An investigation into the influence of the physical distribution concept on the performance of certain South African manufacturers of consumer products
- Authors: Staude, G E
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Physical distribution of goods Industrial productivity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1191 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004606
- Description: The "Physical Distribution Concept" is being increasingly recognised as a vitally important business philosophy for those firms for which efficient physical distribution is critical to marketing success. Manufacturers of products which are perishable, easily substitutable; and/or quickly obsolescent are some which fall into this category. In a competitive business environment, factors such as the " availability" of the product, and not simply its price or quality, begin to exert a significant influence on the purchasing decision. The "Physical Distribution Concept" comprises three elements, namely, consumer orientation; organizational integration and profit orientation. "Physical Distribution Orientation" refers to the predisposition of the firm and its employees to these three elements. For the Physical Distribution Concept to serve as an effective guide to management action, a physical distribution orientation on the part of all those concerned with marketing and physical distribution-related activities in a firm, is a pre-requisite. The chief executive, in particular, should adhere to this business philosophy, regardless of the functional route he followed to his position. In his leadership role, theory holds that he exerts considerable influence on his subordinates, and consequently on his firm's way of doing business. This thesis is concerned with an analysis of the Physical Distribution Concept. It focuses on the chief executives of firms manufacturing consumer convenience goods, as well as consumer shopping goods. As such, it is primarily concerned with determining the extent to which the chief executives are physical distribution oriented and whether there is a statistically significant relationship between their extent of physical distribution orientation and their companies' performance. The thesis is also concerned with the extent to which any pattern of organizational arr angements for physical distribution exists.
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- Date Issued: 1981
Qualified to exploit? : some thoughts on the social responsibility of business : inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes Unversity
- Authors: Staude, G E
- Date: 1980
- Subjects: Business ethics , Industries -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020740 , ISBN 0868100331
- Description: Inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes University , Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation)
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- Date Issued: 1980
An analysis of the transport infrastructure of the Cape Midlands and Karroo regions
- Authors: Staude, G E
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope , Railroads -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope -- History , Railroads -- Construction and development -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope -- History , Transportation, Automotive -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope , Roads -- Construction and development -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1068 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007697
- Description: From Preface: In 1966, the Karroo Development Association approached Rhodes University to undertake a socio-economic survey of their region. This survey was to form the basis for development planning in view of the expected benefit to the region of the Orange River Project. Similar requests were also received from the Midlands Planning Association and the South Eastern Areas Development Association. When Rhodes University consulted the Department of Planning, which strongly supported the principle of a regional survey, it was decided that, although Port Elizabeth and its hinterland comprised a logical economic unit, the area should be sub-divided. The University of Port Elizabeth was entrusted with the responsibility for an analysis of the metropolitan area, while the Institute of Social and Economic Research of Rhodes University was commissioned to undertake a socio-economic survey of the inland areas. This thesis on the transport infrastructure of the Cape Midlands and Karroo Regions represents one aspect of the survey.
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- Date Issued: 1973