Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Strategic competition in the south pacific'

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the unintended political effects of economic interdependence among South American members of the Alliance of the Pacific by tracing the evolution of their mutual trade in relation to the intensity of their military competitive dynamics from 2001 to 2015. Two measurement instruments are use: an intra-regional trade index based on commerce data, and a coordination index based on arms purchases. The question is if the formation of the Alliance and trade relations now embedded in it have had any effect on the cooperation-conflict political balance. Issues concerning the method are discuss as well as the implications of the research for the intertheory debate. Last section is dedicate to discuss briefly the historical understanding of regional conflicts and normative aims of regional integration.
El texto aborda los posibles efectos políticos no intencionados de la interdependencia económica entre los miembros sudamericanos de la Alianza del Pacífico examinando el desarrollo de sus relaciones comerciales en relación con la intensidad de sus dinámicas militares de competencia entre 2001 y 2015. Se emplean dos instrumentos de medición: un índice de comercio intragrupal basado en datos de comercio exterior y un índice de coordinación basado en datos de compras militares. Los resultados permiten observar si la creación de la Alianza del Pacífico y el comercio intragrupal han tenido efecto en el carácter de las relaciones políticas. Se discuten los alcances y limitaciones del método y las implicancias de la investigación para el debate inter-teórico. Finalmente, se discuten brevemente el carácter histórico de la conflictividad y los rasgos normativos del integracionismo regional.

