https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/507 Electronic versions of theses and dissertations submitted to Unisa since 2003 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:03:20 GMT 2026-07-12T00:03:20Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za:443/bitstream/id/43378af8-80b7-4ae3-b8a6-4a2bf713e4a5/ https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/507 https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32732 The constructs of effective supply chain management in the South African IT printer and consumables industry Jacobs, Shirlinia This research was undertaken to obtain a clearer understanding of the constructs of winning supply chain management strategies of key players in the South African IT printer and consumables industry by looking at strategies that have provided companies with a distinctive competitive advantage, identifying the required key competencies, skills and resources needed in the supply chain to improve efficiencies, and understanding the ideal partnership characteristics and attributes for sustainability and survival in this specific industry. The results indicated that the industry is ready to embrace the concept that effective supply chain management strategies can provide organisations with a competitive advantage and sustainability if implemented successfully. Project management and demand planning skills were revealed as crucial for the supply chain, while the biggest challenge remains systems integration and automation across the channel. The research further revealed that true supply chain excellence can only be achieved through strong partnerships and networks that support collaboration and improved service delivery. Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32732 2007-11-19T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32731 An exploratory research into the desirability of regional Transmission organisations in Africa Twala, TM Africa is still regarded as a” Dark Continent” by many because electricity is still inaccessible to many parts of that continent. This has resulted in slow growth of socia1I and economic development. This is what prompted this research on how Africa could help herself. The research study attempted to find an answer to the following question: How could regional transmission organisations (RTOs) be used as an enabling vehicle for transmission infrastructure development in Africa? The research used the qualitative method to explore the viability and challenges of forming, RTOs in Africa. Three cases were studied, namely the USA's RTOs, Westcor and Motraco, for insight into RTOs in general and how they are formed in Africa. Interviews were conducted with experts and leaders in the electricity industry in South Africa and correspondence through e-mails with experts in other African countries. RTOs have been identified as a vehicle that could be used to expand the power grid infrastructure to the rest of Africa. NEPAD could facilitate the collaboration and raising of funds needed for such capital investments. The benefits of this research are that a debate on the formation of RTOs in Africa could be taken further and other entities such as Eskom could leverage their resources, create economic growth in Africa and hence improve the lives of Africans. It is recommended that further research be carried out to determine ways of measuring the Cost/benefit of RTOs in Africa. In the case where bilateral agreements existed between industrial users and suppliers, ways should be found of also supplying to residents a1t market competitive prices. It is also recommended that further detailed study of the nature, dynamics, strengths and weaknesses of the USA's RTOs be carried out. The study should also be done to find what Russia, China and India are doing regarding the RTOs or similar systems. Tue, 30 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32731 2004-11-30T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32730 Cultural intelligence considerations in the development of global managers: The case of Sud-Chemie Hurgobin, S The advent of globalisation has brought about the need for multinational corporations (MNC) to reconsider their strategies in order to sustain competitive advantage. A crucial aspect of strategy is the development of a global mindset within organisations and in particular among global managers. A key underlying theme of a global mindset is the ability to leverage cultural diversity for organisational effectiveness. As such, global managers need to be sensitive to diverse cultures, possess the ability to analyse situations in which individuals of different cultures are encountered, identify the requirements of the situation and exercise the appropriate behaviour. In order to be able to perform the foregoing, managers need to have cultural intelligence or ca. The purpose of the research is to provide Sod-Chemie, a German MNC, with a basis to enhance the development of its global managers through the assessment of the ca of the latters. A questionnaire that was adapted from literature and tailored for the requirements of the current study was used to assess the ca of a sample of managers within Sod-Chemie. This was substantiated by structured interviews conducted with a few participants. It was established that the level of cultural intelligence of managers within Sod-Chemie is average. The key finding of this research is the fact that expatriate experience plays a vital role in the development of ca. Other findings of note include the fact that cross-cultural training does not have a significant effect on the development of ca in S0d-Chemie's case. Furthermore, it was established that years of service within Sod-Chemie does not have a significant impact on ca. The findings from the structured interview revealed that ca global manager > ca functional manager > ca country manager, based on Bartlett & Ghoshal's (1992) triad model. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32730 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32729 Diversity and Equity Interventions in South African Organisations: A Case Study in a Faculty at an Institution of Higher Learning. Roberson, Joseph Robert Tue, 30 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32729 2003-09-30T00:00:00Z