Outsourcing in the cold supply chain of subtropical fruits: a case study
- Authors: Ramasodi, M.N.
- Date: 2008-06-23T13:33:27Z
- Subjects: Contracting out , Business logistics , Fruit trade
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/682
- Description: Outsourcing in the cold supply chain can assist the fresh fruit industry to attain competitive advantage through its role in cost reductions and customer service enhancement. The South African fruit industry depends mainly on export markets to earn revenue. It should thus be reckon that the South African fresh fruit travel long distances to reach these markets as South Africa is remotely situated from its major markets. However, the products have to be in good quality on arrival, and also be on time. The challenge therefore is for the fresh fruit industry to ensure that the cold supply chain is maintained through to international destinations. The primary objective of the dissertation is to perform an analysis of the cold supply chain of the South African avocado for export – ‘charter the movement of the South African avocado from production areas to international markets, paying special attention to the outsourcing possibilities in the cold supply chain’. In order to fulfill this purpose, the study covers the following main aspects: • Developments in the fruit industry focusing specifically on the avocado fresh fruit industry. • Detailed analysis of the cold supply chain and costs associated with operating and managing the chain. • Outsourcing as a strategy for achieving the cold supply chain competitive advantage: assisting the avocado industry to compete effectively with other supplying countries. The dissertation has outlined a number of strategies relevant to deal with the challenges of cold supply chain, such strategies concern themselves with delivering the right product at the right time to the right customer at the right condition and at the right price. It is evident from the discussions in the study that the South African avocado supply chain is long, complex and involves interaction of various processes and role-players. The post-harvest cold supply chain processes involves temperature controlled storage and transportation. Every link in the supply chain must be analysed to identify weaknesses, as there should be no breakage in the chain so that quality of fruit is not compromised and profitability is achieved. Currently storage and transportation are outsourced to a number of service providers. As far as the chain is concerned there are minimal problems regarding temperature management in the chain. Few avocado fruits have in the past failed PPECB quality tests for export. The main challenge (amongst others) that the avocado chain is facing is effective information sharing to ensure a coordinated and well-aligned supply chain that will play a role in reducing costs and enhancing customer service. Lack of, for example accurate crop harvest estimate information and real-time communication and information sharing creates problems for the supply chain to function as a single entity with shared objectives. Based on the above, a number of conclusions about, and recommendations for, outsourcing in the cold supply chain of South African avocado for export are made, a summary of which is provided by the following statements: • A reliable relationship is important for both producers and service providers • Joint responsibility: farmers should play their part in the cold supply chain management • Ensuring cold supply chain best practices • Creation of supply chain vision • Ensuring of supply chain visibility • Adoption of total cost approach • Integrating and coordinating the supply chain Charting the movement of the South African avocados from production areas to international markets requires that short, medium and long-term decisions about outsourcing be thoroughly made. , Prof. J.H. Du Plessis
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ramasodi, M.N.
- Date: 2008-06-23T13:33:27Z
- Subjects: Contracting out , Business logistics , Fruit trade
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/682
- Description: Outsourcing in the cold supply chain can assist the fresh fruit industry to attain competitive advantage through its role in cost reductions and customer service enhancement. The South African fruit industry depends mainly on export markets to earn revenue. It should thus be reckon that the South African fresh fruit travel long distances to reach these markets as South Africa is remotely situated from its major markets. However, the products have to be in good quality on arrival, and also be on time. The challenge therefore is for the fresh fruit industry to ensure that the cold supply chain is maintained through to international destinations. The primary objective of the dissertation is to perform an analysis of the cold supply chain of the South African avocado for export – ‘charter the movement of the South African avocado from production areas to international markets, paying special attention to the outsourcing possibilities in the cold supply chain’. In order to fulfill this purpose, the study covers the following main aspects: • Developments in the fruit industry focusing specifically on the avocado fresh fruit industry. • Detailed analysis of the cold supply chain and costs associated with operating and managing the chain. • Outsourcing as a strategy for achieving the cold supply chain competitive advantage: assisting the avocado industry to compete effectively with other supplying countries. The dissertation has outlined a number of strategies relevant to deal with the challenges of cold supply chain, such strategies concern themselves with delivering the right product at the right time to the right customer at the right condition and at the right price. It is evident from the discussions in the study that the South African avocado supply chain is long, complex and involves interaction of various processes and role-players. The post-harvest cold supply chain processes involves temperature controlled storage and transportation. Every link in the supply chain must be analysed to identify weaknesses, as there should be no breakage in the chain so that quality of fruit is not compromised and profitability is achieved. Currently storage and transportation are outsourced to a number of service providers. As far as the chain is concerned there are minimal problems regarding temperature management in the chain. Few avocado fruits have in the past failed PPECB quality tests for export. The main challenge (amongst others) that the avocado chain is facing is effective information sharing to ensure a coordinated and well-aligned supply chain that will play a role in reducing costs and enhancing customer service. Lack of, for example accurate crop harvest estimate information and real-time communication and information sharing creates problems for the supply chain to function as a single entity with shared objectives. Based on the above, a number of conclusions about, and recommendations for, outsourcing in the cold supply chain of South African avocado for export are made, a summary of which is provided by the following statements: • A reliable relationship is important for both producers and service providers • Joint responsibility: farmers should play their part in the cold supply chain management • Ensuring cold supply chain best practices • Creation of supply chain vision • Ensuring of supply chain visibility • Adoption of total cost approach • Integrating and coordinating the supply chain Charting the movement of the South African avocados from production areas to international markets requires that short, medium and long-term decisions about outsourcing be thoroughly made. , Prof. J.H. Du Plessis
- Full Text:
An investigation into the importance of a successful SAP/R3 implementation in the power tool warehousing industry in Gauteng`
- Authors: Swanepoel, Johan
- Date: 2008-06-26T05:52:20Z
- Subjects: Management information systems , SAP R/3 , Warehouse management , Business logistics , Gauteng (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9931 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/732
- Description: Prof. Johan du Plessis
- Full Text:
- Authors: Swanepoel, Johan
- Date: 2008-06-26T05:52:20Z
- Subjects: Management information systems , SAP R/3 , Warehouse management , Business logistics , Gauteng (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9931 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/732
- Description: Prof. Johan du Plessis
- Full Text:
Structuring South African maritime supply chains for higher efficiency
- Authors: Fourie, Yolanda
- Date: 2008-10-17T13:16:35Z
- Subjects: Transnet (Firm : South Africa) , Business logistics , Shipping
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1248
