Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / On title page: Master of Philosophy (Information and Knowledge Management). Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

A aceleração do desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico nas mais diversas áreas do conhecimento humano imprime a necessidade das empresas adaptarem-se constantemente aos novos cenários empresariais, buscando informações que possam balizar suas ações na busca da maximização de resultados econômicos. Os ativos intangíveis, em sinergia com os ativos tangíveis, alavancam o potencial de geração de resultados econômicos das empresas. Neste contexto é estratégico para os acionistas e administradores avaliarem a capacidade da empresa de gerar valor econômico no ambiente empresarial em que a empresa está inserida. Para atender a esta necessidade é preciso desenvolver ferramentas de previsão de resultados empresarias que considerem a estrutura empresarial disponível e os prováveis cenários em que a empresa pode atuar. O objetivo principal desta tese é propor uma sistemática de previsão de resultado empresarial baseado na projeção de cenários formados por variáveis contingenciais para dar suporte ao processo de tomada de decisões. A sistemática proposta neste trabalho foi aplicada em uma empresa Cooperativa de crédito denominada Sicredi São Cristóvão PR/SC, através de um estudo de caso com o objetivo de testá-la e avaliá-la. Os resultados prevêem que a Cooperativa de Crédito Sicredi São Cristóvão terá para os anos de 2010, 2011 e 2012 os respectivos resultados: R$ 350.003,37 R$ 1.930.997,29 e R$ (716.371,69), totalizando um resultado previsto de R$ 1.564.628,98. Este valor representa a provável remuneração excedente dos sócios/cooperados para o período previsto, ou seja, acima de uma aplicação de baixo risco como é o caso da poupança brasileira. A variável contingencial que possui maior poder de impacto nos resultados, segundo a percepção dos gestores da empresa, é a legislação e normas operacionais para cooperativas de crédito. Como pontos fortes da sistemática destacam-se (i) o ordenamento lógico da previsão; (ii) a transformação de percepções subjetivas dos gestores em previsões de resultado; (iii) o envolvimento dos gestores da empresa no processo de previsão; (iv) a visão holística da empresa e dos cenários em que atua ou poderá atuar; e (v) as informações geradas, de fácil compreensão, úteis e relevantes no planejamento estratégico da empresa. / The acceleration of scientific and technological development in various areas of human knowledge prints the need of undertakings to adapt constantly to new business scenarios, seeking information that could shape their actions in pursuit of maximizing economic results. Intangible assets, in synergy with hard assets, leverage the potential of generating economic results of companies. In this context it is strategic for shareholders and administrators assess the company's ability to generate economic value in the business environment in which the company is entered. To meet this need is need to develop tools for business results forecast consider corporate structure available and the likely scenarios in which the company can act. The main objective of this thesis is to propose a systematic business result prediction based on projected scenarios formed by variables unforeseen contingencies to support the decision-making process. The systematic proposal in this work was applied at a company called Sicredi credit cooperative São Cristóvão PR/SC, through a case study to test it and evaluate it. The results provide that the Sicredi will have for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 results: R$350.00,37, R$1.930.997,29 and R$(716,371.69), totaling a predicted result of R$1.564.628,98. This value represents the likely pay surplus of shareholders/members for the period specified, i.e. above a low-risk implementation such as Brazilian savings. The variable contingency that has greater power of impact on results, according to the perception of managers of the company, is the operational standards and legislation for credit cooperative. As systematic strengths include (I) the logical ordering of forecast; (ii) the transformation of subjective perceptions of managers in result forecasts; (iii) the involvement of managers of the company in the process of forecasting; (iv) the holistic vision of the company and the scenarios in which it operates or may act; and (v) the information generated, easily understandable, useful and relevant in strategic planning of the company.

