Environmental awareness and legislative pressures have made manufacturers responsible for the take-back and end-of-life treatment of their products. Therefore, manufacturers are struggling to find ways to recover maximum value from returned products. This goal can best be achieved by promoting multiple reuse programs as reuse is one of the most effective ways to enhance a sustainable engineering economy. Since the essential goal of the reuse strategy is to reuse parts, the reliability of used parts becomes a core issue. Research indicates that reuse is technologically feasible, associated with a significant manufacturing cost saving, and it does not compromise product quality. However, it is not easy to be applied in reality. There are several uncertainties associated with reuse, the most common is the uncertainty of the product???s quality after use. A widespread implementation of the reuse strategy could be triggered, subject to the availability of reliable methods to assess the useful remaining life of parts. The evolution of such a methodology would play a pivotal role in making decisions on the supply chain process and the recovery value of returned products. Reliability assessment by life cycle data analysis is the basis of this research. The proposed methodology addresses the problem of reliability assessment of used parts by considering two important aspects. It performs statistical as well as condition monitoring data analysis for decision-making on reuse. The analysis is carried out in two stages. Firstly, a wellknown reliability assessment procedure, the Weibull analysis, is applied to analyse time-tofailure data to assess the overall reuse potential of components. In the second stage, the used capacity (actual life) of components is determined by analysing their operating history (condition monitoring data). The linear and nonlinear regression analysis, Kriging procedures and artificial neural networks (ANN) are employed in this stage. Finally, the Weibull analysis and ANNs are integrated to estimate the remaining useful life of components/assemblies of a product at the end of its first life cycle. The model was validated by using life cycle data from consumer products.

Environmental awareness and legislative pressures have made manufacturers responsible for the take-back and end-of-life treatment of their products. Therefore, manufacturers are struggling to find ways to recover maximum value from returned products. This goal can best be achieved by promoting multiple reuse programs as reuse is one of the most effective ways to enhance a sustainable engineering economy. Since the essential goal of the reuse strategy is to reuse parts, the reliability of used parts becomes a core issue. Research indicates that reuse is technologically feasible, associated with a significant manufacturing cost saving, and it does not compromise product quality. However, it is not easy to be applied in reality. There are several uncertainties associated with reuse, the most common is the uncertainty of the product???s quality after use. A widespread implementation of the reuse strategy could be triggered, subject to the availability of reliable methods to assess the useful remaining life of parts. The evolution of such a methodology would play a pivotal role in making decisions on the supply chain process and the recovery value of returned products. Reliability assessment by life cycle data analysis is the basis of this research. The proposed methodology addresses the problem of reliability assessment of used parts by considering two important aspects. It performs statistical as well as condition monitoring data analysis for decision-making on reuse. The analysis is carried out in two stages. Firstly, a wellknown reliability assessment procedure, the Weibull analysis, is applied to analyse time-tofailure data to assess the overall reuse potential of components. In the second stage, the used capacity (actual life) of components is determined by analysing their operating history (condition monitoring data). The linear and nonlinear regression analysis, Kriging procedures and artificial neural networks (ANN) are employed in this stage. Finally, the Weibull analysis and ANNs are integrated to estimate the remaining useful life of components/assemblies of a product at the end of its first life cycle. The model was validated by using life cycle data from consumer products.

