Thesis (MTech (Retail Business Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / In an effort to remain competitive and maintain stable sales level and profitability, companies across the world have turned to global sourcing. This was a result of analysing the benefits of globalisation and advancement in technology which enabled this sourcing strategy to become very popular in many industries across the world. This was no different with the shoe retail industry in Cape Town. Shoe retailers have become dependent on international trade as it is synonymous with low costs and affordable shoes. However, despite these benefits, global sourcing is well known for being difficult to implement. For an industry so dependent on international trade, it was imperative to investigate how well shoe retailers have adopted global sourcing. This thesis aimed to investigate the implementation of global sourcing by shoe retailers in Cape Town, Western Province. Global sourcing is categorised into three main stages which include domestic sourcing, international procurement and global sourcing. These were the stages used to categorise the level of global sourcing adaptation by shoe retailers in the province. The challenges and improvements required were also examined and explored. A mixed-methods approach was implemented which involved adopting both quantitative and qualitative research. Eighty survey questionnaires were administered to retail buyers, logistics managers and executive management. This represented the quantitative research category, while twenty in-depth interviews represented the qualitative research phase which were conducted on global sourcing committee members in various shoe retail companies. The research outcomes unveiled that most shoe retailers in Cape Town source domestically through middlemen, known as sourcing intermediaries. The reasons for this included a lack of finance to support the global sourcing activities; the strategy is less risky as compared to global sourcing which is risk prone; a lack of adequate information to effectively execute global sourcing; and some retailers are too small in terms of business activity to fully implement global sourcing. The remaining retailers were split between international procurement and global sourcing. Fluctuation in exchange rates, internal communication problems, bad weather, and communication problems with manufacturers or suppliers were identified as challenges that retailers face. Areas highlighted by retailers which require improvement included internal communication between departments, increase in financial support towards global sourcing and quality control of shoes before shipment to Africa. In conclusion, global sourcing has yet to be fully adopted by most retailers in Cape Town, and sourcing intermediaries, wholesalers or agents are currently imperative for the existence of the shoe industry as they provide services which retailers cannot execute on their own

Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006. / This research investigates the ordering process between small suppliers and retailers and the role of the Internet in this process. Product ordering and fulfilment are both important components of a supply chain, of which suppliers and retailers are members. The Internet as an enabling technology has an important role to play in supply chains and therefore also in order processing. Internet technology facilitates Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions. Retailers and their suppliers collaborate to align production with customer demands. Internet-enabled B2B supports this collaboration between businesses, allowing them to gain knowledge about customer demands real-time. This enables them to determine the impact of these demands on their operations. Using the Internet has the advantage that it provides an ever present link that is less costly than private networks and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). When the Internet is used to facilitate trade and commerce between businesses, ecommerce is established. With Internet-enabled B2B (or B2B e-commerce), multiple suppliers are connected to multiple customers. This reduces production cycle times, reduces inventory, improves speed and quality of communications and reduces costs. This research investigates suppliers in the retail supply chain and focuses more specifically on small businesses due to their reported importance in the South African economy. They provide employment to a large portion of the country's population and contribute almost half to the economic activity. Small suppliers form part of supply chains and have to adhere to the demands exerted by larger supply chain members in order to be included in such supply chains. Small suppliers have just as an important role to fulfil in supply chains as larger companies. Small suppliers are also responsible for connecting and integrating supply chain members and in so doing, reduce costs.

Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The supply of housing products that is durable, obtained at optimum cost and available within the shortest time possible describes the term sustainable housing. Findings derived from the reviewed literature concerning the ever-increasing quest of construction clients for ‘best value for money’ on construction projects brought about the emergence of alternative contract procurement strategies. Essentially, literature revealed that it is vital to adopt an appropriate contract procurement strategy, one that best addresses particular project needs and objectives, as the adoption of an inappropriate procurement system would result in excessive project cost and time overrun, low project quality standards and the dissatisfaction of involved construction stakeholders. The quest for the supply of sustainable housing in the Western Cape, South Africa, prompted the need to establish an effective contract procurement strategy for housing project delivery. Noteworthy, this study identified five (5) objectives directed towards establishing an effective contract procurement strategy to enhance sustainable housing delivery: 1) the first objective examined the effectiveness of contract procurement strategies used for housing projects; 2) the second objective identified the factors influencing the selection of a suitable contract procurement strategy for housing projects; 3) the third objective analysed the influence of contract procurement strategies on project cost, time and quality; 4) the fourth objective examined the benefits and shortfalls associated with various contract procurement strategies on housing project resources – construction materials, machinery and manpower; 5) and the last objective was to establish the contract procurement strategy that is most effective for the delivery of sustainable housing. This research adopted a mixed methodological approach involving the administration of close-ended quantitative questionnaires submitted to construction professionals and stakeholders and semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with construction site managers and supervisors. SPSS version 24 software was used to analyse the quantitative data elicited, and “content analysis” was used to analyse the information obtained through the qualitative interviews. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient reliability test was conducted on scaled research questions to ensure the reliability of the research questionnaire. The research findings revealed that the traditional and the design and build contract procurement approaches are cost, time and quality effective and therefore satisfactory, while the traditional contract procurement system is also effective regarding construction stakeholder satisfaction. The research identified that the significant factors influencing the selection of a contract procurement strategy include delay and mistakes in producing design documents; client inability to brief and make timely decisions; project type, nature, scope and complexity; lack of communication and feedback; lack of discipline among construction workers; and finally, lack of availability of construction materials. The study concluded that thorough consideration of these findings by construction stakeholders within the construction industry will enhance the delivery of affordable, sustainable housing. The research study recommends, among other issues, the comparison of effectiveness of contract procurement strategies on project performance on a site-by-site basis, through work study and other available strategies, to further enhance sustainable housing delivery in the South African construction industry.

The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes that regulations seek to make improvements by changing individual or organisational behaviour in ways that generate positive impacts in terms of solving societal and economic problems. At its most basic level, regulations are designed to work according to implementation, leading to changes in behaviours that, in turn, lead to changes in outcomes. Such outcomes can be satisfaction in terms of an underlying problem or other (hopefully positive) changes in conditions in the world. Following this premise, this research project investigates the implications of the 2014 Construction Regulations for the Department of Public Works’ procurement system. The study also examines the contents of the construction Regulations; the impact of the Construction Regulations 2014 – permit-to-work; client / contractor procurement issues; the enforcement of compliance to permit-to-work requirements, and education and training demands in relation to health and safety (H&S) competency. The study shows that even though industry role players are relatively familiar with the Construction Regulations 2014, there is a common concern regarding competency (education and training) levels required for the implementation of the permit-to-work requirement of the regulations. The concerns focus on the ability of the Department of Labour (DoL) to process the permits. Based on the study’s findings, the research concludes that there would be cost implications for project actors when implementing the permit-to-work requirement and this cost factor could delay project initiation and planning, as well as service delivery.

The world automotive industry has evolved through different manufacturing methodologies over many decades. It originated from craft production, but was transformed to mass production by Henry Ford in response to increased market demand. The methodology developed by Henry Ford made it possible to produce quality vehicles in large numbers and at affordable cost to the general public. However, it cannot deliver a great variety of products to the marketplace. Mass production was overtaken by a new automotive manufacturing methodology developed in Japan after World War II. The methodology, commonly referred to as lean production, yields consistently high quality products at even lower costs, whilst being able to deliver a variety of products to the consumer. The effectiveness of the lean production methodology hinges upon the strength and closeness of the relationships that exist between the assembler and its suppliers. Different models have been developed over time to describe the relationships between automotive assemblers and their suppliers. The lean supply model is generally accepted as an effective way of describing the relationships that exist between an automotive assembler and its first tier suppliers in a lean manufacturing environment. The research study aims at gaining an improved understanding of the relationships that exist between a selected Eastern Cape automotive assembler and its first tier suppliers. The effect of its supplier support practices towards lean manufacturing implementation amongst its first tier suppliers is evaluated. For the selected assembler it is found that the effect of its supplier support practices on lean manufacturing implementation amongst its first tier suppliers is limited by a non-uniform approach followed towards the supplier base. It is shown that opportunities for improvement exist for the selected assembler to develop closer relationships with its first tier suppliers to increase its global competitiveness.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of administrative intervention in Supply Chain Management in the Department of Education in Limpopo. This was done with the aim of looking into the strategies that were put in place during the intervention process and to examine whether the strategies have yielded the desired results of stabilising the department’s finances and averting the possible collapse of essential services. Qualitative data were collected, primarily in the form of semi-structured interviews using an interview schedule consisting of both closed and open-ended questions with the Chief Financial Officer, General Manager (SCM), Senior Manager (SCM), Manager Demand and Acquisition, six Supply Chain Management Practitioners, and two members of the Intervention Task Team. All these officials provided sufficient information related to the effect of the administrative intervention in the SCM of the Limpopo Department of Education. The study found that there were a number of strategies that were put in place by the members of the Intervention Task Team during the intervention process, such as : • Catering not exceeding R50.00 per person has to be provided only for meetings with external stakeholders and this provision only applied to meetings that take longer than five hours; • Promotional items such as t-shirts, caps, bags, etc., were not to be purchased by the department; • Engagement of consultants was also reduced to the minimal and it was only allowed where the department does not have the requisite skills or resources in its full time employ to perform the assignment in question; and • Trips by vehicles were to be optimised to reduce costs. However, the strategies that were put in place by the Intervention Task Team in the Supply chain management did not yield the desired results of stabilising the department’s finances and averting the possible collapse of essential services. Limpopo Department of Education continued to get an undesirable disclaimer audit iii opinion for the fourth consecutive year and the findings depicted poor administration and inability to comply with the treasury regulations.

The just-in-time purchasing literature resoundingly endorses long-term, cooperative buyer-supplier relationships. Significant anecdotal and descriptive evidence indicates that such relationships are rare in practice, raising questions as to the performance consequences of this gulf between theory and practice. Using an accepted theoretical model of the buyer-supplier relationship, transaction cost economics, this study examined the purchasing performance implications of the nature of the buyer-supplier relationship under just-in-time exchange. The focal purpose of the study was to examine the performance consequences of crafting long-term, cooperative relationships. The research design employed was a cross-sectional field study, involving a static-group comparison, implemented through the use of a mail survey. A dual-stage cluster sample of eight hundred purchasing managers and professionals employed in the two digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code 36, Electronic and Other Electrical Equipment and Components, was provided by the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM). The questionnaire was pretested and the substantive validity of the measurement scales assessed. Scales were purified via correlational and reliability analyses. Criterion-related and construct validity were established via correlational, exploratory factor, and confirmatory factor analyses. The three hypotheses of the study, involving extant tests of the association between the nature of the buyer-supplier relationship and purchasing performance (i.e., as reflected by transaction costs), were tested via analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models. All three hypotheses were supported by the data to varying degrees. The confirmation of the theoretical model of the study provides empirical evidence to researchers and practitioners as to the superiority, in exchange efficiency terms, of cooperative relationships under conditions of just-in-time exchange. It may not be presumed, however, that cooperative exchange will enhance efficiency in all exchange environments.

No description available.

