The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test the Supply Chain Integration Framework (SCI framework) in order to develop a framework to address the inefficiencies experienced in the public hospital pharmacies’ Supply Chain (SC) in Kenya. Supply Chain Management (SCM) can be regarded as a vibrant business entity that is changing and evolving continually because of constant changes in technology, competition and customer demands. The study investigated and analysed how the independent variables, namely SCI initiatives, performance improvement drivers, organisation environmental forces, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, regulatory framework and information sharing and technology influenced the SCI. The SCI was categorised into three components namely: customer order fulfilment, supplier collaboration and dedicated SC as the dependent variable. The literature reviewed established that globalisation and intensive worldwide competition, alongside technological developments, creates a completely new operating environment for organisations. The researcher reviewed various models and theories related to SCI which include systems theory, value chain models and value ecology models among others. An SCI framework was then developed to capture the interacting variables within the SCI network that could be adopted for the public hospital pharmacies in Kenya. The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire (Annexure B) that comprised both open and closed ended questions that were distributed to managers in public hospitals and pharmacies in Kenya. The population for the survey was 154 public hospital pharmacies in Kenya, with the final sample comprised of 280 respondents. The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire (Annexure B) that comprised both open and closed ended questions that were distributed to 325 respondents in 154 public hospitals and pharmacies in Kenya. The population for the survey was 154 public hospital pharmacies in Kenya, with the final sample comprised of 280 respondents. Exploratory factor analysis was used to ascertain the validity of the measuring instrument and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to measure the reliability of the measuring instruments. Key preliminary tests performed were the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (KMO test) of sample adequacy, the Bartlett’s test of sphericity and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (Z-Statistic test) for normality and multi-collinearity diagnostic. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regressions were the main statistical procedures used to test the regression model fit and the significance of the relationships hypothesised among various variables in the study. Statistical softwares, namely Statistica 10 (2010) and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 18, were used to analyse quantitative data. The study identified five statistically significant relationships between customer order fulfilment and workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology, supplier collaborations and dedicated SCI. In addition, a total of six statistically significant relationships exist between the supplier collaborations and SCI initiatives i.e. performance improvement drivers, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology adoption as well as dedicated SCI. Furthermore, four statistically significant relationships were found between dedicated SCI and SCI initiatives, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology adoption.

The claim of archivists to be a scholarly profession is dependent upon their ability to methodically study and understand the meaning of the records in their care. Without such contextual information about the record as the name of its creating agency, the reason for its creation, and the authority by which it was created, archivists and researchers are in a poor position to assess the value and validity of its informational content. Without knowledge of the relationship of the record to other record series, they are likely to overlook additional supporting and/or contradictory documentation and thereby miss a part of the truth they seek. This thesis is directly concerned with the means by which archival sources might be assessed to determine the value of the historical evidence they contain. It proposes a conceptual framework by which study of the original, primary, and secondary meanings of the archival record might be approached. Examples are drawn from close examination of the records of the Corporation of the City of Nanaimo surviving from the period 1875-1904. While acknowledging that extensive study of the significance of documentation might be impossible for archivists in their daily work, this thesis concludes that closer attention must be paid to sources documenting the contextual environment of the record. Such sources are essential to the furtherance of understanding which is the information profession's ultimate goal. / Arts, Faculty of / Library, Archival and Information Studies (SLAIS), School of / Graduate

Material Requirements Planning (MRP) has evolved as a technique for the planning and controlling of inventories and production of complex manufactured products. The problem addressed in this research is that of uncertainty in MRP systems. Demand uncertainties are those which involve variations in the gross requirements for a component. Supply uncertainties deal with variations in the scheduled receipts for a component. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of specific operating policies on the performance of an MRP system under conditions of supply/timing uncertainty. Supply uncertainties include either the timing or quantity type. Supply uncertainty that results because of timing involves the receipt of an order after its scheduled delivery date. The specific supply/timing uncertainty examined in this study is that which is caused by variability in the lead time of purchased parts. Experiments are conducted in order to assess the impact of lead time variability, the amount of safety stock buffering, the amount of safety lead time buffering, and the lot-size rule on the average total cost of an MRP system. In addition, the question of whether the results obtained are sensitive to changes in the system's cost parameters is examined. Based on the results, guidelines are developed for practitioners to use when making decisions involving uncertainty in MRP systems. The simulation model used in this research is a versatile MRP/Production simulator designed to provide a framework for the investigation of a wide variety of MRP related problems. The hypothetical manufacturing system is simulated and its average total cost is recorded for varying levels of lead time variability, safety stock, safety lead time, lot-size rule and the holding cost and lateness penalty values. A 3x5x3x3 balanced factorial experiment is performed and multifactor analysis of variance is used to assess significant differences in the average total cost of the MRP system. On those means judged significantly different by Duncan's multiple range test, further analysis is provided in the form of general linear contrasts and confidence intervals. / Ph. D.

