scholarly journals Level of importance attached to competitive intelligence at a mass import retail organization

2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Begg ◽  
A.S.A. Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Competitive Strategy ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Competitive Situation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Level Of Importance

The purpose of this research was to establish the level of importance attached to competitive intelligence (CI) at a mass import retail organization in South Africa. The rationale of CI is to alert an organization about the current situation as it relates to its business environment and competitors, and how these aspects affect the competitive situation. In this article, the value and significance that CI presents to organizations upon implementation are discussed by focusing upon the need for a competitive strategy, the significance of institutionalizing CI, various organizational structure options and the establishment of a CI culture. A survey was conducted at a mass import retail organization to determine the level of importance attached to CI. A total of 107 employees were randomly selected to participate in the completion of a questionnaire. Based on the results, it was found that this organization practised CI, albeit in an informal manner, and it was concluded that there was a relatively high level of importance attached to CI within this organization. However, areas for improvement were identified and a recommendation was made of implementing a formal CI function within the organization.

scholarly journals Level of importance attached to competitive intelligence at a mass import retail organization

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Begg ◽  
A. S.A. Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Competitive Strategy ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Competitive Situation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Level Of Importance

The purpose of this research was to establish the level of importance attached to competitive intelligence (CI) at a mass import retail organization in South Africa. The rationale of CI is to alert an organization about the current situation as it relates to its business environment and competitors, and how these aspects affect the competitive situation. In this article, the value and significance that CI presents to organizations upon implementation are discussed by focusing upon the need for a competitive strategy, the significance of institutionalizing CI, various organizational structure options and the establishment of a CI culture. A survey was conducted at a mass import retail organization to determine the level of importance attached to CI. A total of 107 employees were randomly selected to participate in the completion of a questionnaire. Based on the results, it was found that this organization practised CI, albeit in an informal manner, and it was concluded that there was a relatively high level of importance attached to CI within this organization. However, areas for improvement were identified and a recommendation was made of implementing a formal CI function within the organization.

scholarly journals Competitive intelligence: An instrument to enhance South Africa’s competitiveness

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilma Viviers ◽  
M Muller ◽  
A Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
The World ◽  
Private And Public

The case for Competitive Intelligence (CI) as an instrument that can enhance the competitiveness of South African companies and South Africa as a country is strong. Various global competitive rankings measurements have indicated over a number of years the areas in which competitiveness is lacking. Moreover, these rankings have indicated that South Africa has failed to improve its position year on year. The fact that the world is becoming increasingly competitive for South African entities is undisputed. Coupled with a fluctuating exchange rate and the country’s geographical proximity, this poses unique challenges facing South African managers who have to deal with various regulations and legislative matters. In order to create and sustain an effective knowledge economy and to enhance global competitiveness, South Africa however has to put appropriate strategies/measures in place to stimulate, encourage and grow knowledge practices. Competitive Intelligence (CI) as a means of making more sense of the competitive business environment and to identify opportunities and risks in time to act upon can be effectively used as a means to enhance competitiveness. Valuable lessons from successful CI practices in the business sector and government can be learnt from elsewhere in the world. CI should be investigated and adapted for South Africa’s business environment. It is therefore the aim of this article to first attempt to describe the role of CI in enhancing competitiveness, specifically in South Africa and secondly, to stimulate thought on how to secure momentum in enhancing CI as an academic field by developing relevant CI courses as well as demonstrating the value of CI to companies in South Africa through research and collaboration between academics and the private and public sectors. 

scholarly journals The Factors Affecting Overall Performance in Japanese Firms: An Analysis among Environment, Strategy, Structure and Performance

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-75
Author(s):  
In Woo Jun
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Competitive Strategy ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Competitive Strategies ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Generic Strategies ◽  
Essential Prerequisite ◽  
Original Approach

This Study examined factors affecting overall performance in Japanese trading conglomerates by analysing the relationships among business environment, competitive strategy. organizational structure, and performance. As in the previous literature. this research also found that a form’s performance is not determined by a single factor, bur can be achieved through a combination of all elements such as strategy and organizational structure. However, contrary to our general understanding, one notable finding is that the environmental variables are not deemed as main obstacles for Japanese trading firms that hinder their overall performance. Although in the past, environmental uncertainty and complexity were regarded as a barrier char had to be overcome, they seem to be considered an essential prerequisite for Japanese trading conglomerates to attain their goals at present. This study also investigated the competitive strategy which Japanese trading firms are pursuing at this moment. Against Porter’s original approach, they can in some cases adopt more than one strategy at a rime from the generic strategies. This implies that Japanese trading firms may not create and sustain competitive advantage with a single specific strategy in today’s highly competitive business environment. For this reason, they mix two or more competitive strategies at once in order to respond against a highly competitive business environment.

scholarly journals Competitive intelligence awareness in the South African property sector

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 581-589
Author(s):  
Tshilidzi Eric Nenzhelele
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
South African ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
The South ◽  
Global Competitiveness

The South African property sector contributes highly to job creation, alleviation of poverty and economic growth. Although South Africa has dropped in the global competitiveness ranking, the property sector of South Africa remains very competitive. To survive in a competitive business environment firms seek for tools that offer competitive advantage. It is widely reported the competitive intelligence provide firms with competitive advantage over rivals. Although the awareness of competitive intelligence has been examined in other sectors in South Africa, no study on the awareness of competitive intelligence has yet been conducted in the property sector. This study aims at establishing the extent to which property practitioners are aware of competitive intelligence.

