Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in the economic growth of Lesotho, however, they face low survival rates and competitive growth drawbacks. Market-driven strategies and access to finance have been identified as the major constraints hindering their survival, growth and effective operation in Lesotho. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of market-driven strategies and access to finance on the competitive growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in selected districts of Lesotho. A quantitative descriptive-correlation survey approach was followed in the data collection and the analysis phases of the research study. The target population consisted of a probability sample of (N = 400) entrepreneurs in the four selected districts of Lesotho. The data was captured and analysed for descriptive statistics, convergent and discriminant validity, composite and internal reliability and correlation in order to inform the structural equation modelling (SEM). SEM was used to test the research model and hypotheses to answer the research questions. The correlation analysis revealed a positive significant relationship between the market-driven strategies and access to finance constructs and related to the competitive growth of SMEs. The regression results showed a positive and significant influence of market-driven strategies (technological dynamic and competitive intensity) and access to finance (collateral requirement and financial information access) on the competitive growth of SMEs. The structural equation modelling analysis further indicated that the equation model derived from the covariance estimates of all explanatory factors of market-driven strategies and access to finance on competitive growth were within the goodness-of-fit threshold. The study was specific to small and medium enterprises, and the findings suggest that to address their challenges in Lesotho (i) enterprises need to be equipped with market-driven strategic (competitive intensity and technological dynamic) resources to deliver superior value to customers; and (ii) adequate policy initiatives are needed to improve enterprises’ access to finance, and such should (a) focus on improving access to financial information through awareness programmes, (b) consider adequate information on policy initiatives, support programmes and financial schemes geared to support Basotho small and medium-sized enterprises access to finance, and (c) harmonise the collateral requirements by banks to ease Basotho SMEs access to adequate credit funds. In sum, the results suggest the joint implementation of market-driven strategies and access to finance as enabling resources to assist enterprises to achieve and stay competitive in the current dynamic business environment. / Klein en medium ondernemings (KMO’s) speel ʼn beduidende rol in die ekonomiese groei van Lesotho. Hulle ervaar egter lae oorlewingstempo’s en mededingendegroei-nadele. Markgedrewe strategieë en toegang tot finansiering is geïdentifiseer as die vernaamste beperkings in die voortbestaan, groei en doeltreffende bedryf van hierdie ondernemings in Lesotho. Die doel van die studie was om die invloed van markgedrewe strategieë en toegang tot finansiering op die mededingende groei van KMO’s in bepaalde distrikte van Lesotho, te ondersoek. ʼn Kwantitatiewe beskrywende-korrelasie-opname-benadering is in die data-insameling en -ontledingsfases van die navorsingsondersoek gevolg. Die teikenpopulasie het bestaan uit ʼn waarskynlikheidsmonster van (N = 400) entrepreneurs in die vier gekose distrikte van Lesotho. Die data is vasgelê en ontleed vir beskrywende statistiek, konvergente en diskriminantgeldigheid, saamgestelde en interne betroubaarheid en korrelasie, as deel van strukturele vergelykingsmodellering, wat gebruik is om die navorsingsmodel en hipoteses te toets ten einde die navorsingsvrae te beantwoord. Die korrelasie-ontleding het ʼn positiewe beduidende verwantskap tussen die volgende konsepte getoon: markgedrewe strategieë, toegang tot finansiering en die mededingende groei van KMO’s. Die regressieresultate het daarop gedui dat markgedrewe strategieë (tegnologies dinamiese en mededingende intensiteit) en toegang tot finansiering (kollaterale vereiste en toegang tot finansiële inligting) ʼn positiewe en beduidende invloed op die mededingende groei van KMO’s het. Die strukturele vergelykingsmodelleringontleding het verder getoon dat die vergelykingsmodel afkomstig van die kovariansie-skattings van alle verduidelikende faktore van markgedrewe strategieë en toegang tot finansiering rakende mededingende groei, binne die geskiktheidsdrumpel val. Die studie was spesifiek oor KMO’s, en die bevindinge toon dat om die struikelblokke wat in Lesotho ervaar word te bowe te kom, (i) hierdie ondernemings toegerus moet word met markgedrewe strategiese (mededingende-intensiteit en tegnologies dinamiese) hulpbronne sodat hulle voortreflike waarde aan hul klante kan bied; en (ii) voldoende