Browsing by Subject "Management and Business Administration"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Building trust in e-commerce
    (2002) Rurick, Peter G; Brice, Helen
    This study primarily investigates the processes and capabilities which are important for building and developing trust in e-Commerce. The main area of focus of this study is on the factors and enablers which can be applied by online retailers to build trust and communicate trustworthiness to online consumers. Throughout the study these factors and enablers are commonly referred to as the 'building blocks of trust in e-Commerce'. It is argued that without trust, e-Commerce cannot reach its full potential and that the building blocks of trust in e-Commerce can be applied to build and develop trust in e-Commerce. This study further investigates consumer perceptions of e-Commerce, and the deterrents to online shopping. Special emphasis was placed on important e-Commerce issues, central to building and developing trust in e-Commerce, such as privacy, security and fulfilment. As part of the recommendations, a conceptual model for building trust In e-Commerce is presented, which maps out the online trust building process with the general building blocks of trust in e-Commerce at its core.
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    Estimating elasticities of demand and supply for South African manufactured exports using a vector error correction model
    (2002) Behar, Alberto; Edwards, Lawrence
    Elasticities of demand and supply for South African manufactured exports are estimated using the co-integrating vector autoregression / vector error correction model approach in order toaddress simultaneity and non-stationarity issues. Demand is highly price-elastic, ranging from-3 to -6. The price elasticity of supply is 1. Competitors' prices and world income are an important determinant of demand, but domestic capacity utilization is not an important determinant of export supply.
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    A framework to manage the re-organisation necessary in becoming an e-business : business-to-business e-commerce.
    (2003) Redelinguys, Elizna; Shaw, Corrine
    This thesis focuses on the development of a management framework that allows organisations to gradually evolve into a full-fletched B2B e-business. Every manager considering the implementation of a B2B e-business system as part of his business plan, need a rigorous approach for the successful implementation thereof. The successful planning and managing of e-business investments are of the utmost importance to sustain and create more shareholder value for the future. The main hypothesis stated by the author is that a framework is required to guide managers with the re-organisation necessary throughout the life cycle (including planning, implementation and sustaining) of a B2B e-business model. The author believes that this framework will contribute to organisations enhancing competitive position and thus, unlocking more shareholder value.
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    Pricing methods for American options
    (2003) Duvel, Heimo; Abraham, Haim; Troskie, Casper G
    This thesis is about the comparison of Pricing models for the valuation of American Options. Three classes of numerical approaches are considered. These are Lattice Methods, Analytic Approximations and Monte Carlo Simulation. Methods will be contrasted in terms of accuracy and speed of the computed American option price. One particular method utilises regression when estimating the American option price. For this approach the impact of outliers and multicollinearity is examined and alternative regression models fitted. Monte Carlo Simulation is implemented to calculate early exercise probabilities of American options in the South African market. Results are compared for both call and put options. A test set of 3550 options is simulated with parameters mirroring the South African economy. On this set, the accuracy of all methods is assessed relative to a benchmark price, which is computed by a convergent lattice approach. Finally, American Symmetry is used to evaluate both put and call options.
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    The simulation of the dynamic hedging of guaranteed equity bonds issued by a South African life office
    (2001) Schoonees, Cornelius; Dorrington, Rob
    This dissertation illustrates how in-house dynamic hedging could be evaluated through modeling, simulation and sensitivity testing. The illustration helps to illuminate the financial benefits and associated risks of dynamic hedging, but does not provide a specific conclusion on whether dynamic hedging shoul be implemented. Ultimately this decision will depend on the unique circumstances and strategic objecitves of the life office. The scope of the dissertation is thus limited to an illustration and discussion of the relevant issues only and specifically does not cover the costing of in-house dynamically hedged guarantees.