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Article
Publication date: 13 June 2009

M.H.A Agenbag and J.F.R. Lues

As the regulatory authorities for registering, monitoring and controlling milk hygiene, metropolitan municipalities (metros) and district municipalities (DMs) should boast…

620

Abstract

Purpose

As the regulatory authorities for registering, monitoring and controlling milk hygiene, metropolitan municipalities (metros) and district municipalities (DMs) should boast sufficient resources and systems to properly support the compliance of milk with legislative prescriptions and health standards. This paper aims to assess the availability and efficient management of resources for environmental health services (EHS), as well as the approach followed by local government (metropolitan and district municipalities as well as provincial health departments) in allocating available resources to monitor and control the informal milk‐producing sector in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire survey was conducted, targeting the cohort of municipal health service (MHS) managers (n=52) at the various metros and DMs in South Africa. Questions focused on physical and human resource management as well as the approach followed by MHS towards milk hygiene control.

Findings

At the time of the survey it was determined that resources (financial, human and to a lesser extent transport) available for MHS to effectively monitor, control and support the informal milk‐producing sector, were insufficient. Although food control enjoys high priority in MHS, activities such as sampling, premises inspections, and health and hygiene education at milking parlours, are predominantly performed on an ad hoc basis. This approach impacts negatively on the management of available resources and the effectiveness of interventions, leading to a need for national and provincial governments, industry and relevant associations to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to optimally exercise their powers and perform their functions.

Originality/value

The importance of the paper lies in its quantification and description of the current MHS situation in South Africa and thereby, via quantifiable results it makes an appeal to regulatory bodies towards channelling and effective management of resources by applying project management principles and skills.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 111 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 June 2024

Diwan U. Odendaal, Lelanie Smith, Kenneth J. Craig and Drewan S. Sanders

The purpose of this study is to re-evaluation fuselage design when the main wing’s has the ability to fulfill stability requirements without the need for a tailplane. The…

924

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to re-evaluation fuselage design when the main wing’s has the ability to fulfill stability requirements without the need for a tailplane. The aerodynamic requirements of the fuselage usually involve a trade-off between reducing drag and providing enough length for positioning the empennage to ensure stability. However, if the main wing can fulfill the stability requirements without the need for a tailplane, then the fuselage design requirements can be re-evaluated. The optimisation of the fuselage can then include reducing drag and also providing a component of lift amongst other potential new requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

A careful investigation of parameterisation and trade-off optimisation methods to create such fuselage shapes was performed. The A320 Neo aircraft is optimised using a parameterised 3D fuselage model constructed with a modified PARSEC method and the SHERPA optimisation strategy, which was validated through three case studies. The geometry adjustments in relation to the specific flow phenomena are considered for the three optimal designs to investigate the influencing factors that should be considered for further optimisation.

Findings

The top three aerodynamic designs show a distinctive characteristic in the low aspect ratio thick wing-like aftbody that has pressure drag penalties, and the aftbody camber increased surface area notably improved the fuselage’s lift characteristics.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the development of a novel set of design requirements for a fuselage, free from the constraints imposed by stability requirements. By gaining insights into the flow phenomena that influence geometric designs when a lift requirement is introduced to the fuselage, we can understand how the fuselage configuration was optimised. This research lays the groundwork for identifying innovative design criteria that could extend into the integration of propulsion of the aftbody.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 31 July 2024

Taofeeq Durojaye Moshood, James O.B. Rotimi and Wajiha Shahzad

Formulating strategic decisions poses a significant challenge for construction organizations, profoundly impacting their overarching strategic management. The success of an

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Abstract

Purpose

Formulating strategic decisions poses a significant challenge for construction organizations, profoundly impacting their overarching strategic management. The success of an organization’s strategy relies on how information is managed and decisions are executed. However, the literature has a limited understanding of the connection between information quality and strategic decision-making, particularly in construction business performance. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring how information quality mediates the relationship between strategic decision-making and the performance of construction businesses in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study aims to fill this gap by assessing how information quality shapes strategic decision-making practices, impacting construction organizations’ performance. Analysing 102 viable responses through partial least squares structural equation modeling structural equation modelling offers partial support to the research framework.

Findings

The study used statistical analysis to gauge the impact of adopting strategic management practices on construction business performance, considering the mediation of the quality of information within New Zealand’s context. It affirmed a positive correlation between strategic decision-making management and construction business performance, underpinned by the mediation of quality of information.

Practical implications

This study underscores the critical role of information quality in evaluating strategic decisions for bolstering construction business performance. In essence, it affirms that enhancing the performance of construction organizations via strategic decision-making is intrinsically linked to the quality of information.

Originality/value

This study makes a noteworthy contribution by establishing connections between decision importance, process effectiveness, information quality, intuition in decision-making and model development, providing valuable insights to the field.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 12 April 2022

Chioma Sylvia Okoro, Chukwuma Nnaji and Abdulrauf Adediran

The usefulness of technology for managing projects in the construction industry is indisputable. The potential utility of immersive technologies (ImTs), including virtual and…

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Abstract

Purpose

The usefulness of technology for managing projects in the construction industry is indisputable. The potential utility of immersive technologies (ImTs), including virtual and augmented reality, has recently received significant attention. However, the construction industry, especially in developing countries, lags on the implementation of technology generally and ImTs specifically. Forecasting the potential successful ImTs acceptance at the individual level is essential to strategic planning. The study's objective was to develop and test a conceptual model of factors influencing ImTs acceptance at the individual level in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of construction management-level professionals in South Africa was undertaken. The study extended two complementary models, the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), to analyze behavior towards technology acceptance using structural equation modelling.

Findings

Results indicated that attitude significantly influenced the intention to use ImTs and perceived usefulness (PU) positively and significantly predicted the intention to use and usage attitude (UA). Further, the effects of perceived enjoyment (PEn) on UA, and social norms (SNs) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on intention to use were positive and significant. Perceived ease of use (PEU) had negative and non-significant effects on intention to use and UA. By explaining 82% of the variance, the study established that the proposed model successfully evaluates how management-level professionals in the construction industry accept ImTs.

Practical implications

The study provides valuable insight into the acceptance of ImTs from the perspective of management-level stakeholders in the South African construction industry. It offers fundamental direction to create a general theory on integrating ImTs in construction.

Originality/value

This study systematically surveyed the intention to accept ImTs in the South African construction industry using an extension of the TAM and TPB models.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

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