Research Articles (Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM))
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/1703
2024-03-28T08:00:09ZOrganisational adaptive leadership framework through systems thinking
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95391
Organisational 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.
2023-11-17T00:00:00ZAn analysis of the knowledge transfer paradox in projects with an operational improvement objective in mines
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95390
An analysis of the knowledge transfer paradox in projects with an operational improvement objective in mines
Fourie, L.J.F.; Van Waveren, Cornelis Cristo
The execution of operational improvement projects can create new knowledge that can be used to contribute to the success of future projects. A paradox exists, in that new knowledge is seldom transferred to future projects, and so the associated value-adding opportunities are lost. The objectives of this study are to determine whether lessons learned are captured during operational improvement projects, and to identify contextual factors that support or hinder the knowledge transfer processes.
Through the use of interviews and subsequent data analysis, the research shows that the transfer of knowledge can be better facilitated by addressing the knowledge transfer inhibitors, recognising the value-adding potential of knowledge transfer during the execution of improvement projects, and creating a culture that is conducive to sharing knowledge – in particular, the lessons learned from mistakes and poor management practices.; Die uitvoering van operasionele verbeteringsprojekte kan nuwe kennis skep wat gebruik kan word en om by te dra tot die sukses van toekomstige projekte. 'n Paradoks bestaan, deurdat nuwe kennis selde na toekomstige projekte oorgedra word, en dus gaan die gepaardgaande waardetoevoegingsgeleenthede verlore. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie is om vas te stel of lesse wat geleer is tydens operasionele verbeteringsprojekte vasgelê word, en om kontekstuele faktore te identifiseer wat die kennisoordragprosesse ondersteun of belemmer.
Deur die gebruik van onderhoude en daaropvolgende data-analise toon die navorsing dat die oordrag van kennis beter gefasiliteer kan word deur die kennisoordrag-inhibeerders aan te spreek, die waardetoevoegende potensiaal van kennisoordrag tydens die uitvoering van verbeteringsprojekte te erken en 'n kultuur te skep wat is bevorderlik vir die deel van kennis, – veral die lesse wat uit foute en swak bestuurspraktyke geleer word.
Presented at the 2rd International Conference on Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, held from 2 to 4 October 2023 in Somerset West, South Africa.
2023-11-17T00:00:00ZAI usefulness in systems modelling and simulation : GPT-4 application
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95389
AI usefulness in systems modelling and simulation : GPT-4 application
Du Plooy, C.; Oosthuizen, Rudolph
In this study, we investigate the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4), to accelerate the development of system dynamics simulations within the broader context of systems engineering. The research aims to uncover the opportunities and limitations of leveraging AI to assist humans in constructing and refining system dynamics models. Through a systematic iterative process, GPT-4 was engaged in tasks such as creating, expanding, and stabilising simulations, identifying errors, generating expansion ideas, and converting models to Python code. Our findings reveal that GPT-4, while not flawless, can significantly enhance the modelling process, reduce human error, and expedite learning. This paper critically examines the role of AI in model development, emphasising the continued importance of human expertise in the evaluation and testing of simulations. Ultimately, we argue for a symbiotic relationship between AI and human modellers, harnessing the power of GPT-4 to augment human capabilities and advance the fields of system dynamics and systems engineering.; In hierdie studie ondersoek ons die potensiaal van kunsmatige intelligensie (KI), spesifiek Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 (GPT)-4), om die ontwikkeling van stelseldinamika-simulasies binne die breër konteks van stelselingenieurswese. Die navorsing het ten doel om die geleenthede en beperkings van die gebruik van KI te ontbloot om mense te help om stelseldinamika-modelle te konstrueer en te verfyn. Deur 'n sistematiese, iteratiewe proses was GPT-4 besig met take soos die skep, uitbreiding en stabilisering van simulasies, identifisering van foute, generering van uitbreidingsidees en omskakeling van modelle na Python-kode. Ons bevindinge toon dat GPT-4, hoewel dit nie foutloos is nie, die modelleringsproses aansienlik kan verbeter, menslike foute kan verminder en leer bespoedig. Hierdie artikel doen ‘n kritiese ondersoek na die rol van KI in modelontwikkeling, met die klem op die voortgesette belangrikheid van menslike kundigheid in die evaluering en toetsing van simulasies. Uiteindelik argumenteer ons vir 'n simbiotiese verhouding tussen KI en menslike modelleerders, wat die krag van GPT-4 benut om menslike vermoëns te verbeter en om die velde van stelseldinamika en stelselingenieurswese te bevorder.
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.
2023-11-17T00:00:00ZA systems approach to strengthening corporate entrepreneurship actions
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95388
A systems approach to strengthening corporate entrepreneurship actions
Van der Lingen, Elma; Chan, Kai-Ying; Els, M.
Corporate entrepreneurial activities need to be aligned extensively with a company’s strategy. This study offers a systems approach to linking a company’s strategy with corporate entrepreneurship through IDEF0 modelling. The IDEF0 model provides the framework from which enabling and controlling mechanisms are derived. The objective of the investigation is to identify areas within the organisational structure of a company (both vertical and horizontal) where the enabling mechanisms of corporate entrepreneurial actions are prevalent and areas where they are lacking. The research also aims to identify areas where the controlling mechanisms of corporate entrepreneurial actions might be lacking or overbearing. The results show that the engineering support department had a higher proclivity for corporate entrepreneurial activities, while the projects department had a lower proclivity for corporate entrepreneurship. The results also show that the higher the position of a person in the company hierarchy, the higher the proclivity for corporate entrepreneurship.; Korporatiewe entrepreneuriese aktiwiteite moet breedvoerig belyn word met 'n maatskappy se strategie. Hierdie studie bied 'n stelselbenadering om 'n maatskappy se strategie met korporatiewe entrepreneurskap te koppel deur IDEF0-modellering. Die IDEF0-model verskaf ‘n raamwerk waaruit bemagtigings- en beheermeganismes afgelei kan word. Die doel van die ondersoek is om areas binne die organisasiestruktuur van 'n maatskappy (beide vertikaal en horisontaal) te identifiseer waar die bemagtigende meganismes van korporatiewe entrepreneursaksies algemeen voorkom, asook areas waar dit ontbreek. Die navorsing het ook ten doel gehad om gebiede te identifiseer waar die beheermeganismes van korporatiewe entrepreneuriese moontlik ontbreek of aanmatigend is. Die resultate wat verkry is, het getoon dat die ingeneursondersteuningsdepartement 'n hoër geneigdheid vir korporatiewe entrepreneuriese aktiwiteite gehad het, terwyl die projekafdelings 'n laer geneigdheid vir korporatiewe entrepreneurskap gehad het. Die resultate het ook getoon dat hoe hoër die posisie van 'n persoon in die maatskappyhiërargie is, hoe groter is die geneigdheid vir korporatiewe entrepreneurskap.
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.
2023-11-17T00:00:00Z