Browsing by Author "Van Heerden, Milandi Annette"

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    A grounded theory based approach for integrating asset management with total quality management in South african food industries
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Van Heerden, Milandi Annette; Jooste, J. L.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Process Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the quest to effectively apply a Total Quality Management System (TQMS) within South African food organisations, the integration of the Asset Management System (AMS) with the TQMS in the prevention of production and maintenance process challenges and to overcome the high competitive pressure of producing high-quality food products has become important. Given the potential for such collaborative improvements and the Asset Management (AM) prospect of extending the benefits of the TQMS as well as induced customer satisfaction, the integration of these two improvement programs deserved further exploration. The integration of the AMS with the TQMS remains unexplored within South African food industries. Furthermore, if integration is a possibility to consider, management will lack the understanding of, and the necessity for, integrating two managerial approaches to achieve collaborative results. Proper guidance to survive in the competitive environment of high-quality and customer demands is required. The purpose of this research study is, therefore, to develop a guideline for the implementation of an integrated approach to AM and Total Quality Management (TQM), which would improve product quality and subsequently support the food industry to strive for business excellence. Owing to the qualitative complexity of this study, it was deemed necessary to engage and understand the context or settings in which management address a problem or an issue. This was done with a view to ultimately allow the voices of managers to be heard whilst generating possible solutions to their current situations. Hence, the grounded theory methodology was adopted to holistically portray the integrated approach grounded in management’s input. All professional experiences of the senior managers in this study were described and interpreted as documented from in-depth interviews with nine such managers throughout eight distinct food organisations. In accordance to the grounded theory methodology, the analysis has resulted into a theory that depicts the causal conditions to the phenomenon (named Systems Integration), the strategy developed in response to the phenomenon, the intervening conditions that influenced the strategy, and the outcomes or consequences of using the strategy. It is imminent that the theory has successfully portrayed all aspects grounded in senior management’s inputs concerning AM integration with TQM. The developed theory was summarised and consolidated into a theoretical guideline for management. It served the purpose of assisting management to steer their focus and efforts on the practices that ensures the firms’ ability to establish a holistic and competitive quality management capability. In the essence of integration, it is believed that the AMS incorporation will provide South African food organisations with a small step towards being the Best-in-Class; hence, it will improve the quality of the product, efficiency of the machines and productivity of the people. Further empirical evaluations are required to support and verify the findings from this study.