This dissertation set out to ascertain that a South African vendor, on-time delivery to EU buyers, was unreliable. Late deliveries from South African vendors to EU buyers have led to Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd being a volatile sourcing office for the Kingfisher Group. Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd need to take considerable measures in determining which South African vendors they source products from in order to determine their success or failure. This research has highlighted the following problem: i. South African vendors are unreliable suppliers. Recommendations derived from this research include: ii. The need to clarify terms and conditions of trade, iii. To ensure Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd has a contract in place with South African vendors, iv. To periodically and systematically evaluate South African vendor's : Financial capabilities, Supply chain capacity, Management structure, Product offering mix, / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

The aim of this study was to investigate the current ERP selection processes that are used by KwaZulu-Natal organizations, in order to determine what problem factors were evidenced during the selection process. In order to obtain a KwaZulu-Natal organizations' perspective of the ERP selection process, two stages were used to gather survey data. The first stage consisted of an electronic mail and fax survey; the second stage was a door to door survey done in business parks and industrial parks/zones in the Greater Durban region - this was for purposes of remedying the low response rate obtain during the first stage. Sixty-three respondents from a wide range of industrial sectors in KwaZulu- Natal responded to the research questionnaire. In terms of response information: more than 55% of respondents had recently acquired an ERP solution and their ERP systems were fully integrated 12.7% of respondents had bought ERP software, but it was not fully implemented 6.3% of respondents were at the ERP selection stage, they were without an ERP system but had already commenced the selection process 23.8% of respondents did not have ERP nor did they intend to obtain ERP in the future 1.6% of respondents did not have ERP but indicated that they may have such a system in the future. Respondents were randomly chosen from medium sized and large sized organizations in KwaZulu-Natal. They are determined as large in turnover, total asset and number of employees by South African standards and aremostly hierarchical and centralized organisations with a divisional/functional structure. The study revealed that although ERP selection was considered to be making a significant contribution to organizations7 IT/IS strategy, the ERP selection process was not paid enough attention in practice in KwaZulu- Natal organizations due to a number of obstacles deduced from this study. Therefore, this study can be of benefit to organizations in identifying these obstacles and in recommending strategies that could be employed to overcome them. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

The power and influence that large businesses enjoy in the areas of wealth creation, and in broader societal and environmental issues generally, is unprecedented in human experience. This dominance however, has its detractors in the form of diverse stakeholder groups, some of whom are sceptical about the social, environmental and corporate governance behaviours and performance of large organisations. High-profile cases of corporate misconduct have fuelled a crisis of legitimacy in the minds of some of these stakeholders. As a consequence, these stakeholders are demanding higher levels of transparency, accountability, trust and integrity from organisations, whilst also acknowledging the fact that these organisations must remain economically viable. Business leaders and analysts are increasingly appreciative of the potential value that can be created or conserved through visibly endorsing incrementally higher standards of social, environmental and ethical behaviour in their organisations. Progressive and responsible organisations across the world are either contemplating, or have already implemented, corporate responsibility programmes. These organisations include banks operating in the South African financial services industry. This research contends that various issues and trends are driving changes in banks operating in South Africa. One driver of change is an imperative to reduce the reputational risk profile amongst these banks, and has caused most of the larger South African banks to embrace corporate responsibility programmes to some extent. This research deals with an emerging and important dimension of corporate responsibility in the banking industry in South Africa, namely supply chain corporate responsibility. The primary objective of this research was to explore and describe the state of supply chain corporate responsibility programmes and practices in the banking industry. Specifically, it investigated and analysed how these programmes have been structured and implemented, the challenges that such programmes have encountered, the maturity of these programmes in these banks, and the outcomes of these programmes. The research was conducted in a phased approach, and followed a typical business research methodology. A literature search was conducted in order to reflect on the context, background and components of the wider field of corporate responsibility, the major drivers of change in the banking industry in South Africa, and the emerging role of procurement functions as the champions of supply chain corporate responsibility in these institutions. This included procurement departments' roles as facilitators of supply chain corporate responsibility programmes in their organisations. In addition, the literature search identified potential opportunities, challenges and pitfalls associated with supply chain corporate responsibility, and cited examples of