The Occurrence of Legionella Bacteria in Cooling Towers in South Africa

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Grabow ◽  
E. J. Pienaar ◽  
R. Kfir
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Cooling Towers ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Service Water ◽  
Standard Plate ◽  
Viable Bacteria ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
High Level ◽  
Biocide Treatment

A total of 510 service water samples from cooling towers throughout South Africa were analysed for the presence of Legionella bacteria. Legionella was detected using an immuno-labelling technique based on the most probable number principle. Only cultural (viable) bacteria were counted. Legionellae were found in most of the samples tested. However, in only 4% of the samples a high level of legionellae was recorded. No correlation was found between the numbers of legionellae and those of standard plate counts. Biocide treatment was shown to be effective in the removal of the bacteria from cooling towers after a 3-month treatment period.

scholarly journals The pandemic of COVID-19: current situation in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Shahrokh Hatefi ◽  
Farouk Smith ◽  
Khaled Abou-El-Hossein ◽  
Javad Alizargar
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Current Situation

scholarly journals Siyabonga: a humble hero making a difference with his hands… and his heart

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2021-104118
Author(s):  
Jon Patricios
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Patellofemoral Pain ◽  
Nelson Mandela ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
High Level ◽  
Professional Capacity

Siyabonga Kunene’s athletic build and confident stance belie his humble roots. Born in an impoverished area of South Africa, he soon learnt the benefits of an education. He is now a PhD-qualified sports physiotherapist making a significant contribution in both academic and clinical realms. Remaining true to his origins and the inspirational words of Nelson Mandela, Siyabonga has created a framework for managing patellofemoral pain in under-resourced athletes. He has established himself as a physiotherapy lecturer at his university and has been appointed to national teams in his professional capacity. However, his focus primary remains on treating those with a passion for sport who would not normally be able to access high-level athletic care.

scholarly journals 24-Hour Measurement of Gastric pH in Rural South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair M. Sammon ◽  
Eugene J. Ndebia ◽  
Ekambaram Umapathy ◽  
Jehu E. Iputo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Ambulatory Monitoring ◽  
Duodenogastric Reflux ◽  
Lower Oesophageal Sphincter ◽  
Gastric Ph ◽  
Night Time ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
H Pylori ◽  
High Level

Background. Previous studies have established norms of 24-hour gastric pH profiles for western countries. This study was designed to establish the pattern for a rural African population with a high incidence of oesophageal cancer.Methods. After lower oesophageal manometry a probe was placed 10 cm distal to the lower oesophageal sphincter. We carried out 24-hour ambulatory monitoring of gastric pH on 59 healthy subjects. This was satisfactorily completed on 26 female and 18 male (age 21–64, median 35) subjects in the Transkei region of South Africa.Results. The mean 24 hour gastric pH was 2.84 and the mean night-time pH was 3.7. 40 volunteers recorded a night-time pH reaching over 4. 33 volunteers recorded a night-time pH over 7. Night-time alkalinisation was present for 136.4 minutes (25th centile 22.8, 75th centile 208.1) at pH4 or over, and 79.3 (2.5, 122.7) minutes at pH7 or over. Episodes of rapid alkaline rise were 17 (10, 47). 21.1% of these occurred while supine. 35 of 36 tested subjects were positive forH. pyloriIgG.Conclusion. Gastric alkalinisation is common in Transkei, at a higher pH than that reported in other studies, and is sustained longer. Nighttime alkalinisation is frequent. This suggests a high level of duodenogastric reflux.

Towards an Extensive Statutory Protection of Consumers in Timeshare Agreements: A Comparative Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-137
Author(s):  
Yeukai Mupangavanhu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Consumer Protection ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Time Sharing ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Consumer Protection Act ◽  
Statutory Protection ◽  
Unfair Terms ◽  
High Level

Timeshare property interest has become a major business worldwide. The protection of consumers in various timeshare-related contracts has been characterised by challenges due to outdated laws, lack of appropriate legislation as new products are introduced on the market as well as the inclusion of unfair terms. The European Union (EU) adopted the Timeshare Directive 2008/122/EC which governs a broad range of timeshare-related contracts, namely: timeshare, long-term holiday products, and resale and exchange contracts. In comparison, South Africa and Kenya do not have consolidated legislation that govern timeshare-related contracts. In South Africa, timeshare agreements fall under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, the Property Time-sharing Control Act 75 of 1993 as well as under common law. In Kenya, the Consumer Protection Act 46 of 2012, which was revised in 2016, governs specific consumer agreements including timeshare contracts. The article compares the position of consumers who enter into timeshare-related services in South Africa, Kenya and the EU. It is argued that the problems faced by consumers who enter into timeshare-related contracts in South Africa and Kenya necessitate legislative protection which should consist of a consolidated statute that specifically regulates such contracts for the attainment of a high level consumer protection.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN THE FIELD OF NON-FINANCIAL REPORTING AND THE PRACTICE OF THEIR APPLICATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 146-152
Author(s):  
E. V. ANDRIANOVA ◽  
◽  
P. S. SHCHERBACHENKO ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Financial Indicators ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
High Level ◽  
Source Of Information

This article discusses and analyzes the most popular standards of non-financial reporting, which has a significant impact on the transformation of the business environment. Already, domestic and foreign companies with a high level of responsibility are beginning to publish non-financial statements in addition to financial statements, which is an additional tool for communication with stakeholders and a new source of information about their activities. To date, reports of this type are clearly unregulated, there are no verification standards, however, there is already a positive trend and the active introduction of non-financial indicators in the regular reporting of companies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document