Strategic capabilities and sustainability of SMMEs in Gauteng: a case of Roodepoort area in Johannesburg.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Despite the interventions of South African government on SMMEs, there is still a huge challenge in ensuring that SMMEs are sustainable. SMMEs plays a major role in the sustenance of the South African economy. However, the lack of access to the necessary capabilities has led to the close down of many small businesses. Therefore, to achieve continuous success and low failure rate in SMME sector, there is need for the knowledge and awareness on the essential strategic capabilities for business sustainability. The challenges faced by SMMEs should also be carefully examined and monitored in order to provide lasting solutions. This research adopted the Sustainable Business Model (SBM) as the theoretical framework underpinning the concept and structure of the study. The SBM was used in the study as a foundation for identifying and suggesting the integration of strategic capabilities for the sustainability of SMMEs. This study performed an exploratory research analysis through quantitative research method to understand the level of awareness and adoption of various strategic capabilities within the SMME industries. The study investigated and identified the various key strategic capabilities available for SMMEs’ sustainability. The research also investigated challenges that SMMEs face in applying and performing the business actions/strategies for sustainability of their businesses. The study further examined the impact of adopting and performing business actions/strategies for the sustainability of SMMEs. In the process of understanding the essential strategic capabilities for sustainability of SMMEs, the findings of the study identified various essential strategic capabilities available within SMMEs. These essential strategic capabilities are in form of business strategies and process improvement actions. The cohesion of these two factors when effectively applied, ensures profitability and sustainability of SMMEs. Hence, recommendations were proposed on strategies that will ensure business sustenance over a long period. The study recommends and suggests that government support and intervention programmes should be effectively implemented to support SMMEs. Large organisations were encouraged to network and partner with SMMEs in order to enhance flexibility in organisational structure of large companies to accommodate business relationships with SMMEs. The study further recommends that SMMEs should build Business-to-Consumer (B2C) relationships in order to establish trust between SMMEs and their clients. Lastly, governments were encouraged to be consistent in their labour laws and implement low tax rates to ensure sustainability of SMMEs

Development of Thermomechanical Model for the Analysis of Effects of Friction and Cutting Speed on Temperature Distribution around AISI 316L During Orthogonal Machining

In metal cutting,severe deformation takes place in the vicinity of the cutting edge of the high strain-rate and an increase in temperature is observed. Deformation behaviour of the work material in the primary and secondary zones is highly sensitive to the cutting conditions. Also, the frictional conditions between the tool and the chip and tool and the workpiece are highly complex and sensitive to the cutting conditions. As a result, the stresses and temperatures at tool-chip interface and around the cutting edge can be critically high in some cutting conditions and can cause excessive tool wear or premature tool failure. This research work focuses on the accurate prediction of the distribution of the process variables such as stresses and temperatures with the Finite Element (FE) Analysis to identify optimum cutting conditions, tool material, edge geometry and coating in order to help improve productivity and quality of machining operations. Effects of work material flow stress and interfacial friction at chip-tool interface on the accuracy of the predicated process variables in FE simulations are also analyzed. Specifically, friction models and cutting speed are varied to predict the effect on the temperature distribution, stresses and strain on the workpiece and tool chip during orthogonal cutting process. The result showed that an increase in coefficient of friction will cause an increase in thermal, force and mechanical variables during machining. Thus, the higher the coefficient of friction, the higher, the cutting forces, temperature, stress, and strain