The role of lean management principles in achieving successful water management: the case of Harry Gwala District Municipality
- Authors: Dlamini, Adelaide Nomnandi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- Management , Water-supply -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51153 , vital:43213
- Description: Water is life and a basic human need. It is a scarce resource which must be managed in a sustainable way. Empirical evidence suggests that globally the current supply systems will not satisfy the demand. Some of the challenges include depleted water resources due to uneven and inadequate rainfall, effects of climate change, poor asset management, water losses and poor water quality. Since there is a universal need for water, without water life would cease to exist; moreover, water is limited in quantities and hence sustainable management of this resource remains a global imperative. This research sought to investigate and understand the role of lean management in ensuring successful water management at Harry Gwala District Municipality, located in KwaZulu-Natal. To achieve the above goal, the research sought to investigate the efficiency of the production processes, strategies to conserve water and manage the demand, human resources and organisational development, as well as financial planning and management. The research adopted a qualitative research design and interpretivism research paradigm. The research findings acknowledged the strides made by the Municipality in relation to extending the infrastructure footprint to the communities that previously did not have water. The research further revealed that Harry Gwala District Municipality is challenged in relation to providing an uninterrupted and efficient water supply to consumers. This is due to poor project planning, project management and monitoring, poor maintenance of infrastructure, ageing and dilapidated infrastructure, illegal connections and high water losses. The workforce is inadequate with concerns about ill-discipline and lack of productivity by some employees. The organisational culture does not allow for innovation and has a bearing on ill-discipline and productivity. The research noted that the Municipality is unable to provide successful water management, owing to infrastructural challenges, wastage, lack of continuous improvement and the organisational culture. It was further noted that these challenges can be addressed using lean management principles with particular focus on waste elimination, continuous improvement, employee involvement, promoting efficiency in the production processes and the use of catalytic technology. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Dlamini, Adelaide Nomnandi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- Management , Water-supply -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51153 , vital:43213
- Description: Water is life and a basic human need. It is a scarce resource which must be managed in a sustainable way. Empirical evidence suggests that globally the current supply systems will not satisfy the demand. Some of the challenges include depleted water resources due to uneven and inadequate rainfall, effects of climate change, poor asset management, water losses and poor water quality. Since there is a universal need for water, without water life would cease to exist; moreover, water is limited in quantities and hence sustainable management of this resource remains a global imperative. This research sought to investigate and understand the role of lean management in ensuring successful water management at Harry Gwala District Municipality, located in KwaZulu-Natal. To achieve the above goal, the research sought to investigate the efficiency of the production processes, strategies to conserve water and manage the demand, human resources and organisational development, as well as financial planning and management. The research adopted a qualitative research design and interpretivism research paradigm. The research findings acknowledged the strides made by the Municipality in relation to extending the infrastructure footprint to the communities that previously did not have water. The research further revealed that Harry Gwala District Municipality is challenged in relation to providing an uninterrupted and efficient water supply to consumers. This is due to poor project planning, project management and monitoring, poor maintenance of infrastructure, ageing and dilapidated infrastructure, illegal connections and high water losses. The workforce is inadequate with concerns about ill-discipline and lack of productivity by some employees. The organisational culture does not allow for innovation and has a bearing on ill-discipline and productivity. The research noted that the Municipality is unable to provide successful water management, owing to infrastructural challenges, wastage, lack of continuous improvement and the organisational culture. It was further noted that these challenges can be addressed using lean management principles with particular focus on waste elimination, continuous improvement, employee involvement, promoting efficiency in the production processes and the use of catalytic technology. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Water conservation and water demand management in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Mlomzale, Kwanele
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Water conservation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Water demand management -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Municipal services -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Water-supply -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177159 , vital:42795
- Description: Water is one of the scarce and constrained natural resource globally, and a necessity to every living creature, organism and the natural environment – it is the existence of life. Water, as an irreplaceable natural resource, plays a vital role in every country's development and prosperity, integrating socio-economic needs of both the present and future generation. Therefore, sustainable strategies and approaches or concepts are significant in ensuring that such a unique resource is preserved and conserved sustainably. Municipal environment or local government sphere creates a pivotal role in governing the use of water, through the provision of legislation, regulations and establishment of water conservation and water demand management strategies and plans. However, it has been established that there is a lack of integrated water resource management approach and planning in municipalities, creating concerns with regards to controlling the overutilisation of water and protection of water sources in general. The aim and goals of the study are to review Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality's (BCMM) water conservation and water demand management (BCMM WC/WDM) development and implementation by, assessing the existing strategy related to water conservation and water demand management; constraints and opportunity identification; and provision of recommendations in improving the practices in the municipality. The study presents core theories and empirical studies relevant to the water conservation and water demand management, and also deals with theoretical framework found under the Natural Resource-Based View and its application to water conservation and water demand management concepts. A qualitative research design approach was used for the research, which is underpinned by a post-positivism paradigm. In terms of data collection, two methods were used in the study: (i) document study and secondary analysis; and (ii) semi-structured interviews with BCMM relevant officials. The study identified gaps and inconsistencies in the development and implementation of BCMM WC/WDM strategy, although the municipality has taken some step towards its implementation. However, the strives taken by BCMM in implementing water conservation and water demand management initiatives are acknowledged. The study provides recommendations related to the findings identified upon the data collection and fieldwork. The recommendation proposed by the study includes proper communicating the BCMM WC/WDM strategy to all relevant stakeholders, focus on reducing the non-revenue water, implementation of various project related to pressure management, encourage culture of using water efficiently through educational and community awareness campaigns, capacitation of BCMM including seeking financial support, continuous review of the strategy and exploring other water supply sources to relax the already constrained existing water sources. The limitations of the study compared to the broader scope of water conservation and water demand management aspects are highlighted and acknowledged. Thus, in the conclusion of this study, further future studies are suggested to explore other related aspects of water conservation and water demand management in BCMM. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mlomzale, Kwanele
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Water conservation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Water demand management -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Municipal services -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Water-supply -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177159 , vital:42795
- Description: Water is one of the scarce and constrained natural resource globally, and a necessity to every living creature, organism and the natural environment – it is the existence of life. Water, as an irreplaceable natural resource, plays a vital role in every country's development and prosperity, integrating socio-economic needs of both the present and future generation. Therefore, sustainable strategies and approaches or concepts are significant in ensuring that such a unique resource is preserved and conserved sustainably. Municipal environment or local government sphere creates a pivotal role in governing the use of water, through the provision of legislation, regulations and establishment of water conservation and water demand management strategies and plans. However, it has been established that there is a lack of integrated water resource management approach and planning in municipalities, creating concerns with regards to controlling the overutilisation of water and protection of water sources in general. The aim and goals of the study are to review Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality's (BCMM) water conservation and water demand management (BCMM WC/WDM) development and implementation by, assessing the existing strategy related to water conservation and water demand management; constraints and opportunity identification; and provision of recommendations in improving the practices in the municipality. The study presents core theories and empirical studies relevant to the water conservation and water demand management, and also deals with theoretical framework found under the Natural Resource-Based View and its application to water conservation and water demand management concepts. A qualitative research design approach was used for the research, which is underpinned by a post-positivism paradigm. In terms of data collection, two methods were used in the study: (i) document study and secondary analysis; and (ii) semi-structured interviews with BCMM relevant officials. The study identified gaps and inconsistencies in the development and implementation of BCMM WC/WDM strategy, although the municipality has taken some step towards its implementation. However, the strives taken by BCMM in implementing water conservation and water demand management initiatives are acknowledged. The study provides recommendations related to the findings identified upon the data collection and fieldwork. The recommendation proposed by the study includes proper communicating the BCMM WC/WDM strategy to all relevant stakeholders, focus on reducing the non-revenue water, implementation of various project related to pressure management, encourage culture of using water efficiently through educational and community awareness campaigns, capacitation of BCMM including seeking financial support, continuous review of the strategy and exploring other water supply sources to relax the already constrained existing water sources. The limitations of the study compared to the broader scope of water conservation and water demand management aspects are highlighted and acknowledged. Thus, in the conclusion of this study, further future studies are suggested to explore other related aspects of water conservation and water demand management in BCMM. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
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