Thesis (MAud)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cochlear implantation is an expensive but cost-effective intervention which must be used for life. It can provide individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss improved sound perception in comparison to that obtained using hearing aids. In South Africa implants are not state subsidised, and related costs need to be covered by implant recipients. Cochlear implant teams thus need to ensure that individuals, who are selected, will benefit from the device and will be able to use it for their lifetime. Implantees should know the immediate and potential future costs involved, to be able to decide on its affordability. The primary aim of this study was to determine the immediate and long-term costs of cochlear implantation. One hundred and fifty four implant recipients from the Tygerberg Hospital- University of Stellenbosch Cochlear Implant Unit in Cape Town, South Africa were surveyed. Costs were categorized according to the time period post implantation and were converted to Constant Rands (June 2010) using the Consumer Price Index to allow for comparison in real terms over time. In the first 10 years of implantation the average estimated costs incurred by adult implantees totalled R379 626, and children R455 225. The findings showed that the initial purchase of the implant system was the most substantial cost involved (currently R221 000). Upgrading the speech processor, which on the average took place every 7 years, was the second highest cost subjects encountered (currently R85 000). The cost of spares (on average R276 per year) and repairs (R3000 per repair) increased with duration of use. Battery costs ranged between R1200 and R3372 per year and insurance costs averaged R4040 per year. Most appointments took place in the first two years following implantation. Average travel costs during the first two years were R1024 for those within 50km of the implant unit and R8645 for those living more than 1000km away. Accommodation costs for non-local recipients, peaked during this period (on average R3390). Additional rehabilitation services for paediatric implantees cost an estimated R37 159 in the first five years after implantation. Subjects advised potential implantees to save, budget and plan for the high costs involved in implantation, as well as to join a medical aid which could assist with the costs involved. The findings of the study hold great relevance for both implantees and cochlear implant professionals. Careful consideration of the financial implications of cochlear implantation is critically important in the South African context to ensure that recipients are successful longterm cochlear implant users. Although the actual costs in the study were related to the one implant system used at Tygerberg Hospital-University of Stellenbosch Cochlear Implant Unit, it is believed that the types and amounts of costs involved hold relevance for all individuals implanted in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kogleêre inplantering is ‘n duur maar koste-effektiewe prosedure wat lewenslank gebruik moet word. Dit verskaf aan individue met erge-tot-uitermatige gehoorverlies verbeterde klankpersepsie in vergelyking met dié wat gehoorapparate gebruik. In Suid Afrika word kogleêre inplantings nie deur die staat gesubsidieer nie en koste moet deur die inplantgebruiker verhaal word. Kogleêre inplantingspanne moet gevolglik verseker dat individue wat geselekteer word daarby baat sal vind en lewenslank sal kan gebruik. Inplantgebruikers moet bewus wees van die onmiddelike, sowel as langtermyn onkoste. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om die onmiddelike en langtermyn onkoste van implanterings te bepaal. Een honderd vier en vyftig inplantgebruikers van die Tygerberg Hospitaal-Universiteit Stellenbosch Kogleêre Inplantingseenheid in Kaapstad, Suid Afrika is gebruik vir die studie. Onkoste was gekatogoriseer ten opsigte van die periode van tyd postinplantering en dit is omgeskakel na konstante Randwaarde (Junie 2010) deur die Gebruikers Prys Indeks te gebruik sodat vergelykings gemaak kon word in reële terme oor tyd. Gedurende die eerste 10 jaar na inplantering was die geskatte onkoste by volwasse inplantgebruikers R379 626 en by die pediatriese groep was dit R455 225. Bevindings het aangedui dat die aanvanklike aankoop van die inplantsisteem die grootste onkoste behels het (huidig R221 000). Opgradering van die prosesseerder, gemiddeld elke 7 jaar, was die tweede hoogste onkoste, naamlik R85 000. Die gemiddelde koste van spaaronderdele was R276 per jaar. Herstelkoste het R3000 per herstelling beloop. Koste van spaaronderdele en herstelkoste het met duur van gebruik vermeerder. Batteryonkoste het gewissel tussen R1200 en R3372 per jaar. Onkoste van jaarlikse versekering was gemiddeld R4040. Meeste afsprake het gedurende die eerste twee jaar plaasgevind. Vervoeronkoste gedurende hierdie periode was R1024 vir die wat binne 50km woon en R8645 vir dié meer as ‘n 1000km ver. Akkommodasie koste het ‘n piek gedurende hierdie periode bereik (gemiddeld R3390). Addisionele rehabilitasie dienste vir pediatriese inplantgebruikers was gemiddeld R37159 gedurende die eerste vyf jaar. Die proefpersone het aanbeveel dat potensiële inplantgebruikers moet spaar, begroot en beplan vir die hoë onkoste en is aanbeveel om aan te sluit by ‘n mediese fonds. Die bevindinge van die studie is van belang vir beide ontvangers sowel as inplantingspanne. Bewusmaking van die finansiële implikasies van kogleêre inplantering is van kritiese belang om suksesvolle langtermyn gebruik te verseker. Alhoewel die werklike onkoste in die studie van toepassing is op een inplanting sisteem wat by Tygerberg Hospitaal-Universiteit Stellenbosch Kogleêre Inplantingseenheid gebruik word, kan dit aangeneem word dat die tipes en hoeveelheid onkoste van toepassing is op alle individue in Suid Afrika wat kogleêre inplantings ontvang.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Manufacturers can gain a competitive advantage through lower production cost, better quality, better efficiencies and being more flexible and dependable than its competitors. Lower production cost can be a result of first-time-right quality products and efficient production processes in terms of throughput. Low production cost is not a destination but a journey where the goalpost will always move as competitors will continuously come up with ideas to lower prices and margins have to be cut in order to stay competitive. This is where manufacturers must come up with initiatives to continuously drive its operational metrics to remain competitive. This research report will explain how Distell's biggest bottling plant, Green Park, successfully introduced Process Control to increase its quality operational metric and a Six Sigma project to reduce downtime to increase its efficiency operational metric to drive its operational costs down. Process Control was introduced as a TOM initiative with a subsequent reduction in rework due to poor quality (thousands) from R1 585 to R484. This contributed to 'first-time-right' production, better efficiencies and not tying up valuable production time with reworks. The Six Sigma principles were used on a production line to introduce initiatives to reduce changeovers and unplanned downtime to improve its GEE. This initiative has a projected benefit of R687 (thousands). The report also indicated that a 1% increase in Green Park's overall GEE will result in 1% saving of production hours resulting in a 1% saving of variable cost. This will result in an OEE of 63% that will save 226 hours and R410(thousands). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vervaardigers kan 'n kompeterende voorsprong verkry deur laer produksiekoste, beter gehalte en groter doeltreffendheid te bewerkstellig en deur meer buigbaar en betroubaar as hul teestanders te wees. Goeie gehalte produkte wat die eerste keer reg is en doeltreffende produksieprosesse vir verwerkingskapasiteit kan laer produksiekoste tot gevolg het. Lae produksiekoste is nie 'n bestemming nie, maar 'n reis waartydens die doelpale sal skuif met teestanders wat deurgaans met idees om pryse te verjaag, vorendag sal kom. Winsgrense sal moet verklein word om kompeterend te bly. Hier moet vervaardigers inisiatief aan die dag lê om hul operasionele meetbares te dryf om kompeterend te bly. Hierdie navorsingsverslag sal verduidelik hoe Distell se grootste botterings aanleg, Green Park, prosesbeheer (Process Control) suksesvol in werking gestel het om sy meetbares wat operasionele gehalte betref, te verhoog, en 'n Six Sigma-projek ingestel het om staantyd te verminder sodat sy meetbares wat operasionele doeltreffendheid betref, kan verhoog en sy operasionele koste sodoende besnoei word. Prosesbeheer is as algehele gehaltebestuursinisiatief ingestel met 'n gevolglike vermindering van herverwerking weens swak gehalte (duisende) van R1 585 na R484. Dit het bygedra tot groter doeltreffendheid met produksie wat uit die staanspoor reg is, en verhoed dat kosbare produksietyd op herverwerking gespandeer word. Die Six Sigma-beginsels is in 'n produksielyn gebruik om inisiatiewe in werking te stel om oorskakelings en onbeplande staantyd ter verbetering van die algehele toerustingsdoeltreffendheid (OEE), te verminder. Hierdie inisiatief hou 'n geprojekteerde voordeel van R687 (duisende) in. Die verslag dui verder aan dat 'n 1%-verhoging in Green Park se algehele OEE sal lei tot 'n 1% besparing in produksie-ure, wat 'n 1% besparing op veranderlike koste tot gevolg het. Dit sal tot 'n OEE van 63% lei, wat 226 uur en R410 (duisende) sal spaar.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is on the verge of major changes in the private medical sector. The government’s planned National Health Insurance has far reaching implications for all role players in the industry, as well as for the general public. This paper looks at the changes that have been made since the ANC government came to power in 1994 and then continues to look at possible models for the new National Health Insurance plan. A proposal on practicing cost-effective cardiology within this new system is made. The data of a pilot project between a private service provider and a managed healthcare company is analysed as a basis of this discussion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika se mediese bedryf staan op die vooraand van groot veranderinge. Die regering se beplande Nasionale Gesondheidsplan het verreikende implikasies vir alle rolspelers in die bedryf, sowel as die algemene man op straat. Die dokument kyk oorsigtelik na die veranderinge wat ondergaan is sedert die ANC regering aan bewind gekom het in 1994 en gaan daarna voort om na moontlike opsies te kyk hoe die nuwe gesondheidsmodel daarna gaan uitsien. Voorstelle word gemaak oor hoe privaat kardiologie in die nuwe sisteem koste-effektief beoefen kan word. ‘n Lootsprojek van ‘n privaat diensverskaffer en ‘n bestuurde gesongheidsorg maatskappy se data word ontleed as basis vir die bespreking.

Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Management within Local Government are increasingly required to report on the various spatially related projects and initiatives within their jurisdiction. As Information Technology develops, various electronic systems are implemented within the organisations, not only assist in the reporting. but also to fulfil the data requirements in relation to maintenance, capturing and storing of data. In order to fully adhere to the reporting needs, systems are also increasingly required to integrate, and in so doing, provide access to more data in the organisation. But as the reporting requirements are often clear, the cost in implementing the required systems elude implementers. One of the reasons for costs being unclear stems from a need for integrated systems to help implementers to understand the cost factors which drive costs, and in so doing, enabling them to manage costs incurred in projects better. By means of a literature review, the spatial information needs within Local Governments are investigated, fol1owed by the investigation of solutions to address the spatial needs. As a solution, an Integrated Spatial Management Information System (ISMlS) is discussed. Seven primary cost fac tors are identified and discussed to assist in the better understanding of the relevant cost factors. These cost factors include data, software, hardware, training requirements, customisation, maintenance and time constraints. Each cost factor is discussed in detail, and the potential impact it might have on the total cost of a project investigated. A method measuring the success of a project is also discussed, whereby the total cost 10 implementing an ISMlS is related to the number of active users as expressed in cost-per-seat. The relationship between the different types of users within a local municipality, their function and the impact the cost factors can have on the use and cost-per-seat calculation are also discussed. To illustrate the impact, three different scenarios are discussed. each with variable cost factors. It is found. that the management of cost factors can greatly increase the use of a system, and thereby make the implementation of the system more cost .. effective. Finally the concept of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is also discussed, providing a concept whereby the costs can be measured against benefits, where the aim is to implement an ISMIS where the benefits outweigh the costs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: DaaT word al hoe meer van die bestuur in pJaaslike owerhede verlang. om verslag te lewer oor verskeie ruimtelike projekte en inisiatiewe in hul owerheidsgebied. Met die ontwikkeling van Informasie Tegnologie word verskeie clcktroniese stelsels ge-implementeer om nie net aan die versJaggewingbehoeftes te voldoen nie, maar oak die instandhouding. datavaslegging en stoor van data te ondersteun. Om ten volle aan die verslagewingbehocftes te lean voldoen, word daar ook al hoe meer van stelsels verlang om te integreer, om sodoende toegang tot meer datastelle in die organisasie te gee. Maar terwyl die versJaggewingbehoeftes gewoonlik duidelik is, is die kostcs om relevante stelsels te integreer gewoonlik onduidelik. 'n Rede waarom kostcs onduidelik mag wees, spruit uit die behoefte vir implimenteerders van gelntegreerde stelsels am faktore wat kostes dryf te begryp, en sodoende kostes beter te lean bestuur. Deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie is die ruirntelike behoeftes binne plaaslike regenng ondersoek, gevolg deur 'n ondersoek na moontlike oplossings om die ruimtelike behoeftes aan tc spreek. As 'n opiossmg, word 'n Gclntegreerde Ruimtelike Bestuursinligting Stelsel (GRBS) bespreek. Sewe primere kostefaktore word geldentifiseer en bespreek om 'n beter begrip te ontwikkel van die relevante kostefaktore. Hierdie kostefaktore sluit data, prograrnmatuur, apparatuur, opleidingsbehoeftes, doelgemaakte programmatuur, instandhouding en tydsbepcrkings in. Elke kostefaktor word in detail bespreek, en die potensiele impak wat dit op die totale koste van 'n projek mag he, word ondcrsoek. 'n Metode om die sukses van 'n projek te meet, word ook bespreek, waarvolgens die totale koste om 'n GRBS te implementeer gemeet word teen die totale aantal aktiewe gebruikcrs van die stelsel, soos uitgedruk in koste-per-gebruiker. Die verwantskap tussen die verskillende gcbruikers in 'n plaaslike munisipaliteit, hul funksics en die irnpak wat die kostefaktore kan he op die gebruik en koste-per-gebruiker-berekening word oak bespreek. Om die impak te illustrcer, word drie verskillende voorbeelde bespreek, elk met veranderende kostefaktore. Daar is gevind dat die bestuur van kostefaktore die gebruik van die stelsel grootliks laat toeneem, wat sodoende die implementering van die GRBS meeT koste effektief maak. Laastens word "koste-voordeel analise" as konsep bespreek, waarby koste teenoor voordeel gemeet kao word, om sodoende '0 GRBS te ontwikkel waar die voordele die kostes cortref.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study involved a detail empirical investigation into the different road studs in use on South Africa’s national road network and how they performed on the network under different road conditions in order to establish which road stud, under what conditions, offers best value for money in terms of life-cycle cost for the South African National Roads Agency Limited. These main questions were asked: What is the most cost-effective/value-for-money stud option for SANRAL to choose for each of the specified road categories? Under which conditions do the studs perform differently and what is the most likely mode of failure of specific studs linked to a specific road condition and road category? The South African and Australian road stud standards were reviewed to gain understanding of which criteria one has to consider when evaluating road studs and what information would be needed for the research. Similar studies on road studs were reviewed to compare the criteria that were looked at, namely Guidelines for the use of Raised Pavement Markers, developed by the Department of Transport in the United States, and Feasibility of using accelerated pavement testing to evaluate the long term performance of raised pavement markers, a research paper by the Florida Department of Transport. This research made use of a standardised questionnaire containing questions on various elements found to be key to the road stud performance. The study was done on approximately 4 659 km of roads in SANRAL’s Western region, consisting of the Western Cape and Northern Cape. From the literature review, it was identified that there is a need for the SABS standards to be updated to include the testing of structural properties of studs. SANRAL should look at the lack in specification requirements when asking for the installation of road studs. From the data available it was observed that the preferred studs were the