"We fail more often not because we fail to solve the problem we face but because we fail to face the right problem." (Russell L. Ackoff) Although centralisation of support functions causes initial cost savings, benefits may not improve unless there is continuous enhancement of product offerings and service quality. Commonly tension arises between the shared services centre and the business units, and this is exacerbated when business units do not understand the level of service they receive, or the service centres do not understand the level of quality they offer. This ultimately leads to confusion, lowered morale and loss of workers. Six Sigma is a business strategy and a systematic methodology, use of which leads to breakthrough in profitability through quantum gains in product / service quality, customer satisfaction and productivity. The concept of implementing Six Sigma was pioneered at Motorola in the 1980's and the objective was to reduce the number of defects to as few as 3.4 parts per million opportunities. For effective implementation of Six Sigma projects in organisations, one must understand the critical success factors that will make the application successful. This dissertation attempts to understand the underlying principles of Six Sigma and its applicability to the Gauteng Shared Services Centre, in order to achieve quantum gains in service quality, customer satisfaction and productivity. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

The impact of Black Power rhetoric and ideology in Louisville, Kentucky in 1967-1970 is explored. The role of Black Power in shaping the discourse of Louisville’s black counter-public and civil rights counter-public is analyzed in the context of the 1967 open housing demonstrations, the May, 1968 riot, and the trial of the ‘Black Six’. Black Power played a vital role in community organizing and in displays of black national and cultural pride. It actively challenged the city’s mystique of Southern white paternalism embraced by the mayoral administration of Kenneth Schmied. Despite that administrations allegations, Black power rhetoric in the West End did not play a significant role in the riot that left two African American youth dead.

Safripol is a South African polymer company producing mainly high density polyethylene and polypropylene for the South African market. Safripol used to be part of a global chemical company Dow Chemicals. Dow Chemical's divested in South Africa in 2006 and Safripol lost all the advantages of being part of a global corporate enterprise. The company is faced with a unique situation in that it is receiving monomer from Sasol, which is also its main competitor in the polymer market. The price of monomer and its low availability is putting pressure on Safripol's product margins, with a negative effect on the company's sustainability. The above was also defined as the research problem that threatens to undermine the company's competitive edge in the polymer market. It was clear from this research study that monomer and specifically propylene was the biggest burning point for Safripol regarding the price and availability thereof. Research into the South African polymer market has shown that Safripol will lose significant market share if the company is not showing additional growth in the market. The research problem is investigated through interviews, monomer availability investigations, plant capacity increasing and potential technology partner's discussions. A specific scenario planning process was also followed to help Safripol identify potential present and future scenarios that the company can investigate. The research problem was addressed by developing a strategy for Safripol to address the research objectives. Recommendations were done regarding the following: 1) Recommendations for additional propylene supply. 2) Recommendations to increase the polypropylene plant capacity. 3) Recommendations with regards to technology partners. 4) Recommendations regarding the scenario planning process. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011. (Mag eers in 2014 gepubliseer word)

Safripol is a South African polymer company producing mainly high density polyethylene and polypropylene for the South African market. Safripol used to be part of a global chemical company Dow Chemicals. Dow Chemical's divested in South Africa in 2006 and Safripol lost all the advantages of being part of a global corporate enterprise. The company is faced with a unique situation in that it is receiving monomer from Sasol, which is also its main competitor in the polymer market. The price of monomer and its low availability is putting pressure on Safripol's product margins, with a negative effect on the company's sustainability. The above was also defined as the research problem that threatens to undermine the company's competitive edge in the polymer market. It was clear from this research study that monomer and specifically propylene was the biggest burning point for Safripol regarding the price and availability thereof. Research into the South African polymer market has shown that Safripol will lose significant market share if the company is not showing additional growth in the market. The research problem is investigated through interviews, monomer availability investigations, plant capacity increasing and potential technology partner's discussions. A specific scenario planning process was also followed to help Safripol identify potential present and future scenarios that the company can investigate. The research problem was addressed by developing a strategy for Safripol to address the research objectives. Recommendations were done regarding the following: 1) Recommendations for additional propylene supply. 2) Recommendations to increase the polypropylene plant capacity. 3) Recommendations with regards to technology partners. 4) Recommendations regarding the scenario planning process. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011. (Mag eers in 2014 gepubliseer word)

