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A comparative study on new product development projects : supplier-client partnerships in manufacturing industry MATEC Web of Conferences 312, 01002 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202031201002

- Hashe, Vuyo T.

  • Authors: Hashe, Vuyo T.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Buyer , Product development , Supplier
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/437142 , uj:37950 , Citation: Hashe, V.T. 2020. A comparative study on new product development projects: supplier-client partnerships in manufacturing industry .
  • Description: Abstract: This paper was to investigate, explore and gain an understanding of the factors that enable and support supplier-client collaboration in New Product Development Projects (NPDP) within the South African manufacturing industry. This study was based on two case studies where two NPDP within South African on two different firms were studied. The predominant focus of this report studied the supplier involvement and relationship factors, supplier selection factors, and cultural environment and collaboration factors. The main data used was collected via interviews and internal company documents. The collected data was then analyzed and the outcome provided insight into the factors and relationship between these factors. This study noted that firms can enter into collaboration to accelerate the product development process. This includes enhancing the ability of the firm to respond to key customer needs. Firms can make use of the collaboration advantage where they see a market opportunity where their teams have less to no expertise and skills required to capture the opportunity. In addition, research and development costs stand to be reduced significantly, where the collaboration partner is chosen effectively. This study concludes by seeing it as beneficial to firms to collaborate with their suppliers under proper management.
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A concise review of the evolution of information and communication technologies for engineering innovations

- Odubiyi, T. B., Aigbavboa, C. O., Thwala, W. D.

A feasibility study on optimal RES microgrid design for Rand West Municipality

- Gilbert, Ryan, Longe, Omowunmi Mary

  • Authors: Gilbert, Ryan , Longe, Omowunmi Mary
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Battery Energy Storage , Microgrid , Renewable Energy Source (RES)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/453171 , uj:39999 , Citation: Gilbert, R. & Longe, O.M. 2020. A feasibility study on optimal RES microgrid design for Rand West Municipality.
  • Description: Abstract: The increasing demand for electricity and the inability of the current generation systems to meet the demand, urges for more renewable electrical energy systems in South Africa. The Rand West Municipality is a community that has a slow-paced rural electrification and is subject to multiple power cuts weekly thereby affecting the farms and businesses in the area. It is therefore taken as a case study for the investigation of a Renewable Energy Sources (RES) microgrid. A simulation, optimization and sensitivity analyses are conducted to determine the feasibility and optimal RES mix for the location using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) software. The simulations yielded an optimal microgrid system consisting of a combination of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels, Solar Concentrated Photovoltaic system, Battery Energy Storage System and a Diesel Generator with a Cost of Energy (COE) of $0.067/kWh compared to the grid COE of $0.12/kWh for this area.
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A land suitability analysis of the Vhembe district, South Africa, the case of maize and sorghum

- Mufungizi, A. A., Musakwa, W., Gumbo, T.

A project based assessment of the foundation engineering course for large class sizes

- Fanourakis, George C.

  • Authors: Fanourakis, George C.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Engineering , Geotechnical , Assessment
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/457584 , uj:40610 , Citation: Fanourakis, G.C. 2020. A project based assessment of the foundation engineering course for large class sizes.
  • Description: Abstract: The Engineering Council of South Africa has a mandatory requirement that all the courses of the Baccalaureus Technologiae degree shall comprise a project. The passing of this project is required in order to pass the course. The purpose of such projects is to assess whether a student has understood the knowledge imparted and is able to appropriately apply it. Allocation of a different project to each learner in the case of large class sizes poses a practical problem. Hence, group projects are opted for. Furthermore, the fair evaluation of the group projects and allocation of specific marks to each member based on actual contribution poses a challenge, as it is not acceptable to allocate the same mark to every group member. This paper proposes an original comprehensive system for, firstly, assessing the application of knowledge and secondly, fairly assessing group projects and allocating specific marks to the individual members. This system was implemented in the Foundation Engineering IV course, at the University of Johannesburg. The system was successful as 91 % of the learners achieved the outcomes. In addition, the individually allocated marks appeared fair as none of them were queried.
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A proposed framework for assessing lean readiness in South African healthcare institutions

- Nwobodo-Anyadiegwu, E. N., Mutingi, M. M., Mbohwa, C.

  • Authors: Nwobodo-Anyadiegwu, E. N. , Mutingi, M. M. , Mbohwa, C.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Lean , Lean healthcare , Lean readiness
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/464064 , uj:41438 , Citation: Nwobodo-Anyadiegwu, E.N., Mutingi, M.M. & Mbohwa, C. 2020. A proposed framework for assessing lean readiness in South African healthcare institutions.
  • Description: Abstract: Recent healthcare literature has upheld lean as a methodology for improving operational efficiency and quality of care. However, the uncertainty of implementing lean successfully is still of concern as implementation failures have been recorded. Insufficient preparedness and lack of readiness assessment among other factors have been highlighted as a reason for failure. This paper develops an instrument for assessing the capabilities, quality management practices, and general preparedness of healthcare institutions for a lean implementation journey. The study identifies, through a comprehensive review of lean healthcare literature and the South African healthcare quality improvement literature to find current best quality management practices, and resource requirements needed to create a healthcare system that is supportive of lean. Application of this framework may provide an opportunity for hospital managers to benchmark with emerging lean success stories within the same operating context for organizational learning.
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A review of energy and gender poverty in South Africa

- Longe, Omowunmi Mary

  • Authors: Longe, Omowunmi Mary
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Energy poverty , Firewood , Gender poverty
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/453941 , uj:40122 , Citation: Longe, O.M. 2020. A review of energy and gender poverty in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: About 15% of South African households lack access to electricity from the mains, most of which are found in the rural areas and informal settlements. This energy poor population consist 57% women and 43% men; hence, women are more energy poor than men in the country. Energy poverty has led to gender poverty as women and girls are faced with the task of collecting and using firewood and other unclean energy sources to meet their households’ energy needs, which exposes them to challenges such as health hazards, premature deaths, time poverty, etc. mainly from the indoor air pollution. The challenges facing grid extension to unelectrified areas contribute to energy poverty and consequently, gender poverty for women and girls. Hence, there is need to explore modern, clean, reliable and affordable electricity through decentralised renewable energy sources, with accompanying policies, in order to mitigate energy and gender poverty in South Africa.
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Adapting to artificial intelligence through workforce re-skilling within the banking sector in South Africa

- Mamela, Tebogo Lucky, Sukdeo, Nita, Mukwakungu, Sambil Charles

  • Authors: Mamela, Tebogo Lucky , Sukdeo, Nita , Mukwakungu, Sambil Charles
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Banking institution , Workforce , Artificial intelligence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/450788 , uj:39640 , Citation: Mamela, T.L., Sukdeo, N. & Mukwakungu, S.C. 2020. Adapting to artificial intelligence through workforce re-skilling within the banking sector in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: This research paper intends to inspire the banking sector to re-skill the workforces and present the opportunities in re-skilling the banking institutions workforces in South Africa to adapt to the roll out of Artificial Intelligence technologies. The research addresses the factors that will contribute to the workers re-skilling and the skills that are needed in order for the banking workforce to survive in the competitive labor market of the fourth industrial revolution which may result in the obsolete of many job skills. This research also considers the relevant skills and competencies that will be on-demand by the future banking workforces to enable them to successfully adapt to the aspects of the 4IR technological innovations inclusive of the AI toolset such as machine learning, blockchain, nanotechnology, robotics, Internet of Things, biotechnology, cloud computing and so forth, which may ultimately impact the workforce’s performance and productivity in the banking institutions. The research uses descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The research has achieved results based on the assessment of the relationship between workforces’ capabilities and the components that make up Artificial Intelligence toolset. The findings show that the adaptation of AI strongly depends on most of the stated skills, therefore banks are required to re-skill their workforces in order to adapt to AI advanced technologies so as to make them relevant in the future. Re-skilling the banking workforce to cooperate and collaborate effectively with Artificial Intelligence will enable not only efficiency, but innovation and growth.
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An analysis of the quality of public transport in Johannesburg, South Africa using an adapted SERVQUAL model

- Luke, Rose, Heyns, Gert J.

