Os investimentos em tecnologia da informação (TI) possibilitam a criação, sustentação e expansão das vantagens competitivas das empresas na cadeia de suprimento, sendo considerados críticos para apoiar as relações interorganizacionais. Uma forma de enfrentar as mudanças ambientais é desenhar uma governança da cadeia de suprimentos (GCS) que equilibre os interesses das organizações e as decisões dos gestores. Entretanto, tradicionalmente a cadeia de suprimentos é estudada de uma perspectiva das operações, com o foco interfuncional ou intraorganizacional, sendo necessário aumentar o escopo dos estudos sobre o assunto, combinando com diferentes temas como a TI, considerada um aspecto importante na cadeia de suprimentos. Assim, o objetivo dessa tese é desenvolver um modelo para avaliar a influência dos investimentos em TI na GCS e o efeito da GCS no desempenho da cadeia de suprimentos. Para alcançar esse objetivo, foi realizada uma pesquisa com uma etapa qualitativa e outra quantitativa. Na etapa qualitativa foram realizados estudo de casos múltiplos em seis grandes empresas brasileiras e seus fornecedores. Foi possível identificar e explorar quais os principais elementos relacionados a cada um dos constructos propostos (investimentos em TI, governança contratual, governança relacional, governança transacional e desempenho da cadeia) e desenvolver um instrumento de pesquisa inicial. Na etapa quantitativa, primeiro foi realizado um estudo survey pré-teste com uma amostra pequena de grandes empresas para refinar o instrumento de pesquisa, que posteriormente foi aplicado em uma grande amostra de empresas brasileiras chamado de estudo completo. Então foi aplicado o questionário em mais de 120 empresas e 185 questionários válidos. A partir da aplicação de análises estatísticas, utilizando modelagem de equações estruturais, foi possível validar o modelo e analisar as hipóteses de pesquisa. Foi identificado que existe uma influência significativa entre os investimentos em TI nas concepções da GCS (contratual, relacional e transacional) e com a própria governança na cadeia. Assim, os investimentos em TI são realizados para monitorar, rastrear, compartilhar informações, integrar as atividades e reduzir os custos nas transações relacionadas com a GCS entre as empresas na cadeia. Além disso, foi identificado que existe um efeito positivo da GCS como um todo e da governança contratual, em um nível menor, no desempenho da cadeia no que diz respeito mais aos indicadores financeiros, como o retorno dos investimentos e retorno sobre as vendas. Percebe-se que as práticas da governança da cadeia influenciadas pelos investimentos em TI estão relacionadas positivamente com o desempenho da cadeia de forma ampla e composta. Os gestores devem analisar os fenômenos na cadeia de forma multidimensional e não aspectos isolados e de forma individual. O estudo apresenta avanços tanto teóricos, utilizando diferentes teorias para suportar as análises e relações na cadeia e combinar diferentes temas como investimentos em TI, GCS e desempenho da cadeia, como práticos por desenvolver e validar um modelo que permite aos executivos tomarem decisões melhores na cadeia de suprimentos por possibilitar uma análise e melhor compreensão das atividades e processos na cadeia. / Information technology (IT) investments enable the creation, support and expansion of the competitive advantages of companies in the supply chain, which are considered critical to support interorganizational relationships. One way to face changes in business environmental is to design a governance supply chain (SCG) that balances the interests of organizations and the decisions of managers. However, the supply chain is traditionally studied with an operation perspective, with the focus being inter-functional or intra-organizational. It is thus necessary to increase the scope of the studies on the subject, combining different themes such as IT; which are considered an important aspect in the supply chain. The objective of this dissertation is to develop a model to evaluate the influence of IT investments in SCG and the effect of SCG on supply chain performance. For this purpose, a qualitative and a quantitative research were conducted. In the qualitative stage, multiple case studies were conducted in six large Brazilian companies and their suppliers. These studies made it possible to identify and explore which are the main elements related to each of the proposed constructs (IT investments, contractual governance, relational governance, transactional governance and supply chain performance) and develop an initial research instrument. In the quantitative phase, a pre-test survey was conducted with a small sample of large companies to refine the survey instrument to be applied on a large sample of Brazilian companies called completed study. The finalized questionnaire was then applied to more than 120 companies, resulting in 185 valid questionnaires. From the application of statistical analysis, using structural equation modeling, it was possible to validate the model and analyze the research hypotheses. It was identified that IT investments significantly influence SCG conceptions (contractual, relational and transactional) and the SCG itself. IT investments are undertaken to monitor, track, share information, integrate activities and reduce costs in transactions between companies related to SCG. Furthermore, it was identified that there is positive effect of SCG and the contractual governance, in a lower level, on the performance of supply chain with respect to more financial indicators such as return on investment and return on sales. Thus, it is clear that the practices of SCG influenced by IT investments are positively related with supply chain performance broadly and composed, in which managers must analyze phenomena in the supply with a multidimensional view; as opposed to an isolated and individual one. The study presents both theoretical advances - using different theories to support the analysis and relationships in the supply chain using different themes like IT investment, SCG and supply chain performance - and practical ones that develop and validate a model that allows managers to make better decisions in the supply chain by enabling enhanced analysis and a better understanding of the activities and processes in the supply chain.

For a graph G=(V,E), a set S⊆V is a global supply set if every vertex v∈V\S has at least one neighbor, say u, in S such that u has at least as many neighbors in S as v has in V \S. The global supply number is the minimum cardinality of a global supply set, denoted γgs (G). We introduce global supply sets and determine the global supply number for selected families of graphs. Also, we give bounds on the global supply number for general graphs, trees, and grid graphs.

Thesis (M.A. (Agricultural Economics))--University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus), 2011. / The main aim of the study was to analyse the impact of improved water access for both domestic and productive uses on human development. The study was conducted in three villages in the Letsoalo-Sekororo community within the Mopani District Municipality in the Maruleng Local Municipality around the banks of the Olifants River in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used a total sample of 59 participants representing 40 households, 16 key informants. Three focus group discussions were held. Various variables for the households were selected and analysed using logistic regression. The method of agreement was used for key informants as well as for focus group discussions. The results from the logistic regression indicated that household size and quantity of water consumed by an individual per household was found to be showing a positive relationship to improved water access. Cattle ownership and household’s monthly income were found to be showing a negative relationship to improved water access. The results also indicated that other people’s private yard taps are the water source which showed a negative relationship to improved water access. The variable food availability throughout the year, showed a positive relationship to improved water access. Water related disease showed a negative relationship to improved water access. The results of method of agreement indicated that there are many challenges faced by the key informants. These challenges were because of the poor water reticulations and the fact that other households were unable to make their connections due to lack of a money. vii The study recommends that the Department of Water Affairs and the Maruleng Local Municipality should continue their efforts of getting enough and safe water fir the Letsoalo- Sekororo communities. Once that is done these communities will be able to get involved in income generating activities. / French Embassy through the Centre for Rural Community Empowerment

Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2011

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / The aim of the research study was to examine and analyse the main constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in delivery water services to Mabokelele Village. For the researcher to be able to achieve the aim of the study, key research questions were posed which enabled the researcher to gather / collect data that helped shed more light in the research project. Research questions such as what are the constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in water delivery services, and what strategies are been to address those constraints and how effective are those strategies, were posed to the participants of this research study. The study used the qualitative research design. Respondents were seen as experts of their own life situation. Face to face interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Data analyses was done in the form of content data analysis. The key findings of the research project:- Shortage of skills in financial management, inadequate water service infrastructure, inadequate human resource for water service delivery, lack of co-operation between the Polokwane Municipality and the Mabokelele Induna and lack of community participation and consultation by the Polokwane Local Municipality and long delays caused by the tendering process were identified as the key findings for the study. Recommendations for the study was guided by the findings of the research project. The following served as recommendations for the study : Polokwane Local Municipality should ensure that people with financial management skills and project management are employed to avoid under-spending of the budget. Community participation and consultation should be key when implementing projects to the community, Department of Water Affairs to ensure that enough water service infrastructure is provided so that the Municipality can function properly. Dwarf should speed up the transfer of officials to Polokwane Local Municipality and lastly, the red tapes in the tendering processes should be minimized to avoid long delays in the approval of water projects.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The aim of the envisaged study is to investigate the water supply services in Lenyenye Township, in Greater Tzaneen Municipality and to derive suggestions and recommendations for improvement based on the objectives decomposed into the following: To review the extent and the magnitude of Water Supply problems and to identify, analyze the underlying causes of the water supply problems because the basic infrastructure provision of water supply is very poor and dismal across the area. Water serves as a basic need to which everybody has the right to access, be it for consumption or irrigation this service is, unfortunately, disrupted by many factors. The findings in the study for poor water supply emanate from many common causal factors such as management skills, technical challenges and illegal connections. Only two methods were employed to collect data in the study. Data collection was done by using the questionnaire and the interview methods and the interview involved direct personal contact with the participants who answered questions. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain data pertaining to water supply services from the representatives of water supply institutions. Recommendations in the study are based on the findings such as prioritization of effective water supply for Lenyenye township, community consultation and participation, addressing capacity constrains in the Municipality such as human resources, water service infrastructure, and skills development.

No description available.

The research aim was to gain a more detailed understanding of the operation of different key segments for fresh produce supply chains originating in the Highlands Provinces in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The research investigates a number of supply chain dimensions of effectiveness which include, value creation and integration of processes, logistics, quality, information, relationship/vertical integration and overall effectiveness. These were linked together in SC framework. Two potato chains were investigated, one formal, the other informal. The informal potato chain involves small holder farmers, input suppliers and local markets including kai bars and the urban market. The chain originates and ends within the Western Highlands Province. The formal potato chain has farmers, input suppliers, wholesaler/marker, transport companies (trucking and coastal shipping agents), supermarkets, hotels and kai bars. This chain originates in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province and ends in Port Moresby, National Capital District. The effectiveness of both the formal and informal chains was identified, and comparisons were made to see how each chain differed. The informal chain was found to have different problems to the formal chains. However, participants to both chains demonstrate a high entrepreneurial behavior. A key finding of the study was that the chains spread their risk by operating in multiple market segments and this can help to solve issues with variable quality. The marketers in each chain position themselves in these different market segments. It was clear from this work that focusing on functions and not the whole chain can lead to a distorted view of chain performance. For example, for the informal chain, a focus on logistics issues, particularly poor roads and problems with availability of seeds, can misrepresent the effectiveness of this chain. Therefore, it was concluded that it is important to look at the overall performance of each chain rather than looking specifically at particular chain functions in isolation.

<p>DinBox Sverige AB säljer fastighetsboxar på den skandinaviska marknaden och har produktionen utlagd till en leverantör Kina. Företaget startades i slutet på 2007 och är med andra ord relativt ungt. Den logistiska delen från beställning till leverans av produkt, är en mycket viktig och vital del av verksamheten som måste fungera. Det logistiska flödet fungerar idag inte helt felfritt och det uppstår problem med leveranser.</p><p>Jag fick som uppgift i mitt examensarbete inom supply-chain management, att undersöka det logistiska flödet närmare för att hitta olika förbättringsförslag.</p><p>Syftet med uppgiften är ta reda på vilka fel som uppstår, kartlägga vilka typer av kostnader dessa fel innebär och utreda hur man kan undvika fel i fortsättningen. Examensarbetet ska resultera i ett passande förbättringsalternativ som ökar kontrollen av logistikflödet från beställning till leverans.</p><p>Resultatet i examensarbetet har uppnåtts genom en grundlig nulägesanalys, framtagande av ett flödesschema och identifiering av problem i processerna. Problemen har brytits ned i grundorsaker och detta ligger till grund för förbättringsalternativen.</p><p>Det slutliga förbättringsförslaget innebär att kommunikation mellan alla berörda enheter hos företaget och leverantören i Kina sker i ett extranät. När ordern passerar genom logistikflödet måste aktuell enhet kontrollera och godkänna ordern innan den kan skickas vidare till nästa enhet. På så sätt får man ett kontrollsystem som säkerställer att ordern behandlas rätt från början till slut i flödet. Extranätet ger också möjligheten till spårning eftersom data kan lagras och användas för att spåra information och gods i logistikflödet. Inventeringen vid lagerankomst förenklas och säkerställs genom införandet av ett streckkodsystem som innebär att artiklar automatiskt kan identifieras.</p><p>Slutsatsen av examensarbetet är att en grundlig förstudie och nulägesanalys är mycket viktigt för att kunna identifiera de mest kostsamma och kritiska problemen i logistikflödet. Genom förbättringar av processer inom området för supply-chain finns det mycket som kan effektiviseras och spara pengar för företaget.</p> / <p>DinBox Sverige AB sells mailboxes on the scandinavian market with production outsourced to a supplier in China. The company started in the end of 2007, relatively young in other words. The logistical flow from order to delivery of product, is a very important and vital part  of the business. The logisticial flow is today not flawless and there are problems with deliveries.</p><p>I was assigned within my thesis in supply-chain management the task to investigate the logistical flow in detail in order to suggest improvements.</p><p>The purpose of the task is to find what problems that occur, map out what costs these problems cause and investigate how to avoid errors in the future. The thesis should result in a fitting suggestion for improvement that decreases the control of the logistical flow from order to delivery.</p><p>The result of the thesis has been achieved through a thorough analysis of the present situation, making a flowchart and identifying the problems in the processes. The problems have been broken down in to main causes and are subject for the suggestions of improvement.</p><p>The final suggestion of improvement means communication between involved parties in the company and the supplier in China takes place in an extranet. When the order passes through the logistical flow every part has to control and approve the order before it is passed on to the next part. In that way a control system that secures the appropriate handling of the order throughout the flow is achieved. The extranet also gives the possibility to tracking information and goods in the logistical flow since the data can be stored in the system. The inventory when goods arrive is simplified and secured by implementing a barcode system which means all articles are automatically identified.</p><p>The conclusion of the thesis is that a thorough preliminary study and analysis of the present situation are crucial for identifying the most costly and critical problems in the logistical flow. By improvements of processes within the area of supply-chain there are a lot that can be made more efficient and save money for the company.</p>

<p>Denna rapport beskriver ett projekt utfört på Bjurab Sweden AB i Halmstad. Syftet med projektet</p><p>är att finna och åtgärda de faktorer som sänker tillförlitligheten i affärssystemets saldo, samt</p><p>skapa bättre kontroll över olika artiklars placering på olika lagerplatser. Anledningen till att företaget</p><p>vill genomföra detta projekt är att deras inköpsarbete idag blir lidande av att saldot i affärssystemet</p><p>inte stämmer. Detta i kombination med att de har dålig kontroll på var materialet är</p><p>placerat leder till att de lägger mycket tid på att leta efter material, och att inköp ibland sker så</p><p>sent att produktionen tvingas stanna upp på grund av materialbrist.</p><p>Arbetet inleddes med kartläggningar av informations- och materialflödet, och insamling av historisk</p><p>data från affärssystemet. Detta kompletterades sedan med intervjuer med de berörda i företaget.</p><p>Genom detta upplägg studerades situationen först på lite avstånd med syftet att hålla objektiviteten</p><p>hög, och i den efterföljande intervjun tilläts sedan objektiviteten sjunka något för att</p><p>kunna komma riktigt nära det undersökta. Från denna datainsamling framgick att olika artiklar</p><p>hanteras på olika sätt gällande lagerhållning och informationshantering, och att denna hanteringen</p><p>ofta är inkonsekvent. Ett annat problem som framkom var att vissa artiklar lagerhålls ute i</p><p>produktionen utan en angiven lagerplats och ofta på flera ställen samtidigt. Detta har medfört</p><p>problem med att få en översikt över vilken mängd som finns hemma. Med en otillräcklig översikt</p><p>över materialet finns risk för felaktiga inventeringar, vilket innebär att felaktig information</p><p>matas in i affärssystemet. Utöver detta finns även ett problem med informationshanteringen</p><p>kring kasserat material, samt användande av felaktigt råmaterial som kapas eller skärs ner till</p><p>rätt storlek. Dessa situationer uppstår för ofta för att dess inverkan på saldots tillförlitlighet ska</p><p>kunna betraktas som försumbar, men idag finns inga rutiner för hur dessa situationer skall hanteras.</p><p>De rekommendationer som ges till företaget är att först och främst se till att hanteringen av artiklarna</p><p>sker konsekvent. För mindre, enklare artiklar med kort leveranstid rekommenderas ett</p><p>kanbanflöde. Detta innebär att flödet blir mer robust på så sätt att det kan absorbera vissa av de</p><p>störningar som tidigare orsakat problem. Inköp baseras då på den mängd material som faktiskt</p><p>finns kvar på lagret istället för på den mängd som enligt affärssystemet har förbrukats. För artiklar</p><p>som är dyrare att lagerhålla och som har lång leveranstid krävs en annan typ av hantering.</p><p>För dessa rekommenderas att minska mängden material som ligger ute i produktionen tills den</p><p>blir så liten att den är i sammanhanget försumbar. På det sättet finns möjlighet att istället basera</p><p>inköp på endast huvudlagrets saldo vilket är betydligt lättare att kontrollera. Med ett säkrare saldo</p><p>kan inköp liksom tidigare ske med hjälp av nettobehovsanalyser eller statistik. För att dessa</p><p>arbetssätt skall fungera smidigt behöver även ett streckkodssystem implementeras.</p>