Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 246-255) and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [82]-87).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-78).

Thesis (MComm)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Syracuse University, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-63).

Thesis (doctoral)--Kyoto University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-208).

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was initiated in October 2004 when Vizier Systems (Pty) Ltd approached the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch with a concept. They proposed that a fruit packing line be represented as a series of unit operations and suggested that the concept could be used to create a generic model that can be used to represent any packing line. After further discussions with Vizier about the concept and their reasons for requiring a generic model, a formal client requirement was formulated. It was decided that the generic modelling concept had to be tested in the citrus industry. Modelling theory was investigated and a generic modelling methodology was formulated by adapting an existing modelling methodology. The first few steps of the developed methodology led to industry data being gathered and several role-players in the citrus export industry being visited. An analysis of the data enabled the development of the necessary techniques to do distribution estimation and forecasting of the system input, which is fruit. The various processes were grouped into generic groups and detailed capacity calculations were developed for each process. The fruit parameter estimation techniques and capacity calculations were integrated into a five step modelling procedure. Once the generic model was set up to represent a specific packing line, the modelling procedure provided optimum flow rates, equipment setups and personnel allocations for defined production runs. The modelling procedure was then translated into a computer model. This allowed a complete capacity analysis of a packing line by incrementally varying the characteristics of the fruit input. The developed generic model was validated by comparing its predictions to the results of two production runs at an existing packing line. It was found that the generic model is able to adequately represent the packing line and that the fruit inputs and outputs can be accurately estimated. The concept proposed by Vizier, that a packing line can be generically modelled as a series of unit operations, was shown to be valid. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is in Oktober 2004 geïnisieer toe Vizier Systems (Pty) Ltd die Departement van Bedryfsingenieurswese aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch met ’n konsep genader het. Hulle het aan die hand gedoen dat ’n vrugtepaklyn voorgestel kan word as ’n reeks eenheidsprosesse en dat die konsep gebruik kan word om ’n generiese model te skep om enige vrugtepaklyn te verteenwoordig. Na verdere samesprekings met Vizier oor die konsep en hul redes vir die noodsaaklikheid van ’n generiese model, is ’n formele kliëntebehoefte geformuleer. Daar is besluit dat die generiese modelleringskonsep in die sitrusbedryf getoets gaan word. Modelleringsteorie is ondersoek en ’n generiese modelleringsmetodologie is geformuleer deur ’n bestaande modelleringsmetodologie aan te pas. Die stappe van die ontwikkelde metodologie het gelei tot die insameling van data vanuit die industrie en verskeie rolspelers in die sitrus-uitvoerindustrie is besoek. ’n Analise van die data het die ontwikkeling van die tegnieke moontlik gemaak wat nodig was om verspreidingsberamings en voorspelling van die stelselinset – die vrugte – te doen. Die onderskeie prosesse is gegroepeer in generiese groepe en gedetailleerde kapasiteitsberekeninge is vir elke proses ontwikkel. Die vrugparameter beramingstegnieke en kapasiteitsberekeninge is geïntegreer in ’n vyf-stapmodelleringsprosedure. Nadat die generiese model opgestel is om ’n spesifieke paklyn voor te stel, het die modelleringsprosedure optimum vloeitempo’s, toerustingopstellings en personeeltoedelings vir die spesifieke produksielopie gegee. Die modelleringsprosedure is toe herlei tot ’n rekenaarmodel. Dit het ’n volledige kapasiteitsanalise van die paklyn moontlik gemaak, deur die eienskappe van die vruginset inkrementeel te varieer. Die ontwikkelde generiese model is gestaaf deur sy voorspellings te vergelyk met die resultate van twee produksielopies van ’n bestaande paklyn. Daar is bevind dat die generiese model in staat is om die paklyn voldoende voor te stel en dat dit die vruginsette en -uitsette akkuraat kon beraam. Die geldigheid van die konsep wat voorgestel is deur Vizier, naamlik dat ’n paklyn generies gemodelleer kan word as ’n reeks eenheidsprosesse, is bevestig.

