Doctorat en sciences sociales, politiques et économiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

In a globalized and competitive world, logistics is receiving a lot of attention from business managers because of its importance concerning the fidelity of customers and their participation in the total costs of the company. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a model to the management of the services of physical distribution based on the six sigma strategy in an agroindustry that produces canola oil and it is located in the northwest of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The data were collected by using a questionnaire which refers to the level of satisfaction and the importance of the services offered by the company concerning the customers attendance; the kind of ordering, invoice service and payment; logistic of transports and the information given. In order to analyze the data it was used the descriptive statistics and the techniques of analyses Cluster hierarchic and Cluster k-means. The six customers who buy unmanufactured canola oil from this company took part on this study. The results showed that the customers are satisfied with most of the services offered by the company. It was also observed that the customers demonstrated a lot of satisfaction referring to the kind of ordering, invoice service and payment. However, the clients consider the attendance service as being the most important feature of the company. Based on these results, a model to the management of the services of physical distribution based on the six sigma strategy was proposed with the purpose of guaranteeing the quality of services offered. / Em um mercado globalizado e competitivo a logística começa a receber maior atenção por parte dos gestores empresariais, devido à sua importância quanto a fidelização de clientes e sua participação nos custos totais da empresa. Por isso, este trabalho tem por objetivo propor um modelo para o gerenciamento dos serviços de distribuição física, com base na estratégia seis sigma, em uma agroindústria produtora de óleo bruto de canola situada na região noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário, referentes ao grau de satisfação e importância dos serviços prestados pela empresa quanto ao atendimento; tomada de pedido, faturamento e pagamento; logística de transportes e informações prestadas. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a estatística descritiva e a técnica da análise de Cluster hierárquico e Cluster k-means. Fizeram parte deste estudo os seis clienteadquirem o óleo bruto de canola da empresa estudada. Os resultados mostraram que os clientes estão satisfeitos com a maioria dos serviços prestados pela empresa. Observou-se, também, que os clientes estão mais satisfeitos com os serviços referentes à tomada de pedidos, faturamento e pagamento. Porém, quanto ao grau de importância, eles consideram mais importante os serviços prestados no atendimento. Com base nestes resultados foi proposto um modelo de gerenciamento para os serviços de distribuição física baseado na estratégia seis sigma, visando garantir a qualidade dos serviços prestados.

D.Com. (Transport Economics) / The international scheduled airfreight industry is showing a major discrepancy when compared to other public transport services namely that the demand and need for it is growing at a lower rate compared to that of passenger transport. Various factors are contributing to this phenomenon ...

The underlying objective of this research was to assess the extent to which an efficient supply chain can help retail businesses; particularly liquor businesses to manage their business risks. The case study firm for the research was Big Daddy’s Group, one of the leading independent liquor distribution and retailing firms in South Africa. In order to achieve the objective of the research, a review of relevant literature was done. It began with literature review of retailing in general, highlighting on the major roles they play and the modern trends in the industry. Afterwards the literature was narrowed down to liquor retailing. This was done to ascertain the unique characteristics of that aspect of retailing including the regulations guiding the industry and the specific business risks in that business. The final part of the literature review was on specific concepts and management models such as value chain, supply chain as well as business risk and its management. The literature highlighted the means by which the retailer creates value for the customer and the inherent risks in the industry. There was the indication of supply chain being a key component of the value creating activities (value chain) of the business, and serving as a tool in mitigating possible risks. The literature provided the theoretical proposition (hypothesis) for the assessment of the case study findings from the Big Daddy’s Group. The data collection exercise was done by means of a questionnaire complimented by personal interview. Due to the nature of the firm, in terms of structure and operations, two persons, with considerable insight into the business, the director and the sales/area manager were interviewed for the exercise. The questions posed were categorised into seven key areas of retail operations such as product range, imports, customer awareness, marketing and advertising, supply chain and human resource. The findings were compared with the theoretical propositions developed in the literature review, and the pattern matching logic technique was used to determine the existence or not of any similar predictions or differences. The risks identified in the findings were analysed with the logic of an efficient supply chain as the mitigating tool. The conclusion was that supply chain management is key to the value creation activities and hence the survival of the business. The recommendation therefore is that the retailer should ensure the efficient management of the supply chain network since it has the potential to reduce the inherent risks in their operations.

M.Ing. (Engineering Management) / Globally, Logistics and Supply Chains play important roles; and they contribute immensely to the economy of a nation. The purpose of this research is to investigate and how logistics and supply chains management were implemented in a cement factory in Nigeria. Through the investigation, it was confirmed that Cement Company based their logistical system only on a road-link transport system to deliver their product to their customers or end-users, whereas in today’s technology, there are many ways in which logistics can be implemented. Therefore, this research was conducted, in order to do investigate while other logistical systems have not been actively used. The resultant findings are going to be used to address the problem. According to the investigation, it was found that 73.3% of the questionnaire respondents still prefer to use the road-link logistical system. There is a railway infrastructure in place from one point to another. However, the rail system logistics cannot be implemented because the railway infrastructure is obsolete. A new infrastructure will have to be put in place; and this is going to be costly. Apart from addressing the issue, this research also identify some possible hazards that could arise from using a road logistical system alone, such as the wastage of products, when accidents take place. There needs to be an elimination or reduction in the traffic congestion along the highway. It is also necessary to reduce the environmental pollution. Furthermore, apart from the point mentioned above, other logistical systems could be cheaper, safer and easier to maintain, compared with the Road only. Strong collaboration with logistical and supply-chain professional expertise would be required, in order to have a modern logistical system for better results. Collaboration in the working environment plays a role, but involving expertise would make a strong contribution and be more effective.

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar um estudo sobre a viabilidade de implementação do VMI - Vendor Managed Inventory considerando-se que, nos dias atuais, um dos principais desafios logísticos das empresas se relaciona à cadeia de suprimentos, seja ela direcionada para o gerenciamento, para o planejamento ou até mesmo para o controle. Considerou-se na pesquisa o estoque gerenciado pelo fornecedor uma ferramenta de abastecimento e reabastecimento da cadeia de suprimentos e para essa tecnologia torna-se necessário, uma total parceria entre fornecedor e cliente, aprimorando-se assim, os rendimentos operacionais e a qualidade da prestação de serviços, com a minimização de prazos e aumento da competitividade. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória através da coleta de dados junto a Associação Brasileira de e-business, Panorama do cenário do Supply chain e ações colaborativas nas empresas brasileiras, realizada com 36 empresas em Novembro de 2005 e uma pesquisa composta de 10 (dez) clientes de distribuição de autopeças do mercado de reposição de borrachas, buchas e coxins automotivos representando 47 filiais no território brasileiro. Dentre os resultados obtidos, destaca-se que para se obter a eficácia dos recursos sistêmicos no setor da cadeia de abastecimento de uma empresa no mercado de reposição, é importante a integração para a cadeia de abastecimento, descrevendo de forma integrada, os níveis competitivos e os ambientes em que a empresa está inserida e se conclui que a VMI - Vendor Managed Inventory é uma aplicabilidade que está em evidência conforme mostrado na pesquisa exploratória e determinante na redução dos atrasos e melhoria ao atendimento no mercado que está inserido. / This work aims to present a study on the feasibility of implementing VMI - Vendor Managed Inventory - considering that, today, a major logistical challenges of companies relates to the supply chain, whether it is directed to the management, for planning or even control. It was considered in the survey vendor managed inventory tool supply and replenishment supply chain and this technology becomes necessary, a full partnership between supplier and customer, thus improving the operating income and the quality of provision services, with the minimization of time and increased competitiveness. This is an exploratory research by collecting data from the Brazilian Association of e-business, "Panorama scene of Supply chain and collaborative actions in Brazilian companies," with 36 companies in November 2005 and a survey consisting of 10 (ten) distribution customers of auto parts aftermarket rubber, automotive bushings and cushions representing 47 branches in Brazil. Among the results, it is noteworthy that to obtain the effectiveness of systemic industry supply chain of a company in the aftermarket, it is important for integrating the supply chain, describing in an integrated, competitive levels and the environments in which the company operates and concludes that VMI - Vendor Managed Inventory is an applicability that is in evidence as shown in exploratory and instrumental in reducing delays and improving service to the market that is inserted.

The Master’s thesis provides an analysis of problems related to physical distribution of a selected group of products in a production company. It contains proposal that facilitates meeting the customers’ demands for quantity and time and contributes to the competitive advantage of the company in the market.