Thesis (MScAgric (Agricultural Economics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African table grape industry has evolved significantly in the last two decades. Ever improving supply chain technologies, post-harvest technology innovation, and more efficient production inputs have all stimulated the production of table grapes in all five South African production regions. While the industry in general is well developed, from the late 1990s the competitiveness status of the South African table grape industry has been negative as far as international competitiveness is rated. Prior to this, from 1961 to 1998, the industry had recorded positive trends in competitiveness. The recent decline, from as early as the 2000s, in the competitiveness of the industry can be attributed to rising competition from alternate Southern Hemisphere suppliers, increasing production costs and export costs, as well as inadequate market diversification. As a result of its negative competitiveness status, the table grape industry wants to diversify its export markets in order to improve and protect the industry‟s position in the global table grape markets. The objective of this study is to investigate the viability of specific export market diversification scenarios. The aim is to evaluate the potential impact on the table grape industry if export volumes were to be relocated from traditional to emerging markets, and the potential risk if the industry were to maintain the current market distribution. The study developed a deterministic farm-level model based on accounting principles as a tool for simulating and analysing the impact of changes in markets on the financial viability of farms under different scenarios. A scenario development process is adopted in this study as it offers the possibility of integrating various kinds of data in a consistent manner, and it can represent the views and expectations of several stakeholders simultaneously. Three scenarios were developed: (i) Scenario 1 presents the continuation of current market distributions (i.e. 85% of South African exports are marketed in Europe and another 15% are distributed to other global markets); (ii) Scenario 2A depicts a situation where export volumes are slowly redistributed to emerging markets; and (iii) Scenario 2B presents a situation where export volumes are rapidly redistributed to emerging markets. The targets for both Scenarios 2A and 2B are to market 60% of South African exports to Europe and 40% to other global markets. Scenarios 2A and 2B are driven by similar factors, including improving industry information, globalisation, increasing competition, and table grape prices An analysis of factors shaping the table grape export sector shows that the industry can no longer afford to send large export quantities predominantly to its traditional markets, due to increasing competition and diminishing market prices. Furthermore, the analysis shows that continuing with the current market diversification will have a negative impact on the industry, as farm returns, employment and farm units will decline under this scenario. The results suggest that the industry would be better off if export volumes were redistributed away from Europe to other markets.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende die laaste twee dekades het die Suid Afrikaanse Tafeldruif Industrie met rasse skrede vooruitgegaan. Dit kan grootliks toegeskryf word aan verbeterde tegnologiese ontwikkeling en innovasie in die voorsieningsketting en na-oes tegnologie arenas, asook aan meer doeltreffende produksie insette wat produksie toenames in al vyf die Suid Afrikaanse produksie areas gestimuleer het. Alhoewel die industrie relatief goed ontwikkeld was sedert sy ontstaan, was die kompeterende status daarvan meestal negatief sedert die 1990‟s, gemeet aan internasionale kompetisie. Daar was egter tussen 1961 en 1998 ook positiewe mededinging tendense. Die onlangse verlaagde vlakke van mededingendheid van die industrie (veral sedert die vroeë 2000‟s) kan toegeskryf word aan verhoogde kompetisie vanaf ander Suidelike Halfrond verskaffers, verhoogde produksie- en uitvoerkoste, asook aan onvoldoende mark diversifisering. As gevolg van die negatiewe mededingendheid status, wil die tafeldruif industrie sy uitvoer markte diversifiseer om te verseker dat die industrie sy posisie in die globale tafeldruif mark kan beskerm. Die doel van hierdie studie is dus om die lewensvatbaarheid van spesifieke uitvoer mark diversifisering scenario‟s te ondersoek. Daarmee saam is die potensiële impak op die industrie ook bepaal vir (a) „n hoë persentasie uitvoer volumes wat verskuif vanaf tradisionele markte na ontluikende market, of (b) wat die risiko sal wees indien die huidige markverspreiding vlakke behou word. Die studie ontwikkel „n deterministiese plaasvlak model, gebaseer op rekeningkundige beginsels, om as hulpmiddel te dien vir die simulering en analise van die impak van verandering van teikenmarkte op die fnansiële lewensvatbaarheid van plase onder verskillende omstandighede. „n Scenario intwikkelings proses word in hierdie studie aangeneem aangesien dit toelaat vir die integrasie van verskillende tipes data op „n eenvormige wyse, terwyl dit ook die sieninge en verwagtinge van verskeie rolspelers terselfdertyd kan verteenwoordig. Drie scenario‟s word ontwikkel naamlik (i) Scenario 1: Dit verteenwoordig die huidige mark verspreiding (85% van Suid Afrikaanse uitvoere word in Europa bemark terwyl 15% versprei word na ander globale markte); (ii) Scenario 2A: Hier word die situasie uitgebeeld indien uitvoer volumes stadig herverdeel word na ontluikende markte; en (iii) Scenario 2B: Hier word die situasie uitgebeeld indien uitvoer volumes vinnig herverdeel word na ontluikende markte. Die teikens vir beide Scenario 2A en 2B is om 60% van die Suid Afrikaanse uitvoere in Europa te bemark en 40% in ander globale markte. Beide scenario‟s word deur dieselfde faktore gestu wat onder andere verbeterde industrie inligting, globalisering, verhoogde kompetisie en produk pryse insluit. „n Ontleding van die vormende faktore van die tafeldruif uitvoer sektor toon dat die industrie nie langer kan bekostig om hoë uitvoer volumes na die tradisionele markte te stuur nie, as gevolg van sterker kompetisie en krimpende markpryse. Die ontleding toon ook verder dat, indien voortgegaan word met die huidige mark diversifiserings model, die industrie negatief beïnvloed sal word in terme van verlaagde plaas inkomste, werkverskaffing en die aantal boerdery eenhede. Die uitslae dui dus daarop dat die industrie beter daaraan toe sal wees indien die huidige uitvoer volumes herverdeel kan word na ander (nie-Europese) markte.

South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 has heralded a re-entry into the global economy. This has meant that for the first time in more than 40 years of isolation because of “apartheid” policies, South African companies are facing global competition. The South African automotive industry has undergone major changes over the past few years. All the assemblers are now either wholly or partially owned by overseas parent companies. Under globalisation, foreign ownership of locally owned suppliers has also been escalating. The Behr strategy and values were examined to determine whether they are consistent with companies operating in the international environment. The literature study was conducted by using textbooks, periodicals and the internet. The empirical study was conducted by means of a questionnaire addressed to the Behr executives. The results of this empirical study were then directly correlated to the theoretical aspects. Distinctive competences, market growth and product development strategies were identified and comparisons made with theory.