beleidsinisiatiewe nodig is om die ondernemings se toegang tot finansiering te verbeter; hierdie beleidsinisiatiewe moet (a) fokus op verbetering van toegang tot finansiële inligting deur bewustheidsprogramme (b) voldoende inligting voorsien oor beleid, ondersteuningsprogramme en finansiële skemas gerig op beter toegang vir KOMO’s tot finansiering, en (c) die kollaterale vereistes deur banke harmonieer om toegang deur KMO’s tot toereikende kredietfondse te fasiliteer. Kortom stel die resultate die gesamentlike implementering van markgedrewe strategieë en toegang tot finansiering as instaatstellingshulpbronne voor om ondernemings te help om mededingendheid te bewerkstellig en te behou in die huidige dinamiese sakeomgewing. / Amabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa (SME) adlala indima esemqoka ekuhlumiseni umnotho wasezweni laseLesotho. Yize-kunjalo, lincane kakhulu inani lamabhizinisi asindayo futhi lincane kakhulu inani lalawo ahlumayo kwizimakethe zamabhizinisi ezincintisanayo. Amasu aqhutshwa yizimakethe kanye nokutholakala kwezimali kubonwe njengezihibhe ezinkulu ezivimba ukuphumelela, ukuhluma kanye nokusebenza kahle kwamabhizinisi eLesotho. Injongo yalesi sifundo socwaningo bekukuphenya umthelela wamasu aqhutshwa yizimakethe kanye nokutholakala kwezimali zokuhlunyiswa komnotho wama-SME ngendlela ekhonyayo kwizifunda zaseLesotho. Indlela yesaveyi ebizwa nge-quantitative descriptive-correlation survey iye yalandelwa ekuqoqweni kwedatha kanye nakwizigaba zokuhlaziya kwisifundo socwaningo. Inani eliphelele labantu eliqondiwe linamasampuli wethuba lokwenzeka (probability sample of (N = 400) losomabhizinisi abakwizifunda ezine ezikhethiwe zaseLesotho. Idatha iqoqiwe yahlaziywa ukwenzela amanani achazayo, i-convergent and discriminant validity, i-composite kanye ne-internal reliability and correlation ngenhloso yokuhlomisa uhlelo lwe-structural equation modelling ngolwazi, ulwazi olusetshenziswe ukuhlola imodeli yocwaningo kanye nehayipothesisi ukuze kuphenduleke imibuzo yocwaningo. Uhlaziyo lwe_correlation analysis luveze ubudlelwano obubonakalayo phakathi kwezinhlaka zamasu aqhutshwa yizimakethe, ukutholakala kwezimali kanye nokuhluma ngamandla kwezomnotho kwamabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa (SMEs). Imiphumela yohlelo lwe-regression ikhombe amasu aqhutshwa yizimakethe (technological dynamic and competitive intensity) kanye nokutholakala kwezimali (collateral requirement and financial information access) njengezinhlaka ezinomthelela omuhle nobalulekile phezu kokuhluma ngamandla komnotho wamabhizinisi asafufusayo (SMEs). Uhlelo lokuhlaziya imodeli elibizwa nge-structural equation modelling liqhubeke nokuveza uhlelo lwe- equation model olususelwe kwisilinganiso se-covariance sezinhlaka zonke ezichazayo zamasu aqhutshwa yizimakethe kanye nokutholakala kwezimali kumnotho ohluma ngamandla wamabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa ukuthi kube ngaphakathi kohlelo lwe-goodness-of-fit threshold. Ucwaningo belugxile ikakhulu kumabhizinisi aamancane nasafufusa, , kanti ulwazi olufunyenwe luphakamisa ukuthi ukuze kuqedwe izinkinga okuhlangabezanwa nazo eLesotho, (i) la mabhizinisi adinga ukuba ahlonyiswe ngamasu aqhutshwa yimithombo yezimakethe (competitive intensity and technological dynamic) ngenhloso yokuletha izinga eliphezulu lomkhiqizo kumakhasimende; kanti (ii) kudinga imizamo yemigomo eyanele ukuthuthukisa izinga lokutholakala kwezimali ngamabhizinisi; le mizamo yomgomo kufanele (a) igxile ekuthuthukiseni izinga lokutholakala kolwazi lwezimali ngokusebenzisa izinhlelo zokwexwayisa, (b) ukunikeza ulwazi olwanele olumayelana nezomgomo, nezinhlelo zokuxhasa kanye nezikhwama zezimali ezihlelelwe ukuthuthukisa ukuthuthukisa uhlelo lizinga lokutholakala kwezimali ngamabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa, kanti futhi (c) ukuhlanganisa ndawonye izimfuno ezifanayo ngamabhange ukwenzela ukulungisa uhlelo olusiza ukunikezwa kwamabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa izikweletu zemali eyanele. Sekukonke nje, imiphumela iphakamisa ukuthi kube nohlelo oluhlanganyelwe lokusetshenziswa kwamasu aqhutshwa yizimakethe kanye nokutholakala kwezimali ezinceda imithombo ukuthi incede amabhizinisi ekufinyeleleni izinhloso kanye nokugcina ummoya wokuncintisana kwisizinda samanje sezebhizinisi. / Business Management / D. Phil. (Management Studies)

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the relevant aspects involved in knowledge management and organisational learning, and to assess the maturity level of knowledge management within the South African steel industry. Various aspects of knowledge, knowledge management and organisational learning with specific relation to sustainable competitive advantage are discussed in the literature study. During the literature research several factors which either promote or hinder the effective management of knowledge were identified and a list of lessons learned by other successful knowledge focused companies, are discussed. The critical success factors for a successful knowledge management program are also discussed. Knowledge can create a sustainable competitive advantage within an organisation, if successfully applied to make value adding decisions and to enable learning, and if it is applied to make decisions which are superior to that of its rivals across the supply chain. An integrated approach needs to be followed when KM is pursued and the knowledge must be applied to make value added decisions and facilitate learning across all processes in the value chain. The focus must be to retain an organisation’s tacit knowledge as this is a key success factor to ensure a sustainable competitive advantage. The study includes research on whether knowledge management is effectively used as a sustainable competitive advantage in the South African steel industry. The maturity level of the application of knowledge and learning principles implemented within the South African steel industry is assessed and compared to the maturity level of ArcelorMittal, Monlevade, located in Brazil. A survey was designed and distributed to determine the knowledge management and organisational learning maturity levels at two steel facilities of ArcelorMittal in South Africa and one facility in Brazil. The key problem areas as identified through the empirical research are discussed and it is concluded that South African facilities do not effectively use knowledge management as a sustainable competitive advantage. The maturity level of knowledge management in ArcelorMittal, South Africa is low compared to the maturity at Monlevade and rival companies such as Tata and Posco steel. A significant effort needs to be made in order to allow the effective creation, acquisition, sharing and leveraging of knowledge within the South African steel facilities. The key factors which constrain effective knowledge management is related to ineffective Human Resource policies, organisation structure, lack of knowledge exchange forums, collaboration and communication, coaching, and a lack of incentives to share tacit knowledge. It is also evident that knowledge is not seen as a sustainable competitive advantage by many respondents and that they perceive they do not have the time or capacity to transfer knowledge. Ten practical design principles were constructed and a knowledge management framework was developed to guide South African steel companies during the design and execution of a knowledge management programme which will ensure that knowledge management will result into a sustainable competitive advantage. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the relevant aspects involved in knowledge management and organisational learning, and to assess the maturity level of knowledge management within the South African steel industry. Various aspects of knowledge, knowledge management and organisational learning with specific relation to sustainable competitive advantage are discussed in the literature study. During the literature research several factors which either promote or hinder the effective management of knowledge were identified and a list of lessons learned by other successful knowledge focused companies, are discussed. The critical success factors for a successful knowledge management program are also discussed. Knowledge can create a sustainable competitive advantage within an organisation, if successfully applied to make value adding decisions and to enable learning, and if it is applied to make decisions which are superior to that of its rivals across the supply chain. An integrated approach needs to be followed when KM is pursued and the knowledge must be applied to make value added decisions and facilitate learning across all processes in the value chain. The focus must be to retain an organisation’s tacit knowledge as this is a key success factor to ensure a sustainable competitive advantage. The study includes research on whether knowledge management is effectively used as a sustainable competitive advantage in the South African steel industry. The maturity level of the application of knowledge and learning principles implemented within the South African steel industry is assessed and compared to the maturity level of ArcelorMittal, Monlevade, located in Brazil. A survey was designed and distributed to determine the knowledge management and organisational learning maturity levels at two steel facilities of ArcelorMittal in South Africa and one facility in Brazil. The key problem areas as identified through the empirical research are discussed and it is concluded that South African facilities do not effectively use knowledge management as a sustainable competitive advantage. The maturity level of knowledge management in ArcelorMittal, South Africa is low compared to the maturity at Monlevade and rival companies such as Tata and Posco steel. A significant effort needs to be made in order to allow the effective creation, acquisition, sharing and leveraging of knowledge within the South African steel facilities. The key factors which constrain effective knowledge management is related to ineffective Human Resource policies, organisation structure, lack of knowledge exchange forums, collaboration and communication, coaching, and a lack of incentives to share tacit knowledge. It is also evident that knowledge is not seen as a sustainable competitive advantage by many respondents and that they perceive they do not have the time or capacity to transfer knowledge. Ten practical design principles were constructed and a knowledge management framework was developed to guide South African steel companies during the design and execution of a knowledge management programme which will ensure that knowledge management will result into a sustainable competitive advantage. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on mobile learning (mlearning) in order to achieve the primary objective of the study which is to develop a general framework to implement and manage mobile technologies in a higher education environment. The focus of the literature study was to research the state of mobile technologies and their relevance to teaching and learning. The literature study investigate the implications of mobile technologies for students, lecturers and thus for the institution and provided an overview of frameworks found in literature with the emphasis on the management of m–learning within the higher education institution. M–learning is part of a new mobile conception of society, with the mobility of the technologies impacting on the mobility of the students, the lecturers and ultimately on the mobility of higher education. Literature suggests that, while m–learning is proving to be innovative, the factors that most strongly impact on the ultimate success or failure of mlearning will depend on human factors, the balancing of technological ideals and pedagogical imperatives, and the successful management of the interface between human educational systems and technology systems. The proposed general framework focuses on addressing key issues related to m–learning from the perspective of the student, the lecturer and thus the institution. In order to remain competitive higher education needs to be diligent in maintaining the complex technology infrastructure that supports a thriving mobile culture that will meet and exceed the expectations of both lecturers and students. The empirical research conducted had as objectives to investigate the mobile technology assets of respondents with regard to the hardware and the software that they own, the mobile technology actions of respondents in regard to what they do with the mobile technology that they own and to investigate the respondent's attitude towards mobile technologies. A survey was designed and distributed to a sampling of the academic staff and students of the North–West University (NWU) in South Africa, specifically the Potchefstroom Campus. There is ample proof from the empirical study that there is a gap with regard to the level of accessibility, usage, and attitude with regards to the different interest groups in the higher education environment. Higher education institutions should invest in investigating these gaps further and in leveraging off the benefits of the effective management of these technologies to improve teaching and learning. The final chapter concludes with a summary of the secondary objectives researched in the literature (Chapter two) and empirical research (Chapter three) chapters in order to support recommendations towards the primary objective of this study. The rapid pace of adoption and advancement of mobile technologies creates opportunities for new and innovative services provided through such mobile devices. Higher education finds itself in the early innings of the mobile Internet pulling both lecturers and students towards the same place: smaller, faster, cheaper devices working together in a web of connectivity. Recommendations were made in this final chapter on how higher education institutions can leverage the benefits of the effective management of mobile technologies to improve teaching and learning. M–learning has the potential to increase the capacity of higher education through improving efficiency and productivity of teaching and learning. Mlearning could address challenges related to quality of teaching such as continuous professional training, lifelong upgrading, connecting with academics worldwide and communicating effectively with students. Higher education is discovering the potential of mlearning to promote student engagement and improving the quality of learning. Management of higher education institutions and systems, management of policymaking including storage and analysis of data, construction and assessment of policy scenarios, and tracer studies or academic tracking systems can be improved through the use of m–learning. Mobile technologies will continue to increasingly become an integral part of students' and lecturers' private and day to day lives and m–learning will be integral in educational content delivery. Additional research is required to study the effective and optimal implementation of m–learning. A better understanding of the benefits and leverage thereof is required and additional research should provide answers to these questions. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on mobile learning (mlearning) in order to achieve the primary objective of the study which is to develop a general framework to implement and manage mobile technologies in a higher education environment. The focus of the literature study was to research the state of mobile technologies and their relevance to teaching and learning. The literature study investigate the implications of mobile technologies for students, lecturers and thus for the institution and provided an overview of frameworks found in literature with the emphasis on the management of m–learning within the higher education institution. M–learning is part of a new mobile conception of society, with the mobility of the technologies impacting on the mobility of the students, the lecturers and ultimately on the mobility of higher education. Literature suggests that, while m–learning is proving to be innovative, the factors that most strongly impact on the ultimate success or failure of mlearning will depend on human factors, the balancing of technological ideals and pedagogical imperatives, and the successful management of the interface between human educational systems and technology systems. The proposed general framework focuses on addressing key issues related to m–learning from the perspective of the student, the lecturer and thus the institution. In order to remain competitive higher education needs to be diligent in maintaining the complex technology infrastructure that supports a thriving mobile culture that will meet and exceed the expectations of both lecturers and students. The empirical research conducted had as objectives to investigate the mobile technology assets of respondents with regard to the hardware and the software that they own, the mobile technology actions of respondents in regard to what they do with the mobile technology that they own and to investigate the respondent's attitude towards mobile technologies. A survey was designed and distributed to a sampling of the academic staff and students of the North–West University (NWU) in South Africa, specifically the Potchefstroom Campus. There is ample proof from the empirical study that there is a gap with regard to the level of accessibility, usage, and attitude with regards to the different interest groups in the higher education environment. Higher education institutions should invest in investigating these gaps further and in leveraging off the benefits of the effective management of these technologies to improve teaching and learning. The final chapter concludes with a summary of the secondary objectives researched in the literature (Chapter two) and empirical research (Chapter three) chapters in order to support recommendations towards the primary objective of this study. The rapid pace of adoption and advancement of mobile technologies creates opportunities for new and innovative services provided through such mobile devices. Higher education finds itself in the early innings of the mobile Internet pulling both lecturers and students towards the same place: smaller, faster, cheaper devices working together in a web of connectivity. Recommendations were made in this final chapter on how higher education institutions can leverage the benefits of the effective management of mobile technologies to improve teaching and learning. M–learning has the potential to increase the capacity of higher education through improving efficiency and productivity of teaching and learning. Mlearning could address challenges related to quality of teaching such as continuous professional training, lifelong upgrading, connecting with academics worldwide and communicating effectively with students. Higher education is discovering the potential of mlearning to promote student engagement and improving the quality of learning. Management of higher education institutions and systems, management of policymaking including storage and analysis of data, construction and assessment of policy scenarios, and tracer studies or academic tracking systems can be improved through the use of m–learning. Mobile technologies will continue to increasingly become an integral part of students' and lecturers' private and day to day lives and m–learning will be integral in educational content delivery. Additional research is required to study the effective and optimal implementation of m–learning. A better understanding of the benefits and leverage thereof is required and additional research should provide answers to these questions. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.