Magister Public Health - MPH / The Zimbabwean government recognizes the critical role laboratories play in ensuring the health of the nation. Well-resourced and functioning laboratories are the sine qua non of effective diagnosis, treatment and clinical monitoring of medical problems such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. In Zimbabwe, frequent unavailability of essential laboratory reagents and consumables have been reported but less well-reported are the factors associated with these "stockouts" at medical laboratories. Applying qualitative research methodologies, this study sought to explore the bottlenecks to the availability of laboratory consumables at state-owned medical laboratories in Harare Province. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit stakeholders' perspectives and experiences with regard to the availability of laboratory consumables. These were complemented by observation of procurement, supply and distribution processes and individual follow-up interviews in 7 facilities where medical laboratory scientists were purposively selected. Rigour was ensured through data-source triangulation, provision of thick descriptions of the setting, maintaining an audit trail and transcribing data verbatim. Data analysis identified recurring themes and key suggestions made by respondents. A complex web of economic, human resources and supply chain factors affect laboratory commodity availability in Harare. Salient factors negatively affecting commodity availability included inadequate funding, human resources, poor communication and coordination among stakeholders, lack of transport, long lead times and limited inventory management skills. A comprehensive approach to resolving the challenge is warranted through advocating for more funding, complementing donor efforts on staff retention, improved coordination and collaboration among stakeholders and re-designing the laboratory supply chain. Further research would assist in determining ways of efficiently utilizing the limited available resources.

The underlying objective of the research is to assess the nature of the supplier training at Volkswagen of South Africa (VWSA). To achieve this objective, a theoretical study was conducted to establish what literature reveals to be the most important theory of supply chain management as well as supplier development geared towards lean manufacturing. The information obtained in the literature study was analysed to solve the main problem namely, an assessment of the nature of the supplier training at Volkswagen of South Africa (VWSA). The research was divided into two questionnaires: The first questionnaire is targeted at the suppliers. This questionnaire has two sections namely section A, the biographical data and section B attempts to determine the quality systems and manufacturing requirements. It further attempts to gauge training support and needs as compared to other OEM’s. The second questionnaire is targeted at the Supplier Development Manager. The aim of this questionnaire is to establish what the current training offerings are, the source of what VWSA teachers and the awareness of the Toyota Training College.

M.Comm. / In the last hundred years there has been a technological revolution that has forced people to change the way they live and run their organisations. This technological revolution has had a major impact on the business world. Coyle, Bardi and Langley (2003; 57) have suggested that “the rate of change has accelerated with consequent negative impacts if organisations do not change.” With today’s emphasis on cutting costs, streamlining expenses while at the same time trying to offer a competitive edge with regard to customer service, many organisations are looking to improve their bottom line and financial performance by implementing new technology into their supply chains. A popular way for organisations to speedily reap the benefits of having a more competent and competitive, technology-enabled supply chain, is by outsourcing their supply chain needs to a third party logistics organisations. The Star newspaper reported that, according to Brett Bowes, inefficiencies in the supply chain meant that fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers and retailers were losing R7 billion every year (The Star, 16 March 2007; 2). Although there are many auxiliary benefits and advantages of implementing software systems into the supply chain, the two critical benefits which justify the expense are reduced costs and improved customer service. Implementing technology is a costly, challenging and sometimes risky endeavor. This often results in an unwillingness to change until these organisations outgrow their systems, or the business environment becomes so complex, that they are forced to implement new technology. This hesitancy to introduce new technology timeously could hamper the progress and growth of these organisations, and could also affect their competitiveness in a highly competitive environment. The purpose of this case study is to compare the benefits achieved from existing older technology to new technology, based on a routing and scheduling case study in a large 3PL organisation.

