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The development of a report card for the production section in the explosives industry

  • Authors: Blythe-Wood, David Ryan
  • Date: 2010-11-22T08:01:39Z
  • Subjects: Performance measurement , Organizational effectiveness , Production management , Explosives industry management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3519
  • Description: M.Comm. , This study establishes an introductory management tool in the form of a computergenerated report card. The report card displays an overview of ~II pertinent key performance areas within an explosives production plant. The key performance areas cater for the planning, organising, staffing, reporting and controlling of explosives within an explosives production facility. The concept of the report card for the explosives production manager, makes use of the balanced scorecard as well as other key performance management tools to encourage management control, open communication and enhance performance drivers. The overall objective of the dissertation is to use certain assumptions that have become current in academic discussions of management control with particular relevance to aligning strategic control in order to establish what constituents may influence the production facilities' effectiveness, safety, efficiency and future focus areas for managers in the explosives production environment. There is nothing new about the basic notion of combining a number of performance measures in a compact description for a business operation. Recent developments have yielded useful approaches for management control within production companies. This research paper takes an avid search into the various communication tools, financial views, production flexibility, performance drivers, experience as well as development aspects that take place on a day-to-day basis within the explosives production facility. The essential indicators that constitute attention from management are outlined and drafted as a management tool that allows for the total comprehensive picture of the explosives production factory to be accurately reported and acted upon. This allows for more precise information upon which easier decision-making can take place.
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Productivity improvement in engineering-procure-construct projects through a value stream based scope change management system

  • Authors: Cleaver, Jayson
  • Date: 2014-09-17
  • Subjects: Production management , Industrial procurement
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:12336 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12122
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , This dissertation provides a study of productivity improvement to project Scope Change Management (SCM) processes in the Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) project environment using lean techniques. The motivation for carrying out this study was, to optimise the typical scope change management systems to improve efficiency and most importantly the process productivity. It aims to present a conceptual approach to reduce bottom line impact brought about by the management of scope change events. A brief literature study of the industry, scope change management systems and the EPC project environment is provided together with an overview on the Value Streams (VS) mapping methodology for lean systems improvement. The improvement study sets out to establish the current status quo of EPC project change management systems through survey and literature study. The assessment establishes a necessary baseline and identifies various aspects within the scope change management system that need to be improved. An improvement effort is made on the current state map using lean principles and Design Structure Matrix (DSM) techniques to establish process efficiency and hence productivity increase. The study presents the results of the lean improvement; this is presented in the form of a process future state map proposal for further lean intervention and implementation. The study concludes with a brief discussion of an implementation plan. Collectively, the study aims to provide tools for VS based improvement and consequently meet the objective of a solution for bottom line productivity improvement in EPC Scope Change Management systems.
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Application of lean product development at a manufacturing organisation : a case study

  • Authors: Dem, Andile Charles
  • Date: 2012-08-01
  • Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Lean manufacturing - Case studies , Production management , Production control , Costs, Industrial
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5367
  • Description: M.Ing. , The principles of lean were understood to be relevant to the operations of a manufacturing enterprise meaning processes associated with material supply, component production and delivery of products and services to the customer. It was identified there was growing awareness that lean principles could be transferred readily to other functions and sectors. The purpose of the study was to investigate the application of lean principles to knowledgebased activities such as engineering design and product development. The organization under study was Olifant Manufacturing Company (OMC), a division of British Aerospace Systems, Land Systems South Africa. Lean product developments (LPD) was identified as one of the leading approaches currently adopted by organizations attempting to maximize value, increase quality, shorten lead times, and lower the costs for product development (PD) processes. The justification for the research was due to and in response to current adverse market trends. There would be the adoption of processes that would radically reduce the product development lead time, product introduction lead time to market, increase process efficiency and product quality and reduce development costs at OMC. The problem statement was formulated as: “Would the researched Lean principles enable OMC to improve its traditional PD to LPD?” The Life Cycle Management (LCM) framework was the mandated organizational framework that guided the execution of projects at BAE Systems The development of the research literature was guided by research questions that sought to identify the relevant framework that would be tailored within the overarching (LCM) framework to enable process improvements. The main findings were that Lean transformation is an organizational journey that would begin with a top down philosophy or strategy approach. Aspects of Lean Product Development were identified and were found to be integrated into a system framework that integrated the transformation of people, processes and tools and technologies.
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Criteria for selecting project priority