Ferro Lynx followed by the STA+52 stud. They are predominantly used on the roads that were included in the survey. They perform well on the national roads. The data suggests that these two studs and the Rhino stud are the best-performing studs with the least dislodgement and loss in reflectivity. The STA+52 and Rhino stud, however, are fairly new on the market and more data for theirs full life cycle should be obtained for further monitoring The regression analysis indicated that 36 per cent of the variation in the reflectivity of the Ferro Lynx stud can be explained by the surface width of the road, the traffic volume measured as ELVS and the period installed. All the coefficients were significant with a 5 per cent significance. The prediction tables on the weighted data set, indicated that one should always consider width of road when choosing a road stud and that the reflectivity of studs deteriorates most on the narrower roads.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wine cellars are diverse in terms of equipment types and process configurations. Whilst other food production processes have, in many cases, been properly analysed and modelled, this process diversity has resulted in an absence of process analyses in the wine industry. Each wine cellar is unique and represents a fully integrated agro-business, starting with a raw material (grapes) and extending to marketing and selling of the final product (wine). This makes the wine industry unique in this context. This study is the first attempt to analyse winemaking procedures in the form of a process audit. The study was approached in the following manner: • A questionnaire was developed to assess cellar configurations and conditions. This questionnaire was submitted to a statistically significant number of cellars, and a statistically significant number of questionnaires were returned. • The data collected from the questionnaire were statistically analysed and associations between equipment or procedures and wine faults were identified. • Three cellars were studied in depth. These three cellars had their processes audited and their effluent characterised. Additional data were obtained from current sampling projects and these data were analysed to complement the data obtained from the questionnaire • A preliminary input/output model was developed. The major results of this study are: • It was found that certain faults that appear in wine might be associated with equipment and/or process faults. These associations are statistically significant and they show that cellar hygiene is of critical importance when assessing these wine faults. The most important of these faults are VA, microbial contamination of the wine, sluggish and stuck fermentations. A risk hierarchy was derived to indicate which events are associated with others most strongly. • It was found that few wineries measure water consumption and even fewer wineries measure the quantity of effluent produced. • Correlations have been developed to predict winery parameters in terms of tons of grapes pressed per annum. These parameters include water and electricity consumed, wine produced and the quantity of effluent produced. Effluent characteristics have also been correlated to the tons of grapes pressed per annum. These characteristics include chemical oxygen demand, sodium absorption ratio and total dissolved solids in solution. Chemical oxygen demand was identified as the most important contributing factor in winery effluent. It was shown that all variables rise with an increase in cellar size, but the rise is not linear. This implies that large cellars have greater quantities of effluent of lower quality than small cellars. Most cellars have effluent concentrations that require some form of effluent treatment. The characterisation of effluent shows that the most widely used disposal practice is irrigation, and that the effluent disposed in this manner does not meet legislative requirements. • A preliminary input/output model was developed in order to enable wineries that have not measured the relevant parameters to predict the abovementioned variations. The resolution of these predictions is low but the model serves to provide an initial estimate if there are no data available. The model will give industrial averages for any given cellar size. • An economic balance was performed using this preliminary model. It was shown that if cellars were to lower the consumption of utilities and to reduce the strength of their effluent (using