With product returns, reverse logistics management is causing a big environmental impact, especially product returns from online shopping provided by the third-party logistics (3PL) companies. There is a need for understanding in what ways 3PL companies could reduce the environmental impact and at the same time stay competitive. This thesis qualitative method is based on semi-structured interviews with the objective to highlight the management of return transportation. Specifically, the challenges for third-party logistics (3PL) companies to reduce their environmental impact by managing the transportation of product returns and keeping their economic performances. Supporting the study, 3PL companies and end-customers, in Sweden, proposed long-term organized advice (as additional service) to the 3PLs customers for helping them reducing cost and their impact on the environment. The study suggested that 3PL companies are required to emphasize the management of transportation agreements, not only to include adequate economic clauses but also the terms for achieving environmental performances. In the long-term, these agreements will allow 3PL companies to achievetheir environmental performances and remaining competitive. The study recognized that implication for managers might be, for them to keep updated on environmental changes applying that customer’s new demands could require a different way (than today) for managing their logistics organizations. For example, these changes could have great implications for early and consistent managerial actions, impacting the reverse logistics processes, like the transportation of the returned products.

Syfte: Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur maskinhantering ser ut på små ochmedelstora byggföretag i Småland samt vilka konsekvenserna som uppkommer vid enbristfällig maskinhantering. Vidare undersöka vilka åtgärder som kan göras med hjälpav digitala verktyg och Lean Construction Management för att skapa en välfungerande maskinhantering på arbetsplatsen. Metod: Studien är en kvalitativ undersökning där insamling av primärdata kommerske genom semistrukturerade intervjuer på tre olika byggföretag i Småland som ärverksamma inom samma geografiska område och utövar liknande byggprojekt. Detkommer att intervjuas fyra personer från respektive företag, två personer frånplatsledningen samt två yrkesarbetarna.Utöver detta kommer insamling av sekundärdata ifrån tidigare studier att göras.Litteraturinsamling ska ta upp åtgärder som kan göras för att minimera konsekvensermed hjälp av digitala verktyg samt Lean Construction Management. Även ta uppstudier som pekar på att en dålig maskinhantering ger konsekvenser.  Resultat: Alla intervjuade har haft liknande uppfattningar om maskinhanteringen,några tycker att maskinhantering har fungerat bra medan andra har haft småproblematt maskiner och verktyg försvinner. Sammanslaget letande efter maskiner harpendlat, det påvisas att varje arbetare letar mellan 5-30 minuter daglig för maskiner.Detta pendlar beroende på stress på arbetsplatsen, skede av byggnation, storlek påprojekten, kommunikation mellan parter och det personliga ansvaret att hålla ordningoch reda. 6 av 12 respondenterna anser att ett automatiskt system för inventering inteskulle vara värt investeringen då respondenterna är osäkra hur en implementeringskulle fungera då tilliten på att alla ska använda det inte finns. Resterande 6respondenter anser att ett automatiskt system skulle vara lämpligt på störrebyggnationer. Två av tre företag har försökt implementera ett system för inventeringmen de har inte fungerat då respondenterna anser att programmet inte är smidig nogvilket har resulterat i att alla har slutat nyttja det. Konsekvenser:Personliga ansvaret hos arbetstagarna är viktigt, påminn varandra hur viktigt det så attkostnader inte flyger iväg. Finns det ett system för inventering bör det användasistället för att kosta pengar. Viktigt att identifiera slöserier gällandemaskinhanteringen. Byt inte arbetsmoment innan färdigställande, byte avarbetsmoment är krångligt och skapar problem gällande maskinhanteringen.Digitala system har potential att återfå kontroll över en bristfällig maskinhantering.Viktigt att identifiera logistiken i ett tidigt skede. Vid större byggnationer kanimplementering av digitala verktyg vara lämplig. Begränsningar: Större maskiner som används på byggarbetsplatser kommer intebehandlas av rapporten utan huvudsyftet är handmaskiner. Rapporten behandlar inteprojekt under 2500 timmar, detta för att ge ske en tydlig skiljelinje mellan små ochstora projekt. Utöver detta kommer byggprojekt vilket inte har en upprättad etableringinte behandlas. Små och medelstora studeras enbart

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo desarrollar como la certificación OEA (Operador Económico Autorizado) es herramienta que beneficia los procesos de la cadena logística de las importaciones en el Perú en el periodo del 2013 al 2018. Por lo cual, se elaboró la presente investigación en cinco capítulos. En el primer capítulo, se elabora el estado de cuestión donde se investiga y elabora los diversos conceptos OEA, logística, sus características, teorías relacionadas y conceptos. En el segundo capítulo, se elabora el planteamiento del problema y la relevancia de la investigación, en el cual se plantea el problema, los objetivos y las hipótesis relacionadas al presente trabajo. En el tercer capítulo, se desarrolla la metodología de investigación donde se determinaron los actores claves y las técnicas para la recolección de datos. En el cuarto capítulo, se abordar el desarrollo del trabajo y el perfil de los entrevistados que engloba importadores y expertos. En el quinto capítulo, se realiza el análisis de objetivos y validación de hipótesis de la información obtenida de todo lo relacionado con la certificación de operador económico autorizado y la logística en empresas importadoras peruanas. Y por último, se detallan conclusiones y recomendaciones generadas a partir de la información obtenida. / This research work aims to develop how the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification is a tool that benefits the processes of the logistics chain of imports in Peru in the period since 2013 to 2018. Therefore, this was developed Research in five chapters. In the first chapter, the state of the matter is elaborated where the various AEO concept concepts, logistics, their characteristics, related theories and concepts are investigated and elaborated. In the second chapter, the problem statement and the relevance of the research are elaborated, in which the problem, the objectives and the hypotheses related to the present work are raised. In the third chapter, the research methodology is developed where the key actors and the techniques for data collection were determined. In the fourth chapter, the development of the work and the profile of the interviewees that include importers and experts will be addressed. In the fifth chapter, the objective analysis and hypothesis validation of the information obtained from everything related to the certification of authorized economic operator and logistics in Peruvian importing companies is made. And finally, conclusions and recommendations generated from the information obtained are detailed. / Tesis

A research report Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Management in strategic marketing In the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand Wits Business School, Johannesburg March 2018 / The automotive industry has experienced immense pressure as a result of global factors - inflation, competition, technology and political factors. Changing trends in consumer expectations have put the automobile industry under increasing pressure with more choices available. The practise of using Social Media Advertising by organisations and clients has revolutionalised the advertising and business landscape as it might be the most cost-effective way that organisations can promote their goods and services in the future. The marketing environment has evolved and marketers need to keep up and find innovative, cost effective ways to build brands. The main aim of this research was to examine the effects of Social Media Advertising on Brand Image of motor cars in South Africa. The study was grounded using 2 theories , AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) and DAGMAR models. Social media involved the use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin social media platforms. The study introduced the Keller Model of Brand Knowledge and investigated the relationship between Social Media Advertising, Brand Image, Types of Brand Associations, Benefits (Functional, Symbolic and Experiential) and Attitudes. The research design entails a quantitative approach and involves a cross sectional study design. The sample (N = 254) comprises owners and drivers of motor vehicles. A snowball sampling technique was used in selecting the final sample for the current study. This method was the most practical and feasible to arrive at the selected sample. The data involved a 2 phased approach. This study emphasises the use of Social Media Advertising in brand building strategies, particularly through social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. The findings also suggest that through social media platforms consumers’ attitudes are influenced towards advertising, brands and intentions in forwarding messages to other users. The conclusions of this study have implications for brand managers. The study reveals practical value because it demonstrates that social media activities do have a positive effect on brands because they are supportive of the buying process. / MT 2018

Yes / This study has addressed and identified the problems in managing the existing emergency supply chain of Bangladesh in all phases of operation in terms of the primary drivers of the supply chain. It has also attempted to conceptualize and suggest an effective emergency supply chain. In this context, a thorough field investigation in several districts was conducted among the employees of the organizations sharing common information with similar protocols and implications (interoperable). Information was collected from the employees of all the participating organizations involved in disaster management through a semi-structured questionnaire based survey. The respondents addressed and illustrated several interconnected reasons which are inhibiting proper forecasting, procurement, storage, identification of affected people, and distribution. The respondents pointed out that the mismatching of objectives in the different organizations resulted in non-interoperability among the participating organizations. These issues are related to the malfunctioning of management with multidimensional organizational conflicts. Reflecting those issues, an emergency supply chain for disaster management is proposed in this study

Many believe that the current application of modern logistics solutions in general and centralisation of distribution systems in particular is damaging from an environmental perspective. The reason for this claim is that when a distribution system is centralised, products need to be shipped over greater distances. This causes an increase in transport work, which in turn is believed to cause an increase in emissions. Further, the decision to centralise distribution can be characterised as a structural decision and earlier research has helped illustrate how such decisions have greater impact on the overall performance of a distribution system than decisions taken at subsequent levels (tactical and operative). The reason for this is that structural decisions help create new opportunities to make other logistical decisions that are beneficial for the performance of a distribution system, as measured in terms of costs and service. It is also acknowledged that there is a lack of research illustrating the actual environmental effects of centralisation. This area is the theme of this thesis and the overall purpose is to describe and analyse how centralisation of a distribution system can affect the environment. This purpose has been divided into two research questions, where the first one reads: - How does physical centralisation of a distribution system influence the environment? This question aims at investigating what effect centralisation has on the amount of emissions that are caused by transport in a distribution system. One of the main advantages with a centralised distribution system is that emergency deliveries are expected to decrease. This type of transport is often performed by airfreight, which is a mode of transport that is regarded to cause the largest amount of environmental stress among the four most commonly used transport modes. The argument that is made is that even though centralisation causes an increase in transport work, this must not necessarily mean that emissions increase. As indicated above, earlier studies on structural changes in distribution systems have shown that this type of decision creates new opportunities to make other decisions that are beneficial for the performance of a distribution system, albeit in terms of costs and service. The aim of the second research question is consequently to study this issue, but from an environmental perspective. This question therefore reads: - How do structural decisions in logistics create new opportunities to improve on the environmental performance of a distribution system? The results of the study show that it is not sufficient to only consider transport work and emergency deliveries when the environmental effect of a centralisation is to be evaluated. It has also been concluded that centralisation creates an opportunity to make improvements within the distribution system that can prove beneficial from an environmental perspective. In summary, three characteristics besides transport work and emergency deliveries were identified as being of importance when considering the environmental effects of a centralisation. These included centralised flow, modal change, and bargaining power. This model (see full pdf) does not aim to include all characteristics that can be relevant in an environmental evaluation of a centralisation, but rather those that have been found significant in this study. However, the model helps illustrate that there are many aspects that need to be considered in such an evaluation and that depending on the characteristics of the distribution system at hand the results can vary quite extensively.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of implementing the Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) model in an MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) partnership, and highlight its potential economic, environmental, and organizational benefits, as well as limitations. Approach - First, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on fields relevant to VMI. Second, empirical data was gathered from a single exploratory case study with Momentum Industrial, and its customer Stora Enso. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from the case companies. Findings - Results suggest that VMI results in benefits for the supply chain in general, such as reduced administration and inventory costs, improved service levels, reduced information distortion, and improved relationship among partners. For the particular case of VMI in an MRO partnership, improved service levels can be obtained by a reduced risk of production downtime for the customer. Moreover, the implementation of VMI has potential environmental benefits, such as reduced paper use, and higher transportation fill rate. Limitations of implementing VMI include the difficulty in system integration, and information sharing. Trust could be a potential issue that limits information sharing amongst supply chain partners. Moreover, the difference in organizational cultures and policies of partners should be taken into consideration. Limitations - The study is limited to opinions from one MRO customer in the paper and packaging industry. Even though the questions asked to informants in Momentum and Stora Enso tackled benefits to MRO customers in general, a broader image could have been achieved by interviewing customers from different industries. Moreover, the case companies do not currently adopt VMI in their partnership, so the case study results are based on what they think would be the potential benefits and limitations of implementing VMI in an MRO partnership. Practical Implications - This paper can serve as a guideline for logistics managers who are considering VMI in an MRO partnership specifically, as it provides them with the benefits and limitations associated with VMI. More generally, any company considering VMI can also benefit from the theoretical framework presented.