Empirical evaluation of a preliminary model to identify low-risk MBA applicants

This article reports on the second stage of the model, namely to empirically evaluate the model\u27s performance and validity across all three of the identified categories. These categories are \u27Low-to-no risk\u27 applicants for the MBAand those applicants who did not complete the degree in 3 years, classified as \u27Medium-to-low risk\u27 applicants who are expected to complete their degree in extended study year, and \u27High-risk\u27 applicants who are not expected to complete their degrees and who drop out of the programme. The final-year MBA students at the PBS in 2004 and 2005 served as the research population. The results were very satisfactory. Concerning the categories Low-to-no risk and Medium-tolow risk applicants, the model can be used as predictive tool, presenting a validity higher than 60% (p = 0.9) and 90% (p= 0.7) respectively. Caution, however, looms at the category of High-risk applicants where the model judges too harshly with an error of 13.7% (p=0.7)

A Model to Measure the Service Quality of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers

The study constituters a model to measure the service quality of pharmaceutical wholesalers in South Africa. Several pharmaceutical wholesalers distribute medical supplies throughout South Africa in a very regulated and competitive market where high service quality levels are anticipated. In this price-undifferentiated market, service quality can have a significant impact on the competitiveness of a pharmaceutical wholesaler. As a result, the primary objective was to develop a model to measure the service quality levels of large pharmaceutical wholesalers. The literature study compiled an industry profile of the South African pharmaceutical market, analysed service quality and then proposed an adapted SERVQUAL model to measure the service quality. A review of the literature also highlighted the general structure of the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory framework in the supply of pharmaceutical products. The literature study also focuses specifically on the role and function of the pharmaceutical wholesaler in the supply chain. Data was collected from clients of a pharmaceutical wholesaler using to record the service expectations and perceptions on a seven-point Likert scale. Some 385 of the 4468 clients completed and returned the industry-adapted SERVQUAL survey questionnaires on the electronic platform Google Forms (signifying an 8.6% response rate). The results showed that the data were reliable with a Cronbach alpha coefficient higher than 0.70. The results also show that in five, the service dimensions gap where perceptions and expectations are measured had negative gaps. This means that the clients expected better service quality than what they received. The service dimension Assurance showed the largest gap, while Tangibility had the smallest gap. However, none of these gaps was practically significant. Further analysis using exploratory factor analysis identified three underlying service quality variables, namely Positive employee actions, Business process management and Marketing channels. These factors explained a favourable cumulative variance of 67.7%. The study finally proposes a model to measure service quality in the pharmaceutical wholesale industry

The effectiveness of South Africa\u27s immigration policy for addressing skills shortages

South Africa is presently experiencing a serious shortage of skilled workers. This situation is negatively influencing the economic prospects and global participation of the country. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of sas immigration policy to support skills immigration. The outcome of this study indicated that South Africas immigration policy is restrictive and has undoubtedly influenced the shortage of skills in the country. This study has confirmed the findings of similar studies undertaken by the Centre for Development and Enterprise that South Africas skills immigration policy is very restrictive and is thus not helpful in addressing the skills shortages of the country

A Perspective of Microinsurance (MI): The Case of South Africa

Microinsurance (MI), an important economic roleplayer, is investigated in and placed in perspective to the insurance industry in South African. This is achieved by researching the factors that cause serious deprivation in the provision of MI. Typical restrictive factors are financial literacy, out-of-reach of customers, and low commission for brokers. Resultantly, the need for stakeholder analysis presents itself to better understand and address these challenges which should enable an up-and-running MI environment in South Africa. Historically, the insurance industry focussed on financial products and services that for the middle to high income groups. The low-income households have thus been largely excluded from insurance benefits although the consequences of setbacks are extreme for the low income group. As a result, the market most vulnerable to financial shocks are the least protected. This situation has drastically changed during the last few years. The LOASA and the Insurance companies reached consensus with the Financial Sector Charter of South Africa to launch tailor-made products and services for the low-income people. South Africa is still facing an “Insurance Gap”, approximately 61% of the low-income households which are not insured represent a huge opportunity for the industry. Therefore, the introduction of the Zimele products classified as MI products in 2007 was a good launch to target the “niche” of those uninsured market. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p6

PR - INDIGINOUS COLOUR-VARIANT GAME FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA: OPPORTUNITY OR BUBBLE TRAP?