  • Authors: Engelbrecht, Nicole
  • Date: 2012-06-06
  • Subjects: Project management - Cost effectiveness , Industrial productivity - Management , Project management , Production management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2520 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4976
  • Description: M.Ing. , A company can execute a number of different projects. Some of these projects will increase production volumes, plant efficiency or plant productivity. Others may only be projects that are executed in order to conform to legislation requirements. As such projects can broadly be placed in the following categories: • Compliance • Emergency • Operational • Strategic and • Sustainability A project needs to go through a number of steps before it is decided to finally execute the project. The first step is to place the project in the correct category. The second step is to screen the project on a high level to ensure that it meets all of the required criteria. The third phase would be to prioritise the projects. The final step would then be to decide which projects to execute. This type of staged approach determines which projects to complete and ensures that resources are not wasted unnecessarily on projects that should not be executed and that do not meet the minimum criteria.
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The effects of strategic communication and the supply chain management concepts on the DPKO mission within the MONUSCO

  • Authors: Essome, Alexandre Dipita
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: United Nations - Congo (Democratic Republic) , Business communication - Congo (Democratic Republic) , Business logistics - Management , Production management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/480392 , uj:43487
  • Description: Abstract: The world is currently confronted to the fourth industrial revolution that involves drastic changes and adjustments to the continuous volatile environment. It happens that moving from a stable to a suddenly flexible environment, the hostile status has taken place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) environment through war and multiple troubles occurring in the country since many years. In the process of change, the UN in its peace mission around the globe, created a division called United Nations organisation stabilisation mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to ensure peace and stability in the Congo region. The current research seeks to determine the effect of the supply chain management and the strategic communication concepts in the Department of Peace Keeping Operation (DPKO) Mission within the MONUSCO. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs are used in this research since data were composed of both the interviews and the survey questionnaire. Secondary data was also collected from the United Nations’ websites from 2010 to 2019. Research data was collected through use of a questionnaire following the Likert Scale structure. The SPSS statistical system platform has been used for data analysis. The Cronbach’ Alpha test is used to determine the reliability and the validity of the research variables and the instruments used... , Ph.D. (Quality and Operations Management)
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Enhancing African small enterprises through world class manufacturing

  • Authors: Kleynhans, Heinrich
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Manufacturing industries - South Africa - Management , Manufacturing industries - Economic aspects - South Africa , Manufacturing processes - South Africa - Management , Production management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/269157 , uj:28589
  • Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: All nations that exist on earth today depend on its small, medium and micro enterprise business sector for the creation of employment opportunities. The unemployment rate of a country remains a topic of discussion for all people that call a country their home. Being employed remains a fundamental necessity to all human beings. Employment opportunities are created through businesses. Businesses manufacture products. A product may be tangible or intangible. A strategy or plan is required to manufacture a product. Failing to develop a strategy that can be used to produce a product, will result in a product not being made to acceptable customer standards. When the product fails, the business fails. When the business fails, employment opportunities are foregone. The development and implementation of a manufacturing strategy is thus a business activity that should not be underestimated. The failure rate of small, medium and micro enterprises within a South African context has been recorded to be as high as 50%. This discouraging number is subsequently accompanied by a South African unemployment rate of 27.70%. The correlation between these two variables is studied and considered. Small business failure rates, reasons for failure, as well as the manufacturing strategy of World Class Manufacturing is researched. The benefits of adopting the elements of World Class Manufacturing by the small, medium and micro-sized enterprises are explored, evaluated and discussed. All the information and data for this research project is collected from the small business owners themselves. Their views and responses are then compared to peer-reviewed literature that is focused on the topics associated with the activities and challenges that small, medium and micro enterprises face. An evaluation of the current levels of understanding that small business owners have of the aspects in World Class Manufacturing is tested and evaluated. The patterns that emerge from the data collected from small business owners indicate that small, medium and micro enterprises have not yet adopted the elements of World Class Manufacturing to its full capacity. The benefits that can be attained through the implementation of the elements of World Class Manufacturing are not fully realized yet and presents the small business owner with an incredible opportunity to excel the performance of the small business. Organizations that decide to invest the time, effort and money on the development of a suitable manufacturing strategy that is centered on the elements of World Class Manufacturing soon find themselves in a far more superior position than their competitors.
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Improving operational efficiencies through integrated information systems

  • Authors: Koen, Pinkie Indiphile
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Production management , Information storage and retrieval systems - Automation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/414884 , uj:35010
  • Description: Abstract: An integrated information system is critical in ensuring operational efficiency within all organisations. Disparate systems in organisations became costly to maintain in the long term. This makes it difficult to ensure internal collaboration, and cumbersome to extract any meaningful data to assist leaders in organisations to make well informed decisions. This research evaluated the benefits of integrated information systems and how this enabled operational efficiency within a Financial Services Regulator. A technique used to measure operational efficiency beyond the financials such as the balanced scorecard was discussed. Information systems (IS) integration facilitates operational efficiency within organisations. The qualitative research method was chosen for this study. Individual interviews were conducted for data collection. The dissertation concluded by recommending that the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) could adopt for implementation of integrated information systems. , M.Com. (Business Management)
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The link between financial performance and supply chain process strategy

  • Authors: Kotze, Albertus Charles
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Corporations - Finance - Management , Production management , Business planning , Strategic planning , Industrial productivity
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/414885 , uj:35009
  • Description: Abstract: Many organisations set corporate goals and objectives focused on the financial targets they aim to meet. Meeting these targets ensures the long-term viability of the organisation and increases the likelihood of private and corporate investors investing in the organisation. To meet the financial targets that organisations wish to achieve; however, they need to align the strategies and processes within the organisation. Nevertheless, this is not always the case in many organisations as there is often a disconnect between the corporate strategy, goals and objectives and individual operations within the organisation. In many cases, the different strategies compete, which leads to sub-optimal operations and processes that ultimately result in poor financial performance and the organisation not meeting its targeted goals and objectives. Supply chain management and the different supply chain processes, therefore, are receiving increased attention as a discipline that provides opportunities for increased operational excellence, optimised business processes, and improved customer service, and consequently as a source of both competitive advantage and improved profitability. All related supply chain processes should support and contribute positively to the organisation’s corporate goals and objectives. This requires greater alignment between the corporate goals and objectives that an organisation sets itself to achieve and the supply chain processes the organisation employs. This study, therefore, focuses on the link between the financial performance objectives of the organisation, and the best supply chain process strategy which supports achieving the financial performance objectives of the organisation. The objective of this study is to determine which supply chain process contributes most to align best with the corporate financial performance objectives of the organisation. This research entails a case study of Pharma X, a major pharmaceutical organisation with markets in South and Southern Africa. The DuPont analysis was used to analyse the financial performance of the organisation. The Analytic Hierarchy Process method was used to establish the organisation’s preferences in terms of financial objective, supply... , M.Com. (Business Management)
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Lean production and business process re-engineering in a South African context: a case study

