A Regression Analysis of Generation Y Female Students' Perceptions on Social Risk, Buying Behaviour and Apparel Store Choice

In the present post-modern era, Generation Y female students are faced with a discerning process of selecting the optimum apparel retail store to be loyal to and from which to buy clothing products. Therefore, the active store choice decision is conceptualized as the difficulty of determining someplace and when and where to shop. The main objective of the study was to examine the relationship between social risk, buying behavior and store choice within the apparel retail industry. The study is positioned within a post-positivism quantitative paradigm and adopts a cross-sectional survey approach collecting data from 400 conveniently selected university students. Scale purification was done through pre-testing and pilot testing. Through multiple regression analysis, the results show that social risk and buying behavior significantly influences retail store choice in an apparel retail setting. The findings indicated that there is a positive and significant association between perceived social risk, buying behavior and retail store choice. Based on the outcomes of the study, recommendations were suggested to retail managers to develop retailing strategies that charm the female Generation Y consumers. In addition, limitations and future research directions are referred to

Effects Of Market Orientation And Barriers To Market Orientation On University Performance: A Study Of Universities Of Technology In South Africa

Market orientation has been illuminated as a critical component in shaping an institution’s success. While marketing orientation is embedded within the philosophical foundation of marketing, its operationalisation does not automatically translate in university success as there are various constraints, which impede its implementation. The objective of the study is to examine the influence of market orientation and the current barriers to market orientation on university performance among universities of technology (UoTs) in South Africa. This paper employs a cross-sectional quantitative survey. Data from a convenient sample of 507 academics in five UoTs are analysed. Through confirmatory factor analysis and structural model analysis, these relationships are discerned and explained. The findings of the study support theoretical arguments that higher education institutions (HEIs) can be successful in terms of their performance by initiating and adopting market-oriented activities. This study contributes to the critical challenge facing UoTs as a new type of HEI within a South African context in creating a culture and climate that maximises organisational learning, resource utilisation and capabilities to create superior university performance. Based on the findings, limitations and implications for further research are also provided. Management of UoTs can also enhance performance of their institutions by implementing key recommendations that the study advances

An Examination of the Vaal River Carnival Attendees’ Perceptions of Service Quality Towards Satisfaction and Future Behavioural Intentions

Carnival events have become pivotal in the growth of tourism initiatives to many destinations. Tourist experiences of event captivities touted the dawn of carnival events as valued visitor destinations. Accordingly, gaining insights on the event attendees’ perceptions of service quality rendered at carnival events is crucial in growing visitor continued support and tourism at large. The impact of carnival events is gradually being examined in tourism marketing research since such occasions are sought to attract tourists through cultural and heritage services that enhance life experiences. This study investigates the Vaal River Carnival attendees’ service quality perceptions towards their satisfaction and future behavioural intentions at an event hosted in Vanderbijlpark town, Gauteng province. A cross-sectional approach of gathering data using convenience non-probability sampling procedure was adopted. On-site questionnaire survey method was employed to collect data from 400 respondents. The study results highlight constructive and negative views of the respondent’s experiences. The respondent’s satisfaction with the event’s level of service quality were high and positively impacted their future behavioural intentions. However, the event managers are advised to exigently deal with challenges of inadequate parking space and traffic jam linked to the event

The environmental determinants of corporate entrepreneurship

M.Comm.The overall purpose of this study is to attain an understanding of the determinants and real driving forces in the environment that can either impede 8 or enhance corporate entrepreneurship. To achieve this purpose, the following objectives are set: The first objective is to look at the nature, differences and links between entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, and thus to assess and to look at intrapreneurship as a strategic management tool to maintain organisational competitiveness and to innovate constantly. Secondly to achieve a clear understanding of the external or macro environment in which intrapreneurship will flourish or decay. The purpose is to categorise and analyse the roles played by these almost uncontrollable variables on intrapreneurial behaviour. The third objective of this study is to identify some of the most important internal or micro-environmental factors (within the individual organisation) promoting or impeding intrapreneurship within that organisation. A last objective is to conclude on the major findings of the study and to propose some recommendation

EXPLORING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE MKTOR SCALE INPREDICTING UNIVERSITY PERFORMANCE: A FOCUS ONUNIVERSITIES OF TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Since 1990, there has beenagrowing body of research that portrays marketing asa philosophical foundation of the discipline and invariably market orientation astheoperationalisation of the marketing concept. However, there is limitedempirical evidence that supports the link between market orientation andUniversity performance. Hence,the study was conducted with the main objectiveofexploring the applicability of the MKTOR scale as a social learning approachin predicting university performance. The study is located within a quantitativestream of research,and a sample of507fulltime employed academics who are aufait with the functioning of their institutions was conveniently chosen within thesixuniversities of technology in South Africa.The statistical analysis of the collected data included descriptive statistics,correlation analysis and factor analysis. Lastly,structural equationmodellingwasundertaken to assess the relationship between the extracted dimensions ofMKTOR scale (through exploratory factor analysis) being the predictors anduniversity performance as an outcome.The results of the study support andconfirm the applicability of the scale in predicting university performance amonguniversities of technology in South Africa. The author further providesthepossible recommendations emanating from the findings as well as limitations,andsuggestsfuture research opportunitie

Outcomes of relationship quality in business-to-business contexts: A South African concrete product market perspective

Business to business (B2B) relationships in South Africa's concrete product market are characterised as transactional, asymmetrical and adversarial. This study examines the outcomes of relationship quality satisfaction in South Africa's construction industry. Quantitative data was collected from 560 concrete product suppliers in South Africa. Expectation, involvement and flexibility emerged as the major factors that favourably influence perceptions of relationship quality. Moreover, the study showed low levels of trust, forgiveness, and communication between concrete product suppliers and civil contractors. Increased collaboration, trust and communication are recommended as strategies for managing incidences of conflict. The findings of this study underscored the need by concrete product suppliers (CPS) and civil engineering managers to improve the quality of communication. To be effective, communication should be planned in a manner that is proactive such that market information is timeously shared in a way that minimises risk exposure. Quality communication may also be enhanced by leveraging the power of internet enabled channels, whilst being attentive to reduce incidence of information leakage. The study findings also suggest the need to invest in trust building, since lack of trust breeds uncertainty which compromises project quality