College of Law and Management Studies

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Aligning information and communication technology strategies with Ethekwini municipality’s strategic objectives for service delivery.
(2023) Dlamini, Zandile Virtue.; Majola, Priscilla Xoliswa.
In the realm of municipal governance, the rapid integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has introduced new opportunities and challenges. A critical challenge is the misalignment between strategic objectives and ICT strategies within municipalities, as exemplified by eThekwini municipality in South Africa. The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the pivotal role of strategic alignment in shaping ICT implementation for effective service delivery within eThekwini municipality. The aim was to provide insights and solutions to bridge the gaps between ICT and municipal strategy alignment. A mixed methods approach was employed in this study, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques in a convergent parallel design. The questionnaires used in the study were meticulously aligned with the research's specific objectives. A census approach was adopted to collect quantitative and qualitative data gathered through purposive sampling. The research identified a key issue as limited executive involvement in developing the municipality's ICT strategy, resulting in a misalignment between the strategy and the overarching municipal goals. This misalignment risks suboptimal decision-making based solely on operational inputs. This finding underscores the critical need for strategic alignment between municipal objectives and ICT strategies in eThekwini municipality. The municipality should thus prioritise the development of a comprehensive ICT strategy that aligns seamlessly with its overarching objectives. This strategy should be crafted with active involvement from key stakeholders, outlining clear goals and action plans aimed at harnessing technology for efficient service delivery. To ensure effective alignment, robust ICT governance structures and decision-making processes must be established. These changes will not only enhance service delivery to the community, but also promote a transparent, efficient, and technology-enabled governance approach.
An exploratory study of total quality management challenges during coronavirus disease: a case of Durban textile companies.
(2022) Mbele, Khulani.; Ncube, Eric Dumisani.
This research focused on Total Quality Management (TQM) as an operations challenge in the textile manufacturing sector during the era of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the focus on textile manufacturing sector companies. South African textile companies based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, include Best Branding South Africa (BBSA) and Textiles Express (TE) were selected for the study. TQM is a philosophy that seeks to integrate all organisational functions such as marketing, finance, supply chain, and engineering, as well as production, and customer service, to focus on meeting customer needs and company objectives. Customer satisfaction is the main driving force in TQM and involves top management. One of the biggest challenges in the textile manufacturing sector is that COVID-19 has severely affected TQM operations. Some of the operational challenges include, but are not limited to such as, machine failures, materials, and rejects. The COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate effect on textile sales, trade, and production. TQM operational challenges include shutting down business operations, the decline in revenues, and a reduction in production. The main study aim was to determine the COVID-19 pandemic impact on TQM within the textile manufacturing sector. The objectives of the study include: determining operations challenges faced in TQM attributable to COVID-19, regarding planning at the two textile companies, BBSA and TE. Second, to examine strategies employed in the textile manufacturing sector by BBSA and TE to solve these TQM operations challenges. Third, to explore which strategies were used by BBSA and TE to assess the COVID-19 impact on TQM. Last, to determine mitigation measures BBSA and TE employed to alleviate TQM operations challenges during the era of COVID-19.Exploratory research design was employed to obtain more information on the current textile manufacturing industry status and evaluate the COVID-19 impact on TQM. A qualitative approach was used to collect primary data through interviews. Seven employees were selected from BBSA to participate, with eight employees selected from TE. Collected data were captured and analysed through thematic analysis, using NVivo version 12. The research findings from in-depth interviews revealed serious challenges in the textile industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the identified challenges at BBSA include disruption of operations, reduction in sales, and delays in orders. At TE the challenges during COVID-19 include inadequate training of employees, lack of resources, and ineffective communication. The study recommends textile companies stay informed regarding the COVID-19 situation; this will assist in making informed decisions about business operations, while also securing cash flow, such as having a contingency budget in place.
The assessment of sustainable supply chain management practices amongst selected manufacturing firms in Ghana=Ukuhlolwa kwezinqubo zokwenganyelwa ukusimamiswa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ezimbonini ezikhiqizayo eGhana ezikhethekile.
(2022) Nsowah, Johnson.; Phiri, Maxwell Agabu.
The study investigated whether the design and application of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in the Ghanaian manufacturing business enhance their financial performance and make them environmentally and socially responsible. The study was guided by six theories: the contingency theory, the resource-based view (RBV), the relational-view theory (RVT), the innovation diffusion theory (IDV), the stakeholder theory and the resource dependence theory (RDT). The study was underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm and followed a mixed-methods methodology, which combined interviews and surveys questionnaires to gather qualitative and quantitative data from a sample of 303 employees of Ghanaian manufacturing firms and 20 individuals who lived nearby. The data analysis findings revealed that relational, instrumental, knowledge and moral factors have a significant and positive direct effect on SSCM practices. Moreover, SSCM practices have a positive and significant effect on the economic, environmental and social performance of manufacturing firms. Barriers to the adoption of SSCM practices were also revealed. The findings led to the recommendation that firms need to use environmentally friendly materials for their products and introduce standardized procedures for recycling and disassembling products. In addition, manufacturing enterprises should collaborate with suppliers to ensure that they also adhere to sustainability standards in their processes and deliver services/products that support sustainability goals. Iqoqa Ucwaningo lwahlola ukuthi ngabe ukwakhiwa nokusetshenziswa kwezinqubo zokwenganyelwa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ngendlela ecabangela ingomuso emabhizinisini akhiqizayo eGhana, kuyakuthuthukisa yini ukusebenzisa kwawo izimali, nokuthi kuyenzeka yini ukuthi anakekele imvelo nemiphakathi. Ucwaningo lwalulandela izinjulalwazi eziyisithupha: icontingency theory, iresource-based view (RBV), irelational-view theory (RVT), iinnovation diffusion theory (IDV), i-stakeholder theory neresource dependence theory (RDT). Lolu cwaningo lusekelwe yipharadaymu yokungenzeka lwase lulandela indlelakwenza engxube eyahlanganisa izinhlolovo nemibuzo eyisaveyi lapho kuqoqwa imininingo eyikhwalithethivu neyikhwantithethivu esampuleni labasebenzi abangama-303 bezimboni zaseGhana ezikhiqizayo nabantu abangama-20 abahlala eduze nazo. Imiphumela yohlaziyo lwemininingo yaveza ukuthi izimo eziphathelene nobudlelwane, nezinto ezisetshenziswayo, ulwazi nendlela yokuziphatha kunomthelela obalulekile nomuhle, kulezi zinqubo zokwenganyelwa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ngendlela ecabangela ingomuso. Okunye futhi ukuthi lezi zinqubo zinomthelela omuhle nobalulekile kwezomnotho, emvelweni nasekusebenzisaneni kahle nemiphakathi kwezimboni ezikhiqizayo. Kwavela nezithiyo ezikhona mayelana nokwamukelwa kwezinqubo zokwenganyelwa kwezindlela zokusatshalaliswa kwempahla ngendlela ecabangela ingomuso. Imiphumela yaholela ekuthini kuphakanyiswe ukuthi izimboni emikhiqizweni yazo zisebenzise izinto ezingayicekeli phansi indalo nemvelo, nokulandela izindlela ezihlelembekile zempindakusebenzisa nokuhlakaza imikhiqizo. Okunye futhi ukuthi amabhizinisi akhiqizayo kumele asebenzisane nalabo abahlinzeka ngezimpahla ukuze kube nesiqiniseko sokuthi nabo bayazilandela izinqubo ezihlelembekile nezicabangela ingomuso nokuthi bathumela imisebenzi/nemikhiqizo esekela izinhloso ezisimamayo.
Evaluation of the intrapreneurship orientation in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2022) Chetty, Rangini.; Ngwenya, Tony Charles Simphiwe.
The pharmaceutical industry in South Africa is considered a knowledge-intensive sector, with sophisticated consumers, world-class clinical skills, excellent infrastructure, and an established policy and regulatory environment. However, recent global business disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, with its ensuing socio-economic sequelae, have highlighted the importance of an innovation or intrapreneurship orientation in pharmaceutical companies, where agility and responsiveness is pivotal - not just for surviving, but also thriving and creating value. It is in this context that intrapreneurship can be leveraged to spur innovation, augment business renewal, enhance organisational performance and ensure sustainability. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the nature and extent of the intrapreneurship orientation of the company’s managerial employees, to identify the strengths and weaknesses that influence intrapreneurship orientation at the company, to investigate the relationship between the company’s intrapreneurship orientation and organisational culture, and finally to explore strategies to augment the intrapreneurship orientation of the company’s managers. This sequential mixed methods explanatory study evaluated the nature and extent of intrapreneurship orientation of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company located in KwaZulu-Natal, using a sample of 55 managers, employing a self-administered online questionnaire for the quantitative research phase, and a focus group discussion of 10 managers for the qualitative research phase. The findings revealed a suboptimal intrapreneurship orientation, with weaknesses revolving around the management support, organisational structure and culture, as well as the availability and orchestration of resources. The organisation’s strengths were underpinned by the proactiveness and learning orientation of its managerial employees. Recommendations to the organisation include the development of a structure for innovation and intrapreneurship, the performance of a cultural survey as a first step in establishing a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning, and the development and implementation of an innovation balanced scorecard to manage innovation-related performance.
Examining container handling equipment to reduce port congestion at Durban Container Terminal.
(2022) Naicker, Rowen.; Chasomeris, Mihalis Georgiou.
Port congestion has become a major problem around the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) precinct and investors and key stakeholders have raised concerns and expressed their frustration over the poor productivity and capacity limitations. The aim of this study was to examine container handling equipment that should reduce port congestion at the DCT. The objectives are: 1) to examine the productivity of the DCT in comparison to other ports nationally and internationally; 2) to examine the performance of current container handling equipment used at the DCT and 3) to examine and compare the costs and productivity of using a Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) system versus Straddle Carrier (SC) system at the DCT. This desktop study collected and analysed secondary data on container handling productivity and costs of the container handling equipment used at the DCT. Cost effective analysis was applied to the available equipment data and associated costs were retrieved and studied. A compound interest formulae and inflation calculator were used to convert all costs to their 2021 approximate values. The performance results between 2015 to 2020 showed that the DCT was performing poorly. The DCT, Pier 1 and Pier 2 use RTG and SC respectively. RTGs performed exceptionally well compared to SCs. Examining the advantages and disadvantages of the RTG and SC showed that the RTG was the preferred option. Although RTGs were more expensive to purchase and operate, the SCs were costlier to maintain. Analysis of the equipment used by leading container ports shows that top ports have adopted the RTG system and that 2018 and 2019, more RTGs were purchased than Rail Mounted Gantrys (RMGs) and SCs combined by major ports globally. The results indicate the most viable option would be for the DCT to adopt a RTG system of operation due to its high efficiency levels and cost effectiveness.
Exploring personnel differentiation at KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform to create a competitive advantage.
(2022) Mkhize, Gugulethu Cynthia.; Pelser, Theunis Gert.
KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing platform (KRISP) is the health sciences Research Center of the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN). The platform offers cutting-edge genomics services. It started operating in 2017 and since its inception, KRISP has focused on establishing a professional genomic services laboratory through acquiring state of-the-art equipment, and implementing industrial scale processes and systems. Managers at KRISP also place emphasis on recruiting highly-qualified personnel. At the time of this research, the selected market for KRISP encompassed users from public research organisations, industry R&D and other commercial users. The need for cutting edge-genomics is fast-growing in South Africa and globally, given an impact of its application in many fields of science. Because of the expertise in health sciences research, KRISP is well positioned to offer genomics for infectious diseases’ research and diagnostics. In the marketplace, KRISP faces a strong competition from large domestic and international genomic laboratories. To penetrate the market, KRISP adopted a cost leadership strategy. While the approach helped KRISP build customer base, it is not sustainable because established rival laboratories operate at scale and are able to offer much lower prices. Therefore, KRISP’s survival and growth depend on devising a better suited approach to attain sustainable competitive advantage. The main aim of this study was to explore personnel differentiation as a strategy to create competitive advantage at KRISP. The focus was on understanding whether KRISP’s personnel demonstrate unique qualities that enhance the value of the services the platform offers. The research employed an exploratory case study strategy and qualitative research method underpinned by two qualitative research tools: an in-depth interview and document collection. The findings showed that the elements differentiating KRISP services were its high technical competence, knowledge, diverse skillset and the positive attitude of personnel. Service delivery outcomes resulting from these qualities included high-quality and comprehensive services offering, reliability and customisation. The KRISP environment and work practices were enabling for personnel learning and continuous capacity development. This was key to sustain personnel commitment and creativity.
Impacts of supply chain integration on resilience in state-owned logistics enterprises in Namibia.
(2023) Shooya, Anatolia Tshanyengandje.; Mbhele, Thokozani Patmond.
