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School of Management, IT and Governance

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Browsing School of Management, IT and Governance 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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    The assessment of sustainable supply chain management practices amongst selected manufacturing firms in Ghana=Ukuhlolwa kwezinqubo zokwenganyelwa ukusimamiswa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ezimbonini ezikhiqizayo eGhana ezikhethekile.
    (2022) Nsowah, Johnson.; Phiri, Maxwell Agabu.
    The study investigated whether the design and application of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in the Ghanaian manufacturing business enhance their financial performance and make them environmentally and socially responsible. The study was guided by six theories: the contingency theory, the resource-based view (RBV), the relational-view theory (RVT), the innovation diffusion theory (IDV), the stakeholder theory and the resource dependence theory (RDT). The study was underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm and followed a mixed-methods methodology, which combined interviews and surveys questionnaires to gather qualitative and quantitative data from a sample of 303 employees of Ghanaian manufacturing firms and 20 individuals who lived nearby. The data analysis findings revealed that relational, instrumental, knowledge and moral factors have a significant and positive direct effect on SSCM practices. Moreover, SSCM practices have a positive and significant effect on the economic, environmental and social performance of manufacturing firms. Barriers to the adoption of SSCM practices were also revealed. The findings led to the recommendation that firms need to use environmentally friendly materials for their products and introduce standardized procedures for recycling and disassembling products. In addition, manufacturing enterprises should collaborate with suppliers to ensure that they also adhere to sustainability standards in their processes and deliver services/products that support sustainability goals. Iqoqa Ucwaningo lwahlola ukuthi ngabe ukwakhiwa nokusetshenziswa kwezinqubo zokwenganyelwa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ngendlela ecabangela ingomuso emabhizinisini akhiqizayo eGhana, kuyakuthuthukisa yini ukusebenzisa kwawo izimali, nokuthi kuyenzeka yini ukuthi anakekele imvelo nemiphakathi. Ucwaningo lwalulandela izinjulalwazi eziyisithupha: icontingency theory, iresource-based view (RBV), irelational-view theory (RVT), iinnovation diffusion theory (IDV), i-stakeholder theory neresource dependence theory (RDT). Lolu cwaningo lusekelwe yipharadaymu yokungenzeka lwase lulandela indlelakwenza engxube eyahlanganisa izinhlolovo nemibuzo eyisaveyi lapho kuqoqwa imininingo eyikhwalithethivu neyikhwantithethivu esampuleni labasebenzi abangama-303 bezimboni zaseGhana ezikhiqizayo nabantu abangama-20 abahlala eduze nazo. Imiphumela yohlaziyo lwemininingo yaveza ukuthi izimo eziphathelene nobudlelwane, nezinto ezisetshenziswayo, ulwazi nendlela yokuziphatha kunomthelela obalulekile nomuhle, kulezi zinqubo zokwenganyelwa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ngendlela ecabangela ingomuso. Okunye futhi ukuthi lezi zinqubo zinomthelela omuhle nobalulekile kwezomnotho, emvelweni nasekusebenzisaneni kahle nemiphakathi kwezimboni ezikhiqizayo. Kwavela nezithiyo ezikhona mayelana nokwamukelwa kwezinqubo zokwenganyelwa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ngendlela ecabangela ingomuso. Imiphumela yaholela ekuthini kuphakanyiswe ukuthi izimboni emikhiqizweni yazo zisebenzise izinto ezingayicekeli phansi indalo nemvelo, nokulandela izindlela ezihlelembekile zempindakusebenzisa nokuhlakaza imikhiqizo. Okunye futhi ukuthi amabhizinisi akhiqizayo kumele asebenzisane nalabo abahlinzeka ngezimpahla ukuze kube nesiqiniseko sokuthi nabo bayazilandela izinqubo ezihlelembekile nezicabangela ingomuso nokuthi bathumela imisebenzi/nemikhiqizo esekela izinhloso ezisimamayo.
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    Impacts of supply chain integration on resilience in state-owned logistics enterprises in Namibia.
    (2023) Shooya, Anatolia Tshanyengandje.; Mbhele, Thokozani Patmond.
    The study investigates supply chain integration (SCI) strategy and its impact on supply chain resilience within Namibia's state-owned logistics enterprises, explicitly focusing on the Port of Walvis Bay in the Erongo region. Despite the recognised synergistic effect of SCI on enhancing resilience, its application in Namibia's state-owned logistics enterprises, especially in Port Walvis Bay, requires specific investigation. Motivated by the need to determine SCI's implementation extent and its impact on resilience in these enterprises, the study aims to (a) to establish the impact of internal integration, (b) to determine the effect of supplier integration, (c) to establish customer integration's impact, (d) to determine the impact of information integration, and (e) to examine the relationship between supply chain integration and resilience. The study employed a quantitative questionnaire survey in six logistics industries in Walvis Bay. Data analysis employed structural equation modelling with the partial least squares method. The findings indicate that supply chain integration significantly contributes to resilience and substantially affects state-owned logistics enterprises in the Port of Walvis Bay, Erongo region. However, this relationship is not linear but contingent on the level of supply chain resilience. The study highlights the critical role of supply chain resilience as a mediator between integration and state-owned logistics enterprises, contributing to a better understanding of industry dynamics. This insight is valuable for practitioners and policymakers aiming to enhance the performance and resilience of regional state-owned logistics enterprises.
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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.