[pt] A variedade de produtos tem recebido grande atenção por parte da indústria e da academia, onde a determinação do número a ser ofertado para o cliente final representa uma decisão importante para as estratégias de negócios das empresas. Existe uma clara tendência na proliferação desta variedade, contudo, os impactos gerados por este aumento induzem as empresas a buscar diferentes formas de gerila, tanto do lado do suprimento quanto da demanda. Apesar da existência de estudos importantes sobre o tema, a literatura acadêmica revela a ausência de uma pesquisa que sumarize o estado da arte sobre a Gestão da Variedade de Produtos (GVP). Como resultado disto, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo, por meio da revisão sistemática da literatura, elaborar a análise do conteúdo sobre GVP, usando como base publicações entre os anos de 2005 e 2009 presentes em uma base de dados eletrônica específica (Elsevier). A revisão é guiada por um modelo conceitual (framework) proposto que inclui os inputs para uma GVP, ou seja, as diversas pressões internas e externas às empresas para aumentar ou reduzir a variedade de produtos ofertada, os diferentes meios para lidar com estas diferentes pressões (estrutura e processamento) e os outputs, resultados que são esperados com uma boa gestão. O framework contempla também uma quarta dimensão que incorpora o contexto no qual os artigos desenvolveram as suas pesquisas. Os resultados sugerem que o framework proposto é capaz de contemplar os principais tópicos relacionados à Gestão da Variedade de Produtos, auxiliando no desenvolvimento da revisão sistemática, identificando os assuntos amplamente tratados e as lacunas que merecem atenção especial por parte da academia para pesquisas futuras. / [en] Product variety has received great attention from industry and academia, where the determination of the number to be offered to the final customer is an important decision for the business strategies of companies. There is a clear trend in the proliferation of this variety, however, the impacts generated by this increase are prompting companies to seek different ways to manage it, on both supply and demand. Despite the existence of important studies on the subject, the academic literature reveals the absence of a survey that summarizes the state of the art on the Product Variety Management (PVM). As a result, this research aims, through a systematic review, to develop a content analysis on GVP, using publications between the years 2005 and 2009 presented in a specific electronic database (Elsevier). The review is guided by a conceptual model (framework) proposed that includes inputs for a PVM, i.e., the various internal and external pressures for companies to increase or reduce the product variety offered, the different ways to handle these different pressures (structure and process) and outputs, outcomes that are expected with a good management. The framework also includes a fourth dimension that incorporates the context in which the articles developed their research. The results suggest that the proposed framework is able to address major topics related to Product Variety Management, assisting in the development of systematic reviews, identifying the issues broadly addressed and the gaps that deserve special attention by the academy for future research.

Supermarkets have become important in food retail in both developed and developing countries. Supermarkets in developed countries are expanding to developing countries such as Latin America and Asia resulting in transformation of the agro-food systems. As elsewhere in the world, supermarkets are also expanding rapidly in Africa. The growth and expansion of supermarkets is mainly spearheaded by South African supermarkets and has been facilitated by trade liberalization, increased economic growth, positive political changes, regional integration arrangements, increased urbanisation, increased per capita income and middle class population groups and liberalization of foreign direct investment. The increased foreign direct investment (FDI) by South African supermarkets into SADC and the rest of Africa may be impacting on firms, households and the economy in the host nations in various ways. As much as the FDI by South African firms bring the much-needed capital for development, the impact of South Africa supermarkets in SADC and the rest of Africa is least understood. The impact of the expansion of South African supermarkets in the retail sector in other African countries has not been elucidated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of supermarkets on agricultural and industrial (mainly the food processing and manufacturing sector) development in SADC by examining their sourcing and procurement practices. From the identified gaps in literature the study attempts to answer the following questions: what is the extent of growth and expansion of South African supermarkets in case study countries; what are the nature of sourcing and procurement practices and the factors influencing the choice of procurement systems; what are the impacts of these sourcing and procurement practices on farmers and food processors in case-study countries and do farmers gain by participating in the supermarkets FFV supply chain in case-study countries. A case study of three countries (Botswana, Namibia and Zambia) and two supply chains were studied. The study used qualitative and quantitative methods in collecting data in order to elucidate the impacts of these supermarkets on agricultural and industrial (food processing) development in the case study countries. A survey of South African and local chain supermarkets, local shops, food processors, small-scale farmers supplying fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) to chain supermarkets and the traditional FFV markets was undertaken in the case-study countries in 2004, 2005 and 2007 using questionnaires and checklists. The survey data were augmented with key informant and focus group discussions and secondary data. The analytical methods used included descriptive analysis, non-parametric statistics and a two-step treatment regression analysis model. The conceptual framework for analysing the sourcing/procurement practices of supermarkets and a model to show how impacts in host countries could occur as a result of sourcing decisions were developed and used in the study. The results of the survey of products sold in supermarkets and local shops showed that 80% of all processed food products are sourced from South Africa. About 100% of temperate fruit and 70-100% tropical fruit are sourced from South Africa in the casestudy countries. About 80% of fresh vegetables are sourced from farmers in Zambia and about 80 % are sourced from South Africa for Botswana and Namibia. The results also revealed that supermarkets used a mixture of procurement systems for FFV and processed food products. These systems included use of specialised sourcing and procurement companies; direct delivery of FFV to individual supermarket stores; specialised FFV wholesalers; distribution centres; outsourcing. Using the structured questionnaire supermarket managers were asked the criteria used in sourcing the selected products. The results of the parametric analysis of the responses showed that price, volume, quality and trust were the most important attributes considered respectively. In order to estimate the impact of supermarkets on farmers a household survey was carried out using a structured questionnaire. There were noticeable differences in resources between farmers who supply to the supermarkets and those who supply to the traditional markets. Factors that influence small-scale farmers’ participation in the supermarkets supply chain were identified from the results of the estimated probit model. The results of the two-step treatment regression model showed that participation in the supermarkets channel had a positive impact on small-scale farmers’ income. Mean comparison of income between the two groups of farmers showed that farmers who supplied fresh vegetables to chain supermarkets had a significantly higher income compared to those who supplied to traditional markets in Zambia. This finding confirms hypothesis 2 of the study. The study did not explore causality due to insufficient data on lagged assets. Impacts on the food-processing sector were deduced by carrying out a survey of food processing firms in case-study countries. The goal was to determine the type of firms that access supermarkets supply chain for selected products and determine other channels used for marketing of the products. About 75% of firms started their operations in the 1990s. This period also coincided with rapid supermarket expansion in case-study countries. A symbiotic relationship exists between supermarkets and large processing firms in the case-study countries. There was no evidence to show that supermarkets have caused firms to increase in size or that supermarkets prevented entry of agro-processors in the food processing industry. Small-scale processing firms do not access supermarket supply chains in case-study countries and sell their products through the traditional channels such as small shops and wholesales. Various constraints still prohibit smallscale firms from accessing supermarkets such as lack of capital and lack of finances. From the results of the models and focus group discussions the study concluded that small-scale farmers who meet supermarkets sourcing/procurement requirements were able to access the FFV supply chain of the South African chain supermarkets. Those who did not meet the supermarket requirements who are the majority small-scale farmers and food processors were excluded. Those small-scale farmers who were able to supply to supermarkets earned significantly higher income compared to those who supply to the traditional markets. The study also concluded that membership in a farmers organization does not increase the chances of a farmers accessing and supplying to supermarkets. There is need to re-evaluate the farmer organizations that are being formed to ensure that the organizations assist farmers in accessing supermarkets FFV supply chain and marketing of produce in general. The study also concluded that the traditional markets are still important in case-study countries. These markets need to be improved and developed as small-scale farmers and food processors easily assess them. The study recommended that a holistic analysis of supermarket impacts in the region using general equilibrium type of models is needed, ways to ensure small-scale farmers and processors participation in supermarket FFV supply chain should be determined and more research on the practices of supermarkets as oligopsonists in the region should be carried out. The study was able to document the extent of growth and expansion of supermarkets in case-study countries and as such contributed to literature by describing the sourcing and procurement practices and factors that influence supermarket sourcing and procurement decisions in case-study countries, the study contributed to literature by identifying the type of small-scale farmers who access chain supermarkets in case-study countries, the study contributed by identifying the factors that influence farmers decisions to supply FFV markets and the study showed that supermarkets involvement in the FFV and dairy supply chains in case-study countries had a positive impact in these sectors. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Supply Planning in the Automotive Industry is a vital ingredient for Supply Chain Integration. The role and function of a Supply Planner, although clearly defined in European developed methods, lacks the practical dimension. This paper describes such a practical approach that was developed for Supply Planning in the South African Automotive Industry. The framework highlights all the aspects – from a business and functional perspective - that need to be considered on a global and local scale. The framework describes the role and responsibilities of the Supply Planner as an active supply chain designer during the product/production development process. / Dissertation (MEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Industrial and Systems Engineering / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Industrial and Systems Engineering / unrestricted

The paper is to explore a model of supply chain management organic coffee in San Martin Region, which was by a long-term research project for organic coffee supply chain management in Peru. The investigation was consolidated with items of researchers who have experiences in the evaluation and analysis of the supply chain of agricultural products worldwide; on the other hand, it is also taken into account the risks affecting the development and fluency through whole supply chain. The contributions here is proposed model of supply chain management organic coffee is suitable for exploring external and internal problems encountered decrease the efficiency of the supply chain. The model is important to analyze and require observations of specialists to collaborate to perform basic modeling that can help solve the problems that improving processes and organizations in the coffee farmers’ cooperatives in the domestic and foreign market, and achieve recognition for their quality and sustainability in Peru.

