3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions

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A systems framework for the acquisition of bogies through lifecycle for transnet engineering product development (TE PD) projects
(2024) Booi, Mzwandile Shane
This research was conducted to investigate factors affecting acquisition of rolling stock, specifically bogies through lifecycle of rolling stock, and developed a conceptual framework for Transnet Engineering Product Development (TE PD) to assist in the acquisition of bogies through lifecycle of rolling stock. A review of the literature with focus on rolling stock, new product development, lifecycles, systems engineering, architecture frameworks, logistics, and project management was conducted. The first draft of the framework consisted of 37 viewpoints. It was developed by adapting Ministry of Defence Architecture Framework (MoDAF)(Caruso et al, 2010) and Department of Defence Architecture Framework (DoDAF)(DoD, 2007) architecture. The framework was developed along with a checklist matrix with 32 factors affecting the acquisition of bogies through lifecycle of rolling stock. Research was conducted using a Likert survey and archival research to evaluate current acquisition processes and identify problematic factors affecting acquisition of rolling stock within TE PD. The survey reached a response rate of 60.0% (42 respondents). The survey was used to rank the issues affecting acquisition of rolling stock within TE PD from the perspective of former and current employees of TE PD. Then, archival research was conducted by going through two main project document templates that were used for all the projects considered for this research. The archival research found that each projects followed process as per intent, but the process could benefit greatly from introducing new templates such as a standardised acquisition lifecycle process, SEMP template, WBS template, ConOps template as well as the check list matrix. This was followed by semi-structured interviews conducted with subject matter experts to give their critique of the first draft of the conceptual framework. A final framework updated from the input from subject matter experts is presented with a total of 41 viewpoints. Pareto Principle, which states that 80% of problems are caused by the top 20% of the issues, was used to pick the top 21.8% of the top acquisition issues according to the survey responses and interventions proposed by the framework to address these critical issues.
An MILP approach to optimizing capacity on rail lines: a NatCor case study
(2024) Ntwana, Nolusindiso
Rail capacity planning and management is becoming a topic of interest around the world. Rail companies are now researching ways to increase capacity and are therefore investing resources in architecture expansion, which may result in high capital costs. There has been a lack of research and resources invested in optimising existing capacity, which could save these extra costs. Using the Natal Corridor (NatCor) as a case study, this research analyses the capacity on the rail line and the effects that optimisation of the line will have on the Durban Container Terminal (DCT). The research investigates the current state of NatCor as a train timetabling problem (TTP). A mathematical model is proposed using mixed integer linear programming (MILP) in order to optimise the line. The TTP is then converted into an equivalent vehicle routing problem with time windows (VRPTW). Current schedules of the NatCor are used as an input to the model and the model is solved using Python and MS Excel Open Solver. The initial feasible solution is improved using the Tabu Search (TS) algorithm. The results suggest that frequent updates to company data will help keep the train timetables clear of any cancelled trains, which take up capacity on the line. The MILP models provided an optimal maximum travel time that trains could incur on the line without causing any further delays to operations at the DCT. The models will contribute to future research on similar topics and can be further developed to model large rail networks.
Automotive heater core for off-design conditions
(2023) Bhaiyat, Taahir Ibrahim
This dissertation presents the overall heat transfer performance of a louvered fin-and-tube heater core and a newly developed “lattice porous” heater core, each operating under uniform and nonuniform incident flow-fields. Specific emphasis is placed on the physical mechanisms pertaining to their differences in heat transfer rates, based on thermal and hydraulic dispersion characteristics of the cores. The variation of heat transfer rate with airstream flowrate is experimentally detailed in a typical range applicable to Automotive Climate Control System (ACCS) units (i.e., 58.8 ≤ Relp ≤ 361). It has been demonstrated that a non-uniform airstream incident on a louvered fin-and-tube core reduces heat transfer to the airstream, while a non-uniform airstream incident on a lattice porous core enhances heat transfer to the airstream. This is because concentrated regions of momentum in a non-uniform incident airstream are fully dispersed, laterally, throughout a lattice porous core, thereby increasing surface interaction between the core and the airstream, as well as increasing flow mixing
Blast wave generation and interactions
(2024) Chirewa, B.T.
