Manufacturing performance measures the extent to which the manufacturing plant has built capabilities like low cost, high quality, delivery, and flexibility. The importance of identifying drivers of these capabilities has been underscored by many scholars although limited evidence exists so far regarding this issue. The available evidence is also primarily based on data obtained from manufacturing firms operating in developed and emerging economies and not from firms in developing economies. This study, therefore, bridges this gap by exploring key internal and external drivers of manufacturing performance taking evidence from the manufacturing sector of a developing economy - Ethiopia. A quant-emphasis mixed method approach was used along with cross-sectional survey design to gather data and answer the research questions in the study. The unit of analysis is the manufacturing plant, and hence primary data was collected using multidimensional questionnaires at plant level from 197 medium and large scale firms from Addis Ababa and its periphery. Secondary data was obtained from census reports, the country’s Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), and report on the performance of the Ethiopian economy, which were analyzed qualitatively and the implications to manufacturing performance drawn in the study. A series of scale checks and analyses were made to test unidimensionality, reliability, and validity of measures and then structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze hypothesized relationships. The main finding is that environmental dynamism significantly influences competitive priorities and firm’s strategic orientation, which in turn significantly influence manufacturing decisions. Structural and infrastructural manufacturing decisions eventually significantly influence manufacturing performance when firms place increased emphasis on quality or delivery. The competitive priorities also significantly influence external learning capability of the manufacturing plant, although the influence of strategic orientation on this variable was not significant even at the 0.1 level except in the delivery priority model. Both the competitive priorities and strategic orientation, however, play little role in guiding leadership practices of manufacturing managers. The study further indicates that government support directly influences manufacturing performance, though it does not significantly influence external learning capability. Based on the findings, it is suggested that manufacturing firms should give due attention to what is going on in their external environment and accordingly align their competitive priorities, strategic orientation, and investments in structural and infrastructural resources to enhance plant performance. They should exhaustively utilize the supports provided by government as well. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Construction companies seek improvements for their management systems. Therefore, they need to apply concepts, methods and lean techniques for the identification and subsequent elimination or reduction of activities that do not add value to the final product. In this context, there are activities that contribute to the improvement of construction processes. They are best practices that seek to eliminate factors that create interruptions in processes that occur at construction sites. The objective of this research was to develop a didactic game that helps managers to make practical the use of activities that contribute to the improvement of structural masonry construction process, to stimulate flow production continuity in construction sites and the elimination of wastes. The methodology was divided into two phases. The first was the literature review, and the second was divided into five stages related to field research, that involve the procedures required for the development and validation of the tool proposed in this research. For this, the following tasks were carried out: exploratory study, list of best practices, development, validation and application of a checklist; development of didactic game and its validation by the application in a group dynamics, primarily with researchers and later with the managers of three of the six construction sites researched. As a result of the preparation of the best practices list, it was found that the neglect of most of these activities could result in the occurrence of making-do and consequently in rework. The application of checklist showed that the managers use best practices in their daily. The application of the game confirmed the information observed in the field and provided an overview of the process by managers. From that emerged the main contribution of this study, which was the conclusion that the game is a teaching tool that can be used to train professionals in the identification of strengths and weaknesses related to management activities in construction process of structural masonry elevation. Thus, it is expected that managers look at the tool as a practical instrument to identify best practices in the construction process and that in the future the tool can be applied in other processes. / As empresas construtoras buscam melhorias de seus sistemas gerenciais. Para tanto, necessitam aplicar conceitos, métodos e técnicas enxutas, para a identificação e posterior eliminação ou redução de atividades que não agregam valor ao produto final. Nesse contexto, inserem-se as atividades que contribuem para a melhoria dos processos construtivos. São as boas práticas que buscam eliminar fatores que gerem interrupções nos processos que ocorrem nos canteiros de obras. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi desenvolver um jogo didático que auxilie os gerentes de obras no uso das atividades que contribuam para a melhoria do processo construtivo de elevação da alvenaria estrutural, de forma a estimular a continuidade dos fluxos de produção dentro dos canteiros de obras e a eliminação das perdas. A metodologia foi dividida em duas fases. A primeira tratou-se da revisão de literatura e a segunda, subdividida em cinco etapas relacionadas à pesquisa de campo, envolve os procedimentos necessários para o desenvolvimento e a validação de jogo didático proposto nesta pesquisa. Para isto, procedeu-se: realização de estudo exploratório; elaboração de lista de boas práticas; elaboração, validação e aplicação de checklist; desenvolvimento de jogo didático e sua validação através da aplicação em forma de dinâmica de grupo, primeiramente com pesquisadores e, posteriormente, com os gerentes de três dos seis canteiros de obras em que se desenvolveram os estudos. Como resultado da elaboração da lista de boas práticas, constatou-se que a negligência da maioria dessas atividades poderia resultar na ocorrência de perdas por making-do e, consequentemente, em retrabalhos. A aplicação do checklist nos canteiros mostrou que, mesmo sem perceber, os gerentes utilizam as boas práticas no seu dia a dia. O processo de aplicação do jogo simulativo confirmou as informações observadas em campo e proporcionou uma visão geral do processo pelos gerentes. A partir daí surgiu a principal contribuição deste estudo, o jogo didático proposto é uma ferramenta que pode ser utilizada para treinar profissionais na identificação de pontos fortes e frágeis relacionados com as atividades gerenciais no processo construtivo de elevação da alvenaria estrutural. Assim, espera-se que os gerentes vejam na ferramenta um instrumento prático para identificar boas práticas no processo construtivo e que no futuro a ferramenta seja aplicada em outros processos.