“Outsourcing has been touted as the ideal way for organisations to reduce cost, focus on core business processes, improve services, enhance skills, reduce time-to-market and increase overall competitive advantage,” (Power, Bonifazi and Desouza, 2004). A pertinent question is therefore ‘Can South African companies in the pharmaceutical industry remain competitive by outsourcing, what is driving these companies to outsource and how effective has the initiative been?’ The purpose of the study is to identify the extent to which various key factors play an influential role in motivating pharmaceutical companies in SA to outsource. South African pharmaceutical companies as part of the global arena, have to continually assess the feasibility of manufacturing their products in-house or allowing contract manufacturers to manufacturer and or pack on their behalf. The research questions posed in this research were: why are companies outsourcing, what is outsourcing and what is happening amongst the South African pharmaceutical companies? The results of this qualitative rich study have shown that outsourcing in SA is not just about cost savings or reduction in product costs but that this process is able to afford the contract giver the ability to tap into additional capabilities (facilities, technology and skill) of their outsourcing partner. Outsourcing has enabled the contract manufacturers in SA to assist the contract givers in numerous areas such as cost reduction, cost saving, reduction in capital investment, increased flexibility and allowed the contract givers to focus on their core competencies. The implementation of off shoring may result in South African contract givers incurring additional ‘hidden costs’ which may be attributed to quality problems, reduced flexibility of transport, product write-offs (due to large volumes ordered), currency fluctuations and additional resources that may required (technology transfer, documentation review, and validation). The responses from the research questionnaires indicate that the key drivers of outsourcing in South African are aligned with those identified in global ii marketplace by Jiang and Qureshi; Copestake and Lau and Zhang (2006). The main drivers being profitability increase (cost reduction, cost saving and capital reduction), strategic considerations (focus on core competence, increased flexibility and to facilitate market penetration) and access to knowledge and skills. The key for the South African outsourcing service providers lies in ensuring that their clients are kept satisfied so that they can minimise the threat of offshore providers. The results of the study are line with Momme and Hvolby (2001) suggestions in which they advocate that organisations only outsource when suppliers have a comparative advantage and that an organisation proactively have a stronger focus on its internal core business areas. In SA governmental changes in regulations/ laws such as those addressing parallel importation, patents, foreign investors and trade would impact on the countries national competitive advantage. However although outsourcing is highly beneficial, organisations need to carefully manage the process, identify hidden costs, risks and initiate preventative measures to ensure success. This study was the first step towards conceptualising the impact of the key drivers, decision making and strategic issues on the South African pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
Graduate School of Business Leadership
MBL

