South African Technology Research Articles

A perspective on South African engineering

A perspective on South African engineering

An Investigation into Lean Implementation Preparedness in the Engineering Projects Sector

Lean methodologies, a system widely used in the manufacturing industry, have demonstrated numerous benefits and added significant value to the industry. In the same way that other industries have benefitted from the application of Lean techniques, the engineering projects sector can also realise significant improvements by integrating Lean principles into its processes and operations. The study aims to gain a comprehensive insight into the application of the Lean concept, with a focus on the South African engineering projects sector. The findings of a thorough literature review, focussing on Lean techniques, technology, and the projects sector, examined key variables that have an impact on the effective implementation of Lean methodologies within this industry. The variables studied are skills and expertise, active work methods, and leadership style. The study also explores the impact of digital technologies on Lean implementation, exploring how these technologies enhance the integration of Lean practices. The study includes descriptive statistical analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and a confirmatory factor analysis of the data. A significant relationship is found between variables influencing Lean implementation and the effectiveness of Lean practices within the South African engineering projects sector.

An Assessment of the Factors Impacting Project Success in the Engineering Sector

The engineering projects sector has presented numerous challenges in achieving success. The need arises to understand the reasons for these challenges and determine the best way to address the issues and achieve success using the best approach. This study aims to gain a good understanding of the factors impacting project success in the engineering sector. The literature review revealed variables that influence project success. These variables are company culture, effective management, employee engagement, and effective planning. The study presents a statistical analysis of the data. This analysis shows that each independent variable studied has a distinct impact on the dependent variable, project success. The South African engineering projects industry has shown a relationship between identified factors and project success. This study recommends laying a solid foundation to apply and improve the identified factors that have an impact on project success in the industry.

A model linking financial well-being and burnout in a South African engineering organisation

Orientation: This study investigates a model linking financial well-being (FWB) and burnout of employees in a South African engineering organisation.Research purpose: To investigate how personal financial resources and burnout are interrelated, focussing on the roles of satisfaction with remuneration (SWR), personal financial efficacy (PFE), and financial interference (FI).Motivation for the study: This model could help management, human resources, and employees understand the complex dynamics of these phenomena and reduce burnout by implementing targeted interventions.Research approach/design and method: Purposive sampling (N = 515) was used. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural paths were employed.Main findings: The study found that SWR positively impacts positive personal financial well-being (PPFW) and negatively impacts negative personal financial well-being (NPFW). Personal financial efficacy positively affects PPFW and negatively affects NPFW. However, SWR did not significantly impact FI. Negative personal financial well-being strongly contributed to FI, which in turn increased burnout. Contrary to expectations, PPFW did not significantly reduce FI. Additionally, SWR indirectly reduced burnout through NPFW and FI in sequence.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations should ensure competitive and equitable reward and remuneration strategies to enhance employees’ financial well-being and reduce burnout. Financial self-efficacy can be improved through interventions focussing on PFE and integrated financial well-being programmes to mitigate the risk of burnout and its demands on human and organisational resources.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the limited research on financial well-being and burnout, highlighting the importance of fair remuneration and personal financial resources in promoting employee well-being and reducing burnout.

Supply Chain Limitations in the South African Engineering Sector-Supply Chain Professionals Views

The engineering industry has several obstacles as the worldwide economy slows, including macroeconomic hardship, lack of resources, organizational deficiencies, and an overall incapacity to respond to major concerns. In the past few years, they have gotten increasingly intense and serious. Empirical supply chain administration studies identify impediments that hinder the engineering industry in emerging nations, such as South Africa. This research aims to investigate supply chain limitations in the South African engineering industry. The literature was evaluated as well as interviews that were semi-structured and were used to get thoughts from 15 senior supply chain professionals. To examine qualitative data, ATLAS.ti (version 7) software was used for content analysis. The conversations revealed six topics, such as a shortage of capital in supply chains, innovative supply chain process restrictions, supply chain administration changes, supply chain cooperation, supply chain administration, and scheduling administration. engineering companies should use systems to manage their supply chains, integrated options, and collaboration managing project techniques and technology. The findings reveal a shortage of expenditure in supply management processes and the fact that engineering companies are still lacking a strategic perspective on managing their supply chains. However, it seems that supply chain tactics may improve an organization's efficiency and business performance in engineering companies.

