Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

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    The value contribution of sustainable development in the supply chain of the South African healthcare industry
    (2014-01-20) Rooplall, Nirvishee
    The concept of sustainable development is not new to companies. However, the impact on the supply chain has only in the recent past been brought to the forefront of company reporting. This thesis examines the value that is brought to companies in the healthcare industry supply chain through environmental sustainable development efforts. Data was gathered in a qualitative method using semi-structured informal interviews. A range of companies/individuals that forms part of the supply chain formed the sample for the study and two groups of respondents were interviewed. Group 1 consisted of companies and group 2 consisted of doctors/patients. Value creation due to environmental sustainability efforts could not be conclusively proven. A general consensus from the respondents was an acknowledgement that companies and citizens must act in a responsible way towards environmental issues. However company business models for the creation of sustainable supply chains appeared highly subjective, unfocused and often unexpressed that might guide both employees and suppliers. Given this absence of clear guidelines, performance levels varied and no consistent approached could be discerned across the healthcare industry. Although international standards for reporting and performance measurements exist, most companies turn to the government for guidance and support. The apparent ‘low impact nature’ of the healthcare sector was a key consideration for efforts, or the lack thereof, with regards to environmental initiatives. A key finding was the perception shared by most respondents that focus for companies in the healthcare supply chain should be on the quality of product and patient care. These core business operations and efforts could not be sacrificed, or attention shifted away from them, even if a sustainable supply chain could make a difference of the firm’s overall environmental footprint.
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    The attitudes of consumers towards Sustainable Development in South Africa
    (2012-11-14) Giraud, Leigh Christine
    Businesses and governments in developed markets are currently facing immense pressure from consumers and the general public to operate in a manner that ensures the sustainability of the markets‘ natural and social forms of capital is not compromised through the pursuit of economic growth. Sustainable development is thus high on the agendas of most businesses competing for profits in these markets. The research discussed in this report explored consumer attitudes, product choice and consumption behaviours regarding sustainable development and sustainably produced products. It also measured consumer expectations of corporate sustainable development initiatives. The aim was to build on business and marketers‘ understanding regarding the degree to which sustainable development is becoming an important consumer concern in South Africa. Data was gathered from a total of 324 respondents who self-completed an online survey. Exploratory factor, k-means cluster and correspondence analyses were conducted on the data to address the research problems identified by the researcher. The research indicated that sustainable development is becoming a topic of relatively high concern for consumers in South Africa and that consumers do consider a wide range of sustainable development issues when purchasing and consuming products. Businesses in South Africa thus cannot afford to ignore the sustainable development movement as both a key business and consumer concern. In order to benefit from consumer support as a result of sustainable development initiatives, a business needs to ensure that the initiatives are relevant to the context of their own industries and aligned with the issues viewed to be important by their target consumers.
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    Evaluation of sustainable development strategies in the mining sector
    (2011-06-22) Stobart, Brandon Ian
    Formulating, implementing, measuring and reporting on sustainable develoment strategies presents a range of challenges to companies in the South African mining sector. This study evaluates the performance of South African mining companies against standards identified both in the relevant literature and in international practice. In-depth semi-structured interviews and the relevant documentary evidence were used to obtain input from mining companies, related institutions and consultants in the field of sustainable development...
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    THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE
    (2011-06-15) Smither, Robin Bryan
    The management of the African elephant is important because of their unique role in African ecosystems and their value to humans. Sound management principles require a multi-disciplinary resource management approach which considers a fine balance between biological, social, economic and political factors. It is believed that sufficient development of these factors will provide necessary incentives to involved parties to manage elephant populations efficiently, equitably and on a sustainable basis. Botswana holds one of the largest elephant populations on the African continent. Most of the elephants are concentrated in the Northern part of the country. There has been much controversy however over how these elephants have been managed. Perhaps the most important aspect behind this is Botswana s decision to apply a non-interference approach to elephant population control. The question thus remains is Botswana managing its elephants as a natural resource effectively and are their current policies sustainable? This report is an exploratory study which examines existing strategies used in the management of the African elephant as a resource in Botswana, with emphasis placed on the critical success factors thereof. The objectives of the research are to identify whether existing strategies and policies are sufficient to manage the elephants on a sustainable basis. The research also proposes alternative strategies for the management of the elephants based on the views and opinions of experts in the elephant management profession
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    COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION CONCERNS FOR
    (2011-06-10) SEHLAPELO, DESIRÉE LORRAINE MOSIMA
    This study investigates the role of the community in participating in the development and rehabilitation of Lake Fundudzi. The premise of the study is that community is the cornerstone of the success of any development. Conserving the environment is not the only way of ensuring its heritage or managing its resources. The study specifically looks at the way the community interacts with its immediate environment, namely, the lake. It examines the types of benefits available to them. Chapter One introduces the problem statement, delimitations of the study, and significance of the study. Chapter Two reviews the extant literature, proffers an overview on what a wetland is, its function; it also provides different perspectives on Sustainable Development, including international and the local perspectives applicable to South Africa and the local area. Chapter Three proffers Research Design and Methodology i.e. Observations of stakeholders, and questionnaire as a research tool. Chapter Four presents research findings of the research done in the three villages. Chapter Five analyses and interprets the research findings. Finally, Chapter Six recommends and concludes the study
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    UNDERSTANDING THE CONSTRAINTS AND
    (2011-04-01) Cudjoe, Korlekour Rosina
    Private sector-led development has become widely adopted by donors and development agencies who have designed programmes to address market failures impeding the growth of ‘pro-poor’ enterprises. At the same time, high value agricultural products have been identified as a particular area of value chain opportunities for enterprises based in low income communities. This research report critically assesses the constraints on such a development approach through an in-depth case study of Marula Natural Products (MNP). MNP has received substantial donor support over the past ten years to support the processing and marketing of marula-based products. The main findings are that, despite this support, MNP has not met expectations because of significant challenges including poor institutional arrangements, inadequate and inconsistent management attention, absence of entrepreneurial drive/risk-taking and a mindset of donor dependency. These issues identified in the case study are relevant for the review and improvement of such donor programmes if communities are to be enabled to participate more effectively in international value chains.
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    PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA BY SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANIES
    (2011-03-22) Benza, Yewande Omolola
    Southern Africa today is characterised by poverty, a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, war, conflict, unemployment and food shortages. What is lacking, but clearly necessary for the advancement of the region, is the promotion of sustainable development practices. The challenge is for Southern Africa to reverse its present decline with the active help of business. This study assesses how South African companies are currently operating in Southern Africa, in terms of their promotion of sustainable development practices, and highlights factors that curtail company adoption/promotion of sustainable development. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were held with managers in twenty South African companies with operations in the rest of Southern Africa to assess their promotion of sustainable development practices. The main findings are that companies promote a number of sustainable development practices at varying degrees. However it is clear that to achieve the advancement of the region, there needs to be an increase the current level of promotion of sustainable development practices. Secondly, the findings indicate that the primary inhibiting factors to the promotion of sustainable development practices are lack of financial resources, wrong mindset, nature of company business, limited adoption of sustainable development practices in South Africa, the underdevelopment of economies in the Southern African countries, and the lack of political buy in of senior management.