Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-93).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1986. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [447]-462.

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It is argued that the neo-classical approach of regarding the market economy as a largely sufficient means of optimising technological and economic development is quite unrealistic and market forces alone cannot assure rapid technological and economic development. It is suggested instead that the pace of technological change and industrial transformation can be accelerated by well-directed pro-active State intervention. To do so, the State must allocate resources, articulate goals, identify time frames, design and implement appropriate policies as well as establish linkage and integrative mechanisms. This thesis focuses on defining the characteristics of a State that can stimulate technological advancement in carefully selected sectors to achieve mastery of particular technologies in the drive for economic development. According to the argument of this thesis, it is by means of a developmental State, that technological development can become endogenised and it is differences in State capacity that largely explain variations in economic performance amongst developing countries. State actions that create coherence between the public and private sectors, so leading to a synergistic interaction promoting the strengths of both to the detriment of neither are also defined and described. From the starting position that it is the developmental State that is best positioned to co-ordinate and prioritise in order to bring about rapid technological and economic development, the thesis explores what are the defining characteristics of such a State. In addition to the three features recognised in the literature: - relative autonomy, capacity, and embeddedness - the thesis argues that for a State to become developmental, four other features are required. These are: - legitimacy of the State, unity in society, motivation for economic development, and political stability. The essence of this thesis's theoretical contribution is that it is the extent to which these seven features are developed, as well as the manner and extent of their interaction with one another, that determines the level of developmental capacity of a State in any particular period. By means of this theoretical framework, the socio-historical and political processes in the South Korean and Turkish States are analysed with reference to their car manufacturing industries. Technical changes implemented throughout the history of the three Turkish passenger car plants are investigated, together with the firms' characteristics and performance. The nature and objectives of technological changes generated in the plants are explored and both macro and firm-level factors that affect the firms' technological efforts are identified. The focus of the case studies is to uncover the precise nature of the means and mechanisms whereby the South Korean State's interventions proved to be so much more effective than those of the Turkish State.

O objetivo deste trabalho de pesquisa é realizar uma análise exploratória do desenvolvimento de novos produtos e produção em empresas do segmento automotivo que adotam a estratégia modular. A estratégia para a indústria automotiva é uma forma de simplificar a gestão de um produto, considerado complexo, num ambiente de intensa competição, inovação tecnológica e redução do ciclo de vida do produto. Na verdade, é um conjunto de conceitos que leva a novas formas de organizar o desenvolvimento do produto e a produção, possibilitando a transferência de atividades de projeto do produto e produção na cadeia produtiva. Para o delineamento da pesquisa foi utilizado o estudo de caso na análise de duas montadoras de veículos comerciais que produzem produtos semelhantes (caminhões e chassis de ônibus). Uma das montadoras opera com o sistema de consórcio modular e a outra, embora mais convencional, aplica o conceito de modularidade na linha de montagem final. O estudo de caso também foi utilizado na análise de dois fornecedores de primeiro nível, que fornecem motores para a montadora que opera o consórcio modular, sob a óptica do desenvolvimento de novos produtos e montagem do módulo no veículo. De uma forma ampla, a pesquisa revelou que os novos desenvolvimentos de produtos modulares influenciam o sistema produtivo existente e por outro lado, este também exerce influência no projeto do produto. Para minimizar as consequências as montadoras lançam medidas que integram os times de engenharia e fornecedores e adotam medidas para simulação do processo antes do início de produção. / The aim of this research paper is performing an exploratory analysis of the new product development and production in automotive companies that use the modular strategy. The strategy for the automotive industry is a way to simplify the management of complex products in an environment of intense competition, technological innovation and shorter product life cycles. Indeed, it is a set of concepts that lead to new way of organizing the product and production development, enabling the transfer of project activities and production in the chain. Aiming the research design, it was used the case study analysis in two automakers, which produces similar products (trucks and bus chassis). One of the automakers operates the modular consortium system, and the other, though more conventional, applies the modular concept in the final assembly line. Also, the case study was used in the analysis of two first tier suppliers, which supplies engines for the automaker that operates the modular consortium, in order to know how the new product development happens. Generally, the research has shown that the new product development influences the existing modular production system, and in the other side, this also influences the product design. However, to minimize the consequences, automakers launch measures in order to integrate the teams and suppliers, and adopt measures to simulate the process before starting of production.

M.Com. (Business Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Management’s response to shareholders’ return on investment as a priority occurs in an increasingly dynamic environment. Accompanying these activities is the need to realign responsibilities and to allocate scarce resources effectively. This is done in order to ensure that companies achieve global competitiveness and increase shareholders’ return on investment. Against this backdrop, local industry needs to find new methods or strategies in order to achieve world-class competitiveness, and to be able to access foreign investment. One way to achieve these goals is through Value Based Management (VBM). The objective of this study is to evaluate the strategic intent of Multinational Entities in applying VBM to increase shareholders’ return on investment. Based on the study, certain factors are critical to ensure the success of VBM. A postal survey to managers in the motor manufacturing and component manufacturing companies was conducted to check the managers’ familiarity with VBM, and their scope, and usage of VBM; and, based on the finding, to evaluate the impact of VBM on companies’ results. The empirical finding was compared with a literature review, and the following findings were made: There is a strong understanding and application of the VBM principle on the part of local entities with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Departmental performance is critical to an entity’s overall performance; Based on the study, 23 per cent of the respondents use Economic Value Added (EVA) as an internal reporting measure, and an average of 19 per cent use other metrics; A total of 89 per cent of respondents indicated that they strongly agree with the use of incentives for motivation. The above-mentioned points were covered by means of 4-M framework ― that is: Measurement, Management, Motivation, and Mindset.

In the global automotive industry there is a drive toward integration of autonomous and human operated equipment. Monfared and Yang (2006:546) suggest that this dynamic requirement could be met with elements to be investigated in a research paper. Current investigations show a gap in management not having a guideline which can be used to help decide between automation versus human capital in the planning of new production facilities in the automotive assembly plant. (Skjerve and Skraaning, 2004:3). The purpose of this research is to determine what factors affect this decision-making process. In order to carry out this research, an in-depth literature review was conducted using various sources. The sources included, but were not limited to, interviews at assembly plants, the Nelson Mandela Metro University library, various e-journals and the internet. The literature review led to the finding of the factors which affect Levels of Automation (LOA) and to the development of the research instrument which was used to measure the impact of those factors. The results of fifty-two (52) respondents were then analysed and used as evidence to support the three hypotheses proposed. As a result of completing the above procedure the following hypotheses were supported. The greater the level of technology and the lower the skills of employees the greater the level of automation in an automotive assembly plant to be used. The greater the complexity of the assembly processes the lower the level of automation in an automotive assembly plant to be used. The higher the flexibility the greater the level of automation in an automotive assembly plant to be used. This means that managers and supervisors of assembly plants should consider the level of technology and skills of employees, flexibility and complexity during the design stages of an automotive assembly line as these factors will affect profitability by reducing waste, improve quality as well as allow for flexibility in customer demand in terms of volumes and product variance.

Faculty of Engineering and Built Enviroment School of Mechanical,Industrial and Aeronamical Engineering 9901104p francisk@global.co.za / This research uses the SERVQUAL instrument developed by Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry to evaluate the level of service quality perceived by customers at selected vehicle service dealerships in the country. In general, none of the dealerships’ performance meets or exceeds the customers’ expectation. The hypothesis of “customers view selected South African vehicle service dealerships as having equal levels of service quality” is not disproved. Findings of this research coincide with that of Cronin and Taylor; indicating that measuring perception scores has a higher internal consistency than measuring the difference between expectation and perception scores. In addition, respondents consider “reliability” as the most important aspect in service quality while dealerships perform the worst in this area. Finally, the discrepancy between customers’ expectations and managements’ perception on such expectations contribute partially to the overall service quality gap and further research should investigate the other gaps that broaden the overall service quality gap.