Conflict management in outsourced engineering projects in South Africa
- Authors: Mdontsane, A.B. , Nel, H. , Marnewick, A.
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Conflict management , Project success , Project management
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/366083 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/256782 , uj:26961 , Citation: Mdontsane, A.B., Nel, H. & Marnewick, A. 2017. Conflict management in outsourced engineering projects in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate conflict management in engineering projects in South Africa. Improved management of project failure is possible if the relationship between conflict management and project success is known. Organizations turn to project management to unlock opportunities and fulfil strategic objectives. This study provides a framework to address and manage conflict in outsourced engineering projects for the benefit of organizations and engineering professionals who are involved in projects. The constructs of conflict management and project success were delineated and analyzed with structural equation modeling in SPSS. The statistical analysis confirmed that effective conflict management positively impacts project success.
- Full Text:
Engineering work integrated learning : a case study in problem-based research and development projects
- Authors: Tamin, M. Della , Meyer, J. , Nel, H.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Work-integrated learning , Research and development , Internship
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215118 , uj:21366 , Citation: Tamin, M.D., Meyer, J & Nel, H. 2016. Engineering work integrated learning : a case study in problem-based research and development projects.
- Description: Abstract: The case study presented in this paper is based on an internship program at a company located in Johannesburg South Africa. It aims to show an innovative problem-based research and development approach through an engineering work-integrated learning programme with technologist engineering interns. Through the case study, theoretical, practical and proper decision making have emphasized the understanding of problem solving strategy in research and development with interns. A thorough follow-up of the processes described in this paper could potentially enable decision makers to develop the skills of more engineers. A working model is presented to show how the system can be replicated.
- Full Text:
Gender dynamics : a case study of role allocation in engineering education
- Authors: Von Solms, S. , Nel, H. , Meyer, J.
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Gender Dynamics , Engineering , Engineering education
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/245383 , uj:25414 , Citation: Von Solms, S., Nel, H. & Meyer, J. 2017. Gender dynamics : a case study of role allocation in engineering education.
- Description: Abstract: The underrepresentation of women in engineering remains a problem till this day where women made up 4% of its registered professional engineers in South Africa in 2014. The experience of women engineers in industry and women students in engineering courses can play a significant role in their decision to remain in engineering or pursue a different career path. The investigation of gender dynamics in small groups of engineering students, specifically focusing on the participation and role allocation of women students, can shed light on the experiences of women students in the engineering education environment. This study shows that, although women engineering students are still in the minority in engineering courses, many are active participators in groups and fulfil leadership roles in those groups.
- Full Text:
Investigating the impact of poor utilisation of quality management system in a South African foundry
- Authors: Mpanza, Z. , Nyembwe, D. , Nel, H.
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Castings industries - Quality control , Quality management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13017
- Description: Background: In 2007 alone, twenty six foundries were closed down when the castings industries directory was released. A high scrap rate due to a lack of quality management is one of the root causes of low productivity and low profits, resulting in closures. Method: This research paper focusses on the impact of defects on productivity and monetary losses due to poor utilisation of the quality management system in sand casting. Data was gathered on defects and productivity and the company’s quality control records were used for monetary losses due to scrap. The study was conducted over a period of one year at a South African foundry. The standard multiple regression analysis method was used to assess the ability of five defects (cross jointed, bad mould, shrinkage, core fault, and gas porosity) to predict monetary and productivity losses. Results: Cross jointed and bad mould defects had a correlation coefficient of 0.727 and 0.716 respectively which indicated a strong positive correlation. The overall variance explained by the model was 61%, F = 16.263, p<.005. Thus the prevalence of these two types of defects can significantly predict monetary losses, while core fault predicted productivity. Conclusion: Foundry should concentrate on eliminating cross jointed and bad mould defects to avoid a high scrap rate, and core fault to improve productivity.
- Full Text:
Cost sustainability of TFR electric locomotives operating on the Natal Corridor
- Authors: Makhanya, B.B.S. , Mathew, R. , Nel, H. , Pretorius, J.H.C.
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Freight rail , Operational cost , Transnet
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/256882 , uj:26974 , Citation: Makhanya, B.B.S. et al. 2017. Cost sustainability of TFR electric locomotives operating on the Natal Corridor.
