3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item A multi-criterion decision analysis (MCDA) approach to pallet material selection for varying supply chain networks(2019) Chama, ChamaPallets maintain a pivotal role in the storage and transportation of products within a supply chain. Although pallets have been traditionally constructed from wood, there has been a shift towards plastic and other composite materials for pallet construction. Subsequently, debate has inundated the industry with questions pertaining to the identification of “the best” pallet material type in relation to a supply chain, which could be highly subjective. As such, the aim of this research is to provide insights into the impact that these materials of construction (MOC), of a pallet, have on a supply chain network and examine the limitations and drawbacks as well as strengths and benefits associated with pallets of a particular MOC. The goal is to assist the end consumer come to an informed decision when making the choice between pallets of different MOC. In order to achieve this, the main objective of the research was to develop a decision support tool that can be used by industry professionals when deciding between alternative pallets for their supply chain. Four main facets were used in order to conduct the study namely: (I) a theoretical framework and market analysis, which laid the foundation of the study; (II) a material analysis phase which looked at the material properties of the selected pallets with the incorporation of modelling; (III) a macro study phase which looked at the “big” picture in the form of a case study; and (IV) a final phase which culminated the findings of the study and presented the backdrop for the formation of a decision support tool. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative research methods, feature in this study in order to fully examine the research objectives. In addition to the literature review, surveys were circulated to prominent pallet manufacturers and consumers within the local South African (SA) market. This was the method of choice for data collection in phase I. Within phase II, the materials used for pallet construction were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for surface morphology and topology characteristics respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was used to confirm the chemical structure of the MOC and assess if major additives were present that could affect pallet performance. Lastly tensile testing was carried out as a means by which to assess mechanical properties of the pallet MOC and provide useful data for the simulation models. A case study was the main feature of phase III. Pallets of wood and plastic were introduced into 3 different supply chain types namely: i) a cold chain loop in the frozen vegetable sector, ii) an ambient goods chain primarily featuring household cleaning agents and iii) a perishable foods chain. This then presented the opportunity to substantiate test results (from phase II) with real world data. In the final phase, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool is formulated using analytic hierarchy process techniques. From the first phase of the study, a survey was used to evaluate the local landscape and market perception of pallets from a consumer and manufacturer perspective. The survey results confirmed the dominance of wood as a MOC in the SA marketplace with 86 % of the total pallet market being wood, as per respondents from pallet manufacturers and poolers alike. With 85.71 % of respondents asserting that they supplied fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries, the decision to conduct the case study in this field also proved justified. The characterization of the MOCs provided critical material data for use in the pallet modelling and provided insight into the chemical and mechanical properties that the materials possess. In terms of pallet tests, all the pallets performed well in the stacking and racking tests. Average deflections of 5.7 mm, 3.7 mm and 5.0 mm in the racking tests were recorded for the wood (Pallet B – SA Pine), plastic (Pallet A – HDPE + PP) and plastic (Pallet C – PP) pallets respectively. In terms of the stacking tests, deflection rates were 4.0 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.8 mm for these pallets as well. The case study results indicated that each pallet had areas of strength and weakness with respect to a particular supply chain network or operating environment. The scorecards for each pallet were specified and derived from site observations (based on performance within supply chains). The plastic (Pallet C – PP) pallet was however the best performer overall (as an aggregate across all 3 supply chains was considered) with an average rating of 4.81/5 and closely followed by wood (Pallet B) at 4.70/5 and lastly 4.54/5 for the Pallet A plastic pallet. These results stem from a comparison of the pallets across a number of criteria with a focus on the various stages along the supply chain. As a consequence, the study also proved that deciding on a pallet type for a particular supply chain is an arduous task due to the complexity of assessing pallets in different scenarios and the varied performance attributes presented and requires consideration of multiple criteria. Therefore, the proposed solution may have practical implications for all users of pallets in that the formulated tool can support in optimising the consumer’s supply chains by choosing the best pallet solution to meet their needs. The resulting MCDA tool along with pertinent media from the case study is hosted on the following web address and can be accessed at: https://pallet-mcda.firebaseapp.com. Here the tool will perform the relevant calculations on the basis of customer requirements and output a suggested pallet solution.Item Supply chain management predictors of sustainable procurement and inclusive business in South Africa(2018) Mashele, FaithWith the rise in volatility of local and global markets, organisations are becoming attuned to the need for creating sustainable economic value for stakeholders. Procurement channels, as a result, have become potential gateways for enabling market access and for encouraging participation by marginalised groups in the economy. For this reason, it was considered interesting to examine how inclusive business approaches, can be adopted as part of the procurement landscape as a tool for creating concerted socioeconomic and environmental value for both business and society. The purpose of this study therefore, was to investigate the potential supply chain antecedents of sustainable procurement and inclusive business in South Africa. The study was grounded in three theories, namely: stakeholder theory, institutional theory and resource-based view theory. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was adopted to quantitatively test primary data that were collected from supply chain and procurement practitioners based in South Africa using an online self-administered survey. Out of the 385 responses that were received, 249 were usable and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS version 23) statistical software packages. Through investigating the eight hypothesised relationships that were developed, this study theoretically positioned sustainable procurement to empirical literature that focuses on strategic partnerships, competitive advantage, familiarity with policies, trust within supply chains, organisational incentives and inclusive business. Secondly, it was observed that business models and strategies that are inclusive in nature, are able to facilitate increased access to procurement markets and resources. Managers thus, may consider establishing pilot projects and specialised programmes for promoting sustainable procurement initiatives. Lastly, the results have shown, a strong and positive relationship between organisational incentives and sustainable procurement. Policy makers and practitioners, thus, may use this study as a reference point for, adopting procurement policies and strategies that are aimed at promoting responsible and inclusive procurement practices.Item Managing demand variability through information sharing: a case study of imperial cold logistics(2018) Subiah, Amanda RenelleSupply Chain Management (SCM) aims to improve coordination among the various members of a supply chain (manufacturers, distributors and retailers) to increase transparency and reduce the impact of demand variability. The supply chain is currently struggling with the classic symptoms of a mismatch between supply and demand, low sales forecast accuracy, high and aging inventory, as well as low customer service. Because of fluctuating demand and complex interactions among various organizations in the supply chain, the management of the supply chain becomes increasingly challenging. Variability is one of the costliest problems in supply chains, particularly when it amplifies as it flows up the chain. This phenomenon is known as the Bullwhip Effect (BWE) and has drawn much attention in the study of SCM. Anything that is done to stabilise the flow of demand across a supply chain will improve the performance and will result in substantial advantage over chains that must cope with higher levels of variability. The focus of this research was the management of demand variability through information sharing, with a specific focus on Imperial Cold Logistics. As this was an exploratory case study a variety of sources were used to gather information. As part of the study the impact of the BWE across a three-stage supply chain was quantified consisting of a single manufacturer, a single distributor and a single retailer. The results of the study demonstrate the improvement that information sharing has on service levels resulting in improved financial results to all members in the study. The benefits have been quantified for the parties in the supply chain. The study proposes several information sharing mechanisms that can be applied across supply chains.Item The causes of food waste in a quick service restaurant supply chain : a South African exploratory case study(2018) Dzumbunu, Sophie Ropa-fadzoThe total cost of food waste across the value chain in South Africa is estimated at R61.5billion per annum, equivalent to 2.1% of gross domestic product (Nahman and de Lange, 2013). Consequently, a third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, equivalent to about 1.3 billion tonnes per year (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2011). Food waste is composed of raw or cooked food materials and includes food waste before, during and after meal preparation in the household, as well as food losses in the manufacturing, distribution, retail and food services activities (European Commission, 2010). Oelofse and Nahman (2013) noted that attempts to quantify the actual amount of food waste globally are constrained by limited data, particularly from developing countries. The gaps in the existing literature for data on food waste, particularly in the quick service restaurant sector, created an interest to unravel the causes of food waste in the South African supply chain. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of processes associated with supply chain activities on food waste in the quick service restaurant supply chain in South Africa. The present research undertakes a qualitative exploratory case study design. The company under study in the current research is a quick service restaurant brand owner with operations ranging from manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and franchised quick service restaurant outlets. The company has been chosen for the reason that it owns the highest number of quick service restaurants in South Africa. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with company managers to gather insights and perspectives on food waste. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using QDA Miner 4 to systematically code the data to identify themes and patterns. The resultant analysis identified six main factors that influence food waste in a quick service restaurant supply chain, namely, raw material, manufacturing process, cold chain maintenance, stock management, machinery and training. A conceptual model, based on the results from the current study, proposes the use of technology as a mediating variable in ascertaining the relationship of each of the causes to food waste. The present study makes a contribution to theory by addressing the gap in literature on data from developing countries by providing data from a sub-Saharan context. Further to this, the present study highlights the factors causing food waste and the linkages between them with the use of a current reality tree. The findings provide managers with an understanding of strategies that can be employed to reduce food waste such as, investment in equipment and machinery. Further to this, the present study recommends the use of real demand and waste data in sustainability reporting to foster stakeholder engagement and customer goodwill. Lastly, from a green marketing perspective, the present study recommends that the company develops consumer marketing messages centred on ‘green’ products to enable the creation of a competitive advantage with the benefits of increased market share and revenue.Item Optimisation of key performance indicators along a value chain(2018) Ferreira, Daniel JorgeThe purpose of this research is to determine a single measure of performance for a supply chain model. Furthermore, the supply chain was modelled using simulation techniques. The supply chain model chosen is the coal corridor in South Africa. Various frameworks were evaluated and the performance of the supply chain model was done using an adapted model originally suggested by Aronovich et. al 2010. The results from the adapted framework show that the Transnet supply chain model performed at 45% for the 2014 year. Improvement scenarios were then formulated based on the worst performing phases in the supply chain: rail transportation and shipping distribution. The rail element of the supply chain model was simulated using the Anylogic simulation package. Discrete event simulation methods were used. It was found that if Transnet Freight Rail upgraded the single track at Overvaal, utilised 100 wagon trains instead of 200 wagon trains and eliminated Ermelo as a hub they could increase their throughput by 20%. Furthermore, recommendations were made suggesting that the framework should be further adapted to include the need for multiple suppliers and the simulation model should incorporate the transport of coal via trucks.Item The effectiveness of using learning factories to impart lean principles to develop business improvement skills in mining employees(2017) Makumbe, Ruramai Sarah MabaisaThe purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of Learning factories in imparting Lean principles in order to build Business Improvement skills of mining workforces. This study was conducted at a training centre established by a mining company in South Africa. Two groups of participants with employees at two different employment levels were trained at the centre in foundation Lean principles. The Kirkpatrick model for evaluating effectiveness of training was chosen as a tool that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of this Lean training. This was achieved using before-and-after questionnaires, visual observations and process data from improvement projects identified by the participants. The results showed that the Learning Factory is effective in imparting the Lean skills across hierarchy levels in a mining operation within a short space of time. Furthermore, all employees arrived at the same overall Lean understanding post training regardless of their starting point. Where project implementation was done, it was found that the participants were able to apply most of the Lean principles in the workplace. A major shortcoming observed was that the main focus was on technical aspects of Lean with little regard for other aspects that contribute to sustainable Business Improvement such as change of culture. Lastly it was found that while the Learning Factory can assist in building Lean capability in an implementation, the other success factors such as management buy-in and workforce support can enhance this effort. One recommendation is to do a study to determine the interrelated nature of the factors that drive a successful Lean implementation and the role that a change management program like ADKAR can play to maximise success.Item The current understanding of lean warehousing principles in a third party logistic provider in South Africa(2016) Swart, Alexander DaniëlA single case study of a major third party logistics provider (3PL) in South Africa was completed for this research. A total of four warehouses, including 43 workers partook in the study. The primary objective of this research was to determine how well employees within the warehousing industry understand Lean principles, and to illustrate the gap in Lean knowledge between the employment levels, i.e. Managers, Supervisors and Material Handlers. Group-administered questionnaires were used as the principle means of gathering data. All participants for each respective warehouse were present in a “classroom” format during completion of the questionnaires. The author was also present during all sessions to ensure consistency and to clarify any questions that participants had. The questionnaire tested each participant’s understanding with regards to seven key Lean principles in warehousing. These seven principles were identified from previous research on Lean within warehousing. The results gathered from the questionnaires were then validated using semi-structured follow-up interviews. It was found that a real gap in Lean knowledge exists between Managers and Material Handlers (shop-floor workers). Managers understand the key Lean principles within warehousing, as well as the importance thereof. While the employees actually working on the floor do not. The main reasons for this are due to a lack of suitable training and knowledge sharing. Based on the seven key Lean warehousing principles, the following were identified in the study as the most important ones to focus on: Continuous Improvement and Visual Management. These are believed to be basics in warehousing. However, employees still seem to struggle with the true understanding and significance thereof. It is imperative that the understanding of Lean principles and the involvement of management exist when striving to be successful with Lean. The gaps in Lean knowledge have been identified and laid out in this report. The reasons for each gap have also been investigated and discussed in detail. Finally, pertinent areas have been highlighted to assist with the development of Lean training material. This will ensure that the current gap of Lean understanding among warehousing employees is closed.