A Internacionalização das empresas se impõe como um imperativo em tempos de globalização. O forte processo de concorrência nos mercados domésticos faz com que as empresas busquem novos mercados para competir, motivando a Internacionalização de suas operações. As empresas buscam o processo de Internacionalização visando manter e expandir suas trajetórias de crescimento, e logicamente, visando também melhorar sua performance empresarial. Este estudo analisou a relação entre o Grau de Internacionalização e a Performance de empresas brasileiras. O Grau de Internacionalização foi medido pela variável FSTS (Foreign Sales over Total Sales ou Vendas no Exterior sobre Vendas Totais). A performance foi avaliada sob duas dimensões: Performance Contábil (Retorno sobre o Ativo; Retorno sobre Vendas) e Performance de Mercado (Retorno das ações; Valor de Mercado). A relação entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance foi avaliada sob diversas formas, a partir de regressões simples, multivariadas e polinomiais (usando modelos de Dados em Painel e Heteroscedasticidade-Corrigida). Adicionalmente, foi investigada a relação entre o valor (força) da Base de Ativos Intangíveis (medida pelo indicador Tobin’s Q) e o Grau de Internacionalização das companhias. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem associação positiva entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance para a amostra analisada. Foram explorados modelos lineares e polinomiais. Tanto os modelos lineares quanto polinomiais demonstraram relação positiva entre as variáveis. Os modelos polinomiais Quadráticos apresentaram os melhores ajustes, indicando que a relação entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance (Contábil, medida pelo ROA; de Mercado, medida pelo Valor de Mercado) apresenta o formato de uma curva em “U”, com retornos negativos no início do processo de Internacionalização, até um ponto de inflexão, a partir do qual a relação entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance passa a ser positiva. Os resultados também sugerem relação positiva entre o valor (força) da Base de Ativos Intangíveis e o Grau de Internacionalização das firmas. / The Internationalization of firms is mandatory in an environment marked by globalization. The fierce competition in domestic markets pressures firms to find new markets to compete, motivating the Internationalization process of these firms. Firms seek Internationalization to maintain and to expand their growth trajectories, and, logically, to enhance their Business Performance. This study analyzed the relationship between Degree of Internationalization and Performance of Brazilian Firms. The Degree of Internationalization was measured by the variable FSTS (Foreign Sales over Total Sales). Performance was evaluated using two dimensions: Accounting measures (Return on Assets; Return on Sales) and Market measures (Return on Stocks; Market Value of Equity). Simple, Multivariate and Polynomial Regressions (using Panel Data and Heteroscedasticity-Corrected models) were used to analyze the relationship between variables. Additionally, it was analyzed the relationship between the value (strenght) of the Intangible Assets Base (measured by Tobin’s Q) and the Degree of Internationalization. The results suggest positive association between Degree of Internationalization and Performance for the sample studied. Both linear and polynomial models showed positive relationship between the two variables. The quadratic (second-order) polynomial models were found better adjusted than linear models, indicating that the relationship between Degree of Internationalization and Performance (measured by ROA and Market Value of Equity) is better explained by an “U-shaped” curve: at early stages of Internationalization the returns are negative. Later, at the second stage of the Internationalization process, there is an inflection point, when returns become positive. Results also suggest that there is a positive relationship between the value (strenght) of the Base of Intangible Assets and the Degree of Internationalization of firms.

A Internacionalização das empresas se impõe como um imperativo em tempos de globalização. O forte processo de concorrência nos mercados domésticos faz com que as empresas busquem novos mercados para competir, motivando a Internacionalização de suas operações. As empresas buscam o processo de Internacionalização visando manter e expandir suas trajetórias de crescimento, e logicamente, visando também melhorar sua performance empresarial. Este estudo analisou a relação entre o Grau de Internacionalização e a Performance de empresas brasileiras. O Grau de Internacionalização foi medido pela variável FSTS (Foreign Sales over Total Sales ou Vendas no Exterior sobre Vendas Totais). A performance foi avaliada sob duas dimensões: Performance Contábil (Retorno sobre o Ativo; Retorno sobre Vendas) e Performance de Mercado (Retorno das ações; Valor de Mercado). A relação entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance foi avaliada sob diversas formas, a partir de regressões simples, multivariadas e polinomiais (usando modelos de Dados em Painel e Heteroscedasticidade-Corrigida). Adicionalmente, foi investigada a relação entre o valor (força) da Base de Ativos Intangíveis (medida pelo indicador Tobin’s Q) e o Grau de Internacionalização das companhias. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem associação positiva entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance para a amostra analisada. Foram explorados modelos lineares e polinomiais. Tanto os modelos lineares quanto polinomiais demonstraram relação positiva entre as variáveis. Os modelos polinomiais Quadráticos apresentaram os melhores ajustes, indicando que a relação entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance (Contábil, medida pelo ROA; de Mercado, medida pelo Valor de Mercado) apresenta o formato de uma curva em “U”, com retornos negativos no início do processo de Internacionalização, até um ponto de inflexão, a partir do qual a relação entre Grau de Internacionalização e Performance passa a ser positiva. Os resultados também sugerem relação positiva entre o valor (força) da Base de Ativos Intangíveis e o Grau de Internacionalização das firmas. / The Internationalization of firms is mandatory in an environment marked by globalization. The fierce competition in domestic markets pressures firms to find new markets to compete, motivating the Internationalization process of these firms. Firms seek Internationalization to maintain and to expand their growth trajectories, and, logically, to enhance their Business Performance. This study analyzed the relationship between Degree of Internationalization and Performance of Brazilian Firms. The Degree of Internationalization was measured by the variable FSTS (Foreign Sales over Total Sales). Performance was evaluated using two dimensions: Accounting measures (Return on Assets; Return on Sales) and Market measures (Return on Stocks; Market Value of Equity). Simple, Multivariate and Polynomial Regressions (using Panel Data and Heteroscedasticity-Corrected models) were used to analyze the relationship between variables. Additionally, it was analyzed the relationship between the value (strenght) of the Intangible Assets Base (measured by Tobin’s Q) and the Degree of Internationalization. The results suggest positive association between Degree of Internationalization and Performance for the sample studied. Both linear and polynomial models showed positive relationship between the two variables. The quadratic (second-order) polynomial models were found better adjusted than linear models, indicating that the relationship between Degree of Internationalization and Performance (measured by ROA and Market Value of Equity) is better explained by an “U-shaped” curve: at early stages of Internationalization the returns are negative. Later, at the second stage of the Internationalization process, there is an inflection point, when returns become positive. Results also suggest that there is a positive relationship between the value (strenght) of the Base of Intangible Assets and the Degree of Internationalization of firms.