- Description: Abstract: Transnet Freight Rail, one of the largest railway companies on the African Continent, is revamping itself to be amongst the top five railway enterprises in the global market by the year 2020. However, studies and publications suggest that the company is facing the challenge of increasing rolling stock maintenance cost whilst committing lowering the cost of doing business in South Africa. In the literature reviewed, little research has been conducted to understand the factors affecting the enterprise. This study examines factors affecting the performance and sustainability of the TFR electric locomotive fleet operating in the Natal Corridor; and highlights the potential areas of improvement for cost sustainability of these trains.
- Full Text:
Attraction, education and retention of technical women in South Africa
- Authors: Nel, H. , Meyer, J.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Women in engineering , Education , Retention
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124127 , uj:20877 , Citation: Nel, H & Meyer, J. 2016. Attraction, education and retention of technical women in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Women engineers form a small but integral part of the South African and global engineering fraternity. The resultant gender disparity in all technical professions presents a significant challenge to women in the sector, as well as to governments, corporates and higher education institutions. If the future of engineering aims to be more gender equitable, the attraction, education and retention of technical women must be understood and addressed effectively. Research was conducted over a two-year period with nine technical women in South Africa to gain a deeper understanding of these factors. The respondents agree that a future exists for women engineers, but that current policies, education structures and financial systems must be restructured to make engineering a more attractive career for women. The paper presents the research findings and strategies for the future education and retention of technical women in the engineering and built environment sectors.
- Full Text:
Social innovation, research and community engagement : managing interdisciplinary projects for societal change
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, N. , Meyer, J. , Nel, H.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Project management , Social innovation , Higher education
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124136 , uj:20878 , Citation: Janse van Rensburg, N., Meyer, J & Nel, H. 2016. Social innovation, research and community engagement : managing interdisciplinary projects for societal change.
- Description: Abstract: A transformative research paradigm is rooted in knowledge mobilization processes involving close collaboration between researchers and the community. A formalized approach to managing multi-stakeholder participation and community engagement in a science and technology research environment is presented. Design science research methodology is applied with a systems thinking approach to implement an integrated research, development and project management network at a tertiary education institution. The network is presented as a Research and Projects Office that enables a projects-based approach to facilitate interdisciplinary and community-driven research for social change through technology development.
- Full Text:
AfrikaBot : design of a robotics challenge to promote STEM in Africa
- Authors: Ettershank, M. , Venter, J. , Meyer, J. , Nel, H.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Robotics , STEM , AfrikaBot
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214225 , uj:21253 , Citation: Ettershank, M. et al. 2016. AfrikaBot : design of a robotics challenge to promote STEM in Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for high school learners in developing countries is a challenge for two significant reasons: equipment for education is expensive and complex, and economically-marginalized youth must be integrated in pre-engineering programs to prepare them for technical programmes at university. The goal of establishing AfrikaBot is to prepare high school learners to study engineering at the University of Johannesburg; thus to train teenagers from disadvantaged communities with no prior experience in STEM to participate in a challenge to build and program a robot. Also, AfrikaBot aims to equip teenagers from low-income households with technology and entrepreneurial skills in a repressed economy. AfrikaBot achieves the above with a build-it-yourself robot that can be used after the competition to invent systems with real world applications. Anticipated long-term outcomes of the AfrikaBot program will influence the structure of future robotics challenges, and promote a higher number of technical candidates from marginalized communities. By transferring enabling technology skills in a fun and engaging way, participants will rapidly build the confidence to pursue careers in STEM fields. Participants can also acquire entrepreneurial skills that may lead to the establishment of new businesses and the creation of local jobs in both the formal and informal sectors in Africa. This paper presents the organizational and physical design of AfrikaBot, a robotics challenge that will be held in the latter half of 2016.
- Full Text:
Reflective learning in engineering education : a case study of Shell Eco- Marathon
- Authors: Von Solms, S. , Nel, H.
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Reflective learning , STEM education , project-based learning
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/256898 , uj:26976 , Citation: Von Solms, S. & Nel, H. 2017. Reflective learning in engineering education : a case study of Shell Eco- Marathon.
- Description: Abstract: Globally, universities are reinventing STEM education where traditional classroom methods are substituted or supplemented with practical learning methods such as problem-based learning and project-based learning. Another method, not often employed in STEM, is learning through reflection. This paper presents a case study where a group of engineering students participated in an international competition, the Shell Eco-Marathon, and partook in reflective learning before and after the event. The results indicate that students who learn through reflection value the inclusion of project-based learning in their curricula, which emphasizes the importance of this study for the future of engineering education.
- Full Text: