Issue 2, 2009 South African Journal of Industrial Engineering - Volume 20,
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South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20 (2009)
In the November 2009 edition of the Journal, the expanding of the horizons of Industrial Engineering is the theme. However, not only will this edition expand the horizons of IE applications, the Journal will have a significantly wider reach. It will henceforth be included in the EBSCO electronic journal platform for global dissemination. It is believed that the exposure gained through the inclusion of the Journal on the EBSCO platform, will further enhance and confirm the international standing of the Journal.
Outsourcing United Nations peacekeeping roles and support functions
K.A. Charles and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 1 –13 (2009)
The paper examines the use of private security organisations in a peacekeeping role as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, and develops an outsourcing scorecard for the UN. Forty national and international organisations were surveyed through questionnaires, a review of relevant literature, and records.
The UN rapid deployment task force should continue to be used until proper policy guidelines are established for the use of private security organisations for peacekeeping roles. Additionally, outsourcing of support functions would lead to major cost savings in UN peacekeeping operations. The scorecard developed in the research identifies services that can be outsourced successfully.
&apos;n Ondersoek oor die gebruik van private sekuriteits-organisasies vir vredebewaring as &apos;n alternatief vir die Verenigde Nasies (VN) word geloods. &apos;n Telkaart vir buiteverkryging word ontwikkel. Die ondersoek is gedoen by veertig nasionale en internasionale instansies via vraelyste, relevante literatuur en rekords.
Die ondersoek se aanduiding is dat die taakmag vir snelle ontplooiing van die VN steeds gebruik moet word tyd en wyl beleid en riglyne vir buiteverkryging van vredebewaring vasgelê is. Die navorsing toon dat buiteverkryging lewensvatbaar is met betekenisvolle kostebesparings vir die VN.
Finding the optimum level of taxes in South Africa : a balanced budget approach
N.J. Schoeman and
Y. Van Heerden
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 15 –31 (2009)
This article is primarily concerned with assessing the optimum rate of government intervention by means of tax revenue policies that would facilitate the full growth potential of the South African economy, using time series data for the period 1960 to 2007. In the analysis a balanced budget is assumed, which means that the level of expenditure is set equal to tax collection with no provision for borrowing. The results indicate that the actual average tax burden far exceeds its optimum level, and that the authorities will have to consider adjusting tax policy accordingly in order to improve the growth performance of the economy.
Hierdie artikel het primêr ten doel die assessering van die optimale koers van belastinginkomstebeleid wat die volle groeipotensiaal van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie sal ondersteun, deur gebruik te maak van tydreeksdata oor die periode 1960 to 2007. In die analise is &apos;n gebalanseerde begroting aanvaar, wat beteken dat die vlak van uitgawes gelyk gestel is aan die vlak van belastinginvorderings, en geen voorsiening word gemaak vir lenings nie. Die resultate dui daarop dat die werklike gemiddelde belastingdruk die optimale vlak aansienlik oorskry, en dat die owerheid moet oorweeg om die belastingbeleid dienooreenkomstig aan te pas om die groeipotentiaal van die ekonomie te verhoog.
Determining the most important factors for sustainable energy technology selection in Africa
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 33 –51 (2009)
The supply of sustainable energy is crucial for sustainable development in Africa. The aim of the study summarised in this paper is the identification, and prioritisation, of the factors that must be taken into account when selecting the most sustainable technological systems in the African context, by applying the Delphi technique. The questionnaire of the first round was based on factors already identified during a focus group exercise with energy experts. The Delphi participants were required to comment on the factors, add new factors, and rate all the factors. The results were fed back during the second round where respondents were again asked to rate the factors for feasibility, desirability, and importance. The outcome is the identification of the most important factors that can be used by decision makers to ensure better selection of sustainable energy technologies and projects. The top five prioritised factors are : Ease of maintenance and support over the life cycle of the technology; Suitable site readily available for pilot studies; Project management; Economic development; and Access to secured suitable sites for deployment.
Explaining mixed results on Science Parks performance : bright and dark sides of the effects of inter-organisational knowledge transfer relationships
L.A.G. Oerlemans and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 53 –67 (2009)
In the recent past, several researchers explored the added-values of Science Parks. On the basis of empirical research, some questioned the assumed benefits of the science park model, whereas others reported positive outcomes. As a result, mixed findings regarding the benefits of science parks for firms can be observed. These mixed empirical findings require a theoretical explanation. This paper argues that different levels and types of knowledge exchange behaviour of science park firms could be one of the theoretical explanations for these mixed findings. The literature on networks mainly stresses the benefits of networking in general, and networking between firms located on science parks in particular. This paper proposes that networks can have both positive (knowledge sharing) and negative effects (opportunistic behavior and knowledge spillovers) for firms located on science parks. When the latter occurs, location on a science park might produce negative effects. A conceptual model is developed that summarises our theoretical arguments.