Thesis (MComm) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the past the social dimension of business has often been neglected and regarded as inferior to issues related to the financial sphere of business. The rise of sustainable development and a growing awareness regarding the frailty of earth's resources have placed renewed emphasis on the importance of the corporate social dimension for sustained business success. Scrutiny of the literature revealed that numerous misconceptions regarding the corporate social dimension still prevailed and that the success of sustainable development is often jeopardised by a lack of implementation. The triple bottom line (TBL), a concept that embraces corporate economic, environmental and social elements, was identified as a most appropriate way of elucidating the corporate social dimension and for operationalising sustainable development, as it provides several philosophic and implementation principles and guidelines. The objective of this study was to contribute to an improved understanding of the corporate social dimension and its implementation as one of the three parts of the TBL, within the perspective of sustainable development. To achieve this objective it was considered fundamental to analyse the importance and development of the corporate social dimension, the concepts and terminology related to the social dimension, and the current status of the corporate social dimension in both a South African as well as a global context. The positive aspects and limitations of extant approaches were subsequently delineated. Another important prerequisite for achieving the objective of the study was the clarification of the importance, meaning and implications of sustainable development, and the TBL approach as an operationalisation method. The development, three drnensions, importance and benefits of the TBL approach were analysed and several fundamental principles and compulsory guidelines were identified as vital conditions (e.g. a stakeholder approach, leadership support and involvement, equal consideration of all the elements of the TBL, etc.) for apt TBL adoption and sustained business success. An analysis of the relevance of sustainable development and TBL principles and guidelines for the corporate social dimension, and the interrelation between business, government and the social dimension, contributed towards an improved understanding of the social dimension of the corporate triple bottom line and its implementation within the perspective of sustainable development, thereby facilitating the achievement of the objective of the study. The most salient conclusions of the study focused on the importance of addressing the corporate social dimension in an integrated manner within the perspective of sustainable development and by means of the TBL approach, despite the seemingly elusive nature of the social dimension and numerous debates and viewpoints regarding it. Based on the conclusions of the study a number of recommendations were made regarding the process of leveraging the context-specific and dynamic nature of corporate social definitions and viewpoints, the advancement of business application, and the advancement of theory. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die verlede is die sosiale dimensie van besigheid dikwels geïgnoreer en beskou as ondergeskik teenoor kwessies verwant aan die finansiële sfeer van besigheid. Die opkoms van volhoubare ontwikkeling en 'n groeiende bewuswording van die beperktheid van die aarde se hulpbronne het hernieude aandag gevestig op die belangrikheid van die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie vir volhoubare besigheidsukses. 'n Literatuur ondersoek het getoon dat verskeie wanbegrippe met betrekking tot die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie steeds bestaan en dat die sukses van volhoubare ontwikkeling dikwels op die spel geplaas word deur 'n gebrek aan implementering. Die "triple bottom line" (TBL), 'n konsep wat die korporatiewe ekonomiese, omgewings en sosiale elemente omhels, is geïdentifiseer as die mees geskikte manier om die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie toe te lig en volhoubare ontwikkeling te operasionaliseer, aangesien dit verskeie filosofiese en implementerings beginsels en riglyne verskaf. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om 'n bydrae te lewer tot 'n verbeterde begrip van die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie en die implementering daarvan as een van die drie dele van die TBL, binne die perspektief van volhoubare ontwikkeling. Ter bereiking van hierdie doelwit is dit as fundamenteel beskou om die belangrikheid en ontwikkeling van die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie, die konsepte en terminologie verwant aan die sosiale dimensie, en die huidige status van die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie, beide in Suid-Afrika en in 'n globale konteks, te analiseer. Die positiewe aspekte en beperkinge van bestaande benaderings is vervolgens ondersoek. Nog 'n belangrike voorvereiste vir die bereiking van die doewit van die studie was die uitklaring van die belangrikheid, betekenis, en implikasies van volhoubare ontwikkeling, en die TBL benadering as 'n operasionaliserings metode. Die ontwikkeling, drie dimensies, belangrikheid en die voordele van die TBL benadering is geanaliseer en verskeie fundamentele beginsels en verpligtende riglyne is geïdentifiseer as deurslaggewende vereistes (bv. 'n belanghebbende benadering, leierskap ondersteuning en betrokkenheid, gelyke oorweging van al die elemente van die TBL, ens.) vir gepaste TBL aanneming en volhoubare besigheidsukses. Die analisering van die relevansie van volhoubare ontwikkeling en TBL beginsels en riglyne vir die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie, en die interverwantskap tussen besigheid, die regering en die sosiale dimensie, het bygedra tot "n verbeterde begrip van die sosiale dimensie van die korporatiewe TBL en die implementering daarvan binne die perspektief van volhoubare ontwikkeling, en daardeur ook tot die fasilitering van die bereiking van die doelwit van die studie. Die mees uitstaande gevolgtrekkings van die studie fokus op die belangrikheid van die aanspreek van die korporatiewe sosiale dimensie op "n geïntegreerde wyse binne die perspektief van volhoubare ontwikkeling en deur middel van die TBL, ten spyte van die skynbaar ontwykende aard van die sosiale dimensie en die vele debatte en oogpunte met betrekking tot die konsep. Gebaseer op die gevolgtrekkings van die studie is "n aantal aanbevelings gemaak met betrekking tot die proses van die hefboming van die konteks-spesifieke en dinamiese aard van korporatiewe sosiale definisies en oogpunte, die bevordering van besigheidstoepassing, en die bevordering van teorie.