cleaner practices and not dilution) the reduction of operating costs could be reduced by 14% for smaller cellars to 17% for larger cellars. This study has shown that it is possible to make wine in a more environmentally friendly manner, producing better quality wines, without incurring extra costs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wynkelders is diverse eenhede ten opsigte van die tipe toerusting en prosesse wat gebruik word. Terwyl ander prosesse rondom voedselproduksie in baie gevalle reeds geanaliseer en gemodelleer is, het die diversiteit in die wynindustrie gelei tot 'n afwesigheid van prosesanalises. Elke wynkelder is uniek en verteenwoordig 'n ten voile geintegreerde agro-besigheid wat begin met die rou materiaal (druiwe) en lei tot die bemarking en verkope van die finale produk (wyn), 'n eienskap wat die wynindustrie uniek maak in hierdie verband. Hierdie studie is die eerste poging om die wynmaakproses in die vorm van ‘n proses-oudit te analiseer. Die studie is soos volg aangepak: • ‘n Vraelys is ontwikkel om kelderkonfigurasies en -toestande te ondersoek. Die vraelys is aan ‘n statisties betekenisvolle aantal kelders voorgele, en ‘n statisties betekenisvolle aantal vraelyste is terugontvang. • Die data wat uit die vraelyste ontvang is, is statisties ontleed en verwantskappe tussen toerusting of prosesse en wyngebreke is geidentifiseer. • Drie kelders is in diepte bestudeer. Hierdie drie kelders se prosesse is geoudit en die afvloeiwater is gekarakteriseer. Addisionele data is verkry van huidige projekte en hierdie data is ge-analiseer om die data van die vraelys aan te vul. • ‘n Voorlopige inset / uitset model is ontwikkel. Die belangrikste resultate van hierdie studie is: • Dit is bevind dat sekere gebreke wat in wyn voorkom geassosieer kan word met tekortkominge in toerusting en/of prosesse in die kelder. Hierdie assosiasies is statisties betekenisvol en toon dat kelderhigtene van kritiese belang is wanneer gebreke in wyn ondersoek word. Die mees belangrike gebreke wat voorkom is vlugtige suur, mikrobiese kontaminasie van wyn, slepende en gestaakte fermentasie. ‘n Risikohierargie is afgelei om die gebeure te toon wat die sterktste met mekaar geassosieer word. • Dit is gevind dat min wynkelders waterverbruik meet. Selfs minder kelders meet die hoeveelheid afvloeiwater wat geproduseer word. • Korrelasies is ontwikkel om kelderparameters te voorspel in terme van ton druiwe gepars per jaar. Hierdie parameters sluit in water- en elektrisiteitsverbruik, wyn geprosuseer en hoeveelheid afvloeiwater geproduseer. Eienskappe van afvloeiwater is ook gekorreleer met die ton druiwe wat per jaar gepars word. Hierdie eienskappe sluit in chemiese suurstofbehoeftes, natrium absorpsieverhoudings en totale opgeloste soliede materiaal in oplossing. Chemiese suurstofbehoeftes is geidentifiseer as die mees belangrike bydraende faktor tot afvloeiwater in kelders. Dit is getoon dat alle veranderlikes verhoog hoe groter die kelder, maar hierdie verhoging is nie lineer nie. Dit impliseer dat groter kelder meer afvloeiwater van ‘n laer kwaliteit produseer. Die meeste kelders produseer afvloeiwater van sodanige konsentrasies dat behandeling daarvan nodig is. Die ondersoek van hierdie afvloeiwater toon dat die mees algemene wyse van wegdoening van afvloeiwater besproeiing is, en dat afvloeiwater wat op hierdie manier weggedoen word, nie voldoen aan die wetgewing se vereistes nie. • 'n Voorlopige inset/uitset model is ontwikkel om kelders wat nie die toepaslike parameters gemeet het nie in staat te stel om hierdie parameters te voorspel. Die akuraatheid van hierdie voorspellings is nie hoog nie, maar die model verskaf ‘n aanvanklike skatting waar daar geen data beskikbaar is nie. Die model verskaf industriele gemiddeldes aan kelders van enige grootte. • ‘n Ekonomiese balans is uitgevoer deur van hierdie model gebruik te maak. Dit is getoon dat indien kelders die gebruik van water en elektrisiteit verminder en die konsentrasie van afvloeiwater verlaag (deur van skoner paktyke gebruik te maak, en nie verdunning nie) die bestuurskoste met 14% vir kleiner kelders tot 17% vir groter kelders verlaag kan word. Die studie het getoon dat dit moontlik is om wyn te maak op ‘n meer omgewingsvriendelike wyse, en sodoende beter kwaliteit wyn te produseer sonder addisionele kostes.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / abstract / Community Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Community Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy