Thesis (MTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Globalisation has placed increased pressure on South African organisations to transform in order to compete against the world’s best. Low cost manufacturing countries such as India, China, Brazil, and Thailand pose a threat to businesses across a variety of sectors in South Africa. The prospects of failure are real, even more so in light of the current economic climate in which businesses operate, as competition is on the rise. In today’s world of work, change is constant and organisations are required to continually renew their business and practices in order to meet the evolving needs of their clients. An organisation’s inability to phase out strategies, policies, procedures and businesses that are no longer relevant may shorten the lifespan of the business. Successful management of organisational change processes is thus essential for survival in the global market. This research was prompted as a result of production line employees being resistant to the implementation of new work procedures between 2013 and 2014, with the result of low commitment to change, at a selected medium sized automotive component manufacturer in Cape Town, South Africa. Traditional change management considers fixing problems and may be outdated, especially in light of the introduction of Appreciative Inquiry (AI). AI is a structured change intervention that uses positively directed questions. AI attempts to involve people to share their experiences of what worked well in the past in order to create a shared vision and an action plan that can be implemented to realise their set vision. AI has created a shift in thinking in change management, as it seeks to find the positive, whilst creating hope and a sense of triumph over past victories.

A Otimização Topológica (OT) tem se mostrado uma ferramenta eficiente na busca de produtos de baixo custo, alta qualidade e alto desempenho. Esta dissertação trata da aplicação da OT, por meio do software Altair Optistruct, no desenvolvimento do projeto de um Cubo de Roda. O objetivo da aplicação da OT foi auxiliar na busca por um componente mecânico otimizado atendendo os requisitos da aplicação. Utilizou-se de ensaios experimentais para validação das análises estruturais, realizadas por meio do Método de Elementos Finitos, onde as diferenças encontradas entre os valores medidos e calculados foram considerados satisfatórios. Para tanto, foi fundamental os cuidados na realização da discretização do sistema, a escolha dos pontos de instrumentação baseado nas direções principais e baixo gradiente de tensões. Também foi realizado o ensaio de aprovação do desenvolvimento de um protótipo de Cubo de Roda, utilizando-se da norma SAE n095 como critério de homologação, onde o componente otimizado foi aprovado. / This dissertation presents an application of Topology Optimization (TO) on Wheel Hub project development, through the software Altair Optistruct. The objective of the application of TO was to minimize the Wheel Hub mass meeting the application requirements. This work employs experimental validation of structural analysis, where the differences between the measured and calculated values were considered satisfactory, therefore, the way performing the discretization of the system and the choice of instrumentation points based on the principal stresses directions and low gradient were essential. The optimized Wheel Hub was also submitted to the fatigue test (SAE 11095) as a criterion for approval of the prototype, where the optimized component was considered approved.

Estudos recentes de Cadeias de Suprimentos sugerem que as empresas devem gerenciar de forma dinâmica os variados tipos de cadeias de suprimentos para responder aos diferentes tipos de comportamento de compra dos seus clientes. Enquanto algumas cadeias requerem fluxos ágeis, adaptáveis e distribuídos, outras necessitam estruturas estáveis e centralizadas. Neste sentido a problemática está na existência do alinhamento entre as dimensões propostas por Gattorna em cadeias de suprimentos e em que tipos de combinação de estratégias proporcionam melhor desempenho. Para a realização do estudo foram analisadas as Cadeias de Suprimentos das empresas automotivas no Brasil, na figura daquelas que exercem a governança da cadeia. Este estudo apresenta relevância, uma vez que a abordagem proposta é inovadora e denota a importância que as empresas devem dar ao atendimento das diferentes necessidades dos clientes, alinhando as cadeias de suprimentos aos perfis de compra e ao dinamismo do mercado. Por meio de uma survey, sustentada por informações de caráter quantitativo, com questionário composto por oito blocos de perguntas, este estudo propõe a realização da análise de associação com múltiplas variáveis, para verificar a existência de relação entre as dimensões apresentadas pela abordagem das Cadeias de Suprimentos Genéricas (Gattorna, 2009; 2010) e cinco indicadores de desempenho. O trabalho tem por objetivo verificar quais dimensões da abordagem de Gattorna proporcionam melhor desempenho às empresas, inseridas em cadeias de suprimentos, por meio das dimensões do alinhamento dinâmico: mercado, estratégias de negócios, cultura organizacional e estilo de liderança. Como resultados, o estudo apresenta uma matriz conceitual relacionando as estratégias em CS com indicadores de desempenho; identifica os posicionamentos das empresas; e quais posicionamentos estão associados com o melhor desempenho das empresas configuradas em CS. / Recent studies carried out on Supply Chains suggest that companies should manage, in a dynamic manner, the various types of supply chains in order to meet the different types of buying behavior of their customers. While some chains require quick, adaptable and distributed flows, others need steady and centralized frameworks. In this sense, the issue lies in the existence of an alignment between the framework proposed by Gattona in supply chains and which types of strategy combination provide better performance in supply chains. To carry out the study, supply chains of automotive companies in Brazil – representing those engaged in the chain governance - have been analyzed. The study is relevant, since the proposed approach is innovative and demonstrates how important it is for companies to meet the different needs of their clients by aligning supply chains to purchase profiles and to the dynamism of the market. By means of a survey, backed by quantitative information – through a questionnaire consisting of eight blocks of questions - this study proposes to examine the connection with multiple variables in order to examine if there is a relationship between the framework presented by the Generic Supply Chains` approach (Gattoma, 2009;2010) and five performance indicators. The study aims to examine which dimensions of Gattoma`s approach provide better performance to companies engaged in supply chains, by means of the dynamic alignment framework: market, business strategies, organizational culture and leadership style. As a result, the study presents a conceptual matrix relating strategies in the Supply Chain with performance indicators; identifies companies` positions and which positions are related to better performance by companies ranked as Supply chains.

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Global competition and rapid technological change have been the driving forces for a more flexible and competent workforce. Continuous employee training assists organisations to achieve their goals by adding value to their key resources, the human factor. The demand for a more qualified workforce becomes a strategic force in the effort to raise competitiveness. Providing, obtaining and improving the necessary skills are important in responding to a rapidly changing international economy. Life-long learning and continuous skills development are the new requirements imposed by our knowledgeintensive society. The overall purpose of the research was to determine the impact of multi-skilling training (MST) on the paintshop production environment and its employees at Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA). The objectives of this research were to: Identify the elements of multi-skilling training and guidelines for its development and implementation; Critically evaluate the current system; Determine the impact of multi-skilling training on the production environment in the paint shop at VWSA The research methodology for this study comprised the following steps: Firstly, the development and implementation of MST at Volkswagen South Africa was assessed. The elements of MST and its impact on production and the employee worldwide were determined through the literature study. Secondly, the limitations of the current MST system used in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa were assessed in an empirical study, which involved completing of questionnaires. The empirical study proved that the current MST system employed in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa had assisted in improving production, and increasing the employees’ morale. The final step of this study entailed the formulation of recommendations, which are as follows: · Sufficient time should be allocated for practical training. · Frequent job rotation must be implement ed. · Advanced MST must be implemented after completion of Level Four. · MST should be presented in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

This research addresses the problem of determining which managerial competencies first-line managers operating in a world class organisation should have. To achieve this objective a three-step method was followed. Firstly, an approach had to be found for the assessment of managerial competencies at the selected organisation involved in the research project. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted in an attempt to establish an approach and identify management competencies for first-line managers. Secondly, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) approaches appropriate to first-line managers were investigated and synthesized with the managerial competence approach of step one. Finally, the managerial competencies were assessed utilising the matrix of managerial competence instrument developed in accordance with the findings of the research. The information obtained from the literature study and from the candidates who were assessed resulted in various findings and recommendations. Using the matrix of managerial competence instrument, it was found that the majority of first-line managers at the organisation were competent. Notwithstanding this finding, a major recommendation is that the organisation should become more future and development orientated in its training strategy. Finally, the research project has created the foundation for the development of a managerial competency model at the selected organisation. Findings of the literature survey and development of the RPL instrument provide guidelines for future RPL initiatives, both at the selected organisation and at the Port Elizabeth Technikon.

Logistics has become one of the automotive industry's most crucial sub-sectors. Previously, logistics had to step aside to make way for production considerations. Today it is regarded as being every bit as crucial as production in the global village. Advancement of logistics in South Africa is crucial because original equipment manufacturers are producing to developed world standards but are having to cope with low developing world logistics standards. The logistics processes that need to be enhanced in order for the South African automotive industry to be more competitive were investigated. To examine the main problem, three sub-problems were identified. The first sub-problem that has been identified dealt with logistics processes that will enhance the competitive advantage of the South African automotive industry. The second sub-problems looked at key logistics opportunities and threats to the environment in which South African motor manufactures trade. They were investigated by assessing the nature of the South African motor manufacturing industry. Finally, the third sub-problem investigated conclusions that can be arrived at concerning the appropriateness and strategic value of the analysis.

The study as detailed in this report is performed in the South African (SA) automotive industry and is aimed at outlining key management elements to be focussed on in order to improve and ensure sustainable continuous improvement initiatives in the form of Lean Manufacturing implementation efforts within a paint shop environment. The organisation being researched is located in Uitenhage which is situated just outside Port Elizabeth (PE) in SA. It is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for passenger vehicles and supplies vehicles for both the local and international markets. Further, as part of their business strategy, the organisation also manufactures and supplies automotive parts to the local and international markets. In this study, emphasis will be placed on issues which need to be addressed in order to effectively sustain continuous improvement initiatives in the form of Lean Manufacturing implementation being pursued within the organisation.

D.Comm. / The South African automotive sector and its various role-players are caught in a battle for survival. A variety of national and international challenges are being faced. The international change agents are in the form of globalisation and trade liberalisation. These are forcing the country to open up its previously protected automotive industry and become exposed to global competition. These and other developments are laying bare the reality that South Africa and its automotive industry will, in its current format, not be able to withstand the competitive pressures. South Africa's national competitiveness is generally weak, with the country exhibiting particular shortcomings in the area of human capital development, human capital deployment, the inability to sustain growth and attract investments, as well as the creation of wealth in general. The local automotive industry is also under significant pressure through global automotive developments as well as its own lack of competitiveness. The lack of competitiveness is mainly due to historic protectionism and disadvantages of a small local market. Survival depends increasingly on a rise in South African automotive exports. This will, however, require that a variety of particular weaknesses are dealt with effectively, such as the poor industrial relations prevalent in the industry and the widespread lack of Best Practices. South Africa has no choice but to transform on a national, industry and organisational level if the automotive industry is to survive or prosper in the new millennium. The local automotive industry is unlikely to survive if the country's national competitiveness is not significantly improved

M.Com. / Please refer to full text to view abstract