Marist International University College, Nairobi – Kenya is challenged with problems like duplication of work due to lack of a central repository for knowledge, loss of knowledge through expertise leaving the institution without knowledge being captured and over reliance on a few known subject experts as others have not been identified. This research thus set out to address these problems. The aim of the study was to conduct a knowledge management assessment at the Marist International University College (MIUC) in order to identify and recommend a suitable strategy for the institution. The study employed a concurrent triangulation mixed methodology approach which encompassed a questionnaire and an interview schedule to collect data from 33 academic staff and 9 members of the MIUC management respectively. These two groups were purposively selected as the target population for the study as they play the key role in knowledge creation at MIUC. All 33 copies of the questionnaires that were distributed to the teaching staff were returned by respondents and all the 9 MIUC members of management were successfully interviewed. Data transformation analysis was applied during which qualitative data from open-ended questions and interviews were quantified using content analysis. Quantitative data in the questionnaires was descriptively analysed using SPSS. The study revealed a variety of informal knowledge management structures and resources at MIUC and the challenges of managing knowledge at Marist. The main challenge was that there was no uniformity and consistency in the management of knowledge. The study hence, formulated a KM strategy for MIUC that would help leverage its knowledge assets. / Information Science / MA (Information Science)

近年來有關企業策略及產業演進之研究，隨著組織內外環境互動之增加，而逐漸受到 相當的重視。有關企業策略之研究，一般偏向於公司個體作為之剖析；而有關產業演 進之研究，則多採整體覯察之方式進行；本研究試圖同時以個體微觀與整體巨觀之方 式，對兩者間互動關係進行探討。有關產業演進之理論根據，係以哈佛大學教授波特 （Porter. １９８０）有關產業分析與演進之論著為主，並參考吳思華教授之「產業 政策與企業策略」；有關企業策略之文獻則以司徒達賢教授之「企業政策」及策略形 態理論為骨架，旁及國內外學術期刊中有關競爭策略之論著。由於研究範圍相當廣泛 ，且重點在於建立自有之理論架構，故研究方法係自理論之研討與實務之觀察同時並 進，著重於資料之蒐集、分析、比對，並以專家請教、團體研討、腦力激盪等方式來 產生創造性思考，以獲致架構性結論。研究內容係以電視機及個人電腦產業為對象， 分別觀察其國內外產業演進之歷史軌跡，以生命週期循環之觀念劃分其演進階段，並 歸納呇階段之產業特色、關鍵性成功因素、以及變遷訊號；而另一方面亦透過專家請 教及次級資料之蒐集，來瞭解國內外主要廠商在產業演進各階段之策略性作為，以及 其策略成效。研究結果發現不同產業之演進型態有所差異，而不同階段中有著不同的 關鍵性成功因素；就企業而言，策略形態之決策係受外在環境、內在條件以及企業目 標組合之影響，當功能性政策及組織結構與策略形態配合良好時，可以產生策略效率 ，使企業之策略作為有所涵意，然而，此項策略涵意必須能配合業滿足產業階段性關 鍵成功因素，才能產生實質的策略效果，而達成企業績效。最成功的企業，能夠在環 境變化實際發生以前偵測到變化訊號，予以正確之解釋與推論，並且預先調整本身策 略形態以為因應；而未能敏感於內外變動，且無策略調整以為因應之企業，其生存成 長將受到嚴重威脅。

The quality of the processes involved in language regeneration strategy formation is critical to the creation of an effective language regeneration strategy and this, in turn, is critical to the achievement of successful language regeneration outcomes. The overall aim of this research project was to evaluate, using a range of effectiveness criteria, the processes involved in the creation of a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration strategy in the hope that others involved in similar projects in the future would benefit and in the hope that the Whakamārama whānau will themselves derive benefit from it in reviewing what has already been achieved. In Chapter 1, the background to the research project and its rationale are outlined and the research questions and research methods are introduced. Chapter 2 provides a critical review of selected literature in the area of strategic planning aspects of language regeneration and relevant aspects of mātauranga Māori. Using an ethnographic approach, the processes and immediate outcomes (in terms of a survey report and a regeneration plan for Whakamārama marae) of the language regeneration project are outlined in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, effectiveness criteria are derived on the basis of the literature review in Chapter 2. These include criteria relating to leadership, participation, Kaupapa Māori values, environmental analysis and outcomes. The