Study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The exponential growth of the Internet in the 1990's has seen the advent of buying and selling products and services over the Internet. While buying and selling over the Internet has grown dramatically, so has been the failure of ventures that were started to sell goods or services over the Internet. To make sense of the confusion, the challenge is to assess the strategic thinking behind business on the Internet, and to examine how a successful implementation of e-business could be related to the classic strategic analysis tools of Michael Porter. To make the study more relevant to the South African situation, the main objective of the study is to arrive at a practicai set of guidelines that managers of South African companies can use to assess the strategic impact of e-business on their company. To realise the main objective, and to arrive at a sound theoretical background to the research problem, a literature study presents the worldwide view of researchers regarding the strategic impacts of e-business. The findings are as follows: • E-business leads to more intense competition. As more transactions take place electronically, transaction costs as well as profits are expected to decrease. As a result of decreased margins, higher levels of market competition can ultimately lead to cost cutting strategies and the need for increased production efficiency. • E-business allows companies to save communication cost and to improve the efficiency of the value chain. This impacts the relationship with suppliers and customers, and cost savings are found especially in procurement, distribution and seiling. • Improved linkages in the value chain can result in cooperative, long-term relations, ana ultimately strategic relationships, integrated processes and outsourcing. The role of intermediaries is redefined as a result, towards the areas of matching, facilitation and regulatory functions. An empirical field investigation is conducted, where the competitive forces and value chain modeis are quantified as a set of ordinai levei attributes. Based on the literature study, the impact of e-business is then defined as a set of expected changes to the attributes of the two models. A survey questionnaire is designed, where respondents indicate the impact of e-business on their company as a set of increases and decreases to the constituents of the five forces and value chain models. Finally, responses to the survey are compared with predicted values to determine the impact of e-business on South African companies. Empirical research reveals that industry attractiveness is not materially affected by ebusiness: Surprisingly, the threat of new entrants is decreased, and the bargaining power of buyers can be also be reduced in certain conditions, but other competitive forces yieid no positive result. The rules of competition are therefore not impacted to the extent that there are new sources of competitive advantage, although the overall result is more favourable than expected. Systematic increases to the value add and outsourcing of value chain activities, on the other hand, show that e-business can enhance the eXisting competitive advantage of a business by improving process efficiency and reducing communication costs. The results of the empirical research are used to provide some practical conclusions and recommendations. In brief, e-business should be seen as a channel that enhances an existing offering, and not as a new source of competitive advantage. From an operational perspective, e-business can make processes more efficient, and reduce communication, information gathering as well as transaction costs. Rapid feedback and real-time information can increase the rate of innovation and differentiate services, especially through partner networks. Keywords: E-business, Internet, strategy, information, technology, competition, competitive forces, value chain.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die eksponensiële groeitempo van die Internet in die 1990's het die koop en verkoop van produkte én dienste op die Internet meegebring. Terwyl handelop die Internet dramaties toegeneem het, het die hoeveelheid mislukte besighede ooreenkomstig gestyg. Ten einde sin te maak van dié verwarrende prentjie, is die uitdaging om die strategiese denke onderliggend aan besigheid op die Internet the bepaal, en dan af te lei hoe die implementering van 'n suksesvolle e-besigheid verband hou met die klassieke strategiese analise-modelle van Michael Porter. Om die studie meer van toepassing op Suid Afrika te maak, sal die hoofdoel wees om praktiese riglyne te vind wat Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurders in staat sal stelom die strategiese impak van ebesigheid op hulle onderskeie maatskappye te bepaal. Ten einde die hoofdoel te verwesenlik, en om 'n grondige teorietiese raamwerk vir die navorsingsprobleem te bewerkstellig, word die werk van navorsers regoor die wêreld in 'n literatuurstudie aangebied om 'n algemene indruk te kry van waar ebesigheid die aard van kompetisie sal beïnvloed. Die bevindinge is soos volg: • E-besigheid lei to verhoogde kompetisie. Soos meer transaksies elektronies plaasvind, word verwag dat transaksiekoste sowel as winste sal afneem. Laer winsgrense kan lei tot hoër vlakke van mededinging, wat uiteindelik strategieë van kostebesnyding en verhoogde effektiwiteit tot gevolg kan hê. • E-besigheid stel maatskappye in staat om op kommunikasiekoste te bespaar, en om die effektiwiteit van die waardeketting te verhoog. Dit lei tot nuwe verhoudings met verskaffers en kliënte, en uiteindelik tot kostebesparings veral in aankope, verspreiding en verkope. • Verbeterde koppelings in die waardeketting kan samewerking en langermyn besigheidsverhoudings tot gevolg hê, en gevolglik tot strategiese verhoudings, geïntegreerde prosesse, sowel as ontbondeling van sekere besigheidsaktiwiteite lei. Die rol van tussengangers word as gevolg hiervan herdefinieer, en beweeg stelselmatig daarna om bloot kopers en verkopers te verbind, sowel as om fasilitering en regulatoriese funksies te vervul. 'n Empiriese veldondersoek word uitgevoer, waar die kompeterende kragte en waardekettingmodelle gekwantifiseer word as 'n stelordinale elemente. Gebaseer op die literatuurstudie, word die impak van e-besigheid dan gedefinieer as 'n stel verwagte veranderinge in die elemente wat die twee modelle verteenwoordig. 'n gestruktureerde vraelys word daaruit ontwerp, waar respondente die impak van ebesigheid op hulle maatskappye aandui as 'n stel verhogings en verlagings van die elemente van die kompeterende kragte en waardekettingmodelle. Die uiteinde is 'n statistiese vergelyking van die antwoorde op die vraelys met die verstekwaardes aangedui deur die werke in die literatuurstudie, wat dan gebruik word om die impak van e-besigheid op Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye te bepaal. Empiriese navorsing dui aan dat die aantreklikheid van 'n industrie nie veel beïnvloed word deur e-besigheid nie. Verbasend genoeg word die bedreiging van nuwe kompeteerders verlaag, en in sekere gevalle kan die onderhandelingskrag van kopers ook verlaag word, maar die oorblywende kragte lewer nie 'n positiewe resultaat nie. Die reëls van kompetisie word dus nie tot die mate beïnvloed dat daar geheel en al nuwe vorme van kompeterende voordeelonstaan nie, hoewel die algehele uitkoms meer positief is as wat in die literatuurstudie aangedui is. Sistematiese verhogings in beide die waardetoevoeging en ontbondeling van waardeketting-aktiwiteite, aan die ander kant, dui aan dat e-besigheid die bestaande kompeterende voordeel van 'n maatskappy kan verhoog deur die effektiwiteit van prosesse te verhoog en kommunikasiekoste te verlaag. Die voorafgaande empiriese resultate word gebruik om sekere praktiese gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings te maak. Kortliks behoort e-besigheid gesien te word as 'n nuwe kanaal wat 'n bestaande produk kan verstewig, en nie as 'n totaal nuwe bron van kompeterende voordeel nie. Operasioneel kan e-besigheid prosesse meer effektief maak, en ook kommunikasie, inligtinginsamelings- en transaksiekoste verlaag. Vinnige terugvoer, sowel as oombliklike toegang tot inligting, kan die innoveringstempo verhoog en dienste differensieer, veral deur 'n netwerk van vennote. Sleutelterme: E-besigheid, Internet, strategie, inligting, tegnologie, kompetisie, kompeterende kragte, waardeketting.

Presently in the South African automotive industry competition is becoming more fierce. It is becoming more important for companies to concentrate on thier competitive strategies to ensure that they remain competitive in this industry. Military strategy techniques have always been successful in defeating an anemy opponent. An enemy in a military sense could be considered as a competitor in a business sense. There is currently a potential for an improvement of the competitive strategies that South African organisations, in particular the South African automotive industry uses to remain competitive. Military strategists such as Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz have provided valuable strategy theories and philosophies to many military institutions. Military strategies such as Attrition and Maneuver have long been used by these institutions in battle to defeat the enemy. Military strategies could provide the edge that companies ranging from manufacturers, suppliers of components and dealerships need, to remain competitive in the automotive industry.

This dissertation reports on the factors that contributed to the successful entry strategy of 1time Airline, a low cost carrier, into the South African airline industry as well as its competitive strategies within this context. Research interviews were conducted in November 2005 and research material gathered until end January 2006. Key issues include an evaluation of 1time's business model in relation to other low cost entrants as well as against material sourced through interviews with 1time Airline management, employees and consumers of the airline's product. Porter's Generic Strategies and Five Forces model are used as a framework in evaluating the airline. It is found that Nohria, Joyce and Robertson's "4+2 Formula" is effectively implemented at the airline, but that further implementation of Game Theory in terms of alliances should be investigated for continued success and sustainability.

M.Comm.
South Africa as a country continues to rank low in the world of competitiveness. The research done for this dissertation focused on the need for South African organisations to perceive Competitive Intelligence (CI) as one of the most important tools to improve their competitiveness through a systematic, practical approach to make the CI cycle worth while, especially through skills development. This study intends to identify the skills CI professionals in South Africa need in order to conduct the CI process in organisations effectively, thereby improving the country’s competitive position. However, the difficulty of this task lies with organisations in general not acknowledging the necessity of CI in the workplace. Only a limited number of organisations recognise the importance of such a unit. A survey was therefore conducted, by questionnaire, among organisations with existing CI units in which the respondents had to identify the skills they deemed necessary for the CI professional to run the CI process effectively. Findings suggested that the majority of respondents were 40 years and older, in the top structure of larger organisations and had been using CI for longer than five years. The overwhelming result is thus that there are skills inequalities between what skills respondents view as crucial and those that rated highest in their self-evaluation. Skills identified as most important include, among others, networking and research skills analytical abilities. The research also indicated that where CI had been established in certain organisations for at least five years, it did not reflect positively overall on South Africa’s current competitive situation. However, where there is a systematic CI approach, problem-solving is easier to address and negatives could be turned around. With this in mind and a proper “buy-in” into skills development, it will have a very positive outcome for all the organisations that wish to improve their competitiveness.

Graduate School of Governance Master of Management (in the field of Public and Development Management) June 2016
Knowledge on strategy implementation in the public sector is limited. A deeper understanding of how public sector economic regulators such as competition agencies implement strategies is required to ensure that these organisations are able to reap the benefits of strategy-making and implementation. The purpose of this research was to explore how competition agencies with the mandate to regulate competition implement their strategies by examining the Competition Commission South Africa (CCSA). The research aimed to uncover how the organisation’s processes and practices enable the implementation of its prioritisation strategy and how this contributes to the development of dynamic capabilities. The study identified six organisational processes associated with prioritisation that enable three categories of actions. Firstly, the governance, strategic and business planning, and scoping processes support priority setting in the organisation. Secondly, the resource allocation and case management processes support the marshalling of resources towards assembling the resources required for accomplishing organisational priorities. Thirdly, performance monitoring and evaluation processes are evaluative in that they structure actions that assess progress and account for performance, while making adjustments where required. In the analysis of the four organisational practices associated with prioritisation, it was revealed that each practice constitutes a specific mode of action and promotes specific values. The practice of managing cases from ‘cradle-to-grave’ is an approach that encourages ownership of investigations and cases. The practice of constituting interdivisional teams is a specific form of organisation that promotes joint responsibility and shared accountability. The mid-term review is a mode of alignment as it provides an opportunity to calibrate organisational alignment to priorities in a structured and periodic fashion. The practice of colour-coding the business plan according to organisational priorities is a mode of communication that supports the implementation of priorities. Finally, the research demonstrates how the capabilities built up in the organisation’s priority setting processes, sector expertise, and fledgling project management capacity enable the identification of opportunities and re-configuration of the CCSA resource base to take advantage of those opportunities The study concludes that the implementation of the prioritisation strategy has strengthened the internal capabilities of the CCSA, but that external factors should also be taken into account when evaluating effective regulatory governance.
MT2016

M.B.A.
Over the past two years the international steel industry amply demonstrated just how precarious the business can be. Several steel companies fell by the way. Protectionism increased dramatically. Anti-dumping actions and unfair trade accusations were instigated at a level not previously seen. Any concept of the value of steel became blurred and in the near future, analysis predict, it is difficult to see much in the way of relief. To ensure its survival in these harsh conditions, the South African steel industry will be forced to look beyond its traditional markets and seek strategies to become more competitive. The objective of this research project is to determine the key strategic factors that lead to the successful global competitiveness of an organisation in the South African steelmaking industry. The literature survey revealed the trend among many of the global leaders in the steel industry. The literature also included Porter's research on competitive advantage and other authors strategies, which are considered as key factors in influencing global competitiveness. The analysis of the survey among the South African steelmakers revealed a picture of a fragmented industry. The majority of steelmakers were identified as been well out of step with the global trend and the issues identified in the literature. The research highlighted that in order for South African steelmakers to achieve global competitiveness there is a need for consolidation and strategic alliances in the industry. It was also recognised that organisations need to develop, exploit and lever their technologies, competitive advantages, core-competencies and their strategies, in creating a globally competitive organisation. Managing the linkages between these various strategies was revealed as key to achieving a unique global competitive advantage.

South African firms, subject to the pressures of globalisation, are having to reassess their mode of competing, as they increasingly find themselves facing foreign and international competitive threats in their domestic markets. This research explores the strategic responses undertaken by South African incumbents subject to international competition by investigating the strategic responses pursued by three South African banks to the entrance of Barclays into the South African market in 2005. The research also aims to explore the level at which these strategic responses are influenced by the firm’s strategy formulation process, as well as the perceptions harboured by the actors within the organisation. A case study methodology is employed to offer a rich description of the processes undertaken by the organisations and the various factors influencing the strategic design process. The research gives evidence to a number of strategic responses implemented by incumbents, ranging from an aggressive defence of domestic market share and profitability to an active expansion, taking South African products and services into new markets. These differences in responses are shown to be influenced by the organisations’ strategy formulation process, its positioning in the market, as well as the perceptions that it has of the competitive threat.
Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
unrestricted

碩士
國防大學
戰略研究所
102
Abstract Since the end of the Cold War, the complexity of the South China Sea dispute is growing with the passing days. The United States puts her focus on Asia, and takes East Asia as the entry point to return to the Asia-Pacific, this region is the key of whether the PRC Navy could enter the Pacific across the second island chain, to compete with the United States. Therefore, in this article I’m going to discuss the strategic implications of the PRC deployed Marines on the South China Sea in Navy’s Western Pacific strategy, from the shift of the PRC Navy strategy after The Economic Reform. And analysis the PRC Marines’ function and strategic mission in South China Sea after vehicle renew and amphibious capability upgrade, in order to predict future trends. Studies shows that PRC naval strategy is transforming from "inshore defense" to the "regional ocean going Navy", also amphibious vehicles has been substantially modernized, from those increasing Marine Corps amphibious exercises, we can inferences that the PLA is developing three-dimensional combat capability . Keywords: Western Pacific, naval strategy, strategic view, marines, South China Sea.

博士
東海大學
政治學系
106
Superpower relations is a major research topic in the field of International Relations. In today’s world, U.S. and China are the world’s most important countries and in view of ideology and values, or even geographic location, even if both countries cannot be friends, they will not become enemies. However, why do the two countries always interact in a way that faintly interpret rivalry against each other? 　One of the reasons that influence the current global structure and international order variables is mainly china’s rising power. Basic differences in political structure, cultural values and etc. that both countries are consequently lack of confidence. Furthermore, as internal factors of increasingly different perspective in identity, it has escalated and intensified U.S.-China rivalry situation. 　This article makes the assumption that in consideration of changing variables that include leader’s perceptions and change in the international structure, and thus has allowed each country to rank differently the categories of national interest. The common types of foreign policy strategies are conflict, competition, no conflict, and cooperation. Currently, China views South China Sea as national survival and major interest. From the US perspective, South China Sea could bring them major interest or many interests, on the other hand both countries resist engaging in war due to the nuclear deterrence (Thucydides Trap), but because of different ranking orders of national interests, both countries find themselves trapped in competition/conflict or no conflict/conflict situations.

There are ethical concerns on how competitive intelligence (CI) is practiced. CI is mainly confused with industrial espionage or sometimes smeared with harmful unethical conduct. The assumptions have negative implications for the full recognition of CI as a profession and the reputation of the practice on, industries or firms and performance. In an attempt to address these concerns, the Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) developed a CI code of ethics. However, critics of CI claim that the CI code of ethics has not been adopted by CI professionals, firms and industries. Moreover, there is very little evidence, if any, on how ethical theory influence the adoption of CI. In response to the critics, this study aimed at developing a CI Ethics Adoption Model (CIEAM) that will be the premise for analysing factors that positively or negatively influence the adoption of a CI code of ethics. This study followed interpretive structural modelling to identify core determinants of CI ethics adoption. Based on extracts from literature, a web-based questionnaire was designed, validated by CI experts and empirically/quantitatively tested by 184 South African ICT firms. The results reveal that South African ICT firms have adopted CI ethics to an absolute extent and utilises different CI ethics enforcement methods. The results also reveal that organisational and stakeholders’ factors, business ethics and ethical theories, decision-making factors, CI practice factors, raising CI ethics awareness, and CI ethics challenges are the core determinants for the adoption of CI ethics and are components of the CIEAM. In practice, the CIEAM may minimise unethical conduct by some CI professionals, and the confusion of CI with espionage, whilst improving the credibility and recognition of the CI profession. The model may also serve as a valuable tool for practitioners and scholars who need to measure the adoption of CI ethics across different business sectors. Theoretically, it may serve as input to the development of CI policies and CI ISO standards in the ICT industry and related industries. Recommendations are made towards the application of the model in other industries.
Business Management
D. Com. (Business Management)