The Sustainable Seafood Movement's "theory of change" is predicated on using markets to improve the supply of, demand for and governance of sustainable fisheries. Over four articles, this thesis will examine the implications of this approach. Article I evaluates the cultural model of seafood eco-labelling and demonstrates that while the theory of using market demand to motivate fishery improvements has been a powerful incentive, consumers have had a minimal role in incentivising that change. This is validated through semi-structured consumer interviews and structured surveys (n=196), which indicate consumers' general understanding of sustainability issues. Article II examines the roles of actors in the Sustainable Seafood Movement in facilitating the growth of sustainable seafood products in the supply chain, thus explaining how in the absence of large consumer demand, certified sustainable seafood product offerings have continued to grow. Article III examines the private governance mechanisms that the Sustainable Seafood Movement has established in the supply chain and how these are rivalling, complementing and substituting those of state-led fisheries governance mechanisms. At the same time both private and public governance mechanisms continue to monopolise certain spaces, such as flag state authority. Greater coordination between these two governance systems is needed to facilitate additional sustainability gains and strengthen the resilience of these governance systems. When public and private governance efforts to improve the supply, demand and governance of sustainable seafood are looked as whole, as in Article IV, it is evident that consumers/citizens are minimally engaged. Lack of consumer/citizen engagement could lead to an undervaluing of these governance systems by society. Civic engagement organizations are needed to bridge these systems and facilitate citizen/consumer/steward engagement. Public accountability mechanisms are one means to better engage the public in both governance systems, so that sustainable fisheries are realised by collective engagement of all actors.

There is a consensus globally that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing operations. Immediate actions are required to reduce the carbon footprint in order for the environment to endure future logistics processes and activities (The National Treasury department of South Africa, 2010). Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emissions generated from manufacturing processes, distribution networks and treatments processes (Verfaillie and Bidwell, 2000). Companies globally are expected to monitor pollution and focus on reducing the discharge of pollutants. Logistics Managers are therefore pressured to reduce the carbon footprint as it affects the environment and our health. Companies are becoming more concerned with the impact of various activities and processes on the environment. Traditional logistics models, primarily focuses on minimising cost with little focus on the environmental impact and sustaining operations for the future (Sbihi and Eglese, 2009) General Motors (GM) is a multi-national vehicle manufacturer with operations in various countries. GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009 resulting in the formation of the new GM; one of the focus areas was to ensure sustainability which resulted in the introduction of the ‘Sustainability in motion’ program in 2009 (New York Times, 2009). General Motors South Africa (GMSAf) is a vehicle assembler with manufacturing facilities and head offices located in Port Elizabeth. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational General Motors Company. The aim of the research is to determine whether a culture that promotes environmentally conscious behaviour exists within employees and their relationships within a team, with management, stakeholders and suppliers. The study will assist in highlighting areas which need improvement to enable the creation of environmentally sustainable initiatives and implementation thereof. The empirical study revealed that the following management commitment, education and training, performance management and participation and involvement were important factors in the effective implementation of an environmental sustainability program.

