This article focuses on the impact of rural road provision on the macroeconomic objective of full employment. It deals with the extent to which roads act as direct generators of jobs during their construction and service periods, and the ways in which effective roads could indirectly stimulate employment opportunities quantitatively and, from a skills perspective, qualitatively. The economic impact analysis (ECIA) of road provision indicates the typical worker–hour requirements for the approximate estimation of employment needs. These estimates can be used whenever detailed estimates are not yet available. The estimates are provided for the construction and operation of (1) basic rural road segments, (2) bridges and viaducts, and (3) intersections, roundabouts (traffic circles), and interchanges. Where road projects contain other physical components, such as tunnels and toll plazas, the former three groups of employment rates could be used in combination with worker–hour estimates for the construction and maintenance of tunnels and toll-related components.

Despite recent gains, South Africa is yet to fully develop its economic potential in the medical technologies industry. Yet it remains uncertain which parts of the extended medical technologies industry South Africa should prioritise. This paper uses the input-output product space (IO-PS) methodology to identify key areas in the medical technologies industry that are likely to unlock the industry’s potential in South Africa. The analysis involved using a hierarchical mapping of the industry as input to the IO-PS analysis. Thereafter, the outputs of the methodology were analysed and interpreted. The most promising products for further development under various scenarios were identified.

The manufacturing industry is currently experiencing a shift towards sustainability-driven practices and principles. Company X is one of those that want to improve their competitiveness in the manufacturing industry by implementing sustainability. However, this company experiences obstacles in its production process because production targets still need to be achieved owing to product defects that average 8.97%. This study used the sustainable lean manufacturing approach to help the company to achieve more competitive goals by reducing waste and pollution and creating more efficient production processes. The tools used in this research were process activity mapping (PAM), sustainable value stream mapping (SVSM), and the sustainability index (SI). Based on calculations with sustainability indicators, the company’s SI results amounted to 183%. The pProposed improvements were given to improve the company’s efficiency and to reduce its SI. After repairs had been made, the SI value was reduced to 118%. With the improvement in that value, production efficiency has also improved: the process cycle efficiency (PCE) value has become 90.49%, which means that the company’s production process has become more efficient.

In this study, a value engineering model for state-owned enterprises was developed using a mixed-method approach, focusing on a South African state-owned enterprise. Key findings highlighted that strong management support, a supportive value engineering culture, an effective value engineering methodology, and an efficient value engineering team are vital enablers for successful value engineering implementation in state-owned enterprises. The study further emphasised the importance of recognising differences between state-owned enterprises and private organisations, as they require tailored value engineering approaches. In addition, the research explored factors influencing value engineering success, identified state-owned enterprise specific barriers, and provided recommendations. These findings offer unique insights into state-owned enterprises, aiding decision-makers, managers, and practitioners. Applying the model and recommendations can enhance state-owned enterprise performance, efficiency, and value realisation.

Orthopaedic devices comprise a significant portion of the medical devices that are imported into South Africa. Through case studies, we investigated the effect of contextual factors on knowledge development and exchange in the orthopaedic device innovation system, using the technological innovation systems framework. Our findings revealed that the drivers of knowledge development and exchange were inter-sectoral collaboration, availability of resources, affordability of available devices, creating legitimacy for devices, and the positive externalities of allied innovation systems. The main barriers identified were those that hindered inter-sectoral collaboration. The critical roles of the university and of healthcare actors were also highlighted. These findings may be used proactively to address problems in the innovation systems and to develop policy and institutional mechanisms that are aimed at building the domestic medical devices industry.

Automotive component manufacturers face global competitive challenges, and the paradigm has shifted from product price as the determining factor of competitiveness to the quality of the product. An automotive component manufacturer was struggling to manage the outflow of defects, and adding inspectors as quality gates to the rear-step bumper production line had severe cost implications. This study aimed to reduce the number of defects by deploying a strategic path of implementing built-in quality. Quality tools were used, and the study’s results included significant manpower reduction, improved quality capability, and reduced scrap rates and reworks.

This study introduces three extensions of the Markowitz portfolio selection model: (1) matching portfolio risk to individual investors’ risk appetite; (2) excluding certain shares; and (3) environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration. The models are compared to the traditional Markowitz model using empirical data from JSE Limited. The findings reveal that differentiating portfolios on the basis of risk appetites or exclusions had a limited impact on future returns. However, portfolios differentiated by ESG integration showed significantly higher future returns than the other models or industry investments. The study highlights the superiority of ESG integration and suggests that current portfolio selection models do not fully capture the art of investing.

In the present study, optimal pricing and optimal lot size production policy models with price-sensitive demand of deteriorating products are considered, taking into account two distinct production rates. It is possible to begin production at one rate and then switch to a different rate after a period of time. Such a scenario is appealing, in that a big initial stock of produced goods can be avoided by starting production at a modest pace, thus reducing the initial investment and the holding cost. Further, the fifth-order equation is obtained when the equation for optimal pricing is derived. Maximising the profit is calculated based on a fifth-order equation. Both optimal pricing and production lot size are decision variables, and optimal cycle time is also one of the decision variables for determining price break-even points. As far as information is concerned, no researcher has examined optimal pricing and production lot size policies in two-rates-of-production models for their study.The objective of the present study is to examine the optimal production, optimal pricing, and optimal cycle time to reduce the total cost and to maximise the total profit. Both price break-even point and profit maximisation are considered. An appropriate mathematical model is developed. An illustrative example is provided and numerically validated using a sensitivity analysis. Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 was used to code the model’s outcome validation.

This study aimed to improve the touch responses of electronic products. The improvement method was based on six sigma improvement steps. Product quality was improved using define, measure, analyse, improve, control (DMAIC) and statistical quality control methods to reduce the cost and waste of defective products. The project identified five critical processes from the manufacturing process and eight critical to characteristics (CTCs). Then CTCs were identified through the critical to characteristic diagram. The root causes were verified using the experimental plan method, scatter diagram, and double ratio test. This study identified three root causes, namely ‘poor reed touch value’, ‘base cavity width’, and ‘jig precision’. The last two causes were evaluated, and countermeasures were taken to ‘change the size of the base cavity’, ‘change the design of the assembly jig’, and ‘change the process of the assembly jig’. The target rate of the overall product defect rate reached 127%.

As we are awaiting the 29 May national election outcome results, it seems that South Africa has underscored the electorate's demand for comprehensive reforms and a commitment to addressing pressing socio-economic challenges, signalling a pivotal shift in the nation's political landscape. Industrial engineering professionals are at the forefront of transforming South Africa’s economic landscape, particularly within the context of the country’s evolving political arena. As South Africa navigates a period of significant socio-political change, the role of Industrial engineering professionals has never been more critical. Industrial engineering professionals are uniquely positioned to drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across various sectors, addressing the urgent needs of a nation striving for inclusive growth and development. One of the pivotal contributions of industrial engineering professionals is its ability to streamline operations and enhance productivity. This is essential in a country where industries must adapt to new regulations and global competitiveness. Industrial engineering professionals play a crucial role in optimising supply chains, reducing waste, and implementing cutting-edge technologies, thereby ensuring that South African businesses can compete on an international stage. Moreover, Industrial engineering professionals could be more instrumental in advancing social equity. By designing systems that are not only efficient but also equitable, industrial engineering professionals contribute to creating job opportunities and improving working conditions. This aligns with South Africa’s requirement of reducing unemployment and fostering a more inclusive economy. In the new political arena, where policy shifts and economic reforms are frequent, the adaptability and problem-solving skills of industrial engineering professionals are invaluable. They are the architects of a resilient economy, capable of weathering political changes while driving sustainable development. As South Africa looks to the post-election future, the strategic role of Industrial engineering professionals will be a cornerstone in building a prosperous and equitable society. Let us tackle this challenge! This edition has a total of 11 articles, with 7 from authors with South African connections and the balance from international authors.