  • Authors: Kruger, David Johannes
  • Date: 2010-03-25T06:45:24Z
  • Subjects: Reengineering (Management) , Organizational change , Strategic alliances (Business) , Production management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3105
  • Description: D.Phil. , The new millennium brought its own pressures to bear on organisations insofar as competitiveness and profitability is concerned. Globalisation required businesses to become more competitive through the elimination of waste, reducing costs and improving general business processes. The improvement of business processes has been around since the early 1990’s, but due to a number of factors organisations were wary of change. The major reasons were that the methodologies that were available were abused when business processes were investigated for possible improvement. Organisations utilised the available methodologies to achieve cost savings in the most obvious place, staff reductions. Before the advent of globalisation it was sufficient, but after globalisation more is expected from organisations. The security exchanges place undue pressure on organisations to perform with higher profit expectations. Customers were demanding better and cheaper products from organisations. Shareholders had higher expectations for the monies invested in an organisation. A consequence of the downsizing of organisations was that the value added by organisations was shrinking. Employees, shareholders and customers felt cheated. Business leaders were questioning the existing methods in which production were undertaken. The management of large conglomerates, multinationals and even small business was yearning for improvements. In the global economy organisations were looking to expand their market share. Many achieved it through mergers or takeovers. The organisations that were taken over were in some instances not on the same standards of performance as the parent company. Quick results were required to assure a reasonable return on investment for the parent organisation. Business leaders and consultants ran out of ideas how to achieve the return on investment required. Many of the organisations returned to the tried and trusted methodologies of improvement. The researcher was requested by ASSA ABLOY Southern Africa to assist them in achieving lean status through the implementation of recognised improvement methodologies. iii The research of the methodologies of BPR, lean production, lean techniques, Quality management six-sigma and associated methodologies were undertaken. The purpose was to determine whether the theories remained valid in the 21st century. The reason was that some of the methodologies were developed during the 1900’s and were improved upon during the 1990’s. The main thrust of the study was the need for improvements where processes were neglected for a long period of time. In instances as described, a need for radical interventions becomes necessary. The methodology of BPR was investigated to establish the relevancy of the methodology in the global environment. Even though the methodology was developed in the 1990’s it was still an authoritative methodology. The methodology delivered the necessary radical improvements that can aid an organisation in becoming more competitive. The correct application of the methodology by an organisation can produce the desired results. The study of the methodology produced clear procedures that had to be followed for the success of an improvement project. The conclusion from the study of the literature was that the methodology could be applied to ASSA ABLOY Southern Africa. To achieve it certain modifications had to be made to the methodology. As the study progressed it became apparent that the methodology of BPR will be insufficient to achieve lean status. Therefore the methodology of lean production was studied in combination with BPR. The methodology of lean production demands that an organisation eliminate waste and reduce cost. The single most important source of waste and cost is the holding of inventory. The holding of excess inventory masks the real reasons why an organisation is not performing well. It is that the organisations processes are dysfunctional. Different classes of waste were identified during the research as well as the costs that are incurred as a result. Different strategies were identified to prevent the wastes and cost to occur or at least minimise it. The lean methodology identified a number of other methodologies that could be utilised to achieve lean status. The methodologies of Kaizen, Kanban, standardisation, small batch production and many others were identified. iv The methodologies focussed on inventory, capacity, facilities and labour. The conclusion was arrived at that it was an authoritative set of methodologies. Most of the methodologies originated from Japan. It became apparent that the management of quality was very important to be competitive. Inferior quality was major contributors towards waste and cost. A number of methodologies were investigated. In some instances the research postulated the fact that a combination of the methodologies studied was better suited to the achievement of lean status. The researcher applied the methodologies to the case study of ASSA ABLOY South Africa and spectacular improvements were achieved. Even though lean status was not achieved by the organisation during 2006 and 2007 they are well on their way to do so. The only prerequisite is that ASSA ABLOY Southern Africa remains true to the methodologies and apply them diligently.
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Learning material supply chain practices at public schools in Limpopo

  • Authors: Kwinda, Tshifhiwa Phanuel
  • Date: 2014-05-05
  • Subjects: Business logistics , Production management , Industrial efficiency
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:10929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10502
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , More than fifteen years have gone by since the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa (SA) in 1994. From 1994, it became critical for every institution of the government to work towards the transformation of the public sector. The ultimate aim of this transformation has been to bring about a better life for all. However, the pace at which improvement in the general life of people from the historically disadvantaged communities is moving slowly. The best weapon that can be employed to ensure that life is improved is through the provision of quality education. There is a serious need for an improvement in the educational system of our country which is counted among the lowest in the world in terms of literacy and mathematics. This situation is continuing to prevail despite the fact that South Africa has some of the best infrastructure in the world. The researcher has undertaken this study with the assumption that the Supply Chain Management (SCM) plays a critical role in the improvement of service delivery and cost reduction as well as inventory reduction. Initially, the SCM was applied in the private sector only where the focus is on profitability. However, for the past few years, the SCM has been overlapping into the public sector. The SA government is amongst the first to adopt SCM as a tool to improve service delivery and to reduce costs. The focus of the SCM in the SA public sector is efficiency, effectiveness and the economic use of resources in the context of development and equity. There are many potential benefits that can be gained in the public sector when SCM is implemented effectively. These benefits include improved service delivery, inventory reduction and cost reduction. The Department of Basic Education (DoBE) is investing heavily towards the improvement of the standard of education in the country. Despite this, there are still learners who attend schools without all the necessary textbooks, the basic source of information for learning. The shortage of books prevails even in Limpopo Province which is one of the poorest provinces in SA. As a poor province, learners in Limpopo do not have easy access to other sources of information such as the internet and only very few schools in Limpopo Province have libraries. These learners rely on the textbooks to get information and therefore the failure to provide adequate textbooks to these learners leaves them with nothing to depend on for their studies. Consequently, their performance at schools is affected to the point that they may fail at the end of the school year.
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Developing project, operations and programme management methodologies for sustainable industrialisation in South Africa

  • Authors: Lehohla, Thakaramahlaha
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Production management , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/444931 , uj:38906
  • Description: Abstract: The study is based on the role that project, programme and operations management methodologies can play in terms of creating a climate conducive towards sustainable industrialisation in South Africa. The study focuses on industrial development funding, the soft and hard manufacturing and critical infrastructure projects, as well as special economic zones. From project financing, the study examines the efficiency and effectiveness of the investment reimbursement programmes within the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Industrial Development Corporation, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and other development financing institutions; to be more specific, the extent to which project and programme management is applied during the life of the programmes, mainly looking at the synchronisation between project budget, schedule, scope and quality of processing projects for funding... , Ph.D. (Operations Management)
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Values and behaviours that the lean production philosophy supports

  • Authors: Lotz, Gerrit
  • Date: 2013-12-09
  • Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Production management , Organisational learning
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8728
  • Description: M.Phil. (Leadership, Performance & Change) , *Orientation - More and more South African organisations are turning to prominent productivity improvement systems such as Lean Production (LP). Sustaining LP, however, requires the creation of a discernible management system. One of the perennial questions in LP is whether a management system with such a strong Japanese orientation can be successfully transplanted into a heterogeneous culture such as South Africa. * Research purpose - This research aimed to investigate whether the behaviours and values adopted by successful middle managers in supporting a sustainable LP management system differ from those identified by Van Dun (2008) in a comparative study conducted in the Netherlands. The research also aimed to establish whether managers from different ethnic groups in South Africa adopt different behaviours and values. * Motivation for the study – Identifying the behaviours and values of LP middle managers in the context of both national and sub-cultures will assist in making the necessary allowances in order to limit dissonance and strengthen LP transformation. * Research design, approach and method – The study was conducted in two phases. Firstly, a two round Delphi-study was undertaken to identify criteria for the identification of successful LP middle managers, and to ensure that the Behavioural Leadership Questionnaire developed in the Netherlands has theoretical equivalence in South Africa. During the second phase, successful LP managers, their immediate superiors, subordinates and internal LP practitioners were surveyed in order to identify the extent to which certain LP behaviours and values were demonstrated. The data from the survey was analysed using parametric and comparative statistics. * Main findings – The results indicate that altough LP behaviours and values appear universal, these behaviours and values are to a large extent influenced by national culture. Cross-cultural influences based on racial demographics in South Africa is however inconsequential.
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Managing changeover waste in manufacturing plants when using single minute exchange of dies

  • Authors: Madhav, Rushil
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Production management , Industrial management , Process control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213270 , uj:21127
  • Description: Abstract: The research aimed to determine how single minute exchange of dies (SMED) is implemented in practice when considering the critical success factors (CSFs) of lean. It also aimed to determine what effect these factors had on waste generated within changeover processes and the possible savings that could be generated when considering these factors during the implementation of SMED. Six case studies across two production lines were conducted in order to investigate the importance and the impact of considering the CSFs of lean when implementing SMED in an organization. It helped determine that the CSFs of lean form a part of SMED’s implementation process and its prerequisites. The consideration and presence of the CSFs are critical and the analysis conducted between the two production lines indicated that these factors influence the implementation process of SMED. These factors also have a direct impact on the waste and helped manage the levels of wastes, which in turn reduced the costs of changeovers. It provided practical guidelines that integrated the soft and technical areas to achieve a fully integrated management and manufacturing system that resulted in efficient changeover processes. The result ultimately provides organizations with the required flexibility to satisfy customers as changeovers can take place more frequently with better quality, reasonable delivery periods, affordable rates, smaller lot/batch sizes and lower inventory levels. , M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
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Supply chain responsiveness as a means to a sustainable competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector

  • Authors: Mailula, Onicca
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Business logistics - Management , Customer services , Consumer satisfaction , Production management , Just-in-time systems
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225753 , uj:22809
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine if supply chain responsiveness, or the ability for an organisation to respond to customer needs or market signals, has an impact on competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector. The case study is conducted at company GSC which is a supplier with market dominance in the carbohydrate sector. A survey was distributed to the employees to gauge their perception of responsiveness in the organisation. A different survey was distributed among customers to gauge their perceptions about the responsiveness of company GSC. The study also investigates drivers and attributes that enable responsiveness in the organisation. Improved production reliability is an important driver for supply chain responsiveness at company GSC according to the findings of the study. Production reliability impacts product availability which in turn influences the ability of the organisation to meet customer needs. The major source of competitive advantage for company GSC is local market presence and the ability to meet customer needs, which defines supply chain responsiveness and will provide a barrier for competition. The study also indicates that if customer needs are met in all dimensions of quality, quantity and timeliness, supply chain responsiveness criteria is achieved.
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Overall equipment effectiveness optimisation for a reserves constrained underground coal mine in South Africa

  • Authors: Maimela, Moeketsi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Coal mines and mining - South Africa , Coal reserves - South Africa , Coal - Geology - South Africa , Mining machinery - Maintenance and repair - Safety measures , Production management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/393654 , uj:32578
  • Description: Abstract: The aim of the research is to investigate factors that optimize the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of an underground Bord and Pillar coal mine that has limited coal reserves and unfavorable geological conditions. OEE is a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) tool that was first introduced by Nakajima. It is used to identify and quantify losses in a manufacturing system by taking into account the six big production losses and grouping them into 3 efficiency baskets known as downtime losses, speed losses and quality losses. The OEE equation is a function of Availability x Performance Rate x Quality, with the key OEE measure applications being for benchmarking purposes, improving performance of individual equipment and that of pieces of equipment functioning as a single manufacturing line or batch process. The research focusses on OEE improvement of a Bord and Pillar mining operation that consists of 10 Continuous Miner (CM) sections, mining both the higher seam and lower seam coal operations. The equipment-suit functions as a batch process and consists of the CM, Shuttle Cars, Feeder Breaker, Conveyor Belts and Roof Bolter. The equipment-suit in use, has to be adequately allocated for correct mining application in order to ensure optimal mining operation with considerations of constrained reserves and poor geological conditions. Three elements making up the OEE equation (Availability, Performance Rate and Quality), are all under review to establish factors that influence the OEE value in a Bord and Pillar mining operation. Availability is a combination of Equipment Availability (EqA) and Use of Equipment Availability (UEA). The EqA is primarily a function of unplanned engineering and operational downtime events such as electrical/ mechanical downtimes, cable damages, changing picks and sleeves on CM cutter head. UEA is driven by production and consequential delays such as conveyor belt downtimes, excessive number of belt extensions/ section moves and roof support due to geological conditions. The average OEE figures for this Bord and Pillar operation are in the region of 45%. The planned qualities and de-rated productivity rate percentages are high with average figures of 85% and 103% respectively. The results demonstrate that Availability is at an average of 52% and presents an area of opportunity for overall OEE improvement. Geological mining conditions inherently contain mining inefficiencies that lead to a loss of direct operating hours (DOH), which effectively affects the availability component of OEE... , M.Phil. (Engineering Management)
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Critical success factors of implementing lean six sigma : a South African railway case study company

  • Authors: Masekwameng, Dikankatla Maropene
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Railway companies - South Africa , Production management , Service industries - Management , Six sigma (Quality control standard)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/452598 , uj:39924
  • Description: Abstract: The railway company based in South Africa has implemented the Lean Six Sigma as a strategy to improve efficiency and reduce non value-adding activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the critical success factors in the implementation of Lean Six Sigma and the challenges experienced during the implementation. The case study was selected as an appropriate research strategy; it was supported by semistructured interviews and secondary data provided by the company. The thematic coding, frequencies and percentages were adopted for data analysis. The study followed a triangulation research strategy to ensure that the research objectives are met... , M.Phil. (Engineering Management)
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Impact of total productive maintenance in manufacturing on overall equipment effectiveness

  • Authors: Musengi, Tawandah
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Total productive maintenance , Manufacturing processes , Production engineering , Production management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/437492 , uj:37989
  • Description: Abstract: In order for manufacturing organisations to preserve and enhance their organisational competitiveness, it is imperative that they maintain optimal levels of overall equipment effectiveness. Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a widely and well accepted measure of manufacturing plant performance. Low OEE suggests high manufacturing costs and in-turn low organisational competitiveness. As such, manufacturing organisations have adopted numerous techniques such as lean manufacturing and six-sigma in order to continually enhance their OEE. Nevertheless, total productive maintenance (TPM) is a business tool that is used in industry to improve organisational manufacturing capabilities. The techniques of TPM can hence be used to enhance the OEE of the organisation. It follows that the OEE of manufacturing companies is adversely affected when the principles of TPM are neglected in the manufacturing process. This research investigates what the effects of TPM initiatives are on OEE and how such effects are brought about through the various pillars of TPM. The research activity is done by method of case study on a production line where TPM was introduced where production reports, archival data and interviews were employed with reference to the period between August 2017 and October 2018 over-which TPM was implemented. It was found that through the adoption of TPM techniques on the production line the OEE was increased as the various losses of OEE were reduced. Furthermore, the logic behind how the various pillars of TPM inhibit respective OEE losses was explored, analysed and outlined in this work. Industry practitioners can use this work as a reference to promote the introduction of TPM initiatives in manufacturing organisations so as to preserve competitiveness and boost economic growth. The logic behind how the TPM pillars affect respective losses of OEE can be used by industry practitioners to target relevant specific losses in their organisations which may be causing economic loss. On the other hand, scholars and academics can employ this work as reference for future research and development. , M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
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SMME sustainability: the relevance of production and operations skills

  • Authors: Naidoo, Reginald Abraham
  • Date: 2009-05-20T06:04:10Z
  • Subjects: Production management , Manufactures
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2566
  • Description: M.Tech. , Activities in the manufacturing sector are the bedrock of an economy and the driver of development. Within the manufacturing sector, production operations skills are deficient in a number of contexts and many times are the cause of failures in entrepreneurship development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of production and operational skills and SMME [Small Medium and Micro Enterprises] sustainability. The gap that has been identified abides in productions operations skills development of SMME entrepreneurs. Building on previously established literature on entrepreneurial skills development, production operations management and empirical findings, a framework was then proposed. Within this framework an instrument was developed and tested for the sole purpose of assessing the level of production operations skills amongst SMME entrepreneurs. Principal literature reviews indicate that, despite South Africa’s [SA] favourable regulatory environment, a high failure rate amongst SMME’s still persists. The analysis of the data indicates that entrepreneurs with no or poor production and operation skills are most likely to be unsuccessful whilst entrepreneurs with production and operation skills are most likely to be successful. The study was limited to the manufacturing SMME’s in the Vaal Triangle Region [VTR] and the sample frame was supplied by the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller [GEP] – Vaal Branch. The implications for policymakers encouraging the development of sustainable entrepreneurs in SA, is that due consideration should be given to factors that would enhance production operations skills and, in so doing, contribute to sustainability. Entrepreneurs, educators and service providers will benefit from a better understanding of how various factors merge into the intent of creating a successful production operation environment. Training entrepreneurs to be aware of the multiple influencing factors will raise the level of skills and the ability to correctly gauge and manage opportunities. Since, thus far, a very limited study has been executed in the field of production operation management, the synthesis of the variables proposed in this framework offers an introductory roadmap to guide future research in this field.
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The impact of inventory in service operations management in a South African warehouse

