Demographic change belongs to the mega-trends of the 20th and the 21st century. The ongoing aging process in major industrialized countries gives rise to the relative scarcity of raw labor and the relative abundance of physical capital. Standard macroeconomic models suggest that this depresses...

This dissertation contains three essays at the interface of agricultural and development economics. The motivation for this lies in the fact that various studies have shown the agricultural sector to be the main income source for the majority of the global poor and it will hence have to play a...

This dissertation investigated the development, implementation, and evaluation of a management methodology founded on the alignment among the strategy, performance, and customer to bring value to any organization. A case study/action research in a service organization, called Institution "Z,"...

The face of the workplace has changed dramatically over the past decade and most organisations have to survive in a fiercely competitive global economy. The impact of the competitive changes, especially in the service environment has become critical and quality service is considered an essential...

During the last decade much research has been done on consumer perceptions in the so-called pure services with scant attention being devoted to the analysis of retail services associated with the marketing of goods. However, in recent years the service quality debate received much attention and...

This study investigates the customer-based brand equity of the major cellphone network service providers (Vodacom, MTN and Cell C) amongst principal estate agents registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board in Gauteng. Secondary research covered the marketing environment of the major service...

To establish an online grocery shopping service and to attract customers to it is anexpensive operation. In order to recoup those expenses, and ultimately make a profit,an online retailer needs to ensure that customers remain loyal and make repeatpurchases for as long as possible. Although...

Common perception by practitioners in the hotel industry today thata satisfied guest would become a repeat customer was considered as amajor subject of this research. It determined the extent to whichsatisfaction fostered loyalty. Interviewing guests and demonstrating theexpression of visual...

Doctor of Philosophy