There can be little doubt that Six Sigma is far more than just another novelty concept; in fact, it can be considered as a proven quality philosophy and if applied correctly, ensures a competitive advantage. A rapidly increasing number of firms, from all industries and of all sizes, are now reporting significant savings or returns on their program and training investments, because of the implementation of Six Sigma. This paper investigates the origin, definition, financial benefits and challenges of Six Sigma and its implementation. Certain critical success factors determine the successful implementation of Six Sigma in any firm. Many firms have reported significant benefits as a result of Six Sigma project implementation, though not all are yet success stories. This paper reviews the literature related to the critical success factors for the effective implementation of Six Sigma. This research will provide the useful information for firms, which are willing to implement Six Sigma and help firms avoid the risks during the process of Six Sigma implementation. The primary objective of this exploratory research is to identify the critical success factors required for the successful implementation of Six Sigma. Then, based on the critical success factors identified in literature and the survey, the purpose is to develop and propose an applicable framework for firms to successfully implement Six Sigma. The research is explorative of nature and a survey research design was used with a questionnaire as data-gathering instrument. Descriptive statistics (e.g. means and standard deviations) were used to analyse the data. The results confirmed that the most critical success factors for successful Six Sigma implementation include management commitment, change management, effective communication and alignment. The proposed framework presents six interlinking components of Six Sigma which is dependent on these four critical success factors. Limitations in the research are identified and recommendations for future research are made. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

There can be little doubt that Six Sigma is far more than just another novelty concept; in fact, it can be considered as a proven quality philosophy and if applied correctly, ensures a competitive advantage. A rapidly increasing number of firms, from all industries and of all sizes, are now reporting significant savings or returns on their program and training investments, because of the implementation of Six Sigma. This paper investigates the origin, definition, financial benefits and challenges of Six Sigma and its implementation. Certain critical success factors determine the successful implementation of Six Sigma in any firm. Many firms have reported significant benefits as a result of Six Sigma project implementation, though not all are yet success stories. This paper reviews the literature related to the critical success factors for the effective implementation of Six Sigma. This research will provide the useful information for firms, which are willing to implement Six Sigma and help firms avoid the risks during the process of Six Sigma implementation. The primary objective of this exploratory research is to identify the critical success factors required for the successful implementation of Six Sigma. Then, based on the critical success factors identified in literature and the survey, the purpose is to develop and propose an applicable framework for firms to successfully implement Six Sigma. The research is explorative of nature and a survey research design was used with a questionnaire as data-gathering instrument. Descriptive statistics (e.g. means and standard deviations) were used to analyse the data. The results confirmed that the most critical success factors for successful Six Sigma implementation include management commitment, change management, effective communication and alignment. The proposed framework presents six interlinking components of Six Sigma which is dependent on these four critical success factors. Limitations in the research are identified and recommendations for future research are made. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

ABSTRACT CALCULATION OF CORE LOSSES OF A 6-PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR WITH 3RD HARMONIC CURRENT INJECTION B&Uuml / Y&Uuml / KBAS, AfSin M.S., Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. H. B&uuml / lent ERTAN January 2004, 106 pages The advantages of using a six-phase induction motor for industrial drives, over the conventional three-phase drive can be summarized as improved reliability, reduction on the power ratings for the static converters and harmonic reduction. A technique of injecting third harmonic zero sequence current components in the phase currents to improve the machine torque density was presented recently by another research study. However, to meaninigfully evaluate the performnce of such machines and/or to be able to make good designs / it is necessary to obtain an accurate mathematical model for the loss calculation. The calculation of high frequency loss in this context presents a very difficult problem. In this thesis a modified version of a loss calculation model, which was developed in another MS thesis will be applied to a six-phase induction motor with third harmonic current injection.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--California State University, Dominguez Hills, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-81).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.B.A.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 126-132). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.