Verskeie navorsers het in die onlangse verlede die waardetoevoeging van Wetenskapparke ondersoek. Empiriese navorsingsresultate dui enersyds daarop dat die voordele van Wetenskapparke bevraagteken moet word, maar andersyds dat daar positiewe uitkomste ook is. Dit is dus nodig dat hierdie teenstrydige resultate verder ondersoek en teoretiese verklarings daarvoor gevind moet word. In hierdie artikel word geargumenteer dat verskillende vlakke en tipes kennisuitruil gedragspatrone van firmas wat in Wetenskapparke gestasioneer is, een van die teoretiese verklarings vir bogenoemde teenstrydige bevindings is. Die algemene literatuur oor netwerke lê hoofsaaklik klem op die algemene voordele van netwerking tussen firmas binne Wetenskapparke. Hierdie artikel argumenteer dat netwerke beide positiewe (kennisdeling) en negatiewe (opportunistiese gedrag en kennisoorspoeling) effekte vir firmas binne Wetenskapparke kan inhou.
The transfer and commercialisation of technology from South Africa to foreign markets in the financial services industry
F.H. Lubbe and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 69 –80 (2009)
International technology transfer (ITT) processes are complex, risky, and often fail. When financial services organisations have the opportunity to transfer their business model and core technologies to a foreign market, comprehensive research into the technology and the market is compulsory. Numerous applicable theories and models in technology transfer were reviewed to develop a comprehensive ITT model. Interviews with key individuals and focus group sessions were used to rank factors that affect the success of ITT in the financial services industry - specifically, a case in the direct short term insurance industry. These success factors were implemented in the developed market evaluation model where the user is required to enter evaluation values for each factor. The evaluation model then delivers a value that represents the market potential. This model can be used to evaluate one market or many potential markets. There are two factors that an organisation must always be aware of : the influence stakeholders have on the ITT process, and what ITT strategy is employed. Further research is proposed to validate the developed model beyond the specific case study.
Internasionale tegnologieoordragprosesse (ITO) is kompleks, riskant, en faal dikwels. Wanneer organisasies in die finansiële dienste sektor die geleentheid bekom om besigheidsmodelle en kerntegnologieë oor te dra na buitelandse markte, is oorkoepelende tegnologie- en marknavorsing noodsaaklik. Verskeie verwante teorieë en modelle in tegnologieoordrag is bestudeer om &apos;n ITO-model te ontwikkel. Onderhoude met individue is gevoer en fokusgroepsessies is gehou om faktore wat die sukses van ITO in the finansiële dienstesektor bepaal, en meer spesifiek is &apos;n organisasie in die korttermynversekeringindustrie, se rangorde te bepaal. Dié suksesfaktore is geïmplementeer in die ontwikkelde markevaluasiemodel waardeur die gebruiker genoodsaak word om evaluasiewaardes vir elke faktor in te voer. Die evaluasiemodel voorsien dan &apos;n waarde wat die markpotensiaal bepaal. Die model kan gebruik word om &apos;n enkele of verskeie markte te evalueer. Die studie wys daarop dat twee faktore veral belangrik is, naamlik die invloed wat verteenwoordigers mag hê op die ITO-proses, en die ITO-strategie wat deurgevoer word. Navorsing word voorgestel om die ontwikkelde model verder te valideer.
Defining &apos;project governance&apos; for large capital projects
M.C. Bekker and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 81 –92 (2009)
Over the past decade corporate governance has received ample attention. Lately the principles of governance have been applied to other management disciplines, especially project management. The evolution of the concept of &apos;project governance&apos; resulted in various interpretations and applications of the term, causing confusion among academics and practitioners in various industries. Especially for large capital projects, a formal definition of the term &apos;project governance&apos;, and agreement on the content of a project governance model, have largely been neglected. This paper reports on exploratory work to define the concept of governance for large capital projects. An international Delphi survey, involving credible practitioners and academics, was conducted to define the term &apos;project governance&apos; better. The paper also introduces a framework for project governance.
Oor die afgelope dekade het korporatiewe geheelbestuur (&apos;governance&apos;) heelwat aandag geniet. Die beginsels van &apos;governance&apos; is ook in ander bestuursdissiplines, veral projekbestuur, toegepas. Die ontwikkeling van die konsep van &apos;projekgeheelbestuur&apos; het gelei tot verskeie interpretasies en toepassings van die term, en het tot verwarring by akademici en praktisyns in verskeie bedrywe gelei. Definiëring van die term projekgeheelbestuur, en &apos;n raamwerk vir groot kapitaalprojekte, is grotendeels nagelaat. Hierdie artikel rapporteer oor verkenningswerk om die konsep van geheelbestuur vir groot kapitaalprojekte te definieer. &apos;n Internasionale Delphi-ondersoek, waarby geloofwaardige praktisyns en akademici betrek is, is uitgevoer om die term te definieer. Die artikel stel ook &apos;n raamwerk vir projekgeheelbestuur voor.
Evaluation of quality concepts influencing a manufacturing environment in South Africa
P. Erasmus and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 93 –105 (2009)
This article evaluates the influence that quality concepts and tools in a manufacturing environment may have on parameters possibly affecting the future design and development of products in the same company. It attempts to establish how quality results can be utilised to determine the level of quality control tools used, such as Quality Function Deployment and Concurrent Engineering, in a company that designs for manufacture. By establishing links from quality results and customer requirements, the research determines what critical quality tools are necessary to determine the capability to manufacture an item without the use of excessive planning resources.
Hierdie artikel evalueer die invloed van kwaliteitskonsepte en kwaliteitsgereedskap in &apos;n vervaardigingsomgewing ten einde die effek daarvan op toekomstige ontwerp en ontwikkeiling te bepaal. Die doel is om kwaliteitsresultate te gebruik om die gebruiksvlak van kwaliteitsbeheergereedskap soos bv "Quality Function Deployment" en "Concurrent Engineering" te bepaal in &apos;n maatskappy wat &apos;n ontwerpsfunksie vervul vir vervaardigingsdoeleindes. Deur hierdie verwantskap tussen kwaliteitsresultate en kliëntvereistes te ondersoek, word bepaal welke kritiese gereedskap benodig word om die kapasiteit van vervaardiging van &apos;n komponent te bepaal sonder die gebruik van &apos;n uitgebreide beplanningshulpbron.
A control chart for heavy tailed distributions
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 107 –115 (2009)
Standard control charts with control limits determined by the mean and standard error of the mean are constructed based on the assumption that the distribution of the quality characteristic being monitored follows a normal distribution. However, this assumption is not always valid. It is proposed to use a chart based on computing the control limits using the process mean and the standard error of the least absolute deviation for the case where the process quality characteristics follow a heavy tailed t distribution. Such a control chart is more effective than the normal distribution based chart since it has a low out-of-control average run length for both small and large values of process shift.
&apos;n Kontrolekaart wat gebruik maak van kontrolelimiete gebaseer op die standaardafwyking van die geringste absolute limiet word ontwerp vir &apos;n t-verdeling met &apos;n betekenisvolle stert. Simulasietoetse vir vergelyking van die voorgestelde kontrolekaart met normaalverdeelde kontrolekaarte toon dat korter gemiddelde looplengtes voor diagnose van beheerverlies uitgewys word, bereik word.
A heuristic fixed limit Bayesian p chart
M.H. Abooie and
M. Amin Nayeri
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 117 –125 (2009)
The paper proposes an efficient approach to detecting an increase in the fraction of nonconforming items. The novelty of the paper is its utilization of the concept of the Bayesian rule and construction of a Bayesian control chart. This approach is significantly better than certain existing effective approaches in detecting small deviations. The major application of the charts is in high-tech industries and short run processes where the detection of small deviations and the evaluation of the initial setup are very important. The simulated results for the average run length profiles demonstrate the superiority of the new approach against the standard p chart, binomial EWMA and moving average approach. The new approach is easy to understand and may be attractive and useful to researchers, while it can also be an effective alternative for other existing approaches.
Die navorsing hou &apos;n doeltreffende Bayes-gebaseerde kontrolekaartmetode voor vir die beheer van breukdefekte waar gehalte buite beheer raak vir klein afwykings. Die metode se vertoning word via simulasie teen ander geykte kontrolekaartmetodes vir gemiddelde looplengte beproef. Die nuwe benadering is maklik verstaanbaar en bruikbaar vir navorsers, terwyl dit ook &apos;n effektiewe alternatief vir ander bestaande benaderings is.
Modular reconfigurable machine tools : design, control and evaluation
G. Bright and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 127 –143 (2009)
The reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) paradigm encapsulates methodologies that enable manufacturing systems to cope effectively with market and product changes. This research presents the design and evaluation of modular reconfigurable machine (MRM) tools as a novel machining solution within the scope of RMS. Mechanical and control designs are presented, outlining the development of this novel machining system. The property of hardware modularity displayed by MRMs enables an adjustment of system functionality and the synergistic redistribution of system resources between production streams, thus facilitating inter-process capacity scaling. Scalable production capacity and adjustable system functionality are the key objectives of reconfigurable manufacturing.
Die paradigma van &apos;n herkonfigureerbare vervaardigingstelsel (HVS) bevat metodologieë waarmee vervaardigingstelsels kan tred hou met mark- en produkveranderings. Die navorsing hou die ontwerp en evaluering van modulêre masjiengereedskap voor as &apos;n nuwerwetse oplossing vir die herkonfigurasievraagstuk. Meganiese- en beheerontwerpe word voorgestel vir die ontwikkeling / ontplooiing van nuwe masjineringstelsels.
Die modulêre eienskappe van &apos;n HVS werk stelselplooibaarheid in die hand via &apos;n sinergistiese herdistribusie van stelselbronne aan produksievloeie om sodoende verlangde proseskapasiteit tegemoet te kom.
A genetic algorithm for two dimensional strip packing problems
T.I. Van Niekerk and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 145 –162 (2009)
Cutting and packing problems are combinatorial optimisation problems. In most manufacturing situations a raw material, usually in some standard size, has to be divided or cut into smaller items to complete the production of some product. It is therefore desirable that this raw material be used efficiently. A novel placement heuristic, hybridised with a genetic algorithm, is presented in this paper. A general solution encoding scheme, which is used to encode two dimensional strip packing problems, is also introduced in this study.
Die optimisering van sny- en pakprobleme vorm deel van die kombinasieleer. Dit is dikwels so by vervaardiging dat grondstof onderverdeel (gesny) word om te pas by die samestelling van &apos;n gegewe produk. Sodanige onderverdeling moet doeltreffend verrig word. &apos;n Veredelde heuristiese genetiese algoritme word hiervoor bekend gestel. &apos;n Algemene koderingsmetode vir tweedimensionele strookverpakking word voorgehou.
An appraisal system for monitoring performance of convenience stores in Taiwan
C. Bai and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 163 –177 (2009)
With service industries achieving almost 70% of GDP, Taiwan has witnessed a major shift in its economic structure, similar to the trends that have been observed elsewhere. The retail sector has shown enormous growth, and Taiwan has seen tremendous growth in convenience stores in recent years, as their density has peaked in many Asian countries. Operating efficiency has become a critical element of success and survival for convenience stores in a highly competitive environment. In this paper, we apply Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) to investigate the productivity efficiency and monitor the performance of convenience stores, characterized by multiple inputs and outputs. The paper also offers a distribution service system model and management matrix to examine the competitiveness of the store chain as a whole. The findings indicate that DEA can provide useful diagnostic information, and suggest ways to improve efficiency.
Die bydrae tot die BBP van Taiwan beloop tans bykans 70% ten opsigte van dienstebedrywe. Die kleinhandelsektor toon ook &apos;n betekenisvolle oplewing. Doeltreffendheid is ook van opperste belang vir geriefswinkels.
Die navorsing ondersoek die gebruik van DataOmsluitingsAnalise (DOA) en die Malmquist Produktiwiteits-Indeks om die vertoning van geriefswinkels met veelvoude van insette en uitsette te monitor. Die mededingendheid van &apos;n kettingwinkel word ook bepaal. Toepassing van die bogenoemde DOA-metode lewer nuttige diagnostiese inligting wat gebruik kan word vir verbetering van bedryfsrendement.
M. Du Preez and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 179 –192 (2009)
This paper investigates the economic efficiency of extending an existing cable waste recycling plant to accommodate the recycling of the plastic fraction of cable waste. The paper shows that when a cost benefit analysis (CBA) is carried out, the decision-making criteria generate conflicting results. More specifically, the net present value (NPV) is greater than zero, the internal rate of return (IRR) is less than the social discount rate, and the benefit cost ratio (BCR) is less than unity. Based on these results, one is unable to provide unqualified support for the project.
Die navorsing word toegespits op die uitbreiding van &apos;n bestaande kabelskrootaanleg vir die herwinning van plastiekafval. Koste-opbrengs-ontleding (CBA) toon dat toepaslike kriteria soos interne rentabiliteit (IRR) en koste-opbrengs-verhouding (BCR) nie die uitbreiding onomwonde ondersteun nie.
Using palletised work-holding to emulate 5-axis machining of aerospace components in the developing world
H.J. Joubert and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 193 –203 (2009)
This paper proposes the application of precision pallet technology, together with common 3-axis milling, to machine certain complex aerospace components that are normally 5-axis machined. In this approach a set of different customised precision pallets are used to present each complex plane to the 3-axis machine as a series of horizontal planes for machining. After machining one surface, the pallet is exchanged for another that has been pre-setup in machining time. Trials confirm the viability of the approach, with capital recovery in less than a year.
Hierdie artikel stel die aanwending van presisiepallettegnologie, saam met gewone 3-as frees, voor om komplekse lug- en ruimtevaartkomponente te vervaardig. Die gebruiklike metode om hierdie komponente te vervaardig vereis 5-as masjinering. In die voorgestelde benadering word &apos;n stel verskillende pasgemaakte presisiepalette gebruik om elke komplekse vlak as &apos;n reeks horisontale vlakke te posisioneer vir masjinering. Die gevolg is dat eenvoudige en vinnige vlakfrees voldoende is. Nadat een vlak gemasjineer is, word die pallet vervang met &apos;n ander wat vooraf opgestel is gedurende masjineringstyd. Toetse bevestig die lewensvatbaarheid, met kapitaaldelging in minder as &apos;n jaar.
Simulation-based online scheduling in a make-to-order job shop
J. Bekker and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 205 –217 (2009)
Scheduling is a core activity in the manufacturing business. It assists with the efficient and effective utilisation of capital-intensive resources and increased throughput, thus increasing profitability. Simulation is appealing in manufacturing, as it can realistically imitate dynamic, stochastic processes while being descriptive in predicting the future process. We combined simulation and scheduling and developed an online simulation-based scheduler for manufacturing orders in a South African make-to-order job shop enterprise. There are frequent changes in this type of environment, including random arrivals of orders with stochastic processing times. A simulation-based scheduler is applicable in this myopic, stochastic environment, and we demonstrate its use under these conditions.
Skedulering is &apos;n kern-aktiwiteit in &apos;n vervaardigingsonderneming. Dit ondersteun doeltreffende en effektiewe benutting van kapitaal-intensiewe hulpbronne asook verhoogde produksiedeurset, wat weer wins verhoog. Simulasie is van nut in vervaardiging omdat dit dinamiese, stogastiese prosesse realisties kan naboots terwyl dit die prosestoekoms op beskrywende wyse toon. Simulasie en skedulering is gekombineer in hierdie projek om &apos;n simulasiegebaseerde skeduleerder te ontwikkel vir bestellings in &apos;n maak-op-aanvraag werkwinkel. Veranderings vind gereeld in hierdie tipe omgewing plaas, en sluit toevallige aankomste van bestellings met stogastiese prosestye in. &apos;n Simulasiegebaseerde skeduleerder is toepaslik in hierdie stogastiese, korttermyn-omgewing, en die werking van die skeduleerder word in hierdie omstandighede gedemonstreer.
A new model for single facility location based on service level
A. Ahmadi Javid and
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 20, pp 219 –227 (2009)
This paper studies a new continuous single facility location problem. In this problem the locations of the customers (or the previously located facilities) vary, randomly, and the objective is to locate a new facility so as to maximise the mean service level considered to be the mean number of the customers whose distances from the new facility are smaller than a predefined desirable distance. The problem is formulated, and then an approximate solution method is presented to solve the problem. Also, we apply our results to locate the capital of Iran as a case study.
Die navorsing behandel &apos;n enkele vestigingsvraagstuk. Die probleem vereis bepaling van die maksimum waarde van gemiddelde dienspeil aan verbruikers teen &apos;n agtergrond van toevalligverdeelde afsetpunte. &apos;n Benaderde oplossingsmetode word voorgehou. By wyse van illustrasie word die metode gebruik om die gewensde geografiese posisie van die Iranese hoofstad te bepaal.