Assessment of green supply-chain management in South African and Nigerian construction firms
- Authors: Ojo, Elizabeth Motunrayo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Business logistics , Business logistics - Management , Sustainable engineering , Construction industry - South Africa , Construction industry - Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225177 , uj:22736
- Description: Abstract: The subject of Green Supply-Chain Management has received attention in recent years among different industries. The huge consumption of resources by the construction industry has called for sustainable practices in construction. Green Supply-Chain Management (GSCM) has evolved as a tool to minimize the overall environmental impact in an organization. There are surveys and anecdotes about how companies are adopting GSCM. There is numerous literature on Green Supply-Chain Management in developed countries like the UK, U.S. and Asia; but only a few studies have been carried out in Africa. This research reveals a research gap regarding the implementation of GSCM in Nigerian and South African construction firms, to which this study responds. This thesis aims to provide a holistic assessment on Green Supply-Chain Management in South African and Nigerian construction industries. This research is descriptive in nature and the research design has been developed in parallel with conducting the research. Triangulation was adopted in this research; using past literature, a well-detailed questionnaire and interviews. Four hundred (400) questionnaires were sent by email, online and by visits to sites and offices; but only one hundred and sixteen (116) questionnaires were responded to and returned for analysis. While fifteen professionals in South African and Nigerian construction industries were interviewed. The results derived from both the questionnaire survey and interview provided a strong evidence that Green Supply-Chain Management is still at an infancy stage in the two countries and it is a practice that brings about sustainability in a construction firm. Although, it is an expensive venture, in the long run it yields great profit and gives a company a competitive edge. Several Green Supply-Chain Management definitions emerged from the questionnaire survey, all pointing towards environmental management and sustainability. In other words, GSCM is found to be compliant with environmental standards to bring about sustainability. The majority of the respondents’ suppliers are certified as Environment Management System (EMS) recognised bodies, like ISO 14000, to ensure that the materials which are used for construction are environmentally friendly and make the structure last for the entire intended life cycle. It was found that there are laws in place to ensure compliance of such practices. Approximately, forty two percentage (42.2%) of the respondents from the questionnaire survey agreed that they practise GSCM;... , D.Phil. (Engineering Management)
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- Authors: Ojo, Elizabeth Motunrayo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Business logistics , Business logistics - Management , Sustainable engineering , Construction industry - South Africa , Construction industry - Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225177 , uj:22736
- Description: Abstract: The subject of Green Supply-Chain Management has received attention in recent years among different industries. The huge consumption of resources by the construction industry has called for sustainable practices in construction. Green Supply-Chain Management (GSCM) has evolved as a tool to minimize the overall environmental impact in an organization. There are surveys and anecdotes about how companies are adopting GSCM. There is numerous literature on Green Supply-Chain Management in developed countries like the UK, U.S. and Asia; but only a few studies have been carried out in Africa. This research reveals a research gap regarding the implementation of GSCM in Nigerian and South African construction firms, to which this study responds. This thesis aims to provide a holistic assessment on Green Supply-Chain Management in South African and Nigerian construction industries. This research is descriptive in nature and the research design has been developed in parallel with conducting the research. Triangulation was adopted in this research; using past literature, a well-detailed questionnaire and interviews. Four hundred (400) questionnaires were sent by email, online and by visits to sites and offices; but only one hundred and sixteen (116) questionnaires were responded to and returned for analysis. While fifteen professionals in South African and Nigerian construction industries were interviewed. The results derived from both the questionnaire survey and interview provided a strong evidence that Green Supply-Chain Management is still at an infancy stage in the two countries and it is a practice that brings about sustainability in a construction firm. Although, it is an expensive venture, in the long run it yields great profit and gives a company a competitive edge. Several Green Supply-Chain Management definitions emerged from the questionnaire survey, all pointing towards environmental management and sustainability. In other words, GSCM is found to be compliant with environmental standards to bring about sustainability. The majority of the respondents’ suppliers are certified as Environment Management System (EMS) recognised bodies, like ISO 14000, to ensure that the materials which are used for construction are environmentally friendly and make the structure last for the entire intended life cycle. It was found that there are laws in place to ensure compliance of such practices. Approximately, forty two percentage (42.2%) of the respondents from the questionnaire survey agreed that they practise GSCM;... , D.Phil. (Engineering Management)
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A machine vision based health and usage monitoring system for a UAV
- Authors: Nana, Muhammad Ahmed
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Airframes - Design and construction , Sustainable engineering , Airframes - Fatigue , Aeronautics - Systems engineering - Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/242246 , uj:24981
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract , M.Ing. Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science
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- Authors: Nana, Muhammad Ahmed
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Airframes - Design and construction , Sustainable engineering , Airframes - Fatigue , Aeronautics - Systems engineering - Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/242246 , uj:24981
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract , M.Ing. Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science
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Application of neural network techniques to the ion-exchange process and prediction of abrasiveness characteristics of thermal coal
- Authors: Tshilenge, Kabuba John
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Chemical process control , Chemical process control - Simulation methods , Sustainable engineering , Heavy metals
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225117 , uj:22729
- Description: Abstract: The construction of a model for the prediction of process outputs is a valuable tool in the field of engineering. The models play an important role in the simulation and optimization of systems leading to the design of efficient and economical processes. Since 1943 neural network (NN) techniques have been considered as promising tools for use in simulation, prediction and modelling because of their simplicity. In this thesis a feed-forward neural network (FFNN) with back-propagation (BP) is used to test its effectiveness in modelling the ion-exchange process. The ion-exchange process has been widely employed in the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. This process is a complex non-linear process involving many factors influencing the chemical process which is not well understood (the ions uptake mechanisms from the pregnant solution, the subsequent step being the elution). In order to improve the performance of the ion-exchange process, optimization and analysis of the process should be accomplished. Modelling and simulation are tools which can be used to achieve the objectives. The experimental design using analysis of variance (ANOVA) was chosen to compare to the NN techniques and for optimizing the effective input parameters (pH, temperature and initial concentration). The FFNN successfully tracked the non-linear behaviour of the ion-exchange process versus the input parameters with a mean square error (MSE), correlation coefficient (R) and mean square relative error (MSRE) of 0.102, 0.998 and 0.004, respectively. The results showed that the FFNN modelling techniques could effectively predict and simulate the highly complex system and non-linear process such as the ion exchange using activated zeolite... , D.Tech. (Chemical Engineering)
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- Authors: Tshilenge, Kabuba John
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Chemical process control , Chemical process control - Simulation methods , Sustainable engineering , Heavy metals
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225117 , uj:22729
- Description: Abstract: The construction of a model for the prediction of process outputs is a valuable tool in the field of engineering. The models play an important role in the simulation and optimization of systems leading to the design of efficient and economical processes. Since 1943 neural network (NN) techniques have been considered as promising tools for use in simulation, prediction and modelling because of their simplicity. In this thesis a feed-forward neural network (FFNN) with back-propagation (BP) is used to test its effectiveness in modelling the ion-exchange process. The ion-exchange process has been widely employed in the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. This process is a complex non-linear process involving many factors influencing the chemical process which is not well understood (the ions uptake mechanisms from the pregnant solution, the subsequent step being the elution). In order to improve the performance of the ion-exchange process, optimization and analysis of the process should be accomplished. Modelling and simulation are tools which can be used to achieve the objectives. The experimental design using analysis of variance (ANOVA) was chosen to compare to the NN techniques and for optimizing the effective input parameters (pH, temperature and initial concentration). The FFNN successfully tracked the non-linear behaviour of the ion-exchange process versus the input parameters with a mean square error (MSE), correlation coefficient (R) and mean square relative error (MSRE) of 0.102, 0.998 and 0.004, respectively. The results showed that the FFNN modelling techniques could effectively predict and simulate the highly complex system and non-linear process such as the ion exchange using activated zeolite... , D.Tech. (Chemical Engineering)
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A conceptual systems framework for the built environment
- Prazeres, Gabriel Luis Alcantara
- Authors: Prazeres, Gabriel Luis Alcantara
- Date: 2012-02-06
- Subjects: Architecture , Sustainable architecture , Sustainable engineering , Sustainable design , Sustainable construction
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2001 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4355
- Description: M.Phil. , The building/construction industry is undeniably one of the largest; it however is also one of the most inefficient. These inefficiencies span design, construction and the operational phases. The depletion of natural resources and the need for sustainability has however created an urgent need for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) consultants to address these issues and develop life-cycle integration systems capable of eliminating or substantially reducing waste and efficiently managing the complex process of building design, construction and building operations management. Such systems may be based on advanced production techniques developed in the aerospace industries for the US military and subsequently adapted for use in the industrial manufacturing industry. This dissertation will attempt to explore the following: 1. Identification of current trends in the AEC industry including global warming and sustainable development, to determine the impact on the Building Industry. 2. The relevance of life-cycle engineering and Lean Production philosophy for the AEC industry. Of particular interest is how System life-cycle engineering will benefit the trend towards 'green' environmentally sustainable buildings. 3. Analysis of the AEC Design/Construction/Operation process (Project life-cycle), with the intention of identifying major weaknesses and strengths. 4. Information systems (current and future) and how these are driving change in the industry. Information systems as a backbone for the implementation of a proposed systems framework. The possible implications of life-cycle systems implementation for the architectural profession and other AEC professions will result in new proposed structures, obstacles and opportunities.
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- Authors: Prazeres, Gabriel Luis Alcantara
- Date: 2012-02-06
- Subjects: Architecture , Sustainable architecture , Sustainable engineering , Sustainable design , Sustainable construction
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2001 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4355
- Description: M.Phil. , The building/construction industry is undeniably one of the largest; it however is also one of the most inefficient. These inefficiencies span design, construction and the operational phases. The depletion of natural resources and the need for sustainability has however created an urgent need for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) consultants to address these issues and develop life-cycle integration systems capable of eliminating or substantially reducing waste and efficiently managing the complex process of building design, construction and building operations management. Such systems may be based on advanced production techniques developed in the aerospace industries for the US military and subsequently adapted for use in the industrial manufacturing industry. This dissertation will attempt to explore the following: 1. Identification of current trends in the AEC industry including global warming and sustainable development, to determine the impact on the Building Industry. 2. The relevance of life-cycle engineering and Lean Production philosophy for the AEC industry. Of particular interest is how System life-cycle engineering will benefit the trend towards 'green' environmentally sustainable buildings. 3. Analysis of the AEC Design/Construction/Operation process (Project life-cycle), with the intention of identifying major weaknesses and strengths. 4. Information systems (current and future) and how these are driving change in the industry. Information systems as a backbone for the implementation of a proposed systems framework. The possible implications of life-cycle systems implementation for the architectural profession and other AEC professions will result in new proposed structures, obstacles and opportunities.
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