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Masters Degrees (Supply chain management)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/20612

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Supply chain management) by SDG "SDG9"

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    An exploratory study of total quality management challenges during coronavirus disease: a case of Durban textile companies.
    (2022) Mbele, Khulani.; Ncube, Eric Dumisani.
    This research focused on Total Quality Management (TQM) as an operations challenge in the textile manufacturing sector during the era of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the focus on textile manufacturing sector companies. South African textile companies based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, include Best Branding South Africa (BBSA) and Textiles Express (TE) were selected for the study. TQM is a philosophy that seeks to integrate all organisational functions such as marketing, finance, supply chain, and engineering, as well as production, and customer service, to focus on meeting customer needs and company objectives. Customer satisfaction is the main driving force in TQM and involves top management. One of the biggest challenges in the textile manufacturing sector is that COVID-19 has severely affected TQM operations. Some of the operational challenges include, but are not limited to such as, machine failures, materials, and rejects. The COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate effect on textile sales, trade, and production. TQM operational challenges include shutting down business operations, the decline in revenues, and a reduction in production. The main study aim was to determine the COVID-19 pandemic impact on TQM within the textile manufacturing sector. The objectives of the study include: determining operations challenges faced in TQM attributable to COVID-19, regarding planning at the two textile companies, BBSA and TE. Second, to examine strategies employed in the textile manufacturing sector by BBSA and TE to solve these TQM operations challenges. Third, to explore which strategies were used by BBSA and TE to assess the COVID-19 impact on TQM. Last, to determine mitigation measures BBSA and TE employed to alleviate TQM operations challenges during the era of COVID-19.Exploratory research design was employed to obtain more information on the current textile manufacturing industry status and evaluate the COVID-19 impact on TQM. A qualitative approach was used to collect primary data through interviews. Seven employees were selected from BBSA to participate, with eight employees selected from TE. Collected data were captured and analysed through thematic analysis, using NVivo version 12. The research findings from in-depth interviews revealed serious challenges in the textile industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the identified challenges at BBSA include disruption of operations, reduction in sales, and delays in orders. At TE the challenges during COVID-19 include inadequate training of employees, lack of resources, and ineffective communication. The study recommends textile companies stay informed regarding the COVID-19 situation; this will assist in making informed decisions about business operations, while also securing cash flow, such as having a contingency budget in place.
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    Perceived factors affecting the adoption of electronic procurement in the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury.
    (2023) Nchabeleng, Lewane Success.; Ncube, Eric Dumisani.
    The digital revolution in the 21st century is regarded as the channel of corporate development that resulted in substantial changes in the way procurement is handled and managed within organisations. Public organisations have since become increasingly reliant on information and communication technologies. Given these developments, new forms of electronic commerce have also emerged; the most prominent form of electronic commerce is electronic procurement. By early 2000 developed economies began the implementation of e-procurement. In contrast, in emerging countries specifically in Africa, electronic procurement has not been widely adopted in government departments, including in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived factors that influence the adoption of electronic procurement and further establish employees’ perceptions of electronic procurement in the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury. An overview of procurement in the South African public sector was presented in a literature review, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within this particular environment. The study relied on a framework for successful implementation of electronic procurement espoused by Gunasekaran and Ngai. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 33 personnel in Supply chain, finance, and ICT using a quantitative descriptive approach. Descriptive statistics, including principal component analysis and Cronbach’s alpha, were performed using the Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS) and an Excel spreadsheet. The results indicate that there would be a significant reduction in paper consumption if electronic procurement was adopted in the department. Furthermore, the results indicate that there is a strong influence on the promotion of visibility in supply chain operations, although electronic procurement is prone to challenges. The results show that the availability of supporting infrastructures, the fear of cyber security, and the lack of management support were found to be the predictor of the lack of adoption of electronic procurement. Furthermore, due to the potential benefits of the adoption of electronic procurement, the results indicate that other procurement expenses, cost reduction, and increased supplier participation and competitiveness were found to be positive benefits of the adoption of electronic procurement. These findings have significant implications for the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury's adoption of electronic procurement. Suggestions for further studies on the adoption of electronic procurement were suggested.
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    Transportation constraints for third-party logistics capacity in the grain industry: a case of Twilight Zone.
    (2023) Maclou, Simone Raquel.; Mbhele, Thokozani Patmond.
    Road and rail freight truck capacity constraints have adversely impacted Twilight Zone’s economic competitiveness and have contributed to a loss of production and revenue throughout the supply chain network. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to evaluate and understand the logistical capabilities and capacity constraints of road and rail transport. The research objectives of the study are, firstly, to ascertain the strategic influence of third-party logistics partners in managing sustainable transport systems; secondly, to examine the extent of organisational collaboration to assess transport capacity risks in the grain industry; and lastly, to determine the influence of technological innovations on sustainable transport systems in the grain industry. A qualitative research method, using seven semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions to collect data, was used. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select participants from the target population, from top-tier management to lower management. Sound recordings of the interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic data analysis. This qualitative study will provide insights into the third-party logistical transport capacity shortages that Twilight Zone employs to support its upstream supply chain network operations. The main findings regarding overall transportation constraints in the grain bulk industry reveal the complexity in the supply chain logistics; the magnitude of organisational collaboration; extended lead times because of truck capacity shortfalls; and the propensity to invest in technological innovation for supply chain visibility. The study will provide a basis for senior managers to review current third-party logistical transport integration for information sharing, as well as key performance indicators of third-party logistics transport. The addition of value to current business processes to improve customer delivery throughout the supply chain network should ultimately increase the overall efficiency and profitability of Twilight Zone’s supply chain.