Study project (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Liner shipping supplies a frequent scheduled transport service between designated ports to meet the needs of importers and exporters. Those needs are becoming more specific as a result of increasing competition attributable to globalisation of trade while importers and exporters are requiring more exacting services from the liner operators. The elements of service which most concern the importers and exporters are obviously the costs they must bear for the conveyance of the cargo and the time taken for its delivery. In order to meet the requirements of importers and exporters and at the same time enable the operators of the services to remain in business in the face of increasing competition within the industry, liner shipping worldwide is undergoing major changes. These changes are intended to increase the economies of scale and to extend control of the liner operators over the landside transport services. A discussion on liner shipping and current developments is contained in Chapter 3. Liner shipping plays an indispensable role in the economy of South Africa because almost 50% by value of South African imports are containerised. That equates to 8% of South African imports by volume (Moving South Africa: 1998), although it must be borne in mind that some of the cargo moving through South African ports is ultimately destined for countries in SADC (Southern African Development Community). According to Drewry Shipping Consultants, containerised cargo worldwide has been growing at the rate of about 8% per annum since 1980 and the South African trade has experienced a similarly high growth. The actual transport of containers, by sea is only one of the elements in the transport logistics supply chain (TLSC) between exporters in one country and importers in another with which liner operators must concern themselves. A conceptual background explaining the entire TLSC is provided in Chapter 2. In that chapter, the TLSe is defined and two models are used to identify key elements of the TLSC as well as interaction between them. Inefficiencies existing in individual elements of the TLSC as well as suggested solutions to the underlying problems are discussed in Chapter 4. Emphasis is placed on the need to use information technology as a vehicle to integrate the individual elements of the TLSe and as a means of saving costs and time. A discussion of the economic benefits of an efficient TLSe is contained in Chapter 5, while Chapter 6 includes a discussion on local and regional developments that have a bearing on the efficiency of the TLSe. The conclusions of the study together with recommended action are contained in Chapter 7. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Lynvaart bied 'n gereeld geskeduleerde vervoerdiens tussen bepaalde hawens om in die behoeftes van in- en uitvoerders te voorsien. Weens toenemende mededinging voortspruitend uit die globalisering van handel, raak hierdie behoeftes egter al hoe veeleisender, terwyl in- en uitvoerders ook al hoe meer eise begin stel aan die gehalte van die diens wat deur lynvaartoperateurs gelewer word. Die elemente van hierdie diens waarby in- en uitvoerders die grootste belang het, is uiteraard die koste en die tyd verbonde aan vragverskeping. Om aan die vereistes van in- en uitvoerders te voldoen en dit terselfdertyd vir operateurs moontlik te maak om hul besighede te midde van toenemende mededinging in die industrie te bly bedryf, is die lynvaartbedryf wereldwyd besig om groot veranderinge te ondergaan. Hierdie veranderinge is bedoel om skaalvoordele te verbeter en lynvaartoperateurs se beheer oor vervoerdienste aan land uit te brei. Lynvaart en huidige ontwikkelinge in die bedryf word in Hoofstuk 3 bepreek. Lynvaart speel 'n onontbeerlike rol in Suid-Afrika se ekonomie omdat ongeveer 50% van die waarde van Suid-Afrika se invoere in houers vervoer word. Dit is gelyk aan 8% van Suid-Afrika se invoere per volume (Moving South Africa: 1998), alhoewel daar ook in gedagte gehou moet word dat 'n gedeelte van die vrag wat deur Suid-Afrikaanse hawens beweeg, uiteindelik bestem is vir lande in die SAOG (Suider-Afrikaanse Onwikkelingsgemeenskap). Volgense Drewry Skeepskonsultante, groei die vervoer van houerverskeping sedert 1980 teen 'n tempo van ongeveer 8% per jaar, en het die Suid-Afrikaanse handel 'n soortgelyke hoe groeikoers ondervind. Die werklike verskeping van houers is net een van die elemente in die vervoerlogistiekvoorsieningsketting (VL VK) tussen uitvoerders in een land en invoerders in 'n ander land waarmee lynvaartoperateurs rekening moet hou. 'n Konseptuele raamwerk wat die VLVK in die geheel verduidelik, verskyn in Hoofstuk 2. Die VLVK word ook in hierdie hoofstuk gedefinieer en twee modelle word gebruik om elemente daarvan asook die interaksie tussen daardie elemente te identifiseer. Die ontoereikendheid van individuele elemente van die VLVK asook moontlike oplossings vir die onderliggende probleme word in Hoofstuk 4 bespreek. Klem word geplaas op die noodsaaklikheid om informasietegnologie te gebruik om die individuele elemente van die VLVK te integreer ten einde tyd en koste te bespaar. Die ekonomiese voordele van 'n doeltreffende VLVK word in Hoofstuk 5 bespreek, terwyl Hoofstuk 6 handel oor plaaslike en streeksonwikkelinge wat die VLVK se doeltreffendheid beinvloed. Die gevolgtrek

M. Tech. (Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology) Vaal University of Technology| / Implementing either periodic or continuous inventory review model within most manufacturing-companies-supply chains, as a management tool, incurs higher costs. These high costs affect the system flexibility which in turn affects the level of service required to satisfy customers. However, these effects are not clearly understood. This may be due to the fact that lead time and demand which are important input parameters of the manufacturing supply chain are not designed to be fully utilized under different and uncertain conditions such as seasonality, poor manufacturing, poor supplies and delivery performance, etc. Coming up with a hybrid inventory model which may combine, in some sense a continuous (r, Q) and a periodic (R, S) inventory review models can be useful in dealing with such problem. Therefore, more attention should be first devoted to formulating accurate models for lead time and demand that incorporate uncertainty. This study presents a simulation based approach that assesses the effect of uncertainty on the cost of implementing a continuous (r, Q), periodic (R, S) and hybrid inventory review models while considering appropriate constraint such as customer service and system flexibility. The stochastic representations of demand and lead time are proposed and used in the simulation models. Results reveal that under a unique situation, implementing a continuous (r, Q) inventory review model may cause manager to under-budget while the use of a periodic (R, S) inventory review models may lead to over budget and vice versa. Further investigation shows that the cost of implementing the hybrid inventory model, although higher at the beginning of operation, seems to be the most cost effective one over time. The result also reveal optimal re-order point path and optimal review interval path which when followed, should lead to optimal inventory cost path as demand and lead time fluctuate. Thus, a management guide is proposed that can be used by managers in making inventory decision.

Este trabalho foi motivado pela necessidade de otimização nos serviços de entregas urbanas combinados com o alto custo de implantação e customização da maioria dos pacotes disponíveis comercialmente, que muitas empresas se defrontam, na expectativa de obtenção de respostas rápidas e eficientes, numa base diária. Geralmente a utilização destes software requerem grandes investimentos de tempo e recursos. Os custos operacionais do transporte de cargas têm experimentado um aumento expressivo devido a fatores que, de uma forma ou de outra, impedem o fluxo eficiente dos veículos na rede, tomando evidente a necessidade de ferramentas flexíveis e efetivas. Vários estudos encontrados na literatura revelaram que fatores como restrições de circulação e velocidades nos arcos têm contribuído para aumentar distâncias de percursos e a frota de veículos. Geralmente, estas rotas são planejadas de forma simplificada, utilizando um fator de correção, que fornece uma solução aproximada. Um SIG foi objeto de estudo na operação de entregas urbanas, de forma a atingir os objetivos deste trabalho. O estudo de caso abordou os serviços de entregas de bebidas na cidade de São Carlos, onde foi aplicada a heurística de economias de Clarke & Wright implementadas no software TransCAD 3.2. Foram feitas diversas simulações, comparando os resultados das distâncias em rede com os valores das distâncias estimadas, como também com as distâncias percorridas pela empresa distribuidora. / This research was motivated by the necessity of optimization of urban delivery services and the high cost of implementation and customization of most routing packages commercially available. Moreover, the companies expect to obtain fast and efficient answers on a daily base. The use of some routing software generally requires significant investments of time and other resources. The operational costs of freight transport have had a remarkable increase due to factors which somehow restraint the efficient flow of the vehicles in a network, leading to the need of flexible and effective tools. Several studies in the literature have revealed that factors such as restrictions of circulation and speed on network contribute to increase the travel distances and the fleet size. Generally, these routes are planned in a simplified way, using a correction factor to get an approximated solution. This research has considered the use of Geographical Information Systems as a tool to achieve better results for routing delivery services. The case study was the delivery service of beverages in the city of São Carlos. The Clarke & Wright\'s heuristic of economies was irnplemented in the TransCAD 3.2 software. Several simulations were carried out, comparing the results of route length, considering network and estimated distances, as well as the real one traveled by the delivery company\'s vehicles.