- Description: D.Phil. , The progress of the South African economy relies heavily upon earnings from physical exports, which depend increasingly upon the competitiveness in global markets of the maritime supply chains that serve the country. Competition in world markets is becoming increasingly stronger as production resources are obtained globally and subsequently the competition exists between the effectiveness of whole supply chains rather than only production costs. South Africa therefore has great interest in ensuring that its maritime supply chains compare with world best practice. Amongst other things, this world best practice requires those chains to function as entities structured to serve their logistical purpose, i.e. that it should not include links consisting of separate transport businesses. In practice, this requires that links traditionally provided by third parties be structurally integrated as cost centres instead of profits centres in the chains. Such integrated maritime supply chains will inevitably only be developed by the intervention of chain leaders. South Africa’s major supply chains conveying commodities and manufactured products are examined in order to determine the scope for the integration of their links as a means of raising their efficiency as ‘complete chains’. Features of selected maritime supply chains serving other countries that could serve as models for the structuring of South Africa’s are identified. Transnet’s role in the existing maritime supply chains in accordance with the policy of the Government is examined and attention is focused on the under-investment in recent years that has led to the deterioration in the company’s performance. The rejection by the Government of the privatisation of the core assets of the railways and ports in favour of public-private partnerships, as a means of overcoming the problems, is considered in order to conclude whether a solution will be forthcoming in that manner. Special consideration is given to Transnet’s proposed spending of R40bn on infrastructure projects and attention is focused on the fact that this will not address all the problems. The marine links in South Africa’s maritime supply chains are currently provided by foreigners. Virtually all South Africa’s bulk exports are sold free-on-board, which concedes control over the shipping of the cargo to foreign importers. Reasons for such arrangements are complex and chartering by South African exporters in order to maintain control is often not feasible, although it is done in the fruit trade and by Australian exporters of iron ore competing with South African exporters. Ship owning by South Africans will facilitate new legislation to increase the market share of citizens in the country’s exports and imports, but price-wise market entry will be difficult and it is debatable whether exporters will make use of their services. In the liner trades, the trend is for shipping companies to integrate port and overland links into their services, and the efficiency of South Africa’s container supply chains will need to be raised in that manner. The criteria for determining maritime supply chain efficiency and the integration of the links of particular South African chains based on their cost structures, as well as the leadership needed to pursue such development, are motivated. Proposals are also made for the integration of the links of the iron ore and coal supply chains under the leadership of public-private partnerships, as well as for a container supply chain incorporating both a dedicated terminal in the Port of Ngqura and the railway between Coega and Gauteng, under the leadership of a liner shipping company or consortium of companies. The conclusion is reached that the present role of Transnet in accordance with the declared policy of the Government is not conducive to improving maritime supply chain efficiency through the structural integration of the links. It is also concluded that the efficiency of the chains could be raised through private leadership with public participation, subject to a change in the Government’s policy towards the role of Transnet in order to allow such leadership. , Prof. J. Walters Prof. G.C. Prinsloo
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fourie, Yolanda
- Date: 2008-10-17T13:16:35Z
- Subjects: Transnet (Firm : South Africa) , Business logistics , Shipping
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1248
- Description: D.Phil. , The progress of the South African economy relies heavily upon earnings from physical exports, which depend increasingly upon the competitiveness in global markets of the maritime supply chains that serve the country. Competition in world markets is becoming increasingly stronger as production resources are obtained globally and subsequently the competition exists between the effectiveness of whole supply chains rather than only production costs. South Africa therefore has great interest in ensuring that its maritime supply chains compare with world best practice. Amongst other things, this world best practice requires those chains to function as entities structured to serve their logistical purpose, i.e. that it should not include links consisting of separate transport businesses. In practice, this requires that links traditionally provided by third parties be structurally integrated as cost centres instead of profits centres in the chains. Such integrated maritime supply chains will inevitably only be developed by the intervention of chain leaders. South Africa’s major supply chains conveying commodities and manufactured products are examined in order to determine the scope for the integration of their links as a means of raising their efficiency as ‘complete chains’. Features of selected maritime supply chains serving other countries that could serve as models for the structuring of South Africa’s are identified. Transnet’s role in the existing maritime supply chains in accordance with the policy of the Government is examined and attention is focused on the under-investment in recent years that has led to the deterioration in the company’s performance. The rejection by the Government of the privatisation of the core assets of the railways and ports in favour of public-private partnerships, as a means of overcoming the problems, is considered in order to conclude whether a solution will be forthcoming in that manner. Special consideration is given to Transnet’s proposed spending of R40bn on infrastructure projects and attention is focused on the fact that this will not address all the problems. The marine links in South Africa’s maritime supply chains are currently provided by foreigners. Virtually all South Africa’s bulk exports are sold free-on-board, which concedes control over the shipping of the cargo to foreign importers. Reasons for such arrangements are complex and chartering by South African exporters in order to maintain control is often not feasible, although it is done in the fruit trade and by Australian exporters of iron ore competing with South African exporters. Ship owning by South Africans will facilitate new legislation to increase the market share of citizens in the country’s exports and imports, but price-wise market entry will be difficult and it is debatable whether exporters will make use of their services. In the liner trades, the trend is for shipping companies to integrate port and overland links into their services, and the efficiency of South Africa’s container supply chains will need to be raised in that manner. The criteria for determining maritime supply chain efficiency and the integration of the links of particular South African chains based on their cost structures, as well as the leadership needed to pursue such development, are motivated. Proposals are also made for the integration of the links of the iron ore and coal supply chains under the leadership of public-private partnerships, as well as for a container supply chain incorporating both a dedicated terminal in the Port of Ngqura and the railway between Coega and Gauteng, under the leadership of a liner shipping company or consortium of companies. The conclusion is reached that the present role of Transnet in accordance with the declared policy of the Government is not conducive to improving maritime supply chain efficiency through the structural integration of the links. It is also concluded that the efficiency of the chains could be raised through private leadership with public participation, subject to a change in the Government’s policy towards the role of Transnet in order to allow such leadership. , Prof. J. Walters Prof. G.C. Prinsloo
- Full Text:
The impact of warehousing and transportation optimization on supply chain effectiveness
- Authors: Burger, Francois
- Date: 2008-10-17T13:17:25Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Inventory control , Reengineering (Management) , Transportation management , Warehouse management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1252
- Description: M.Comm. , The concepts of logistics and supply chain management are relatively new in South Africa. The concept of logistics management was more commonly known in the 1960s and 1970s as physical distribution. In the late 1970s, the concept evolved to logistics management and in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it evolved into supply chain management. It was only after the end of apartheid in 1994 when South Africa was able to compete globally that there was great interest in supply chain management in South Africa. There is virtually no business or industry untouched by the business of logistics and supply chain management. Getting the right product to the right customer at the right time as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible is the main objective of logistics and supply chain management (Gordon, 2000a: 14). Logistics is “the process of strategically managing the acquisition, movement and storage of materials, parts and finished inventory (and the related information flows) through the organization and its marketing channel in such a way that current and future profitability is maximised through the cost-effective fulfillment of orders” (Anon1. ,2002). The term supply chain is described by Lummus and Vokurka (1999) as “all of those activities associated with moving goods from raw materials stage through to the consumer. This includes procurement, production scheduling, order processing, inventory control, transportation, warehousing, and customer service. The information systems necessary to monitor all of these activities are also included. All these activities are then integrated and coordinated into a seamless process to involve all the partners in the supply chain”. With every step in the supply chain management process, there are costs involved and two of the major cost drivers in the supply chain according to Palmieri and Africk (1999) are inventory holding and transportation. Stout is of the opinion that this is more than a valid statement from a South African business perspective and emphasizes that unnecessary inventory costs money as does inventory that is distributed inefficiently (Gordon, 2000b: 21). Excessive inventory holding together with under-utilization of transport can lead to a major negative financial impact on total supply chain costs (Cooke, 2000: 12; Lambert, Stock & Ellram, 1998: 165; Hankanson, 1999). Therefore, the reciprocal relationship between inventory holding and transportation cost is very important. Christopher (1992: 25) also stipulates that the ultimate purpose of any supply chain is to satisfy customers. The importance of customer service in total supply chain functioning must therefore always be considered in a logistics supply chain system design. In South Africa, transport and inventory are two of the main cost drivers in the supply chain. Factors that make inventory and transport two of the main cost drivers in the supply chain are, among others: high fuel prices, high interest rates, poor road conditions, security concerns and the weak performance of the rand against major foreign currencies. It can therefore be said that inventory and transport are just as important in obtaining an optimized supply chain in South Africa as in the rest of the world. , Mr. P. Kilbourn Prof. J. Walters
