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The value of an energy efficiency strategy : the case for Pioneer Foods

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research study explored energy efficiency and the possible implications for a South
African company, the Pioneer Foods Group (Pioneer Foods).
“What value could Pioneer Foods derive from an energy efficiency strategy?” is the
research question posed in this study.
The case study analysis revealed that Pioneer Foods recently listed on the Johannesburg
Stock Exchange and therefore needed to implement an environmental management
strategy as part of their carbon footprint reporting. Energy efficiency turned out to be one
aspect that could have a significant impact on their carbon footprint.
The most important barrier to energy efficiency identified at Pioneer Foods was found to
be the lack of real-time electrical consumption information as this could result in a lack of
ownership taken by mill management. Further barriers included the use of wrong
information for benchmarking purposes as well as a possible misunderstanding of the
different electricity tariffs shown on the electrical utility bill.
Possible ways to overcome the barriers to energy efficiency at Pioneer Foods included
installation of energy meters for real-time monitoring of the energy consumption,
empowerment of people to ensure buy-in, as well as key performance indicators for mill
managers linked to energy efficiency.
It was suggested that the energy efficiency strategy be implemented in stages covering
short-term, medium-term and long-term objectives. This way the implementation process
would seem less intrusive to people and also give the energy efficiency team the
opportunity to learn more and perhaps adjust the strategy throughout the implementation
process.
This research project should act as a starting point for Pioneer Foods to grow from being
unconsciously incompetent to becoming consciously competent in the field of energy
efficiency. The observations made throughout this study, should convince companies that
energy efficiency should not just matter to high energy users. All companies should
explore their own drivers for implementing energy efficiency and act on it. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingstudie het die effektiewe gebruik van energie, en die moontlike
implikasies vir ‘n Suid Afrikaanse maatskappy, die Pioneer Voedsel Groep (Pioneer
Voedsel) ondersoek.
“Watter waarde sou Pioneer Voedsel kon put uit ‘n energie-effektiwiteit-strategie?”
is die navorsingsvraag wat in hierdie studie gestel is.
Uit die analise blyk dat Pioneer Voedsel onlangs op die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs
genoteer is. Daar word dus van hulle verwag om ‘n omgewingsbestuur-strategie in plek te
stel as deel van hul koolstofvoetspoor-verslaggewing. Dit blyk dat energie-effektiwiteit een
aspek is wat ‘n groot impak op hulle koolstofvoetspoor kan hê.
Die grootste struikelblok tot energie-effektiwiteit by Pioneer Voedsel geïdentifiseer, was die
tekort aan intydse elektriese verbruiksinligting. Dit kan veroorsaak dat die bestuur nie
eienaarskap neem van energie-effektiwiteit nie. Verdere struikelblokke sluit in die gebruik
van foutiewe inligting vir metingsdoeleindes asook ‘n moontlike gebrek aan begrip van die
verskillende elektrisiteitstariewe uiteengesit op die elektrisiteitsrekening.
Moontlike maniere om die struikelblokke by Pioneer Voedsel te oorkom sluit in die
installasie van energiemeters vir intydse monitering van energieverbruik, bemagtiging van
mense om inkoop te verseker, en sleutelprestasie-aanwysers vir bestuurders gekoppel
aan energie-effektiwiteit.
Dit word voorgestel dat die energie-effektiwiteit-strategie in fases geïmplementeer word
om sodoende kort-, medium- en langtermyn-mikpunte te bereik. Sodoende sal die
implementering van die proses minder indringend vir personeel wees. Dit gee ook die
energie-effektiwiteit-span die kans om meer te leer asook die strategie aan te pas soos
nodig tydens die implementeringsproses.
Hierde navorsingsprojek moet dien as die vertrekpunt vir Pioneer Voedsel om te groei van
onwetend onbekwaam tot wetend bekwaam in die veld van energie-effektiwiteit. Verder
behoort dit maatskappye te oortuig dat energie-effektiwiteit nie net ‘n verskil maak vir hoë
energie verbruikers nie, maar dat alle maatskappye hulle eie drywers vir die implementering van energie-effektiwiteit behoort te identifiseer en daarvolgens
aksiestappe te neem.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/80648
Date12 1900
CreatorsLe Roux, Andries
ContributorsVolschenk, Jako, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Formatx, 69 p. : ill.
RightsStellenbosch University

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