This thesis describes the development of new procedures for the synthesis of homo- and hetero-bimetallic complexes [M-(C≡C-C≡C)-M*] linked by a butadiyndiyl (-C≡C-C≡C-) bridge (where M, M* = Mo(dppe)(η-C7H7) and Fe(dppe)Cp) and also of the diethynyl-anthracenyl bridged complex [{Mo(dppe)(-C7H7)}2(μ-C≡CC14H8C≡C)] in which an anthracenyl group is inserted into the butadiyndiyl bridge. The redox chemistry and mixed valence character of these systems are investigated by a range of synthetic, electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Chapter 1: (Introduction) presents a literature review related to all-carbon bridged bimetallics including their synthesis, redox chemistry and mixed valence properties. Chapter 2: describes the synthesis of the key precursor [FeI(dppe)Cp] in multi-gram quantities. A new synthetic protocol has been developed to vinylidene [Fe(C=CH2)(dppe)Cp][PF6] and acetylide [Fe(C≡CH)(dppe)Cp] complexes starting from the iodo precursor [FeI(dppe)Cp] which can be conveniently used in place of the chloro precursor [FeCl(dppe)Cp]. We also identified the carbene species [Fe{C(OMe)Me}(dppe)Cp][PF6], which is formed as a by-product from the reaction of the vinylidene with a molecule of methanol solvent. Chapter 3: describes the synthesis and characterisation of butadiyndiyl bridged [{Fe(dppe)Cp}2(-CCCC)]n+ (n = 0, 1, 2). The electronic structure of [{Fe(dppe)Cp}2(-CCCC)]n+ has been investigated in all thermally accessible oxidation states (0, 1, 2, 3) and compared directly with the closely related ruthenium analogue [{Ru(dppe)Cp}2(-CCCC)]n+. Particular focus was given to the formally 'mixed valent' radical cations [{Fe(dppe)Cp}2(-CCCC)]+ and [{Ru(dppe)Cp}2(-CCCC)]+, where the spectroscopic data highlight significant differences between the iron and ruthenium complexes. Furthermore, in this chapter the heterobimetallic complex [{Fe(dppe)Cp}(µ-C≡C-C≡C){Mo(dppe)(C7H7)}] was successfully synthesised and characterised by microanalysis, IR, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Chapter 4: discusses the synthesis of the diethynyl-anthracene bridged complexes [{Mo(dppe)(-C7H7)}2(μ-C≡CC14H8C≡C)]n+ (n = 0, 1, 2). The focus of the investigation is to determine the effect of a diethynyl-benzene vs. diethynyl-anthracene bridge in bimetallics supported by the Mo(dppe)(C7H7) end cap. In the mixed valence (n = +1) state, the odd electron should be more localised on the ligand bridge of the anthracene derivative and this principle was investigated by EPR spectroscopy.

The tapering distribution of segment masses in the human arm helps in the generation of high ball release speeds in overarm throwing. However, the masses of the individual arm segments might not be optimal; arm segment masses could be optimised in order to improve throwing performance. The aim of this project was to identify and understand the optimal upper arm mass that results in the highest ball release speed in overarm throwing. The first study was a theoretical study, using a simple two-segment model of the arm to determine the optimal combination of arm segment masses that maximises ball release speed. This simplified throw was chosen to identify the basic mechanism causing changes in ball release speed with a heavier upper arm mass. The study identified that there is an optimal upper arm mass, but this optimum depends on the forearm mass and the shoulder torque. Furthermore, the study showed that a heavier forearm mass produces a lower ball release speed. An experimental approach was used in the second study to analyse the effect of additional upper arm mass on ball release speed and throwing mechanics in an overarm throw similar to that used by baseball pitchers. However, group analysis of the ball release speed did not reveal an optimal upper arm mass, and most of the kinematic, kinetic, and temporal variables were not affected by additional upper arm mass. However, analysing the ball release speed of each participant individually revealed that most participants increased their ball release speed, although there was considerable variation in the optimal upper arm mass. As the optimal upper arm masses in this study did not agree with those predicted in the first theoretical study, a more realistic three-dimensional model is needed to simulate the effect of upper arm mass on ball release speed. The third study was a combination of a theoretical and experimental approach. A three-dimensional model of the throwing arm was used to predict the participant's optimal upper arm mass and to determine the kinematic and kinetic variables that determine the optimal upper arm mass in overarm throwing. Even though the simulations did not accurately predict an athlete's optimal upper arm mass, the results highlighted that throwing athletes can benefit from a heavier upper arm mass as long as their ability to produce a high internal shoulder rotation angular velocity is not restricted. In summary, the findings of this project highlight that some athletes can benefit from a heavier upper arm mass to maximise their ball release speed without increasing the risk of injuries. However, as the optimal upper arm varies between athletes it is important to analyse each athlete individually.

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Supply Chain Management Program, 2016. / "June 2016." Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 83-85). / The company sponsoring our project is a leading chemical manufacturer, supplying a wide range of products on a global scale. One of the most interesting lines of business the company operates is to supply specialty chemicals in faraway places on few weeks' notice. The nature of these supply chains is project- driven, or, in other words, unique, non-repeatable and established for the sole purpose of fulfilling a single project. The company faces the challenge of operationalizing the set-up of such supply chains in order to reduce the amount of time and effort devoted to each supply and maximize learning from each project. This thesis seeks to address the conundrum of setting up project-driven supply chains in a more efficient, effective and easily repeatable way. Through interviews with company personnel, we identify eleven challenges and subdivide them into three categories: Business-Specific, Cross-Border, and Last-Leg. Next, through literature review and interviews with experts, we identify seventeen possible solutions to the above issues, which have the potential to improve planning and execution of project-driven supply chains in the chemical industry. Recognizing that cross-learnings from supply chains in humanitarian and military supply chains are valuable, our interviews include military and humanitarian practitioners, with the aim of increasing the variety of solutions. Using the research data as a basis, we formulate a project-driven supply chain mobilization template aimed at including most critical areas required in setting up project-driven supply chains. This template could be used as both a guideline for planning the mobilization of a supply contract, and as a validation tool to confirm the mobilization process has been thoroughly completed. The adoption of the mobilization template and process via integration with managerial and approval processes is expected to drive a more efficient and effective mobilization of project-driven supply chains for companies within the chemical industry and beyond. / by Sze Xin Mok and Ruggero Moretto. / M. Eng. in Logistics

Thesis (MBA) --University of Limpopo, 2017 / Middle management at Shoprite faced challenges and their role is diverse and they lack strategies to cope with challenges within the organisation.Middle managers, in trying to balance the needs of senior and junior managers, often feel like ‘piggy-inthe- middle’, with potential for conflict and tension (McConville, 2006; Floyd and Wooldridge, 1992). A lack of leadership from senior management may compromise middle managers’ ability to take a professional approach to managing their area. Middle managers in Shoprite say that they want to be more professional Burgess, (2011)but are being inhibited by the lack of support and awareness from senior managers, with a negative impact on their motivation and their job satisfaction. In addition lack of middle manager’s involvement in decision making and strategy formulation. Middle managers become reluctant to change due to lack of communication on strategy alteration. This study intends to investigate the challenges faced by middle management at Shoprite Holdings Limited in Limpopo Province. The findings of the study show that the roles are challenging and varied, strategy implementation is a major challenge and support for middle managers is generally insufficient. Middle managers require support in induction into the middle management role and ongoing mentoring and appraisal. The little studies have been conducted about the challenges faced by middle management from different perspectives and organisations. Finally, further research into the challenges faced by middle management at Shoprite Holdings Ltd is required as it could either endorse or challenge the findings of this study and might also inform Top management about the Challenges faced by middle management and prompt an evaluation of the existing role, challenges and needs. Key words; Middle management

Disruptions in the supply chain are becoming more common as supply chains become more complex, and supply chain managers of warehouse distribution centers need strategies to minimize the impact of disruptions. In this study, the focus of the research questions was on strategies supply chain managers could use to mitigate the impact of disruptions. The conceptual frameworks for this study were the resource dependence theory and the normal accident theory, which link supply chain disruptions with resource availability and the inability to eliminate disruptions. An exploratory case study involved exploring how supply chain managers of a warehouse distribution center in Jacksonville, Florida, successfully used strategies to mitigate the impact of a disruption after it occurred. Data came from responses to semistructured interview questions from these managers (n = 6) and archival documents related to policies, procedures, and business continuity planning of a warehouse distribution center in Jacksonville, Florida. I analyzed the data by using Atlas.ti qualitative analysis software. There were 6 themes that emerged: collaborating to minimize the impact of disruptions, disruptions precursors, identifying and assessing impact of disruptions, resources used to minimize impact of disruption, strategies to mitigate disruptions, and supplier relationships. The results could contribute to social change by minimizing the negative effects disruptions have on an organization's profitability and performance. Social change can come from business leaders who are able to maintain and sustain their businesses after a supply chain disruption has occurred.

As adaptive clinical trials (ACTs) receive growing attention and exhibit promising performance in practical trials during last decade, they also present challenges to drug supply chain management. As indicated by Burnham et al. (2015), the challenges include the uncertainty of maximum drug supply needed, the shifting of supply requirement, and rapid availability of new supply at decision points. To facilitate drug supply decision making and the development of mathematical analysis tools, we propose two trial supply chain optimization problems that represent different mindsets in response to trial adaptations. In the first problem, we treat the impacts of ACTs as exogenous uncertainties and study important aspects of trial supply, including drug wastage, resupply policy, trial length, and costs minimization, via a two-stage stochastic program. In the second problem, we incorporate the adaptation rules of ACTs with supply chain management and numerically study the impact of joint optimization on the trial and drug supply planning through a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP). For solution approaches to the problems, we use progressive hedging algorithm (PHA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) respectively, and take advantages of the problem structures to enhance the solution efficiency. With case studies, we see that the proposed models capture the features of ACT drug supply and the mechanisms of trial conduction well. The solutions not only reflect the impact of trial adaptations but also provide managerial suggestions, e.g. the prediction of needed production amount, storage capacity at clinical sites, and resupply schemes. The joint optimization also suggests a new angle and research extension in the field of ACT design and supply.

Supply chain disruptions are more prevalent in Ghana as businesses develop and become more complex. While business leaders recognize the importance of reducing the exposure to disruptions, 83 % of companies still suffer a form of disruption. Using the systems theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore strategies supply chain managers in Ghana use to reduce disruptions in the supply chain. The data collection was through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews from 12 supply chain managers who gave tape-recorded interview responses to 8 questions. Transcript evaluation, member checking, and methodological triangulation ensured reliability and strengthened the credibility of the data collected. Data analysis revealed 6 themes, which included identification of disruptions before they occur, information sharing and collaboration between partners, management strategies to mitigate supply chain disruptions, inventory optimization, availability of human capital, energy, and finance problems. The identification of disruptions was important to participants because they believed if they identified potential disruptions they might prevent them from happening. The collaboration between partners was important because participants believed that the speed at which stakeholders work together after a disruption determines the extent of the cost and the recovery period. Business leaders could apply the findings to provide insight to businesses to reduce disruptions, improve best practices, and increase business profits. Implications for social change include the enhancement of company profits given efficiencies in the supply chain. Such increase in profits leads to increases in taxes, which contributes to the overall betterment of the local communities.

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This thesis investigates whether the tendency for Advanced Business Services to concentrate in Sydney and Melbourne implies a similar spatial bias in the propensity for innovation across the Australian economy. The various models of business innovation are reviewed. The traditional Schumpeterian view is characterized by a strategic leap in customer offer, based on some new break-through technology. Alternatively, innovation may proceed in incremental or organic fashion. Other conceptual frameworks for analyzing innovation conceive of it as a network process, which is becoming more prevalent as corporate value chains 'unbundle' with improved communication technologies, reduced barriers to capital transfers and new techniques for managing transaction risk. Regardless of which model of innovation is applied, Advanced Business Services have a critical role in sparking and facilitating innovation. This is gathering potency as the 'thinking part' of the value chain becomes increasingly separable from the 'making' and 'distribution' aspects of production. While Advanced Business Services are vital to successful innovation in the modern economy, they continue to operate within primitive commercial models where social networks and trust based relationships are paramount in successful client service. The innovation catalyst function of Advanced Business Services may be prone to a significant distance deterioration effect, because of the difficulty of maintaining the requisite social relationships over an extended geography. This, in turn, suggests an emergent core and periphery geography in innovation. The thesis examines this hypothesis through both demand and supply side analyses. The latter involves a random sample survey of approximately 100 Advanced Business Service firms in Melbourne. This confirms the tendency of these firms to favour local clients. The demand side analysis includes case studies of Advanced Business Service use and innovation outcomes amongst six metropolitan Melbourne based firms and six similar firms based some two hours drive away in Bendigo. In line with the hypothesis, the metropolitan cases show much stronger engagement with knowledge intensive advisory services than their counterparts in regional Victoria. The demand side analysis also includes a quantitative component, which is exploratory in nature owing to data limitations. It considers how innovation outcomes in manufacturing change with increasing distance from key Advanced Business Service centres. Innovation outcomes are proxied by variations in manufacturing worker wages. These results are also consistent with the hypothesis of distance deterioration in the innovation role of Advanced Business Services.

This thesis studies the influence of horizontal competition on supply chain performance. Unlike most of the existing literature which focuses on horizontal competition between echelon levels, we look at both the supply chain and the individual company??s performance with the presence of supply chain to supply chain competition. Specifically, this thesis is composed of three individual research papers. The first paper deals with chain-to-chain horizontal competition and considers price competition among an arbitrary number of supply chains by comparing two cases. In the first case each supply chain is vertically integrated, while in the second, decentralised, case the manufacturers and retailers act independently. We explore the effect of varying the level of price competition on the profitts of the industry participants and demonstrate the important role played by the spread of underlying market shares. The coefficient of variation of these market shares determines whether decentralised supply chains can outperform integrated supply chains with an appropriate level of competition. The second and third papers focus on in-chain horizontal competition with capacity constraints. In the second paper, we look at a supply chain with one manufacturer and two downstream retailers. Based on total capacity available, the manufacturer needs to find ways to best use the capacity by determining whether or not to release the capacity information to retailers. The third paper looks at competition in a more complicated supply chain structure. A retailer buys three brands of products from two manufacturers. One manufacturer produces both branded and private label products, and the other one manufactures a branded product only. With our model, we are able to determine the profits of each supply chain agent. At the end of the paper, we use data from the Australian milk industry and discuss a problem in which a manufacturer needs to decide how to allocate capacity between the national brand and the private label when there is a capacity shortage.