by Lam Siu Ling, Franklin, Lau Kok Chun, James. / Bibliography: leaves 62-63 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1986

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The monopolistic South African electricity supply industry is undergoing a transformation that would change its ownership and market structure. The objective of this study was to determine whether the strategic choice to transform the industry is indeed appropriate. A qualitative, case based study of the existing and proposed South African electricity supply industry was performed. Various strategic tools and techniques, related to both strategic theory and electricity supply industry models, formed the basis of the evaluation. It was found that to overcome the critical weaknesses in the industry and to take advantage of the opportunities present in the dynamic and complex electricity supply industry the restructuring is appropriate. The restructuring would allow the South African Government to meet its objectives of having an efficient electricity supply industry and meet the huge suppressed demand for low cost electrification. South Africa intends adopting the wholesale competition model, however this study recommends that it should implement the single-buyer model. Should the restructuring be successfully implemented, customers in the South African electricity supply industry can expect high quality electricity at a competitive price. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Die Entflechtung der Netze von den liberalisierten Bereichen der Energieversorgungsunternehmen (EVU) spiegelt sich in der Staatsaufsicht wider: Die liberalisierten Tätigkeitsbereiche werden dem freien Spiel der Kräfte ausgesetzt und unterliegen im Falle von Marktmacht der kartellrechtlichen Missbrauchsaufsicht. Demgegenüber wird der Netzbetrieb vollumfänglich und ausschließlich durch die Regulierungsbehörden überwacht. Trotz wesentlicher Unterschiede haben beide Formen der Staatsaufsicht die Funktion, unternehmerisches Handeln derart zu lenken, dass ein effektiver Wettbewerb im Energiemarkt möglich ist. Mit dem Ziel der Wettbewerbsförderung wird das Energierecht ständig Reformplänen unterzogen, ohne dass der Verordnungsgeber bereits bestehenden Konkretisierungsaufträgen umfassend nachkommen konnte. Unter Berücksichtigung der ausstehenden Rechtsverordnungen müssen Reformen ein angemessenes Verhältnis von staatlicher Steuerung und unternehmerischer Freiheit beachten. / Government supervision reflects the ongoing segregation of the distribution networks from the liberalised sectors of the power supply industry: The latter are exposed to full competition and are subject to the control of abusive practices by competition authorities. The networks, however, are controlled fully and exclusively by regulatory authorities. Despite their substantial differences, both forms of supervision are aimed at directing business activities to ensure effective competition on the energy markets. To promote competition, energy law is undergoing constant reform, but the required ordinances are yet to be enacted. New reform ideas should consider the outstanding ordinances and maintain an appropriate balance between government supervision and corporate freedom.

Information Systems are fundamental to both the day to day operations and competitiveness of most organisations. As the rate of change in organisations continues to increase this dependency has become more critical. However methods for determining the Information Systems that an organisation needs have not moved forward to reflect these increases in organisational turbulence and new capabilities offered by Information Technology. Strategic Alignment is proposed as a new method for Information Systems Planning which recognises the dynamic role of Information Systems as an agent of change and to enable organisations to model and determine how Information Systems can be exploited to improve and transform Business Strategies. Important innovations in the method are incorporation of feedback to ensure that analysis of the interaction of the Information Systems and Business objects within the model is bidirectional. Also that the development of an Information Systems Plan is a complex process which has to be modular. This enables it to incorporate existing results and information where applicable and to deliver its results incrementally. The Strategic Alignment Method has been developed from extensive research which used the Electricity Supply Industry as the source of information because it was facing immense change after its privatisation. As a result detailed case study material is presented as well as the Strategic Alignment Methodology. Maintenance of an Information Systems Plan is also addressed. Once an Information Systems Plan is produced, its implementation can take a number of years. During this time the changes in Business Strategy and Information Systems capability will change. Strategic Alignment proposes methods that will ensure the ongoing harmonisation of the Strategies during the implementation of the plan. The practical nature of the research is reflected in the Addendum which describes the work that has been done to incorporate Strategic Alignment into ICL's services methodology and to train ICL Consultants in its use.

Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

Growing markets and fast discontinuous changes challenge companies to stay in line with their goals and maintain their market share. The environmental dynamism, complexity and hostility are aspects that require strategical preparation to maintain success on the market. Companies need not only to manage the continuous adaptation to incremental change but also the ability to detect discontinuities early and manage them through their corporate strategy and innovation management. The process of detecting, interpreting and reacting to changes can be referred to as corporate foresight. This study analysis a German automotive supplier regarding their current foresight capabilities and will derive with an assessment within their competitive surrounding. This study assesses the corporate foresight capabilities of a company in a qualitative approach by conducting interviews with employees and further secondary quantitative insights from survey results. In collaboration with the consulting firm Rohrbeck & Heger and their gathered data sets, further insights about the competitive situation of the company could be derived. The final assessment presents insights whereas the automotive supplier is lacking in specific aspects in contrast to the diverse competition but also delivers actions steps to lower the weak spots the firm currently demonstrates.

Demand side management (DSM) interventions aim to influence the way electricity is used by customers through specific actions and programmes. A desired load shape is achieved by encouraging electricity users to consume more electricity at times when excess capacity is available and less during times of constraints. In South Africa, load management is a fixed response between 18:00 and 20:00 and includes load shifting and load curtailment out of the Time of Use (TOU) tariff peak period. Demand Market Participation (DMP), on the other hand, is a more flexible curtailment initiative and is scheduled day ahead only if constraints are expected. This study evaluates the effectiveness of load management and DMP initiatives and proposes an optimised approach. Customer responses to the TOU tariff and the alignment of system and tariff peaks were investigated by making use of TOU metering and system sent out data. The research shows that not all customers respond to the TOU tariff signal. System peaks and TOU tariff peaks are aligned however a number of system peaks occur out of the tariff peak periods. The research further shows that load management and DMP initiatives shift and curtail load effectively. Load management initiatives with an energy efficient component are very effective and highlight the importance of energy efficiency as a whole. Historical system sent out data was analysed and the results show that a significant number of load management initiatives can become more dynamic. It was further evident that curtailment initiatives contribute more to the system than load shifting initiatives. Load management initiatives are initiated by TOU tariff peaks and not system peaks. Load management initiatives could therefore be optimised if system constraints are used as a reference and not TOU periods. It was also evident that load shifting initiatives do not add much value during the low-demand seasons. The results of this study could be utilised to improve DSM initiatives. This study also serves to influence future DSM strategies which will embrace a sustainable DSM programme. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The country is currently experiencing a tight electricity schedule. The demand for greater capacity than the country can supply is a reality. Raising unemployment and poverty levels are a situation we contend with daily. The aim of the study is to create a generic framework for right–sourcing in the electricity supply industry. The various phases of strategy creation were analysed to achieve this target. The process of identifying core business processes was discussed. Strategic alignment is important for the success of the Information Technology strategy; this study discussed how this could be accomplished. The various Information Technology sourcing strategies were examined. The probability of a process being outsourced, stemmed from the simplicity and repetitiveness of a transaction or process, and costs involved. An empirical study was done with both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The study looked at Contract Management, Information Technology Strategy and Benchmarking. A comprehensive right–sourcing framework was developed to assist in making the correct decisions. This framework could guide new entrants to the ESI in helping them shape their strategy and formulate a distinct competitive advantage. It could assist them in meeting the growing capacity demands faster and making a significant positive contribution to the economy. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The country is currently experiencing a tight electricity schedule. The demand for greater capacity than the country can supply is a reality. Raising unemployment and poverty levels are a situation we contend with daily. The aim of the study is to create a generic framework for right–sourcing in the electricity supply industry. The various phases of strategy creation were analysed to achieve this target. The process of identifying core business processes was discussed. Strategic alignment is important for the success of the Information Technology strategy; this study discussed how this could be accomplished. The various Information Technology sourcing strategies were examined. The probability of a process being outsourced, stemmed from the simplicity and repetitiveness of a transaction or process, and costs involved. An empirical study was done with both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The study looked at Contract Management, Information Technology Strategy and Benchmarking. A comprehensive right–sourcing framework was developed to assist in making the correct decisions. This framework could guide new entrants to the ESI in helping them shape their strategy and formulate a distinct competitive advantage. It could assist them in meeting the growing capacity demands faster and making a significant positive contribution to the economy. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.