Uppsala universitet, 1776, Thesis. / At head of title: I.J.N. - Goldsmiths'-Kress no. 11417.0-1. - OCLC, 24183219. - Reproduction of original from Kress Library of Business and Economics, Harvard University.

Habilitationsschrift-Freiburg i. B. / Bibliography: p. [163]-169.

Proefschrift -- Louvain. / At head of title: Universiteit te Leuven. Bibliotheek der Handels hoogeschool. "Lijst van geraadpleegde werken": p. [220]-224.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1975. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-55). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis--Uppsala universitet, 1776. / At head of title: I.J.N. Reproduction of original from Kress Library of Business and Economics, Harvard University. Goldsmiths'-Kress no. 11417.0-1.

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala universitet, 1788. / Reproduction of original from Kress Library of Business and Economics, Harvard University. Goldsmiths'-Kress no. 13566.1-1.

M.B.A / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ing. (Engineering Management) / Since the beginning of the knowledge era, individuals powered their ideals on the 20th century’s industrial knowledge age, also defined as “the power of knowledge”. The modern day knowledge era will use the collective intelligence of diverse groups to collaborate for specific purposes and objectives. Society and education developed from the “know what” and “know how” age to “what is the best way”. (NZCER, 2010) Leading into the 21st century, organisations are forced to adapt to a new state of mind and use a diverse knowledge spectrum to solve the problems of the future. This mind-set is being challenged by a recent recession and cautious investment future. The recession initiated a negative impact on the global markets and forced most organisations to become innovative and use their collective knowledge. (NZCER, 2010) This investigation is based on an increment of the global corporate environment. The collective thinking principle can be used to achieve success in an organisation based on a first and third world country, i.e. South Africa. The concern, Hall Longmore (Pty) Ltd. opened its doors to a 21st century strategic solution in respect of its maintenance department. Maintenance at the concern is currently a decentralised employee structure, where the current culture of the group impacts negatively on the performance of the department. During the industrial age this would have been solved by implementing autocratic structures and strict discipline on employees. This management style is feasible in the short term, but how do employees stay motivated, creative and innovative over time? World class maintenance programs need a clear vision to become a unified labour force functioning with an innovative and creative approach. The key aspects of the initial state need to be investigated and understood before decisions can begin towards reinstating the desired culture and behaviour. The aim of this dissertation is to change the paradigm of the autocratic 20th century management style relating to the maintenance function, which aims to decrease cost and increase reliability and availability to a more performance driven culture and integrated workforce, which will create a high performance concern through its actions.

Literature in business associations reveals an efficient confluence of business to provide member firms with benefits obtained from cooperation with other firms in the industry. They assist firms through knowledge building, knowledge deployment, and standard setting. They can particularly play an important role in the areas of market integration, source of information, lobbying for regulation, standard setting and policy. Studies have also shown that lack of political influence helps discourage good governance or the ability to manage public affairs and deliver basic services; when acting alone individual firms may not be capable of taking part effectively in the interchange with government. This study involved a qualitative study which consisted of case studies and in-depth face to face interviews with association and member companies’ executives that are actively involved in business association activities in the South African Steel industry. The study concluded that business associations arise for different reasons and in different environments, to assist business with meeting certain challenges; they can sometimes play a positive role by making up for failing development institutions but they can also be detrimental to social welfare because of rent-seeking behaviour. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted