An analysis of late shipments from South African vendors to EU buyers.

Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.This dissertation set out to ascertain that a South African vendor, on-time delivery to EU buyers, was unreliable. Late deliveries from South African vendors to EU buyers have led to Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd being a volatile sourcing office for the Kingfisher Group. Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd need to take considerable measures in determining which South African vendors they source products from in order to determine their success or failure. This research has highlighted the following problem: i. South African vendors are unreliable suppliers. Recommendations derived from this research include: ii. The need to clarify terms and conditions of trade, iii. To ensure Kingfisher Sourcing Africa (Pty) Ltd has a contract in place with South African vendors, iv. To periodically and systematically evaluate South African vendor's : Financial capabilities, Supply chain capacity, Management structure, Product offering mix

Attaining automaticity in the visual numerosity task is not automatic

This experiment is a replication of experiments reported by Lassaline and Logan (1993) using the visual numerosity task. The aim was to replicate the transition from controlled to automatic processing reported by Lassaline and Logan (1993), and to examine the extent to which this result, reported with average group results, can be observed in the results of individuals within a group. The group results in this experiment did replicate those reported by Lassaline and Logan (1993) ; however, one half of the sample did not attain automaticity with the task, and one-third did not exhibit a transition from controlled to automatic processing. These results raise questions about the pervasiveness of automaticity, and the interpretation of group means when examining cognitive processes

A leadership skills development model for the Kwaden Group: a case study of an African FMCG business-network.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Organisations competing in Africa face numerous challenges. These include its size and complexity, transformational population growth, abundance of talent but a lack of skills, a scarcity of large companies, the relatively small size of big companies, a poorly understood business environment, conflict, poverty and corruption. To successfully address these challenges, entrepreneurial energy, and a strategy to develop leadership skills at scale is required. This study aimed to develop and assess whether a leadership skills development model which integrates six conceptual constructs is valid as a model for developing leadership skills in an African FMCG business-network. Based on a review of literature, theoretically relevant leadership development dimensions and attributes were conceived in terms of six constructs. Afterwards, a conceptual model for leadership skills development was postulated. Measurable variables concerning the conceptual model constructs were subsequently developed. The study took a pragmatic approach and followed an explanatory sequential design typology. An initial quantitative stage was conducted. A qualitative stage followed. The approach addressed the research problem from multiple perspectives. An online survey approach collected data from 132 employees from an African FMC business-network. Inferential statistics were employed to examine the validity and reliability of the constructs. Applying confirmatory factor analysis, three data-model fit tests gave empirical evidence that the leadership skills development model was a good model fit. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient determined construct reliability. A face-to-face interview approach facilitated data collection from 10 key decisionmakers in the African FMCG business-network. Their experience and feelings on leadership skills and leadership skills development were recorded. Using inductive thematic interpretation methodology, the qualitative results helped explain the initial quantitative results. The outcomes and practical value of this study included: a theoretically relevant, empirically validated leadership skills development model for an African FMCG business-network as well as a range of recommendations on how to develop leadership skills throughout Africa. Leadership skills development is complex, especially in a rapidly changing environment. This study contributed to the discipline of leadership and leadership development

A leadership skills development model for the Kwaden Group : a case study of an African fast-moving consumer goods business network

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the study was to develop and assess whether a leadership skills development model, which integrates six valid conceptual constructs, will develop enhanced leadership skills in an African-based fast-moving consumer goods business network. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The six-construct model is predicated on the literature review, which was empirically tested. Thus, the study selected a pragmatic approach and followed up with an explanatory sequential design typology. Moreover, this study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional survey research methodology, while an online survey was administered to collect primary data from the Kwaden Group. Inferential statistics were also employed so as to appropriately examine the validity and reliability of the constructs. Finally, a qualitative phenomenological research approach was utilised to collect primary data from key decision-makers within the African fast-moving consumer goods business network via structured face-to- face interviews. FINDINGS: The study provides a theoretically relevant and empirically validated leadership skills development model amendable to an African fast-moving consumer goods business network. Additionally, a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a good model fit for the leadership skills development model. It was also established that leadership skills development should be multilevel, which infers that participants should have the opportunity to develop multifaceted leadership skills and that such leadership capabilities should be a primary company objective. RECOMMENDATIONS/VALUE: The leadership skills development model, if adopted by an organisation, will result in a leadership skills development initiative being established on theoretically relevant and empirically validated constructs. MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: This dedicated approach should assist organisations in developing the necessary leadership skills among their personnel so as to enhance the company’s leadership capacity and ultimately improve business potential and profitability. This perspective should also challenge the fast-moving network of consumer goods organisations and academic institutions to seek a new approach to developing leadership skills.https://www.jcman.co.za/#/homeGordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Economic hybrid non-linear model predictive control of a dual circuit induced draft cooling water system

Petrochemical plants require the addition and removal of energy to and from the process and the movement of material to, from, and within the process piping and vessels. These fundamental mass and energy transfer requirements are typically achieved through the use of process utilities, which include electricity, steam, fuel gas, cooling water and compressed air. Utilities are responsible for a significant portion of the operating cost of a plant. Therefore, reduction in the consumption of utilities is a common process optimisation area. The situation is different when it comes to the generation and transportation of these utilities, which are often overlooked with regard to optimisation. In this paper, the potential benefits of utility optimisation are illustrated with particular focus on the generation and transportation areas. The main objectives are reductions in electrical energy consumption and cost and are illustrated for a dual circuit cooling water system. This system is non-linear and also hybrid in the sense that it contains both continuous and discrete input variables, which significantly complicates the design and implementation of control and optimisation solutions. This paper illustrates how the cost and energy consumption of a hybrid system can be reduced through the implementation of hybrid non-linear model predictive control (HNMPC) and economic HNMPC (EHNMPC). The results are compared to that of a base case and an Advanced Regulatory Control (ARC) case, showing that significant additional benefit may be achieved through the implementation of these advanced control and optimisation techniques. The paper further illustrates that additional capital is not necessarily required for the implementation of these techniques.The National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant Number 90533).http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jprocont2018-05-30Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineerin

Energy reduction for a dual circuit cooling water system using advanced regulatory control

Various process utilities are used in the petrochemical industry as auxiliary variables to facilitate the addition/removal of energy to/from the process, power process equipment and inhibit unwanted reaction. Optimisation activities usually focus on the process itself or on the utility consumption though the generation and distribution of these utilities are often overlooked in this regard. Many utilities are prepared or generated far from the process plant and have to be transported or transmitted, giving rise to more losses and potential inefficiencies. To illustrate the potential benefit of utility optimisation, this paper explores the control of a dual circuit cooling water system with focus on energy reduction subject process constraints. This is accomplished through the development of an advanced regulatory control (ARC) and switching strategy which does not require the development of a system model, only rudimentary knowledge of the behaviour of the process and system constraints. The novelty of this manuscript lies in the fact that it demonstrates that significant energy savings can be obtained by applying ARC to a process utility containing both discrete and continuous dynamics. Furthermore, the proposed ARC strategy does not require a plant model, uses only existing plant equipment, and can be implemented on control system hardware commonly used in industry. The simulation results indicate energy saving potential in the region of 30% on the system under investigation.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/apenergy2017-06-30hb2016Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineerin

Sublethal toxicant effects with dynamic energy budget theory: application to mussel outplants

We investigate the effectiveness of a sublethal toxic effect model embedded in Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory for the analysis of field data. We analyze the performance of two species of mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis and M. californianus, near a diffuser discharging produced water in the Southern California Bight, California. Produced water is a byproduct of oil production consisting of fossil water together with compounds added during the extraction process, and generally contains highly elevated levels of pollutants relative to sea water. Produced water negatively affects the production of somatic and reproductive biomass in both mussel species; we show that these negative effects can be quantified with our DEB-based modeling framework through the estimation of toxic effect scaling parameters. Our analyses reveal that the toxic impact of produced water on growth and reproduction of M. californianus is substantially higher than for M. galloprovincialis. Projections of the expected lifetime production of gonad biomass indicate that the environmental impact of produced water can be as large as 100%, whereas short-term assessment without the use of DEB theory projects a maximum effect of only 30%

“Are you breathing?” : Design, build and testing of a low-cost, portable respiratory rate monitor

publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Maximum Brightness and Post-Maximum Decline of Light Curves of SN~Ia: A Comparison of Theory and Observations

We compare the observed correlations between the maximum brightness, postmaximum decline rate and color at maximum light of Type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) with model predictions. The observations are based on a total of 40 SN Ia with 29 SN of the Calan Tololo Supernova Search and 11 local SN which cover a range of 2 mag in the absolute visual brightness. The observed correlations are not tight, one dimensional relations. Supernovae with the same postmaximum decline or the same color have a spread in visual magnitude of about 0.7 mag. The dispersion in the color-magnitude relation may result from uncertainties in the distance determinations or the interstellar reddening within the host galaxy. The dispersion in the decline rate-magnitude relation suggests that an intrinsic spread in the supernova properties exists that cannot be accounted for by any single relation between visual brightness and postmaximum decline. Theoretical correlations are derived from a grid of models which encompasses delayed detonations, pulsating delayed detonations, the merging scenario and helium detonations. We find that the observed correlations can be understood in terms of explosions of Chandrasekhar mass white dwarfs. Our models show an intrinsic spread in the relations of about 0.5 mag in the maximum brightness and about 0.1 mag in the B-V color. Our study provides strong evidence against the mechanism of helium detonation for subluminous, red SN Ia.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, macros ''aaspp.sty'. LaTeX Style. Astrophysical Journal Letters, submitted Jul. 1995, revised Aug. 1995, resubmitted Sep. 199

Asymmetric Supernovae, Pulsars, Magnetars, and Gamma-Ray Bursts

We outline the possible physical processes, associated timescales, and energetics that could lead to the production of pulsars, jets, asymmetric supernovae, and weak gamma-ray bursts in routine circumstances and to a magnetar and perhaps stronger gamma-ray burst in more extreme circumstances in the collapse of the bare core of a massive star. The production of a LeBlanc-Wilson MHD jet could provide an asymmetric supernova and result in a weak gamma-ray burst when the jet accelerates down the stellar density gradient of a hydrogen-poor photosphere. The matter-dominated jet would be formed promptly, but requires 5 to 10 s to reach the surface of the progenitor of a Type Ib/c supernova. During this time, the newly-born neutron star could contract, spin up, and wind up field lines or turn on an alpha-Omega dynamo. In addition, the light cylinder will contract from a radius large compared to the Alfven radius to a size comparable to that of the neutron star. This will disrupt the structure of any organized dipole field and promote the generation of ultrarelativistic MHD waves (UMHDW) at high density and Large Amplitude Electromagnetic Waves (LAEMW) at low density. The generation of the these waves would be delayed by the cooling time of the neutron star about 5 to 10 seconds, but the propagation time is short so the UMHDW could arrive at the surface at about the same time as the matter jet. In the density gradient of the star and the matter jet, the intense flux of UMHDW and LAEMW could drive shocks, generate pions by proton-proton collision, or create electron/positron pairs depending on the circumstances. The UMHDW and LAEMW could influence the dynamics of the explosion and might also tend to flow out the rotation axis to produce a collimated gamma-ray burst.Comment: 31 pages, LaTeX, revised for referee comments, accepted for ApJ, July 10 issu