To compete in the global market, organisations have to ensure that their production is synchronised with their other business activities. To achieve this, companies deploy a variety of solutions known as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). These systems provide the bridge between control and business systems and are used by a variety of people across many business functions. Typical users range from production and maintenance personnel to engineers, finance and management. Sectors within the manufacturing industry have their own definitions of MES and these are based on their functional requirements and by the offerings of vendors in that sector. Thus, people differ in their understanding and definition of MES. To ensure common understanding of what functionalities or modules constitute MES, the Manufacturing Execution Systems Association (MESA) has defined MES to cover the following eleven areas: Resource Allocation and Status Operations/Detail Scheduling Dispatching Production Units Document Control Data Collection/Acquisition Labour Management Quality Management Process Management Maintenance Management Product Tracking and Genealogy Performance Analysis On examining the Manufacturing Execution Systems literature, it was realised that functionalities and definitions exist but a standard approach and implementation methodology is lacking. Thus, a framework was developed based on a literature study as well as from experience within the MES environment. To ensure that the framework meets the needs of organisations, two questionnaires were developed and sent to people from various functions within large South African companies (and across divisions). The results of the empirical study showed that for large organisations, i.e. organisations with over 200 employees and an annual turnover in excess of R 40 million, some form of manufacturing execution systems were used in all the companies surveyed. The most common functionality deployed was Data Collection1Acquisition and the payback on these systems was greater than two years. The respondents highlighted that MES governance and an overall company wide strategy for MES implementation was non-existent or not enforced across the group of companies. The respondents also indicated that the implementation was time consuming and that the projects usually exceeded the allocated budget and/or were late. The respondents were not unanimous on who was accountable for MES within the organisation and a quarter felt that this was unclear within the organisation. When asked about the process that was followed in the selection of a vendor and solution, the majority felt that the process was not well defined. However, respondents noted that change management is used on all major projects and the outcome is generally successful. All the companies outsource either some or all of their IT services and the relationship with the vendor seems successful, as the rating received for MES support was very good. The benefits of implementing Manufacturing Execution Systems are also being realised by those companies that responded to the questionnaires. The overall impression is that over 75% of the respondents feel positive about the benefits and state that the benefits are realised. The only major shortcoming is that information is not being shared across business units and sites as half of the respondents felt that this was not happening in their companies. The proposed MES Engagement and Implementation Framework that was tested with the empirical study was subsequently updated. The framework suggests that all MES implementations should begin with a review of the business and ICT strategy as these would assist when defining the business requirements and the criteria for the selection of the technology, vendor, and solution The business requirements should be ascertained and a realistic business case should be developed. The project team should re-confirm the requirements once a vendor is selected, and, with the necessary change management, implement a portion of the solution as a pilot project. Once successful, then only should the entire solution be rolled out. Another parallel process should consider the outsourcing for the support phase. The entire process of implementing MES is cyclical as new requirements, additional functionality, and benefits tracking results in new projects. In conclusion adopting this framework would result in better implementation and ensure that the benefits are realised for all MES projects and that the solution is adequately supported after implementation. A model for the implementation has also been proposed and it should be developed and tested further to guide MES implementation. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Participation in physical activity was found to be associated with health benefits. Lack of physical activity is a risk factor that may lead to mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of barriers and benefits of participating in physical activity and the levels of physical activity and to investigate the relationships between perceived barriers and benefits of participating in physical activity and levels of physical activity in boys and girls attending farm schools in Alma-Vaalwater area. A total of 344 children (185 boys and 159 girls) aged 15 to 16 years completed a questionnaire on perceptions of barriers and benefits of participation in physical activity, and a Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) questionnaire on the levels of physical activity. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-testing and correlations by means of SPSS (Version 15.0). The results show that barriers (with high mean values) experienced by boys to be physically active included lack of time, to do work/school work, and physical activity makes one sweat. In girls barriers experienced to be physically active included lack of time, to do work/school work and lack of equipments. With regard to the perceived benefits of participating in physical activity both boys and girls showed high mean values in to stay in good health, to feel well and to have energy. The results further showed that lack of equipments was negatively associated with participation in physical activity in boys and girls during the week and weekend days respectively. In addition girls showed a Significant relationship between to relieve stress and physical activity. Significant gender differences regarding the levels of physical activity with girls participating more in light physical activity than boys were found. This study recommended the need for the introduction of awareness programmes on physical activity as well as well-structured programmes of physical activity by qualified personnel geared towards the improvement of general well-being of children. More studies with a larger sample size are required to verify the present findings. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Participation in physical activity was found to be associated with health benefits. Lack of physical activity is a risk factor that may lead to mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of barriers and benefits of participating in physical activity and the levels of physical activity and to investigate the relationships between perceived barriers and benefits of participating in physical activity and levels of physical activity in boys and girls attending farm schools in Alma-Vaalwater area. A total of 344 children (185 boys and 159 girls) aged 15 to 16 years completed a questionnaire on perceptions of barriers and benefits of participation in physical activity, and a Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) questionnaire on the levels of physical activity. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-testing and correlations by means of SPSS (Version 15.0). The results show that barriers (with high mean values) experienced by boys to be physically active included lack of time, to do work/school work, and physical activity makes one sweat. In girls barriers experienced to be physically active included lack of time, to do work/school work and lack of equipments. With regard to the perceived benefits of participating in physical activity both boys and girls showed high mean values in to stay in good health, to feel well and to have energy. The results further showed that lack of equipments was negatively associated with participation in physical activity in boys and girls during the week and weekend days respectively. In addition girls showed a Significant relationship between to relieve stress and physical activity. Significant gender differences regarding the levels of physical activity with girls participating more in light physical activity than boys were found. This study recommended the need for the introduction of awareness programmes on physical activity as well as well-structured programmes of physical activity by qualified personnel geared towards the improvement of general well-being of children. More studies with a larger sample size are required to verify the present findings. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Introduction: Enterprise recourse planning (ERP) is a system that combines software, hardwareand people to manage information The aim of this study is to investigate ERP systems effect onbusiness performance (advertised vs. realized benefits) and user’s complaints. It also aims toidentify the most important issue a company faces after implementing an ERP system and if thisstops potential benefits from happening. This will be viewed from a user’s perspective. Approach/Methodology: This research includes qualitative and quantitative primary data withsecondary data to answer the research questions posed. It is based on a number of semistructuredinterviews of people well versed in ERP systems presented in case study form.Alongside, it also utilizes a series of questionnaires presented in tabular form. The data wasanalyzed and linked with theory to provide answers and test assumptions. Findings: ERP systems provide their advertised benefits to a large extent. The most importantorganizational issue after implementing an ERP system is resistance to change and this issueaffects the benefits realization of the system. Finally, user’s complaints about ERP systems arevaried and include the speed of the system, support in error situations and general complexity. Conclusions: Even though it provides many benefits in business performance, an ERP system,selection and implementation in a company is a critical step. The whole process is complicated,resource consuming, takes a long time and can encounter problems. Mistakes in theimplementation cost a company more resources to fix after they happen. In this case preventionis better than cure and the best medicine.Implications and Value of research: ERP system implementation and use should bemethodically planned from the beginning to get maximum benefits realization. This is especiallyimportant in effectively managing change in an organization. In this issue, top level managersshould be aware and committed to. Suggestion for future studies: A possible research that could correlate user complaintcategories already established with age group of respondents under a global perspective.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Erlangen, 1932. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [4-5]).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Educational Policy, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 23, 2009) Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan. / "A research report submitted in fulfillment of the first research project requirement for the degree of Ph. D. (Nursing)."

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1981. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1959. / Typescript. Abstracted in Dissertation abstracts, v. 20 (1959) no. 5, p. 1616. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 417-432).