School for Organisation and Resource Management

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Browsing School for Organisation and Resource Management by browse.metadata.advisor "La Grange, J. F."

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    The management of information inside the general support base concept of the South African National Defence Force
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-12) Bester, Christoffel; La Grange, J. F.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Military Sciences. School for Defence Organisation and Resource Management.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Managing any government institution has become increasingly complicated as the requirements for accountability; streamlined operations and greater flexibility have multiplied. As effective and efficient management becomes more complex and the demands of constant change are more insistent, consequently the role of information as an organisational resource assumes greater importance for management on all levels inside the organisation. Management relies heavily on information to thrive. The value of information is derived from the actions that managers take as a result of using information. Information management consumes a large portion of any organisations finite resources and it would be to the benefit of the South African National Defence Force to achieve goal congruence between the information management objectives and the organisational objectives. If information is to be viewed as a resource of comparable importance to staff assets, and finance it must be procured and managed as purposefully as any other resource. Information can be seen as a strategic resource for any organisation and must be managed accordingly. The Public Service Act, Act 103 of 1994, which classifies information as a strategic resource for the public sector, confirms this. The formal information management strategy of the Department of Defence must therefore enable the information systems of the South African National Defence Force to support the military and business objectives of the Department of Defence. This strategy specifies how an organisation matches its scares resources and capabilities with the opportunities in the environment to accomplish its objectives. The structure of the South African National Defence Force, before transformation, was centralised and structured into vertical silos. The current information systems in use are therefore functionally orientated supporting the centralised structure (vertical silos). Transformation restructured the South African National Defence Force into a more integrated forces concept (general support base concept), suggesting emphasis on co-operation, joint planning and joint operations. The management of information must move away from the islands and silos towards an integrated and shared environment that enables the integration of information amongst the integrated forces of the organisation. This joint engagement strategy places certain requirements on the resource information to enable it to support the military and business strategy of the Department of Defence. The South African National Defence Force is moving unavoidably closer to an accountability framework based on transparency and compliance with legislation and regulations. An integral part of this framework is the requirements to provide clear and unambiguous evidence of how and why decisions are made. If managers and commanders are going to be more accountable, information must be available to assist them in decision-making and control. With the introduction of the Public Finance Management Act and the Promotion of Access to Information Act, the ability to adhere to the requirements of accountability and responsibility has become a necessity. Relevant and timely information for decision-making and control purposes therefore must be provided to managers and commanders to assist them in decision-making and control. In its present state the available architecture of the information systems of the South African National Defence Force is inadequate to provide the required information for decision-making and control purposes. The information management practices including the information systems therefore must be improved to ensure adherence to the requirements of accountability and responsibility. This study is directed towards the improvement of the quality of information provided by the information systems of the Department of Defence to assist commanders and managers in decision-making and the provision of information for control purposes inside the general support base concept of the SANDF. This improvement can only be achieved by changing budget priorities to ensure a higher priority on information technology across the organisation. Failure to improve the information management practices will result in the ineffective execution of the defence strategies.
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    Optimal objective achievement via balance of control
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-10) Pienaar, Gideon Johannes; La Grange, J. F.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Military Science. Dept. of Military Management.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organisations need assurance that strategy is executed as planned and objectives are met, when matching organisational capabilities with the opportunities in the market. Control can give management such an assurance and is ultimately the responsibility of management. It is not however only management that may be interested with proper control in an organisation, all stakeholders wants some degree and form of control to safeguard their interest in an organisation. Management has a daunting task on their hands to ensure an organisation achieve its objectives as effectively, efficiently and economically as possible, while keeping all stakeholders informed and happy. Vast amounts of resources will be used to achieve objectives and management needs to strike a balance between protection of these resources and empowering employees to utilise these resources. A balance between the control systems over the different resources must also be in place. Management needs to have a balanced focus regarding the measurement of activities and behaviour relating to specific objectives, due to the time, cost, quality and innovation effects of control systems. A balance between costs and benefits of control systems must also be obtained. Control needs to be integrated as part of the management process to ensure optimal achievement of objectives. A holistic approach towards control and the usage of a sound control environment combined with relevant, organisational specific control systems that are flexible can ensure balance of control. All employees of an organisation have control responsibilities and must give inputs in the control process. Employees must view control as an aid and not as a stumbling block, when trying to achieve objectives. Management must be empowered and empower employees to have the relevant knowledge regarding control and control systems that can be used, when to use them and how to use them. These control systems must be continuously improved to ensure sustained, optimal achievement of objectives.
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    Supply chain management applicable to the South African Army camouflage clothing commodity
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-03) Wessels, Nelmarie (Nelmarie Jacolien); La Grange, J. F.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Military Sciences. School for Defence Organisation and Resource Management.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT APPLICABLE TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN ARMY CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHING COMMODITY There are many reasons for the popularity of the supply chain or the supply chain management concept. Through globalisation, entities are forced to look for more effective ways to coordinate the flow of goods and material between facilities, into and out of the business. Customers are consistently demanding products that are delivered faster, exactly on time, and with no damage. Supply chain management is the systemic, strategic coordination of the traditional business functions and the tactics across these business functions within a particular entity and across businesses within the supply chain, for the purpose of improving the long-term performance of the individual entities and the supply chain as a whole. One key objective of supply chain management is to lower the costs required to provide the necessary level of customer service, in order to gain a competitive advantage within a market segment. To be fully effective in today’s competitive environment, entities must expand their integrated behaviour to incorporate customers and suppliers. Low cost and differentiated service help build a competitive advantage for the supply chain. When entities take up a supply chain management philosophy, they must determine and establish management practices that permit them to operate and behave consistent with this philosophy. Performance measurement provides the necessary assistance for performance improvement in pursuit of supply chain excellence. The efficient and effective management of this supply chain with performance measurement and internal controls establishes a solid base for competitive advantage. The SA Army camouflage clothing logistics reveals elements of improvement, as compared to supply chain management principles. Camouflage clothing forms an important element of the total supplies of a soldier in sustaining military and warfare capabilities. Camouflage clothing logistics in the SA Army is a complex mix of physical entities, processes and rules that is governed by mostly conceptual concepts and principles. The SA Army lacks an integrated supply chain philosophy and clear supply chain management principles. Supply chain management can enhance camouflage clothing logistics in the SA Army, if the principles are properly applied. The SA Army is a military institution with peacekeeping operations as their core function. The manufacturing and distribution of clothing is not a core function of the SA Army and can therefore be outsourced to address most of the concerns raised under the present system. Although it would be difficult and cumbersome to implement an integrated supply chain, with supply chain management philosophy and practices, the principle will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in today’s economic environment. The level of outsourcing and the effectiveness of control will determine the degree of success the SA Army will achieve.