criteria are then applied to the analysis and evaluation of the processes and outcomes outlined in Chapter 3 in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The overall conclusion is that Whakamārama's language regeneration activities to date can be regarded as successful in many ways, including the fact that they have resulted in the production of high quality documentation that is widely appreciated by the whānau in the form of a maraebased language survey and a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration plan. Working voluntarily and often under difficult circumstances, core group members demonstrated that they possessed the essential characteristics of commitment, motivation and determination, in addition to the willingness and ability to use existing skills and knowledge effectively and to develop further skills and knowledge as the project proceeded. Perhaps most important, they developed a caring and effective working culture. However, the weaknesses of the project included a lack of preparation and planning prior to the commencement of the project which resulted in a build up of work at a number of stages. This, in turn, lead to delays in producing outcomes and some loss of momentum. It also led, indirectly, to the views of two or three members of the core group being overrepresented in the reo plan goals. The information and analysis provided here have relevance to any language community involved in micro-level language regeneration activities of a similar type. It is hoped therefore that this thesis may help others to not only avoid the problems experienced by the Whakamārama whānau but also to benefit from their successes.

ERP系統是目前相當熱門的資訊科技，應用的層面很廣，不僅各大企業已經相繼實施，就連中小企業也可以選擇較為精簡的版本導入。而企業實施ERP系統，不可能一次就全部導入實施所有的模組，這樣做不管在費用上或者是在時程上的安排都是不可行的，因此企業常常會先實施某些跟企業核心競爭力有關的模組，而生產模組就常常是企業首次導入的模組之一，因此本研究的重心就是生產模組。 本研究針對企業的實際需求來找出現行ERP系統在生產模組的不足之處以及國內企業實施ERP系統時，在生產策略規劃這方面有那些地方是需要注意的。很多企業都實施了不錯的模組，為何成效卻不好？到底是出現了何種問題？本研究將從策略規劃、IT架構與ERP運作這三個構面來尋找企業實施ERP的關鍵成功因素，希望企業能夠在實施ERP系統時能掌握到這些因素，發揮ERP系統的效能，提昇企業的競爭力。 本研究將關鍵成功因素分成三大構面，是以生產模組為例。研究架構分成策略規劃(這邊所提到的策略規劃偏重於生產策略規劃)、IT架構與ERP運作這三個研究構面，三個構面雖是分開羅列，但是彼此之間卻是密切相關，互相影響。每個構面又有數個關鍵成功因素，這些關鍵成功因素就是本研究所要探討的研究變數。 本研究採用個案研究法，研究對象是一家製帽公司。本研究除了深入訪談個案公司的人員之外，也訪問了協助個案公司建置ERP系統的資訊公司人員。在深入訪談之外，本研究閱讀了ERP實施過程的相關資料文件，並且實地觀察ERP系統生產模組的運作過程，藉以能夠更深入了解個案公司。在個案公司研究完畢之後，對個案公司提出幾點建議，這些建議分成四個部分來說明，並發現幾個可供思考的問題與方向。 本研究經過個案研究之後，初步篩選出九個關鍵因素，經過探討之後將九個因素整合成六個因素，使其更具普遍性，適合更多的製造業公司。另外本研究從企業策略、ERP建置以及IT架構這三個層面來說明企業實施ERP系統需要注意、掌握的幾個重點。企業要設法去掌握關鍵成功因素，去除會導致失敗的原因，如此才能達到成功的目標。最後本研究針對企業實施ERP系統(本研究的重心是在生產模組)的過程提出幾點建議，並且列出幾個後續研究方向。

Les implementacions dels sistemes de programació de gestió integrada (ERP, en la sigla en anglès) s'estan consolidant com una de les principals tendències avantguardistes en l'àmbit de la tecnologia de la informació en el segment de les petites i mitjanes empreses (pimes). Malgrat que existeixen recerques relacionades amb l'estudi de l'adopció i de l'èxit de les implementacions d'ERP, hi ha una bretxa evident en la literatura a l'hora d'analitzar aquestes implementacions en el context de les pimes. Aquest article té l'objectiu d'examinar els factors que determinen l'èxit de les implementacions d'ERP, centrant-se específicament en la veta de mercat de les pimes que operen en zones en via de desenvolupament, com ara l'Amèrica Llatina. Es proposa un model que és corroborat empíricament amb dades obtingudes de 49 pimes llatinoamericanes. Una anàlisi de regressió múltiple permet corroborar 7 de les 8 hipòtesis presentades en el model, i evidencia alguns resultats que són consistents amb algunes recerques prèvies, però en ressalta d'altres que són únics en el context particular de l'Amèrica Llatina. Els resultats indiquen que les capacitats de facilitat d'ús proveïdes per l'ERP, com també l'èxit d'implementació del projecte de l'ERP i la satisfacció de l'usuari, són factors claus que impacten en l'èxit posterior a la implementació de l'ERP. D'altra banda, les iniciatives de gestió del