Bakgrund: Dagens marknader har med tiden tenderat att bli mer globala vilket i sin tur har ökat konkurrensen mellan företag. Detta har inneburit att många industriorganisationer har behövt förändra sig för att vara konkurrenskraftiga på marknaden. Ett koncept som idag genomsyrar många företag är lean vilket bygger på att maximera användandet av sina resurser, eliminera slöserier och skapa en effektivare tillverkning. Genom att arbeta med lean kan företag uppnå snabbare genomloppstider. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att kartlägga Press Kogyos propellerprocess för att kunna identifiera icke-värdeadderande aktiviteter i processen. Vidare kommer studien bidra Press Kogyo med förslag gällande hur en effektivare material- och produktionsstyrning kan reducera genomloppstiden i propellerprocessen. För att studien ska uppnå teoretisk relevans är ytterligare ett syfte med studien att bidra med teori kring hur tillverkande företag, med en funktionell layout, kan reducera de nackdelar som finns med layouten med effektivare material- och produktionsstyrning. Genomförande: Studien har delats upp i tre forskningsfrågor. De två första forskningsfrågorna var specifikt inriktade mot det studerade företaget medan den tredje forskningsfrågan var mer generellt ställd mot tillverkande företag med funktionell layout. Studien har genomförts som en fallstudie och präglats av kvalitativa forskningsmetoder. Empiriska data har samlats in genom intervjuer, observationer samt en fokusgrupp. För första forskningsfrågan skapades processkartor och VSM-kartor. Dessa i samband med diverse intervjuer låg till grund för att identifiera icke-värdeadderande aktiviteter/slöserier i propellerprocessen vilka påverkade genomloppstiden. För forskningsfråga två applicerades teori kring material-och För tillverkande industriföretag kan en reducering av genomloppstid generera diverse fördelar. Några av dessa fördelar är: minskat antal produkter i arbete, bättre kvalité, minskade kostnader, bättre prognoser, ökad flexibilitet samt minskad ledtid gentemot kund. Press Kogyo har under en längre period upplevt en problematik kring en av deras processer. Problematiken har legat i att de inte vetat om vilka icke- värdeadderade aktiviteter som finns i processen samt hur de påverkar genomloppstiden.   produktionsstyrning i syfte att reducera de icke-värdeadderande aktiviteterna/slöserier som identifierats och följaktligen reducera genomloppstider i processen. Gällande forskningsfråga tre genomfördes intervjuer med det studerade företaget och ett annat tillverkande företag med funktionell layout. Författarna ämnade att genom dessa intervjuer besvara hur tillverkande företag med en funktionell layout kan reducera de nackdelar som finns med den layouten med hjälp av effektiv material- och produktionsstyrning. Slutsats: I studien identifierades sju slöserier där väntan ansågs vara det slöseri vilket mest påverkade genomloppstiden i propellerprocessen. För att eliminera alla slöserier och framförallt väntan applicerades teori kring material- och produktionsstyrning med fokus på production activity control (PAC). Den teori vilken användes skapade också en teoretisk modell vilken kan vara en bra grund när företag med funktionell layout vill effektivisera sin planering. Vissa delar av den teoretiska modellen användes också senare i studien där den användes för att reducera de nackdelar vilka kan finnas med en funktionell layout. / Background: Today's markets have over time tended to become more global, which in turn has increased competition between companies. This has meant that many industry organizations have had to change in order to be competitive in the market. A concept that today permeates many companies is the lean practice, which is based on maximizing the use of resources, eliminating waste, and creating more efficient production. By working with lean, companies can achieve faster throughput time. For manufacturing industrial companies, a reduction in throughput time can generate various benefits. Some of these advantages are: reduced number of products in work, better quality, reduced costs, better forecasts, increased flexibility and reduced lead time towards customers.Press Kogyo has for a long period experienced problems with one of their processes. The main problem has been that they do not know what non-value-added activities/waste that can be found in the process and how these activitiesaffect the total throughput time of the process. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to map Press Kogyo's propeller process in order to be able to identify non-value-adding activities in the process. Furthermore, the study will provide Press Kogyo with proposals regarding how more efficient material and production control can reduce the throughput time in the propeller process. In order for the study to achieve theoretical relevance, another purpose of the study is to contribute with theories about how manufacturing companies, with a functional layout, can reduce the disadvantages of the layout with more efficient material and production control. Methodology: The study has been divided into three research questions. The first two research questions were specifically aimed at Press Kogyo, while the third research question was more generally directed at manufacturing companies with a functional layout. The study was conducted as a case study and was