The study investigates supply chain integration (SCI) strategy and its impact on supply chain resilience within Namibia's state-owned logistics enterprises, explicitly focusing on the Port of Walvis Bay in the Erongo region. Despite the recognised synergistic effect of SCI on enhancing resilience, its application in Namibia's state-owned logistics enterprises, especially in Port Walvis Bay, requires specific investigation. Motivated by the need to determine SCI's implementation extent and its impact on resilience in these enterprises, the study aims to (a) to establish the impact of internal integration, (b) to determine the effect of supplier integration, (c) to establish customer integration's impact, (d) to determine the impact of information integration, and (e) to examine the relationship between supply chain integration and resilience. The study employed a quantitative questionnaire survey in six logistics industries in Walvis Bay. Data analysis employed structural equation modelling with the partial least squares method. The findings indicate that supply chain integration significantly contributes to resilience and substantially affects state-owned logistics enterprises in the Port of Walvis Bay, Erongo region. However, this relationship is not linear but contingent on the level of supply chain resilience. The study highlights the critical role of supply chain resilience as a mediator between integration and state-owned logistics enterprises, contributing to a better understanding of industry dynamics. This insight is valuable for practitioners and policymakers aiming to enhance the performance and resilience of regional state-owned logistics enterprises.
Investigation of poor service delivery of road infrastructure in uMshwathi local municipality.
(2023) Gwala, Phumulani Mpilwenhle.; Yalezo, Bhasela.
This study examines the poor service delivery of road infrastructure development in uMshwathi local municipality, in the Kwa Zulu Natal province. The study seeks fundamental evidence that points out the prolonged poor road infrastructure development and verification of the challenges that beget the status quo. The extant literature notes that inadequate road infrastructure is more prominent in municipal wards falling under traditional authority (Ingonyama Trust) while the municipal wards enjoy adequate road infrastructure. This study adopted a qualitative exploratory research approach. Document analysis was conducted to gain their insight and understanding of the challenges and impact of poor road infrastructure on the livelihood of the people. The qualitative analysis allowed for an in-depth analysis of both institutional and structural challenges of road infrastructure and its impact on the livelihoods of residents thereof. Umshwathi municipality is a land dominated by agricultural landscapes and derives its economy from mainly farming, while the residents practice large-scale subsistence and commercial farming. Road infrastructure development becomes a critical component and the only solution to assist residents to diversify their economy and ease travel. However, the majority of its rural dwellers still live in abject poverty and are very much excluded from participating in some commercial activities and enjoying all the liberties accorded to them in the South African Constitution. Poor road infrastructure development in the municipality especially in the rural sectors causes this exclusion. Poor road infrastructure development is caused by a lack of synergy between national and local governance structures and dilemmas brought about by institutional and structural challenges. The poor road infrastructure development affects negatively the residents, as well as their livelihood and welfare, is hampered; thus, creating secondary challenges for the community.
Managing stakeholder complexities: a model to curb project cost overruns in the construction industry in South Africa=Ukulawula ubunkimbinkimbi kwalabo abanesabelo: Imodeli yokuthiba izindleko zephrojekthi ezigijimela phambili embonini yokwakha eNingizimu Afrika.
(2022) Nyathi, Moses.; Proches, Cecile Naomi.; Taylor, Simon Michael.
Project cost overruns present major economic problems for financiers, governments, clients, companies, the supply chain, and the community. Meeting the project’s budget is one of the major objectives in completing a project successfully, and the exhaustion of finances may result in project discontinuation. It is alarming that previous and current studies have shown on-going project cost overruns within the construction industry. Joint project interdependency complexities between diverse project stakeholders in the project life cycle are implicated as one of the major causes of project budget overruns. However, there has been limited research and available literature on project stakeholder complexities' impact on the project budget within the South African construction industry. Therefore, this study focused on project-stakeholder cost overruns causes and established the extent to which construction project managers can effectively and efficiently liaise with stakeholders to curb stakeholder complexities and cost overruns. Construction project managers registered with the Construction Professional board participated in this study. The mixed method research approach was employed for this study by integrating