- Full Text:
- Authors: Burger, Francois
- Date: 2008-10-17T13:17:25Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Inventory control , Reengineering (Management) , Transportation management , Warehouse management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1252
- Description: M.Comm. , The concepts of logistics and supply chain management are relatively new in South Africa. The concept of logistics management was more commonly known in the 1960s and 1970s as physical distribution. In the late 1970s, the concept evolved to logistics management and in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it evolved into supply chain management. It was only after the end of apartheid in 1994 when South Africa was able to compete globally that there was great interest in supply chain management in South Africa. There is virtually no business or industry untouched by the business of logistics and supply chain management. Getting the right product to the right customer at the right time as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible is the main objective of logistics and supply chain management (Gordon, 2000a: 14). Logistics is “the process of strategically managing the acquisition, movement and storage of materials, parts and finished inventory (and the related information flows) through the organization and its marketing channel in such a way that current and future profitability is maximised through the cost-effective fulfillment of orders” (Anon1. ,2002). The term supply chain is described by Lummus and Vokurka (1999) as “all of those activities associated with moving goods from raw materials stage through to the consumer. This includes procurement, production scheduling, order processing, inventory control, transportation, warehousing, and customer service. The information systems necessary to monitor all of these activities are also included. All these activities are then integrated and coordinated into a seamless process to involve all the partners in the supply chain”. With every step in the supply chain management process, there are costs involved and two of the major cost drivers in the supply chain according to Palmieri and Africk (1999) are inventory holding and transportation. Stout is of the opinion that this is more than a valid statement from a South African business perspective and emphasizes that unnecessary inventory costs money as does inventory that is distributed inefficiently (Gordon, 2000b: 21). Excessive inventory holding together with under-utilization of transport can lead to a major negative financial impact on total supply chain costs (Cooke, 2000: 12; Lambert, Stock & Ellram, 1998: 165; Hankanson, 1999). Therefore, the reciprocal relationship between inventory holding and transportation cost is very important. Christopher (1992: 25) also stipulates that the ultimate purpose of any supply chain is to satisfy customers. The importance of customer service in total supply chain functioning must therefore always be considered in a logistics supply chain system design. In South Africa, transport and inventory are two of the main cost drivers in the supply chain. Factors that make inventory and transport two of the main cost drivers in the supply chain are, among others: high fuel prices, high interest rates, poor road conditions, security concerns and the weak performance of the rand against major foreign currencies. It can therefore be said that inventory and transport are just as important in obtaining an optimized supply chain in South Africa as in the rest of the world. , Mr. P. Kilbourn Prof. J. Walters
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The use of supply chains and supply chain management to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of GIS units
- Authors: Schmitz, Peter Maria Urban
- Date: 2010-02-23T10:16:53Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Geographic information systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3030
- Description: D.Phil. , This is a workbook to record the processes, responsible departments; current practices; business rules; inputs and outputs; and disconnects with regards to a “staple yourself to an order” exercise. This is done to establish problem areas within the supply chain and to provide guidance on improving the supply chain. This workbook should be used in conjunction with GISDataSCOR v1.0. and the results of the disconnect analysis. The “staple yourself to an order” exercise should start with SOURCE, MAKE, DELIVER, then followed by PLAN and RETURN.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schmitz, Peter Maria Urban
- Date: 2010-02-23T10:16:53Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Geographic information systems
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3030
- Description: D.Phil. , This is a workbook to record the processes, responsible departments; current practices; business rules; inputs and outputs; and disconnects with regards to a “staple yourself to an order” exercise. This is done to establish problem areas within the supply chain and to provide guidance on improving the supply chain. This workbook should be used in conjunction with GISDataSCOR v1.0. and the results of the disconnect analysis. The “staple yourself to an order” exercise should start with SOURCE, MAKE, DELIVER, then followed by PLAN and RETURN.
- Full Text:
An investigation into some current supply chain practices at a private healthcare provider in Gauteng
- Authors: Bauernschmitt, E.
- Date: 2010-02-24T10:02:34Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Inventory control , Medical care , Medical personnel , Patients
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:6647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3047
- Description: M.Comm. , Much has been done and developed both in theory and practice in terms of advancing the science of logistics since its early days as an area of management focus. Great leaps have been made alone in the past decade regarding the integration of logistics into the broader management philosophies and to subsequently define the now widely referred to concept of integrated supply chain management. Although many industries have embraced this concept and spearheaded initiatives in this field, many traditionally established companies and industry sectors have yet to embed and operationalise its concepts more fully and to reap the potential rewards. The healthcare industry has been under pressure – amidst increasing competition, supplier costs and patient’s increasing awareness to seek improved value for treatment offered – to explore whether opportunities exist to make further savings in terms of its operating cost and total cost profile by taking a different approach to managing the healthcare and service provision supply chain – namely in a more integrated and holistic manner. In the healthcare context, the supply chain includes, amongst others, the capability and ability to plan, forecast, source, supply, process, distribute and ultimately deliver and execute all necessary services, goods and information. In order to investigate current supply chain practices at a selected private healthcare provider in Gauteng, an integrated generic supply chain model was defined – for which industry-acknowledged current supply chain practices from the wider domain of supply chain management were identified per component. As primary objective this descriptive research established to what extent a private healthcare provider in Gauteng, as a role player in the wider South African private healthcare industry, has knowledge and understanding of some current supply chain practices, as well as to what extent this private healthcare provider has adopted and applied recognised practices and concepts of integrated supply chain management. This was done using the defined generic supply chain model for a private healthcare provider as the roadmap along which knowledge and application of supply chain practices could be tested for the selected organisation. For this research an interview-based experience survey was used that deployed specific questions in a non-probabilistic sampling manner to respondents across the functional management chain, to measure both the level of assumed or explicitly attributed knowledge of supply chain practices in relation to the companies’ ability for the application, implementation and utilisation of these industry best-practices as pertaining to supply chain management, as seen in the context of the selected private healthcare’s competitive operations in the Southern African healthcare industry. The output of the analysis to determine the primary research objective was subsequently plotted on a supply chain evolution matrix postulated as part of this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bauernschmitt, E.
