scholarly journals The integration of lean, green and best practice business principles

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelize Wiese ◽  
Rose Luke ◽  
Gert J. Heyns ◽  
Noleen M. Pisa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Descriptive Case Study ◽  
Lean Principles ◽  
Clear Link ◽  
Business Principles ◽  
Practice Culture

Background: Whilst there are separate streams of established research on lean, green and best practice initiatives, the intersection of these three strategic principles has not been addressed extensively in the past.Objectives: In this study a framework to integrate lean, green and best practice principles into an integrated business model was developed as a strategy for businesses to develop sustainable competitive advantages.Method: A descriptive case study was conducted on Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) to understand whether a clear link between the company’s environmental approach, lean principles and established best practice culture could be determined. In addition, the case study tested the view that the implementation of these three principles concurrently resulted in improved business results.Results: The main findings of the study revealed that TSAM’s commitment to lean, green and best practice business principles contributed and was directly linked to its business success in terms of sales and market position.Conclusion: It is recommended that businesses implement an integrated lean, green and best practice business model as a strategy to reduce costs and sustainably enhance profitably and competitiveness.

Employee engagement creates a brighter economic future at Jupiter Hotels

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Cattermole ◽  
Jaime Johnson ◽  
Diane Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Results ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Hr Managers ◽  
Economic Future

Purpose – This paper seeks to address the role and impact of employee engagement within an organization that has undergone major change. It looks at the issues of how to monitor and increase levels of staff engagement over time to deliver business results. Design/methodology/approach – It draws on six-monthly employee engagement surveys and a case study to illustrate how HR can drive and monitor change through employee engagement. Findings – This paper follows a company through economic uncertainty to major organizational change and examines how the role of engagement and monitoring can drive business success. Research limitations/implications – The case study only looks at the issues over an 18 month time period. Originality/value – This paper illustrates how an HR department can build employee engagement to drive the business forward. The case study offers best practice material for HR managers.

Exploration role of volunteerism on the digitisation project: case of the office of the premier in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkholedzeni Sidney Netshakhuma
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Volunteer Labor

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of volunteerism during the digitisation project by the Office of the Premier in Mpumalanga with a view recommending the best practice. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data was collected through the semi-structured qualitative interviews with the records manager and ten volunteer archivists employed by the Office of the Premier. Findings Local pupils within the Mpumalanga province were recruited to participate in the digitisation project as a form of youth empowerment. The Mpumalanga Provincial Archives was not involved in the digitisation project to ensure that all digitisation specification was in line with the requirement of the provincial archives. Furthermore, a lack of resources to implement the digitisation project was cited as the main stamping block for the successful implementation of the project. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to the Office of the premier, in the Mpumalanga province. Practical implications Archivists interested in recruiting volunteers on a digitisation project can use this paper to understand the benefits and cost of volunteer labor before putting volunteer projects into practice. Social implications The success of a digitisation project depends on the involvement of the Mpumalanga Provincial archives. Originality/value This paper presents a unique case study in South Africa of a digitisation project staffed with volunteers in the office of the Premier.

Symbols, Symbolism and Significance in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi: Specific Content Knowledge for Teacher Development

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Visvaganthie Moodley
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Language Teacher ◽  
Literary Genres ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Descriptive Case Study ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

Symbols and symbolisms across literary genres are powerful rhetoric devices used to enhance not only writers’ style, but to convey richness in meaning that transcends narrative descriptions. However, as its interpretations are context-bound, it causes anxieties for the under-proficient language teacher who, firstmost, requires deep specific content knowledge to drive instruction and enhance cognition amongst learners. Using qualitative descriptive case study, this paper aims to provide specific content knowledge by examining the literary use of symbols, symbolisms and significance in Yann Martel’s ‘Life of Pi’, which has been prescribed as a set book for Grade 12 school-exiting learners in South Africa, for the year 2017 onwards. The paper will – by analysing arbitrary, cultural and personal symbolisms and significances, mostly through psychoanalytical lens – unravel covert meanings and messages in cultural, religious and environmental contexts whilst simultaneously showing how these are pivotal to understanding major themes in the novel.  

scholarly journals Cops and robbers - a new approach: The Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Newham
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Police Service ◽  
South African Police Service ◽  
Cops And Robbers ◽  
South African Police

During 2006, substantial increases were recorded in residential and business robberies in Gauteng. Along with hijackings, these three subcategories of aggravated robbery were collectively referred to as the 'Trio Crimes'. After various policing operations failed to adequately reduce the Trio Crimes in Gauteng, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety undertook research into international best practice for combating residential and business robberies. The findings of this research formed the basis for the Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy, which was subsequently developed and implemented in partnership with the Gauteng South African Police Service (SAPS). This initiative provides a case study of the role that provincial governments could play in supporting the police to reduce crime in South Africa.

scholarly journals Business Model of the Sharing Economy Platform: Who are the “Winners” and who are the “Losers” of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-44
Author(s):  
Suzana Stefanović
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Market Value ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Classical Methodology

Abstract The increasing digitalization of business activities in recent years has been a significant impetus to business model innovation. In this sense, we are witnessing the success of companies that base their businesses on the digital platform model. Therefore, the basic purpose of this paper is to stress out the very essence of platformization as a business model, which is based on the implementation of digital technologies, as well as to point out the characteristics - advantages and disadvantages of the so-called “sharing economy” model. Also, the purpose and goal of the paper is to point out how the characteristics of different types of platforms, especially of sharing economy platforms, affect their business success, i.e. market value, but also vulnerability in case of adverse effects of external factors, such as the current corona virus pandemic. Using both the classical methodology of theoretical research, based on insights into an available literature on the topic, and the results of research of world best practice, as well as monitoring statistical indicators of market value of the world’s best companies, the results confirm the initial assumption that nowdays companies which implement business model of the platform prevail. However, the results of the research also showed the vulnerability of the platforms, especially those based on the sharing economy, in the conditions of a corona virus pandemic. Given that there is very little research in the academic literature on the economic consequences of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the originality and significance of the research is in an attempt to stress out the consequences of the pandemic on the current market value and position of platform companies, and also on their survival and growth in the future.

Towards an Innovative Ecotourism Business Model Framework

2020 ◽  
pp. 200-215
Author(s):  
Armand Faganel ◽  
Roberto Biloslavo ◽  
Aleksander Janeš
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Farmed Fish ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Descriptive Case Study ◽  
Business Model Canvas ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Stakeholder Needs

The authors have studied in depth small, family-owned, fish farming company because the demand and competition for farmed fish is increasing worldwide, and so is the awareness of its importance for further development of sustainable small business in EU and wider. This chapter contributes to the literature on sustainable business models with a descriptive case study of the complementarity of a fish farming company and ecotourism activities. In this view, innovation is crucial to promote sustainable business models that can achieve a solid economic performance, social responsibility, and at the same time take care of the natural environment. The case study of a sustainable business model (BM) in aquaculture has been analyzed with the use of a business model canvas that links various organizational-oriented elements of a business model with different stakeholder needs, especially customer needs.

Agile and lean principles in the humanitarian supply chain

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Cozzolino ◽  
Silvia Rossi ◽  
Alessio Conforti
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Principles ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain ◽  
Logistics Process ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the specific stages of the humanitarian logistics process in which the agile and lean principles are needed.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this purpose, the authors propose an original conceptual framework and apply it to evidence from a “best practice” case study in the humanitarian sector: the United Nations World Food Programme and its efforts in the Darfur (Sudan) crisis.FindingsAlthough several previous works introduced the agile principle as suitable for disaster relief, when and how to embrace the agile and lean principles remained unclear. This paper demonstrates the proper combination of the agile and lean principles in disaster relief phases. The correspondence is based on the coincidence of the objectives that arises in every stage and that each principle is capable of achieving.Research limitations/implicationsFurther empirical research is needed to support the framework and to enrich the results that arise from this first explorative work.Practical implicationsThe proposed framework is targeted at leading actors involved in the operation and planning of humanitarian logistics when a crisis emerges. This approach, which is based on the combination of the agile and lean principles, is not exclusive to the humanitarian sector. This perspective may be useful to create business logistics that address disruptions to traditional supply chain flows and other forces that disrupt logistics, production and information handling.Originality/valueThe paper clarifies how agility and leanness should be emphasised in specific stages of the humanitarian logistics process, to reach a higher level of effectiveness and efficiency when planning disaster relief.

Social Design for Services Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie SARANTOU ◽  
Satu MIETTINEN
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Service Design ◽  
Social Design ◽  
Practical Action ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World

This paper addresses the fields of social and service design in development contexts, practice-based and constructive design research. A framework for social design for services will be explored through the survey of existing literature, specifically by drawing on eight doctoral theses that were produced by the World Design research group. The work of World Design researcher-designers was guided by a strong ethos of social and service design for development in marginalised communities. The paper also draws on a case study in Namibia and South Africa titled ‘My Dream World’. This case study presents a good example of how the social design for services framework functions in practice during experimentation and research in the field. The social design for services framework transfers the World Design group’s research results into practical action, providing a tool for the facilitation of design and research processes for sustainable development in marginal contexts.

The Socio-Economic Challenges of South African Indigenous Musicians: A Case Study of Venda-Based Vho-Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N G Mugovhani ◽  
Lebogang Lance Nawa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Arts Management ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Indigenous Music ◽  
Entire Country

This article discusses and raises awareness about the socio-economic plight of indigenous musicians in South Africa. Through a qualitative case study of the Venda musician, Vho-Talelani Andries Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo, dubbed the “Father of mbila music,” the article highlights the fact that the welfare of Black South African artists, particularly indigenous musicians in South Africa, is generally a precarious affair. Their popularity, at the height of their careers, sometimes masks shocking details of exploitation, neglect, and the poverty they are subjected to, which are exposed only after they have died. Empirical data identifies this as a symptom of, among other things, cultural policy and arts management deficiencies in the promotion of indigenous music. The article aims to find ways to redress this unfortunate situation, which is partially a product of general apathy and scant regard that these artists have perennially been subjected to, even by their own governments, as well as some members of their societies. All these factors mentioned are compounded by ignorance on the part of South African artists. Part of the objective of this study was to establish whether the exposition of the Vhavenda musicians is a typical example of all Black South African indigenous musicians and, if this is the case, whether the suggested ways to redress this unfortunate situation could contribute to or play a role in alleviating the plight of such artists in the entire country.

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