South African game farming traditionally consisted of extensive farming practices on large land where game roamed wild and hunters “worked†for a decent hunt, be that trophy or meat hunting. However, the past decade went the way of a new market; that is to breed colour-variant indigenous game for high-priced hunting experiences. The golden wildebeest, black blesbuck or odd-coloured springbok are examples. Presently, once exuberant prices are tumbling heeding a warning to colour-variant breeders that such prices are not due to real market forces. Numerous small farmers who entered the breeding market are now at risk of not reaping the profits that lured them into colour-variant game farming

PO - The Value Of Branding As Managerial Tool To Increase Farm Income

Farming, as business activity, has been experiencing a cost-income plier effect for the past decade, resulting in pressure on the income whilst also suffering increased costs of production inputs. As a result, small-scale farmers depart from the industry, leaving farms in South Africa to grow in size to remain economically viable. Traditionally farmers in South Africa have been subjected to regulating boards such as the wheat and maize boards, regulating prices and dealing with marketing of produce whilst farmers efficiently managed the production inputs. However, these boards have dissolved, and a free-trade marketing environment now further taxes farm management with effective marketing of produce. Subsequently, farm net profits no longer requires only management of production inputs, but also requires selling produce at the best possible price to the open market (an area of expertise which is largely lacking). However, this marketing opportunity goes begging. Farmers largely fell into new grain, meat and other produce marketing channels, becoming market price takers once again and not increasing the value of their produce in the market. One way to improve farm income is by adding value and combining the managerial tools ofdifferentiation and then branding of farm produce. Differentiation (the way to have your products appear different from other similar products could be on a physical or on psychological level) and branding the product (thereby earning value through brand advantages) can lead to substantial increases in the prices fetched in the open market for farm produce. It is also important to note that branding can be successfully applied to industry levels, regional levels, specific cultivars or animal breeds (or even the colour of an animal breed), and also (contrary to common belief) on a farm level by a single farmer to increase his or her income. Market analysis and customer preferences are also keys to success in differentiation and branding exercises in commercialization. Typical examples of successful differentiation and branding to improve farm income (as shown on the posters) are: • Angus Beef fetches 10% premium prices due to branding of Angus beef. • Ayrshire milk fetches 20-25% price premium due to their branding as an elite milk. • Bonsmara breed of cattle (South African cattle breed) fetching up to 25% premium on bulls sold to commercial cattle farmers. • Pienaar sheep (a South African Merino stud sheep farmer) who now exports semen to Australia and New Zealand. • Karan beef increased carcass prices in open market by branding their beef carcasses as “rounded off only on quality grain†in their feedlot. • New Zealand lamb as grass/pasture grown lamb from a healthy environment. Reaping the benefits of differentiation and branding can be achieved by farmers in four steps: 1. Examine the produce or products that is produced on the farm, district or region (consider also cultivar, animal breed and other distinguishable features). 2. Can a difference be identified from other similar products? 3. Is this difference important enough to take to the market and will the buyers pay a premium for it? 4. Brand the “difference†– give it a name to distinguish it in the market

Relationship between Autonomic Markers of Heart Rate and Subjective Indicators of Recovery Status in Male, Elite Badminton Players

The primary aim of the study was to determine if heart rate variability (HRV), and heart rate recovery (HRR) are related to several subjective indicators of recovery status (muscle soreness, hydration status, sleep quality and quantity as well as pre-competition mood states) for different match periods in male, elite, African, singles badminton players. HRV and HRR were measured in twenty-two badminton players before (pre-match), during (in-match), after (post-match) and during rest periods (in-match rest) of 46 national and international matches. Muscle soreness, hydration status, and sleep quality and quantity were measured on a daily basis whereas mood states were measured just before each match via questionnaires. Prior to each match warm-up, players were fitted with a Fix Polar Heart Rate Transmitter Belt to record heart rate every second during each match and HRR during service breaks and after matches. Kubios HRV software was used for final HRV analyses from the series of R-R-intervals. A strong, significant canonical correlation (Rc = 0.96, p = 0.014) was found between HRV, HRR and subjective indicators of recovery status for the in-match period, but only strong, non-significant relationships were observed for pre-match (Rc = 0.98, p = 0.626) and post-match periods (Rc = 0.98, p = 0.085) and a low non-significant relationship (Rc = 0.69, p = 0.258) for the in-match rest period. Canonical functions accounted for between 47.89% and 96.43% of the total variation between the two canonical variants. Results further revealed that Ln-HFnu, the energy index and vigour were the most prominent variables in the relationship between the autonomic markers of heart rate and recovery-related variables. In conclusion, this study proved that subjective indicators of recovery status influence HRV and HRR measures obtained in a competitive badminton environment and should therefore be incorporated in protocols that evaluate these ANS-related parameters