- Date: 2010-02-24T10:02:34Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Inventory control , Medical care , Medical personnel , Patients
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:6647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3047
- Description: M.Comm. , Much has been done and developed both in theory and practice in terms of advancing the science of logistics since its early days as an area of management focus. Great leaps have been made alone in the past decade regarding the integration of logistics into the broader management philosophies and to subsequently define the now widely referred to concept of integrated supply chain management. Although many industries have embraced this concept and spearheaded initiatives in this field, many traditionally established companies and industry sectors have yet to embed and operationalise its concepts more fully and to reap the potential rewards. The healthcare industry has been under pressure – amidst increasing competition, supplier costs and patient’s increasing awareness to seek improved value for treatment offered – to explore whether opportunities exist to make further savings in terms of its operating cost and total cost profile by taking a different approach to managing the healthcare and service provision supply chain – namely in a more integrated and holistic manner. In the healthcare context, the supply chain includes, amongst others, the capability and ability to plan, forecast, source, supply, process, distribute and ultimately deliver and execute all necessary services, goods and information. In order to investigate current supply chain practices at a selected private healthcare provider in Gauteng, an integrated generic supply chain model was defined – for which industry-acknowledged current supply chain practices from the wider domain of supply chain management were identified per component. As primary objective this descriptive research established to what extent a private healthcare provider in Gauteng, as a role player in the wider South African private healthcare industry, has knowledge and understanding of some current supply chain practices, as well as to what extent this private healthcare provider has adopted and applied recognised practices and concepts of integrated supply chain management. This was done using the defined generic supply chain model for a private healthcare provider as the roadmap along which knowledge and application of supply chain practices could be tested for the selected organisation. For this research an interview-based experience survey was used that deployed specific questions in a non-probabilistic sampling manner to respondents across the functional management chain, to measure both the level of assumed or explicitly attributed knowledge of supply chain practices in relation to the companies’ ability for the application, implementation and utilisation of these industry best-practices as pertaining to supply chain management, as seen in the context of the selected private healthcare’s competitive operations in the Southern African healthcare industry. The output of the analysis to determine the primary research objective was subsequently plotted on a supply chain evolution matrix postulated as part of this study.
- Full Text:
Improving supply chain competitiveness through the application of technology : a case study on a routing and scheduling system
- Authors: Hollander, Ryan
- Date: 2010-10-25T06:28:29Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Technological innovation , Business logistics management , Business logistics planning , Competition
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3443
- Description: M.Comm. , In the last hundred years there has been a technological revolution that has forced people to change the way they live and run their organisations. This technological revolution has had a major impact on the business world. Coyle, Bardi and Langley (2003; 57) have suggested that “the rate of change has accelerated with consequent negative impacts if organisations do not change.” With today’s emphasis on cutting costs, streamlining expenses while at the same time trying to offer a competitive edge with regard to customer service, many organisations are looking to improve their bottom line and financial performance by implementing new technology into their supply chains. A popular way for organisations to speedily reap the benefits of having a more competent and competitive, technology-enabled supply chain, is by outsourcing their supply chain needs to a third party logistics organisations. The Star newspaper reported that, according to Brett Bowes, inefficiencies in the supply chain meant that fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers and retailers were losing R7 billion every year (The Star, 16 March 2007; 2). Although there are many auxiliary benefits and advantages of implementing software systems into the supply chain, the two critical benefits which justify the expense are reduced costs and improved customer service. Implementing technology is a costly, challenging and sometimes risky endeavor. This often results in an unwillingness to change until these organisations outgrow their systems, or the business environment becomes so complex, that they are forced to implement new technology. This hesitancy to introduce new technology timeously could hamper the progress and growth of these organisations, and could also affect their competitiveness in a highly competitive environment. The purpose of this case study is to compare the benefits achieved from existing older technology to new technology, based on a routing and scheduling case study in a large 3PL organisation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hollander, Ryan
- Date: 2010-10-25T06:28:29Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Technological innovation , Business logistics management , Business logistics planning , Competition
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3443
- Description: M.Comm. , In the last hundred years there has been a technological revolution that has forced people to change the way they live and run their organisations. This technological revolution has had a major impact on the business world. Coyle, Bardi and Langley (2003; 57) have suggested that “the rate of change has accelerated with consequent negative impacts if organisations do not change.” With today’s emphasis on cutting costs, streamlining expenses while at the same time trying to offer a competitive edge with regard to customer service, many organisations are looking to improve their bottom line and financial performance by implementing new technology into their supply chains. A popular way for organisations to speedily reap the benefits of having a more competent and competitive, technology-enabled supply chain, is by outsourcing their supply chain needs to a third party logistics organisations. The Star newspaper reported that, according to Brett Bowes, inefficiencies in the supply chain meant that fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers and retailers were losing R7 billion every year (The Star, 16 March 2007; 2). Although there are many auxiliary benefits and advantages of implementing software systems into the supply chain, the two critical benefits which justify the expense are reduced costs and improved customer service. Implementing technology is a costly, challenging and sometimes risky endeavor. This often results in an unwillingness to change until these organisations outgrow their systems, or the business environment becomes so complex, that they are forced to implement new technology. This hesitancy to introduce new technology timeously could hamper the progress and growth of these organisations, and could also affect their competitiveness in a highly competitive environment. The purpose of this case study is to compare the benefits achieved from existing older technology to new technology, based on a routing and scheduling case study in a large 3PL organisation.
- Full Text:
Supply chain integration in the retail sector in South Africa
- Authors: Rautenbach, Wessel
- Date: 2010-11-09T06:58:26Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Retail trade , Electronic commerce
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:6970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3478
- Description: M.Comm. , A positive relationship exists between supply chain integration and the creation of customer value. With globalization increasing, companies need to explore this as a way to stay competitive and deliver exceptional value in an environment where the customer is more informed and more demanding. The main objective of this study was to determine the level of supply chain integration in the selected sample of retailers in South Africa. The findings indicated that high levels of supply chain integration were limited in the companies that responded to the questionnaire. Businesses in South Africa need to become acquainted with supply chain integration and the value created from it for both the members in the supply chain and the customer. More research needs to be done in this field to measure supply chain integration in South Africa, to determine which companies would benefit from high levels of supply chain integration and to address the factors inhibiting supply chain integration.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rautenbach, Wessel
- Date: 2010-11-09T06:58:26Z
- Subjects: Business logistics , Retail trade , Electronic commerce
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:6970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3478
- Description: M.Comm. , A positive relationship exists between supply chain integration and the creation of customer value. With globalization increasing, companies need to explore this as a way to stay competitive and deliver exceptional value in an environment where the customer is more informed and more demanding. The main objective of this study was to determine the level of supply chain integration in the selected sample of retailers in South Africa. The findings indicated that high levels of supply chain integration were limited in the companies that responded to the questionnaire. Businesses in South Africa need to become acquainted with supply chain integration and the value created from it for both the members in the supply chain and the customer. More research needs to be done in this field to measure supply chain integration in South Africa, to determine which companies would benefit from high levels of supply chain integration and to address the factors inhibiting supply chain integration.
