M.Com. (Business Management) / The objective of this study is to provide a programme for the management of small ventures. This model must provide guidelines to large companies to successfully establish an environment that will support intrapreneurial activity. It must further provide guidelines to potential intrapreneurs on how to become intrapreneurs and how to execute a small venture project. The programme was set up by doing a literature study to determine the characteristics of potential intrapreneurs as well as define the concept small venture. The steps in such a programme for the management of small ventures, as well as potential problems were then deterrnined.. The contribution of the programme is to provide a vehicle for large South African companies for increased growth and competitiveness.

No description available.

Magister Legum - LLM / The participation of African countries in the Dispute Settlement System (DSS) of the Worlt Trade Organisation ( WTO) is insignificant. This research seeks to find a suitable model/mechanism which meets the particular needs of developing countries. The practical aim of this reseach was to enhance active participation of various stakeholders in developing countries who may be adversely affected or who face potential damage by unfair trade pracices of other players in the brutal and complex battleground of world trade. Thus the research seeks to suggest a suitable legal framework which can be utilised by stakeholders in African countries as part of the process of trade dispute initiation when their interests are threatened or adversely affected. / South Africa

Many companies are questioning the value created from logistics outsourcing. This is especially evident in contract logistics (specialised warehousing), given the increased commoditisation of transportation and distribution today. A clear need emerged to understand the value creation characteristics at play between third party logistics (3PL) providers and clients, and this formed the basis for this research. More specifically, the research sought to identify the elements driving the quality and functionality of value creation. The research focused on the South African automotive industry limited to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) that had outsourced, were currently outsourcing or were planning to outsource their specialised warehousing. The research consisted of a phased approach in which key industry players (clients and 3PL’s) were interviewed to understand and expand on the nature of the problem. A questionnaire was then sent out to the OEM’s and quantitative analysis was undertaken on the data collected to answer the stated research propositions It was found that client satisfaction was achieved through long term strategic relationships with 3PL’s rather than a short term transactional approach. The value creation that was driving client satisfaction was being achieved through behaviour that sought stronger relationships, cooperation and strategic partnering with each other. Although there was a clear understanding on what the value creation characteristics were, the execution was unclear. Overall, the majority of OEM’s that took part in this study indicated satisfaction with their 3PL providers. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of regulatory changes on the client service delivery strategies of a multinational accounting firm based in South Africa. These regulatory changes were implemented in an effort to avert corporate scandals such as Enron in future and now seek to govern, amongst others, the activities and conduct of accounting firms.The focus of this research study is limited to a large accounting firm operating in South Africa in order to confirm and establish the extent of the impact of regulatory changes on client service strategies. Qualitative research was conducted through six face-to-face in-depth interviews with the top management of a large accounting firm. The single case study methodology was implemented using purposive, non-probability sampling and a semistructured questionnaire as research tool.The research confirmed the internal and external validity of regulatory changes on the client service strategies of the accounting firm and the profession. Although financial reporting regulations have forced accounting firms to become better acquainted with the client’s business risk, frustration due to independence restrictions exists and affects the auditor-client relationship. Unfortunately, increased regulations have also caused accounting firms to adopt onerous risk mitigating measures, thus negatively influencing their efficiency. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The proliferation of forecourt convenience shops in South Africa spawned an entirely new model within an existing fuel sales business model. Conversely South Africa’s regulated fuel industry was stunned by a near merger of Sasol and Engen, which led to petrol stations looking for new ways to attract business. The forecourt convenience shops are not price regulated and hence have become a strategic revenue generator for petrol station operators. These factors made the study of consumer motivations in forecourt convenience retailing necessary.Specific research hypotheses were formulated, based on a literature review, in order to prove or disprove the researcher’s viewpoint and fully appreciate consumer motivations. A survey of 115 convenience shop patrons was undertaken, the data was analysed statistically and hypotheses were then either rejected or failed to be rejected.Petrol brands play no role in consumer motivations, while forecourt shops independently play a role in why people shop. Age plays no role in motivations, whereas gender does, as more men shop at forecourt shops than do women. White people buy more from these outlets than non-whites. Hygiene factors and motivators do not lead to greater spending, but motivators alone lead to repatronage. Total customer experience leads people to shop more often. Price plays no role in customers’ intentions to repatronise the stores. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Retail is a labour intensive industry and strategically, retail productivity can be used to differentiate retail stores and provides the foundation to develop strategies for growth and diversification in retail stores (Dubelaar, Bhargava and Ferrarin, 2002). This study used historical data to identify the drivers of retail productivity, measured as units per man-hour worked. Prior literature has suggested that sales mix, retail gross, basket size, shrinkage, services, managers’ experience, staff compliment, work force flexibility, number of people employed and the number of units sold could contribute to retail productivity. Of all these variables all except shrinkage and the number of store managers’ years experience proven to be significant. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Please read the abstract (Summary) in the section, 00front of this document / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Marketing Management / MCom / Unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section front of this document. / Dissertation (MSc (Water Utilization))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

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