Marthinus W. Pretorius

A model for the assessment of new technology for the manufacturing enterprise

Abstract Modern technology plays a key role in the ability of manufacturing enterprises to compete as world class manufacturers. Managers need to make complex decisions regarding applicable technologies in order to gain optimal return on technological investment. A model was developed to assess the impact of manufacturing technology on the productivity and competitiveness of the enterprise. The approach taken by the model is to view the manufacturing enterprise as a manufacturing system in which different dynamic process structures exist. A framework is defined by the hierarchical structure of the enterprise, the business processes and the fundamental business functions. This creates a 3-dimensional space in which the business processes can be mapped. From the relationship between technology and process, the impact of new technology on the enterprise can be projected onto the 3-dimensional framework. Proven world class manufacturing methodologies can be assessed by the model. These typically include automated manufacturing, production management and concurrent engineering systems. Ultimately, the model can be a useful tool for developing or evaluating technology strategies for the enterprise.

Mortality amongst patients with influenza-associated severe acute respiratory illness, South Africa, 2009-2013.

Introduction Data on the burden and risk groups for influenza-associated mortality from Africa are limited. We aimed to estimate the incidence and risk-factors for in-hospital influenza-associated severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) deaths. Methods Hospitalised patients with SARI were enrolled prospectively in four provinces of South Africa from 2009–2013. Using polymerase chain reaction, respiratory samples were tested for ten respiratory viruses and blood for pneumococcal DNA. The incidence of influenza-associated SARI deaths was estimated at one urban hospital with a defined catchment population. Results We enrolled 1376 patients with influenza-associated SARI and 3% (41 of 1358 with available outcome data) died. In patients with available HIV-status, the case-fatality proportion (CFP) was higher in HIV-infected (5%, 22/419) than HIV-uninfected individuals (2%, 13/620; p = 0.006). CFPs varied by age group, and generally increased with increasing age amongst individuals >5 years (p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with death were age-group 45–64 years (odds ratio (OR) 4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–16.3) and ≥65 years (OR 6.5, 95%CI 1.2–34.3) compared to 1–4 year age-group who had the lowest CFP, HIV-infection (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.1–7.8), underlying medical conditions other than HIV (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.2–7.3) and pneumococcal co-infection (OR 4.1, 95%CI 1.5–11.2). The estimated incidence of influenza-associated SARI deaths per 100,000 population was highest in children <1 year (20.1, 95%CI 12.1–31.3) and adults aged 45–64 years (10.4, 95%CI 8.4–12.9). Adjusting for age, the rate of death was 20-fold (95%CI 15.0–27.8) higher in HIV-infected individuals than HIV-uninfected individuals. Conclusion Influenza causes substantial mortality in urban South Africa, particularly in infants aged <1 year and HIV-infected individuals. More widespread access to antiretroviral treatment and influenza vaccination may reduce this burden.

Knowledge exchange behaviours of science park firms : The innovation hub case

Since the 1990s there has been a rapid growth of science parks, often established to function as engines of (regional) economic growth. Knowledge exchange between on-park firms in general, and between these firms and universities in particular, is one of the key characteristics of a science park. This paper regards knowledge exchange as a type of network behaviour. The paper answers three research questions: What are the knowledge exchange behaviours of on-park firms? Can we distinguish different types of behaviour among these firms? If so, what are differences between these groups? To answer these questions, we take a relational approach in which actor and relationship features are studied in a sample of firms located at the Innovation Hub (South Africa). Preliminary results show that there are two groups of firms: on-park firms that network with other on-park firms and those that do not. Moreover, there are interesting differences between these groups: On-park networkers have in comparison more informal ties with off-park firms than the other group (non-on-park networkers); they are able to gain more useful knowledge from private knowledge sources; and they have more access to unintended knowledge that flows in the park. Despite different knowledge exchange behaviours, the innovative performance of the groups does not differ.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE AND A DEPARTURE FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

The complexity of integrating the concept of sustainable development and the reality of technology or innovation management practices has been argued. The primary objective is to introduce a conceptual framework of technology management knowledge, and coupled tools and methodologies, as it relates to sustainable development. Furthermore, a criteria framework of sustainable development is established, and insight is provided into how sustainability aspects may be measured effectively as part of technology management practices. From a literature review, it is concluded that sustainability aspects are not addressed adequately in technology management theories and practices. The subsequent conceptual framework defines the context better in which sustainable technology management should occur. Emerging technology management practices related to sustainable development do emphasise the focus on technology strategy, selection and transfer, especially between developed and emerging economies. At the core of these issues lies technology assessment. As a departure point for further research it is therefore recommended to concentrate on the development of technology assessment methods that incorporate the dynamic interactions between nature and society that is researched in the emerging field of sustainability science. OPSOMMING Die kompleksiteit om die konsep van volhoubare ontwikkeling te integreer in praktyke van tegnologie- en innovasiebestuur word uitgelig. Die primere doel is om ‘n konseptuele raamwerk daar te stel om die verhouding van tegnologiebestuur tot volhoubare ontwikkeling te toon. Verder word ‘n raamwerk van volhoubare ontwikkelingskriteria voorgestel, en insigte gegee van hoe sulke aspekte effektief gemeet kan word as deel van tegnologiebestuurpraktyke. ‘n Literatuurstudie beaam dat die aspekte onvoldoende in tegnologiebestuurteorie en -praktyke aangespreek word. Die raamwerk definieer die konteks beter waarin volhoubare tegnologiebestuur moet plaasvind. Nuwe tegnologiebestuurpraktyke relevant tot volhoubare ontwikke-ling, fokus op tegnologiestrategie, -seleksie en -oordrag. Die kern hiervan is tegnolo-gie-assessering. Dus word voorgestel dat verdere navorsing fokus op die ontwikkeling van tegnologieassesseringmetodes wat die dinamiese interaksie tussen die natuur en die samelewing insluit soos nagevors word in die nuwe veld van volhoubaarheid.

The South African Human Language Technology Audit

Human language technology (HLT) has been identified as a priority area by the South African government. However, despite efforts by government and the research and development (R&D) community, South Africa has not yet been able to maximise the opportunities of HLT and create a thriving HLT industry. One of the key challenges is the fact that there is insufficient codified knowledge about the current South African HLT components, their attributes and existing relationships. Hence a technology audit was conducted for the South African HLT landscape, to create a systematic and detailed inventory of the status of the HLT components across the eleven official languages. Based on the Basic Language Resource Kit (BLaRK) framework Krauwer (ELRA Newslett 3(2), 1998), we used various data collection methods (such as focus groups, questionnaires and personal consultations with HLT experts) to gather detailed information. The South African HLT landscape is analysed using a number of complementary approaches and based on the interpretations of the results, recommendations are made on how to accelerate HLT development in South Africa, as well as on how to conduct similar audits in other countries and contexts.

The technology assessment of demand side bidding within the South African context

South Africa is currently in the grips of a severe power supply capacity constraint; January 2007 has already seen blackouts throughout the country, the worst is still expected in the months to come. As a measure of immediate remedy Eskom is turning to Demand Side Bidding (DSB); a methodology whereby the demand side has an opportunity to sell back flexible load to the supply side. Through this paper an assessment of DSB is carried out, with the aim of evaluating and gauging the current and potential future standing of DSB as a technology product within the South African context. The assessment is carried out using the technology balance sheet, the technology road map and the scenarios approach. The results of the assessment show that DSB is not a sustainable solution to the current power supply capacity constraint Eskom is facing.

EXPLAINING MIXED RESULTS ON SCIENCE PARKS PERFORMANCE: BRIGHT AND DARK SIDES OF THE EFFECTS OF INTER-ORGANISATIONAL KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER RELATIONSHIPS

In the recent past, several researchers explored the added-values of Science Parks. On the basis of empirical research, some questioned the assumed benefits of the science park model, whereas others reported positive outcomes. As a result, mixed findings regarding the benefits of science parks for firms can be observed. These mixed empirical findings require a theoretical explanation. This paper argues that different levels and types of knowledge exchange behaviour of science park firms could be one of the theoretical explanations for these mixed findings. The literature on networks mainly stresses the benefits of networking in general, and networking between firms located on science parks in particular. This paper proposes that networks can have both positive (knowledge sharing) and negative effects (opportunistic behavior and knowledge spillovers) for firms located on science parks. When the latter occurs, location on a science park might produce negative effects. A conceptual model is developed that summarises our theoretical arguments. OPSOMMING Verskeie navorsers het in die onlangse verlede die waardetoevoeging van Wetenskapparke ondersoek. Empiriese navorsingsresultate dui enersyds daarop dat die voordele van Wetenskapparke bevraagteken moet word, maar andersyds dat daar positiewe uitkomste ook is. Dit is dus nodig dat hierdie teenstrydige resultate verder ondersoek en teoretiese verklarings daarvoor gevind moet word. In hierdie artikel word geargumenteer dat verskillende vlakke en tipes kennisuitruil gedragspatrone van firmas wat in Wetenskapparke gestasioneer is, een van die teoretiese verklarings vir bogenoemde teenstrydige bevindings is. Die algemene literatuur oor netwerke le hoofsaaklik klem op die algemene voordele van netwerking tussen firmas binne Wetenskapparke. Hierdie artikel argumenteer dat netwerke beide positiewe (kennisdeling) en negatiewe (opportunistiese gedrag en kennisoorspoeling) effekte vir firmas binne Wetenskapparke kan inhou.

An overview of HLTs for South African Bantu languages

South Africa (SA) is one of the few countries in the world that boasts a large number of official languages. Due to the efforts of government and the local research and development (R&D) community (comprising universities, science councils and a few private sector companies) all the official languages are -- to varying degrees -- enabled with regard to human language technology (HLT). We present in this paper the current status of HLTs for a few selected official South African languages, namely isiZulu, Sepedi, Tshivenda and, Xitsonga based on a national HLT audit covering all official languages of South Africa. We discuss the HLT position of the above languages in relation to other official South African languages, and also explore the types of data collections, technology modules and applications currently available in the R&D community for these four languages.

On the relationship between organizational slack and the level of innovation of firms

The concepts of organizational slack and innovation are central elements in the literature. Innovation is of central importance as it is vital for organizational renewal and survival. The literature stands divided on the effect of organizational slack, which can be defined as the pool of resources in organizations that is in excess of the minimum necessary to produce a given level of output, on innovation. Three conflicting views can be distinguished. Proponents of slack argue that slack allows organizations to experiment and that it is a necessary condition for fostering innovation. Agency theory turns this perspective upside down. In this view, slack may be a source of agency problems, which breeds inefficiency. Therefore, it considers slack to be negatively related to innovation. Besides these two views there is also a group that takes a middle position: too little slack and too much slack are both bad for innovation, which leads to the prediction that there is a curvilinear relationship between slack and innovation. The study uses an existing dataset, which contains information about 300 innovating South African organizations. Results show that higher levels of slack lead to higher levels of innovation. No evidence is found for either a negative or curvilinear relationship.

Implementing first world technology systems in third world industrial systems

Unique challenges face the implementer of novel advanced technology in industries. This is even more so when the industry in question is located in a third world country. This paper reinvestigates this problem from a technology/industry system point of view and presents a new model for understanding these challenges.