A systems thinking conceptual model for value creation in the African cement market

Abstract

Cement is the world’s most important building material, and it has made Africa, as an emerging market, dependent on the cement industry as a critical tool to promote economic infrastructure growth. Today’s challenging economic climate has also made cement producers increasingly dependent on specialists to upgrade, modernise, and maintain their operations. The objective of this research was to evaluate how engineering service organisations operating in Africa currently conduct their business with these cement producers. The research also showed that the literature on systems engineering does not make full use of value engineering concepts. The study identified this lack of collaboration, and proposed a new value engineering systems model that can be used to promote and strengthen the use of engineering services and products in the African cement industry.