Browsing by Author "Poovalingam, Kasthuri."

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The challenges and implications of corporate re-branding : a case study of amalgamated beverage industries (ABI).
(2006) Phiri, Maxwell Agabu.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
This thesis aims to address the issues of corporate re-branding in the context of marketing strategy and general strategic management. The research for the thesis was conducted in Pietermaritzburg and the surrounding areas where the Amalgamated Beverage Industries (ABI) depot distributes the Coca-Cola brands and other alternative beverages. ABI distributes non-alcoholic beverages that are produced under the trademark of Coca-Cola to the wholesalers and retailers in the Pietermaritzburg Central Business District (CBD) and the surrounding townships and settlements. ABI embarked on a re-branding campaign that resulted in the redesigning of the company logo. From a strategic management point of view, new business strategies that are formulated aim at finding ways that will keep a company trading profitably for a long time. The re-branding process of ABI has resulted in a change of attitudes of both employees and management towards its customers. The overall aim of the thesis was to investigate the impact of re-branding on the profitability of the company ABI. The results of the thesis reveal that other variables play a role in promoting the profitability of a company. The investigation, through a comprehensive field and secondary survey, used both qualitative and qantitative methods in its data collection. Finally, the thesis has examined the implications of re-branding on the purchasing trends of ABI' s customers after having been exposed to the new ABI image and new culture of conducting business. It has been established after analysing both the primary and secondary data that it is not demonstrably obvious that when a company re-brands its logo or image, that customers will purchase more products, hence increasing the financial value of the company. It is the final conclusion and recommendation of this thesis that before engaging in a costly re-branding exercise, senior management should conduct proper market research as to whether the exercise will add financial value to the company.
The communication efforts of cellular companies to improve relationship marketing.
(2006) Veerasamy, Dayaneethie.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
The development of relationship marketing, which is oriented towards developing lasting relationships with clients, emerged in the 1990's. The concept suggests that by better understanding customers on an individual level and by delivering to them information, products and services targeted to their specific needs, marketers can develop a long-term relationship with them that translates into worthwhile profits. Thus, relationship marketing focuses on customer orientation, with high service emphasis and high customer contact. Relationship marketing uses improved information technology to regularly communicate with firm customers and to base product/service offerings on the customer's buying behaviour. Computer linkages, advertising, personal selling, sales promotion, sponsorships, publicity, special events and exhibitions aid communication among channel members and also create a relationship between buyer and seller. Whilst research has been conducted on a general aspect of relationship marketing, there appears to be no significant study on how communication efforts can promote relationship marketing in the cellular industry. It is the intention of this study to examine the way in which relationship marketing is currently being employed in the cellular industry and to assess how improved communication can result in the effective application thereof. The objectives of this study are to investigate whether the communication efforts of the cellular operating companies are satisfying customers, to establish if the communication tools used by the companies are effective in promoting relationship marketing and to explore whether existing customers will become advocates of the company. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Research Administration at the University of KwaZulu -Natal. All subjects were aware of the purpose of the study and the aims and objectives. All subjects signed and consented to be part of the study. The target population consists of existing cellular phone users from whom the researcher attempted to draw conclusions and make generalizations. In KwaZulu-Natal, 251 cellular phone users volunteered and participated in this study. Informed consent was required of each of the respondents. 53% were contract customers and 38% were prepaid customers. There were 94 males (38%) and 141 females (56%) in the sample. The overall response rate was 83.7%. The main results yielded from this study indicated that cellular phone users were satisfied with the communication efforts of their service providers. Therefore, the communication tools used by their service providers were effective in creating, maintaining and enhancing relationships with their customers. Also it was very evident that existing customers are advocates of their service provider and will continue to be so into the future. This study recommends that customers must understand and be informed of the future direction that their service provider will take. They must be informed of long and medium term plans, new developments and any fundamental changes that are going to take place. Since service is the nerve centre of any organization, service providers must improve on their service to customers. Service providers should conduct regular satisfaction surveys to get feedback from customers and monitor their attitudes towards them and assess the performance on their accounts. The fulfilment of these recommendations will promote and enhance relationship marketing in the cellular industry.
An investigation into consumer satisfaction with regard to medical care provided by private medical practitioners in the Durban magisterial district.
(1991) Poovalingam, Kasthuri.; Hamblin, A. R. P.
No abstract available.
An investigation into the adequacy of retail facilities in Chatsworth in view of modern retailing trends.
