The management of architects within architectural businesses has been identified as an issue influencing the future behaviour of architectural practices. This work goes on to develop and apply a qualitative model (based on systems theory) which enables deeper research into architects' businesses. The modelling of goals at strategic, management and individual levels in the firm are introduced into a Case Study Series. The results are analysed and presented in the form of a social efficiency map. The thesis explores the modelling of multiple goal- seeking behaviour within firms. The work justifies behaviour at individual level using a fulfilment model (explaining personality as based on a single force toward growth and actualisation). Existing models of business behaviour are used to explain business behaviour at management and strategic levels in the firm. A rigorous selection of firms included in the series of Case Studies is undertaken. This enables a process of contrast comparison and replication. Initially this work builds on research by the RIBA (undertaken in 1993) and the RIBA's findings from their Case Studies of traditional, muitidisciplinary, named, and commercial architectural business. This is the basis for the propositions examined in this research. The research concludes by comparing the results of the Social Efficiency Map by triangulation with questionnaires and a technique of participant as observer (using an vnopportunistic method of sampling) to strengthen the findings. The model proves effective in capturing the 'world view 1 of architects, based on propositions developed from the RIBA study and those emerging from the Case Studies Series. The implications are applied in the wider sense of the construction industry entire. The systems theory model is extended to facilitate discussion. Recommendations are made regarding the wider problem of 'perceptions' by firms in the construction industry and the permeability of these firms towards change introduced into this wider environment described.

The world of business and consultancy are undergoing enormous change at an unprecedented rate. It is at such a time of upheaval that the values of a profession come under increasing pressure. But it is also a time when the values of a consultant (independence, objectivity and integrity) are never more important. This study emphasises and focuses on guidelines for smaller MCFs to obtain a competitive advantage in an ever changing environment. With large companies shedding jobs and outsourcing all but their core workforce, the consultancy industry moved into a new post industrial age in which the proportion of smaller knowledge base service companies or the so-called Management Consulting Firms (MCFs) is on the increase. The essence of management consulting firms is to render independent advice and assistance about management issues. This typically includes identifying and investigating problems and/or opportunities, recommending appropriate actions and helping to implement solutions. Change brings with it new problems, the solutions to which cannot be derived from past experience. Many changes occurring simultaneously and interacting with each other give rise to complexity. The essence of consultancy lies in the twin activities of helping client companies develop solutions to novel problems in resolving complex issues. Thus the greater the rate of change the greater the demand for consultancy services. The macro, market, micro environments segmentation in which MCFs operates, is of the most important driving forces that influence it existence. To anticipate the impact of these forces in advance could assist smaller MCFs to manage it to their own competitive advantage. The findings of the study serve as a source of reference that provide practical guidelines for a competitive strategy for smaller MCFs in an environment, best described as uncertain, complex and subject to continuous change. To conclude, these guidelines are formulated to practically implement a strategy to obtain a competitive advantage for smaller MCFs. / Prof. N. Lessing

The purpose of the study is to explore the concepts of strategy content and strategy process as it relates to small professional services firms. A case study approach based on grounded theory utilised in-depth interviews to collect data from five small professional service firms. The study found that it is worthwhile to conceive of strategy content and process in relation to small professional services firms. An emerging theory is presented. The research was limited by its small scale and single method to collecting data. Future research could include a wider sample and testing of the emerging theory. The emerging theory provides a valid and reliable measure for improving actions and decisions of practitioners. The emerging theory is practitioner-oriented and contributes to an area of research that is understudied. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1980 / Bibliography: leaves 119-120. / by Stephen Robert Oppenheimer. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Thesis--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.89).

This thesis examines debt maturity and trade credit in public and private firms. It consists of three essays that try to answer the following questions: Does the IPO decision affect the debt maturity structure of a firm? Do private firms use more or less trade credit than public firms? Does the supplier's listing status affect its trade credit provision? The first essay investigates the effect of an initial public offering (IPO) on the evolution of debt maturity structure using a sample of U.S. firms that went public during the period 1998-2011. I find that firms decrease their short-term debt by 19% in the first two years after the IPO and decrease it post-IPO, by about 7% relative to the pre-IPO level. These results continue to hold in a sample of new debt issues, in a difference-in-difference regression of IPO and non-IPO firms, in a treatment regression to account for endogeneity of the IPO decision, and in an instrumental variable regression to control for the joint determination of leverage and debt maturity. Further results show that the decline in short-term debt post-IPO is consistent with the asymmetric information and agency costs of equity theories and inconsistent with the agency costs of debt theory. I also find that the IPO effect on debt maturity was magnified during the recent financial crisis. The second essay explores the use of trade credit by public and private firms using a sample of U.S. firms during the period 1995-2012. Evidence shows that private firms use more trade credit by about 40.4% than public firms. This result is robust to models accounting for sample selection and for the endogeneity associated with a firm's decision to go public. In line with the asymmetric information and credit constraints theories, private firms that are young, have more growth opportunities, and fewer tangible assets rely more on trade credit than their public counterparts. Compared to private firms, public firms are faster in adjusting toward their target trade credit due to their lower adjustment costs. I also find that during the recent financial crisis, public firms increased their reliance on trade credit, while, suppliers granted private firms less trade credit. The third essay examines the supply side of trade credit; more specifically, the impact of a supplier's listing status on its trade credit provision using a sample of U.S. firms during the period 1994-2012. The findings show that public firms provide nearly a quarter more trade credit than their private counterparts. I propose that this is because public firms have higher financial capability, better ability in handling the trade credit process, and in enforcing payments and contract terms, than private firms. I rule out that the endogeneity of the listing decision and the observable differences between public and private firms have driven my earlier results. Additional tests show that firm characteristics, industries types, and level of competition, have a significant impact on the level of trade credit provided by public and private firms. The results also indicate that both types of firms provided less trade credit during the recent financial crisis.

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The growth of FDI inflow to developing countries is increasing, so have the questions of why some developing countries have succeeded in attracting and absorbing FDI benefits. These countries are seen to have found the right fit between the FDI attraction and the developmental agenda. Profound questions about the true value of FDI to host countries are addressed in this study. While FDI attraction may be justified on the basis of FDI benefits by foreign firms, it still remains critical to establish whether these benefits are automatic. As an attempt to answer these questions, this dissertation uses both firm level and country level data to investigate the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on developing countries.Interesting findings emerge from this study. The findings are in form of an interrelated structure setting, the study showed that technology, skills transfer and employment benefits via FDI take place only when the host country has the sufficient level of human capital, infrastructure and good local firms. And that the country must have stable political environment, consistent macroeconomic policy and good institutions in order to continue attracting FDI. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The Construction Industry Indicators (CIIs) continue to reflect a steady growth in the level of client dissatisfaction with the performance of contractors and consultants on construction projects whilst firms in the industry battle for survival. In order to survive in the highly competitive construction market, firms within the industry, need a paradigm shift. To move from traditional project delivery methodologies which continue to yield unsatisfactory results to innovative project delivery methods and practices. With the advancements in computational technologies and processes, the industry needs to move towards integrated, collaborative and computable processes, to increase productivity, efficiency, infrastructure value, quality and sustainability, reduce lifecycle costs, lead times and duplications. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the innovative project delivery method that helps reduce fragmentation and provides opportunities for enhanced collaboration and distributed project development. BIM is slowly gaining momentum in the South African construction industry. Even though there is an abundance of industry discussions and academic literature professing the ability of BIM methodologies to increase productivity, scholars have found that it has not yet been coupled with the availability of useful metrics, knowledge and tools to reliably measure BIM benefits. Few organisations and individuals have been exposed to some BIM tools whilst many still lack thorough understanding of BIM as a project delivery method. To capture the full benefit of BIM methodologies, firms in project networks must coordinate and develop interoperable business practices and procedures. This study assessed the level of BIM adoption, capability and maturity in consulting and construction firms and evaluated if there were differences in the level of adoption, capability and maturity of BIM between consulting and construction firms. The study also evaluated the relationship between level of BIM maturity and project performance of consulting and construction firms. The study found that there is a statistically significant relationship between the level of BIM capability and project performance. Lastly, the study reports on the current perceived benefits of BIM in the South African construction industry.