Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-125). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, August 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-149).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, August 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 156-164).

Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Louisville, 2007. / Title and description from thesis home page (viewed May 14, 2007). Department of Industrial Engineering. Vita. "May 2007." Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-37).

Supply chains encompass all of the diverse activities that are associated with the flow and transformation of goods, right from the beginning stage of the raw materials, all the way through to the consumer. Supply chains are broken into three distinct parts, namely upstream activities involving the material and service inputs from suppliers, internal activities involving the manufacture and packaging of the goods, and downstream activities, which involve the distribution and sale of the goods. Since the inception of the automotive industry, buyers and suppliers have been linked in rigid, inflexible relationships. With the advent of the Internet, however, supply chains are becoming less rigid and more efficient. E-enabling an automotive supply chain involves two distinct spheres of interest, namely, the sphere of automotive supply chains and that of e-business. Both spheres are evolving fast and becoming increasingly complex. Due to the increasing complexity, there is a lack of understanding with regard to incorporating e-business principles effectively into automotive supply chains. In order to address this lack of understanding, the dissertation proposes a conceptual framework that can be used to assist in the process of e-enabling an automotive supply chain. Before the dissertation ventures to propose this conceptual framework, a number of challenges that may be encountered when attempting to enable an automotive supply chain are highlighted. The proposed framework, therefore, specifically aims to position activities conceptually in such a way that it can be argued that the identified challenges are considered at the appropriate time in the e-enabling process. The framework therefore, focuses on the entire process, starting at the planning phase and going right through to the implementation phase. As such, the framework consists of various phases, with each phase containing a myriad of activities. The different phases of the framework include developing a strategic business plan, designing an information technology architecture, identifying system and resource requirements, creating a project plan and finally implementing the project. These phases aim to address the entire e-enabling process. The contribution that this dissertation makes is in the form of a conceptual framework which may be followed during the e-enabling process. The framework aims to provide direction and to ensure that the many activities that are involved in the e-enabling process are considered. The dissertation also highlights the many challenges that may be encountered when enabling a supply chain. Lastly a prototype application has been developed using a new Internet technology. The prototype has been developed in order to ascertain the new technologies suitability to the e-enabled supply chain environment.

First tier automotive suppliers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole are under continued pressures created by the process of globalisation. To stay globally competitive suppliers, have to rethink their supply chain strategies. It is important that suppliers understand the environment that it operates within, this environment present first tier automotive suppliers with numerous problems and challenges. An analysis of this problems and challenges are needed and supply chain strategies need to be developed to overcome these problems and challenges. Before these strategies can be developed a full understanding of the supply chain is necessary. This dissertation aims to assess the problems and challenges facing first tier automotive suppliers, give a full understanding of the supply chain and present strategies to overcome these problems and challenges. The supply chain has become less structured and closer partnerships are needed between trading partners. The connectivity, transparency and visibility of the supply chain have improved through developments in the communication technology field. Strategies need to utilise these technologies to create a competitive edge. Effective supply chain strategies need to enable first tier automotive suppliers to deliver materials: At the right time; In the right quantities; At the right quality.

M.Tech. (Industrial Engineering) / This research investigates the influence of supply chain visibility on the performance of inventory management. A mixed method approach was used in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data that was statistically analysed; interviews were carried out to supplement in-depth understanding of inventory management practices. The research study used the four constructs of supply chain visibility as proposed in the literature which are visibility for sensing, visibility for learning, visibility for coordinating and visibility for integrating. Data obtained was analysed mainly through correlation and mean score analysis. The results from the study demonstrated that 42% of the variance in the performance of inventory management was explained by the two constructs of supply chain visibility that’s coordinating and integrating at a statistical confidence of 95%. The study could not establish the influence of sensing and learning on the performance of inventory management. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge of supply chain visibility variables that can be associated with the performance of inventory management. The survey was done on a small population in one manufacturing company impacting negatively on the generalisation of the results.

M.Com. (Business Management) / Logistics Service Providers are becoming increasingly involved within their client’s businesses. Beyond just providing vehicles and buildings, logistics service providers are now also becoming involved with the knowledge-type work that is connected to the traditional services provided. LSPs are also becoming better integrators of supply chain functions and are offering an increasingly vast basket of services to clients that can be configured in a way that adds value to the client. The research presented in this paper looks at the theoretical impact that converged planning and execution functions have on business success as well as a view of how selected IMPERIAL Logistics client organisations perceive the impact of increased integration of IMPERIAL Logistics within their businesses. The research viewed the integration of planning and execution in two ways:  The impact of a supply chain partner integrating their business functions with that of the client organisation.  The integration of the tasks of planning and execution under a single arrangement. The impact of integrated planning and execution functions for the client organisation was found to be improved long term commitment and alignment in terms of business operations and relationships, better communication, more integrated planning and decision making, better usage of systems to streamline the process as well as a focus on core business whilst supply chain experts handle their core business, which is planning and executing supply chain functions.

M.B.A. / Outsourcing is fast becoming a fixture in the organizational models of the 21st century. At first confined to nonstrategic business activities such as cleaning, security or legal services, outsourcing now encompasses functions that are closer to the core. As suppliers become more tightly integrated into the fabric of a company's basic business operations, the risks attending these failures escalate. In fact, as Booz Allen Hamilton (2001) state, the very viability ofthe company can be threatened. To many companies, logistics outsourcing has become an attractive option in order to take advantage of various opportunities, and to focus on the core activities of the company. It is perceived that South African businesses are adopting the same principles that many European countries, the United States of America and other mainly first world countries have, in embarking on outsourcing. The purpose of this dissertation therefore is to determine the status of outsourcing in South Africa. This research gives insight into the reasons why some companies have embarked on outsourcing. The research also attempts to present a theoretical framework for the outsourcing of logistics as a guideline. Another feature of this research is the identification of the criteria that companies apply in the selection of an outsource service provider. The methodology employed in this research was empirical research, which entailed a qualitative study. A process of non-probability sampling was applied. Questionnaires were distributed to the decision makers in industry with the focus on senior managers in order to obtain the data required for the analysis and interpretation. A thorough review of applicable literature was also undertaken...

The tourism industry has undergone consolidation through vertical and horizontal integration. Despite this consolidation integrated companies require support from outside of the integrated value chain. Non-integrated supporters are conflicted as the integrated companies requiring support are often direct competitors. The research methodology used to gather the required data was a qualitative research design. The 23 face-to-face interviews were conducted in South Africa, Germany and The United States of America at senior management level in non-integrated tourism organisations. Interviews were focused on the identification of factors which would cause or mitigate conflict, enhance trust and cooperation and would result in support of the integrated company. The questionnaire was designed and piloted by the researcher and the areas of importance identified through the literature were channel management, price, power, trust and cooperation. Twelve factors were identified which would minimise conflict, enhance trust and cooperation and result in support when consistently displayed. It became evident was required by companies outside of the integrated value chain was the improvement of existing competitive positions, strong relationships with the integrated company along with openness in negotiations and communications. Lastly, the integrated company was expected to behave in an ethical manner with reputation and the quality of the experiences offered being important factors when deciding if support would be given. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted