Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A difficult subclass of engineering optimisation problems is the class of optimisation problems which are dynamic and stochastic. These problems are often of a non-closed form and thus studied by means of computer simulation. Simulation production runs of these problems can be time-consuming due to the computational burden implied by statistical inference principles. In multi-objective optimisation of engineering problems, large decision spaces and large objective spaces prevail, since two or more objectives are simultaneously optimised and many problems are also of a combinatorial nature. The computational burden associated with solving such problems is even larger than for most single-objective optimisation problems, and hence an e cient algorithm that searches the vast decision space is required. Many such algorithms are currently available, with researchers constantly improving these or developing more e cient algorithms. In this context, the term \e cient" means to provide near-optimised results with minimal evaluations of objective function values. Thus far research has often focused on solving speci c benchmark problems, or on adapting algorithms to solve speci c engineering problems. In this research, a multi-objective optimisation algorithm, based on the cross-entropy method for single-objective optimisation, is developed and assessed. The aim with this algorithm is to reduce the number of objective function evaluations, particularly when time-dependent (dynamic), stochastic processes, as found in Industrial Engineering, are studied. A brief overview of scholarly work in the eld of multiobjective optimisation is presented, followed by a theoretical discussion of the cross-entropy method. The new algorithm is developed, based on this information, and assessed considering continuous, deterministic problems, as well as discrete, stochastic problems. The latter include a classical single-commodity inventory problem, the well-known buffer allocation problem, and a newly designed, laboratory-sized recon gurable manufacturing system. Near multi-objective optimisation of two practical problems were also performed using the proposed algorithm. In the rst case, some design parameters of a polymer extrusion unit are estimated using the algorithm. The management of carbon monoxide gas utilisation at an ilmenite smelter is complex with many decision variables, and the application of the algorithm in that environment is presented as a second case. Quality indicator values are estimated for thirty-four test problem instances of multi-objective optimisation problems in order to quantify the quality performance of the algorithm, and it is also compared to a commercial algorithm. The algorithm is intended to interface with dynamic, stochastic simulation models of real-world problems. It is typically implemented in a programming language while the simulation model is developed in a dedicated, commercial software package. The proposed algorithm is simple to implement and proved to be efficient on test problems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Moeilike deelklas van optimeringsprobleme in die ingenieurswese is optimeringsprobleme van 'n dinamiese en stogastiese aard. Sulke probleme is dikwels nie-geslote en word gevolglik met behulp van rekenaarsimulasie bestudeer. Die beginsels van statistiese steekproefneming veroorsaak dat produksielopies van hierdie probleme tydrowend is weens die rekenlas wat genoodsaak word. Groot besluitnemingruimtes en doelwitruimtes bestaan in meerdoelige optimering van ingenieursprobleme, waar twee of meer doelwitte gelyktydig geoptimeer word, terwyl baie probleme ook 'n kombinatoriese aard het. Die rekenlas wat met die oplos van sulke probleme gepaard gaan, is selfs groter as vir die meeste enkeldoelwit optimeringsprobleme, en 'n doeltre ende algoritme wat die meesal uitgebreide besluitnemingsruimte verken, is gevolglik nodig. Daar bestaan tans verskeie sulke algoritmes, terwyl navorsers steeds poog om hierdie algoritmes te verbeter of meer doeltre ende algoritmes te ontwikkel. In hierdie konteks beteken \doeltre end" dat naby-optimale oplossings verskaf word deur die minimum evaluering van doelwitfunksiewaardes. Navorsing fokus dikwels op oplossing van standaard toetsprobleme, of aanpassing van algoritmes om 'n spesi eke ingenieursprobleem op te los. In hierdie navorsing word 'n meerdoelige optimeringsalgoritme gebaseer op die kruis-entropie-metode vir enkeldoelwit optimering ontwikkel en geassesseer. Die mikpunt met hierdie algoritme is om die aantal evaluerings van doelwitfunksiewaardes te verminder, spesi ek wanneer tydafhanklike (dinamiese), stogastiese prosesse soos wat dikwels in die Bedryfsingenieurswese te egekom word, bestudeer word. 'n Bondige oorsig van navorsing in die veld van meerdoelige optimering word gegee, gevolg deur 'n teoretiese bespreking van die kruis-entropiemetode. Die nuwe algoritme se ontwikkeling is hierop gebaseer, en dit word geassesseer deur kontinue, deterministiese probleme sowel as diskrete, stogastiese probleme benaderd daarmee op te los. Laasgenoemde sluit in 'n klassieke enkelitem voorraadprobleem, die bekende buffer-toedelingsprobleem, en 'n nuut-ontwerpte, laboratorium-skaal herkon gureerbare vervaardigingstelsel. Meerdoelige optimering van twee praktiese probleme is met die algoritme uitgevoer. In die eerste geval word sekere ontwerpparameters van 'n polimeer-uittrekeenheid met behulp van die algoritme beraam. Die bestuur van koolstofmonoksiedbenutting in 'n ilmeniet-smelter is kompleks met verskeie besluitnemingveranderlikes, en die toepassing van die algoritme in daardie omgewing word as 'n tweede geval aangebied. Verskeie gehalte-aanwyserwaardes word beraam vir vier-en-dertig toetsgevalle van meerdoelige optimeringsprobleme om die gehalte-prestasie van die algoritme te kwanti seer, en dit word ook vergelyk met 'n kommersi ele algoritme. Die algoritme is veronderstel om te skakel met dinamiese, stogastiese simulasiemodelle van regtew^ereldprobleme. Die algoritme sal tipies in 'n programmeertaal ge mplementeer word terwyl die simulasiemodel in doelmatige, kommersi ele programmatuur ontwikkel sal word. Die voorgestelde algoritme is maklik om te implementeer en dit het doeltre end gewerk op toetsprobleme.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fretting wear results in the loss of fit and tolerance at contact interfaces. The aerospace and aircraft industry is severely impacted by fretting wear and fretting fatigue that frequently occurs in turbo machinery and riveted structural connections. There have been numerous studies, investigating the fretting phenomenon for these aerospace applications. Literature available in regard to fretting wear encountered in these aerospace applications is limited. This study is therefore aimed at investigating the fretting wear encountered in aerospace application. An in-house fretting test apparatus was specially designed and developed in order to perform the fretting wear experiments. Ti-6Al-4V and Al7075-T6 are the two aerospace materials that were tested using the fretting test apparatus. An extensive experimental study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of the normal force on the fretting wear and friction behaviour of the two aerospace materials. The most severe of these experiments were identified and then repeated for up to 106 fretting cycles. Additional fretting wear experiments were also conducted between the two aerospace materials and cemented carbides, since the carbides are currently being utilized as coatings in some aerospace contacts that are prone to fretting induced damage. The experimental study revealed that a decrease in the normal force resulted in an increase in the severity of the fretting wear of both aerospace materials. The additional fretting wear experiments involving carbide-metal contact couples found that Ti-6Al-4V and Al7075-T6 were prone to adhesive wear. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Knaagslytasie veroorsaak materiaalverlies by die kontakoppervlakke. Die lugvaart industrie is erg geraak deur knaagslytasie en knaaguitputting wat dikwels voorkom in turbo-enjin toepassings en strukturele verbindings. Daar was al talle studies gedoen oor die effek van knaag op lugvaart toepassings. Literatuur met betrekking tot knaagslytasie in lugvaart toepassings is egter beperk. Hierdie studie was dus gemik daarop om knaagslytasie in sekere lugvaart toepassings te ondersoek. Tydens die studie is ʼn toetsopstelling ontwerp en ontwikkel om knaagslytasie eksperimente uit te voer. Ti-6Al-4V en Al7075-T6 is die twee lugvaartmateriale wat ondersoek is met behulp van die toetsopstelling. ʼn Omvattende eksperimentele studie is gedoen om die effek van die normaal krag op knaagslytasie en die wrywings gedrag van die lugvaartmateriale te ondersoek. Die eksperimente wat die ergste slytasie en hoogste wrywing getoon het, is herhaal vir 106 siklusse. Bykomende knaag eksperimente was ook tussen die twee lugvaartmateriale en sekere karbiede gedoen, aangesien karbiede tans as deklae in sommige lugvaart kontakte gebruik word. Die eksperimentele studie het getoon dat 'n afname in die normale krag gelei het tot 'n toename in wrywing vir beide lugvaartmateriale. Die bykomende knaagslytasie eksperimente op karbied metaal pare het getoon dat Ti-6Al-4V en Al7075-T6twee lugvaart materiale nie in staat was om enige van die karbide te beskadig nie. Die lug-en Ruimte-materiaal aan die ander kant ervaar het kwaadaardige dra.

The demand from modern day customers for quality products, supplied in any quantity and within a short lead-time, forces organisations to stock the correct amount of inventory in the correct locations in its supply chain. Establishing the correct inventory levels within an organisation’s supply chain is complicated by the various stochastic processes occurring in a supply chain. The thesis is aimed at the development of a generic Just-In-Time (JIT) supply chain optimisation software tool, whereby the correct inventory levels for an organisation can be determined. These inventory levels will ensure that the organisation will achieve a predefined customer service level at the minimum cost to the company. The tool was developed and satisfactory results were obtained using the Harmony Search Algorithm (HSA) for optimising the inventory levels.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / There is a growing global demand for titanium. The aircraft industry is the driving force behind the demand for titanium. The reason for this is that titanium has attractive properties that justify its use both economically and environmentally. Titanium alloys have superior strength-to-weight ratios. This implies that by substituting components manufactured from other metals in the aircraft with titanium components, a substantial reduction in structural weight can be achieved. From an economical point of view a lower mass implies lower fuel consumption. From an environmental point of view lower fuel consumption implies less harmful greenhouse emissions. Ti6Al4V components are the most widely used titanium alloy products in aircraft components. Ti6Al4V is known as a difficult-to-machine material. This is due to its low thermal conductivity and small contact area between the tool and the chips causing higher temperatures to be generated closer to the cutting edge of the insert. This will subsequently increase the rate at which the cutting tool wears. For this reason relatively low cutting speeds and feed rates are employed for the machining of Ti6Al4V compared to the machining of steels. Ti6Al4V is an exceptionally high cost material. The low cutting speeds and feed rates used in Ti6Al4V machining raises the machining cost of parts and contributes to an increase in the price of Ti6Al4V parts. By employing higher cutting speeds and feed rates machining times on Ti6Al4V products could be decreased, subsequently lowering the price for Ti6Al4V components. An increase in cutting speeds and feed rates will subsequently cause an increase in generated cutting temperatures, resulting in an increase in tool wear. This stresses the importance of controlling the cutting temperature during machining of Ti6Al4V in order to prolong tool life. The focus of this work was to investigate different lubrication strategies for polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and tungsten carbide inserts for Ti6Al4V milling operations in the quest to develop improved feasible cutting parameters. The results of this study showed that flood lubrication should be utilized for PCD inserts, while a “softer” 60 bar high pressure through spindle lubrication worked best for the tungsten carbide inserts. By utilizing these lubrication strategies, cutting speeds of 100 m/min and feeds per tooth of 0.05 mm/rev for both the PCD and tungsten carbide grades could be attained with satisfactory tool life.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / This study intends to develop a decision support tool for new business development units in South African consultancies. These consultancies endeavour to out‐license their technology assets. The enterprise engineering model is examined and the rules and boundaries of the Cartesian space is used to derive further functionality (susceptibility, segmentation and competence) from the various enterprise life cycles as measures for business expansion of knowledge organisations. The reader is presented with an overview of knowledge organisations, more specifically consultancy enterprises and its unique challenges and business models. These firms develop technology for specific market applications to assist them in solving industry specific problems. These technologies are easily modularised and packaged and can be transferred as technology assets to licensees. The bulk of the dissertation deals with the process phases in externally leveraging technology assets, with a focus on the intelligence phase of this process. The industrial engineering approach provides a suitable mindset for understanding the complexity of global strategy problems. Proposed global strategies are based on combinations of geographic areas that become more desirable over time. Levels of aggregation are defined, and the global eco‐socio‐political and economical systems are further investigated. Approaches to global strategy management are investigated, and the PEST framework is used in its broadest sense to conduct an external environmental analysis. Franchising as a method of out‐licensing is proposed as a mode of entry into foreign markets. The development of a decision support tool is supported by the generic system model and more specifically principles from productivity management. Multiple criteria decision modelling is discussed and efficiency and effectiveness are used as the objective and subjective variables. The Brown‐Gibson model is used to calculate a weighted evaluation, and the countries of the world are ranked according to these outcomes. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted on the weighted evaluations providing the reader with graphs indicating what the long and short term focus of consulting firms should be regarding their out‐licensing endeavours on a macro environmental level. In conclusion, this study expands the enterprise engineering model for knowledge organisations (specifically consultancy enterprises) using analytical decision making methods in determining global strategy with a focus on the external environmental analysis.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The concept of National Innovation System (NIS) as new conceptual framework appeared in the late 1980s. The framework of NIS not only focuses on the science and technology development of a country, but also on concerns about a nation’s demand and strategy. The best technology, as well as patents, can be found in developed countries. Their development leads world development in many ways and influences the development model in developing countries. Although it is not hard to see that they seem to be progressing well, the question is why development just happens in some countries. Even fast developing countries, like China, India, Brazil, and South Africa have fewer such well-known or successful business models, compared to developed countries. The thesis attempts to scrutinise the internal and external factors in NIS which may influence countries and the innovation of enterprises within South Africa and China. The thesis focuses on fundamental research of the NIS of South Africa and China. The objective of the thesis is to find out which factors are involved in the NIS and how the system works in South Africa and China. The purpose of the study is to ascertain the difference and gap between these two countries and other more innovative countries, as well as the differences between South Africa and China. The literature study and quantitative method will be used to research and compare the NIS of South Africa and China. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die konsep van Nasionale Innovasie Stelsels (NIS) as ʼn nuwe konsepsionele raamwerk het in die laat 1980s na vore gekom. Die raamwerk van NIS het beide op die wetenskap en tegnologiese ontwikkeling, asook nasionale strategie van ʼn land gefokus. Die beste tegnologie sowel as patentregte kan in ontwikkelde lande gevind word. Hul bydrae is aan die voor front van globale ontwikkeling en het ʼn direkte invloed op ontwikkelingsmodelle vir ander ontwikkelende lande. Die voorspoed in hierdie lande is vir almal duidelik, maar die vraag is waarom ontwikkeling slegs plaasvind in sommige lande. Lande soos China, Indië, Brasilië en Suid Afrika het minder goeie en suksesvolle besigheidsmodelle, in vergelyking met ontwikkelde lande, alhoewel ontwikkeling steeds vinnig plaasvind. Die tesis poog om interne en eksterne faktore van die NIS te ontleed wat sal bydra tot die innovasie van ondernemingsontwikkeling in Suid Afrika en China. Die tesis fokus op fundamentele navorsing op die NIS van Suid Afrika en China. Die doel van die tesis is om uit te vind watter faktore die NIS in beide Suid Afrika en China beïnvloed. Die besondere oogmerk van die studie is om verskille en gapings tussen die twee lande en ander innovasie georiënteerde lande te beklemtoon, asook die verskil tussen Suid Afrika en China. Die literatuurstudie en kwantitatiewe metode word geïmplementeer om die NIS in Suid Afrika en China te ondersoek en vergelyk.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The environment within which most organisations operate is ever-changing. In such a dynamic environment the only way an organisation is able to not just survive but thrive is by continuously, effectively and efficiently transforming/re-engineering itself (Hammer & Champy, 2001). Luckily, many organisations have realised and accepted this fact. The problem, however, is that the majority of transformation initiatives, launched by organisations, are unsuccessful. In fact, according to (Blanchard K. , 2010), 70% of change initiatives fail. There can only be two possible reasons for the existence of this very serious problem. Organisations either implement the wrong kinds of change initiatives or they ineffectively manage and execute the transformation efforts that they initiate. To solve this problem, an organisation needs to make use of a structured and integrated enterprise engineering methodology that enables it to effectively manage and execute the right kind of change initiatives (Martin, 1995). In the literature that was reviewed, very few structured and integrated enterprise engineering methodologies were found to exist. The objective of this study was to bridge this research gap. In other words, the objective of this study was to develop a structured and integrated enterprise engineering methodology. Developing the enterprise engineering methodology was done by following a basic system engineering process consisting of the following four steps: requirements analysis, system design, system development and system validation. During the requirements analysis step the functional characteristics that the enterprise engineering methodology needed to possess were identified. The purpose of the system design step was to firstly identify the set of methods that the enterprise engineering methodology should consist of and secondly to determine how these methods fit together to form an integrated methodology. The purpose of the system development step was to describe each of the methods that the enterprise engineering methodology needed to consist of in terms of how it is utilised as well as who should be involved during its utilisation. Lastly, during the system validation step the enterprise engineering methodology was evaluated based on how well it satisfies its functional requirements. Expert interviews as well as a case study were used to do this. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meerderheid organisasies, huidiglik in bestaan, wroeg met die konstante veranderinge wat plaasvind in die omgewing rondom hulle. In so ‘n dinamiese omgewing is ‘n organisasie se toekomstige winsgewendheid en groei hewiglik afhanklik van sy bevoegdheid om aaneenlopend en effektief veranderinge aan te bring (Hammer & Champy, 2001). Die probleem is dat 70% van transformasie-inisiatiewe wat geloots word nie die voordele wat van hulle verwag word suksesvol lewer nie (Blanchard K. , 2010). Hoekom gebeur dit? Hoekom is net 30% van transformasie-inisiatiewe wat geloots word suksesvol? Daar is net twee moontlike redes vir die bestaan van hierdie probleem. Organisasies loots óf die verkeerde tipe transformasie-inisiatiewe óf hulle bestuur hulle transformasie-inisiatiewe op ‘n oneffektiewe manier. Om te verseker dat ‘n organisasie nie in hierdie strik trap nie, moet dit gebruik maak van ‘n gestruktureerde en geїntegreerde besigheidstransformasie-metodologie wat die proses van verandering vergemaklik (Martin, 1995). In die literatuur wat tot dusver nagevors is, kon daar maar ‘n handjievol besigheidstransformasie-metodologiëe opgespoor word. Die doel van hierdie studie was om hierdie gaping in die literatuur te vul. Met ander woorde, die doel van hierdie studie was om ‘n gestruktureerde en geїntegreerde besigheidstransformasie-metodologie te ontwikkel. ‘n Stelselontwikkelingsproses is gevolg om hierdie metodologie te ontwikkel. Die vier stappe wat deel gevorm het van hierdie stelselontwikkelingsproses is die volgende: vereistebeskrywing, stelselontwerp, stelselontwikkeling en stelselvalidasie. Tydens die vereistebeskrywingstap van die proses is die funksionele eienskappe wat die besigheidstransformasie-metodologie moet besit geïdentifiseer. Die doel van die stelselontwerpstap was eerstens om die metodes waaruit die metodologie moet bestaan te identifiseer en tweedens om die wisselwerking tussen die metodes te bepaal. Die doel van die stelselontwikkelingstap was om elkeen van die metodes waaruit die metodologie moet bestaan te beskryf in terme van hoe dit toegepas word, asook wie betrokke behoort te wees tydens die gebruik daarvan. Tydens die stelselvalidasiestap is die metodologie geëvalueer in terme van hoe effektief dit die geïdentifiseerde funksionele behoeftes bevredig. Onderhoude met deskundiges asook ‘n gevallestudie is gebruik om dit te doen.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: "The goal of university research is the creation, dissemination, and preservation of knowledge." – Steven E. Hyman, Provost of Harvard University 2001–2011 The Department of Trade and Industry recently identified the media and entertainment industry as a strategic sector in South Africa because of its growing contribution to economic development through both local and foreign investments, export opportunities and job creation potential, as well as the significant spill-over possibilities in industries like tourism and retail usually associated with emergent industries. However, deficient research and development has been identified as one of the notable constraints to ensuring sustainability and competitiveness of local cultural industries, in which annual expenditure currently amounts to R100 billion. This emergent nature of South Africa’s cultural industries, their strategic importance as part of South Africa’s growth path as dictated by the government and the current dearth of academic literature concerning entertainment technology innovations instigated a three-tiered research objective: First, to determine whether this industry is a legitimate subject for engineering management study by examining its technology-foundation; second, to examine the impact which technological change has historically had on the industry, building on theories by Meza (2007) and Burgelman and Grove (2007); and thirdly, to provide an analysis of the global trend of contention and convergence between content creators and technology companies. Integrating these objectives into one deliverable, the ultimate aim of this study is to establish a synthesised knowledge base on the media and entertainment industry for the Department of Industrial Engineering with specific emphasis on the intersection between technological innovation and business model innovation. A hybrid multiple-case study research approach is utilised to answer eight research questions which contribute to this research goal. Four notable insights gained from answering these are (1) entertainment companies have historically reacted to technological change in a very particular manner, reducible to a four-phase process: invention, ascension, contention and sensation – referring to the observation that incumbent organisations’ response to disruptive innovations is usually one of trepidation, a reaction which leads to legal battles and subsequent contention between technology and media content companies yet simultaneously providing opportunity for inter- and intra-industry convergence and for new business models to be developed; (2) cross-boundary disruptors are those organisations which have the capability of influencing not only inter-industry organisations but also how business is conducted in entirely-different industries; (3) industry effects account for more than 60% of profit variance in the Entertainment and Lodging economic sector, justifying a study of entertainment companies from an industry perspective; and (4) because of digitalisation, the Internet, exponentially increasing computing power and the proliferation of networking capabilities, the media and entertainment industry is transitioning from a business model which is based on media-directed “push” relationships, fragmented audiences and the provision of passive consumption to one which provides ubiquitous immersive experiences, multi-device operability and value-based content which may be customised to consumer requirements. As Porter (2008b) suggests, a historical analysis may prove to be not only informative but also instructive. The synthesised knowledge base and deductions made from this historical examination of disruptive innovation management in the media and entertainment industry may consequently be used as a basis for future research, for which a few possibilities are offered. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: "Ons sal nie ophou verken nie, en die einde van al ons verkenning sal wees om te arriveer waar ons begin het maar om dan die plek vir die eerste keer te verstaan." — T. S. Eliot Die media- en vermaaklikheidsbedryf is onlangs deur die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid geïdentifiseer as 'n strategiese sektor in Suid-Afrika as gevolg van die groeiende bydrae wat hierdie industrie lewer tot ekonomiese ontwikkeling deur middle van plaaslike en buitelandse beleggings, uitvoergeleenthede en werkskeppingpotensiaal. Hierdie industrie beskik ook oor beduidende oorloopmoontlikhede in bedrywe soos toerisme en kleinhandel. Gebrekkige navorsing en ontwikkeling is egter geïdentifiseer as een van die vernaamste beperkings tot volhoubaarheid en mededingendheid van plaaslike kulturele industrieë, `n bedryf waarin jaarlikse besteding reeds R100 biljoen beloop. Die kombinasie van hierdie ontluikende aard van Suid-Afrika se kulturele industrieë, hul strategiese belangrikheid as deel van Suid-Afrika se Industriele Aksieplan en die gebrekkige akademiese literatuur met betrekking tot vermaaklikheidstegnologië het gelei tot 'n drie-ledige navorsingsdoelwit: Eerstens, om vas te stel of hierdie bedryf 'n legitieme akademiese onderwerp vir die ingenieursbestuur-dissipline is deur die aard en tegnologie-fondasie van die industrie te bestudeer; tweedens, om die impak wat tegnologiese verandering histories op die bedryf gehad het te ondersoek, met Meza (2007) en Burgelman en Grove (2007) se teorieë as fondasietekste; en derdens, om 'n analise te verskaf omtrent die wêreldwye mededinging en konvergensie tussen inhoudverskaffers en tegnologie-maatskappye. Geïntegreerd in een aflewerbare is die uiteindelike doel van hierdie studie om ‘n saamgestelde kennisbasis aangaande die media- en die vermaaklikheidsbedryf vir die Departement Bedryfsingenieurswese te lewer, met spesifieke klem op die ontmoetingspunt tussen tegnologiese innovasie en die innovasie van besigheidsmodelle. 'n Hibriede meervoudige-gevallestudie navorsingsbenadering is aangewend om uiteindelik agt navorsingsvrae te beantwoord. Hierdie vrae het gedien as riglyne om die doel van die tesis te bereik. Vier noemenswaardige insigte wat uit die beantwoording van hierdie vrae gekom het is (1) die vermaaklikheidsbedryf het histories op `n besondere wyse gereageer op 'n tegnologiese verandering, een wat gereduseer kan word tot 'n vier-fase proses: uitvinding, aanvaarding, mededinging en sensasie. Hierdie proses verwys na die waarneming dat bestaande organisasies aanvanklik met angs reageer tot ontwrigtende innovasies, 'n reaksie wat lei tot wetlike gevegte en daaropvolgende twis tussen tegnologie maatskappye en inhoudverskaffers, maar tegelykertyd geleentheid bied vir inter- en intra-industrie konvergensie sowel as vir die ontwikkeling van nuwe sake-modelle; (2) ontwrigtende innovasies bied geleentheid vir kruis-grens ontwrigters om die manier te beïnvloed wat ander organisasies, insluitende diegene in geheel-verskillende industrieë, besigheid doen (3) bedryfsfaktore is verantwoordelik vir meer as 60% van winsvariansie in die vermaaklikheidsbedryf, `n waarneming wat 'n studie van vermaaklikheidsbedryf vanuit 'n industrie-perspektief regverdig, en (4) digitalisering, die Internet, eksponensieel-groeiende berekeningspoed en die vermenigvuldiging van netwerke het veroorsaak dat die media- en vermaaklikheidsbedryf `n besigheidsmodelaanpassing moes ondergaan vanaf een wat gebaseer is op media-gerigte "stoot" verhoudings, gefragmenteerde gehore en die verskaffing van passiewe verbruik na een waar aanpasbare, waarde-gebaseerde inhoud alomteenwoordig beskikbaar is en verbruik kan word op veelvuldige toestelle volgens verbruikers se behoeftes. Porter (2008b) noem dat 'n maatskappy se geskiedenis nie slegs informatief is nie, maar selfs ook voorskriftelik. Gevolglik kan die afleidings wat gemaak is uit hierdie historiese ondersoek aangaande ontwrigtende innovasies in die media- en vermaaklikheidsindustrie gebruik word as `n fondasie vir toekomstige navorsing –`n paar aanbevelings hiervoor word in die gevolgtrekking van hierdie dokument gelys.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An efficient container shipping industry is something every country strives toward. Continuous improvement in this industry is of utmost importance in order to grow a country’s economy. One of the objectives of this research study is to determine the inefficiencies that exist within the South African container shipping industry. A lot of these inefficiencies cannot be eliminated by a single organisation, but require the cooperation of all the parties in a supply chain. Currently there is not enough interaction between the organisations in the supply chain apart from limited contact with direct customers and suppliers. The aim of the performance measurement system is to drive organisations throughout the supply chain to focus on the areas that require the most improvement. If inefficiencies are identified, the parties concerned should jointly come up with action plans to address these inefficiencies. This research study will focus mostly on the Cape Town region. The performance measurement system (PMS) developed in this study can be used to improve supply chain efficiency. Existing PMSs were researched in order to develop a system that is applicable to the container industry. Research of the industry was done with the aid of questionnaires, interviews, surveys and a focus group. The benefits of such a system should be carefully explained to representatives of the organisations in the industry to attract their participation. The success of the system is highly dependent on how well the parties in the supply chain participate, as it is only then that the efficiency of a supply chain can be measured. Management representatives were asked to indicate which key performance indicators they are measuring. This information was used as a basis for the study. There are various parties that are currently busy with similar studies, which emphasises the increased need for a supply chain PMS in the container shipping industry. Two case studies were identified that will benefit from a PMS. BMW’s manufacturing plant in Rosslyn and the fruit export industry in the Cape Town region were used as examples of integrated supply chains. The PMS can be easily adapted in order to apply it to other corridors or commodities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Doeltreffende houer verskepingsindustrie is iets waarna elke land streef. Konstante verbeterings in die industrie is baie belangrik vir ‘n land se ekonomie. Een van die doelwitte van hierdie navorsingsprojek is om te bepaal wat die ondoeltreffendhede in die houer verskepingsindustrie is. Baie van hierdie ondoeltreffendhede kan nie deur een organisasie opgelos of geïlimineer word nie. Dit moet deur die hele voorsieningsketting gesamentlik gedoen word. Daar is tans te min samewerking tussen organisasies in die voorsieningsketting. In die meeste gevalle werk organisasies slegs met hulle onmiddelike kliënte en verskaffers. ‘n Voorsieningsketting meting-stelsel sal verseker dat daar op die regte aspekte gefokus word. As ‘n ondoeltreffendheid geïdentifiseer word, is dit die verantwoordelikheid van die hele voorsieningsketting om te verseker dat die ondoeltreffendheid geïlimineer word. Dit sal beslis samewerking bevorder. Die navorsingsprojek