During the last decade the society and industries have been more influenced by sustainability to decrease the effect on the environment. Due to this and the tougher legal requirements from the European Union, industries and researchers have put together more effort in sustainable development. This has led to a more focused view on reverse logistics to enhance the recycling of materials and reduce transportation. The purpose of this work has been to plot and analyze the return flow in paper industry. To see how reverse logistics could contribute to a sustainable society and increase the profitability of companies. The work is a case study for BillerudKorsnäs at the Customer Service Mill department. The information about the return flow at the case study company has been acquired through interviews and organized visits. The acquired information has then been analyzed with the help of the theory and summarized in the conclusion with the factors that affect the return flow with improvement proposal for a more sustainable and profitable return handling. The study shows that for an effective return flow in paper industry an organization for return handling need to be created. They also need to work with forecasting and follow-up of the defect material to reduce unnecessary transportation and protect the environment. Keywords: reverse logistics, supply chain, lean, hållbarhet / De senaste årtiondena har både samhället och industrier blivit allt mer påverkad av synen på hållbarhet för att minska påverkan på miljön. Hårdare lagkrav från Europeiska unionen har lett till att industrier och forskare lagt ner allt större resurser inom hållbar utveckling. Det har bland annat resulterat i en mer fokuserad syn på omvänd logistik för att öka återvinning av material och minska transporter. Syftet med detta arbete har varit att kartlägga vilka faktorer som styr returflöden och utifrån ett leanperspektiv undersöka och ge förslag på hur omvänd logistik kan bidra till ett mer hållbart samhälle samt öka lönsamheten hos företag. Arbetet är en fallstudie som utförts åt BillerudKorsnäs på avdelningen Customer Service Mill. Genom intervjuer och organiserade besök har projektgruppen erhållit information och förståelse för returhantering hos fallstudieföretaget. Denna information har sedan ställts mot teorin som resulterat i en slutsats med faktorer som påverkar returflödet samt förbättringsförslag för en mer hållbar och lönsam returhantering. Studien visar att för att erhålla ett effektivt returflöde inom pappersindustrin bör en organisation för returhantering sättas upp. Det bör även ske en prognostisering samt uppföljning av det defekta materialet för att minska onödiga transporter samt värna om en hållbar miljö. Nyckelord: reverse logistics, supply chain, lean, hållbarhet

Electronic Product Code (EPC) refers to a numbering standard developed to uniquely identify physical objects, loads, locations, assets and other entities which are to be tracked or otherwise identified. The tracking technology consists of assigning Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, holding universally unique EPC codes, to the entities to be identified. While the EPC-RFID technology is used to identify and capture data about the physical objects to be tracked in a supply chain, the EPCglobal Network ensures the exchange of the captured data between supply chain stakeholders. Such a real-time data exchange increases visibility and efficiency throughout the supply chain, and thus it increases both company profitability and customer satisfaction. The EPCglobal Network can be regarded as the backbone for the future Internet of Things (IoT). We focus our work in this thesis on Discovery Services (DS); a suite of network lookup services enabling users to retrieve all relevant information sources with regards to a given EPC. They can be viewed as search engines for the future business infrastructure deployed in the IoT. Motivated by the unprecedented and incessantly growing amount of EPC data, the expected epidemic growth in the solicitation frequency of the lookup service, and also the foreseen exceptionally large flow of highly sensitive EPC information, we focus on proposing solutions to problems pertaining to two main challenges; architecture design of Discovery Services and their security. On the architecture design level, we propose novel DS architectures with focus directed towards meeting four major requirements; network scalability, query responsiveness, service extensibility and acceptance. On the security level, we propose probabilistic security schemes aiming at securing even further Discovery Services in the IoT in general, and in the EPCglobal network in particular.

The master thesis deals with the relationship between client and provider of logistics services in the supply chain. The author focuses primarily on issues of communication and exchange of data / information between the clients and logistic provider. After the initial phase of the analysis of the current situation and the factors influencing this situation, there is a completely new process designed to exchange data / information and method of implementation this process. There are other threats to actual implementation mentioned together with the proposal. These threats along with possible alternative scenarios and technical implementations are then discussed in detail in the end.

Master thesis "Impact of Cloud Computing on Supply Chain Management" analyses the provisioning of IT resources in the form of cloud computing services and their impact on supply chain management environment. Attention is focused particularly on providing SaaS model of public applications delivery. The Cloud SCM implementation offers many advantages especially for small and medium sized companies. In this thesis I analysed the specifics of the deployment of Cloud SCM in highly unstable market environment, where a number of business partners share with each other relatively large amount of information. I identified factors of cloud computing, which have a significant impact on supply chain management. At the end of this thesis I analysed the trends of market supply, determined the leading providers of Cloud SCM and identified the specifics of selecting a suitable provider.

M.Comm. / The demand for products which are distributed through pipelines has increased worldwide over the last decade. These increases in demand have irrevocably impacted upon top management’s perceptions of risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. Even in South Africa, the increase in demand for products such as diesel, jet fuel and petrol, which are supplied through the energy pipeline supply chains have increased the risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. This study explores the different risks associated with South African energy pipelines, and investigates whether these risks can have an influence on the business as well as the physical environment of the energy pipeline supply chains. A literature study was conducted and three energy pipeline supply organisations surveyed to determine what their specific viewpoints were regarding the risks faced by the South African energy pipeline supply chains.