even though these management aspects (CSFs) may be familiar to event managers, the significance of what visitors regard as important concerning those aspects that would ensure a memorable visitor experience is, as yet, undefined. In addition, according to available literature, CSFs differ between the different events and different tourism organisations. Thus, CSFs identified at one event to ensure the successful management of a memorable visitor experience cannot be used at other events. Hosting major music events at various locations can be even more challenging as visitors attending major music events at different locations are a non-homogeneous market and so regard different aspects in different lights. Therefore, it is evident that the CSFs identified with regard to what visitors at one venue will consider as important will differ from those regarded as important at another venue, even when it is the same performer at each venue. Thus, it became critical to seek answers to the questions of what visitors to a major music event regarded as important CSFs and how did the importance of these CSFs differ between location and location? Therefore, the purpose of this study became the determination of the CSFs for managing the visitor experience at major music events in South Africa. The year 2011 was the first time that world-famous Neil Diamond had performed in South Africa. Neil Diamond performed four concerts at different locations (Johannesburg’s FNB stadium, Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, Cape Town’s Greenpoint Stadium and at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Stadium). This was the first time major music events had been held at these venues where one performing artist performed at all four different locations (cities). Thus, this event was the ideal opportunity to investigate. In order to realise the goal of the research, surveys were conducted at the four Neil Diamond concerts held, respectively, in Johannesburg (1 April, 2011), Durban (5 April, 2011), Port Elizabeth (8 April, 2011) and Cape Town (11 April, 2011) where, altogether, 1820 questionnaires were administered. The purpose of the first article was to determine what visitors at a major musical event regarded as critical management aspects, or as critical success factors (CSFs), for a memorable and satisfactory visitor experience. This was to aid major music event managers with information they could use to improve and ensure memorable visitor experiences in the future. A factor analysis was performed to determine the CSFs. Six factors were revealed, being General Management; Souvenirs; Marketing; Venue and Technical aspects; Accessibility and Parking; and Amenities and Catering. General Management, Venue and Technical aspects and Marketing were regarded as the most important CSFs for visitors to a major music event. It was subsequently confirmed that CSFs differed from one event to another. Thus it became clear that one set of CSFs cannot be used across each venue for events. By determining the CSFs, and through successfully managing these factors, major music events will ensure the retention of long term visitor goodwill, and so will remain competitive and sustainable. Neil Diamond presented four concerts at four different locations, The purpose of the second article was to determine the impact that location makes to the visitor experience at a major music event. Two-way frequency tables and Chi-square tests as well as ANOVAS and Turkey’s multiple comparisons were used to determine the differences between the four locations. Statistically significant differences were found, based on demographic, behavioural variables and motivational factors. Determining the effects these differences have provided major music event managers with superior knowledge in order to develop and manage future concerts at the differing destinations and locations. This research also help management to create a memorable visitor experience and so foster the promotion of future events more effectively to the target audiences, as well as potential sponsors. This specificity can also enhance bid documents for organisations and locations aiming at hosting major music events. This research revealed six critical success factors at a major music event. These CSFs can be used to enhance the visitor experience. However, it was also found that one set of CSFs cannot be used for every event as different locations regard different CSFs as being more important than others. Since major music events are often held at more than one location, it becomes critical to differentiate each location as the visitors to the various locations cannot be seen as homogeneous and so will have different needs and expectations. Thorough and informed knowledge of what is required for visitor satisfaction will not only ensure an improved event, but will enhance the visitor experience at such an event. This was the first time research was performed at major music events in South Africa that revealed the profile, motives, CSFs and spending behaviour of visitors to these events. Research not only provided information concerning the CSFs needed to manage the visitor experience at a major music event, but also provided an overall perspective of what visitors regard as important for a memorable visitor experience at four different geographic destinations hosting the same artist. This research contributes to the literature concerning the management of major music events and concerning the creation of memorable visitor experiences at these events. / Thesis (MA (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Transport Policy in the United Kingdom from the 1950s to the early 1990s has been focused on increasing car use at the expense of investment in public transport services and infrastructure. This has culminated in a poorly integrated public transport network that has seen continued decline in use outside of London. The Competition Act (1998) has exacerbated this, as public operators risked prosecution if they were seen to collaborate. A policy shift in 1998 introduced the concept of Local Transport Plans, Organisational Travel Plans and Quality Partnerships as local policy tools for developing and implementing travel solutions using the planning process. Travel Plans today are viewed by the UK Government as a local delivery tool for transport policy, inspired by the successes in Europe and the United States in changing individual travel behaviour, where the Smart Growth Agenda has emerged as a mass transit based planning response to urban sprawl. In the UK, success in delivering significant modal shift away from private car use has seen limited success, hence the rationale for this research. Using this wider policy context, this research uses the University of Hertfordshire as a case study with the objective to research the development and implementation processes of a Travel Plan. The research conducts a review of travel behaviour within the case study, providing recommendations for implementing alternative interventions to car-based travel. Making use of national policy tools, using insights from both Smarter Travel / Smarter Choice agenda, the research includes the development process of a complex city wide Quality Partnership – a delivery mechanism for travel behaviour change incorporating multiple stakeholders. This thesis uses an embedded and reflective critical realist approach to researching Travel Plans from the perspective of a Travel Plan Coordinator. Through applying a multi-method dimension to empirical data collection, the use of structured quantitative commuter surveys, semi structured qualitative interviews and supporting secondary data sources are all utilised. Using such an approach provides the research with the flexibility for reporting complex social and empirical data, including the researcher’s embedded reflective insights throughout the process. An evaluative matrix ‘lens’ has been developed for reporting back the multitude of factors, including identifying Critical Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators that underpin the success or failure of such travel planning approaches. The research culminates in the development of a Travel Plan for the University of Hertfordshire and a voluntary Quality Partnership for the City and District of St Albans. A conclusion is drawn based on the unique perspective of an embedded reflective researcher as an active practitioner in the field of travel planning. In order to be successful a Travel Plan should feed into the wider quality partnership structures for mutual benefit where multiple stakeholders are able to influence the development of interventions at the local level, which could lead to significant travel behaviour changes. It is argued that this will ultimately help Travel Plans and quality partnerships achieve their key performance objectives and help meet government policy agenda.