Kooperasies, as werktuie ter doelwitbereiking vir graanprodusente, het sedert hul totstandkoming onderskeibare ontwikkelingsfases deurgegaan. Die toepassing van kooperasie as mededingingstrategie deur graanprodusente is grootliks bei"nvloed deur die veranderings wat tydens die ontwikkelingsfases voorgekom het. Aksies wat in die loop van hierdie ontwikkellngsfases ingestel was, het mettertyd onduidelikhede oor die bestaansgrondslag van die kooperasies laat ontstaan. Die klJmaat van politieke veranderings wat tans in die land heers, kan ook belangrike veranderings meebring ten opsigte van die grondslag waarop kooperasies funksioneer. Pie uitwerking van die verwagte veranderings kan kooperasies forseer om strategiese aanpassings in hul strukture te maak ten einde steeds suksesvol te kan bly voortbestaan. · Graanprodusente verkeer in 'n posisie wat vereis dat daar besin moet word oor strategiee wat gevolg kan word ten einde steeds suksesvol in die onsekere markomstandighede mee te ding. Die toepassing van kooperasie as mededingingstrategie waarvolgens graanprodusente deur lidmaatskap van die kooperasies in die mark deelgeneem het, kom nou ook onder die loep. Die hoofprobleem waarop daar dus in hierdie studie gefokus word, is om te bepaal of kooperasie as mededingingstrategie geskik is om die individuele en kollektiewe belange van graanprodusente te bevorder. Van die belangrikste bevindings van die studie is: Graanprodusente voorsien dat kooperasie individuele graanprodusente se markoptrede kan versterk. Graanprodusente is van mening dat hulle deur middel van kooperasie wat manifesteer in selfstandige besigheidsondernemings, genaamd ''kooperasies", 'n positiewe invloed vir graanprodusente op die mark kan uitoefen. Daar kcan nie 'n beduidende negatiewe, of positiewe persepsie oor onderlinge mededinging en die invloed wat die vryemarkbedeling daarop uitoefen, by graanprodusente gei"dentifiseer word nie. Dit blyk egter dat sommige graanprodusente die vryemarkbedeling as 'n belangrike markfaktor bejeen. Ander graanprodusente huldig 'n meer buigsame benadering jeens die vryemarkbedeling. Graanprodusente is, met enkele klemverskille, van mening dat die kooperasies nie daarin slaag om die tradisionele kooperasiebeginsels in die wyse waarop kooperasies hul besigheid bedryf, volledig toe te pas nie. Graanprodusente het oor die algemeen gesien duidelike menings oor die noodsaaklikheid daa.rvan dat die staat nie by die graanbedryf meet inmeng nie. Ander tipes ondersteuningstrategiee, soos die oprigting van beslote korporasies of maatskappye, geniet wisselende steun. 'n Beduidende groep graanprodusente is onseker oor moontlikhede om maatskappye met kapitaalgroei as basis te skep, om sodoende in geheel met kooperasies weg te doen.
Co-operatives have experienced distinguishable changes. The application of co-operation as a competitive strategy by g~in producers was largely influenced by the changes. The prevailing political changes can also instigate important changes with regard to co-operatives. Grain producers must revise strategies to maintain successful competition in the market. The study investigates co-operation as a competitive strategy to advance the individual and collective interests of grain producers, Findings are: Grain producers are convinced that co-operation enhances the market related actions of individual grain producers. Grain producers can, through co-operation, exercise a positive influence in the market. No definite negative or positive perception concerning the influence of the free market system upon mutual competition could be identified. Grain producers are convinced that the state should not interfere with the grain industry.
Business Management
M. Admin. (Business Management)