The Public Internet Terminal (PIT) is the Department of Communication initiative that aims to bring electronic communication to all South African citizens. It was launched in 1998 as a joint venture between the Department of Communications (DoC) and the South African Post Office (SAPO).This study postulates that the massive roll out of the Public Internet terminals (PIT‘s) has enhanced the lives of the poor by providing easy access to government services. It further assumes that the PITs are able to facilitate access of eService‘s to all the citizens in particular where electronic services are not freely available such as in the rural and remote under serviced areas of South Africa. In addition, it explores the envisaged value added initiatives stipulated in the memorandum of understanding entered in between the Department of Communication (DOC) and the South African Post Office (SAPO).

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Transnet, the entity responsible for port infrastructure and the operating thereof, are faced with the difficult task of ensuring that the port system in South Africa is always ready to cater to all import and export requirements of the country. A major portion of these volumes will enter and leave the country in the form of containerised cargo, which effectively unitises the cargo for easier handling. What makes the task for Transnet that much more difficult, is that volumes are not easily forecasted and when one takes into account that ports need to be looking at least ten years down the line to ensure infrastructure can be put in place in time, it makes the problem that much more difficult. International studies show that trade between India, Europe and South America are growing, which provides South Africa with the opportunity to become a hub port based on the countries central location between these three areas. Currently Durban and the recently opened port of Ngqura are and will be serving as hub ports to cater for these and other volumes, but it is not certain under what conditions there would be a need for an additional hub port, if at all. Through the course of this research report three scenarios of growth are examined in an effort to answer this question. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Transnet, die entiteit verantwoordelik vir hawe-infrastruktuur en die werking daarvan, is met die moeilike taak geplaas om te verseker dat die hawe-stelsel in Suid-Afrika altyd gereed is vir al die invoer en uitvoer vereistes van die land. 'n Groot gedeelte van hierdie vereistes sal die land betree en verlaat in die vorm van houers, wat goedere unitiseer vir makliker hantering. Wat die taak vir Transnet soveel moeiliker maak, is dat die volumes nie maklik geskat kan word nie, en wanneer Transnet ten minste tien jaar in die toekoms moet skat om seker te maak dat die infrastruktuur in plek kan gestel word in tyd, maak dit die probleem soveel moeiliker. Internasionale navorsing dui dat die handel tussen Indië, Europa en Suid-Amerika groei, wat vir Suid-Afrika die geleentheid skep om 'n ‘hub port’ to word wat gebaseer is op die land se sentrale ligging tussen hierdie drie lande. Op die oomblik sal Durban en die onlangs geopende hawe van Ngqura, as ‘hub ports’ funksioneer om voorsiening te maak vir hierdie en ander volumes, maar dit is nie seker onder watter omstandighede sou daar 'n behoefte vir 'n ekstra-hub port wees nie. Deur die loop van hierdie navorsing word verslag gelewer van die drie scenario's, en word hierdie vraag ondersoek in 'n poging om hierdie vraag te beantwoord.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Disertacijoje tiriamas investicijų į Lietuvos sausumos transporto infrastruktūros prioritetinę plėtrą pagrįstumas. Pagrindiniai tyrimų objektai yra: Lietuvos transporto sektorius, logistikos centrų ir transporto terminalų vieta Lietuvos transporto bei verslo sistemoje, jų ekonominė įtaka verslui. Šie objektai yra svarbūs tiek socialiniu, tiek ekonominiu aspektais, nes išvystyta, patraukli vežėjams transporto infrastruktūra padidina tranzitinius krovinių srautus, skatina vystymąsi eilės šakinių ūkio subjektų. Todėl disertacijoje tiriant logistikos centrų ir transporto terminalų reikšmę ir poveikį verslui ir Lietuvos ūkio plėtrai formuojamos teorinės ekonominės logistikos centrų ir transporto terminalų bei jų jungiamųjų grandžių plėtros prielaidos ir metodiniai sprendimai. Darbo tikslas: Disertaciniame darbe tyrimo tikslas yra ištirti hipotetinę naujų transporto grandžių ir terminalų reikšmę bei poveikį verslui, suformuluojant teorines ekonominės prioritetinės infrastruktūros ir tarpterminalinių vežimų plėtros prielaidas bei metodinius sprendimus. Darbą sudaro įvadas, trys skyriai, rezultatų apibendrinimas, naudotos literatūros ir autoriaus publikacijos disertacijos tema sąrašai ir priedas. Įvadiniame skyriuje analizuojami šalies ir užsienio mokslininkų požiūriai į tiriamą problemą, formuluojamas darbo tikslas bei uždaviniai, aprašomas mokslinis darbo naujumas, pristatomos autoriaus publikacijos, patei¬kiama disertacijos struktūra. Pirmajame skyriuje analizuojamas užsienio... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / This dissertation is analysing validity of investments into development of the land transport infrastructure in Lithuania. The fol-lowing main subjects have been researched: transport sector in Lithuania, the place of prioritized logistic centres and transport terminals within the transport and business system, the effect of them on business economy. These subjects influences both, social and economic aspects since a well-developed transport infrastructure being attractive for carriers may increase the flows of transit cargoes but also start stimulating development of different objects of economy. Therefore, by analysing the effects and influences of logistic centres and transport terminals on business and economy development in Lithuania, in this dissertation I have formulated some theory based economic assumptions and methodic solutions towards the development of logistic centers and transport terminals as well as their connecting chains. The objective of the research: to analyse the significance and influence of new transport chains on both, business and economical development of Lithuania as well as enunciation of theory based economic assumptions and methodical solutions for the development of prioritized infrastructures and transport terminals. The work comprises introduction, three chapters, result summary, bibliography, and refers to the author‘s publications on the dissertation topic as well as annexes. The introduction, refers to different attitudes of national... [to full text]

During the last several years till the beginning of the global financial crisis Lithuania’s economy was rapidly growing as per high percentage of GDP, growing sales and profitability of the industrial sector. These indicators speak about Lithuanian industry and different business areas being capable of adjus- ting to the complicated international market environment. Important factors leading to a faster and stable growth of the country’s economy are implementa- tion of modern technologies, renovation of companies, introduction of new operation processes as well as expeditious investment possibilities and commu- nication system effective functioning. Nowadays continuously intensifying processes of economic, social and political globalization necessitate foundation of large transport companies and integration of the existing transport systems of different countries into one glo- bal system thus forming international transport corridors that ensure faster mo- vement of vehicle flows (as well as material goods, i. e. cargoes) between diffe- rent countries, the entire process being based on application of modern logistic know-how for cargo carriage. Integration of Lithuania’s transport network into a common European transport system would be a good opportunity to attract additional transit flows and to warehouse cargoes in the logistic centres or terminals, at the same time creating rational transit transport policy and implementing one of the main principles of the... [to full text] / Disertacijoje tiriamas investicijų į Lietuvos sausumos transporto infrastruktūros prioritetinę plėtrą pagrįstumas. Pagrindiniai tyrimų objektai yra: Lietuvos transporto sektorius, logistikos centrų ir transporto terminalų vieta Lietuvos transporto bei verslo sistemoje, jų ekonominė įtaka verslui. Šie objektai yra svarbūs tiek socialiniu, tiek ekonominiu aspektais, nes išvystyta, patraukli vežėjams transporto infrastruktūra padidina tranzitinius krovinių srautus, skatina vystymąsi eilės šakinių ūkio subjektų. Todėl disertacijoje tiriant logistikos centrų ir transporto terminalų reikšmę ir poveikį verslui ir Lietuvos ūkio plėtrai formuojamos teorinės ekonominės logistikos centrų ir transporto terminalų bei jų jungiamųjų grandžių plėtros prielaidos ir metodiniai sprendimai. Darbo tikslas: Disertaciniame darbe tyrimo tikslas yra ištirti hipotetinę naujų transporto grandžių ir terminalų reikšmę bei poveikį verslui, suformuluojant teorines ekonominės prioritetinės infrastruktūros ir tarpterminalinių vežimų plėtros prielaidas bei metodinius sprendimus. Darbą sudaro įvadas, trys skyriai, rezultatų apibendrinimas, naudotos literatūros ir autoriaus publikacijos disertacijos tema sąrašai ir priedas. Įvadiniame skyriuje analizuojami šalies ir užsienio mokslininkų požiūriai į tiriamą problemą, formuluojamas darbo tikslas bei uždaviniai, aprašomas mokslinis darbo naujumas, pristatomos autoriaus publikacijos, patei¬kiama disertacijos struktūra. Pirmajame skyriuje analizuojamas užsienio... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Este estudo propõe requisitos para a adequação da operação de cabotagem de contêineres nos terminais portuários brasileiros. Esta adequação transforma os terminais convencionais em terminais marítimos denominados aqui como rápidos. O conceito de terminais eficientes utilizado pelo projeto europeu Motorways of the Sea - MoS serviu como referência para o desenvolvimento da proposta. A metodologia utilizada fundamentou-se na coleta de dados através de entrevistas semiestruturadas a usuários da cabotagem, além de questionário online com especialistas e simulação por eventos discretos da operação de cabotagem. As respostas das entrevistas direcionaram o estudo para fatores de melhorias relacionados a processos de liberação da carga por parte de órgãos de fiscalização, custos portuários e controles alfandegários. A avaliação das respostas do questionário online se fez por meio de uma variação da técnica Delphi com Q-sort que consolidou as respostas em cinco categorias: administrativo/fiscal, custos, hinterlândia, infraestrutura e operacional. O modelo de simulação de eventos discretos verificou os dados operacionais e avaliou as diferenças entre a operação dos terminais convencionais e de terminais compatíveis com o modelo do projeto MoS. Os principais requisitos propostos são: a melhoria no processo de fiscalização com a simplificação nas inspeções e liberações das cargas; a redução de fretes para transporte de carga porta-a-porta; a existência de acessos terrestres (rodoviário/ferroviário) para interconexões entre os modais; a disponibilidade de infraestrutura adequada (equipamentos) para uso nos terminais; e a minimização de tempos operacionais e de entrega porta-a-porta. Uma derivação da técnica Matriz QFD (Quality Function Deployment) foi utilizada para obtenção do sequenciamento dos requisitos propostos. O estudo verificou que a aplicação dos requisitos salienta as oportunidades de melhorias na operação de cabotagem nos terminais brasileiros. Também ficou evidenciado a possibilidade de adequação dos terminais convencionais em terminais rápidos, mediante a aplicação do sequenciamento obtido para os requisitos propostos. / This study proposes requirements for the adequacy of Short Sea Shipping (SSS) operation in Brazilian container port terminals. This adaptation transforms conventional port terminals into maritime terminals called \"fast\". The concept of \"eficient terminals\" of the European project Motorways of the Sea MoS served as reference for the development of this proposal. The methodology was based on data collection through semi-structured interviews with SSS users as well as an online questionnaire with experts and discrete event simulation of SSS terminals. The responses from the interviews directed the study to factors related to processes of cargo release by regulatory agencies, port costs and customs controls. The evaluation of the online questionnaire responses was done by means of a variation of the Delphi technique with Q-sort that consolidated the responses in five aspects: administrative, costs, hinterland, infrastructure and operational. The discrete event simulation model verified operational data and evaluated the differences between the operation of conventional terminals and those compatible with the MoS project model. The main proposed requirements are: the process improvement to reduce inspections and cargo clearances, the freight reduction on cargo door-to-door transportation, the existence of land access (road/rail) for interconnections between modes, the availability of adequate infrastructure (equipment) for terminal use and the decrease of operating times and door-to-door delivery. The Quality Function Deployment (QFD) matrix technique was used to obtain a sequencing order for the proposed requirements. The study found that the requirements application highlights the improvement opportunities in SSS operation in Brazilian terminals. It was also evidenced the possibility of conversion of these conventional terminals on \"fast\" terminals, with the requirements sequencing order application.

As maiores dificuldades ao se avaliar o desempenho operacional portuário concentram-se na identificação e na expurgação das particularidades físico-operacionais que podem distorcer as comparações e mascarar algumas ineficiências. Por esta razão, a maior parte dos autores considera a produtividade em um nível macro de agregação de valores e atividades, o que dificulta a orientação de ações corretivas. O propósito deste trabalho é desenvolver um método de avaliação do desempenho capaz de subsidiar a identificação das melhores práticas e a determinação de metas operacionais efetivamente pertinentes para cada sistema. Para isso, elaborou-se uma estrutura de indicadores de desempenho capaz de identificar e expurgar os efeitos das particularidades dos terminais. O cerne da estrutura de indicadores sugerida é o atendimento aos navios por terminais especializados na exportação de minério de ferro, sob o ponto de vista do operador portuário. Seu desenvolvimento fundamenta-se em conceitos e instrumentos já consagrados de gestão por processos, gestão de organizações e gestão da qualidade. O escopo do trabalho compreende a proposição do método de comparação e o estabelecimento de metas aplicado em um estudo de caso no contexto de um grande operador portuário. Conclui-se que o método é simples e eficaz, na medida em que cumpre seu objetivo de aperfeiçoar o monitoramento e o controle do desempenho operacional, podendo ser um instrumento importante para o desenvolvimento dos operadores portuários e, porque não, do Brasil, que é carente em infraestrutura. / The greatest difficulty in evaluating the operational performance of seaports lies in the identification and treatment of physical-operational particularities that can distort comparisons and mask inefficiencies. For this reason, the majority of authors consider port productivity at a highly aggregated level of values and activities, which hampers the orientation of corrective actions. This study aims at developing a performance evaluation method capable of assisting with the identification of best practices and the determination of operational goals which are indeed relevant to each system. The core of the proposed structure of indicators is the servicing of ships in specialized iron ore export terminals, from the port operator standpoint. The structure is elaborated on well-established concepts and instruments of process management, organizational management and quality management. The scope of this study encompasses the proposition of comparison method and the definition of goals applied to a case study regarding a large port operator. The study concludes that the method is simple and effective, as it fulfills its objective of enhancing the monitoring and the control of operational performance. The method could be an important tool for the development of port operators and, perhaps, of infrastructure-deficient Brazil.