(1984) Poovalingam, Kasthuri.; Buijis, J.
No abstract available.
An investigation of shopping centres as situational influences on consumer behaviour in the greater Durban area.
(2007) Docrat, Suleman Hoosen.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the consumers' decision-making process in the selection of shopping centres. The South African society is undergoing a rapid transformation in its consumption patterns. The development and expansion of shopping centres means that consumers, in most cases, have an increasing choice of shopping destinations that meet their needs for goods, services and entertainment. The development and rapid expansion of planned shopping centres, often called Shopping Malls, has been one of the greatest retail revolutions in South Africa in the last twenty years. The competitive retail environment poses serious threats and opportunities for growth and profitability of shopping centres. The empirical research, which was conducted amongst shoppers at the various centres in the greater Durban area, confirms the significance of the various situational influences, which are the physical surroundings, the social surroundings, time, task definition and antecedent states as they impact on the shopping centres. The findings of this study reveal that stakeholders of shopping centres should go beyond the tactical aspects of shopping centre operations and adopt a strategic approach to business, in which customers' needs and competitors' actions are monitored in their quest to obtain preference vis a vis their competitors. The need to create and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage over other centres is at the heart of ensuring the continued viability of individual shopping centres. Against the urgent need to adopt a strategic approach to shopping centre development and management, recommendations are provided for developers and managers to acknowledge the impact of the dynamic aspect of the factors that influence the consumers' decision-making process and their implications for shopping centre development and promotion. This study is aimed at providing valuable information to a variety of stakeholders such as the tenants, property developers, investors, shopping centre managers, retailers and consumers at shopping centres as well as academics interested in consumer behaviour and the impact of shopping centres in South Africa.
An investigation of the factors that impact on the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee : a study of the convenience stores within the petroleum industry.
(2007) Govender, Thirumoney.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
Although franchising is growing in importance as a form of business with considerable benefits to all participants, little research has been done to evaluate the factors that contribute to a successful franchise relationship from the viewpoint of the franchisee. This study is intended to provide valuable information for establishing an effective management strategy, with a view to improving the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee. The study will include an analysis of the predictors of a quality relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee; and attempts to increase the understanding of the relationships between the predictors of a quality relationship, which may contribute to the franchisee's performance and satisfaction. Using the survey responses of the franchisees of the Convenience stores within the Petroleum Industry, this study identifies key factors that affect the franchisee's motivation to become a franchisee, the franchisee's perception of the franchisor's support, the quality of the relationship, loyalty/commitment to the franchisor and the franchisee's performance. The results of this study provide strong support for the idea that the quality of the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee plays a key role in ensuring that the contractual relationship will lead to financial success for both parties. Recommendations provided will assist the franchisor in establishing an effective management strategy to improve the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee and thus improve the rate of success for both the franchisor and the franchisee.
Printed newspapers and on-line news : a study of the factors influencing consumer acceptance of electronic news via the internet.
(2001) Stromnes, Leif.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing readership of electronic news via the Internet. The status of printed news in the changing news environment was also investigated in the light of increasing electronic news readership. In order to achieve this aim, current electronic news readers were probed on their Internet news readership. The findings indicated that although traditional printed news was still very widely read, the shift amongst Internet users seemed to be towards reading more electronic news in the future. This study found that the two most significant factors that will lead to an increase in electronic news readership are the following: • This medium being accessed free of charge, i.e. where no monthly Internet subscriptions need to be paid. This has been achieved through free Internet access via ABSA since 16 February 2001; and • an improvement in the speed of access. The fact that traditional printed newspapers can be read in an informal environment seemed to be the single most important factor in maintaining its popularity.
"The role of brands in the advertising of beauty products."
(2007) Cebisa, Zwelakhe Erick.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
This research investigates the role of brands in the advertising of beauty products. This study was conducted at tertiary institutions in the Durban Metropolitan Area. Since, students are believed to constitute a large market for consumer goods, especially beauty products, the study also seeks to determine consumption patterns and preferences of brands of beauty products by students at tertiary institutions. Using a survey-based study, the results of the survey highlights the importance of the branding of beauty products in promoting sales, loyalty and preference for various brands. The findings suggest that marketers' should continue to provide information to consumers about their beauty products, so that their benefits and functions are constantly emphasized, without exaggerating the claims of the brands. It has also emerged that detailed instructions on the use of beauty products and the frequency of their use be clearly indicated on their labels. This study has also revealed that brands of beauty products entrench the image of the company through its truthful advertising.