best-practice supply chain corporate responsibility programmes in various companies. The research problem statement, the research framework, and the primary and secondary research objectives for this research were then compiled. A questionnaire was drafted, seeking to elicit views and comments on the state of supply chain corporate responsibility amongst selected respondents in the banking industry in South Africa. Once responses to this questionnaire had been received, the results were recorded and analysed, conclusions were drawn from these results, and recommendations were complied for future research in this area. The research revealed and concluded that supply chain corporate responsibility programmes are not mature or extensively developed in banks operating in South Africa. An aspiration-adoption gap exists, between what banks aspire to do in regard to supply chain corporate responsibility, and the programmes that they have implemented in practice. While banks that implemented supply chain corporate responsibility programmes have identified those areas in their procurement cycles that corporate responsibility impacts upon, important and best-of-breed supply chain corporate responsibility steps and practices have not been implemented in these institutions. Supply chain corporate responsibility programmes were considered to be able to create or conserve business value amongst banks operating in South Africa. There was a broad appreciation amongst these banks that supply chain corporate responsibility programmes should deliver nett positive results and value in their organisations. However, supply chain corporate responsibility programmes do face various significant challenges and pitfalls. These challenges and pitfalls need to be addressed and resolved if supply chain corporate responsibility programmes are to deliver their rightful value. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

NCT Forestry Co-operative Limited has experienced decreased yearly hardwood pulpwood volume sales over the last several years. This indirectly means NCT members have decreased their hardwood pulpwood volume trade to NCT over the last several years. Combined with the general under-supply of hardwood pulpwood from its members, NCT's current systems do not accurately predict the monthly and yearly volumes from its members. This is because many factors play a role and influence the physical volume of hardwood pulpwood supplied during the marketing process from the stump to the mill. Two independent studies have been carried out by NCT, to determine the main factors causing NCT members to under-supply their hardwood pulpwood. Both reports sighted "price" as the major factor and driver in contributing to NCT members making a decision to bank their timber or dispose of it elsewhere. Due to NCT's core business being export orientated, "price" is considered to be "exogenous" by nature or defined as an "uncontrollable variable" as the mill delivered price NCT offers its members is a factor of the macro economic conditions between South Africa, United States of America and Japan. More specifically the "price" NCT offers its members is a factor of the exchange rate between the South African rand and the United States dollar. The second contributing factor which was sighted by NCT members as to why they were under-supplying their hardwood pulpwood was "operational issues". "Operational issues" can be refined to issues pertaining to the stump-to-mill supply chain. "Operational issues" as apposed to "price" can be considered as a "controllable variable" as every component within the stump-to-mill supply chain can be controlled and managed. This paper specifically undertakes to investigate, in more detail, what specific factors within the stump-to-mill supply chain are causing NCT members to under-supply their hardwood pulpwood to NCT. Mitigating research into the stump-to-mill supply chain as an area of concern for NCT is the fact that South Africa is currently and forecasted for the future, to have an under-supply and over-demand of hardwood pulpwood. This factor alone has many knock-on effects within the entire forestry value chain. Combined with the under-supply and over-demand situation for hardwood pulpwood, is the fact that NCT's competitors define the profile of an NCT member, being mainly associated to the medium and small grower category, as the most liquid form of hardwood pulpwood resource available. By understanding the problems the contracting fraternity faces in the value chain, further mitigates the focus on the stump-to-mill supply chain as a problem area for NCT. Research exposes that mainly "second economy" or "informal contractors" work in the environment of medium and small grower categories. For independent contractors, this environment is characterized by failure to reach economies of scale, lack of business skills, poor access to finance and training, difficulties in getting public liability insurance cover and limited help from the large corporate grower organisations. In general, NCT members falling into the medium and small grower categories will invariably experience un-professional service from independent contractors. This causes conflict in the stump-to-mill supply chain and can damage the marketing service NCT provides to its members and markets. The loyalty of NCT hardwood pulpwood owning members will be tested as the sale of hardwood pulpwood moves more and more into a "sellers" market, which will inherently mean an increase in the bargaining power and leverage these members will enjoy. Buyers who position themselves to satisfy these anticipated increased needs of private/independent growers will most likely enjoy competitive advantage. This study has found that competitive advantage partly lies in more control and management of the stump-to-mill supply chain. The study has also recommended that NCT adopt a combined strategy of backward vertical integration with keiretsu (a combined supply chain management strategy that incorporates few suppliers and backward vertical integration in a coalition partnership) in its approach to gain more control of the stump-to-mill supply chain. The study further concluded that the orthodoxy of supply chain management (SCM) emphasises competitive advantage through increased operational control and efficiency combined with market responsiveness from production and distribution processes into the hands of NCT. Further, the paper found that anticipated future competition for NCT would be between the stump-to-mill supply chains rather than between firms. Indirectly this means NCT will have to increase the scope of service to its members and that means increasing its service in the stumpto-mill supply chain. An effective hardwood pulpwood procurement (marketing) strategy rolled out by NCT using a combination of backward vertical integration and keiretsu as supply chain management strategies, in a drive to gain more control and management over the stump-to-mill supply chain was strongly recommended. This strategy will not only increase the control over the volume supplied to NCT but will also increase the sustainability of fibre by creating planned felling schedules. This strategy will also provide a stable environment for the "informal" or "second economy" contractors to work in, while satisfying the increasing needs of NCT members, and in the process creating a competitive advantage by providing a much-needed additional service. By adopting the supply chain management approach of using both backward vertical integration and keiretsu as strategies will allow for benchmarking between the two strategies to take place, while at the same time due to increased planning, economies of scale will be achieved leading to cost savings. Cost savings in the stump-to-mill supply chain will allow NCT more flexibility in defending its mill delivered prices. Hence, the key to unlocking the code to hardwood pulpwood supply from the NCT membership partly lies in the intervention of the stump-to-mill supply chain by adopting a dual supply chain management strategy of both backward vertical integration and keiretsu by NCT in the stump-to-mill supply chain. However, one can capture the hill by using "service" only, but this strategy will not necessary help you hold the hill. A combined strategy of "price" and "increased service" will more than likely allow NCT to capture and hold the hill. / Thesis (M.B.A.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

The chemical raw material distribution sector in South Africa is a very competitive market segment, moving mainly commodity raw materials between their manufacturers and the finished goods manufacturers. With ever more knowledgeable customers demanding service excellence and inventory availability, with short lead times, the distributors need to leverage their logistics efficiencies to set themselves apart by offering unique additional value to their customers. This also improves margins, providing a sustainable competitive edge. The objective of the study was to identify best practices and technology tools to improve logistics efficiencies, information systems to enable these best practices and human resource and training aspects that need to be considered within the South African context. After an initial explorative literature review, the data that was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics, in support of the objectives, was derived from a phenomenological interview schedule completed by 33 subjects and a structured questionnaire completed by 121 subjects, comprising of elements from suppliers, distributors and customers. The literature review revealed a number of business operations and logistics management concepts and best practice management tools useful for logistics improvements. The need for good information and communication was highlighted, along with the need for appropriately designed, networked business supply chains that meet the customers’ buying behaviours. Furthermore a number of technological tools and information systems to enable the best practices were revealed. It was found that correctly identified core capabilities necessary for success assist in identifying core competencies and skills needed. A number of skills development methods were identified. From research data collected, the constraints and needs discussed and recommendations received, it was confirmed that a number of the best practices, technology tools, information systems, human resource strategies and skills development techniques identified in the literature review and the data are applicable in the chemical raw material distribution sector in South Africa. It is recommended that distributors invest in technology and information systems, focus on supply chain design, demand forecasting, advanced shipping notices, effective management tools and invest in skills development to improve logistics efficiency. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Uncertainty is a norm in business decisions. In this research, we focus on the inventory decisions for companies with uncertain customer demands. We first investigate forward buying strategies for single stage inventory decisions. The situation is common in commodity industry where prices often fluctuate significantly from one purchasing opportunity to the next and demands are random. We propose a combined heuristic to determine the optimal number of future periods a firm should purchase at each ordering opportunity in order to maximize total expected profit when there is uncertainty in future demand and future buying price. Second, we study the complexities of bundling of products in an Assemble-To-Order (ATO) environment. We outline a salvage manipulator mechanism that coordinates the decentralized supply chain. Third, we extend our salvage manipulator mechanism to a two stage supply chain with a long cumulative lead time. With significant lead times, the assumption that the suppliers all see the same demand distribution as the retailer cannot be used.