characterized by qualitative research methods. Empirical data has been collected through interviews, observations, and a focus group. For the first research question, process maps and VSM maps were created. This together with various interviews created the foundation for identifying non-value-adding activities/waste in the propeller process which affected the throughput time. For research question two, theory of material and production control was applied in order to reduce the non-value-adding activities/waste and consequently reduce throughput time in the process. Regarding research question three, interviews were conducted with Press Kogyo and another manufacturing company with a functional layout. The authors intended to, through these interviews, find answers to how manufacturing companies with a functional layout can reduce the disadvantages of the layout with the help of efficient material and production control. Conclusions: In the study, seven wastes were identified where “wait” was considered to be the waste that affected throughput time the most in the propeller process. To eliminate all waste and specifically the waste “wait”, methods and theories regarding material and production control was applied with a focus on production activity control (PAC). All the different theories that was used also created a theoretical model which can be a good basis for planning when companies with a functional layout want to find ways tostreamline their planning. Some parts of the theoretical model were also used later in the study where it was used to reduce the disadvantages that may exist with a functional layout

Abstracts in English and Zulu / Quantitative and qualitative research methods, which are descriptive in nature, were employed in this study to investigate the ineffective and insufficient implementation of policies, procedures and processes of supply chain management and demand management. This topic was explored with particular reference to the Immovable Asset Management Component of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Data were gathered from managers and officials responsible for demand management in the SAPS through personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The collected raw data were analysed through the identification of key themes and the use of statistical methods and graphs. The findings revealed that the SAPS does not set realistic timelines and does not budget for all identified needs relating to immovable assets. End-user demands are subsequently not met. It was found that non-compliance with statutory requirements leads to inadequate implementation of generally accepted principles of supply chain management. It was also established that the SAPS does not have the capacity to fulfil its facility management needs. Importantly, there is a shortage of appropriately qualified technical officials. In addition, it was found that the commitment and accountability of officials involved in the implementation of demand management may be enhanced by creating a better common understanding of the meaning of demand management policies and procedures. Consequently, recommendations were made on how to strengthen demand management within the supply chain of the SAPS. The study therefore contributes to the effective implementation of demand management in public administration in South Africa, particularly at the SAPS. / Izindlela zocwaningo ezencike kumanani nakwizinga lengxoxo (Quantitative and qualitative research methods), okuyizindlela ezichaza ngokwezimpawu, zisetshenzisiwe kulolu cwaningo ukuphenya ngokungasetshenziswa ngokwanele kwemigomo, kwezingqubo nangokwezinhlelo zokuphathwa kochungechunge lwemisebenzi yokukhiqiza (supply chain) kanye nokuphathwa kwezinga lemikhiqizo efunekayo. Isihloko siye sahlolwa ngokubhekisisa kakhulu kohlelo Lwesigaba Sokuphathwa Kwempahla Engahambi/engagudluki Yophiko Lwezesiphoyisa (Immovable Asset Management Component of the South African Police Service) (SAPS). Idatha yaqoqwa kubaphathi kanye nkubasebenzi ababhekene nokuphathwa kwezinga lomkhiqizo ofunekayo ophikweni lwe-SAPS ngokusebenzisa izinhlolovo kubantu kanye nemibhalo equkethe imibuzo (self-administered questionnaires). Idatha eqoqiwe eluhlaza engekasetshenzwa yahlaziywa ngokwehlukanisa izindikimba ezibalulekile kanye nokusetshenziswa kwezindlela zamanani kanye negilafu (statistical methods and graphs). Ulwazi olutholakele lukhombise ukuthi uphiko lwe-SAPS alubeki uhlelo lwezikhathi zoqobo futhi lolu hlelo alwenzi ibhajethi lazo zonke izidingo ezimayelana nezimpahla ezingahambi/ezingagudluki. Izimfuno zabasebenzisi bokugcina bomkhiqizo azifinyeleleki. Kutholakele ukuthi ukungalandelwa kwezimfuno zomthetho kuholele kwizinga lokusetshenziswa ngokungagculisi kwemigomo eyamukelwa uwonkewonke yokuphathwa kohlelo lochungechunge lwemisebenzi yokukhiqiza. Kuye kwatholakala ukuthi uphiko lwe-SAPS alunamandla okufeza izidingo zalo zokuphathwa kwezinhlaka zokusebenza. Okubalulekile, kunokusweleka kothisha kanye nabasebenzi abanekhono elifanele lesithekhinikhali. Ngaphezu kwalokhu, kutholakele ukuthi ukusebenza ngokuzibophelela nangokuziphendulela kwabasebenzi kubandakanye ukusetshenziswa kohlelo lokufuneka kwempahla kungaqiniswa ngokwakha ukuzwisisana okungcono okuchaza imigomo kanye nezingqubo zokuphathwa kwezinga lempahla edingekayo. Okokugcina, kuye kwenziwa izincomo mayelana nokuthi amaxhama ezinga lokufuneka kwempahla ngaphakathi kohlelo lochungechunge lwemisebenzi yokukhiqiza ophikweni lwe-SAPS. Ngalokho-ke ucwaningo lufake igalelo ekusetshenzisweni kahle kohlelo lokuphathwa kwezinga lokufuneka kwempahla ohlelweni lokulawulwa kwezinhlaka zombuso eNingizimu Afrika, ikakhulukazi ophikweni lwe-SAPS. / Public Administration and Management / M. P. A. (Public Administration)

