Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17022024-03-29T13:09:17Z2024-03-29T13:09:17ZThe roles that project sponsors play at stage gates of a project life cycle model : a case study of a water utility in South AfricaNhubunga, D.Steyn, HermanPretorius, Suzaanhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/954052024-03-28T22:49:15Z2023-12-01T00:00:00ZThe roles that project sponsors play at stage gates of a project life cycle model : a case study of a water utility in South Africa
Nhubunga, D.; Steyn, Herman; Pretorius, Suzaan
Project sponsors play significant roles at the stage gates of project life cycle models (PLCMs). However, research on the roles that sponsors play at stage gates, and the attributes required of the sponsor, are sparse. This study investigated the roles played by government and municipal sponsors at the PLCM stage gates of a water utility, and identified the attributes that the sponsor should have as well as the challenges they face. A case study approach was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders. The findings could assist the senior management of water utilities, national government departments, and municipalities when appointing suitable project sponsors.; Projekborge speel belangrike rolle by die fase stadium hekke van ‘n projeklewensiklus model. Die rol van projekborge by hierdie hekke, en die kenmerke wat vereis word van die borg, is egter nog selde bestudeer. Hierdie studie het die rol van staatsdiens en munisipale borge by hekke tussen die fases van ‘n lewensiklus model van ‘n water-nutsorganisasie ondersoek, en kenmerke waaroor die borge moet beskik asook uitdagings wat hulle die hoof moet bied, geïdentifiseer. ‘n Gevallestudiebenadering is gevolg, en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is met relevante belanghebbendes gevoer. Die bevindings kan die senior bestuur van water-nutsorganisasies, staatsdepartemente, en munisipaliteite help om geskikte projekborge aan te stel.
2023-12-01T00:00:00ZThe development of an action priority matrix and technology roadmap for the implementation of data-driven and machine-learning-based predictive maintenance in the South African railway industryNethamba, L.Grobbelaar, Schalkhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/954042024-03-28T22:48:13Z2023-11-17T00:00:00ZThe development of an action priority matrix and technology roadmap for the implementation of data-driven and machine-learning-based predictive maintenance in the South African railway industry
Nethamba, L.; Grobbelaar, Schalk
In improving railways for the future, artificial intelligence and machine learning were identified as top-priority technology systems that enable data-driven methods and predictive maintenance. A local survey using semi-structured interviews showed that the railway industry lags behind in adopting and implementing data-driven and machine-learning methods for predictive maintenance. Insights from international studies were found to be relevant in South Africa. Other implementation barriers were identified in the socio-economic and socio-political areas of South Africa. An action priority matrix and technology roadmap was developed to guide the South African railway industry towards the implementation of data-driven and machine learning-based predictive maintenance. The action priority matrix was developed by using a two-round Delphi technique to rank the prioritisation of the required activities. The research showed the importance of considering insights from both international studies and the local context when adopting and implementing technology systems to improve business objectives.; In die verbetering van spoorweë vir die toekoms, is kunsmatige intelligensie en masjienleer geïdentifiseer as top-prioriteit tegnologiestelsels wat data-gedrewe metodes en voorspellende instandhouding moontlik maak. 'n Plaaslike opname wat semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude gebruik het, het getoon dat die spoorwegbedryf agterbly met die aanvaarding en implementering van datagedrewe- en masjienleermetodes vir voorspellende instandhouding. Daar is gevind dat insigte uit internasionale studies relevant is in Suid-Afrika. Ander implementeringshindernisse is in die sosio-ekonomiese en sosio-politieke gebiede van Suid-Afrika geïdentifiseer. ’n Aksieprioriteitmatriks en tegnologie-padkaart is ontwikkel om die Suid-Afrikaanse spoorwegbedryf te lei tot die implementering van datagedrewe- en masjienleer-gebaseerde voorspellende instandhouding. Die aksieprioriteitmatriks is ontwikkel deur 'n twee-rondte Delphi-tegniek te gebruik om die prioritisering van die vereiste aktiwiteite te rangskik. Die navorsing het getoon hoe belangrik dit is om insigte uit beide internasionale studies en die plaaslike konteks in ag te neem wanneer tegnologiestelsels aangeneem en geïmplementeer word om besigheidsdoelwitte te verbeter.
Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, held from 2 to 4 October 2023 in Somerset West, South Africa.
2023-11-17T00:00:00ZSystem dynamics modelling of the water-energy nexus in South Africa : a case of the Inkomati-Usuthu water management areaNanfuka, J.G.Oosthuizen, Rudolphhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/954032024-03-28T22:45:25Z2023-11-17T00:00:00ZSystem dynamics modelling of the water-energy nexus in South Africa : a case of the Inkomati-Usuthu water management area
Nanfuka, J.G.; Oosthuizen, Rudolph
The energy demand in African economies, including South Africa, is expected to double by 2040. The water-energy-food nexus, introduced at the Bonn 2011 conference, illustrates the interdependencies of these resources. In the case of South Africa, with its semi-arid climate and frequent power outages, this study focuses on the water-energy nexus. Water is necessary for electricity generation in coal-powered plants, while energy is required for water supply. Using system dynamics, the study models the current state of the nexus in South Africa and explores future scenarios considering population growth, GDP per capita, and water and energy intensities. The findings serve as a basis for discussing the country’s allocation of scarce water and energy resources. Further research could examine South Africa’s potential investment in renewable energy resources to solve the increasing energy demand.; Die energievraag in Afrika-ekonomieë, insluitend Suid-Afrika, sal na verwagting teen 2040 verdubbel. Die water-energie-voedsel-nexus, wat by die Bonn 2011-konferensie bekendgestel is, illustreer die interafhanklikheid van hierdie hulpbronne. In die geval van Suid-Afrika, met sy semi-droë klimaat en gereelde kragonderbrekings, het hierdie studie gefokus op die water-energie-nexus. Water is nodig vir elektrisiteitsopwekking in steenkoolaangedrewe aanlegte, terwyl energie benodig word vir watervoorsiening. Deur sisteemdinamika te gebruik, het die studie die huidige stand van die nexus in Suid-Afrika gemodelleer, en toekomstige scenario's ondersoek wat bevolkingsgroei, BBP per capita en water- en energie-intensiteite in ag neem. Die bevindinge dien as 'n basis vir die bespreking van die land se toekenning van skaars water- en energiebronne. Verdere navorsing kan Suid-Afrika se potensiële belegging in hernubare energiebronne ondersoek om die toenemende energievraag op te los.
Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, held from 2 to 4 October 2023 in Somerset West, South Africa.
2023-11-17T00:00:00ZOrganisational adaptive leadership framework through systems thinkingAbukalusa, K.Oosthuizen, Rudolphhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/953912024-03-27T22:46:04Z2023-11-17T00:00:00ZOrganisational adaptive leadership framework through systems thinking
Abukalusa, K.; Oosthuizen, Rudolph
Leadership is a system that includes interconnected elements. Adaptive leadership is about enabling followers to handle adaptive challenges and to adapt to an ever-evolving environment. Organisations are experiencing the most dynamic era of the business environment owing to the influence of vulnerability, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). The VUCA nature of the environment presents adaptive challenges, which, unlike technical problems, need dynamic people-focused solutions. Current leadership frameworks are inadequate in practice, and a framework is needed to aid in creating adaptive organisations through systems thinking to succeed in a VUCA environment. This research approach starts with a systematic literature review to create a conceptual framework of adaptive leadership through systems thinking for a VUCA environment. The conceptual framework is validated through interviews with practising industry leaders to obtain their opinions and comments. The research provides a new perspective on using systems thinking in applying leadership practices to create an adaptive leadership framework to overcome the VUCA environment.; Leierskap is 'n stelsel wat onderling gekoppelde elemente insluit. Aanpasbare leierskap gaan daaroor om volgelinge in staat te stel om aanpasbare uitdagings te hanteer en om aan te pas by 'n voortdurend ontwikkelende omgewing. Organisasies beleef die mees dinamiese era van die besigheidsomgewing as gevolg van die invloed van kwesbaarheid, onsekerheid, kompleksiteit en dubbelsinnigheid (VUCA). Die VUCA-aard van die omgewing bied aanpasbare probleme, wat, anders as tegniese uitdagings, dinamiese mensgerigte oplossings benodig. Huidige leierskapraamwerke ontbreek in die praktyk, en benodig 'n raamwerk om te help met die skep van aanpasbare organisasies deur stelseldenke om suksesvol te wees in 'n VUCA-omgewing. Hierdie navorsingsbenadering begin met 'n sistematiese literatuuroorsig om 'n konseptuele raamwerk van aanpasbare leierskap deur sisteemdenke vir 'n VUCA-omgewing te skep. Die konseptuele raamwerk word bevestig deur onderhoude met praktiserende bedryfsleiers om hul menings en kommentaar te verkry. Die navorsing verskaf 'n nuwe perspektief op die gebruik van stelseldenke in die toepassing van leierskapspraktyke om 'n aanpasbare leierskapraamwerk te skep ten einde die VUCA-omgewing te oorkom.
Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, held from 2 to 4 October 2023 in Somerset West, South Africa.
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