Supply chain scheduling (SCS) emerged as a result of the integrated Supply Chain Management concept and should be incorporated in planning and operating Supply Chain (SC). The review of literature indicated integration of SCS in the SC is still far from being achieved. Recognising that optimisation of scheduling activities separately will only lead to local optima, this research proposes a SCS global optimisation through the integration of scheduling within manufacturing and distribution networks. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2008.

Interest in the supply chain management concept by the construction research community arose from the successful implementation by manufacturing sectors to resolve firm and industry performance problems. Construction industry policymakers have appropriated the concept. Researchers tend to develop normative models to improve industry performance through supply chain integration. Such models are based upon the assumption of an homogeneous industry which is fragmented and composed of numerous small to medium sized enterprises. Policymakers are seeking positive economic models however policies are not based upon an explicit detailed understanding of the nature of the industry nor an explicit model of firm and industry performance. The positive economic model accepts that the industry is specialised and heterogenous with varied structural and behavioural characteristics across individual markets. The greatest difficulty with supply chain management in terms of construction research theory and practical application is that currently too little is known about these characteristics and how to describe them. / Procurement modelling across the supply chain is fundamental to describing the underlying structure and behaviour of the industry. The industrial organisation economics theory was examined for its contribution and the structure-conduct-performance methodology was modified to develop a project oriented industrial organisation economic model for procurement in the construction supply chain. The model defines entities such as firms, projects, markets and firm-firm relationships and their relative associations. The model was static and nomothetic in approach and lacked the capacity to represent the duality of structure and behaviour of entities and individual procurement and project scenarios. The object-oriented methodology was used to address this and reinterpret the construction supply chain using the Unified Modelling Language. The model is interdisciplinary and merges industrial organisation economics and object-oriented methodology. Structural and behavioural model views of real world procurement in construction supply chains were developed based upon six major building projects in an Australian city. On thousand two hundred and fifty three procurement relationships were mapped using data collected from forty seven structured interviews and forty four questionnaires. / The data analysis was qualitative and quantitative. Data display techniques were used to describe common themes and differences to develop an ideographic view of procurement. A statistical categorical data analysis provided a nomothetic view by comparing observed procurement results versus likelihood of expected results. The findings indicate that classifications of objects within the supply chain procurement model provides clues to structure and behaviour. Eight structural organisation maps of key construction industry commodities describe typical channels according to the type of commodity and the major groupings within the commodities. Supply chains can be classes according to attributes including uniqueness, property sector, importation and specialisation. Supplier firms can be classed by: commodity significance and countervailing power. The procurement relationships between firms can be classified based upon risk and expenditure, transaction significance and negotiation attributes. There are patterns of behaviour in the industry reliant upon a set of “if / then” type rules. This study concludes that the perception of the industry as fragmented, unstructured, unpredictable and high risk is a simplistic view of what is in reality a complex set of varied and numerous markets with degrees of predictability. Contrary to the traditional view, procurement is a strategic activity. This study highlights numerous research opportunities particularly in the area of interdisciplinary construction industry studies.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2007. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Also available online.