Competitive and high-risk environments require complex high technology systems, which need to be supported and maintained over their respective life cycles. These systems often have a significant consequence of failure, and require complex management systems to achieve their operational objectives. Significant leadership and management challenges exist, not only in South Africa, but also in other developing countries, where systems may be utilised beyond the lifespan they were designed for and are susceptible to obsolescence. This study was conducted by following a structured process; the research consisted of three stages. The first stage dealt with the research problem, including the delimitations of the study. The second stage was further divided into three phases. The first phase deconstructed the appropriate literature, which included the interpretation of numerous definitions of logistics, integrated logistics support, and the integrated logistics support elements. In addition, the research was grounded in the fields of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support. The second phase focused on the deconstruction of six case studies from four different high technology complex systems. From the analysis of the first two phases followed the third phase of research, which focused on the identification of areas requiring further research. Further research was conducted by means of a questionnaire, the results of which were analysed for variable dependency and variable association. The third stage of the research included the collation and analysis of the findings of the first two stages of research. The analysis utilised the principles of Mode 2 research and design science research, whereby an ILS framework and associated grounded technological rules have been recommended. These recommendations are robust in nature, as they can be applied in the most challenging environment and circumstances as identified. Furthermore, by grounding the theory in the disciplines of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support, the reliability, validity, relevance, and applicability of the study could be substantiated. This implied that the generated theoretical knowledge could be transferred to and applied in practice, and as such, an organisation can reap substantial value added benefits, and gain considerable competitive advantage in the market place by applying this developed ILS framework and associated ILS grounded technological rules. / Business Leadership / D. BL.

Competitive and high-risk environments require complex high technology systems, which need to be supported and maintained over their respective life cycles. These systems often have a significant consequence of failure, and require complex management systems to achieve their operational objectives. Significant leadership and management challenges exist, not only in South Africa, but also in other developing countries, where systems may be utilised beyond the lifespan they were designed for and are susceptible to obsolescence. This study was conducted by following a structured process; the research consisted of three stages. The first stage dealt with the research problem, including the delimitations of the study. The second stage was further divided into three phases. The first phase deconstructed the appropriate literature, which included the interpretation of numerous definitions of logistics, integrated logistics support, and the integrated logistics support elements. In addition, the research was grounded in the fields of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support. The second phase focused on the deconstruction of six case studies from four different high technology complex systems. From the analysis of the first two phases followed the third phase of research, which focused on the identification of areas requiring further research. Further research was conducted by means of a questionnaire, the results of which were analysed for variable dependency and variable association. The third stage of the research included the collation and analysis of the findings of the first two stages of research. The analysis utilised the principles of Mode 2 research and design science research, whereby an ILS framework and associated grounded technological rules have been recommended. These recommendations are robust in nature, as they can be applied in the most challenging environment and circumstances as identified. Furthermore, by grounding the theory in the disciplines of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support, the reliability, validity, relevance, and applicability of the study could be substantiated. This implied that the generated theoretical knowledge could be transferred to and applied in practice, and as such, an organisation can reap substantial value added benefits, and gain considerable competitive advantage in the market place by applying this developed ILS framework and associated ILS grounded technological rules. / Business Leadership / D. BL.