Social responsibility among small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2008) Chetty, Soobramoney.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
Globally, the social responsibility of business has become an important issue in recent years. In South Africa, it has assumed even greater significance given the enormity of the socio-economic problems besetting the country. There is an extensive body of literature pertaining to the social responsibility of large organizations, but little theoretical or empirical research has been undertaken within small and medium enterprises, notwithstanding the important role they play in the economy of a country. In cognizance of the aforementioned, this study wishes to expand the body of knowledge in respect of the social responsibility of small and medium enterprises, by examining the perceptions and behaviour of SMEs in KwaZulu-Natal regarding their social responsibility. The target population for the study was derived from the membership list of the three largest business organisations in KwaZulu-Natal, viz. the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business, and the Zululand Chamber of Business, and consisted of organisations employing no fewer than 20, and no more than 200 employees. In general, it emerged that the majority of SMEs in KZN are involved, to a large extent, in socially responsible activities related to their employees, but are minimally involved in socially responsible activities pertaining to the community and the natural environment. However, despite their low level of engagement in the latter, the majority of SMEs in KZN rated their businesses as being either successful or very successful. The most commonly cited reasons for a lack of greater involvement in CSR activities were a lack of time/manpower, and the costs/impact on profits resulting from engagement in CSR activities. The study recommends, inter alia, that the local Chambers of Business and sectoral bodies should play a more active role in fostering CSR among SMEs; that the strategies and initiatives used to foster CSR among large businesses should not be used for SMEs, and that the phrase 'small business responsibility' should be used instead of the term 'corporate social responsibility', as the latter might invoke fear and resistance on the part of SMEs. In light of the research findings, the study concludes by proposing a model/guide to assist SMEs in KZN to become (more) socially responsible.
Training of intelligence operatives.
(2006) Narain, Navneetha.; Poovalingam, Kasthuri.
The term "Intelligence" has for too long been perceived as activities of closed organisations, surrounded by myths, misunderstanding, and taboos. Intelligence is now regarded as a key element not only in business but virtually in all fields of public and private affairs. Intelligence is seen as a concern for every organization and nearly every individual. This study has been conducted in response to a void identified by the researcher in respect of the training of intelligence operatives attached to the Crime Intelligence Gathering Unit of the South African Police Service, Kwa - Zulu Natal. The study was conducted to provide a comprehensive insight into the effectiveness of the current Crime Intelligence training and skills development. The researcher hoped to help further the professional training and development of a cadre of intelligence personnel within the Crime Intelligence component of Kwa-Zulu Natal who will display the necessary confidence and authority in meeting and addressing the challenges of organised Crime. In addition the researcher aimed to provide the Division of Crime Intelligence with a model that can be implemented for future training and development initiatives. The literature review was conducted focusing on factors impacting on the training and development of intelligence operatives within the Crime Intelligence Division. In addition an extensive study on strategies implemented within the corporate sectors in respect of training and development was carried out. A brief comparison of training carried out within the FBI and CIA was researched. However the information available was restricted due the issue of sensitivity. The presentation of the recommendations was guided from the findings of the literature review. The problem statement guided the research methodology process deemed necessary for the investigation of the training and development of Intelligence Operatives. The research study was based on the explorative research method to clearly understand the dilemma and challenges facing the management of Crime Intelligence. A quantitative analysis was conducted on 120 subjects whose core function is Crime Intelligence Gathering and who serve as Intelligence operatives within the Province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. A well structured questionnaire was found to be the most suitable method to collect the data that was essential to the study. In addition a focus group interview was carried out to obtain responses that will provide insight into the training and development of Intelligence operatives. The questions posed were similar to the ones posed on the questionnaire and the individuals involved in the focus group were excluded from the sample. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made to assist the Management of Crime Intelligence with structured processes that can be utilised in the development of individuals whose core function is Crime intelligence Gathering. The recommendations were made on the basis of promoting a culture of proactive learning that ensures that individuals grow to meet the challenges that they are presently facing. Intelligence is a specialised discipline, thus the training initiatives need to provide specialist knowledge to ensure the effective and efficient means of intelligence gathering that is pertinent in addressing organised crime. A brief recommendation for further research studies was made to investigate the training and development of Intelligence operatives within Crime Intelligence operating within other Provinces. In addition recommendations were made in respect of the sample size and sampling technique that can be utilised for future studies.