Browsing by Author "Ungerer, Marius"

Now showing 1 - 13 of 13
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    2050 Scenarios for long-haul tourism in the evolving global climate change regime
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2012-12) Vorster, Shaun; Ungerer, Marius; Volschenk, Jako
    Tourism and its “midwife”, aviation, are transnational sectors exposed to global uncertainties. This scenario-building exercise considers a specific subset of these uncertainties, namely the impact of the evolving global climate change regime on long-haul tourism (LHT), with a 2050 horizon. The basic problematique is that unconstrained growth in aviation emissions will not be compatible with 2050 climate stabilisation goals, and that the stringency and timing of public policy interventions could have far-reaching impacts—either on the market for future growth of LHT, or the natural ecosystem on which tourism depends. Following an intuitive-logic approach to scenario-building, three meta-level scenarios that can be regarded as “possible” futures for the evolution of LHT are described. Two of these, i.e., the “grim reaper” and the “fallen angel” scenarios, are undesirable. The “green lantern” scenario represents the desired future. Long-haul tourist destinations should heed the early warning signals identified in the scenario narratives, and contribute towards realising the desired future. They should further guard against being passive victims if the feared scenarios materialise, by adapting, repositioning early upon reading the signposts, hedging against risks, and seizing new opportunities.
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    Are you a prisoner or an option innovator
    (2012-04) Ungerer, Marius
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Are you running as fast as you can to stay in the same place? Revisit modern theories of business strategy, consider your options, and get ahead.
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    Communicating progress on meeting the United Nations Global Compact goals : an analysis of the South African experience
    (Medknow Publications, 2017) Malan, Daniel; Ungerer, Marius
    The purpose of business has been a consistent focus area in the field of corporate responsibility (CR). This article examines public disclosures on CR made by South African signatories to the United Nations Global Compact, with reference to recent contributions on the purpose of business. Over time, the focus of CR has shifted from an internal corporate to a broader systemic perspective, reflecting the view that the responsibility of corporations cannot be addressed in isolation. In terms of purpose, Porter and Kramer present Creating Shared Value (CSV) as a way to reinvent capitalism. Donaldson and Walsh argue that what counts as value for a single firm is not the same as value for business in general, and propose a world where collective value is optimized. Corporations have to confront global challenges with commitment and innovation. If they can do so successfully it will be in their own interest and also in the interest of the planet. It is frequently argued that – in addition – it will be the right thing to do from a moral perspective. The use of “in addition” is significant: it illustrates one of the key conceptual challenges to understanding the (perceived) tension between the business case and the moral case for corporate responsibility. “In addition” implies that the business case and the moral case are separate, but that, if they are aligned, there would be no tension. It is argued that the traditional resolution of this tension – enlightened self-interest –is both superficial and flawed. It is proposed that more corporate support for CR based on a normative foundation should be encouraged, and that the concept of Optimized Collective Value is an appropriate way to achieve this.
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    A comparative analysis of strategy disclosure reporting trends in South Africa in 2010
    (University of South Africa, 2013) Ungerer, Marius
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, the King II Report on Corporate Governance recommended that organisations should produce a sustainability report some time during the reporting cycle (IOD 2009: 13). The latest version, King III, places the emphasis on integrated reporting (Roberts 2009: 14). Integrated reporting entails the publishing of both the sustainability report and the annual report at the same time (Rea 2010: 13). King III thus recognises that strategy, risk, performance and sustainability are inseparable (Mammatt, Marx & Van Dyk 2009: 22). Therefore, the integrated report must contain information that is forward looking and gives strategic direction. The objective is to indicate the long-term sustainability of the organisation against the current fi nancial performance (Roberts 2009: 14). In as far as the sustainability aspect of the integrated report is concerned, King III recommends the use of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Guidelines as a generic sustainability reporting framework (PwC 2010: 4). 4From the above, it is clear that organisations should provide information for stakeholders on strategy as part of the disclosure requirements. The specifi c level of strategy disclosure by organisations in public documentation is not a well-researched area in South Africa. Some studies (Rea 2010; Kolk 2010) did report on the level of GRI reporting by industry and companies within industries, while others (Santema & Van de Rijt 2001; Santema, Hoekert, Van de Rijt & Van Oijen 2005) probed general strategy disclosure trends in Europe and South Africa (Padia & Yasseen 2011). 5The rationale behind this study is to determine the specifi c level of disclosure of strategic information in annual and sustainability reports. With this aim in mind, three strategy disclosure baselines were created to determine the level of strategy reporting. The foundation of Baseline 1 was the GRI G3 Guidelines (GRI 2006); Baseline 2 was based on aspects associated with strategic architecture (Ungerer, Pretorius & Herholdt 2011: 144); and Baseline 3 included business model elements (Osterwalder & Pigneur 2010: 14). 6The study focused on 24 companies in South Africa with GRI G3 aligned reports covering fi ve industry sectors (Banking, Construction and Materials, Energy and Natural Resources, Mining and Metals, and Retail). The annual and (if published separately) sustainability reports published by these organisations during the 2010 calendar year formed the main data source. 7The study found different disclosure levels between industries ranging from 81% aggregate average for the Energy and Natural Resources sector to 54% for the Banking sector. The disclosure levels per baseline varied from 57% for Baseline 2, to 66% for Baseline 3 and 68% for Baseline 1.
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    Creating and maintaining a commercially viable executive coaching practice in South Africa
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2019) Terblanche, Nicky H. D.; Jock, Rajesh J.; Ungerer, Marius
    Background: The executive coaching industry is growing internationally and in South Africa. As is typical of small businesses, many struggle to survive. Factors contributing to small business success have been researched, but research in the context of the executive coaching industry in South Africa is sparse. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to creating and maintaining a commercially viable executive coaching practice by examining executive coaching businesses through the lens of a standard business model template consisting of value network, value architecture, value proposition and value finance dimensions. Method: A qualitative methodology was followed to gather data from executive coaches in South Africa. Data from two focus groups (eight participants) and four semi-structured interviews were analysed using deductive content analysis to ascertain the nature of executive coaching practices in terms of a standard business model template. Results: The most significant factors contributing to a successful executive coaching business include forming alliances, leveraging previous experience, employing multiple income streams and evolving as business owner. Significant factors that present challenges include the lack of a business strategy, finding clients and underestimating earnings potential. These findings could assist aspiring and established executive coaches to plan and structure their coaching business. Executive coach training providers could incorporate these findings into their curricula to prepare new coaches for the realities of running a coaching business. Conclusion: Empirical evidence of factors that contribute to successful executive coaching businesses may help guide coaches to a more realistic view of the profession, in the process contributing to the maturing of the growing executive coaching industry in South Africa.
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    Creation and appropriation of socio-environmental value in coopetition
    (Elsevier, 2016) Volschenk, Jako; Ungerer, Marius; Smit, E. van der M.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Although much has been written about value in coopetition initiatives, the dynamics of value creation and appropriation remain poorly articulated. This paper explores the types of value and the dynamics of value creation and appropriation when competitors cooperate. The research provides some suggestions towards semantic clarity and introduces new dimensions to the existing value creation and appropriation literature. We also present the Coopetition Value Matrix (CVM), an expanded typology that aids in the understanding of value dynamics in coopetition. Constructing the CVM required the incorporation of stakeholder theory and the concept of socio-environmental value, two aspects that are under-explored in coopetition research. We applied the CVM to a case of environmental coopetition in the South African wine industry, which provided us with empirical illustrations of the dynamic interaction of different types of value.
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    Entrepreneurial opportunities in the craft- distilling market in South Africa
    (Academic Journals, 2015) Ungerer, Marius; Kruger, S. M.; Vorster, S.; Mansfield, G. M.
    Opportunities for entrepreneurial entry into the craft-distilling product and market domains of the agricultural sector are presented in this study. Although the craft spirits industry in South Africa is currently in its infancy, the study is able to investigate potential entrepreneurial opportunities for such activities in the farming areas of the Western Cape Province. The first part of the study explores the supply side (product-led diversification) of the market. This in turn leads to a better understanding of the current state of the craft-distilling industry, and establishes a base for the survey. An appropriate survey instrument is developed and administered to existing distillers. The subsequent findings confirm the small size of the craft spirits industry. As expected, the small number of active producers generates a limited range of products in a market with established players having strong bargaining power. To perform effectively however, the entrepreneurial craft producer is advised not to compete directly with these players but rather to exploit niche product opportunities created in the premium consumer market segment attracted to handcrafted, locally-produced and customised offerings. By developing products with a competitive positioning of focussed differentiation complementary to the current portfolio of offerings, new market space can be created and new entrants should find attraction.
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    Exploring the design of performance dashboards in relation to achieving organisational strategic goals
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2019) Bugwandeen, Keshika; Ungerer, Marius
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Inadequate information sharing and ineffective monitoring are obstacles to strategy execution in an organisation. Performance dashboards are an information system tool used to translate theorganisation’s strategy into objectives, metrics, initiatives, and tasks for each group and individual in the organisation; however, many organisations have been unable to implement dashboards successfully. The primary objective of the research was to explore the design of performance dashboards in relation to achieving strategic goals. The literature revealed mandatory criteria for dashboard design. Dashboards are a business enablement tool, and their success rests on a structured development process with adequate stakeholder involvement.
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    Management practices and activities influencing the effectiveness of organisations in Namibia
    (Unisa Press, 2019) Ngwangwama, Matthias Mpareke; Ungerer, Marius; Morrison, John M.
    One of the long-running debates within the research dealing with developing countries’ situations, has been the extent to which management theories and practices rooted in the developed countries’ perspectives can be applied by organisations in the developing countries. To contribute to this debate, this study aimed to discover new insights that could highlight the superseding management practices and activities associated with the effectiveness of organisations in a developing country. The study applied an inductive research approach through data obtained via interviews from 54 key role players and ultra-elites in organisations such as members of the board, management and employees. Qualitative research techniques were used to analyse data. The study findings suggest context-specific management practices and activities, unique from those typically cited in the developed countries, as influencing the effectiveness of organisations in Namibia. Moreover, the study found that management practices and activities related to human fundamentals, such as those embodied in the resource-based view of organisations, appear to be significantly associated with the effectiveness of companies in the Namibian context. The findings of the study have theoretical and practical value for those teaching, consulting and leading organisations in developing countries, especially in African organisations. Also, the findings have value for organisational development and design specialists, human resources professionals, Namibian business practitioners, and expatriates who manage operations and people in Namibia.
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    Perceived risk, trust and familiarity of online multi-sided pure-play platforms selling physical offerings in an emerging market
    (Unisa Press, 2019) Carstens, Marilise; Ungerer, Marius; Human, Gert
    Understanding how customers perceive trust and risk when engaging with online pure-play multi-sided platforms (MSPs), has become critical to the performance of digital marketing strategies. This study explored the relationship between perceived trust, perceived risk and user familiarity associated with MSPs. For the purpose of this study, MSPs are conceptualised as firms that operate only online, that seek to provide transacting services to buyers and sellers, and that sell physical offerings in an emerging market context. Primary data were collected through an online instrument across five MSPs and the study reported the results pertaining to differences and similarities between groups and platforms. The results show that while familiarity drives trust, its impact is moderated by perceived risk. Contrary to common belief, the results show gender differences, but do not confirm age differences in trust and the moderation effect of risk. Moreover, the results also show that the influence of familiarity is not significantly different across MSPs.
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    The relationship between consumer ethnocentrism, cosmopolitanism and product country image among younger generation consumers : the moderating role of country development status
    (Elsevier, 2015) Jin, Zhongqi; Lynch, Richard; Attia, Samaa; Chansarkar, Bal; Gulsoy, Tanses; Lapoule, Paul; Liu, Xueyuan; Newburry, William; Nooraini, Mohamad Sheriff; Parente, Ronaldo; Purani, Keyoor; Ungerer, Marius
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although the differences between developed and developing countries have been extensively studied in the context of globalization strategies, few studies have so far been conducted on the relationship between country development status and the possession by countries of a favorable (or unfavorable) product country image (PCI). Moreover, the results of such studies to date have been inconclusive. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of country developmental status on PCI coupled with two antecedents of PCI, namely consumer ethnocentrism and cosmopolitanism. The paper also distinguishes between the PCI of the home and foreign country images of respondents. We test a new model that incorporates these constructs with a sample of 2655 younger generation consumers. The results show that country development status moderates some relationships but does not moderate others. These findings have significant implications for international companies from both developed and developing countries when developing global strategy.
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    Strategies, practices and skills for competitiveness in the digital economy : a perspective on large companies in South Africa
    (2014-08) Craffert, Leona; Ungerer, Marius; Visser, Kobus; Morrison, John; Claassen, Walter
    The competitiveness of companies in the digital economy is a business concern. Eighty two large South African companies participated in a study on strategies, practices and skills for competitiveness in the digital economy - in that manner demonstrating their willingness and commitment to contribute towards the local understanding and exploration of this topic.
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    Strategy disclosure reporting trends in South Africa : a 2010–2011 comparative analysis for six industry clusters
    (University of South Africa, 2015) Ungerer, Marius; Vorster, S.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Strategy disclosure through integrated reporting relates to a firm’s transparency and accountability in dealing with stakeholders. This study is a follow-up study on the 2010 strategy disclosure findings reported by Ungerer (2013), and the study aims to create comparative views and to further evaluate the feasibility of measuring strategy disclosure levels using multiple baseline perspectives. A comparative analysis for six industry clusters in South Africa is presented. Strategy disclosures for 2010 and 2011 are measured against three baselines, namely the third generation Global Reporting Initiative (GRI G3) Guidelines (Baseline 1), a strategic architecture framework (Baseline 2) and a business model framework (Baseline 3). The six industries, each consisting of five JSE listed companies, are banking, construction, energy, insurance, mining and retail. Strategy disclosure, in aggregate, improved from 65% to 73% between 2010 and 2011. Given variances in disclosure for the various industries and against different strategic element sub-scales, different priorities can be identified for improving disclosure through integrated reporting. When disclosure against different baselines is https://scholar.sun.ac.za/admin/item?administrative-continue=714b3a31811350422d4e706c077f455b6e696817&submit_metadatacompared, it becomes apparent that disclosure of forward-looking strategic themes and those related to the competitive strategy sub-scale represent the major themes for improvement in strategy disclosure practices. On balance, however, there are positive trends towards greater transparency and improved accountability to stakeholders. This coincides with the introduction of the King III compliance regime for integrated reporting, as well as meaningful organisational learning and capacity building towards GRI G3 disclosure.