  • Authors: Ndlala, Phindile Sphiwe
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Management audit , Production management , Inventory control - Decision making , Warehouses - Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/437508 , uj:37991
  • Description: Abstract: Inventory is handled in different places, in the households, warehouses, stores, factories and service areas like banks and it is also controlled differently. However, across these diversity storages, there is the mutual problem of shrinkage. This research examine the impact of inventory loss in service operation management at Spar North Rand distribution. Experience has shown that even though inventory loss can be recognised to a few sources, such as, shoplifting, employee crime, seller fraud, administrative mistakes, there are still other unclear reasons. This study examined the impact of inventory loss in service operations management of warehouses with a view to preventing inventory loss for better productivity. In this study, the impact of inventory loss was measured using operational performance, drivers to effective inventory, inventory procedure and barriers to effective inventory. This paper adopted a quantitative research strategy. Using the five-point Likert scale, one hundred and fifty (150) Questionnaires were distributed to the employees at Spar North Rand distribution. 80.67 % questionnaires were completed, 5.3% was not returned, 4.67% where unusable, and 9.3% where returned uncompleted due to employees refusing to partake. Only 121 questionnaires were useable. The data were analysed using SPSS vision 24 to present and test the network of correlations between the variables. The results showed that there was a positive relationship (r = 0.510; p < 0.01) between operational performance and the drivers to effective inventory. From this research, it become evident that lack of training and lack of motivation such as recognition and incentives for staff acts as a huge negative impacts in service operations management. Insufficient training was identified as the main barrier, whereas lack of motivation was identified as the main driver to effective inventory management. Implementation of performance checklist was found to have the greatest impact to operational performance. , M.Tech. (Operations Management)
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Procedures to accommodate system fluctuations that result in buffer compromised systems governed by the theory of constraints

  • Authors: Reddy, Jivashan
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Computer integrated manufacturing systems , Theory of constraints (Management) , Production management , Aircraft industry - Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/233669 , uj:23862
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: AEROSUD Aviation is a South African based manufacturer of aircraft components and assemblies. The company’s customer base includes various international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The organisation adopts the Theory of Constraints (ToC) manufacturing methodology and management focus is placed on process improvements across all aspects of the business. The proprietary Manufacturing Execution System (MES) of AEROSUD is responsible for prioritisation of the Work In Process (WIP) complement in each manufacturing cell. In order to achieve a short term objective of achieving weekly customer demand, the system is reliant on human heuristic manipulation of production priorities as defined by a drafted Mode Of Operation (MOO). A combination of systems engineering and ToC principles is used to develop and constrain a multi-method simulation model, aimed at identifying and analysing the effects of the current prioritisation MOO in relation to a proposed MOO for a defined WIP complement. The current MOO is defined as the baseline in the comparative analysis. The model allows for execution of multi-case scenarios under a set of controlled ToC related parameters. The analysis involves establishment of the relative effectiveness of each MOO through comparison. The multi-method model is developed with the use of the Anylogic modelling platform. The results provide insights into optimising the facility through proposal of the most effective prioritisation MOO. Selection of an MOO that supports ToC principles allows for significant lead time reduction through a constrained manufacturing flow line. This improves organisational agility as the short term objective of satisfying customer demand is achieved through the improvement in ToC performance.
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