17 articles in this issue
Corne Schutte
This is the last edition of the year. And, at the end of a year, it is a good idea to consider what worked well, and where we need to improve. In an editor meeting in early November, the performance and plan forward for the journal was discussed. I also h... see more
Danny Motsoeneng,Cecile Schultz,Adele Bezuidenhout
Despite a significant need, there is very little South African research on the validation of the generic training priorities of engineers within the platinum mining industry. The purpose of this study was to validate the generic training priorities of eng... see more
Lehana Khalema,Cornelis van Waveren,Kai-Ying Chan
The Project Management Office (PMO) has been associated with organisational project management competence. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence to support this perception. This study examines the relationship of PMO maturity and the nine knowled... see more
Amir Azizi,Amir Yazid b. Ali,Loh Wei Ping,Mohsen Mohammadzadeh
Analysis by modelling production throughput is an efficient way to provide information for production decision-making. Observation and investigation based on a real-life tile production line revealed that the five main uncertain variables are demand rate,... see more
Banu Calis,Serol Bulkan,Ferit Tuncer
This paper focuses on the problem of scheduling on a single machine to minimise the maximum lateness when each job has a different ready time, processing time, and due date. A simple procedure is developed to find a better solution than the early due date... see more
Chi-Jen Lin,K T Ma
This study constructs a practical fuzzy three-dimensional axial assignment model, and proposes two efficient algorithms to solve the model. In our case, the model is applied to team performance management in a company to promote the performance of all mem... see more
Andrew Francis van den Honert,Pieter-Jan Vlok
This study contributes to the on-going efforts to improve occupational safety in the mining industry by creating a model capable of predicting the continuous risk of occupational accidents occurring. Contributing factors were identified and their sensitiv... see more
I. Yadroitsava,J. Els,G. Booysen,Igor Yadroitsev
This paper describes the geometrical characteristics of single tracks manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) at different laser powers (20-170 W) and scanning speeds (0.1-2.0 m/s). Simulation of temperature distribution during processing is ca... see more
Herman Steyn,Rohann Schnetler
The number of projects a person can handle simultaneously is a relevant factor in strategic planning and in project portfolio management. Internationally the de facto standard seems to be that a person should not work on more than two or three projects si... see more
Konrad von Leipzig,Dimiter Dimitrov
This paper explores the concept of clustering in general, analysing research and experiences in different countries and regions, and summarising factors leading to success or contributing to failure of specific cluster initiatives. Based on this, requirem... see more
Boris Urban,James Heydenrych
Effectuation processes are consistent with emergent or non-predictive strategies, and speak to the essence of Schumpeter’s theory of creative destruction. In this study, hypotheses are formulated to understand the relationship between effectuation, techno... see more
Pieter Conradie,Tiaan Oosthuizen,Dimitri Dimitrov,Mike Saxer
The growing demands on aerospace manufacturers to cut more difficult-to-machine materials at increasing material removal rates require that manufacturers enhance their machining capability. This requires a better understanding of the effects of milling st... see more
Armando Mares Castro,Jorge Dominguez
In a process that manufactures polyurethane soles by casting, a number of problems lead to different types of defects on the sole, causing significant economic losses for the company. In order to improve the product quality and decrease the number of defe... see more
Bafana Petrus Mahlangu,Louis Kruger
This research study investigated the impact of the maintenance management system (MMS) on production output and profitability (PO&P) at the PetroSA GTL refinery, a state-owned company. The two groups that participated were the maintenance group, consistin... see more
Karl Otto Rommelspacher,Neels Fourie,Abel Mutibura
The establishment of labour standards within a production environment has become common practice, and is receiving growing recognition in the maintenance environment. However, the application of labour standards in a transit maintenance organisation has r... see more
Aytac Yildiz,Engin Ufuk Ergül
In the last 20 years, rapid and significant developments have occurred in communication and information technologies. In parallel with these developments, the importance of smartphones has increased. In addition, many smartphone manufacturers have launche... see more
Kemlall Ramsaroop Ramdass,F Masithulela
The Mechanical Testing Facility, which is a division within TT Pty (Ltd), provides component mechanical testing to other divisions tasked with implementing new components in the railway system. The records over seven years show a steady increase in the nu... see more