A aceleração do desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico nas mais diversas áreas do conhecimento humano imprime a necessidade das empresas adaptarem-se constantemente aos novos cenários empresariais, buscando informações que possam balizar suas ações na busca da maximização de resultados econômicos. Os ativos intangíveis, em sinergia com os ativos tangíveis, alavancam o potencial de geração de resultados econômicos das empresas. Neste contexto é estratégico para os acionistas e administradores avaliarem a capacidade da empresa de gerar valor econômico no ambiente empresarial em que a empresa está inserida. Para atender a esta necessidade é preciso desenvolver ferramentas de previsão de resultados empresarias que considerem a estrutura empresarial disponível e os prováveis cenários em que a empresa pode atuar. O objetivo principal desta tese é propor uma sistemática de previsão de resultado empresarial baseado na projeção de cenários formados por variáveis contingenciais para dar suporte ao processo de tomada de decisões. A sistemática proposta neste trabalho foi aplicada em uma empresa Cooperativa de crédito denominada Sicredi São Cristóvão PR/SC, através de um estudo de caso com o objetivo de testá-la e avaliá-la. Os resultados prevêem que a Cooperativa de Crédito Sicredi São Cristóvão terá para os anos de 2010, 2011 e 2012 os respectivos resultados: R$ 350.003,37 R$ 1.930.997,29 e R$ (716.371,69), totalizando um resultado previsto de R$ 1.564.628,98. Este valor representa a provável remuneração excedente dos sócios/cooperados para o período previsto, ou seja, acima de uma aplicação de baixo risco como é o caso da poupança brasileira. A variável contingencial que possui maior poder de impacto nos resultados, segundo a percepção dos gestores da empresa, é a legislação e normas operacionais para cooperativas de crédito. Como pontos fortes da sistemática destacam-se (i) o ordenamento lógico da previsão; (ii) a transformação de percepções subjetivas dos gestores em previsões de resultado; (iii) o envolvimento dos gestores da empresa no processo de previsão; (iv) a visão holística da empresa e dos cenários em que atua ou poderá atuar; e (v) as informações geradas, de fácil compreensão, úteis e relevantes no planejamento estratégico da empresa. / The acceleration of scientific and technological development in various areas of human knowledge prints the need of undertakings to adapt constantly to new business scenarios, seeking information that could shape their actions in pursuit of maximizing economic results. Intangible assets, in synergy with hard assets, leverage the potential of generating economic results of companies. In this context it is strategic for shareholders and administrators assess the company's ability to generate economic value in the business environment in which the company is entered. To meet this need is need to develop tools for business results forecast consider corporate structure available and the likely scenarios in which the company can act. The main objective of this thesis is to propose a systematic business result prediction based on projected scenarios formed by variables unforeseen contingencies to support the decision-making process. The systematic proposal in this work was applied at a company called Sicredi credit cooperative São Cristóvão PR/SC, through a case study to test it and evaluate it. The results provide that the Sicredi will have for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 results: R$350.00,37, R$1.930.997,29 and R$(716,371.69), totaling a predicted result of R$1.564.628,98. This value represents the likely pay surplus of shareholders/members for the period specified, i.e. above a low-risk implementation such as Brazilian savings. The variable contingency that has greater power of impact on results, according to the perception of managers of the company, is the operational standards and legislation for credit cooperative. As systematic strengths include (I) the logical ordering of forecast; (ii) the transformation of subjective perceptions of managers in result forecasts; (iii) the involvement of managers of the company in the process of forecasting; (iv) the holistic vision of the company and the scenarios in which it operates or may act; and (v) the information generated, easily understandable, useful and relevant in strategic planning of the company.