Policy-makers, transportation researchers, and activists often assume that traffic congestion mitigation results in reduced vehicle emissions without proper justification or quantification of the benefits. If congestion mitigation is going to be tied to air quality goals, a better understanding of the impacts of traffic congestion on motor vehicle emissions is needed. This research addresses that need by investigating under which circumstances the commonly held assumption linking congestion mitigation to emissions reductions is valid. We develop and apply a mathematical framework to study the trade-offs between vehicle efficiency and travel demand that accompany travel speed changes. While the exact relationships among emissions, travel speed, and travel demand vary with location and pollutant, several consistent results arise. The potential for marginal emissions rate reductions through average travel speed adjustments is small for speeds between about 25 and 70 mph. Emissions rate sensitivity to speed increases with the fraction of heavy-duty vehicles and for certain pollutants (gaseous hydrocarbons and particulate matter), and decreases with the fraction of advanced-drivetrain vehicles, such as electric and gas-electric hybrid vehicles. But travel volume is also a key consideration for the total emissions impacts of congestion and congestion mitigation. While travel speed increases are generally expected to increase efficiency, they are also expected to increase vehicle travel volume as a result of induced demand. To explore efficiency and volume trade-offs we look at emissions break-even conditions for average speed and travel demand elasticity. Depending on the pollutant and the vehicle fleet, total emissions are only expected to decrease with increasing travel speed for initial conditions of both low demand elasticity and low average speed. Thus, higher levels of congestion do not necessarily increase emissions, nor will congestion mitigation inevitably reduce emissions. This result includes projects that seek to increase vehicle throughput from existing roadway supply through better traffic management and operations. Congestion mitigation through reduced vehicle volumes, on the other hand, presents the opportunity for additive emissions benefits through efficiency improvements and total Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reductions. Comparing capacity-based congestion mitigation strategies with alternative emissions reduction strategies we show that where emissions reductions are possible through speed increases, the emissions benefits are likely to be more easily and cost-effectively attained by other strategies. A sketch analysis of vehicle-class segregated facilities shows that truck-only lane strategies consistently out-perform general-purpose/mixed-flow lane strategies in terms of emissions reductions. An analysis of several congestion-related performance measures shows that for reflecting emissions impacts, VMT is an essential component of performance. Thus, alternative congestion metrics such as total/excess travel distance and travel time are preferable emissions performance indicators to speed or distance-normalized delay. The Travel Time Index, in particular, poorly reflects emissions changes on congested roadways. This thesis offers several original contributions to the body of knowledge regarding congestion and emissions. First, it describes a parsimonious conceptual framework for assessing the effect of congestion on emissions. Then from that framework, several simple and original equations are presented which can be used for sketch-level planning to estimate emissions impacts from congestion mitigation. Finally, application of the framework provides quantitative support for the decoupling of congestion and emissions mitigations.

Background: Access to safe water and sanitation are universal need and basic human right, but the provision of quality water and improved sanitation remains a challenge in many African countries including Ethiopia. Objectives: The study investigated drinking water quality, sanitation-hygiene practices and the potential of Moringa stenopetala seed powder for the purification of water in Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 randomly selected households in Robe and Ginnir Towns. Data were collected by interviewer-administered structured questionnaires from June 2012 to August 2013. An observation checklist was used to observe the sanitary condition of water sources. A total of 71 water samples were collected using sterile glass bottles in accordance with the standard method of American Public Health Association APHA. The physicochemical and bacteriological water quality analyses were done in Addis Ababa Environmental protection and Oromia water and Energy laboratories. The efficiency of Moringa stenopetala seed powder for removal of turbidity, hardness, and nitrate was evaluated. Data were analyzed SPSS Version 21.0 for the window. Descriptive analysis was done for appropriate variables. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with under-five diarrhea. The results were presented using adjusted odds ratio and P-value of < 0.05 was used to declare significance association. Results: From the total sample, 401 respondents participated making a response rate of 95%. More than one third (37.9%) of the respondents were found to use pipe water. Two hundred and eighty (69.8%) of households wash storage containers before refilling and 325 (81%) of households were using separate containers for water storage. Two hundred seventy (67.3%) of the households had pit latrine. Prevalence of childhood diarrhea was found to be 50.1%. From the logistic regression model, those households having access to clean water source are 68% less likely to have under-five diarrhea, the households having clean storage of drinking water are 45% less likely to have under-five diarrhea in their home, and those households having poor latrine sanitation are 68% more likely to have under-five diarrhea in their home. Seed powder of 200mg/l Moringa stenopetala reduced the Nitrate concentration doses from 5.49mg/l to 8.18mg/l, a 75mg/l was reduced the turbidity from 4.49NTU to 1.07 NTU. A total hardness of 427 was reduced by 7.8% after treatment with powder seed of Moringa stenopetala. Conclusion: Prevalence of childhood diarrhea was high and it is associated with lack of access to a clean water source, poor sanitation of drinking water storage and latrine. Prevalence of open field defecation was remarkably high. The iron content of drinking water was above the range of World Health Organization standards. Moringa stenopetala seed powder has efficiency in the reduction of total and faecal coliform, turbidity, hardness and nitrate level in drinking water Recommendation: Health education on water handling, sanitation and low-cost effective water treatment methods like Using Moringa stenopetala seed should be practiced at the household level. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: TheSouthAfrican economy islargely dependant on small enterprisesas a valuable source of job creation, gross domestic product as well as product development and innovation, However, unfortunately there existsan extremeiy high failure rate among small businesswith 20%of startup businessesfailing within the firstyear of operation, and an almost 60% failure rate within the first6 years of existence, Thesestatisticshave initiated several research studies,and have been the focus of many businessbooks, in itseif, creating a vast industry of small businesssuccesstools and quick fix solutions, When considering the high failure rates of small businesses,the concepts surrounding sustainable development come into question by pure method of association, Sustainable development issueshave become a top priority globally and have moved up the corporate agenda in recent years. When trying to "marry" these two concepts, questions arise regarding the effect of integrating sustainability principles and management systems,with contemporary small businessstrategy. Theaim of thisstudy isto investigate existingcritical successmodels and to integrate some simple initial stages of sustainable development business strategy within these models. Expectantly, some of the principles contained in the formalisation of management systems that address sustainability issues,could be incorporated in traditional management models in an attempt to identify possible interventions and tools that might positivelyimpact on the successrate of small businessenterprises. These concepts would be tested by means of implementing a formal environmental management system (based on the ISO 14001standard) as an initial approach to addressingsustainabilitygoals, as a case study, The successful implementation of an ISO 14001 environmental management system at this small businessenterprise, realised several advantages for the company, and have been used to adapt traditional management models to include for some of the simple concepts of sustainable development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid Afrikaanse ekonomie is in 'n groot mate afhanklik van klein besighede as 'n waardevolle bron van werkskepping, bruto binnelandse produk, asook van