The purpose of this study was to produce blast waves and study the flow properties behind the blast wave wherre the blast wave Mach number ranges from 1.11 to 1.44. Previous studies on blast waves only focused on the positive phase of the pressure decay profile. The negative phase is usually ignored. The negative phase was given more attention in this study. A blast tube that was designed in a previous study was used in the experiments to generate the blast waves. A numerical study was performed using Ansys CFD software alongside the experimental study to have a validation for the blast tube design. Both the experimental and the numerical pressure decay profiles showed strong correlation with the Friedlander pressure decay profile. The decay profiles were further validated by calculating the positive impulse. This was calculated as the area under the positive phase of the decay profiles. The experimental positive impulse was 1.08% higher than the positive impulse of the Friedlander profile and the numerical positive impulse was 1.32% higher than the positive impulse of the Friedlander profile. These were insignificant differences which showed that the blast tube was producing blast waves of good quality. The secondary shock was observed in the pressure traces as a sharp increase in pressure in the negative phase followed by a gradual decrease. It was noted that the secondary shock wave remained in the negative phase. The flow velocity in the negative phase was observed to be high enough to pick debris caused by the incident shock wave which can result in further structural damage. As the Mach number increases, the incident shock wave and the secondary shock wave become further apart. This is because the speed of the incident shock wave increases at a faster rate with increasing Mach number than the speed of the secondary shock wave. The experimental diffraction was studied on a 90◦ corner using a schlieren optics setup connected to a high-speed camera set to capture 65000 frames per second. The observed diffraction patterns in the perturbed region were similar to those observed in the diffraction of weak shock waves. This region was characterised by a diffracted shock wave, a reflected expansion wave, a vortex, a slipstream and a viscous vortex. The slipstream angle was noted to decrease during the blast wave diffraction, contrary to shock wave diffraction where the flow is pseudo-stationary. The contact surface that is seen in the diffraction of weak shock waves was observed being entrained into the vortex but not visible near the incident shock wave. The reflected expansion wave that is circular in iv the diffraction of weak shock waves was seen to be distorted in the blast waves case. The distortion happened as soon as it encountered the variable velocity and sound speed behind the incident shock wave. A comparison of the ratio of the distance moved by the expansion wave to the distance moved by the incident shock wave during diffraction was made between normal shock waves and the blast waves. It was observed that the ratio was higher for blast waves than for shock waves. This is because the flow velocity trailing a blast wave decreases at a faster rate than the decrease in sound speed. This causes the reflected expansion wave to propagate further upstream in blast wave diffraction than in shock wave diffraction. The difference between the ratios was observed to become smaller as the Mach number approaches unity. This was because flow velocity tends to zero at Mach 1 and the propagation of the reflected expansion wave will only be determined by the sound speed which will be similar for both the blast wave diffraction and the shock wave diffraction. A higher resolution camera should be used to allow for accurate measurement of distances and a wider range of Mach numbers should be used to confirm the trend. A numerical study with better flow visualisation resources is recommended for future studies. Future studies are also recommended on the vortex behaviour in blast wave diffraction, which was established to be much more complex than in shock wave diffraction.
Evolving soft robots with CPPN-NEAT in a randomised domain with realistic fluidic elastomer actuators
(2024) Pienaar, Michael
Robotics is becoming more and more integrated into our lives; however, there are limitations to what can be achieved using traditional robots. Traditional robots perform well in closed environments for repetitive tasks but underperform in unknown, open environments. Additionally, they can potentially damage animals, people, and environments around them and are very expensive to design and manufacture. In contrast, soft robots are inherently safe, are cheap to make and are excellent at adapting to variations in their environment. This makes soft robots more suitable than rigid robots for medical applications, hospitality, research and exploration in natural environments, and extra-terrestrial exploration. Unfortunately, soft robots are difficult to design due to the nonlinearity of their behaviour. Previous research has shown an evolution strategy, CPPN-NEAT, could be used to design both the morphologies and controllers of virtual soft robots. However, these studies do not accurately represent real soft robots and real environments, such that their results have no real-world applicability. In this research, the gap between evolving virtual soft robots and soft robots with real applicability is reduced by using a more realistic simulation environment, SOFA, realistic fluidic elastomer actuators in the evolution, implementing domain randomisation during the evolution, and lastly, by growing soft robots from central mesh like what occurs in developmental biology. It was successively shown that the entire structure and composition of soft robots that use fluidic elastomer actuators can be evolved in SOFA. Interestingly, with these improvements, designs that resembled real soft robotic designs were evolved showing the realism of the environment and set-up. Furthermore, it was shown how domain randomisation can improve the evolutions’ ability to find soft robots that can handle unknown environments better. Lastly, soft robots were successively evolved by growing them from central elements, which in turn expanded the possible sizes and shapes of the soft robots
Improving lead times for life insurance products and services offered by tied financial advisors at company X
(2024) Mogale, Elnorah Lebang
Life insurance provides the family with security in the unfortunate event that the policyholder passes away. In order for insurers to remain competitive and profitable in today's fast-paced business environment, which is driven by consumers who have less patience with time-consuming processes, policy issuance lead times must be reduced. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the different approaches to reduce the lead times of product and service delivery at Life Insurance Company X. Existing lead times must be decreased if the company wants to grow its market share in the mass market. Despite the insurance industry's emphasis on client-centricity and the importance of issuing policies as quickly as possible, little attention has been paid to the concept of lead times and their reduction. The study used a qualitative research design, with a sample of Life Insurance X employees being interviewed and observed. The mapping tools used in the study were guided by the results of the interviews and observations, which aided in the identification of value-adding, non-value-adding, and non-valueadding but required activities. The study demonstrates that addressing the failure demand experienced in the process, ensuring minimal touch points, and ensuring employees spend time productively rather than waiting on office equipment are beneficial to reducing lead times.
Indirect adaptive control of an unmanned receiver and tanker system during aerial refuelling
(2024) Panday, Aarti
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have evolved in design, complexity and have seen increasingly diverse roles within the past five decades of its adoption as an essential aviation tool. The lack of an in-flight-refuelling capability is one of the major practical limitations of UAVs. In a successful automated aerial refuelling (AAR) manoeuvre, the refuelling receiver aircraft must maintain an accurate position relative to the tanker aircraft. Without the presence of a skilled pilot in the cockpit, control systems must be developed to meet the stringent performance and safety requirements of the AAR manoeuvre, while requiring stability and performance robustness. The aim of this study was to address the development of stable control laws by synthesising techniques in nonlinear and intelligent control. The objectives included system model development, optimisation of controller designs using evolutionary algorithms coupled with Lyapunov stability theory, and system simulation both with and without disturbances. The research objectives were addressed in three phases using numerical simulation in the MATLAB environment: establishing a baseline case in phase 1 where proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control was used, followed by the development of a Lyapunov-based feedback linearisation controller in phase 2 and lastly, the development of a dynamic neural network-based control scheme in phase 3. An aerial refuelling system model was developed, inclusive of the tanker-receiver engagement, where the receiver aircraft dynamics was framed as a variable-mass system subject to a wind field as inherent to the process. Three controllers were designed for the system. The nonlinear system model was used directly in the development of a benchmark controller case using PID control for the aerial refuelling manoeuvre. A single set of controller gains, applicable throughout all phases of the refuelling manoeuvre, was as found through manual tuning, eliminating the need for gain scheduling. Lyapunov stability theory was extended to the aerial refuelling system, where mechanical energy of the variable-mass system was increased as fuel was added to the receiver aircraft. Stability was established for the system throughout refuelling, including the post-refuelling phase, where the receiver aircraft would remain on station and mechanical energy would be conserved. The stability theorem was incorporated into a cost function, whose minimisation using evolutionary algorithms, would lead to optimisation of controller gains that would ensure system iv stability. The manually-tuned controller gains for the benchmark PID controller were optimised using particle swarm optimisation and genetic algorithms (GAs). It was found through the minimisation routine, that there is a minimum energy threshold that must not be exceeded in the system for performance and stability to be maintained. The minimum energy was found to be related to the ratio of mass increase to total aircraft mass. Two disturbance cases were defined: decreased, asymmetric refuelling and turbulence, to test the robustness of the designed controller. The second controller designed was based on feedback linearisation (FBL). FBL was incorporated in the inner loop, while a pseudo-backstepping scheme in the command inversion loop converted the reference command signals into desired dynamics. PID tracking control was used to close the outer loop to give effect to controller tracking objectives. Controller gains were selected through manual tuning and were then optimised with the Lyapunov-based GA routine developed earlier. The third controller design was the synthesised nonlinear intelligent controller, which used dynamic neural networks (DNNs) in an indirect adaptive FBL control scheme in the inner loop, while the outer loop remained the same as the FBL controller without the DNN. System identification was performed in order to obtain the DNN models to estimate the plant dynamics. Controller gains were selected through manual tuning and were then optimised with the Lyapunov-based GA routine developed earlier. Dynamic simulation results showed that the system was sensitive in the lateral-directional states in the presence of disturbances. The benchmark PID control was the least robust to disturbances, but its performance was improved when the Lyapunov-based GA gains were applied. The manually-tuned FBL controller exhibited damped oscillatory behaviour in the lateral-directional states during refuelling, however, application of the Lyapunov-based GA gains led to these behaviours being eradicated from the system state-variable trajectories. The DNN-based FBL controller with Lyapunov-based GA-optimised gains performed the best from all designed controllers. Transient behaviour with maximum deviation of 0.004% from nominal in the longitudinal and vertical separation was observed in the DNN-based FBL controller prior to refuelling commencing, but this very quickly settled to nominal. Application of the Lyapunov-based optimisation gave improved controller performance compared to the manually-tuned control gains in all instances, and the system was able to return to its nominal or desired values when subjected to disturbances. For the AAR manoeuvre, the synthesis of nonlinear and intelligent control techniques was able to produce stable control which showed good robustness characteristics when subjected to disturbances.
Integrated fault-tolerant control system for unmanned aerial systems
(2024) Kantue, Paulin
The susceptibility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to faults and errors within critical functions such as flight control and navigation systems, combined with their inability in supporting mechanical redundancy due to their size and weight constraints, has led to the research and development of intelligent and fault accommodating control systems known as fault-tolerant control systems (FTCS). The main objective of this research is to design a faulttolerant control (FTC) system which makes use of only flight data measurements available in most UAVs, to augment mission integrity against actuator faults. This thesis presents new research into the field of UAV fault-tolerant control. The above-stated data-driven approach in FTC design consisted of using radial basis functions neural networks (RBFNN), combined with a technique of time difference of arrival (TDOA) to detect and identify a particular type of actuator fault called an incipient fault. System identification of a propeller-motor slippage condition enabled the model estimation of such an incipient behaviour. FTC integration issues such as: FTC reliability and implementation in a real-time operating system; fault detection and diagnosis (FDD), and controller reconfiguration delays, were investigated within a development framework which ensured online fault estimation. This was achieved by adopting a modified RBFNN training algorithm with fast convergence and low-memory capabilities. The framework also incorporated a controller reconfiguration mechanism using the extremum seeking control law combined with an optimisation function constructed by utilising a geometric representation for actuator allocation. The integrated FTC requirement to improve the real-time performance of an unmanned quadcopter under various levels of incipient fault was achieved by comparing with a nominal controller within real-time simulation environment. The major contributions of this research can be summarised as follows: (1) The development of a fault-emulation model based on the faulty behaviour of a propeller-motor slippage (incipient) condition validated using a software-in-the-loop (SITL) simulation environment; (2) The development of a TDOA framework and the real-time learning of RBFNN through a meta-heuristic hybrid line search algorithm for real-time FDD. (3) The development and real-time testing of an extremum seeking reconfiguration control algorithm to improve the probability of mission success implemented within an integrated fault-tolerant framework
Intelligent fault-tolerant control using integrated flight-propulsion strategy for medium-scale rotorcraft
(2024) Mpanza, Lindokuhle Justice
This thesis presents the development of a medium-scale, single-rotor rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles (RUAVs) nonlinear dynamic model to be used for model-based design of fault-tolerant control. This model includes the swashplate actuator dynamics and the engine propulsion model. Most rotorcraft controller design treat these two system components as linear first-order systems. The inclusion of actuator dynamics allows us to simulate the actuator faults with increased fidelity, which enables the development of robust integrated flight-propulsion controllers (IFPCs) that are seamlessly transferable to the true platform. IFPC is proposed for the RUAV in order to handle the deliberate variations in rotor speed and for its exploitation as a redundant thrust control input in the case of a single swashplate actuator fault. The presented RUAV model is first controlled by using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers in six degrees-of-freedom (DOF). To obtain the best controller gains, computational intelligent optimisation techniques are used, these are: (i) ant-based: ant colony and antlion optimisation algorithms; (ii) flight-based: cuckoo search and firefly optimisation algorithms; and these are compared to (iii) particle swarm optimisation and genetic algorithm. The performance of the PID controllers are used for benchmarking the rest of the control strategies investigated. For fault tolerance, we present the passive fault-tolerant control (PFTC) based on sliding mode controller (SMC). Conventional SMC and super-twisting SMC are compared in terms of robustness to handle loss-of-effectiveness (LOE) faults in one of the three swashplate actuators and the deviation of the rotor speed from nominal. These controllers are also optimised using the same computational intelligent algorithms as in the PID case. The SMC-based controllers proved robust to actuator LOE faults. However, they fail to recover the rotorcraft from total actuator failure. For this problem, an active faulttolerant control (AFTC) scheme based on dynamic neural networks (DNN) is employed. RUAV system identification using DNN is combined with feedback linearisation (FBL). Multi-objective optimisation algorithms are used to find the controller and FBL gains. DNN is also used for fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) for the AFTC. This applied indirect DNNFBL control strategy proved to be more suitable for IFPC and was able to recover from severe actuator faults and rejected rotor speed variations. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategies is evaluated in hardware-in-the-loop simulations (HILS) using an experimental swashplate rig of three electromechanical actuators. The experimental results validated the developed and simulated control strategies
Managing the supply chain risks within the construction industry of Africa’s top three performing GDP nations
(2024) Hardham, Robert
The management of construction supply chain risks in Africa’s top three performing GDP nations is vitally important in the mitigation of inefficient operations, schedule delays, and cost overruns during construction projects. The identification and implementation of mitigation operations, and processes, must be vastly researched and successfully implemented to mitigate construction wastes and inefficiencies. Given this, the supply chain risks, and the relevant impacts, need to be identified and investigated. Furthermore, the mitigation strategies and technologies are investigated in the attempt to mitigate or lessen the impact of the identified construction supply chain risks. The study conducted research through a mixed methodology, followed by the collection and systematic review of published literature, before being coded into the identified key themes from the literature available. The frequency, severity and importance of the risk, and impacts, were determined using various indices. The results obtained showed that the impact of the construction supply chain risks were significant with regards to their cost and scheduling attributes. The risks and delays mainly stemmed from the lack of management, capable expertise, and financial restrictions. Furthermore, the correct implementation of mitigation strategies and technology could further reduce construction supply chain wastes and inefficiencies.
Nonlinear intelligent fault-tolerant control of quadrotor-based aerial manipulators for precision agriculture applications
(2024) Kuchwa-Dube, Chioniso
An aerial manipulator, that is an aerial robot such as a quadrotor, endowed with a robotic manipulator, can extend the application of aerial robots by allowing the aerial robot to physically interact with objects. For example, in precision agriculture, autonomous, accurate and fault-tolerant control (FTC) of the aerial manipulator is important to allow the aerial manipulator to collect viable plant samples without causing damage to the plant. Quadrotors are, however, challenging to control as they are underactuated, and have coupled, nonlinear dynamics. The control of quadrotor-based aerial manipulators is further complicated due to the coupling between the motion of the manipulator and that of the quadrotor. In this study, an intelligent, nonlinear FTC for quadrotor-based aerial manipulators is developed. Both active and passive sliding mode FTCs are investigated. The passive FTCs rely on the robust properties of the sliding mode controllers (SMCs) to mitigate rotor faults. For the active FTCs, different static neural network structures are investigated for the fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) unit used to detect and measure rotor faults. Several different SMC formulations are investigated in this study, including; continuous and discontinuous SMCs, integral SMCs, adaptive SMCs, and super-twisting SMCs. SMCs typically suffer from the undesirable chattering phenomena, which can be observed as high-frequency oscillations of the controlled system. A novel chattering index is therefore developed to measure the chattering levels of SMCs. When tuning the controllers’ gains, the objectives are to minimise the trajectory tracking error, control input, and chattering. Manual tuning of controller gains, taking into account multiple conflicting objectives, is time consuming and does not result in optimal gains being selected. In this study, two intelligent multi-objective optimisation (MOO) algorithms, the multi-objective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO) algorithm and a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) are compared for the SMC gains tuning. The novel chattering index is used as the chattering minimisation objective, together with trajectory tracking error and control input minimisation objectives, when tuning the SMC gains using the MOPSO controller gains-optimisation method. Simulations are conducted for the FTC of a large aerial manipulator with a two degree-of-freedom (DoF) manipulator. The simulation results show that the aerial manipulator successfully performs farm coverage for remote sensing while collecting plant samples, in the presence of a rotor fault. Laboratory experiments of a miniature aerial manipulator, including manipulator motion in the presence of a rotor fault, are conducted. The miniature aerial manipulator used is a Crazyflie quadrotor with an optical flow deck for position feedback and a one-DoF manipulator actuated by a servo motor. The simulations and experiments show the effectiveness of the passive and active sliding mode FTCs, the neural network-based FDD units, the intelligent MOO controller gains-tuning method, and the developed chattering index
Risk management in supply chain information flow: a study of selected food processing companies in South Africa
(2023) Matlhoko, Otshepeng Eddison
As the Food Processing Industry continues to expand and becomes increasingly complex, by the same token, a number of problems encountered arise (Nguegan & Mafini, 2017). Such problems include, but are not limited to, more dynamic, differentiated and complex consumer demand, distorted supply chain information flow, the need for effective practices and the need to meet the dynamic market requirements (Grunert, 2003; Singhal, et al, 2011). All of these problems pose risks to the business performance and the supply chain management effectiveness, resulting in rising costs and declining competitiveness. Given that information is considered important tool for decision making and keeps all supply chain components updated, it was crucial to study information flow risk factors and the mitigation strategies employed by Food Processing Companies to better comprehend developments within the industry (Nguegan & Mafini, 2017). Through following the qualitative research approach, it was established that effective risk management lies in the ability of the senior leaders and management to make good decisions. It is apparent that policies and procedures are almost invariably not enough, and, in consequence, the onus is on senior leaders and management to take policies and procedures a step further by implementing a holistic risk management program which can surge business chances of success and lessen the possibility of failure (Frigo & Anderson, 2011; Singh & Singh, 2019; Sunjka & Emwanu, 2013).
Servitization capabilities of selected South African manufacturers
(2024) Makhubela, P.V.
This paper examined the correlation between the servitization capabilities observed in South African companies and the servitization capabilities presented in the literature. The study also assessed whether differences exist in the extent that servitization capabilities are implemented at South African companies when compared to the extent of their implementation at European and North American (ENA) companies. Unlike with most of the existing servitization literature, this study did not make use of case studies and interviews as a research method, instead annual reports were sampled. Content analysis using a coding scheme was performed and both statistical and textual results were produced. The results suggest a correlation between the servitization capability literature and the servitization capabilities observed in practice. The extent of this correlation, however, differed between companies and between the South African sample and the ENA sample. South African companies were found to be closely associated with the data gathering and exchange, digitalisation, network management and “other” capabilities whilst the ENA companies were closely associated with the service development and delivery, service-oriented culture, customisation and “other” capabilities. Further research is required to determine the reasons for these differences and assess whether they impact servitization outcomes.
The development of a framework to measure the efficacy and effectiveness of business incubators in South Africa
(2024) Ojango, Stephen Anyera
Business incubators have been identified as a key development tool for the successful incubation of new and existing small businesses. Understanding their performance, efficacy and effectiveness in the development of small businesses and subsequent economic development is therefore of critical importance to practice and research on entrepreneurship within South Africa. Research on the efficacy and effectiveness of interactions within incubation is unclear, with no distinct measure or reference to the performance of incubator. An exploratory study was therefore undertaken to determine how the operational processes of business incubators could be improved, for the effective assessment of their contribution towards their objectives. The main objective of the research in response to the critical research question was to develop a way for Business Incubator’s measure their operational processes so that their contribution towards their objectives can be assessed. The overarching research design was qualitative in nature and followed the Soft Systems Methodology in support of the exploration of the research objective. Semi Structured and unstructured interviews were used as the primary instruments of data collection. Thematic and content analysis as well as systemigram and Causal loop diagramming were analysis and modelling tools used in the research. This approach provided insight and understanding of Business Incubators and the business incubation space in South Africa. A notable finding of the research was the identification of business incubation pipeline flow being a major challenge experienced within incubator operations, with pipeline being defined as the progression of beneficiaries from recruitment through to their exit. By focusing on critical areas within pipeline processes, expounding on the concept of Operations Management Systems and their relevance in Business Incubation and exploring the concept of 4IR with particular attention to its principles, a framework to measure the operations of incubators was developed as a key result for the research.

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Browsing 3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions by School "Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering"

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