canvi no van esdevenir tan determinants com s'evidenciava en recerques anteriors. El rol crític de la satisfacció de l'usuari com a mediador de la resta dels factors també va ser comprovat. Una aportació fonamental de la recerca és que l'èxit de la implementació de l'ERP va ser mesurat en termes dels beneficis incrementals de negoci obtinguts posteriorment a la implementació de l'ERP. S'analitzen les implicacions dels resultats en el context pràctic i de recerca, i se'n presenten línies de recerca prominents. / Las implementaciones de los Sistemas de Administración de Recursos Empresariales (ERP por sus siglas en inglés) se están consolidando como una de las tendencias vanguardistas críticas en el área de tecnología de la información para el segmento de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (SMEs). Aún cuando existen investigaciones relacionadas con el estudio de la adopción y éxito de las implementaciones de los ERP, es evidente la brecha existente en la literatura a la hora de analizar tales implementaciones en el contexto de las SMEs. Esta disertación pretende investigar factores que determinan el éxito de las implementaciones de los ERP, con foco específico en el contexto de las SMEs operando en regiones en vías de desarrollo, tales como América Latina. Se propone un modelo el cual es corroborado empíricamente con datos obtenidos de 49 pequeñas y medianas empresas latinoamericanas. Un análisis de regresión múltiple permite corroborar 7 de las 8 hipótesis presentadas en el modelo, exhibiéndose algunos resultados que son consistentes con investigaciones previas pero resaltándose otros que lucen originales al contexto particular de América Latina. Los resultados indican que las capacidades de Facilidad de Uso provistas por el ERP, así como el Éxito del Proyecto de Implementación del ERP y la Satisfacción del Usuario son factores claves que impactan en el éxito posterior a la implementación. Por otra parte, las iniciativas de Gerencia del Cambio no lucieron tan determinantes como se evidencia en investigaciones anteriores. El rol crítico de la Satisfacción del Usuario como mediador del resto de los factores también fue comprobado. Un aporte fundamental de la investigación es que el éxito de la implementación del ERP fue medido en términos de los beneficios incrementales de negocio obtenidos posterior a la implementación del ERP. Se analizan las implicaciones de los hallazgos en el contexto de investigación y práctico y prominentes líneas de investigación son presentadas. / Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems implementations are consolidating as a critical information technology initiative among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Even though research exists aimed at analyzing the adoption and success of ERP implementations, there is a significant gap in the literature studying the SME niche. This article examines the causes determining the success of ERP implementations, specifically considering the niche of SMEs acting in developing regions such as Latin America. The proposed model is corroborated empirically with data from 49 Latin American SMEs. The regression analysis technique allows corroborating 7 of the 8 hypotheses. Some results are consistent with previous research but others appear to be unique to the Latin American context. These results suggest that Ease to Use capacities provided by ERP, as well as Project Implementation Success and User Satisfaction of an ERP initiative are key factors influencing the overall success of an ERP implementation. However, Change Management seems to be not as critical as the other factors. The decisive role of User Satisfaction as a mediating variable is also corroborated. An innovative contribution of this dissertation is the success of an ERP implementation is measured by improvements in business performance. The implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed, and another promising research streams are outlined.

在各個不同的產業裡，皆有研究提出構成企業「成功」和使其具有競爭力應擁有的關鍵因素。本研究以訪談資深非營利組織領導人來歸類整理出何謂「成功」的非營利組織及其發展的關鍵成功因素，以提供給向來資源有限的非營利組織在發展過程中作為檢視，以將資源優先投入這些關鍵的領域來減少無謂的摸索和失敗的可能。 為達研究目的，選擇持續運作超過十年的婦女團體，運用深度訪談法與關鍵事件分析法（Critical Incident Technique ,CIT），依五個受訪者所提其組織發展關鍵成功因素及對彼此組織發展關鍵成功因素，以「非營利組織的使命」;「非營利組織的參與者」；「非營利組織的運作」這三個構面將訪談內容歸類整理出非營利組織發展的「關鍵成功因素」如下： *非營利組織的使命：有清楚的宗旨（使命） *非營利組織的參與者： 1.參與者的特質：主動積極、對組織使命認同、有理想性格、熱忱、具行動力 2.組織的領導者：一路堅持的靈魂人物、願意不斷成長且洞見觀瞻的領導者 3.互補又分工的合作團隊 *非營利組織的運作： 1.組織文化：平等開放、學習型組織、活力型組織 2.把訴求清楚表達的能力 3.建立公信力及獲得社會認同 4.把人當做最大的資產，對參與者採「增權」方式 5.不斷檢視社會環境變遷，依社會需要調整服務或回應需求產生新服務 6.創新的靈活策略且能結合各方資源發揮影響力 一個非營利組織從成立到成為一個「成功」的非營利組織，最關鍵的因素為組織能否部份或階段性達成當初設定的使命，所以建議領導者要不斷檢視組織的使命是否有貫徹；要不斷反省與自我提升；同時要隨時注意時事以掌握社會需求脈動。非營利組織需掌握社會各種媒介的情報，促使成員相互激盪，培養出組織的共識與新行動；重視團隊合作；連結不同組織的資源網絡及凝聚共識的過程需平等公開，不採取一言堂的方式，「增權」組織成員潛能以使其盡情發揮，使組織維持最大動能。 / Research shows that there are key factors contributing to “success” that are common across industries. This study investigated the key to success of Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) and their developments through in-depth interviews with NPO leaders. These findings can serve as developmental key learnings for other, resource-limited NPO’s, allowing them to more effectively harness available resources, thus reducing wastage due to trial and error. This research paper endeavors to organize these Critical Success Factors into easily accessible best-of-practice case studies for up-and-coming NPO’s. For the purposes of this study, the author selected five Non-Profit Women’s Associations with a least ten years of successful operations. Research methodology was depth interviews combined with Critical Incident Technique (CIT). Three main constructs were used in this process including: The mission of NPOs, NPO participants and NPO operations. This study identifies and organizes “Critical Success Factors” that all successful Non-Profit Organizations should own. The Critical Success Factors of A Successful NPO Are: 1.Well defined missions. 2.Strong Personnel/Membership Structure: a.Members of the organization will have: i.self-motivated; identification to organization missions ii.A high degree of enthusiasm iii.The ability to execute the organization directives b.A successful NPO will have Leadership with the following characteristics/skill sets: i.The spiritual leader of an NPO with an unchanging sense of mission, a strong and insight. ii.The ability to continually learn and apply those learnings to the organization. iii.A mutually supporting team that divides work up equally. 3.Strong Operations: a.Organization culture: Equal, open, focused on learning and vigorous. b.Externally it will be able to: i.Clearly articulate organizational goals and objectives ii.Create sufficient exposure to create positive awareness and opinion within society c.Internally it will be able to: i.Create “esprit-de-corps” within organization ii.Empower stake-holders to leverage their strengths d.Continual review of social changes and the adjustment of old services or the introduction of new services to meet social needs. e.Creative and flexible strategies and the ability to integrate various resources to exert influence. A successful NPO needs to accomplish the initial Mission. In order to achieve this, it is recommended that the NPO leadership continually review whether or not the organization is achieving the objectives for which it was established and conduct self-evaluation and self-improvement. The NPO also needs to be in tune with developments and trends in the society it is operating in. By making the information gleaned open and available to all members of the organization, the leadership can empower its members and contribute to a common sense of purpose, helping it achieve the maximum efficiencies and success.

Σκοπός αυτής της εργασίας είναι να παρουσιάσει την έννοια της πολιτικής ποιότητας «6 Σίγμα» και να αναπτύξει ένα εργαλείο μέτρησης, ένα ερωτηματολόγιο για αυτή. Να εντοπίσει τα κενά που υπάρχουν στην ήδη υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία σχετικά με αυτή την έννοια καθώς και να παραθέσει κάποιες προτάσεις για μελλοντικές έρευνες. Τέλος σκοπός της είναι να παρουσιάσει το προφίλ των ελληνικών μεταποιητικών – βιομηχανικών επιχειρήσεων στις οποίες πρόκειται να στοχεύσει το παρόν ερωτηματολόγιο. Μεθοδολογία/προσέγγιση: στην παρούσα εργασία αναπτύσσεται η θεωρία σχετικά με την εφαρμογή της πολιτικής ποιότητας «6 Σίγμα» στις μεταποιητικές επιχειρήσεις. Η συλλογή των στοιχείων έγινε με βάση τη βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση και οι λέξεις κλειδιά που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ήταν: six sigma, critical success factors of six sigma, barriers of six sigma, benefits of six sigma, problem areas of six sigma, lean six sigma, reasons for implementing and not implementing, tools and techniques used by companies, factors for measuring six sigma management activities, και methodology DMAIC. Στα πλαίσια αυτής της εργασίας δημιουργήθηκε ένα δομημένο ερευνητικό ερωτηματολόγιο το οποίο έχει να κάνει με την πολιτική ποιότητας «6 Σίγμα» στις ελληνικές μεταποιητικές – βιομηχανικές επιχειρήσεις. Συμπεράσματα: μετά τη μελέτη αρκετών παρόμοιων ερευνών που έγιναν πάνω στην πολιτική ποιότητας «6 Σίγμα», καταλήγουμε στο συμπέρασμα ότι το παρόν ερωτηματολόγιο θα απευθυνθεί σε επιχειρήσεις που έχουν κάποια εμπειρία στην πολιτική ποιότητας «6 Σίγμα», ή έχουν εφαρμόσει κάποια άλλη στρατηγική ποιότητας (ISO 9000). Επίσης το μέγεθος των επιχειρήσεων στο οποίο θα στοχεύσει θα είναι ΜΜΕ, αφού αποτελούν την πλειοψηφία των ελληνικών επιχειρήσεων. Περιορισμοί: όπως κάθε έρευνα που πραγματοποιείται περιλαμβάνει κάποιους περιορισμούς έτσι και η παρούσα εργασία έχει τους δικούς της. Ο βασικότερος περιορισμός της είναι ότι βασίστηκε μόνο σε βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση και δεν απέδειξε τα στοιχεία που παρουσιάζονται μέσα από κάποια έρευνα έστω και πιλοτική. Επιπλέον το παρόν ερωτηματολόγιο αφορά μόνο τις μεταποιητικές – βιομηχανικές επιχειρήσεις. Παρόλα αυτά αυτή η μελέτη απλά αντιπροσωπεύει μια προκαταρκτική μελέτη που αργότερα μπορεί να επεκταθεί. Πρακτικές επιπτώσεις: αυτή η εργασία θα δώσει τη δυνατότητα στους επαγγελματίες «6 Σίγμα» να ελέγξουν κατά πόσο οι ελληνικές μεταποιητικές – βιομηχανικές επιχειρήσεις είναι εξοικειωμένες με την έννοια της πολιτικής ποιότητας «6 Σίγμα» και κατά πόσο την εφαρμόζουν. Αυτό θα μπορέσει να γίνει στο άμεσο μέλλον, αφού το παρόν ερωτηματολόγιο θα χρησιμοποιηθεί σε πιλοτική έρευνα. Πρωτοτυπία – αξία: αυτή η εργασία παρουσιάζει τα κενά που υπάρχουν στην ήδη υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία σχετικά με την πολιτική ποιότητας «6 Σίγμα», τα οποία οδηγούν σε πολλές ερευνητικές προτάσεις για το μέλλον. Επίσης αποτελεί την πρώτη απόπειρα προσέγγισης των ελληνικών μεταποιητικών επιχειρήσεων που εφαρμόζουν αυτή την πολιτική ποιότητας. Λέξεις κλειδιά: six sigma, critical success factors of six sigma, barriers of six sigma, benefits of six sigma, problem areas of six sigma, lean six sigma, reasons for implementing and not implementing, tools and techniques used by companies, factors for measuring six sigma management activities, methodology DMAIC, six sigma belt system και manufacturing industry. / The purpose of this project is to present the concept of “six sigma” and develop a measurement tool, a questionnaire, on this. To locate the gaps that may exist in the relevant by now-bibliography and also to give some future research suggestions. Finally its aim is to present the Greek manufacturing industries profile, which the present questionnaire concerns. Methodology/approach: The present project develops the theory which is relevant to the application of “six sigma” in the manufacturing industries. The collection of the data was based on literature reviews and the key words that were used were: six sigma, critical success factors of six sigma, barriers of six sigma, benefits of six sigma, problem areas of six sigma, lean six sigma, reasons for implementing and not implementing, tools and techniques used by companies, factors for measuring six sigma management activities and methodology DMAIC. In the context of this project there was created a structured research questionnaire, relevant to “six sigma” in Greek manufacturing industries. Conclusions: after studying enough similar surveys on “six sigma”, we come to the conclusion that the present questionnaire is addressed to industries that have a certain experience in “six sigma”, or have applied some other quality strategies (ISO 9000). Furthermore the size of the industries at which it aims will be SME, since they are the majority of Greek industries. Research limitations: the present project includes some specific limitations, like every other study that has been realized. The most basic limitation is that it was only based on literature reviews and it didn’t prove the elements that were presented through a study, even a pilot one. Moreover the present questionnaire concerns only the manufacturing industries. Nevertheless this study simply represents a preliminary study that later can be extended. Practical implications: this study will give the capability to the “six sigma” professionals to check how much the manufacturing industries are familiarized to the concept of “six sigma” and how much they apply it. This might happen in the direct future, since the present questionnaire is used in pilot study. Originality/value: this study presents the gaps that exist in the already existing literature relevant to six sigma, which leads to a lot of future research suggestions. Also it is the first attempt to approach Greek manufacturing industries that apply this quality politic. Key words: six sigma, critical success factors of six sigma, barriers of six sigma, benefits of six sigma, problem areas of six sigma, lean six sigma, reasons for implementing and not implementing, tools and techniques used by companies, factors for measuring six sigma management activities, methodology DMAIC, six sigma belt system and manufacturing industry.

Nature–based tourism destinations have shown significant growth over the past decade and, with the ever increasing numbers of tourists travelling to national parks, the right management structures, goals and objectives need to be determined. South African National Parks (SANParks) manages all 22 national parks in South Africa with the Kruger National Park (KNP) being the biggest of them all and generating more than 80% of SANParks income. The KNP is one of the world’s largest parks conserving a staggering 1 962 362 ha of land which is bigger than countries such as Israel and Holland. When taking the KNP into perspective, park management must have the right management styles and factors in place to ensure that the park is managed in a sustainable manner and exceeds the expectations of the tourist to provide a memorable experience whilst visiting the KNP. The goal of this study was therefore to determine the critical management aspects or critical success factors (CSFs) needed to create a memorable visitor experience at the park. This goal was achieved by conducting a questionnaire survey at four rest camps within the KNP from 27 December 2010 to 4 January 2011. The rest camps used for the survey were: Skukuza (152 questionnaires), Berg and Dal (98 questionnaires), Lower Sabie (85 questionnaires) and Satara (101 questionnaires). During this time a total of 436 questionnaires were completed and included in further analysis. In Article 1, the key management aspects that visitors regard as important for a memorable visitor experience at the KNP were identified. These CSFs assist management in providing quality services and products for the tourist, leading to a memorable experience. A factor analysis was performed on the expectations of the tourists to national parks. There were nine CSFs identified that management can implement to ensure a memorable visitor experience. The three factors that have not yet been identified in previous research were wildlife experience, interpretation and luxuries. Other factors that have been identified were General management, Variety activities, Accommodation, Green management, Hospitality management, and Facilities. The results showed that park management needs to become aware of what the visitor sees as important factors for a memorable visitor experience and they can adapt certain aspects to improve the visitor’s experience. In Article 2, gaps within the park management were identified. These gaps were measured by taking the 62 variables and asking the tourist what their expectations were with regard to a memorable experience versus their actual/real experience at the park. A factor analysis on the expectations and the actual/real experiences was done and each of these factors was given a score. The scores of each factor were measured against one another indicating the differences and gaps in management. The twelve factors that were identified were General management, Education activities. Accommodation facilities, Green management, Information provided, Layout of the park, Wildlife, Facilities in the park, Food and Beverage management, Interpretive activities, Bookings and General services, and Outdoor activities. These twelve factors have also been grouped into three sub groups containing four factors each and either the expectations were exceeded, did not meet expectations or were neutral. The main gaps were Education, Accommodation facilities, Interpretations facilities and Wildlife. If management want to ensure a memorable visitor experience at the KNP they must not only focus on these gaps, but also strive to exceed visitors’ expectations on all levels. This research found that there are certain CSFs for managing a national park and gaps within park management that need to be addressed. These gaps or problem areas can be overcome by the implementation of a continuous evaluation process that will ensure effective and efficient management of the park. Park management can therefore improve their services and products as well as the quality thereof by knowing what the tourists see as important when visiting a national park to obtain a memorable experience that will lead to positive word of mouth, loyalty, increased revenue and sustainability of the KNP. Even though it is not a requirement of a masters’ dissertation to make a contribution, this research has made a significant contribution towards the methodology as the method applied determined the gaps in visitor experience and expectations and this has not been used before. Future research can make use of this type of method determining individuals’ expectations and experiences when visiting a national park or any other nature–based destination. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Nature–based tourism destinations have shown significant growth over the past decade and, with the ever increasing numbers of tourists travelling to national parks, the right management structures, goals and objectives need to be determined. South African National Parks (SANParks) manages all 22 national parks in South Africa with the Kruger National Park (KNP) being the biggest of them all and generating more than 80% of SANParks income. The KNP is one of the world’s largest parks conserving a staggering 1 962 362 ha of land which is bigger than countries such as Israel and Holland. When taking the KNP into perspective, park management must have the right management styles and factors in place to ensure that the park is managed in a sustainable manner and exceeds the expectations of the tourist to provide a memorable experience whilst visiting the KNP. The goal of this study was therefore to determine the critical management aspects or critical success factors (CSFs) needed to create a memorable visitor experience at the park. This goal was achieved by conducting a questionnaire survey at four rest camps within the KNP from 27 December 2010 to 4 January 2011. The rest camps used for the survey were: Skukuza (152 questionnaires), Berg and Dal (98 questionnaires), Lower Sabie (85 questionnaires) and Satara (101 questionnaires). During this time a total of 436 questionnaires were completed and included in further analysis. In Article 1, the key management aspects that visitors regard as important for a memorable visitor experience at the KNP were identified. These CSFs assist management in providing quality services and products for the tourist, leading