Multi-generational workforce job retention: Coping strategy influences among South African engineers

This study investigated the relationship between generational cohorts and job retention as influenced by coping strategies. Participants were a convenience sample of 151 full-time South African engineers (Generation X: 1961 to 1980 = 47.7%; white = 66.9%; male = 89.4%). Participants completed the Positive Coping Behaviour Inventory (PCBI) as well as the Retention Factors Behaviour Inventory (RFBI). A stepwise regression analysis revealed no age cohort differences in terms of job retention. However, affective positive (emotion-focused) coping significantly predicted satisfaction with retention factors. No differences were found in term of the demographic variables. Human resource practitioners should prioritise innovative work coping mechanisms that will guide retention strategies within the engineering sector in South Africa.

Transformational leadership influences on work engagement and turnover intention in an engineering organisation

Orientation: This study examined how transformational leadership (TFL) moderates the relationship between work engagement (WE) and perceptions of turnover intention (TI) in an engineering organisation. Research purpose: The study seeks to address the paucity of research on the moderating effect of TFL on the relationship WE and TI in the South African working environment and more specifically in the engineering organisation. Motivation for the study: The engineering sector is an important contributor to the DGP, but faces a skills shortage. Transformational leadership can play a key role in the retention of skills. Research approach/design and method: The study comprised 129 engineers in a South African engineering organisation. The study used a nonexperimental, quantitative research approach, while the population included a convenience nonprobability sample ( N = 124) of permanently employed engineers in a South African engineering organisation (women = 18%). Perceptions of TFL, WE and TIs were measured, and data were analysed by applying hierarchical moderator regression analysis to predict employee TI from WE in interaction with TFL. Main findings: The results indicate that TFL dimensions, namely idealised influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualised consideration, moderated the relationship between WE dimensions, namely vigour and dedication and TI. Perceptions of a leader who articulated the organisation’s vision, acted as a role model, was inspiring, stimulated creativity and developed followers would enhance employees’ levels of energy, dedication and efforts and hence reduce TI. Practical/managerial implications: Transformational leadership is vital for positive employee engagement and employee retention. Leaders should therefore have TFL competencies and be adept in engaging with their followers. Contribution/value-add: This study adds value to the current engineering organisation as well as TFL, WE and TI literature by examining the effects of WE and TI, positing that TFL is a sound moderator in the relationship between the WE and TI.

The relationship between resilience and student success among a sample of South African engineering students

The relationship between resilience and student success among a sample of South African engineering students

IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PROCESSES TO ADDRESS SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS BETWEEN SENIOR AND JUNIOR STAFF IN ENGINEERING PROJECTS

Skills and knowledge gaps between senior and junior staff is prevalent in engineering projects. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect knowledge transfer and methods to retain transferred knowledge between senior and junior staff in the South African engineering environment. Although several studies have examined the factors that influence knowledge transfer, very few have studied the factors affecting knowledge transfer between senior and junior staff in engineering projects. This study found that knowledge transfer is not made a priority in projects, and that there is a lack of knowledge transfer platforms and structures in projects. Incentivising knowledge transfer by making it a work outcome would improve knowledge transfer in projects. Keywords Knowledge Transfer; Engineering Projects

Developing Mindsets: A Qualitative Study among First-Year South African University Students

This article reports on a qualitative study that evaluated first-year students’ lived experiences of attending a 12-week student support programme focused on fostering mindsets. Participants included 545 first year Engineering students enrolled for academic studies at a South African university. All participants completed qualitative narrative sketches depicting their experiences. A random sample of 300 students’ narrative sketches was included as data in the qualitative study. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, and Dweck’s theory on mindsets served as the theoretical lens through which the data were interpreted. The results indicate that the majority of students experienced significant personal growth from attending the student support programme. Additionally, the findings point to the relevance and importance of offering student support programmes focused on exploring mindsets to first-year students. The results of this exploratory study suggest that mindset theory should be considered as an essential component when advising first-year South African Engineering students. Furthermore, we make a case for the relevance of positive psychology-based development programmes for first-year students.

Emotional intelligence and academic success among South African engineering students

This study explored the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic success among a sample of 1 346 South African engineering students. Data were collected from the students using the Emotional Skills Assessment Process (ESAP). Academic success was calculated using the Credit Accumulation Rate (CAR), a measure that combines time spent in the tertiary environment and academic performance. We analysed the data using MATLAB, applying the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and independent t-tests. Our findings indicate that students with higher scores on seven ESAP dimensions (decision making, drive strength, time management, commitment ethic, stress management, assertion, and change orientation ) also had higher academic success. Furthermore, a comparison to an American norm group revealed that the South African students presented with higher scores on the stress management dimension, which could promote better decision making. The findings support the theory that emotional intelligence plays a vital role in promoting academic success among university students.

Do the engineering education institutions provide soft skills education? Views of South African engineering professionals

Engineering is a profession that utilises knowledge of mathematics and science in order to find solutions to multifaceted problems for the benefit of humans. The advancement of a knowledge-based economy within a globalised world means engineering education institutions are responsible for producing graduates who possess exceptional technical and soft skills. With the universities preferring to provide traditional education and the global corporations looking for versatile graduates, the question arises who is responsible for providing the soft skills education to engineering students of the 21st century. The present study explores qualitative and quantitative data from engineering professionals across South Africa to determine their views on the teaching of soft skills in the engineering curriculum at the engineering education institutions. The data revealed that the engineering professionals are not satisfied with their soft skills training at the educational institutions and would like more focus on such education. The study has implications for the engineering education institutions to balance technical knowledge with soft skills training in their curricula to meet the requirements of the industry. Such education should be incorporated across the board into their professional training.  This will result in empowered graduates who are able to carve their own path to professional success

Fostering mathematical modelling competency of South African engineering students: which influence does the teaching design have?

This paper reports on empirical results about the influence of two different teaching designs on the development of tertiary students’ modelling competency and attitudes towards modelling. A total of 144 first year engineering students were exposed to a diagnostic entrance test, a modelling unit consisting of five lessons with ten tasks, enframed by a pre- and a post-test, and at the end a questionnaire on attitudes towards mathematical modelling. Similar to the German DISUM study, in the modelling unit, one group of participants followed an independence-oriented teaching style, aiming at a balance between students’ independent work and teacher’s guidance, while two other groups were taught according to a more traditional teacher-guided style. Linear mixed regression models were used to compare pre- and post-test results. The results show that all groups had significant learning progress, although there is much room for further improvement, and that the group taught according to the independence-oriented design had the biggest competency growth. In addition, this group exhibited more positive attitudes than the other groups in five of six attitudinal aspects.

Concept and development of an interactive tool for trial recruitment planning and management

BackgroundPredicting and monitoring recruitment in large, complex trials is essential to ensure appropriate resource management and budgeting. In a novel partnership between clinical trial investigators of the South African Medical Research Council and industrial engineers from the Stellenbosch University Health Systems Engineering and Innovation Hub, we developed a trial recruitment tool (TRT). The objective of the tool is to serve as a computerised decisions-support system to aid the planning and management phases of the trial recruitment process.MethodThe specific requirements of the TRT were determined in several workshops between the partners. A Poisson process simulation model was formulated and incorporated in the TRT to predict the recruitment duration. The assumptions underlying the model were made in consultation with the trial team at the start of the project and were deemed reasonable. Real-world data extracted from a current cluster trial, Project MIND, based in 24 sites in South Africa was used to verify the simulation model and to develop the monitoring component of the TRT.ResultsThe TRT comprises a planning and monitoring component. The planning component generates different trial scenarios for predicted trial recruitment duration based on user inputs, e.g. number of sites, initiation delays. The monitoring component uses and analyses the data retrieved from the trial management information system to generate different levels of information, displayed visually on an interactive, user-friendly dashboard. Users can analyse the results at trial or site level, changing input parameters to see the resultant effect on the duration of trial recruitment.ConclusionThis TRT is an easy-to-use tool that assists in the management of the trial recruitment process. The TRT has potential to expedite improved management of clinical trials by providing the appropriate information needed for the planning and monitoring of the trial recruitment phase. This TRT extends prior tools describing historic recruitment only to using historic data to predict future recruitment. The broader project demonstrates the value of collaboration between clinicians and engineers to optimise their respective skillsets.

Innovation capacity: A perspective on innovation capabilities of consulting engineering firms

Background: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in job creation and bridging the widening gap between the rich and the poor in South Africa. Several factors determine the success of SMEs. One largely-overlooked factor is innovation capacity, which is made up of different capabilities. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the degree of innovation capacity in South African consulting engineering firms and to identify the differences in the innovation capabilities across firm size. Setting: The target population for the study was consulting engineering firms operating in South Africa. Methods: The study followed a quantitative methodology. The survey was distributed using an email invitation to participate in the study, which contained a link to access the questionnaire online. Results: The results show that South African engineering consulting firms reported an ‘average’ to ‘high’ innovation capacity, where medium and large-sized firms performed similarly, and small firms lagged. The study found that there exists a significant hierarchy in performance for entrepreneurial capabilities, risk management capabilities and capabilities for market and customer knowledge: larger firms reported a higher scoring than smaller firms. It also found that small firms sharply lagged behind medium and large-sized firms regarding risk management capabilities and capabilities for market and customer knowledge. Conclusion: The results intend to assist policymakers in prioritising lagging capabilities as the point of departure for capability-building efforts. In addition, the results should assist entrepreneurs in being mindful of the potential blind spots that could be hindering growth.

The hidden curriculum in two employability skills development courses in a South African electrical engineering degree programme

ABSTRACT Employability development is a focus of contemporary engineering education, both abroad and in South Africa, from where this study emanates. However, pedagogic initiatives in service of this goal may fail to take into consideration the ideological underpinnings of this emphasis on employability, as well as of the curricula developed in its service. This study utilises discourse analysis as a tool to analyse texts relating to a final-year course pairing offered to electrical engineering students, which explicitly aims to develop employability skills. Drawing on Fairclough’s three-dimensional conception of discourse, the texts, which include faculty handbook extracts, course handouts, timetables, and additional teaching materials, provide insight into the ideological underpinnings of the courses as well as the context of their creation. The findings of the study reveal the neoliberal foundation of the course-pairing in general and, more specifically, three discourses that interact throughout the courses: the ‘entrepreneur of self’ discourse, the discourse of ‘inevitability’ and the ‘one-size-fits-all’ discourse. The study concludes by suggesting that perpetuating these discourses will lead to replication within the engineering industry, as opposed to transformation and innovation.

Understanding engineering education system responsiveness through the lens of social realism

ABSTRACTThis study aims to ascertain how the relationships between structures in the South African engineering education and training system condition the likelihood of the systemic transformation required by the changing contemporary engineering industry. Drawing on social realism as its theoretical framework, this qualitative case study analyses the relationships between the Engineering Council of South Africa, higher education and industry. The findings show that the South African engineering education and training system exhibits a tendency towards maintenance of the status quo and that systemic transformation is therefore unlikely. The relationship that shows the most potential for evolution is that between higher education and industry as their relationship is based on tenuous containment and compromise. The implication of the study is that those interested in engineering education and training should delve beyond curriculum- and pedagogy-based initiatives in order to better understand the likelihood of the occurrence of systemic transformation.

Student learning behaviours around assessments

ABSTRACTAssessment practices play a critical role in shaping student approaches to learning. This study investigates student perceptions and experiences of current assessment practices in a South African engineering school to understand how assessment can be used more effectively by both academic staff and students to facilitate deeper approaches to learning ultimately leading to improved student performance. A student survey was conducted to investigate student distribution of work, student approaches to learning in different assessment contexts, student perceptions and use of feedback and development of self-evaluative expertise. It was found that assessments have a significant impact on student approaches to learning with assessments often driving surface approaches to learning. The results indicate that a clear assessment strategy that understands student interpretations and use of assessment and is aligned to assessment for learning literature is critical in driving preferred learning behaviours.

A GUIDE FOR INTEGRATING TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND PHYSICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

The integration of an organisation’s asset management and total quality management systems has become important in addressing operational challenges in the food industry. This paper proposes a guideline for implementing these systems through an integrated approach that aims to improve product quality. The grounded theory methodology is used to develop a theory based on expert opinions in the South African food and engineering industries. The results are presented in a model in which systems integration is identified as the central phenomenon for improving food quality. Analysis and interpretation of the model is presented in the form of a guideline for managers.

Assessment of communicative modes used by engineering and built environment professionals

South African engineering and built environment professionals often present and need to transfer complex data to diverse recipients. This study of 91 respondents (via a Likert scale survey) explores communicative skills and formats used in their workplaces. Skills for seeking work (curriculum vitae, letters of application. networking through social media and interviews) was followed by analysis of technical writing to gain and keep work (proposals, reports and correspondence). Finally, the showcasing of work was reviewed via audience analysis, presentations and graphics, technical presentations, verbal and non-verbal delivery, visual literacy formats, integration of PowerPoint and posters. Conclusions were that the importance of the activity does not always align with the attention the practitioner gives it, nor the standard of output achieved. This disparity occurred particularly with citation and referencing, digital and traditional CVs, writing up proposals and responding to tender requests, and in creating and integrating visual material. However, there was alignment in the attention to and importance and standard of interviews, reports and summaries. It appears that emphasis must be on giving attention to the areas of communication which are deemed to be important but which currently are not of a high standard.