A aceleração do desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico nas mais diversas áreas do conhecimento humano imprime a necessidade das empresas adaptarem-se constantemente aos novos cenários empresariais, buscando informações que possam balizar suas ações na busca da maximização de resultados econômicos. Os ativos intangíveis, em sinergia com os ativos tangíveis, alavancam o potencial de geração de resultados econômicos das empresas. Neste contexto é estratégico para os acionistas e administradores avaliarem a capacidade da empresa de gerar valor econômico no ambiente empresarial em que a empresa está inserida. Para atender a esta necessidade é preciso desenvolver ferramentas de previsão de resultados empresarias que considerem a estrutura empresarial disponível e os prováveis cenários em que a empresa pode atuar. O objetivo principal desta tese é propor uma sistemática de previsão de resultado empresarial baseado na projeção de cenários formados por variáveis contingenciais para dar suporte ao processo de tomada de decisões. A sistemática proposta neste trabalho foi aplicada em uma empresa Cooperativa de crédito denominada Sicredi São Cristóvão PR/SC, através de um estudo de caso com o objetivo de testá-la e avaliá-la. Os resultados prevêem que a Cooperativa de Crédito Sicredi São Cristóvão terá para os anos de 2010, 2011 e 2012 os respectivos resultados: R$ 350.003,37 R$ 1.930.997,29 e R$ (716.371,69), totalizando um resultado previsto de R$ 1.564.628,98. Este valor representa a provável remuneração excedente dos sócios/cooperados para o período previsto, ou seja, acima de uma aplicação de baixo risco como é o caso da poupança brasileira. A variável contingencial que possui maior poder de impacto nos resultados, segundo a percepção dos gestores da empresa, é a legislação e normas operacionais para cooperativas de crédito. Como pontos fortes da sistemática destacam-se (i) o ordenamento lógico da previsão; (ii) a transformação de percepções subjetivas dos gestores em previsões de resultado; (iii) o envolvimento dos gestores da empresa no processo de previsão; (iv) a visão holística da empresa e dos cenários em que atua ou poderá atuar; e (v) as informações geradas, de fácil compreensão, úteis e relevantes no planejamento estratégico da empresa. / The acceleration of scientific and technological development in various areas of human knowledge prints the need of undertakings to adapt constantly to new business scenarios, seeking information that could shape their actions in pursuit of maximizing economic results. Intangible assets, in synergy with hard assets, leverage the potential of generating economic results of companies. In this context it is strategic for shareholders and administrators assess the company's ability to generate economic value in the business environment in which the company is entered. To meet this need is need to develop tools for business results forecast consider corporate structure available and the likely scenarios in which the company can act. The main objective of this thesis is to propose a systematic business result prediction based on projected scenarios formed by variables unforeseen contingencies to support the decision-making process. The systematic proposal in this work was applied at a company called Sicredi credit cooperative São Cristóvão PR/SC, through a case study to test it and evaluate it. The results provide that the Sicredi will have for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 results: R$350.00,37, R$1.930.997,29 and R$(716,371.69), totaling a predicted result of R$1.564.628,98. This value represents the likely pay surplus of shareholders/members for the period specified, i.e. above a low-risk implementation such as Brazilian savings. The variable contingency that has greater power of impact on results, according to the perception of managers of the company, is the operational standards and legislation for credit cooperative. As systematic strengths include (I) the logical ordering of forecast; (ii) the transformation of subjective perceptions of managers in result forecasts; (iii) the involvement of managers of the company in the process of forecasting; (iv) the holistic vision of the company and the scenarios in which it operates or may act; and (v) the information generated, easily understandable, useful and relevant in strategic planning of the company.

In order to meet the different public needs and requirements of contemporary urban society, a better understanding of public perceptions, appreciation and knowledge of the assorted values derived from urban trees is beneficial for improved urban greening. Thus, this study carried out an assessment of urban residents’ knowledge and appreciation of the benefits of trees and the role they play in enhancing the quality of life in urban systems. The study primarily focused on the intangible benefits (also referred to as cultural and regulating services) of urban trees, because most research to date in South Africa on trees and the benefits derived from them is biased towards the provisioning services of trees in rural areas. The significance and contribution of the intangible benefits of trees in urban systems is often underestimated and not seriously taken into account by urban planners, policy makers and other key decision makers. The study was conducted in three different residential settlement types (formal townships, RDP settlements and informal settlements) in two towns in the Limpopo Province in South Africa, namely Bela-Bela and Tzaneen. Findings revealed that the intangible benefits of trees are seen to play a significant role in improving both residents’ quality of life and the environmental conditions in cities, including the preservation of biodiversity. Findings also showed that urban residents had strong spiritual connections with trees and placed considerable cultural and historical importance on specific tree species and individual trees. Urban residents in both towns had moderate knowledge of the intangible benefits of trees based on the knowledge score that was created for the purposes of this study. Fifty seven percent of the residents had ‘reasonable’ knowledge of some of the intangible benefits of trees, while 43% had low levels of knowledge. That said, the majority of residents demonstrated high appreciation (98%) of the intangible benefits of trees (especially social and cultural values), with few residents not recognising these, suggesting that knowledge does not necessarily lead to appreciation. Age and level of education were found to influence knowledge of the intangible benefits of trees. A large proportion (86%) of residents who possessed tertiary level qualifications had more knowledge of the intangible benefits of trees as compared to residents with no formal education. Findings also revealed that younger respondents (60%) had more knowledge of the intangible benefits of trees. Factors that influenced appreciation of the intangible benefits of trees included links to crime, peoples’ value systems (their pro-environmental and altruistic values) and residential settlement type. Sixty five percent of residents in both towns felt that urban street trees and trees in public spaces attract criminals and promote crime, while 67% of RDP and 96% of informal township residents did not use or appreciate the social and recreational benefits of trees mainly because of the absence or long distances to public parks. A Willingness To Pay (WTP) survey revealed that a high proportion of residents in Bela-Bela (86%) were WTP a small annual fee in order to sustain greening initiatives in their communities compared to the residents in Tzaneen (53%). In terms of the planting and retention of trees, it was found that 300 households in both study towns had planted and retained a total of 1 615 trees in spite of the various factors that negatively influenced planting and retention of trees such as residency time and tenure security. The majority (66%) of informal township residents said tenure security was an important factor to consider when making tree planting decisions, while this was not an issue for formal township and RDP residents. Policy implications and recommendations are presented to help municipalities and urban planners improve and develop effective policies and programmes that will enable implementation of sustainable urban greening programmes

There is extensive literature in several areas of academic study (marketing, international business, law, business finance, etc.) regarding brand names and trademarks. Different fields of study have analyzed the nature, applications and effects of brands and trademarks on firms and societies through their own unique perspective. But although brands and trademarks play a crucial and vital role in economic matters related to firms and societies, there does not exist a strong literature from the economic field approaching important issues related to them. Of special interest to us are the effects brands have on the strategies firms create and follow in order to address competition and get an advantage in specific markets, the role trademark creation plays in the economic development of a country and the spillover effects such development has on the aggregate world economy, and the protection patterns and strategies firms use in order to maximize the value of trademarks as economic assets and the economic benefit derived from the use of this form of intellectual property (and other brand related activities). With this dissertation we seek to contribute to the existing literature and to the better understanding of brands and trademarks from an economic point of view. In order to address the questions above, we formulated an economic model, used econometric tools and also performed an in-depth analysis of empirical data related to brands and trademarks. From our research we found that brands and trademarks play a major role in different aspects of the economic spectrum; they could give the firm an upper hand in a market, they could be a vehicle for economic advancement of societies when trademark protection is fostered and lastly that firms follow an idiosyncratic pattern of IP protection in order to generate and defend the value of these assets and in order to maximize the economic benefit of activities that are related to brands and trademarks. From our overall research we conclude that brands and trademarks are a powerful duality of tremendous potential for firms and countries that need to be protected and fostered and that additional research from the economic field is needed.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to evaluate a portfolio of Krušovice trademarks which is part of a wider trademark portfolio of the Czech beer producer Heineken Česká republika, Ltd. At first, a portfolio of Krušovice trademarks needs to be identified and selected. Secondly, it is essential to carefully choose method for valuation based on the importance and significance of trademark portfolio for the company. Two income methods will be used for valuation of Krušovice trademarks. Consequently, value of all intangible assets of Heineken is determined and the share of Krušovice trademarks on the total intangible assets of Heineken is discussed.

The main topic of my thesis is the analysis of intangible fixed assets according to international accepted standards of financial reporting. I focused on the reporting according to IAS 38 and IFRS 3 and methods of assessing value of intangible fixed assets. In the last part of the thesis are compared financial statements of several international companies with accent on intangible fixed assets and realized business combinations.