both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms in data collection and analysis to draw inferences. A quantitative research approach focused on positivism paradigm, which utilises mathematical procedures and methods to statically explain the research phenomena. A qualitative research approach focused on interpretivism paradigm, which draws research phenomena understanding, emanating from numerous behavioural trends, processes, reflections, cultural and social contexts. Concurrent triangulation design was used by simultaneously collecting and discussing quantitative and qualitative approaches, aimed to better understand the study of interest by comparing and contrasting study findings to produce well-validated conclusions. Here, online questionnaires and structured interviews were the applied data collection techniques guided by a pragmatism philosophical worldview. One-hundred and fifty-two online questionnaires were completed and analysed, using SPSS to obtain quantitative data. To obtain qualitative data, thirteen interviewees participated and NVivo was used to analyse transcribed responses. The findings showed that the number of projects completed and scope changes, are central to stakeholders-related complexities contributing to budget overruns. Furthermore, the findings showed that factors comprising incompetency, local community strikes or unrest, market conditions, South African regulatory framework, reworks and contract misunderstanding, significantly contribute to project budget overruns. An iterative project-stakeholder budget overrun mitigation model was developed, and a template incorporating all the stages of the construction project life cycle was included, which will be jointly used to alleviate project-stakeholder budget overruns. Iqoqo Izindleko zephrojekthi ezigijima phambili ezinkingeni ezinkulu ezikhona njengamanje kwabanikezela ngemali, ohulumeni, amakilayenti namabhizinisi. Ukubhekana nesabelomali sephrojekthi yikhona okuyizinhloso ezinkulu ekuqedeni iphrojekthi ngempumelelo kanye nokuqedwa amandla kwezimali okungaholela ekungaqhubekini kwephrojekthi. Kuyethusa ukuthi ocwaningweni olwedlule nolwamanje lukhombisa ukwedlulela kwezindleko eziqhubekayo zephrojekthi phakathi embonini yokwakha. Ubunkimbinkimbi obuhlangene nephrojekthi encikene phakathi kwabehlukene abathintekayo bephrojekthi kumzungezompilo wephrojekthi ongena njengenye yezimbangela ezinkulu zokwedlulela kwesabelomali sephrojekthi. Nakuba kunocwaningo olungenele nokubuyekezwa kwemibhalo okutholakele kumthelela wobunkimbinkimbi kwabathintekayo bephrojekthi kusabelomali yephrojekthi embonini yokwakha eNingizimu Afrika. Ngakho-ke, lolu cwaningo lugxile ekwedluleleni kwezimbangela zezindleko zabathintekayo kuyiphrojekthi nokwakhiwa kwezinga abaphathi bamaphrojekthi ezokwakha abangasebenzisana ngayo kahle nabathintekayo ukuze kuthitshwe ubunkimbinkimbi kwabathintekayo nokwedlulela kwezindleko. Abaphathi bamaphrojekthi ezokwakha babhalise nebhodi Labafundele Ukwakha, iConstruction Professional board ababambe iqhaza kulolu cwaningo. Lolu cwaningo lwalandela indlelakwenza yocwaningo endlelangxube kwaphinde kwsetshenziswa zombili izinjulalwazi eyocwaningobunjalo botho neyocwaningozinombolo ngenkathi kuqoqwa imininingo kanye nokuhlaziya ukuze kutholakale umqondo. Indlelakwenza yocwaningozinombolo yayigxile kwinjulalwazi iphozithivizimu, eyayisebenzisa izinkambiso zezibalo nezindlela ukuze ichaze ngokwezibalomidanti okuvelayo kocwaningo. Indlelakwenza yocwaningo locwaningo lobunjalo botho yayigxile kuyinjulalwazi yomhumusho, eholela ekuqondeni okuvezwa ucwaningo, okuvela ezinkambisweni eziningi zokuziphatha, izinqubo, ukubuyiseleka, izimo zenhlalo nesiko. Isifanekisomumo sendlelakwenza yocwaningo engxube eyenzeka sikhathisinye yasetshenziswa kanye kanye kuqoqwa kubuye kuxoxiswane ngezindlelakwenza zocwaningozinombolo nocwaningo lobunjalo botho, kuhloswe ukuqonda kangcono okuthandwa ucwaningo kuqhathaniswa kubuye kufananiswe okutholwe ucwaningo ukuze kukhiqizwe isiphetho esiqinisekile. Lapha kwasetshenziswa uhlu lwemibuzo lwe-inthanethi kanye nezimposambuzo ezisakuhleleka okwakungamaqhingakwenza asetshenziselwa ukuqoqa imininingo aqondiswa ukubukajikelele ngobunzululwazi bendlelakubuka yenjulalwazi yokungenzeka. Uhlu lwemibuzo lwe-inthanethi oluyikhulu namashumi amahlanu nambili lwagcwaliswa lwaphinde lwahlaziywa kusetshenziswa iSPSS ukuze kutholakale imininingo yocwaningozinombolo. Ukuze kutholakale imininingo yocwaningo lobunjalo botho, ababamba iqhaza babuzwa imibuzo baba ishumi nantathu lapho kwasetshenziswa iNVivo ukuhlaziya izimpendulo zokuloba okuqoshiwe. Okwtholwa ucwaningo kwakhombisa inani lamaphrojekthi aqedwa kanye nezinguqo zomklamo okuyikhona kungumongo kubunkimbinkimbi obuhlobene nathintekayo kwaneqhaza ekwedluleleni kwesabelomali. Ngaphezu kwalokho, okwatholwa ucwaningo lwakhombisa izimo eziqukethe ezingenalo ikhono, iziteleka zendawo noma imibhikisho, izimo zezimakethe. Uphiko olushaya imithetho lwaseNingizimu Afrika, lusebenza kabusha luphinde lwakhe ukungaqondi, okuneqhaza ekwedluleleni kwesabelomali sephrojekthi. Kwasungulwa isabelomali sabathintekayo bephrojekthi ephindaphindekayo kokwedlulela kwimodeli yokuthambisa kuthambisa, kanye nokufakwa kwethemplethi ehlanganisa zonke izigaba zomjikelezo wempilo yephrojekthi yokwakha, ezazizostshenziswa ngokuhlanganyela ukudambisa ukwedlulela kwesabelomali sabathintekayo bephrojekthi.
Perceived factors affecting the adoption of electronic procurement in the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury.
(2023) Nchabeleng, Lewane Success.; Ncube, Eric Dumisani.
The digital revolution in the 21st century is regarded as the channel of corporate development that resulted in substantial changes in the way procurement is handled and managed within organisations. Public organisations have since become increasingly reliant on information and communication technologies. Given these developments, new forms of electronic commerce have also emerged; the most prominent form of electronic commerce is electronic procurement. By early 2000 developed economies began the implementation of e-procurement. In contrast, in emerging countries specifically in Africa, electronic procurement has not been widely adopted in government departments, including in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived factors that influence the adoption of electronic procurement and further establish employees’ perceptions of electronic procurement in the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury. An overview of procurement in the South African public sector was presented in a literature review, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within this particular environment. The study relied on a framework for successful implementation of electronic procurement espoused by Gunasekaran and Ngai. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 33 personnel in Supply chain, finance, and ICT using a quantitative descriptive approach. Descriptive statistics, including principal component analysis and Cronbach’s alpha, were performed using the Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS) and an Excel spreadsheet. The results indicate that there would be a significant reduction in paper consumption if electronic procurement was adopted in the department. Furthermore, the results indicate that there is a strong influence on the promotion of visibility in supply chain operations, although electronic procurement is prone to challenges. The results show that the availability of supporting infrastructures, the fear of cyber security, and the lack of management support were found to be the predictor of the lack of adoption of electronic procurement. Furthermore, due to the potential benefits of the adoption of electronic procurement, the results indicate that other procurement expenses, cost reduction, and increased supplier participation and competitiveness were found to be positive benefits of the adoption of electronic procurement. These findings have significant implications for the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury's adoption of electronic procurement. Suggestions for further studies on the adoption of electronic procurement were suggested.
Transportation constraints for third-party logistics capacity in the grain industry: a case of Twilight Zone.
(2023) Maclou, Simone Raquel.; Mbhele, Thokozani Patmond.
Road and rail freight truck capacity constraints have adversely impacted Twilight Zone’s economic competitiveness and have contributed to a loss of production and revenue throughout the supply chain network. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to evaluate and understand the logistical capabilities and capacity constraints of road and rail transport. The research objectives of the study are, firstly, to ascertain the strategic influence of third-party logistics partners in managing sustainable transport systems; secondly, to examine the extent of organisational collaboration to assess transport capacity risks in the grain industry; and lastly, to determine the influence of technological innovations on sustainable transport systems in the grain industry. A qualitative research method, using seven semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions to collect data, was used. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select participants from the target population, from top-tier management to lower management. Sound recordings of the interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic data analysis. This qualitative study will provide insights into the third-party logistical transport capacity shortages that Twilight Zone employs to support its upstream supply chain network operations. The main findings regarding overall transportation constraints in the grain bulk industry reveal the complexity in the supply chain logistics; the magnitude of organisational collaboration; extended lead times because of truck capacity shortfalls; and the propensity to invest in technological innovation for supply chain visibility. The study will provide a basis for senior managers to review current third-party logistical transport integration for information sharing, as well as key performance indicators of third-party logistics transport. The addition of value to current business processes to improve customer delivery throughout the supply chain network should ultimately increase the overall efficiency and profitability of Twilight Zone’s supply chain.

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