fokus meestal op Kaapstad. Bestaande meting-stelsels was geondersoek om ‘n stelsel te ontwikkel wat van toepassing is op die houer verskepingsindustrie. Navorsing was gedoen deur middel van vraelyste, onderhoude, opnames en ‘n fokusgroep. Die doel van die meting-stelsel is om organisasies regdeur die voorsieningsketting te dryf om te fokus op die areas wat die meeste verbetering benodig. Die voordele van die stelsel moet noukeurig aan die bestuursverteenwoordigers van die organisasies in die voorsieningsketting verduidelik word sodat hulle sal deelneem aan die inisiatief. Die sukses van die meting-stelsel hang af van hoeveel organisasies sal deelneem. Die doeltreffendheid van ‘n voorsieningsketting sal eers werklik gemeet kan word as daar ‘n redelike groot belangstelling vanaf die industrie is. Bestuursverteenwoordigers was gevra om aan te dui watter prestasie-aanwysers hulle tans meet. Hierdie inligting was gebruik as ‘n basis vir die studie. Daar is tans verskeie partye wat besig is met soortgelyke navorsing. Dit beklemtoon die feit dat ‘n voorsieningsketting meting-stelsel werklik nodig is vir die houer verskepingsindustrie. Twee gevalle studies was geïdentifeseer dat hulle sal voordeel trek uit die implementering van ‘n voorsieningsketting meting-stelsel. BMW se Rosslyn voorsieningsketting en die vrugte uitvoer industrie in Kaapstad was gebruik as voorbeelde van geïntegreerde voorsieningskettings. Die meting-stelsels kan maklik aangepas word vir ander kommoditeite.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Telerobotics is a field of robotics interested in controlling robots from a distance. Incorporating visual and haptic (touch) feedback allows the operator greater accuracy in manipulating objects in a remote environment. This project endeavours to develop a telerobotic system by using two similar industrial robotic manipulators, one acting as a haptic input device (known as the Master), the other as the telerobot (known as the Slave). This project makes use of a diverse range of technologies to achieve a telerobotic system. As such it makes use of Systems Engineering and Technology Management principles to guide the development process of converting standard industrial robots into a telerobotic system that allows the operator to “see” and “feel” in the remote environment. The ability of the robot to perceive touch is accomplished by incorporating a multi-axis force and torque sensor to both industrial robots to measure any applied force or torque acting on each robot’s end-effector. A communication system is developed that receives the force and torque readings from each sensor as well as transmit the robot instructions to both Master and Slave. Haptic feedback is achieved by combining the force and torque readings from both sensors within a control system before manipulating the data into a robot instruction that is used to control both Master and Slave. Testing of the developed telerobotic system indicates that a functional system has been developed. However, several issues were identified that limit the control capabilities the operator has over the Slave and as such could lead to safety concerns. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Telerobotika is ’n veld van robotika wat belangstel in die beheer van robotte oor ’n afstand. Die insluiting van visuele en hapties (voel) terugvoer stel die operateur instaat om voorwerpe in ’n afgeleë omgewing met hoër akkuraatheid te manipuleer. Hierdie projek streef daarna om ’n telerobotiese stelsel te ontwikkel deur gebruik te maak van twee soortgelyke industriële robot manipuleerders, een wat optree as ’n meganiese invoer toestelle (bekend as die Meester), die ander as die telerobot (bekend as die Slaaf). Hierdie projek maak gebruik van ’n verskeidenheid van tegnologieë om ’n telerobotiese stelsel te ontwikkel. Sodanig word tegnologie bestuur en stelsels ingenieurswese beginsels deur die loop van die projek geïmplementeer om die ontwikkelings proses te lei - van standaard industriële robotte tot ’n telerobotiese stelsel wat dit moontlik maak vir die operateur om te “sien” en “voel” in ’n afgeleë omgewing. Die robot se vermoë om fisiese kontak te ervaar word bereik deur middel van ’n multi-as krag en torsie sensor wat aan beide industriële robotte toegepas word. ’n Kommunikasie stelsel is ontwikkel wat die krag en torsie lesings van beide sensors kan ontvang sowel as die robot instruksies na elke robot (Meester en Slaaf) kan stuur. Haptiese terugvoer word bereik deur die krag en torsie lesings van beide sensors te kombineer in ’n beheer stelsel voordat dit verder gemanipuleer word in die form van ’n robot instruksie wat gebruik word vir die beheer van beide Meester en Slaaf. Toetsing van die ontwikkelde telerobotiese stelsel dui aan dat ’n funksionele stelsel ontwikkel is. Daar is egter verskeie kwessies geïdentifiseer wat die operateur se beheer vermoeëns oor die Slaaf beperk wat sodoende na veiligheids kwessies kan lei.