- Full Text:
Investigating the information technology factors that contribute to supply chain management
- Authors: Thomas, Deon
- Date: 2011-10-11T08:41:20Z
- Subjects: Information technology , Supply chain management , Business logistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/373260 , uj:7250 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3903
- Description: M.Sc. , Supply chains members are disperser across multiple geographical locations and the competitive effects of globalisation has provoked the agile capacity of contemporary supply chains. This makes it more difficult for supply chain organisation to meet consumer demands, especially if supply chain processes are not adequately streamlined. This confronted supply chain managers with the daunting task to make informed decisions regarding critical business drivers within their organisations. Incorrect decisions can lead to counter-productive actions. Supply chain members both upstream and downstream often make decisions based on their immediate environment and resources available, thereby not considering other factor within the supply chain holistically. This perspective has change and supply chain managers need to make decision based on the overall information and resources available within the entire supply chain network. The need to evaluate the appropriate supply chain performance measures is critical, as it directly affects the performance of the entire supply chain network. The focus of this thesis revolves around the linear composition of supply chain technology, integration, collaboration and visibility to maximise supply chain agility. The objective of this thesis is therefore to present a model that highlights the roadmap to achieving supply chain visibility followed by supply chain agility. This will allow supply chain members to make informed decisions around key drivers within the supply chain. The intention of the model is to provide a guideline approach toward achieving supply chain agility through a process of welldefined analysis in areas such as supply chain technology, integration, collaboration and visibility. The method used to develop the model in this thesis is build on the scientific principle of adding smaller pieces of the different supply chain management theories to corroborate the context and value of the model. These supply chain management theories combined provides valuable guidance for the roadmap towards achieving supply chain agility. The point of departure is a simple five-step model of which its validity is legitimised through a case study research, conducted on two supply chain partners. The findings from this case study have contextualised the model into a definite treasure map towards achieving success in the face of globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Thomas, Deon
- Date: 2011-10-11T08:41:20Z
- Subjects: Information technology , Supply chain management , Business logistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/373260 , uj:7250 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3903
- Description: M.Sc. , Supply chains members are disperser across multiple geographical locations and the competitive effects of globalisation has provoked the agile capacity of contemporary supply chains. This makes it more difficult for supply chain organisation to meet consumer demands, especially if supply chain processes are not adequately streamlined. This confronted supply chain managers with the daunting task to make informed decisions regarding critical business drivers within their organisations. Incorrect decisions can lead to counter-productive actions. Supply chain members both upstream and downstream often make decisions based on their immediate environment and resources available, thereby not considering other factor within the supply chain holistically. This perspective has change and supply chain managers need to make decision based on the overall information and resources available within the entire supply chain network. The need to evaluate the appropriate supply chain performance measures is critical, as it directly affects the performance of the entire supply chain network. The focus of this thesis revolves around the linear composition of supply chain technology, integration, collaboration and visibility to maximise supply chain agility. The objective of this thesis is therefore to present a model that highlights the roadmap to achieving supply chain visibility followed by supply chain agility. This will allow supply chain members to make informed decisions around key drivers within the supply chain. The intention of the model is to provide a guideline approach toward achieving supply chain agility through a process of welldefined analysis in areas such as supply chain technology, integration, collaboration and visibility. The method used to develop the model in this thesis is build on the scientific principle of adding smaller pieces of the different supply chain management theories to corroborate the context and value of the model. These supply chain management theories combined provides valuable guidance for the roadmap towards achieving supply chain agility. The point of departure is a simple five-step model of which its validity is legitimised through a case study research, conducted on two supply chain partners. The findings from this case study have contextualised the model into a definite treasure map towards achieving success in the face of globalisation.
- Full Text:
An innovative business model based on the integration of finance and logistics operations
- Daozhi, Zhao, Bai, Mapeng, Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Daozhi, Zhao , Bai, Mapeng , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business models , Business logistics , Loan financing
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14443
- Description: This article advances a new logistics financing model based on the notes receivable. This is a written promise to receive a stated amount of money in future. The article describes the structure and key processes of the model, and analyses the roles of the involved stakeholders. In order to enhance understanding, the article compares the model with a loan financing model, establishes a game model based on logistics enterprise financing, studies the strategies in the process of investment and financing, and concludes by defining its feasible region. This involves comparing the expected net revenues of different stakeholders in the two models. Based on the results, the paper analyses the financing process of a logistics enterprise in Shanghai and determines the optimal financing strategy. This paper is an attempt to improve business innovation in logistics financing and provides a sensible solution for the integrated logistics and finance services. This can effectively improve the stakeholders’ profit.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Daozhi, Zhao , Bai, Mapeng , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business models , Business logistics , Loan financing
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14443
- Description: This article advances a new logistics financing model based on the notes receivable. This is a written promise to receive a stated amount of money in future. The article describes the structure and key processes of the model, and analyses the roles of the involved stakeholders. In order to enhance understanding, the article compares the model with a loan financing model, establishes a game model based on logistics enterprise financing, studies the strategies in the process of investment and financing, and concludes by defining its feasible region. This involves comparing the expected net revenues of different stakeholders in the two models. Based on the results, the paper analyses the financing process of a logistics enterprise in Shanghai and determines the optimal financing strategy. This paper is an attempt to improve business innovation in logistics financing and provides a sensible solution for the integrated logistics and finance services. This can effectively improve the stakeholders’ profit.
- Full Text:
Risks associated with South African energy pipelines
- Authors: Van den Berg, Hugo
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Energy pipelines , Pipelines , Business logistics , Supply chain management , Risk assessment
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2488 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4942
- Description: M.Comm. , The demand for products which are distributed through pipelines has increased worldwide over the last decade. These increases in demand have irrevocably impacted upon top management’s perceptions of risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. Even in South Africa, the increase in demand for products such as diesel, jet fuel and petrol, which are supplied through the energy pipeline supply chains have increased the risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. This study explores the different risks associated with South African energy pipelines, and investigates whether these risks can have an influence on the business as well as the physical environment of the energy pipeline supply chains. A literature study was conducted and three energy pipeline supply organisations surveyed to determine what their specific viewpoints were regarding the risks faced by the South African energy pipeline supply chains.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van den Berg, Hugo
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Energy pipelines , Pipelines , Business logistics , Supply chain management , Risk assessment
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2488 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4942
- Description: M.Comm. , The demand for products which are distributed through pipelines has increased worldwide over the last decade. These increases in demand have irrevocably impacted upon top management’s perceptions of risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. Even in South Africa, the increase in demand for products such as diesel, jet fuel and petrol, which are supplied through the energy pipeline supply chains have increased the risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. This study explores the different risks associated with South African energy pipelines, and investigates whether these risks can have an influence on the business as well as the physical environment of the energy pipeline supply chains. A literature study was conducted and three energy pipeline supply organisations surveyed to determine what their specific viewpoints were regarding the risks faced by the South African energy pipeline supply chains.
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Strategic control within a South African freight forwarding organisation
- Authors: Visser, Daneel
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Cargo handling , Physical distribution of goods , Freight and freightage , Business logistics , Freight and freightage management , Transportation management
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4964
- Description: M.Comm. , The purpose of this study was to determine whether a strategic control tool, such as the Balanced Scorecard, could be used within a leading international forwarding and clearing organisation operating in the South African and international logistics markets. The name of the organisation has been concealed, for confidentiality purposes, and therefore in this study the organisation is referred to as SA Logistics. A literature review was conducted where firstly the elements of strategic control were examined. This was followed by a review of certain strategic control tools such as benchmarking and Economic Value Added models. Then the literature regarding the Balanced Scoreacard was analysed in detail. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase a self-administered questionnaire was sent out to a group of respondents from middle management, within SA Logistics. The questionnaire required respondents to rank on a semantic differential scale their preferences from a proposed set of key performance indicators. These Key performance indicators could potentially be used to exercise strategic control within SA Logistics. The proposed measures obtained from phase one was then verified with a group of executive members of SA Logistics during phase two of the study. Phase two was conducted by means of personal interviews with selected executive members. This verification process helped to determine the business sense of these proposed key performance indicators and allowed executive members to propose changes to these key performance indicators. The study found that the Balanced Scorecard could be used as a strategic control tool within a clearing and forwarding logistics organisation. The study established that all four of the perspectives of finance, customer, internal and learning/growth measures of the Balanced Scorecard can be tied into key business areas and related measures within SA Logistics. However, in order for this Balanced Scorecard to be widely accepted throughout the organisation, a more centralised approach is required. This study also allowed for a proposed Balanced Scorecard to be compiled for SA Logistics.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Visser, Daneel
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Cargo handling , Physical distribution of goods , Freight and freightage , Business logistics , Freight and freightage management , Transportation management
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4964
- Description: M.Comm. , The purpose of this study was to determine whether a strategic control tool, such as the Balanced Scorecard, could be used within a leading international forwarding and clearing organisation operating in the South African and international logistics markets. The name of the organisation has been concealed, for confidentiality purposes, and therefore in this study the organisation is referred to as SA Logistics. A literature review was conducted where firstly the elements of strategic control were examined. This was followed by a review of certain strategic control tools such as benchmarking and Economic Value Added models. Then the literature regarding the Balanced Scoreacard was analysed in detail. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase a self-administered questionnaire was sent out to a group of respondents from middle management, within SA Logistics. The questionnaire required respondents to rank on a semantic differential scale their preferences from a proposed set of key performance indicators. These Key performance indicators could potentially be used to exercise strategic control within SA Logistics. The proposed measures obtained from phase one was then verified with a group of executive members of SA Logistics during phase two of the study. Phase two was conducted by means of personal interviews with selected executive members. This verification process helped to determine the business sense of these proposed key performance indicators and allowed executive members to propose changes to these key performance indicators. The study found that the Balanced Scorecard could be used as a strategic control tool within a clearing and forwarding logistics organisation. The study established that all four of the perspectives of finance, customer, internal and learning/growth measures of the Balanced Scorecard can be tied into key business areas and related measures within SA Logistics. However, in order for this Balanced Scorecard to be widely accepted throughout the organisation, a more centralised approach is required. This study also allowed for a proposed Balanced Scorecard to be compiled for SA Logistics.
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Supply chain intelligent agents
- Authors: Bester, Morné
- Date: 2012-08-15
- Subjects: Scheduling , Business logistics , Intelligent agents (Computer software)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9302 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5744
- Description: M.Sc. , The manufacturing sector has produced a wide variety of techniques in its attempts to find the ultimate solution for the manufacturing process, with these techniques ranging from material requirements planning, just-in-time production, total-quality management, flexible manufacturing systems and computer integrated manufacturing to advanced planning and scheduling. Given the fact that the technique entitled "advanced planning and scheduling" in the manufacturing environment is primarily aimed at resource planning and scheduling during the production process, however, a clamant need was created for manufacturing companies to broaden their focus in order to include all the processes involved in the production environment, as well as the external processes impacting on productivity. A large area that came into focus owing to the latter paradigm shift is known as "supply chain management". Supply chain management is concerned with the integration of and communication between the various elements in the entire supply chain, including elements such as demand planning and forecasting, scheduling, customer sales, supplier purchases, production planning and forecasting, resource planning and warehouse management. This research study will be devoted to an investigation into the issues surrounding supply chain management and all its manifestations, including its basic components and their integration and interaction. This investigation will also cover research into scheduling systems up to current reactive constraintbased scheduling systems, since scheduling is deemed to be the core of the supply chain in terms of the influence it exerts on most other components, be it directly or indirectly. The investigation will also take us into the realm of an exciting new technology whose exponents are known as "intelligent software agents", which agents are aimed at providing autonomy to the objects within a system and which agents are characterised by their behaviour and decision processes. The said agents can be used to perform highly specialised tasks during the manufacturing process, such as scheduling and forecasting. A prototype system will be developed in the course of the research in a bid to illustrate the integration, evaluation and monitoring of the supply chain elements through the use of intelligent agents. By endowing the system with intelligence, the researchers hope to identify many future uses for intelligent agents in the various segments of the supply chain.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bester, Morné
- Date: 2012-08-15
- Subjects: Scheduling , Business logistics , Intelligent agents (Computer software)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9302 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5744
- Description: M.Sc. , The manufacturing sector has produced a wide variety of techniques in its attempts to find the ultimate solution for the manufacturing process, with these techniques ranging from material requirements planning, just-in-time production, total-quality management, flexible manufacturing systems and computer integrated manufacturing to advanced planning and scheduling. Given the fact that the technique entitled "advanced planning and scheduling" in the manufacturing environment is primarily aimed at resource planning and scheduling during the production process, however, a clamant need was created for manufacturing companies to broaden their focus in order to include all the processes involved in the production environment, as well as the external processes impacting on productivity. A large area that came into focus owing to the latter paradigm shift is known as "supply chain management". Supply chain management is concerned with the integration of and communication between the various elements in the entire supply chain, including elements such as demand planning and forecasting, scheduling, customer sales, supplier purchases, production planning and forecasting, resource planning and warehouse management. This research study will be devoted to an investigation into the issues surrounding supply chain management and all its manifestations, including its basic components and their integration and interaction. This investigation will also cover research into scheduling systems up to current reactive constraintbased scheduling systems, since scheduling is deemed to be the core of the supply chain in terms of the influence it exerts on most other components, be it directly or indirectly. The investigation will also take us into the realm of an exciting new technology whose exponents are known as "intelligent software agents", which agents are aimed at providing autonomy to the objects within a system and which agents are characterised by their behaviour and decision processes. The said agents can be used to perform highly specialised tasks during the manufacturing process, such as scheduling and forecasting. A prototype system will be developed in the course of the research in a bid to illustrate the integration, evaluation and monitoring of the supply chain elements through the use of intelligent agents. By endowing the system with intelligence, the researchers hope to identify many future uses for intelligent agents in the various segments of the supply chain.
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The importance of demand planning in the management of a fast moving consumer goods supply chain
- Authors: Müller, Gert Hendrik
- Date: 2012-08-20
- Subjects: Delivery of goods - Management , Business logistics , Customer services , Sales forecasting , Supply and demand - Forecasting
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2761 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6202
- Description: M.Comm. , As part of supply chain management, the handling of market demand information forms one of the most important concepts in any supply chain. One of the specific goals of supply chain management is to manage and co-ordinate the flow of information from the original source to the final customer. If consumer demand forms the activating element in the supply chain, it becomes clear that the process of demand planning can play an active role in improving the effectiveness of a supply chain. The correct management of information can thus greatly influence the level of integration, the responsiveness, level of customer service and value added to the end product. This is however not a one-sided approach where demand planning can be used as the tool to facilitate supply chain synchronization. The opposite effect can also be found that certain efforts to synchronize the supply chain can greatly improve the demand planning process. The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry relies heavily on forecasted demand figures due to the structure of this industry 5. Developing demand forecasts forms a great part of the demand planning process and the accuracy, timely flow, interpretation and final format of the information is of the utmost importance. A well controlled forecasting process can form a solid foundation to address supply chain problems, reduce the level of wastage, increase the product value to the customer and improve the level of supply chain agility. With this background, the aim of this study will be: To explore the subject of Demand Planning in the synchronization of a FMCG supply chain. It will aim to show how an effective demand planning process can positively influence the supply chain management process and form an active element in supply chain synchronization. To investigate certain supply chain strategies on demand planning to indicate the level of integration between these two processes. In order to do this, a theoretical study needs to be done on Demand Planning and into the elements thereof. Within this structure it will be possible to formulate a structure to evaluate the concept of Demand Planning.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Müller, Gert Hendrik
- Date: 2012-08-20
- Subjects: Delivery of goods - Management , Business logistics , Customer services , Sales forecasting , Supply and demand - Forecasting
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2761 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6202
- Description: M.Comm. , As part of supply chain management, the handling of market demand information forms one of the most important concepts in any supply chain. One of the specific goals of supply chain management is to manage and co-ordinate the flow of information from the original source to the final customer. If consumer demand forms the activating element in the supply chain, it becomes clear that the process of demand planning can play an active role in improving the effectiveness of a supply chain. The correct management of information can thus greatly influence the level of integration, the responsiveness, level of customer service and value added to the end product. This is however not a one-sided approach where demand planning can be used as the tool to facilitate supply chain synchronization. The opposite effect can also be found that certain efforts to synchronize the supply chain can greatly improve the demand planning process. The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry relies heavily on forecasted demand figures due to the structure of this industry 5. Developing demand forecasts forms a great part of the demand planning process and the accuracy, timely flow, interpretation and final format of the information is of the utmost importance. A well controlled forecasting process can form a solid foundation to address supply chain problems, reduce the level of wastage, increase the product value to the customer and improve the level of supply chain agility. With this background, the aim of this study will be: To explore the subject of Demand Planning in the synchronization of a FMCG supply chain. It will aim to show how an effective demand planning process can positively influence the supply chain management process and form an active element in supply chain synchronization. To investigate certain supply chain strategies on demand planning to indicate the level of integration between these two processes. In order to do this, a theoretical study needs to be done on Demand Planning and into the elements thereof. Within this structure it will be possible to formulate a structure to evaluate the concept of Demand Planning.
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Performance based on incentives in humanitarian logistics and supply chains in South Africa
- Mbadou, Angelina Fernande, Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Mbadou, Angelina Fernande , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Business logistics , Humanitarian logistics , Incentives in industry , Emergency management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13764
- Description: This paper aims to focus on the importance of humanitarian logistics and supply chain to overcome natural disasters. South Africa is a country with low risk to natural disasters but it still can be affected by natural disasters such as drought, floods, fires and mining disasters. Humanitarian organisations need to have a good logistics and supply chain to be able to assist people better and quickly in case of emergency. Humanitarian organisation must have a structure and implement the right coordination for the operation to be conducted in a proper way. Those organisations have to be prepared no matter the disaster. Finally the distribution of goods in where the organisation needs to have an excellent structure that suit every kind of natural catastrophe happening in the country.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbadou, Angelina Fernande , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Business logistics , Humanitarian logistics , Incentives in industry , Emergency management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13764
- Description: This paper aims to focus on the importance of humanitarian logistics and supply chain to overcome natural disasters. South Africa is a country with low risk to natural disasters but it still can be affected by natural disasters such as drought, floods, fires and mining disasters. Humanitarian organisations need to have a good logistics and supply chain to be able to assist people better and quickly in case of emergency. Humanitarian organisation must have a structure and implement the right coordination for the operation to be conducted in a proper way. Those organisations have to be prepared no matter the disaster. Finally the distribution of goods in where the organisation needs to have an excellent structure that suit every kind of natural catastrophe happening in the country.
- Full Text:
Optimising maintenance inventories of a cement manufacturer
- Authors: Eloff, Morné
- Date: 2013-07-11
- Subjects: Manufacturing industries , Cement industries , Inventory control , AfriSam , Marketing channels , Business logistics , Logistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8478
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , A key performance indicator of a cement manufacturer is that of its operating equipment efficiencies or OEE. The world-best standard for OEE of cement manufacturers is 85%, and this figure can only be achieved through very good maintenance practices and programmes combined with exceptional maintenance inventory levels and good maintenance inventory strategies. Maintenance inventory can be described as spares that support the manufacturing process, but that is not included in the final product. Like all types of inventory, maintenance inventory has a cost associated with carrying the inventory that can be calculated through applying the various carrying cost components associated with inventory. In a cement manufacturer this carrying cost figure can be excessively high as a result of the slow movement of major spare components that have to be held in inventory due to its critical importance to the manufacturing process. It is also evident that inventory levels in AfriSam are high. This may be due to the fact that management believe the best possible method to minimise the risk of production loss during a breakdown, is to increase maintenance inventory levels with no comparison to the costs associated with carrying the inventory. The chosen research problem is: “AfriSam (Pty) Ltd carries maintenance inventory worth millions of rands with slow movement of high value maintenance inventory sometimes in excess of 3 years. The cost of managing the inventory together with the carrying cost of the inventory has become a key focus point in the business and there is a need to find methods to optimise the inventory.”
- Full Text:
- Authors: Eloff, Morné
- Date: 2013-07-11
- Subjects: Manufacturing industries , Cement industries , Inventory control , AfriSam , Marketing channels , Business logistics , Logistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8478
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , A key performance indicator of a cement manufacturer is that of its operating equipment efficiencies or OEE. The world-best standard for OEE of cement manufacturers is 85%, and this figure can only be achieved through very good maintenance practices and programmes combined with exceptional maintenance inventory levels and good maintenance inventory strategies. Maintenance inventory can be described as spares that support the manufacturing process, but that is not included in the final product. Like all types of inventory, maintenance inventory has a cost associated with carrying the inventory that can be calculated through applying the various carrying cost components associated with inventory. In a cement manufacturer this carrying cost figure can be excessively high as a result of the slow movement of major spare components that have to be held in inventory due to its critical importance to the manufacturing process. It is also evident that inventory levels in AfriSam are high. This may be due to the fact that management believe the best possible method to minimise the risk of production loss during a breakdown, is to increase maintenance inventory levels with no comparison to the costs associated with carrying the inventory. The chosen research problem is: “AfriSam (Pty) Ltd carries maintenance inventory worth millions of rands with slow movement of high value maintenance inventory sometimes in excess of 3 years. The cost of managing the inventory together with the carrying cost of the inventory has become a key focus point in the business and there is a need to find methods to optimise the inventory.”
