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The South African Construction Industry is one of the largest contributors to the gross domestic product of the country as well as to employment. It has, however, been experiencing significant challenges due to multifaceted factors. The main objective of this research was to identify the supply chain management constraints within the South African Construction Industry and how these can be overcome. This study is by nature descriptive and exploratory and contains qualitative elements. The problems were identified through a literature review, focused group discussions and interviews with major construction companies in South Africa. The findings also indicate that the main supply chain management constraints are to a greater extent internal and typical of supply chain methodologies and approaches. These constraints are among others the lack of coordination, collaboration and commitment between suppliers and clients within the supply chain, poor leadership in key areas of systems, design problems (many changes and inconsistent information), deficient internal and external communication and information transfer, inadequate management within the supply chain, mainly poor planning and control just to mention a few. A model based on supply chain system management as well as the Theory Of Constraints (TOC) has been developed that can be a useful tool to address the constraints in the construction sector. Originating from the study are applicable recommendations for the South African construction industry supply chains, covering key themes that have been articulated in the study, particularly benchmarking to the theory of constrains. Such recommendations include further research core components of supply chain such as, collaborations, logistics and how each of system components can be linked to performance of the supply chain management system.

The South African Constitution, brought about democratic and developmental reforms that gave local government certain responsibilities, the supply of water services, amongst others. According to Naidoo (2011), the provision of water services was a vital developmental process that worked towards quality service realization that local government was grappling with. In this research report, a qualitative research method of in-depth interviews was conducted on a small target group and a few municipality documents were analyzed. Mixed perceptions and a range of problems, amongst which capacity problems, were some of the findings identified by the research. The effects of non-provision of water services and the benefits of water provision were also dealt with in the report. Eighteen (18) years into democracy, the majority of rural municipalities were still experiencing problems in the provision of water services to poor communities. Other than the usual experiences of municipalities in the provision of water services, Nkomazi Local Municipality encountered capacity problems which were complicated by its predominantly rural nature.

ABSTRACT South Africa, like numerous other developing countries throughout the world, faces increasing demands for public services in urban areas (Rondinelli and Kasarda, 1993). South Africa’s access to basic services such as water has clearly become part of social security/ citizenship. The research report investigates and elucidates the role of privatisation in the basic service delivery context. It argues that the GEAR policy framework blocks the resources required to achieve social citizenship (Cock 2000). This gave rise to community struggles concerning prepaid water meters in Phiri, Soweto. These struggles are examined and competing discourses surrounding public versus private sector participation in basic service (water) provision are also explored. The argument in this research report is two-fold. First, it establishes a view of water as an economic good, with the democratic government reducing the municipal problems of delivery to economic markets or private corporations. Second, it examines the perspective that water is a human right issue contained in the Bill of Rights. These two counter-arguments perpetuate struggles in relation to access, affordability and supply of water. The research seeks to examine these opposing arguments and further explores the impacts these struggles have on future delivery and access of such ‘life need’ as water. This exposure is done through the collection of Secondary data and empirical evidence obtained using various qualitative data gathering techniques. Although the advantages of prepaid water meters are recognised, the dominant argument in this report is in line with Dependency Theory. This maintains that the socio-economic inequalities as well as the socio-environmental injustices widespread in the policies of privatisation exclude various sectors of the population from full access to essential necessities such as water. These injustices are rooted in the fact that water is treated as a commodity to be sold and not as a basic human right (Maema 2003). To deny water to people reduces their citizenship and therefore the achievement of full citizens’ rights for the community of Phiri has become one of the crucial barometers for the realisation of the depth and sustainability of South Africa’s democracy (Khunou 2000). The research findings obtained suggest that the government does realise its responsibility to provide basic water services. Nevertheless, it delegates this responsibility to private institutions; hence making it an individual responsibility to gain access to water at a cost. This form of attempt in South Africa gives a clear reflection of Adam Smith’s “commercial society” which is viii encompassed and endorsed by privatisation and the capitalist endeavours. However, this is in contrast with the principles enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which mandate the government to ensure the progressive realisation and maintenance of access to available basic services. The research report, however, suggests that some educational programmes need to be developed and promoted to inform and equip the public on how best to preserve water. This endeavour is gradually envisaged under the auspices of emerging corporatised utilities.

M.Sc. (Development Planning) thesis, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, 1999

The platinum market is best understood through a comprehensive analysis of supply and demand. Supply is most significantly affected by production constraints and the erratic draw-down in Russian stockpiles. Total world supply of platinum for 1998 amounted to 5.915 Moz, 64% of which was produced from the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. The remainder emanated from Russia, Zimbabwe, the United States, Canada and the recycling of autocatalysts. Supply is forecast to drop by 320 000 oz in 1999 due to a lower Russian export quota and reduced Zimbabwean production. Demand for platinum is unusual, in that it is sought after both as a store of wealth, and has properties that make it irreplaceable in a host of industrial applications. Current world demand for the metal is driven by a growing Eastern jewelry market and increased use in autocatalysts due to vehicle emissions legislation. Total world demand for 1998 amounted to 5.755 Moz. A predicted steady growth in the consumption of platinum for jewelry and existing applications, together with development of new uses, is expected to result in an annual 250 000 oz increase in demand for 1999 and 2000. The derived supply and demand balance for 1998 shows a small excess in supply relative to demand. This will be absorbed by inventories and is likely to have little affect on price, A significant shortfall of 410 000 oz, however, is predicted for 1999. This is likely to be followed by a further shortfall in 2000 and will drive up prices, impel consumers towards substitution and thriving and encourage producers to expand.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine in Pharmaceutical Affairs Johannesburg, 2003 / Tshwane is one of three metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng Province and a cross border district with North West Province. Tshwane has a complex Drug Supply Management system. Gauteng Provincial Authority (GPA), North West Provincial Authority (NWPA) and City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM) play significant roles. This has resulted in duplication of duties and inefficient use of resources. The aim of the study was to describe the current Drug Supply Management System in Tshwane, identify any weaknesses plus the factors responsible for the observed weaknesses and formulate recommendations for improvement. / IT2018

Falsified and substandard drugs are classified as a global problem and continue to increase as manufacturing becomes globalized and the complexity of distribution systems expands. The falsified and substandard drugs come with major health risks and socioeconomic consequences. The pharmaceutical supply chain is handled by several parties, making it harder to detect when falsified and substandard drugs end up in distribution. Since the rise of the cryptocurrency bitcoin, blockchain technology has been recognized for its transparency and security. Previous research describes blockchain as a decentralized database structure that preserves a chronological chain of blocks where each block contains a registered valid network activity verified by consensus of the participants in the network. The purpose of this study is to create a broader understanding of how blockchain can improve the transparency and traceability of the pharmaceutical supply chain in order to reduce the incidence of falsified and substandard drugs. The study is based on a qualitative method in the form of five semi-structured interviews with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry and two blockchain companies. In the study's discussion section, the literature study is set against the collected empirical material. Two tables also illustrate how the pharmaceutical industry is working with traceability and what effects blockchain can provide a supply chain. Finally, the study notes that regulations on the pharmaceutical industry primarily control which database structure is implemented on the supply chain. It is also stated that blockchain has characteristics that can improve transparency and traceability of a supply chain, but the technology is to some extent limited mainly by its large need for capacity

Thesis advisor: Philip E. Strahan / The first essay of this dissertation measures the real effect of increases in local deposit supply on local economic outcomes. To identify this effect, I use exogenous variation in local deposit supply from oil and natural gas shale discoveries. A change in deposit supply should have its largest effect on areas where credit supply frictions are the strongest. I find that the effect is strongest in areas dominated by small banks. The second essay analyzes the investment policies of public and private natural gas firms, and is joint work with Jérôme Taillard. We find that privately held firms are 60% less responsive to natural gas price changes than publicly traded firms. Additionally, we find that private firms do not respond to new shale investment opportunities, whereas public firms do. We believe these results are consistent with private firms having a higher cost of external capital. The third essay empirically tests whether firms increase risk taking activity when they are close to distress due to the risk taking incentives of equity-holders. I find that firms actually reduce risk taking when they are close to distress, and in the years prior to bankruptcy. This evidence suggests that risk reduction incentives may be more important for the average firm as it gets close to distress. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management. / Discipline: Finance.

This thesis is an empirical exploration of supply strategy content and process. The investigation uses a single-sector case study methodology to explore the scope of supply strategy content, the interaction between supply strategy content and context, and supply strategy process within four aerospace sector companies. The research also uses an extant Integrative Framework to subsequently identify the ‘modes’ of supply strategy process that best describe supply strategy process in the case studies. While the scope of supply strategy content suggested by the supply management literature is theoretically broad, supply strategy process is represented in the literature as chiefly derived from business / corporate strategy. Recognising that details of the processes / practices that create supply strategy and the scope of content within supply strategies have been under-explored empirically, this investigation seeks to contribute to a developing understanding of supply strategy content and process ‘in practice’ and in particular, the role of actors in supply strategy process - which is largely absent in related studies. The research contributes to existing knowledge by finding that the opportunity / autonomy actors have to enact supply strategy process is broadly determined by contextual factors. Furthermore, the investigation finds that supply strategy process, actors and context all have a moderating effect on the scope of supply strategy content. It is also shown that different actors engage in the formulation and implementation stages of strategy process. Finally, the investigation identifies one dominant ‘mode’ of supply strategy process and distinctive combinations of ‘secondary’ modes in each case study. For practitioners, this investigation illustrates that the opportunity and facility to think / act strategically in supply is dependant upon more than just resolve and motivation; it is the product of a complex interaction of strategy context, content, process and actors. The thesis concludes by making a number of recommendations for practice and by identifying opportunities for further research in this field.