Mini-study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The traditional role of the procurement functions within large organizations has changed significantly over the last couple of years. Moving away from a function purely directed at rendering a supply of material service to the relevant plants, the procurement departments are now a vital link in the chain to improve global competitiveness. In this changing role, procurement is expected to work closely with the organization's internal operations, as well as with suppliers to ensure that opportunities for gaining competitive advantages are fully explored. The procurement manager and his team will have to focus on building links to ensure that the organization's goals and objectives are met. This paper serves to describe the changes made by Iscor Steel to ensure that its procurement department is adequately equipped to manage these new challenges. The changing face of the department, its organizational structure, the operational methodology and focus are explained. The methodology of modem supply chain cost reduction initiatives undertaken by Iscor and its suppliers is explained and the results thereof are presented. The paper highlights the successes achieved by Iscor in transforming the traditional service orientated procurement function into a world class, continuous business improvement orientated department. The success revolves around changing the organizational structure in such a way as to equip the procurement function with the commercial and technical expertise to focus on specific commodities in such detail that maximum cost and efficiency advantages are realized. As an example, the latter part of the paper gives a detailed explanation of one of the tools used by the procurement department to minimize cost and maximize efficiency, and describes in general the considerable success achieved by using these tools. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tradisionele rol van die aankopefunksie binne groot organsisasies het geweldig verander oor die laaste aantal jare. Dit het wegbeweeg van 'n funksie wat uitsluitlik gemik was op die verskaffing van materiaal aan betrokke aanlegte. Die aankope departement speel vandag 'n belangrike rol in die verbetering van 'n maatskappy se internasionale kompeteringsvermoê. In hierdie veranderende rol word van die aankopefunksie verwag om baie nou met die interne bedrywighede van die maatskappy, sowel as met die verskaffers saam te werk om te verseker dat geleenthede vir die benutting van kompeterende voordele ten volle ontgin word. Die aankopebestuurder en sy span moet fokus daarop om bande te bou wat kan verseker dat die organisasie sy doelwitte bereik. Hierdie studie ondersoek en illustreer die veranderinge wat deur Iscor Staal gemaak is om te verseker dat die aankopefunksie toegerus is om hierdie nuwe uitdagings te hanteer en te bestuur. Die veranderende funksie van die aankopedepartement, die organsisasiestruktuur, die bestuursmetodologie en die nuwe fokus word beskryf in die studie. Die metodologie van moderne kosteverminderings inisiatiewe binne die verskaffingsketting van Iscor en sy verskaffers word verduidelik en die resultate daarvan weergegee. Hierdie studie reflekteer die suksesse wat Iscor behaal het deur die verandering van die tradisionele diensgeorienteerde aankopefunksie na 'n wêreldklas aaneenlopende besigheidsverbeterings georienteerde funksie. Die sukses wentel rondom die verandering van die organisasiestruktuur op so 'n wyse dat die aankopefunksie toegerus is met kommersiële en tegniese kundigheid om te fokus op spesifieke kommoditeite sodat maksimum koste en effektiwiteitsvoordele verwesenlik word. 'n Gedeelte van die studie gee 'n gedetaileerde verduideliking van een van die metodes wat deur die aankopefunksie gebruik word om koste te verminder en effektiwiteit te verbeter en beskryf in die algemeen die sukses wat behaal is deur hierdie metodes te gebruik.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / The value-add of a functional department in the corporate environment is continuously being challenged. Functions regularly find themselves in a state of restructuring in order to reduce cost structures which speaks volumes about an organisation’s view of its functions. What is however extremely important to take into account, is that functions can in fact add a great deal of value to the business, but before a function can be recognised as a value-adding partner, it needs to transform itself from a traditional transaction-driven service to a strategic value-adding function which contributes to the business on a strategic level. If this does not happen, the function risks becoming redundant, as most transactional activities today are or at least can be executed in an automated manner. Such a transformation is, however, no easy task, and requires a considerable amount of time to be achieved. It further requires substantial investments, enduring commitment from senior management and specific skills to enable a function to operate at a strategic level. Commitment, investments and new skills on the other hand, do not automatically acquire a seat at the boardroom table for such a function and a place must be earned through accurate proof of the functions value-add in the organisation – the difficult task being expressing that value-add in terms of financial numbers. A function that was confronted with the same predicament was the procurement function of Sasol around 1999, during a time when the commodity prices were under severe pressure and the organisation was looking into alternative ways of improving its cost structure. At this point a decision, to shift the focus of the procurement department from a traditional transactional environment to a value-adding business partner, laid the foundation to re-engineer the function into becoming a value-adding strategic function. A decision was taken to implement strategic sourcing in Sasol as the basis for procurement. This decision required substantial investment and the help of consulting firm McKinsey and Company. The Sasol Board were very confident in its decision, and requested continuous feedback on the actual value that was released through implementation of this new process. This required of the procurement function to develop a model by which the value-add of the process could be measured in real terms. The purpose of this study is to investigate the transformation of the procurement function in Sasol from a traditional transactional function to a strategic value-adding business partner by specifically focusing on the function’s ability to prove its value-add to the organisation, and in so doing, gain respect for being a true strategic value-adding function.