  • Authors: Luke, Rose , Heyns, Gert J.
  • Date: 2020
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/451735 , uj:39817 , Citation: Luke, R. & Heyns, G.J. 2020. An analysis of the quality of public transport in Johannesburg, South Africa using an adapted SERVQUAL model.
  • Description: Abstract: Public transport services are generally regarded as being of low quality in many developing cities, with Johannesburg being a typical example of a city with few government funded public transportation services and relatively low levels of mobility and accessibility. The South African government’s stated aims for public transport are to achieve large scale modal shift to public transport and more environmentally friendly modes of transport. Using the SERVQUAL model, this study aims to measure the service quality of the majority of public transport modes by comparing commuter’s perceptions of the current service levels with their expectations to determine service gaps where interventions are required. The results reflect that safety concerns, particularly regarding protection from crime, and maintenance, particularly in as it affects the reliability of the service are concerns across most modes of transport. Although commuters regard the services as relatively affordable, this is insufficient to attract customers and reduce car ownership aspirations. Concerns related to addressing the mobility and accessibility needs of commuters in the off-peak, keeping commuters informed and training staff to be willing to assist passengers are likely to impact the willingness to remain on public transport and even attract new users. This research is of value to transport service providers in understanding the gaps in and hlights the dissatisfaction in the current levels of public transport service, as well as providing some indication of areas in which future interventions can be directed.
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An intelligent IoT-based health monitoring system

- Malapane, T., Doorsamy, W., Paul, B. S.

An international comparative study of Islamic finance

- Adam, S., Soobramoney, J., Rhodes, N.

  • Authors: Adam, S. , Soobramoney, J. , Rhodes, N.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Income Tax , Islamic finance , Malaysia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/458134 , uj:40681 , Citation: Adam, S., Soobramoney, J. & Rhodes, N. 2020. An international comparative study of Islamic finance.
  • Description: Abstract: The awareness of and access to Islamic financing has increased significantly over the last few years in South Africa, and globally. Due to this increase, the need for tax legislation regarding Islamic financing was essential. Therefore, such tax legislation was introduced in most countries across the world, including South Africa and Malaysia. This paper provides an overview of the Islamic financial products that are available in South Africa and Malaysia, and the tax consequences for these products. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the tax treatment in South Africa and Malaysia is presented. A qualitative research approach is followed. The tax implications of Islamic financing in South Africa and in Malaysia were developed to achieve tax neutrality for taxpayers utilising Islamic financing as opposed to taxpayers utilising conventional financing. The treatment in both states ensures that those Islamic financed taxpayers are not disadvantaged in any way. However, Malaysia offers many tax incentives to Islamic financed users, while South Africa does not. These incentives benefit the taxpayers using Islamic finance products in Malaysia and therefore attract more users and foreign investors.
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An investigation into the adequacy of infrastructure in engineering and related design (ERD) at technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges in Gauteng Province, South Africa

- Mushwana, B. N., Chiromo, F.

An investigation into the effects of gamification on students’ situational interest in a learning environment

- Ndlovu, Taboka Ngqabutho, Mhlongo, Siyabonga

  • Authors: Ndlovu, Taboka Ngqabutho , Mhlongo, Siyabonga
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Kahoot! , Gamification , Situational interest
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/433056 , uj:37430 , Citation: Ndlovu, T.N. & Mhlongo, S. 2020. An investigation into the effects of gamification on students’ situational interest in a learning environment.
  • Description: Abstract: As today’s students are born into digital technologies, educators must adapt to the growing changes in the edutechnological landscape. For the educators to thrive in their pedagogical endeavours, they need to be able to adopt these technological advancements into their teaching styles and approaches so to better meet the needs of their students. In support of this, gamification is becoming a popular topic in education today. Conceptually, gamification refers to the use of game mechanics in nongame contexts. Many researchers have found that the adoption and use of gamification tools such as Kahoot! has a positive impact on certain psychological aspects of the students’ learning process. These include increased levels of interest in and engagement with content, both of which are key in the overall motivation of students as a psychological construct. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from a study that sought to uncover the effects of employing a gamification platform in the teaching and learning processes at a university in Johannesburg, South Africa. Specifically, the study employed a quantitative approach to investigate the effect of gamification on the students’ situational interest. The analysis of data revealed that the concept of gamification has the potential of triggering and maintaining students’ situational interest, which serves as a foundation towards an engaged and motivated student.
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An investigative study of the mechanical properties of a composite novel plant fibre

- Hashe, Vuyo, Kaelo, Olehile

  • Authors: Hashe, Vuyo , Kaelo, Olehile
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Natural fibre , Plants , Properties
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/450758 , uj:39636 , Citation: Hashe, V. & Kaelo, O. 2020. An investigative study of the mechanical properties of a composite novel plant fibre.
  • Description: Abstract: This paper introduces a novel natural fibre from an indigenous source tree with the intention of reducing the dependency on imported high-quality natural fibres from outside Africa. Commercialized plant fibres from plants like Sisal generate income for their host countries in Central American and European regions. This plant is used in polymer matrix composites as a load-bearing member. This paper identified three plants – Sparmania Africana, Ficus lutea and Ficus sur, of which only the Ficus trees were investigated. The properties investigated were the uniaxial tensile strength and Young’s Modulus as these properties enabled the researchers to characterise the material strength. The Ficus lutea out-performed the Ficus sur in overall strength, but the relationship and shape of the curves is that of brittle material. The true strength and the engineering strength are almost the same for both materials – about 97% identical. On average, maximum strength is about 22.6 and 17.5 MPa at breaking, with Ficus lutea greater than Ficus sur. Research is statistically valid with a P-value of less than 0.05, this paper achieved a P-value of 0.001162. In addition, the two Ficus plants did not perform well when compared to Sisal plant.
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An overview on types of white cast irons and high chromium white cast irons

- Ngqase, Mbulelo, Pan, Xiaowei

  • Authors: Ngqase, Mbulelo , Pan, Xiaowei
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: white cast irons , High chromium white cast irons
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/453537 , uj:40044 , Citation: Mbulelo Ngqase and Xiaowei Pan 2020 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 1495 012023 , DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/1495/1/012023
  • Description: Abstract: Crushing and grinding are widely used in mining, mineral processing, cement making, and coal power generation. The mechanical components that contact with materials being processed are working under the conditions of high abrasion and impact. How to reduce the wearing damages and prevent from the cracking failure of the mechanical parts is one of the crucial challenges facing the operations of many industries, involved crushing and grinding processes. Whit cast irons, and specifically high chromium white cast irons, have been developed and deployed worldwide for making mechanical components of crushing and grinding machines due to the combination of high wear resistance and good mechanical strength. The paper is aimed to give an overview on the white cast iron alloys, and particularly high chromium white cast iron alloys, including their classifications, their standard specifications in USA, China and Australia, their main usages and the new developments.
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Analysis of aircraft maintenance processes and cost

- Mofokeng, Tseko, Mativenga, Paul T., Marnewick, Annlizé

Analysis of the IEC 61850 protocol when used for communication during maintenance operations in an electrical substation grid

- Njova, Dion, Ogudo, Kingsley, Umenne, Patrice

  • Authors: Njova, Dion , Ogudo, Kingsley , Umenne, Patrice
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: IEC 61850 , Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED’s) , GOOSE messages
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/445433 , uj:38974 , Citation: Njova, D., Ogudo, K. & Umenne, P. 2020. Analysis of the IEC 61850 protocol when used for communication during maintenance operations in an electrical substation grid.
  • Description: Abstract: During Substation maintenance a bay is taken out of service, tested and during testing traffic is generated on the Substation Communication Network (SCN) in a power utility. A model of a Substation Communication Network that is using the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 protocol has been modeled in Optimized Network Engineering Tool (OPNET). IEC 61850 is a protocol that can be used in a power utility to provide interoperability between different vendors of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED’s). Most of the IED’s sold by manufacturers for power utility networks support IEC 61850 protocol. The model has three scenarios and they are normal operation of a Substation, maintenance in a Substation and Buszone operation at a Substation. In all the scenarios packet end to end delay of GOOSE, GSSE, SV and MMS messages are monitored. The throughput from the IED under maintenance and the throughput at the Substation RTU end is monitored in the Model. The design of the Substation Communication Network using IEC 61850 will assist when trying to predict the behavior of the network with regards to this specific protocol during maintenance and when there are faults in the communication network or IED’s.
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Analysis of the Zimbabwe biodigester status

- Kajau, Garikai, Madyira, Daniel M.

  • Authors: Kajau, Garikai , Madyira, Daniel M.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Organic Loading Ratio , Hydraulic Retention Time , Anaerobic and Aerobic Bioreactors
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/465134 , uj:41582 , Citation: Kajau, G. & Madyira, D.M. 2020. Analysis of the Zimbabwe biodigester status , DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2019.05.079
  • Description: Abstract: A perfectly working biogas digester is an asset .as it provides gas to the owner and also helps to save money and reduce overdependence on the national electricity grid for energy needs. A biogas digester, can be a multi-functional asset to its owner. Its purposes can include energy recovery, sanitation, waste management and fertilizer production. Equally important, is the fact that biogas is a high-quality fuel, which can be used for heating and vehicle power. This greatly reduces the overdependence on fossil fuel derived energy and ultimately results in the reduction in environmental impacts such as global warming and pollution, improve sanitation and reduce demand for charcoal for cooking. Moreover, this technology also produces a high-quality organic fertiliser. This study sought to understand the factors that affected the current status of disrepair of biogas digesters in Zimbabwe. 85% of the sampled digesters in Zimbabwe did not have the following: (a) temperature control and monitoring mechanism (b) proper gas pipes (d) gas detector sensors (e) flow meters (f) agitation mechanism (g) heating systems (h) water traps. Based on these findings, it became apparent that poor workmanship can be a major factor inhibiting digester performance.
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Application of reliability engineering in a chemical plant to improve productivity

- Hashe, Vuyo Terrence, Mamatlepa, Makgomo Thelma

  • Authors: Hashe, Vuyo Terrence , Mamatlepa, Makgomo Thelma
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Owntime , Maintainability , Reliability
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/437157 , uj:37951 , Citation: Hashe, V.T. & Mamatlepa, M.T. 2020. Application of reliability engineering in a chemical plant to improve productivity.
  • Description: Abstract: This paper is based on reliability case study conducted in a chemical company (Company X) based in Germiston South Africa. The work conducted focused on the causes of production loss due to poor equipment reliability that lead to downtimes. In the chemical, the production team generates works orders through an autonomous maintenance exercise which is aimed at identifying potential equipment defaults before they cause a breakdown. The works orders are categorized under corrective maintenance schedule. There are also time based preventative maintenance works orders that are created on System Application Program (SAP) for critical equipment and their components. More often, the response time from the maintenance team is slower and leads to subsequent breakdowns and production stoppages. The financial documents of the chemical plant showed that on average the plant spends $31 000 per month on maintenance cost. Projections indicate that this could easily amount to more than $376 000 per annum provided that there is no mid-term to long-term intervention to address equipment failures. The main objective of this study is to investigate the causes of reoccurring system failures using the reliability concepts and provide a solution specific to Company X which could be expanded to other companies and industries. This study followed both a qualitative and descriptive case study research approach. Data collection was carried out by attending to equipment breakdowns, observations during the normal daily operations, during production times, studying the historical available maintenance and technical relevant data, staff interviews, company internal information regarding the financial spending for the year of study. Finding indicated that the plant maintenance programmes were inadequate and needed to be revitalised by the introduction and implementation of reliability centred maintenance (RCM) process. The RCM process was suggested to address the issue of identifying key priority equipment responsible for major downtimes and analysing the failure modes so to suggest corrective actions before failure occurs.
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Assessing TPACK integration in senior phase science teaching and learning at South African township schools

- Shilenge, Hlulani, Ramaila, Sam

  • Authors: Shilenge, Hlulani , Ramaila, Sam
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: TPACK , Technology-enhanced learning , Pedagogic innovation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/454157 , uj:40153 , Citation: Shilenge, H. & Ramaila, S. 2020. Assessing TPACK integration in senior phase science teaching and learning at South African township schools.
  • Description: Abstract: As a complex dichotomy, the advent of the fourth industrial revolution poses enormous challenges while providing practical pedagogical benefits for science teaching and learning within the broader South African educational context. While the need to integrate technology as a catalyst for pedagogic innovation in science teaching and learning is paramount, considerable attention ought to be devoted to meaningful teacher professional development on the effective utilization of appropriate information and communication technology tools. In view of this key strategic imperative, this study primarily examined the effectiveness of the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) integration in Senior Phase science teaching and learning at selected South African township schools. The study adopted a generic qualitative design located within the interpretive research paradigm. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and lesson observations involving three purposively selected Natural Sciences teachers at South African township schools. The study demonstrated that general lack of essential resources and appropriate technological skills hampered teachers’ ability to meaningfully integrate TPACK in Senior Phase science teaching and learning at the selected South African township schools. In addition, teachers’ lack of topic specific pedagogical content knowledge served as an impediment to effective integration of TPACK in Senior Phase science teaching and learning. Moreover, teachers’ inability to identify and deploy appropriate information and communication technology tools reflected inadequate understanding of the TPACK framework. Implications for technology-enhanced learning are discussed.
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