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An analysis of South African automotive supplier parks from a supply chain perspective with specific reference to the Rosslyn Automotive Supplier Park
- Authors: Nieuwoudt, Anton C.
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Supply chain management , Business logistics , Automobile industry and trade - South Africa , Rosslyn Automotive Supplier Park (Rosslyn, South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8490
- Description: M. Com. (Logistics Management) , The opening of the first dedicated Supplier Park by Seat adjacent to its Abrera assembly facility in 1992, in many ways, marked the beginning of a global trend. Since then, more than forty parks in various configurations have been established around the world. Initially, this trend was mostly confined to Europe but the Supplier Park concept quickly gained momentum in newly industrialised countries like Brazil and, more recently, the USA and South Africa (Reichhart & Holweg, 2007: 52). The world’s automotive industry is a vital part of the workings of the global economy and the wellbeing of the world’s citizens (OICA, n.d.). According to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA, n.d.), the world’s automotive industry manufactured over 66 million cars, vans, trucks and buses in 2005 which is equivalent to a global turnover of close to € 2 trillion. If vehicle manufacturing were a country, it would be the sixth largest economy in the world requiring the direct employment of nearly eight million people in manufacturing the vehicles and the parts that go into them. This is more than 5% of the world’s total manufacturing employment. In addition to these direct employees, many more people are employed indirectly in related manufacturing and service provision industries (OICA, n.d.).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nieuwoudt, Anton C.
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Supply chain management , Business logistics , Automobile industry and trade - South Africa , Rosslyn Automotive Supplier Park (Rosslyn, South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8490
- Description: M. Com. (Logistics Management) , The opening of the first dedicated Supplier Park by Seat adjacent to its Abrera assembly facility in 1992, in many ways, marked the beginning of a global trend. Since then, more than forty parks in various configurations have been established around the world. Initially, this trend was mostly confined to Europe but the Supplier Park concept quickly gained momentum in newly industrialised countries like Brazil and, more recently, the USA and South Africa (Reichhart & Holweg, 2007: 52). The world’s automotive industry is a vital part of the workings of the global economy and the wellbeing of the world’s citizens (OICA, n.d.). According to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA, n.d.), the world’s automotive industry manufactured over 66 million cars, vans, trucks and buses in 2005 which is equivalent to a global turnover of close to € 2 trillion. If vehicle manufacturing were a country, it would be the sixth largest economy in the world requiring the direct employment of nearly eight million people in manufacturing the vehicles and the parts that go into them. This is more than 5% of the world’s total manufacturing employment. In addition to these direct employees, many more people are employed indirectly in related manufacturing and service provision industries (OICA, n.d.).
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Convergence of logistics planning, execution and measurement on outsourcing
- D’Amato, A.A., Kgoedi, S., Swanepoel, G.
- Authors: D’Amato, A.A. , Kgoedi, S. , Swanepoel, G.
- Date: 2014-05-05
- Subjects: Business logistics , Contracting out
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10489
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Logistics Service Providers are becoming increasingly involved within their client’s businesses. Beyond just providing vehicles and buildings, logistics service providers are now also becoming involved with the knowledge-type work that is connected to the traditional services provided. LSPs are also becoming better integrators of supply chain functions and are offering an increasingly vast basket of services to clients that can be configured in a way that adds value to the client. The research presented in this paper looks at the theoretical impact that converged planning and execution functions have on business success as well as a view of how selected IMPERIAL Logistics client organisations perceive the impact of increased integration of IMPERIAL Logistics within their businesses. The research viewed the integration of planning and execution in two ways: The impact of a supply chain partner integrating their business functions with that of the client organisation. The integration of the tasks of planning and execution under a single arrangement. The impact of integrated planning and execution functions for the client organisation was found to be improved long term commitment and alignment in terms of business operations and relationships, better communication, more integrated planning and decision making, better usage of systems to streamline the process as well as a focus on core business whilst supply chain experts handle their core business, which is planning and executing supply chain functions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: D’Amato, A.A. , Kgoedi, S. , Swanepoel, G.
- Date: 2014-05-05
- Subjects: Business logistics , Contracting out
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10489
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Logistics Service Providers are becoming increasingly involved within their client’s businesses. Beyond just providing vehicles and buildings, logistics service providers are now also becoming involved with the knowledge-type work that is connected to the traditional services provided. LSPs are also becoming better integrators of supply chain functions and are offering an increasingly vast basket of services to clients that can be configured in a way that adds value to the client. The research presented in this paper looks at the theoretical impact that converged planning and execution functions have on business success as well as a view of how selected IMPERIAL Logistics client organisations perceive the impact of increased integration of IMPERIAL Logistics within their businesses. The research viewed the integration of planning and execution in two ways: The impact of a supply chain partner integrating their business functions with that of the client organisation. The integration of the tasks of planning and execution under a single arrangement. The impact of integrated planning and execution functions for the client organisation was found to be improved long term commitment and alignment in terms of business operations and relationships, better communication, more integrated planning and decision making, better usage of systems to streamline the process as well as a focus on core business whilst supply chain experts handle their core business, which is planning and executing supply chain functions.
- Full Text:
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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- 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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Visible optimisation of inventory management system
- Authors: Kganyago, Nebo John
- Date: 2014-06-04
- Subjects: Inventory control , Business logistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11028
- Description: M.Tech. (Industrial Engineering) , This research investigates the influence of supply chain visibility on the performance of inventory management. A mixed method approach was used in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data that was statistically analysed; interviews were carried out to supplement in-depth understanding of inventory management practices. The research study used the four constructs of supply chain visibility as proposed in the literature which are visibility for sensing, visibility for learning, visibility for coordinating and visibility for integrating. Data obtained was analysed mainly through correlation and mean score analysis. The results from the study demonstrated that 42% of the variance in the performance of inventory management was explained by the two constructs of supply chain visibility that’s coordinating and integrating at a statistical confidence of 95%. The study could not establish the influence of sensing and learning on the performance of inventory management. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge of supply chain visibility variables that can be associated with the performance of inventory management. The survey was done on a small population in one manufacturing company impacting negatively on the generalisation of the results.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kganyago, Nebo John
- Date: 2014-06-04
- Subjects: Inventory control , Business logistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11028
- Description: M.Tech. (Industrial Engineering) , This research investigates the influence of supply chain visibility on the performance of inventory management. A mixed method approach was used in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data that was statistically analysed; interviews were carried out to supplement in-depth understanding of inventory management practices. The research study used the four constructs of supply chain visibility as proposed in the literature which are visibility for sensing, visibility for learning, visibility for coordinating and visibility for integrating. Data obtained was analysed mainly through correlation and mean score analysis. The results from the study demonstrated that 42% of the variance in the performance of inventory management was explained by the two constructs of supply chain visibility that’s coordinating and integrating at a statistical confidence of 95%. The study could not establish the influence of sensing and learning on the performance of inventory management. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge of supply chain visibility variables that can be associated with the performance of inventory management. The survey was done on a small population in one manufacturing company impacting negatively on the generalisation of the results.
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