Browsing by Author "Wegner, Trevor"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    A comparative evaluation of data mining classification techniques on medical trauma data
    (2004) Ramaboa, Kutlwano K K M; Wegner, Trevor
    The purpose of this research was to determine the extent to which a selection of data mining classification techniques (specifically, Discriminant Analysis, Decision Trees, and three artifical neural network models - Backpropogation, Probablilistic Neural Networks, and the Radial Basis Function) are able to correctly classify cases into the different categories of an outcome measure from a given set of input variables (i.e. estimate their classification accuracy) on a common database.
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    Corporate control and its effect on company performance
    (1998) Potash, Richard; Uliana, Enrico; Botha, Derrick; Wegner, Trevor
    This study investigates the effects that various ownership structures have on company performance. It is assumed that the ownership structure of the firm dictates the manner in which the firm monitors its managers. It is further assumed that the objective of the firm is to maximise shareholder wealth. The study therefore analyses which ownership structure provides shareholders with the greatest returns. Such a system would add the most to an economy's efficiency. It was concluded that of the three systems identified, not one system provided shareholders with a return significantly different from the others. The study added to the current South African debate as to whether or not the concentration of economic power detracts from the country's economic efficiency. Statistical evidence proves that companies owned by any of the large South African groupings are no less productive than companies otherwise owned.
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    A critical evaluation of the contribution of psychographic measures as descriptor variables in the profiling of market segments for a specific industry
    (1993) Chaplin, Marilyn; Brice, Helene; Wegner, Trevor
    Psychographic measures were widely employed in market segmentation studies in the seventies. Psychographics were said to offer marketers quantitative research that resulted in rich descriptive profiles of target segments. The present use of psychographics in segmentation studies has however become a controversial issue among marketing theorists. The literature reveals that no explicit theory has guided the development of psychographics. As a result it has been abused by researchers. There is no one universally accepted definition of psychographics and researchers tend to operationalize psychographics to fit their own research purposes. Psychographics has consequently attracted criticism in the literature. Critics argue that psychographic measures are useless and expensive. Moreover, it is felt that psychographic segmentation studies often produce results that are questioned on the grounds of reliability and validity. On the other hand, supporters of psychographic research feel that psychographic measures can be of value in segmentation studies. It is the author's intention in this thesis to address the conflicting opinions surrounding the potential usefulness of including psychographic variables in a market segmentation analysis.
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    Estimates of the level and shape of mortality rates in South Africa around 1985 and 1990 derived by applying indirect demographic techniques to reported deaths
    (1998) Dorrington, Rob; Bradshaw, Debbie; Wegner, Trevor
    This research attempts firstly to estimate both the level and shape of the mortality curve of the Black South African population group circa 1985 by the application of indirect demographic techniques to the reported deaths for Blacks for the period 1984- 86 and an estimate of the Black population in mid-1985. The life tables thus produced are then combined with the official South African Life Tables for Whites, Coloureds and Asians to produce a weighted average national life tables circa 1985. These national life tables are then compared with those produced by applying the Bennett and Horiuchi method to national data for the 1984-86 period in order to decide on suitable adjustments to make when applying the Bennett and Horiuchi method to national data for the period 1989-91 and beyond.
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    An investigation into AIDS prevention in the workplace : guidelines to a social marketing workplace preventative AIDS strategy
    (1991) Pikholz, Tracey; Brice, Helen; Wegner, Trevor
    This dissertation comprises an application of social marketing principles and techniques to AIDS prevention in the workplace. The overall research objective of this dissertation is to investigate the provisions which have been made for AIDS in companies in South Africa, and to gain an understanding of the "preventative AIDS provisions" which the respondents consider practical to implement in their workplace, in order to generate conclusions and recommendations. The research findings, discussions and conclusions highlight areas for future research.
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    The rationale, design, implementation and evaluation of business simulation gaming as a tool for management learning
    (1978) Wegner, Trevor
    The concept of Business Simulation Gaming is a relatively new term in the vocabulary of Business educators. This study adopts a Systems Approach to Business Simulation Gaming for the purpose of : (i) creating an overall awareness of the Enlarged Gaming System beyond the mere Implementation phase; and (ii) demonstrating its role as a valuable tool of learning. The four major components of this thesis, namely, the Rationale of Gaming, the Design Process, the Implementation Process and the Evaluation Process, combine to form an integrative whole - the Enlarged Gaming System - in contributing to the stated objectives.
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    A study into the rationale, design and evaluation of a specific decision support system in compensation planning
    (1987) Wegner, Trevor; Money, Arthur; Tromp, David
    The application of newly developed information technology to managerial decision making has given rise to a new discipline known as Decision Support Systems (DSS). While considerable development of DSS has taken place since the mid-seventies, in such areas as applications, conceptual clarification of goals and characteristics, and developmental methodology, there are still certain areas which remain relatively unexplored.