This thesis describes and discusses the application of System Dynamics methodology as a basis for formulating diversification strategy and control policies of the largest diversifying cement company in the 'United Kingdom. The problems of the industry such as stagnant growth, cyclic and seasonal variations in cement demand, and overcapacity are described. The formulation of a SD model of the situation which captures these problems together with its equations system are presented. The model also simulates the planning and control processes for the selection, initiation and completion of both expansion and diversification investment projects. It is argued and demonstrated that the fact that these processes consist of feedback loops should and could be utilized for understanding these processes, advancing complementary theoretical concepts, and designing and formulating more 'effective systems and decision rules. An intensive analysis of the model in SD frameworks further supports these arguments. These analyses reveal the nature of the system's dynamic properties and its likely developments, the dynamic and situational nature of diversification effectiveness, and the importance of several diversification decision factors. These analyses also show how complex the formulation of a thorough and effective diversification strategy may become together with the ways and means of dealing with these complexities.. It is concluded that the thrust of an effective diversification lies with the broadening of the conventional theoretical concepts and analysis to include the dynamic characteristics of the system. It is also concluded and shown that System Dynamics methodology can provide a strong analytical basis for achieving these ends.

Tanzania is one of the world’s poorest countries. But it has a lot to offer and in recent years both tourists and companies have realised this. This thesis focuses on the companies and takes a closer look at the growth performance and the inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Tanzania. By presenting a case on the cement industry in Tanzania the thesis also provide some insight in the mechanisms of FDI on a more practical level. The findings conclude that the FDI and growth have both increased extensively since the 1990’s, but I refrain from comments on the causality of this relationship. The economic reforms that the country underwent in the 1990’s are thought to have played a key role in the development of the country. From the case presented we draw the conclusion that a FDI can affect the value chain as well as the whole country in numerous ways.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.269-278).

This thesis describes and discusses the application of System Dynamics methodology as a basis for formulating diversification strategy and control policies of the largest diversifying cement company in the 'United Kingdom. The problems of the industry such as stagnant growth, cyclic and seasonal variations in cement demand, and overcapacity are described. The formulation of a SD model of the situation which captures these problems together with its equations system are presented. The model also simulates the planning and control processes for the selection, initiation and completion of both expansion and diversification investment projects. It is argued and demonstrated that the fact that these processes consist of feedback loops should and could be utilized for understanding these processes, advancing complementary theoretical concepts, and designing and formulating more 'effective systems and decision rules. An intensive analysis of the model in SD frameworks further supports these arguments. These analyses reveal the nature of the system's dynamic properties and its likely developments, the dynamic and situational nature of diversification effectiveness, and the importance of several diversification decision factors. These analyses also show how complex the formulation of a thorough and effective diversification strategy may become together with the ways and means of dealing with these complexities.. It is concluded that the thrust of an effective diversification lies with the broadening of the conventional theoretical concepts and analysis to include the dynamic characteristics of the system. It is also concluded and shown that System Dynamics methodology can provide a strong analytical basis for achieving these ends.

Rising South African electricity prices and reduced sales following the 2008 economic recession have led cement manufacturers to seek ways to reduce production costs. Prior research has shown that reduced electricity costs are possible by shifting load from expensive Eskom peak pricing periods to lower cost times. Due to the complex considerations and variables in cement production, this is not typically implemented. Several simulation and optimisation models are available in literature to schedule plant operation in an electricity cost effective manner. However, these models have not been implemented in practice. The simulation models are reviewed and evaluated for the task of scheduling cement production on South African factories. A model is identified to be implemented, and the requirements for implementing this model on a cement factory are investigated. A computerised management system is designed to automatically incorporate the required information and data to implement the optimisation model on a practical level. An interface is also designed to allow factory personnel access to the optimised production plan. The system is implemented and evaluated through system level testing. Four case studies are presented within which the system is implemented on South African cement factories. The performance of the system is evaluated over a nine month period, within which a total cost saving of R8.6-million is reported. / Thesis (MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Rising South African electricity prices and reduced sales following the 2008 economic recession have led cement manufacturers to seek ways to reduce production costs. Prior research has shown that reduced electricity costs are possible by shifting load from expensive Eskom peak pricing periods to lower cost times. Due to the complex considerations and variables in cement production, this is not typically implemented. Several simulation and optimisation models are available in literature to schedule plant operation in an electricity cost effective manner. However, these models have not been implemented in practice. The simulation models are reviewed and evaluated for the task of scheduling cement production on South African factories. A model is identified to be implemented, and the requirements for implementing this model on a cement factory are investigated. A computerised management system is designed to automatically incorporate the required information and data to implement the optimisation model on a practical level. An interface is also designed to allow factory personnel access to the optimised production plan. The system is implemented and evaluated through system level testing. Four case studies are presented within which the system is implemented on South African cement factories. The performance of the system is evaluated over a nine month period, within which a total cost saving of R8.6-million is reported. / Thesis (MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Η παρούσα εργασία πραγματεύεται τόσο από θεωρητικής πλευράς το φαινόμενο της διεθνοποίησης και των εταιρικών στρατηγικών διεθνοποίησης, αλλά και πως αυτές εφαρμόζονται στην περίπτωση του Ομίλου ΤΙΤΑΝ. ‘Ετσι εξετάζουμε εκτενώς τις εταιρικές στρατηγικές διεθνούς επέκτασης του Ομίλου, ώστε αφ’ ενός να θεμελιώσει ένα γνωστικό υπόβαθρο στη μελέτη οργανισμών υπό το πρίσμα της διεθνοποίησης και αφ’ετέρου να εξακριβώσει την ύπαρξη συσχέτισης μεταξύ των θεωρητικών προσεγγίσεων και των ρεαλιστικών πρακτικών. Ο Όμιλος επιλέχθηκε για την μελέτη διεθνοποίησης και στρατηγικών ανάπτυξης μιας εταιρίας στο διεθνές περιβάλλον, λόγω της διαχρονικής εστίασης του σαν εταιρία σε διεθνοποίηση των δραστηριοτήτων του και στην γεωγραφική διαφοροποίησης του στις δραστηριότητες του. Επιπρόσθετα, ο ΤΙΤΑΝΑΣ αποτελεί την παλαιότερη τσιμεντοβιομηχανία της Ελλάδας και μια πολύ ισχυρή δύναμη στον κλάδο των δομικών υλικών τόσο στην εγχώρια όσο και στην παγκόσμια αγορά. Η έρευνα και η μελέτη της εργασίας μας βασίστηκε σε διάφορες πηγές πληροφοριών όπως το διαδίκτυο, τα πανεπιστημιακά βιβλία, σχετικά οικονομικά άρθρα καθώς και από συνεντεύξεις από στελέχη της εταιρίας ΤΙΤΑΝ και από τα οποία καταφέραμε να συγκεντρώσουμε αρκετά στοιχεία για την στρατηγική διεθνοποίησης που ακολουθεί η εταιρία ΤΙΤΑΝ. / -

Orientador: Vanessa Gomes da Silva / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T23:35:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Saade_MarcellaRuschiMendes_M.pdf: 5919886 bytes, checksum: 930c2ebc2a9376b78ca9e78155c49373 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O setor siderúrgico brasileiro, já há algum tempo, focaliza esforços na minimização das cargas ambientais do processo produtivo do aço. Devido à grande quantidade de co-produtos gerados no processo, o setor prioriza a disseminação de ações relacionadas com a reciclagem das escórias siderúrgicas, e encontra na indústria da construção civil um importante mercado consumidor. A reciclagem das escórias em componentes e materiais de construção é promovida como ambientalmente benéfica para ambos os setores, uma vez que a escória siderúrgica substituiria um material natural não renovável ao mesmo tempo em que reduziria a demanda energética da indústria siderúrgica. Tais fatos têm sido sustentados pelo entendimento de que as escórias são uma consequência, e não o propósito final do processo de produção do aço; este último recebe, portanto, toda a carga ambiental correspondente. A busca pela justa distribuição de impactos entre um produto e seus co-produtos ganhou impulso nos últimos anos. Nessa ótica, a Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida (ACV) possibilita a atribuição de impactos ambientais entre produtos e co-produtos, com base em diferentes critérios. Visando à compreensão da influência do critério de alocação de impactos sobre os resultados da ACV para o processo siderúrgico e sobre o emprego de escória de alto-forno como matéria prima no setor de construção, a presente dissertação de mestrado objetiva a realização de ACVs (aço; escória de alto-forno; e três tipos de cimento Portland, com diferentes porcentagens de adição de escória de alto-forno) para análise comparativa dos resultados decorrentes do uso de diferentes critérios de alocação de impactos (com base na massa e no valor econômico do aço e da escória de alto-forno) e da expansão das fronteiras do sistema. Para o tratamento e a interpretação dos resultados foi utilizada a plataforma de apoio SimaPro 7.3 e a avaliação dos impactos foi realizada por meio do CML 2001 (baseline). Os resultados demonstraram a relevância da discussão quanto ao critério diretor de distribuição de impactos, que, nas condições estudadas, tiveram um reflexo importante na carga ambiental transferida para os cimentos que utilizam a escória de alto-forno como matéria-prima alternativa. Dando continuidade à pesquisa, pretende-se expandir o escopo para englobar outros aspectos metodológicos de interesse na Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida, considerando as etapas que enfrentam os maiores desafios de realização no Brasil, limitando o seu potencial de aplicação / Abstract: Brazilian steelmaking sector has, for a while now, struggled to minimize the environmental loads of the steelmaking process. Because of the great amount of co-products generated in the process, the sector prioritizes dissemination of actions related to steel slag recycling, and relies on the construction industry as an important consumer market. Slag's recycling in construction materials and components is promoted as environmentally beneficial for both sectors, considering that the steel slag would replace a non-renewable natural material, while reducing the steel industry's energy demand. Those facts have been sustained by the understanding that steel slags are a consequence, and not the final purpose of the steelmaking process; steel, therefore, receives the entire corresponding environmental load. The search for fair impact distribution between a product and its co-products has gained a boost in the last few years. In that perspective, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) allows for an impact assigning between products and co-products, based on different criteria. Aiming at a better understanding of impact allocation criteria's influence on steelmaking LCA results and on blast furnace slag use as a raw material in the construction sector, this thesis aims at performing LCAs (steel; blast furnace slag; and three types of Portland cement, with different percentages of blast furnace slag addition) to comparatively evaluate results deriving from the use of different impact allocation criteria (based on the mass and economic value of steel and blast furnace slag) and from system boundaries expansion. For results treatment and interpretation, SimaPro 7.3 was used, and impact evaluation was performed through CML 2001 (baseline). Results confirmed the relevance of the discussion regarding impact distributions' defining criteria, which, in the studied scenery, had a very important reflex in the environmental load transferred to cements that utilize blast furnace slag as an alternative raw material. Further researches are expected to expand the scope to encompass other methodological aspects within LCA, considering the stages that face the greater challenges in Brazil, limiting its application potential / Mestrado / Arquitetura e Construção / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

Internationalization has long time ago been very much been undergone and sustained inseveral companies all over the world, ranging from small to large sized firms. This is sobecause there has been increased demand for companies to meet in not just their domesticmarkets but also international markets. Therefore, internationalization is an inevitablephenomenon in the business sphere. Sadly, literature covering the African perspective ofinternationalization is scarce. Emerging country markets like Nigeria proves to provide acomprehensive and detailed outlook. Moreover, Covid-19 literature is still in its developingstage due to its recency. Africa in particular has experienced Covid-19 in a peculiar mannerwhich is different from other parts of the world.Which is why this study seeks to provide additional knowledge by taking a look at theinternationalisation of firms since the pandemic, particularly in the Nigerian cement industry.The purpose of this study is to understand how Covid-19 affected the internationalisationprocess of Nigerian cement firms as well as their progress of recovery since the hit. Includedin this study are 3 major Nigerian cement firms which form a representation of the industry.All 3 have internationalised within Africa. Semi-structured interviews were carried out withcompany representatives who are knowledgeable and involved in the internationalisationprocesses of their respective firms.Empirical findings inform us that the process of internationalisation is a daunting process tosay the least due to many factors ranging from social, environmental and geographic.Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic emerged viciously and disrupted business operations.Which affected transactions, sales and regulations regarding trade. On a good note, companiesleveraged on technology and network relationships to sustain their businesses despite harsheconomic conditions.

In order to be sustainable, companies have to adapt in the ever–changing market and economic conditions which are often unpredictable. The adaptation to these challenges rests with employees who have to stay motivated and psychologically well. The environmental working conditions are often undesirable The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric performance of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Oldenburg Burnout inventory (OLBI) within the cement factory. A random sampling approach was adopted by distributing a questionnaire for the purposes of achieving the general research objective with an availability sample (N = 187). The UWES and OLBI were administered. Exploratory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, Pearson product–moment correlations and MANOVA's were used to analyse the data. The outcome of the study through literature review confirmed that work engagement and burnout are two important components of employee wellbeing. The factor loadings of the UWES and OLBI resulted in a two–factor structure for both the UWES and OLBI. The two factor structure for the UWES were labelled as Vigour/Dedication and Absorption. The twofactor structure for the OLBI was labelled Disengagement and Exhaustion. A small number of items were retained for the OLBI. The internal consistency of the UWES was found to be well above the acceptable level with the alpha coefficients exceeding 0,70. The internal consistency for the OLBI was found to be lower than the 0,70 level. Data analysis further showed that correlations between engagement and burnout were statistically insignificant. Data analysis also showed that there were no vi significant differences for age and gender for both engagement and burnout, however there is a significant difference in race and language with regard to engagement but none for burnout. Limitations within the study were identified and recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.