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Background:Scholars tend to view global sourcing as a one-way street, whereby multinational manufacturers from developed countries purchase low-cost materials and products from developing countries. Undoubtedly, one of the purchasing bases for them is China because of its abundant resources and cheap labor. That is why China is aptly called the “Global Factory.” Conversely, few Chinese manufactures currently adopt a global sourcing strategy. However, the higher demand for technical quality and an increase in manufacturing cost is driving more Chinese manufacturers to adopt a global sourcing strategy in order to improve their competitive advantage. This would help them to optimize the use of global resources. Purpose: The purpose of this master thesis is to analyze what problems and challenges Chinese manufacturing companies face in the implementation of a global sourcing strategy. Research Method: Our study shall analyze the situation and problems encountered when Chinese manufacturers implement a global sourcing strategy. To achieve this deep understanding we need to perform a qualitative investigation of some Chinese manufacturers. Hence, we chose qualitative research as our methodology of this thesis. Conclusion:Pursuing global sourcing is a process which takes a long time and involves many obstacles to be overcome. In this complicated situation, there is not a universal compass to pursue global sourcing. Inexperienced Chinese manufacturers have to deal with each problem in order to develop an advanced level of global sourcing and to face the challenges from logistics capabilities, selecting foreign sources, protectionism, regulations, and so on.

<p>Background:Scholars tend to view global sourcing as a one-way street, whereby multinational manufacturers from developed countries purchase low-cost materials and products from developing countries. Undoubtedly, one of the purchasing bases for them is China because of its abundant resources and cheap labor. That is why China is aptly called the “Global Factory.” Conversely, few Chinese manufactures currently adopt a global sourcing strategy. However, the higher demand for technical quality and an increase in manufacturing cost is driving more Chinese manufacturers to adopt a global sourcing strategy in order to improve their competitive advantage. This would help them to optimize the use of global resources.</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this master thesis is to analyze what problems and challenges Chinese manufacturing companies face in the implementation of a global sourcing strategy.</p><p>Research Method: Our study shall analyze the situation and problems encountered when Chinese manufacturers implement a global sourcing strategy. To achieve this deep understanding we need to perform a qualitative investigation of some Chinese manufacturers. Hence, we chose qualitative research as our methodology of this thesis.</p><p>Conclusion:Pursuing global sourcing is a process which takes a long time and involves many obstacles to be overcome. In this complicated situation, there is not a universal compass to pursue global sourcing. Inexperienced Chinese manufacturers have to deal with each problem in order to develop an advanced level of global sourcing and to face the challenges from logistics capabilities, selecting foreign sources, protectionism, regulations, and so on.</p>

A shift in economic power from the developed world to emerging markets has seen the BRICS countries becoming the new growth centre of the world. In 2010, half of the total global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows went to emerging economies. A large portion of these FDI flows goes to the manufacturing industry with a quarter of the global GDP being generated by the production processes of multinational manufacturing enterprises (MMEs). The challenge for the BRICS countries will be to sustain their trend in FDI inflow. Previous studies on this topic focused on the determinants of FDI at country level as opposed to an industry specific focus. The outcome of this study assists MMEs in their entering decisions and policy makers in developing policies that create an enabling environment that will attract foreign capital.This research analyses the BRICS countries as potential destinations for FDI in the manufacturing industry. The analyses followed a three phased approach. The first phase identified the potential determinants of FDI to the manufacturing industry of the BRICS countries. The second phase either validated or disproved investor perceptions about the factors that would impact on the performance of an investment. In the third and final phase of the analysis, the competitiveness of the BRICS countries in attracting FDI to the manufacturing industry was assessed.The analysis of the three hypotheses contributed to the overarching theme of evaluating the BRICS countries as potential destinations for MMEs. The outcome of the analysis highlights that countries are unique and that investor perceptions about a country’s conditions and how this will impact on the performance of an investment are not always valid. In the overall analysis of the BRICS countries as potential destinations for FDI, the majority of the BRICS countries, with the exception of South Africa, are found to be competitive destinations for attracting FDI to the manufacturing industry. On the basis of the outcome of the analysis and the methodology followed in this study, a general model that can be used in future FDI research is suggested. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Profit, ergonomics, safety, employee morale, quality, efficiency, and productivity are critical components that greatly impact company success within manufacturing organizations. Therefore, it is essential that a valid and reliable systematic approach that encompasses all of these factors be developed for use by top management in today's rapidly changing manufacturing environment. Organizational-level decisions made based upon a single goal or narrow perspective that only considers one of the aforementioned components, such as profit, while ignoring others, such as employee morale, have proven harmful to the long term viability and success of manufacturing companies. Often organizational leaders are not adequately equipped to consider multiple factors that are pertinent to company success due to the complexity associated with considering a large number of organizational variables and the lack of quantitative tools and techniques to assist in this process. Thus, valid, reliable and readily available tools, methods, and techniques for integrating into decision making multiple components of profit, ergonomics, safety, employee morale, quality, efficiency, and productivity are highly needed in today's complex manufacturing business environment. This research responds to the need to develop quantitative models by creating a company success index. This index was developed using an approach to analyze and evaluate multiple factors at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of an organization that are essential to achieve company success in manufacturing enterprises. The resulting company success index model was validated using information on market share (Specificity = 0%, Sensitivity & Accuracy = 87.5%). Future research related to this topic area should include additional studies to expand upon model validation and verification techniques.

Целью работы является совершенствование методического инструментария оценки инновационной активности производственных предприятий. В основу методического подхода заложен расчет показателей обеспеченности ресурсами для осуществления инновационной деятельности, эффективности инновационной и финансовой деятельности предприятия на основе балльной оценки, практическое применение которого позволит добиться универсальности оценки, повысит точность и объективность расчетов, а также упростит процедуру сравнительной оценки инновационной активности в разные временные отрезки. / The aim of the work is to improve the methodical tools for assessing the innovative activity of manufacturing enterprises. The methodical approach is based on the calculation of indicators of resource availability for the implementation of innovative activities, the effectiveness of innovative and financial activities of the enterprise on the basis of a point assessment, the practical application of which will make it possible to achieve the universality of the assessment, increase the accuracy and objectivity of calculations, as well as simplify the procedure for comparative evaluation of innovation activity in different time periods.

Die bestaande belastingaansporingsmaatreels in Suid-Afrika is nagevors. Belastingaansporingsmaatreels wat vroeer in gebruik was, is ook ondersoek. Aandag is gegee aan die kontantaansporingsmaatreels wat vir vervaardigingsondernemings beskikbaar is in Suid-Afrika. Programme wat deur onder andere die Nywerheid-Ontwikkelingskorporasie van Suid-Afrika Beperk en die Kleinsake-Ontwikkelingskorporasie aangebied word is ondersoek. Ondersoek is ingestel na die bevindings van die Margo kommissie Verslag wat in 1986 uitgereik is. Die verslag van die Katz-kommissie wat in 1994 uitgereik is, is ook nagevors. Aandag is gegee aan die 1994, 1995 en 1996 begrotings asook sommige van die aspekte van die Algemene Ooreenkoms op Tariewe en Handel. Die belastingkoerse en aansporingsmaatreelsprogramme wat deur die Verenigde State van Amerika, Verenigde Koninkryk en Kanada beskikbaar gestel word aan ondernemings is ondersoek. Moontlike oplossings vir die probleme wat tans ondervind word in SuidAfrika se aansporingsmaatreelstelsel is geformuleer. / The existing tax incentives in South Africa were researched. Tax incentives that were previously in use, were also investigated. Attention was given to the cash incentives available to manufacturing enterprises in South Africa. Amongst others the programmes offered by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited and the Small Business Development Corporation were investigated. The findings of the Margo Commission Report issued in 1986 were investigated. The Katz Report issued in 1994 was also researched. Attention was given to the 1994, 1995 and 1996 budgets as well as some of the aspects of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The taxation rates and incentive programmes available to enterprises in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada were investi gated. Possible solutions for the problems currently experienced in South Africa with regard to incentives have been formulated. / School of Computing / M.Sc (Computer Science)

Die bestaande belastingaansporingsmaatreels in Suid-Afrika is nagevors. Belastingaansporingsmaatreels wat vroeer in gebruik was, is ook ondersoek. Aandag is gegee aan die kontantaansporingsmaatreels wat vir vervaardigingsondernemings beskikbaar is in Suid-Afrika. Programme wat deur onder andere die Nywerheid-Ontwikkelingskorporasie van Suid-Afrika Beperk en die Kleinsake-Ontwikkelingskorporasie aangebied word is ondersoek. Ondersoek is ingestel na die bevindings van die Margo kommissie Verslag wat in 1986 uitgereik is. Die verslag van die Katz-kommissie wat in 1994 uitgereik is, is ook nagevors. Aandag is gegee aan die 1994, 1995 en 1996 begrotings asook sommige van die aspekte van die Algemene Ooreenkoms op Tariewe en Handel. Die belastingkoerse en aansporingsmaatreelsprogramme wat deur die Verenigde State van Amerika, Verenigde Koninkryk en Kanada beskikbaar gestel word aan ondernemings is ondersoek. Moontlike oplossings vir die probleme wat tans ondervind word in SuidAfrika se aansporingsmaatreelstelsel is geformuleer. / The existing tax incentives in South Africa were researched. Tax incentives that were previously in use, were also investigated. Attention was given to the cash incentives available to manufacturing enterprises in South Africa. Amongst others the programmes offered by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited and the Small Business Development Corporation were investigated. The findings of the Margo Commission Report issued in 1986 were investigated. The Katz Report issued in 1994 was also researched. Attention was given to the 1994, 1995 and 1996 budgets as well as some of the aspects of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The taxation rates and incentive programmes available to enterprises in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada were investi gated. Possible solutions for the problems currently experienced in South Africa with regard to incentives have been formulated. / School of Computing / M.Sc (Computer Science)

Despite the widely acknowledged contention that pollution control measures would be less beneficial than pollution prevention technologies in the long run, pollution control approaches remain a popular solution for organizations seeking, or coerced, to engage in corporate environmentalism. Drawing on the conceptual underpinnings of the Theory of Planned Behaviour as an integrative framework, this study combines the tenets of five major management theories - institutional, stakeholder, planned behaviour, resource-based view, and life-cycle management - to examine how and why small and medium sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) embrace dissimilar approaches to implementing green initiatives under different circumstances. This research adopted a nested, multiple-case design to explore why some organizations have been able to obtain beneficial effects from their green initiative implementation while others have not. The findings, based on the experiences of s even SMMEs, which implemented a total of 27 green initiatives in their production operations, reveal that legislative requirements, stakeholders' expectations, organizations' natural environmental orientation, as well as their environmental resource base and capabilities, jointly drive corporate environmental strategies. The case study found that the higher the external pressures, a combination of legislative requirements and stakeholder expectations, the more likely it was for SMMEs to adopt quick-fix, off-the-shelve solutions, which typically carried limited short-term benefits with associated high long-term costs. By contrast, less intense external pressures offer firms the opportunities to explore plausible options and exploit internal resource capabilities to advantage, giving rise to the adoption of more sustainable approaches. The study further discovers that experiential learning, i.e., a firm's ability to learn from its green initiative implementation experience, separates SMMEs capable of capital izing on the values of their implemented green initiatives to gain competitive advantages and redefine competition from those that are immersed in a cognitive lock-in, unable to free themselves from an unproductive green wall. The findings suggest that nurturing organizational learning among environmentally resistive firms could transform them into environmentally responsible enterprises. The study concludes by interpreting its findings into a number of theoretical propositions for theory building in corporate environmental management.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study is to develop a tool to enable manufacturing enterprises to develop a sustainability strategy suited to their specific business. In the study, the business reality that faces enterprises is discussed from a systems perspective. The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are explored. Specific attention is paid to building mental models of what these concepts entail and the application thereof in individual manufacturing enterprises. Specific strategies and concepts, such as the Five Capitals Model, the Natural Step and Industrial Ecology, are highlighted. These tools and strategies are then consolidated into a ―Sustainable Roadmap‖, a tool to facilitate the development of a sustainability strategy. The ―Sustainability Roadmap‖ is tested by applying it to a case study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: maatskappye sal help om ‗n onderneming spesifieke volhoubaarheids strategie te ontwikkel. In die studie word die besigheids realiteit van vervaardigingsmaatskappye bespreek van sistemiese perspektief. Die konsepte van volhoubaarheid en volhoubare ontwikkeling word verken. Spesifieke aandag word gegee aan die bou van modelle van wat hierdie konsepte behels. Spesifieke strategieë en modelle soos die ―Five Capitals Model‖, ―Natural Step‖ en ‖Industrial Ecology‖ word uitgelig. Hierdie konsepte en strategieë word dan saamgevat op ‗n sistematiese manier in ‗n ―Volhoubaarheids Padkaart‖, ‗n padkaart wat maatskappye kan volg om ‗n volhoubaarheids strategie te ontwikkel. Die ―Volhoubaarheids Padkaart‖ word getoets deur dit toe te pas op ‗n gevallestudie.