Materials management is an integrative approach to control the flow of production materials. It has been successfully practiced by numerous manufacturing firms to decrease materials cost and improve the employment of scarce resources. The need for better utilization of resources is also prevalent in service sector industries. This dissertation focused on the public utilities industry and its practices in the materials management area. Major emphasis of this research was to (1) define the state-of-the-art of materials management within the gas and electric utilities in Texas, (2) determine its impact on the corporate structure, and (3) identify opportunities for materials management in the future of the Texas utilities industry.

An essential factor adversely affecting the performance of construction projects is the improper handling of materials during site activities. Materials management is made problematic by materials shortages, delays in supply, price fluctuations, damage and wastage, and lack of storages pace. In addition, paper-based reports are mostly used to record and exchange information related to the materials component within a supply chain which is problematic, error-prone, and inefficient. Generally, modem technologies are not being adequately used to overcome human error and are not well integrated with project management systems to make the tracking and management of materials easier and faster. Thus, this research focuses on the development of a mechanism to improve materials management on construction projects through the integration of materials tracking and resource modelling systems. A multi-facetted research approach was adopted. Initially, a literature review on materials management process in the construction project was conducted. This was followed by case studies involving six construction projects in order to investigate current practice in materials management to establish key problem areas and elements of good practice. The case studies also explored the requirements for integrating materials management and resource modelling in project management systems. The case study findings underpinned by literature results were used to develop a real-time framework for integrating RFID-based materials tracking and resource modelling. The framework was encapsulated in a computer-based prototype system based on Microsoft Visual Basic. NET. The prototype system was developed by amalgamation of all the software and hardware chosen such as MS Access (database system), MS Project (resource modelling) and RFID (automated materials tracking) to provide the mechanisms for integrating materials management and resource modelling in the construction industry. Evaluation of the prototype system was carried out by a series of interviews with industry practitioners to assess its appropriateness and functionality. It also established the skills and other requirements for the effective use of the real-time materials tracking system. The evaluation established that the prototype system demonstrated many benefits and is suitable for use in materials tracking and inventory management processes. It is concluded that the prototype system developed can improve materials management on construction projects, particularly with regard to materials tracking and integrating materials utilisation with the resource modelling subsystem in project management applications. Adoption of the approaches suggested in the thesis will enable the construction industry to improve the real-time management of materials on sites, and hence improve project performance.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) presents the new paradigm in strategic and operational business management for the 21st century. By offering a cooperative and integrated model of the value-creation process in a cross-organizational perspective, it also places new challenges on business management methods and instruments used, in theory as in practice. In the field of materials management, the new SCM perspective led to major changes in the methods used and in the emphasis of the different process steps. This master thesis presents classical as well as supply-chain-based materials management methods, compares them and draws conclusion on their use in theory and practice.   Materials Management (MM) was long neglected by business management and economic theory. The role of materials management as a secondary activity in the organization and its supportive role to production were encouraged in classical materials management. SCM reevaluated the value chain of whole industries and therefore reemphasized the strategic role of materials management for the supply chain. MM is divided into 5 steps or activity fields: supporting activities, sourcing, distribution, storage and disposal. SCM changed the methods used in each separate step. In supporting activities for example SCM requires multi-dimensional, long-term and dynamic instruments to guide decision-making in materials management, using cross-organizational cooperation to succeed, such as advanced purchasing. In sourcing the strategic role of sourcing was reemphasized by SCM and new tools such as the use of procurement marketing, SCR, green sourcing, TCO, ethical sourcing, PCB, strategic alliances and TPB were introduced, due to the new cooperative paradigm in SCM. In distribution and storage too, cooperative instruments are used to keep up competitiveness, such as VMI and integrated logistics. In disposal, however, SCM provides a totally new philosophy, reducing the focus on waste and enhancing material cycles, environmental programs and new recycling programs, such as reverse logistics. Overall in SCM, the main focus was relocated from scheduling and storage planning that was the main activity of materials management in the classical perspective to strategic sourcing and disposal as the two main processes of materials management. Concluding, the comparison of classical and supply-chain-based materials management showed, that SCM emphasizes on the strategic role of materials management by offering an integrated and process-oriented perspective on the value-creation process. Furthermore supply-chain-based materials management bases on communication, mutual interdependence and decreasing short-term competition to stay competitive in the long run as an entity, represented by the supply-chain. The long-term, complex and dynamic perspective of SCM and the pursuing of multiple and conflicting goals in SCM are mirrored in the methods used in supply-chain-based Materials Management. Recapitulatory, SCM reemphasized the strategic role of materials management as a cooperative, process-oriented primary activity within the supply-chain that has major potential for the competitiveness of the supply chain in the long-run.

<p>Supply Chain Management (SCM) presents the new paradigm in strategic and operational business management for the 21^st century. By offering a cooperative and integrated model of the value-creation process in a cross-organizational perspective, it also places new challenges on business management methods and instruments used, in theory as in practice. In the field of materials management, the new SCM perspective led to major changes in the methods used and in the emphasis of the different process steps. This master thesis presents classical as well as supply-chain-based materials management methods, compares them and draws conclusion on their use in theory and practice.</p><p> </p><p>Materials Management (MM) was long neglected by business management and economic theory. The role of materials management as a secondary activity in the organization and its supportive role to production were encouraged in classical materials management. SCM reevaluated the value chain of whole industries and therefore reemphasized the strategic role of materials management for the supply chain. MM is divided into 5 steps or activity fields: supporting activities, sourcing, distribution, storage and disposal. SCM changed the methods used in each separate step. In supporting activities for example SCM requires multi-dimensional, long-term and dynamic instruments to guide decision-making in materials management, using cross-organizational cooperation to succeed, such as advanced purchasing. In sourcing the strategic role of sourcing was reemphasized by SCM and new tools such as the use of procurement marketing, SCR, green sourcing, TCO, ethical sourcing, PCB, strategic alliances and TPB were introduced, due to the new cooperative paradigm in SCM. In distribution and storage too, cooperative instruments are used to keep up competitiveness, such as VMI and integrated logistics. In disposal, however, SCM provides a totally new philosophy, reducing the focus on waste and enhancing material cycles, environmental programs and new recycling programs, such as reverse logistics. Overall in SCM, the main focus was relocated from scheduling and storage planning that was the main activity of materials management in the classical perspective to strategic sourcing and disposal as the two main processes of materials management.</p><p>Concluding, the comparison of classical and supply-chain-based materials management showed, that SCM emphasizes on the strategic role of materials management by offering an integrated and process-oriented perspective on the value-creation process. Furthermore supply-chain-based materials management bases on communication, mutual interdependence and decreasing short-term competition to stay competitive in the long run as an entity, represented by the supply-chain. The long-term, complex and dynamic perspective of SCM and the pursuing of multiple and conflicting goals in SCM are mirrored in the methods used in supply-chain-based Materials Management. Recapitulatory, SCM reemphasized the strategic role of materials management as a cooperative, process-oriented primary activity within the supply-chain that has major potential for the competitiveness of the supply chain in the long-run.</p>

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Technology-enhanced instruction has a great potential to support the learning process. However, the engaging power of technology can become a distracting factor if it is not deployed properly. Unfortunately, the current literature in instructional design and user interface design is broad and not easily accessible by construction faculty. This dissertation presents a framework to guide the development of technology-assisted instruction for the classroom. The framework developed is called EDDE which stands for four conceptual steps involved in the creation of a technology-supported teaching tool: Explore, Design, Develop, and Evaluate. EDDE contains a novel synthesis of the literature in instructional design and user interface design as well as survey data of student subject matter knowledge and information technology background. A computerized tool called EDDEaid makes accessible the large store of knowledge supporting EDDE. Assessment of EDDEaid is presented with evaluation results from nine university faculty that teach construction subjects as well as through critique of and changes to an existing interactive learning tool. EDDE and EDDEaid are found to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the deployment of technology-enhanced instruction and provide support to construction faculty developing learning tools. / text

This dissertation set out to ascertain that a South African vendor, on-time delivery to EU buyers, was unreliable. Late deliveries from South African vendors to EU buyers have led to Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd being a volatile sourcing office for the Kingfisher Group. Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd need to take considerable measures in determining which South African vendors they source products from in order to determine their success or failure. This research has highlighted the following problem: i. South African vendors are unreliable suppliers. Recommendations derived from this research include: ii. The need to clarify terms and conditions of trade, iii. To ensure Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd has a contract in place with South African vendors, iv. To periodically and systematically evaluate South African vendor's : Financial capabilities, Supply chain capacity, Management structure, Product offering mix, / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.