Car ownership perceptions and intentions amongst South African students

Abstract: High levels of car ownership have major impacts on congestion and thus the mobility, accessibility, heath and liveability in cities. Increasing car ownership is already reflected in high congestion levels in South African cities and does not appear to be reducing, despite policy interventions. The factors that drive the high car ownership intentions thus need to be investigated, so that policy efforts can be appropriately directed. The study aimed at investigating the car ownership intentions of students, as being most likely to drive car sales in the future, with the purpose of understanding the factors underlying the high desire to own a car. The study finds that although costs are the main barrier to market entry, and that most students intend to purchase a car as soon as they can afford it. These intentions are largely driven by the view that the quality of public transport constrains the movement of people and does not provide a travel alternative that is considered to be a reasonable alternative to the car, as indicated by the view that cars are a necessity. The study finds that although there are differences in the valuation of public and alternative modes of transport, based on demographic elements, familiarity with car usage and psychosocial factors, most students intend to own a car as the best means of travel, with little seeming to moderate the decision. The poor valuation of public and alternative transport suggests however that, whilst other measures to curb car use and promote public transport may have value, only significant service level improvements in public transport is likely to drive real behaviour change

Measuring commuters perceptions of service quality of minibus taxi services in the city of Johannesburg

Abstract: Minibus taxis are important in South Africa, accounting for approximately 70% of all trips made on public transport. Despite this, the taxi industry is generally perceived as providers of frequent and flexible but low quality services. If government is to achieve its aim of modal shifts from private to public transport, it is necessary to provide car-competitive public transport services. The purpose of this study is to determine commuters’ perceptions of current service levels in the minibus taxi industry. An adapted SERVQUAL methodology was used to determine gaps between perceptions and expectations. The study found that the main reasons for dissatisfaction with current service levels were related to safety and comfort and, in general, users find that the quality of service in the industry is lower than expected. This research provides a clear indication of the most important areas on which future service level improvements should be focussed

Supply chain quality management : an implementation framework

Abstract: While firms across the globe compete by developing efficient and effective supply chains, it has been a daunting task integrating quality management practices in their supply chains. Researchers have made an attempt to develop conceptual models for integrating supply chain management and quality management. However, little is known about implementation of the supply chain management-quality management (SCM-QM) integration models in firms. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the concepts of SCM and QM and propose a SCM-QM implementation framework. An extensive review of relevant literature helped to identify the dimensions of SCM and QM and those common to both. SCM-QM integration can be achieved following an agreed SCM quality standard by suppliers, internally and customers. In addition, successful implementation of the SCM-QM framework can be operationalized through procurement, internal logistics and physical distribution. The findings extend the literature on theoretical models of SCM-QM integration by providing an implementation framework. The knowledge is likely to inform regulatory agencies as well as business managers on appropriate SCM-QM implementation to attain improved quality of delivered products and services across supply chains

Trend associations between economic growth and air transport in South Africa: an ecological and joinpoint regression analysis between 1993 and 2016

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of the trend associations between air transport and economic growth in South Africa. Trends in air transport were assessed by calculating annual percentage changes using linear regression using joinpoint regression. In addition, the trend associations between GDP annual growth and airfreight, air transport passengers (numbers) and air transport carriers (number) were computed by plotting standardised trends. The results showed that airfreight increased between 1993 and 2016 although four distinct phases of increase and decreases were observed. This is the first study to investigate the associations between air transport and economic using ecological analysis and joinpoint regression in South Africa. The results of this study confirm an association between GDP and air transport and can be used as a basis of further investigation to justify future investments in air transport in South Africa

An evaluation of supply chain risk management practices : a developing country perspective

Abstract: Global supply chain networks are becoming more complex and are exposed to increasing uncertainty. Despite developments in globalization and technologies, supply chains have become more posed. Successful organisations perform proactive supply chain risk management to sustain their competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the most important risks facing the supply chain networks in southern Africa and to explore common risk avoidance/mitigation strategies. The results of a survey amongst practitioners indicate that supply chain risk is escalating and risk management has become a higher priority. The findings indicate that the main risks include affirmative action, currency volatility, customer retention and skills shortages. The study also found that business continuity planning, staff development and setting of internal quality standards are the most utilised risk mitigation strategies

Importance of transport infrastructure for socio-economic development : a South African public opinion poll

Abstract: This paper presents results of an investigation of the importance of transport infrastructure to socioeconomic development. It reviews selected areas of transport infrastructure provision which inhibits the achievement of the transport objectives as described by selected policy documents, such as the South African White Paper on National Transport Policy, the National Development Plan and, more recently, the National Transport Masterplan (NATMAP). The results are from four years of the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies’ (Africa) State of Transport Opinion Poll, an annual survey of 1,000 adults across South Africa, which investigates the public’s opinions on certain transport matters, including the importance of transport, the perceived highest transport priorities, conditions of transport infrastructure and services, and the perceptions on the current and future state of transport. The findings indicate that the availability and overall condition of transport infrastructure is not delivering transport services which addresses the needs of the South African public. Major areas of concern for South Africans include mobility, accessibility, affordability and safety. The views from respondents included differences between provinces, indicating disparities in infrastructure provision across the country as well as from an urban/rural perspective, indicating the continuous divide between accessibility levels. Although the sample size could be viewed as a limitation of the study, the individual results over the four year period provides a comparable representation of public opinion on transport infrastructure matters across South Africa as a whole. This research provides an original contribution to transport research in that it is the only annual survey which gauges public opinion regarding transport infrastructure and services in South Africa

Time trends and associations between gross domestic product variations and transport service trade : evidence from South Africa

Abstract: Aim: The aim of the present paper is to analyse time trends in transport services trade and to determine associations between gross domestic product (GDP) growth and transport services trade for South Africa. Methods: Associations between economic growth assessed through GDP as primary exposure and transport services for both exports and imports are reported for South Africa. Four indicators were used to assess transport services trade namely; percentage of commercial service exports; percentage of commercial service imports); percentage of service exports, balance of payment (BoP)] and percentage of service imports, BoP). Regressions were computed using Joinpoint statistical software to assess overtime trends for both exports and imports for transport services between 1992 and 2016. Trends in transport exports and imports services were assessed by calculating annual percentage changes (APC) using linear regression: ratey b0+b1 y with log (ratey) being the natural log of transport services (% of commercial service exports) in year y for example. APC in these services are reported and discussed. Results: Significant decreases in transport service exports were observed between 1993 and 1997 (APC = -6.33 p-value <0.05) and 2011 and 2016 (APC = -4.18 p-value = <0.05). Additionally, non-significant percentage increases in transport services exports were observed between 1997 and 2001 (APC = 4.61) and 2004 and 2011 (APC = 2.3). Both a significant and non-significant increases in transport service imports was observed between 1993 and 2007 (APC =1.19 p-value <0.05) and 2010 and 2014 (APC=4.86) respectively. Additionally, nonsignificant percentage decreases in transport services imports were observed between 2007 and 2010 (APC=4.61) and 2014 and 2016 (APC=2.3). Though slightly different over time trends estimates in terms of the APC of observed for transports service exports and imports, BOP they were similar and comparable to commercial transport service exports and imports respectively. Overall, there was no correlation between GDP and transport service trade. Conclusion: This study indicates that despite good ranking on the quality of infrastructure in Africa, South Africa has been experiencing a deficit transport services trade overtime. In addition, the results show that transport services trade was not trend associated with GDP growth in the time reported in the current study, as various fluctuations were observed

Industry perspectives on supply chain curriculums in South Africa

Abstract: The shortage of supply chain management skills in South Africa is a major constraint to sustainable economic growth and development. Academic institutions educate thousands of students every year, however the supply chain talent shortage still remains acute. This implies that not enough individuals are being trained to meet the growing demand for skills or curriculums have not evolved to meet the changing needs of the dynamic supply chain industry. The purpose of this paper is to review the skills required by the supply chain industry in South Africa and to determine whether current educational offerings are meeting these needs. This paper provides the results from an industry survey, conducted in 2016 by the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies’ (Africa). The survey assessed skills requirements for supply chains in South Africa and also attempted to determine areas in which curriculums are not meeting industry requirements. The findings from this research strongly indicate that current educational programmes are ill-equipped to meet the complex demands of modern supply chains. It further provides empirical evidence of the gaps within the current supply chain education programmes and suggests some educational interventions to address these in the future in order to create the types of supply chains that are needed in developing economies. This research provides an original contribution in that it is the only regular survey which gauges industry perspectives on logistics and supply chain talent, competencies and educational interventions in South Africa

Skills requirements in South African supply chains : a higher education perspective

Abstract: In recent years, South African supply chains have struggled to move domestic and international freight efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this paper is to determine the skills that students believe are required in the industry to determine whether there is a mismatch between the supply and the demand of supply chain management skills. The findings from this research suggest that, while industry has a need for technical (hard) skills, there is a stronger requirement for soft skills, which largely appear to be undervalued by students. This suggests that current curriculums focus on hard skills and do not meet the skill sets required by industry, which provides evidence of gaps within the current supply chain education programmes. This research provides an original contribution in that it is the only survey that gauges students’ perspectives on logistics and supply chain requirements in South Africa and compares them to industry perspectives to provide a comprehensive overview of supply chain education in South Africa