to a memorable experience. A factor analysis was performed on the expectations of the tourists to national parks. There were nine CSFs identified that management can implement to ensure a memorable visitor experience. The three factors that have not yet been identified in previous research were wildlife experience, interpretation and luxuries. Other factors that have been identified were General management, Variety activities, Accommodation, Green management, Hospitality management, and Facilities. The results showed that park management needs to become aware of what the visitor sees as important factors for a memorable visitor experience and they can adapt certain aspects to improve the visitor’s experience. In Article 2, gaps within the park management were identified. These gaps were measured by taking the 62 variables and asking the tourist what their expectations were with regard to a memorable experience versus their actual/real experience at the park. A factor analysis on the expectations and the actual/real experiences was done and each of these factors was given a score. The scores of each factor were measured against one another indicating the differences and gaps in management. The twelve factors that were identified were General management, Education activities. Accommodation facilities, Green management, Information provided, Layout of the park, Wildlife, Facilities in the park, Food and Beverage management, Interpretive activities, Bookings and General services, and Outdoor activities. These twelve factors have also been grouped into three sub groups containing four factors each and either the expectations were exceeded, did not meet expectations or were neutral. The main gaps were Education, Accommodation facilities, Interpretations facilities and Wildlife. If management want to ensure a memorable visitor experience at the KNP they must not only focus on these gaps, but also strive to exceed visitors’ expectations on all levels. This research found that there are certain CSFs for managing a national park and gaps within park management that need to be addressed. These gaps or problem areas can be overcome by the implementation of a continuous evaluation process that will ensure effective and efficient management of the park. Park management can therefore improve their services and products as well as the quality thereof by knowing what the tourists see as important when visiting a national park to obtain a memorable experience that will lead to positive word of mouth, loyalty, increased revenue and sustainability of the KNP. Even though it is not a requirement of a masters’ dissertation to make a contribution, this research has made a significant contribution towards the methodology as the method applied determined the gaps in visitor experience and expectations and this has not been used before. Future research can make use of this type of method determining individuals’ expectations and experiences when visiting a national park or any other nature–based destination. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

More than ninety per cent of projects are run by project teams and the stronger the team the more likely the project will succeed. Team building activities are performed to both increase team performance and to enhance the likelihood of project success. For the purpose of this study, information technology (IT) business projects were chosen as IT is a major driving force in business today and there is widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of IT business projects. In analysing the causes of dissatisfaction, increasingly researchers are recognising that technology is a secondary issue behind the human side of project team management. Business projects were chosen because increasingly IT is being used in the business environment to solve problems in the post-industrial era characterised by the service industry, while the manufacturing industry, from which much of the project literature has emerged, reduces. The importance of the project team in developing IT business projects is well recognised and managers are concerned about their ability to transform an ad-hoc collection of people assigned to a particular project into a coherent, integrated project team. In most cases the activities recommended to build a successful IT business project team have been theoretically based, rather than empirically founded. The goal of this research was to investigate the team building activities used on successful projects. To achieve this goal, the research defines the key measures of project success and establishes their relative importance; determines the most important team building activities for project success with experienced project managers; enhances the understanding of implementation of team building activities on successful projects; and provides suggestions on how to increase the likelihood of project success through focusing on team building activities. The research used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to develop a hierarchical model linking project success measures with team building activities. Confirmation of the AHP results and additional understanding of team building activities implementation was achieved by interviewing experienced project managers. The research found that customer satisfaction, although seldom used, was significantly more important as a project success measure than the three measures most often used - time, budget and scope. As identified by project managers, the most important team building activities for achieving customer satisfaction are team leadership; ensuring senior management support; staffing the team properly; planning the project with the team and empowering team members; building commitment among team members; developing strong communication channels and developing appropriate organisational interfaces. The research found successful projects focused on relationships in addition to the task focus of many project methodologies. The research findings on team building activities will enable project leaders on IT business projects to develop empowered project teams with stronger affiliations and support throughout the organisation. By empowering project teams to create effective internal and external relationships there will be fewer project failures, increased customer satisfaction and improved achievement of project success.