CAPES / Um dos mais importantes aspectos a ser considerado pelos Centros de Distribuição é a melhoria do processo com relação aos atributos de seus serviços. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor um método para definição de um Centro de Distribuição com a utilização do método multicritério de apoio à decisão. Para isto, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre sistema de armazenagem, Centro de Distribuição e Análise Hierárquica do Processo. Para a obtenção dos critérios e subcritérios fez-se necessário uma análise das medidas de desempenho. Além da literatura levantada sobre o assunto, foi feito um estudo de campo no Centro de Distribuição de uma empresa multinacional de grande porte do ramo alimentício de redes fastfood. O método de apoio à tomada de decisão distingue-se, principalmente, pela capacidade de analisar situações de decisão incorporando critérios quantitativos e qualitativos, conflitantes ou não. Quanto à estrutura do método, utilizou-se o método multicritério de Análise Hierárquica do Processo para a atribuição e ponderação dos níveis de importância para a estruturação do centro de distribuição. O estudo buscou demonstrar a aplicação do método multicritério de Análise Hierárquica do Processo, para a seleção da melhor estrutura para Centro de Distribuição. O método permitiu identificar a melhor estrutura entre três alternativas, que foram avaliadas pela Análise Hierárquica do Processo a partir da definição dos critérios e subcritérios voltados a esse contexto de decisão. Os resultados apresentados mostram que o fator custo e qualidade são os principais responsáveis para escolha da alternativa. O estudo identificou a alternativa C como a melhor estrutura para melhorar e gerenciar o Centro de Distribuição. / One of the most important aspects to be considered by the Distribution Centers is the improvement of the process in relation to the attributes of its service. The objective of this work is to purpose a method to a definition of a Distribution Center, using multi-criteria support method to the decision. For this, it was carried out a bibliographic revision to Warehouse system, distribution Center and hierarchical analysis of the process. In order to obtain criteria and sub-criteria it was necessary an analysis of the performance measures. Besides the researched literature about the subject it was made a field study in the distribution Center of a big multinational industry of fastfood. The supported method to take decision distinguishes itself mainly for the capacity of analyzing situations of decisions incorporating quantitative and qualitative criteria, conflicting or not. It was used the mult criterion method of analytic hierarchy process to the attribution and consideration of the levels to a structure of distribution center. This study tried to demonstrate the utility of the mult criterion method of Analytic Hierarch Process, to the atribution and consideration of the levels importance to a structure of the Distribution Center. This study tried to demonstrate l with variants and give results that may be the support to decisors to take the decision, so well manage the distribution center. The study sought to demonstrate the application of the method of multi criterion Analytic Hierarchy Process for selecting the best structure for Distribution Center. The method allowed identifying the best structure among three alternatives that were evaluated by Analytic Hierarchy Process based on the definition of criteria and sub criteria facing this decision context. The results show that the cost factor and quality are the main responsible for choosing the alternative. The study identified the alternative C as the best structure to improve and manage the Distribution Center.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The last mile distribution is the final link of successful supply chain operations. The high demand for products, lead time uncertainties and replenishment time complicate the distribution task. In order to achieve a competitive business edge, suppliers need to work at developing and improving their last mile distribution link. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the last mile wine distribution in Lagos Island, Nigeria, and to determine appropriate improvement strategies that can be recommended to wine suppliers. A qualitative research design was used in order to address the key research questions. Wine suppliers in Lagos Island, Nigeria were sampled for the study and mainly surveyed using open-structured interviews. The results of the research suggest that human resources factors influence the effectiveness of the last mile distribution. In addition, management-related factors also affect it. It was also noted that the effectiveness of last mile distribution for the wine suppliers is hampered by supply chain and logistics limitations. However, the findings indicate that the suppliers were able to contend with these challenges by applying some logistics strategies and personal initiatives to keep making profit. The study is expected to not only add value to current wine suppliers in Lagos Island, Nigeria, but also to potential investors interested in the Nigerian wine market. Recommendations for future research conclude the minor dissertation.

Luxury fashion brands seem to contradict sustainability. The values of sustainability are commonly associated with terms such as sharing, collaboration, austerity, and collective thinking. Luxury, however, is associated with excess, self-indulgence, delight and decadence (Kapferer & Bastien, 2012:360). Further paradoxes exist where the apparel of the luxury consumer is often manufactured by labourers in low wage-paying producing countries. High wastage is evident in the seasonality of the fashion industry. However, work opportunities are created by the fickleness of the fashion industry and the constant need to own the most current designs (Black, 2012:8). Owing to the high visibility of luxury fashion and the contractions between one -- on the one hand -- supplying income to families by way of employment and -- on the other hand -- not complying to sustainable international human resource practices, fashion brands are the focus of many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that use the mass media to expose any social wrongdoing in the industry. Luxury fashion brands are constantly in the spotlight, as highlighted in articles posted by the Clean Clothes campaign, a custodian for employees in the global garment industries; Greenpeace; and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). An example of such practices was when Greenpeace reported in 2009 that shoe brands such as Timberland and Clarks were manufactured from leather sourced from the hides of cattle in illegally deforested areas in Brazil. This provided negative publicity for these luxury shoe brands as well as for the Brazilian government that was financing this project (Vurro, Russo & Perrini, 2009:609). The luxury fashion brand industry, as well as the consumers of luxury fashion labels, are accused -- often only for the sake of sensationalism -- of living in the lap of luxury whilst maintaining a supply chain that is riddled with unsustainable practices. The social structure and hierarchy of patrons within a community have, since the Middle Ages, been signalled by the clothes they wore. Social class was a birthright. Today, sporting luxury brands continues to serve as status symbols, but unlike mediaeval times, it is not limited to people with a high social standing at birth as one can work for status, and purchase the items because one deserves them. (Han, Nunes, & Drèze, 2010:15). In 2009, during the International Herald Tribune (IHT) Suzy Menkes, the fashion editor at The Herald, called for “luxury”’ and “fashion” to be separated. Luxury prides itself in its handcrafted garments manufactured by respected tradesmen in the industry. The outcome is that the manufactured goods are made to last a lifetime (Gibson, 2012:23).