Barter trading : an empirical investigation of management practices

Barter trade is on the increase worldwide in both developed and developing countries. This study is aimed at investigating the management practices used by firms involved in barter trading in order to ensure that they take optimal advantage of benefits of barter trade and minimise its potential problems. Data was collected from 61 barter trade practitioners from the South African media industry. The findings show that most of the firms realise the need to have dedicated personnel responsible for barter trade in their firms. Having dedicated personnel responsible for barter trade helps ensure accountability. The findings also show that most of the firms actively search for barter opportunities, have top management support in their barter trading activities, make use of in-house specialists to negotiate barter deals and have in place clearly defined policies on managing barter trade. Nearly all the policies prescribe products that can be bartered, maximum value of deals acceptable, evaluation criteria for barter deals, accounting and tax treatment of barter deals as well as barter trade authorisation procedures. The findings of the study have practical significance to firms considering using barter trade in their organisations. These have been highlighted in the paper

Antecedents and outcomes of satisfaction in buyer-supplier relationships in South Africa: A replication study

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to validate the proposition that in a business buyersupplier relationship, the variables trust and commitment influence satisfaction. Satisfaction then influences cooperation, coordination and continuity. A research model showing the hypothesised relationships was first tested in an original study before being replicated in the current study. Both the original and replication studies followed a quantitative approach and targeted large companies in South Africa. In the original study, data was collected from 500 large South African companies while in the replication study data was collected from 250 large companies. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. The results in both studies provide support for the proposed model in the study

Who are the potential energy-efficient product buyers? A market segmentation based on consumption values

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify and profile potential segments of users of energyefficient appliances in South Africa. Although previous studies have investigated eco-friendly consumer segments, a segmentation of users of energy-efficient appliances based on consumption values and other key antecedents to the adoption of energy-efficient products such as purchase intention and consumers’ attention to environmental labels is lacking. Using data obtained from a survey involving 550 users of appliances with energy rating living in the Gauteng province, this study applied the cluster analysis to identify the relevant segments. Three distinctive segments were identified and appeared to significantly differ across consumption values, the intention to purchase energy-efficient products and the attention paid to the energy-efficiency rating of the product in a purchase situation. The segments were further profiled across demographic variables. Important recommendations were made for policy makers and marketing practitioners

South African corporate ethics codes : establishment and communication

Abstract: The focus of this study is on the top 500 companies in South Africa (as per the TopCo 2014 list) that have a code of ethics, in order to see the current state of development in this area after twenty years of focus by the government and business on making corporate South Africa a more ethical environment in which to conduct business. Methodology – A structured questionnaire survey method was used to gather the data, and it was directed to the company secretaries of these top 500 companies. Findings – Many companies in South Africa have a well-established set of protocols to enact the ethos of their code of ethics, indicating that they are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits to them of having a code. South African companies are therefore implementing both a code of ethics and strategies that contribute to creating an ethical corporate culture

Customer satisfaction levels, store loyalty and perceived important store attributes among sportswear apparel shoppers in Soweto

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine levels of shopper satisfaction with sportswear stores in a particular township, as well as their loyalty to these stores, and the attributes they consider when selecting which stores to shop at. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 489 shoppers who patronise sportswear stores at the malls located in the Soweto township in Gauteng, South Africa. The findings show moderate levels of shopper satisfaction with stores. The results also show that loyalty towards a particular store is strongly related to customer satisfaction levels. The conduct of store staff, brand availability, price promotion and store atmosphere were all found to be factors that shoppers consider when selecting sportswear shops. No significant differences were found in levels of satisfaction, store loyalty and the importance associated with store attributes by customers of different gender, age and income group. The findings in the study are of practical significance in that they can assist mall and store managers to develop effective retail marketing strategies targeted at consumers in urbanised townships

Customer complaints in the airline industry : a case of domestic and international air travellers in South Africa

Abstract: Service failures are inevitable in business. Understanding the nature of service failures that customers experience is critical to ensuring that proper measures are put in place to address them and avoid loss of customers. The study examined the types of customer complaints experienced by domestic and international travellers in South Africa. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 300 travellers at selected South African airports. The findings reveal that flight delays, baggage delays and poor food quality were some of the most complaints raised by travellers. Airlines were recommended to avoid those flight delays which are not naturally caused at all cost, and ensure that such delays are not repeated by securing pro-active strategies and that domestic airlines should consider the upgrading of their seats to better quality seats that can result in reduced customer complaints in this area

The importance of customer trust for social marketing interventions : a case of energy-efficiency consumption

Abstract: Purpose – The study examines the importance of relationship marketing and particularly customer trust in energy-efficiency labels in social marketing interventions geared towards energy-efficient consumption. Methodology – A conceptual model was empirically tested on a sample of 517 users of electronic appliances living in South Africa. The study involved a cross-sectional design, and data were collected through a self-administered survey. Structural equation modelling and mediation analysis were used to test the hypothesised relationships. Findings – The results indicated that customer trust is influenced by customers’ perception of the price and quality of energy-efficiency products, their attitude towards such products, and their level of satisfaction with the environmental performance of the products. Customer trust, in turn, showed a positive influence on the customers’ intention to purchase energy-efficiency products and their loyalty to such products. As a central variable, customer trust was found to be an important mediator in the conceptual model. Practical implications – The findings provide social marketers with important insights on the critical role that customer trust plays in achieving a long-term behavioural shift towards energy-efficient consumption. Originality/value – Focusing on customer trust in energy-efficiency labels, this study provides empirical evidence of the mediating role of trust in influencing the intention to purchase and the decision to remain loyal to eco-friendly products. Moreover, this paper provides greater clarity on various levers to be activated to enhance the trust that customers have in energy-efficiency labels

Normative influence on household waste separation : the moderating effect of policy implementation and sociodemographic variables

Abstract: Background. With the increasing production of domestic waste in South African urban areas, household waste separation has become a crucial recycling activity for better management of domestic waste and a decrease in environmental pollution. Focus of the article. This empirical study investigates how normative influences can shape the intention to separate household waste, and how these influences are moderated by sociodemographic attributes and upstream social marketing interventions (recycling policy implementation). Research Hypotheses: The hypotheses stipulate that descriptive, injunctive and moral norms have an influence on the behavioral intention to separate household waste before disposal. Policy implementation and sociodemographic variables moderate the impact of these normative forces on behavioral intention. Methods. A cross-sectional design was applied to this study. A survey was administered to collect quantitative data from 350 households residing in a city that is currently implementing a mandatory recycling policy (Johannesburg) and from 349 households in a city that is not doing..

Probable depression and its correlates among undergraduate students in Johannesburg, South Africa

In this study, screening positive for probable depression was common among undergraduate students at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and associated with sociodemographic and selected behavioral factors. These findings call for strengthening the awareness and use of counselling services among undergraduate students

International Flows in the Education Sector: Trends and Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa

This article provides an analysis of global trends in import and export of education services mainly using the international fl ow of students and highlights their implications on sub-Saharan Africa. The results show that the international fl ow of students is on a continuous increase. However, participation in provision of educational services is largely dominated by a few developed countries. Additionally, with the exception of South Africa, sub- Saharan Africa is trailing behind most other developing regions in the world as an exporter of educational services. The region has the highest number of outward mobile students as the percentage of the regions' tertiary students. Africa Insight Vol. 38 (2) 2008: pp. 128-13