produk ontwikkeling en innovasie, Des nieteenstaande, bestaan daar ongelukkig 'n baie hoe faling syfer onder klein besighede, met 20%van aanvangsbesighede wat mislukbinne die eerste jaar van bedryf en ongeveer 60%van besighede wat mislukbinne die eerste 6jaar van bestaan. Hierdie statistieke het reeds verskeie navorsingstudiesgeinisieer en was reeds die tema van verskeie boeke, wat opsig self 'n reuse industrie genereer van sake sukseshandleidings en kits oplossings vir verskeie probleme, Wanneer hierdie hoe falings statistieke onder klein sake ondernemings oorweeg word, bevraagteken mens die konsepte rakende volhoubare ontwikkeiing, bloot as gevolg van assosiasie,Volhoubare ontwikkeling het in die laaste paar jaar baie aandag geniet op die prioriteitsagendas internationaal, asook van verskeie korporatiewe agendas. As gepoog word om hierdie twee konsepte met mekaar te vereenselwig, ontwikkel daar verskeievrae rakende die effek van die integrering van volhoubare ontwikkelingsbeginselsen verwante bestuurstelsels,met bestaande kiein sake onderneming strategie, Die doel van hierdie studie isom bestaande suksesmodelIe vir klein sake ondernemings te ondersoek, en om sommige van die begin fase beginselsvan volhoubare besigheids strategie, met mekaar te integreer. Daar sou verwag kon word dot sommige van .die konsepte bevat in die formaiisering van bestuurstelselsrakende volhoubare ontwikkeling, ook geinkorporeer kan word binne bestaande traditionele bestuursmodelle, in 'n poging om moontlike ingrypings en gereedskap te identifiseer wat 'n positiewe impak kan he op die suksessyfersvan kleinsake ondernemings. Hierdie konsepte is getoets aan die hand van 'n implimentering van 'n formele omgewingsbestuurstelsel(gebasseer op die ISO14001standaard) as 'ngevalle studie, wat die begin benadering vorm om die doelwitte van volhoubaarheid aan te spreek. Die suksesvolleimplimentering van 'n ISO 14001omgewingsbestuurselsel by 'n klein sake onderneming het verskeie voordele vir hierdie maatskappy tot gevolg gehad. en is gebruik om tradisionele suksesmodelleaan te pas, om voorsiening te maak vir sommige van die konsepte rakende volhoubare ontwikkeling.

More and more companies are realising the benefits of implementing management systems, integration of these systems would lead to a more efficient and effective management system. Environmental, quality, health and safety management systems are discussed as well as how each is implemented independently. Where the systems overlap or have common goals, in order to avoid duplication and unnecessary extra work, the development and implementation as an integrated management system (IMS) is essential and forms the major part of this project. A long term plan to implement the IMS is developed and will be implemented in this company through stages. A holistic approach is being used to improve not only the effluent but also the process and raw materials. The company being focussed on is broken down into different sections and each section carefully investigated to find possible process improvements. The company is looking to become as automated as possible to reduce human error, but due to financial concerns, everything is to be done as economically as possible, or over a longer time span. The company is looking to implement an environmental management system (EMS) to become ISO 14000 certified and a quality management system (QMS) to become ISO 9000 certified as this would: • improve product marketing, • minimise long term costs, • ensure the future development of the company, and • help give the company an edge in the highly competitive market. A brief background of the organisation is given in order to determine the current (pre-implementation) status of the company. The EMS, QMS and Operational Health and Safety are discussed as well as how each is implemented independently. A gap analysis of each of the management systems is carried out and where the systems overlap or have common goals, these systems are integrated. The different functional departments of the organisation nl. inventory, production and administration are investigated and suggestions on how to improve these are documented. These suggestions are to be carried out first as these are the most obvious and currently cause the most problems. Once these problems are fixed, the gap analysis of each system is to be looked at and implemented. The water use of the organisation is investigated and some practical ways of decreasing the water use are suggested. Different ways of treating the effluent is discussed and it is decided that the best setup would be two tanks in series, including a flow equalisation tank and a chemical neutralisation tank. Depending on the pilot plant investigation an extra tank can be used to improve the water quality. One of the fundamental foundations to an effective and efficient management system is management commitment and the management at AIC are not committed enough. Employees should be motivated through fair pay, training and recognition as this will reduce human error and also improve the general feeling in the organisation. The IMS will be greatly enhanced if business ethics and social responsibilities are incorporated. Training seems to be the major problem in the organisation at present and once the appropriate sections of the IMS have been completed, training should become part of the company’s routine.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning