Academic literature on the topic 'Package goods industry Australia'

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest economic, social, and environmental challenges now facing the world. The present Australian Government is committed to acting on climate change and Australia’s progress towards its emissions reduction targets is being closely watched internationally. To contribute effectively to global climate change action, Australia must demonstrate its ability to implement robust and sustainable domestic emissions management legislation. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), modelled after the cap-and-trade system, continues to be debated by our policymakers, as the Government moves to re-introduce its preferred CPRS legislative package for the third time. The advent of climate change legislation is inevitable and its impact will be far-reaching. This paper reviews the fiscal aspects of the proposed CPRS legislation in the context of the oil and gas industry, and whether it is conducive to creating incentives for appropriate climate change response by the industry. In particular, this paper will consider: the direct and indirect tax features specifically covered in the proposed CPRS legislation and their implications; the areas of taxation that remain uncanvassed in the proposed CPRS legislation and aspects requiring clarification from the tax administration; the interaction between Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) and the CPRS measures; the flow-on impacts to taxation outcomes resulting from proposed accounting and financial reporting responses to the CPRS legislation; the income tax and PRRT treatment of selected abatement measures; and, elements of a good CPRS tax strategy and compliance action plan.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and analyse the perceptions of South Australian construction practitioners on drivers affecting the implementation of reverse logistics (RL). In this context, RL is defined as the process of moving goods from their typical final destination for the purpose of capturing value or ensuring proper disposal. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight practitioners to collect data and the interview transcripts were analysed using the NVivo (version 10) package. Cluster analysis was used to cross-validate the findings and provide an in-depth insight into the findings. Findings – The findings indicate that most of the drivers identified in earlier research are relevant for the construction industry. In addition, the study identified some new drivers that are categorised as “targeted demands by an exclusive clientele”. These drivers were found to be complementary to the economic, environmental and social drivers as previously conceptualised. In addition, a set of factors affecting the strength of drivers that had been overlooked in previous studies emanated from the interview analysis. These include the type of project and the attributes of clients, both of which strongly affect the drivers of RL implementation in construction. Research limitations/implications – The major limitations are the relatively small size of the sample of interviewees and having interviewees from one geographic area with specific socio-economic characteristics. Practical implications – The identified drivers and the clustering of RL themes could be used by practitioners as a “road map” for the development of appropriate solutions to successfully promote RL within the construction industry. Organisational energies could thus be channelled towards the drivers that need the most improvement. Originality/value – The study contributes to this research sphere by employing cluster analysis to customise and contextualise the drivers that were previously identified. The study goes beyond the extant literature by discovering the prominent effects of these drivers on the impact of targeted demands by an exclusive clientele. This could be of great value in terms of creating avenues for future investigations on the topic.

Discretionary food package sizes are an important environmental cue that can affect the amount of food consumed. The aim of this study was to determine sales trends and reported food industry perspectives for changing food package sizes of carbonates and confectionery between 2005 and 2019. Changes in package sizes of carbonates and confectionery were investigated in Australia, the USA, Canada, and the UK. Sales data (units per capita and compound annual growth rate between 2005 and 2019) were extracted from the Euromonitor database. Qualitative data (market research reports) on industry perspectives on package size changes were extracted from industry and marketing databases. Carbonate sales data showed increased growth of smaller package sizes (<300 mL) and a decrease in sales of larger package sizes (≥2000 mL) in all four countries. In contrast, confectionery sales data showed no consistent trends across the selected countries. No growth was observed for smaller confectionery package sizes but an increase in growth of larger package sizes (50–99 g, >100 g), including share packages, was observed in Australia. Qualitative data (n = 92 articles) revealed key reasons identified by industry for changes in package size related to consumer health awareness, portion size control, convenience, market growth, and government or industry initiatives. Monitoring of discretionary food package sizes provides additional insights into consumers’ food environment.

Portion sizes of many energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods and drinks have increased in the past decade, whereas our understanding of the pattern of changes in package sizes remains limited. This study aimed to determine changing trends in sales and package sizes of savoury snacks in Australia, the USA, Japan and Hong Kong, and to investigate industry perspectives for these changes. Sales data (units per capita) between 2006–2020 on savoury snacks were extracted from the Euromonitor International database. Industry perspectives on package size changes were extracted systematically from selected databases, company reports and related websites following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The findings showed that sales per capita of savoury snacks of all package sizes increased across all four countries/regions between 2006–2020. Although changes in the proportion of smaller (<100 g) versus larger (>100 g) package size sales in each country/region over time were modest, Japan and Hong Kong exhibited a consistently higher proportion of smaller package sales compared with Australia and the USA (83.3%, 64.4%, 44.3%, 20.2%, respectively). Industry perspectives showed that increasing consumer health consciousness, demands for convenience and portion control were the main contributors to decreasing package sizes of savoury snacks. Industry reports from 2020 showed an increase in larger package size sales due to consumer purchasing behaviour amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia's international education ‘industry', a major export sector, slumped in 2010 because of more restrictive migration policy and visa processing, a crackdown on backdoor migration schemes, a high Australian dollar and tardy official response to racist violence affecting international students. A package of reforms in late 2011 freed up visa processing and work experience for graduates but so far industry recovery has been slow and uncertain.

Australia has a world-leading mining industry as a producer for some 16 commodities including gold, bauxite, iron ore, rare earths, zinc, nickel and coal. In 2021, Australia’s mineral exports (excluding petroleum products) amounted to $200 billion which was 58% of all good’s export and 46% of all exported goods and services. In 2021, mining accounted for more than 10% of gross national product. In addition, the mining industry employed some 240 000 people, with many more employed by related industries. Australia is richly endowed with many minerals, that are regarded as critical, or strategic, minerals by many trading partners. Growing markets for these commodities, particularly for those associated with emerging technologies such as battery storage, renewable energy and electric vehicles have stimulated exploration and resource delineation in Australia in recent years

The article examines the influence of state regulators on the organization of the process of international road transportation for Ukrainian carriers. It is substantiated that in the field of international road transportation there is a permit system between countries. That is, the main document that allows the performance of commercial transportation of goods or passengers on the territory of any state by a foreign vehicle is a permit to perform international road transportation of goods / passengers on the territory of a foreign state. A separate permit must be issued for each carriage of goods, which gives the right to carry out one run in the forward and reverse directions, unless another is stipulated in the permit itself. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties will annually transmit to each other a mutually agreed number of forms of permits for the carriage of goods. In most cases, freight permits are issued within quotas on a parity basis. It has been proven that the administrative barrier in the form of permits for international road transportation is a deterrent to the free market. On the one hand, it is a kind of lever to protect national carriers, but on the other hand it is a restriction for the industry and not just transport. After all, changes in the legislation of the European Union will have an effect on Ukrainian carriers. Since, the process of negotiations in the direction of liberalization of road freight transportation for Ukrainian carriers is becoming more difficult. Therefore, the agreements reached with the countries that have agreed to such a step are extremely important. The legal acts included in the so-called Mobility Package and intended for the regulation of international road transportation in the European Union are described. Despite the fact that the norms of the Mobility Package now apply only to carriers from the EU member states and do not apply to carriers from the third countries, including Ukrainian, it is expected that the competent EU bodies will initiate proposals to extend a number of provisions of the Mobility Package to the carriers of non-EU countries. The proposed liberalization of the conditions for international road transportation is a new impetus for the development of the transport industry, as the absence of any barriers in the form of permits is a competitive advantage of domestic carriers in the road transport market.

This industry paper looks at the broadcasting industry, how its revenue streams are changing and how this will affect the future of free-to-air services. Its premise is that, increasingly, consumers will purchase services rather than goods, and that their attention will become more and more valuable. If existing broadcasters want to remain relevant, they need to make sure that their content is accessible to consumers in the new world

There is an extensive list of taxes (direct and indirect) that potentially apply to companies that explore and produce oil, gas or other hydrocarbons in Australia’s offshore waters. These taxes can include income tax, petroleum resource rent tax, royalties, goods and services tax, customs duties and fringe benefits tax. However, are such companies that produce in Australia taxed more than their counterparts in offshore locations elsewhere around the globe? This paper provides an insight into the principal forms of direct taxation that apply to the Australian offshore production industry. It examines the nature of the taxes applied, the rate of taxation and how the tax take has moved over the years since the first offshore exploration permits were granted in Australia in the late 1950s. The paper gives examples of how in practice each of the relevant taxes would apply throughout the life of a field and compares the taxation burden in Australia to that in other key offshore producing jurisdictions such as the UK, US and Norway. The paper concludes by looking at some of the economic and political factors that must be addressed by the Australian Government if Australia is to maintain a fiscally balanced tax regime to encourage further investment in our offshore industry.

Abstract In this paper, we make a comparison of industry output, inputs and productivity growth and levels between seven advanced economies (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States). Our industry-level growth accounts make use of input data on labour quantity (hours) and composition (schooling levels), and distinguish between six different types of capital assets (including three information and communication technology (ICT) assets). The comparisons of levels rely on industry-specific purchasing power parities (PPPs) for output and inputs, within a consistent input-output framework for the year 1997. Our results show that differences in productivity growth and levels can be mainly traced to market services, not to goods-producing industries. Part of the strong productivity growth in market services in Anglo-Saxon countries, such as in Australia and Canada, may be related to relatively low productivity levels compared with the United States. In contrast, services productivity levels in continental European countries were on par with the United States in 1997, but growth in Europe was much weaker since then. In terms of factor input use, the United States is very different from all other countries, mostly because of the more intensive use of ICT capital in the United States.

Introduction: Performance management is an important driver in most companies today. Companies regard this as the tool to ensure that the people working for them will deliver as per the agreed contract and objectives which were set mutually. This study will reveal the importance of a well managed performance management system and what benefits one will derive from it. Intent: The purpose of this research project is to conduct a critical analysis of the performance management system used by Nampak Research and Development. They have been using a system since 2001 to the present without any changes to the system. The study focused on key areas to ascertain the level of change in the above respect that needs to take place. The study addressed (a) the understanding of performance management, (b) the management attitude towards performance management, (c) staff development, (d) the mentoring system, and (e) the performance appraisal method used. Findings: the main findings were that: (a) loss of management skill due to retirement, (b) staff has a negative attitude towards the performance management system, (c) staff does not trust the system, (d) management is the only group that is positive about the system, (e) there are no staff development strategies and no staff development, (f) ineffective mentoring system, (g) no mentor and mentee relationship, and (h) the performance appraisal method raised concerns in terms of departments not being consistent with the rating scores. Conclusion: the researcher has recommended what needs to be put in place to help the system work. Due to the complexity of the system, the researcher then recommended that a specialist in the field of performance management be approached to resolve the situation.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The traditional ways in which manufacturers of crop protection products exercised control over distribution systems have diminished in their impact. Control was based on quality products, the power of the brand, an installed customer base and a broad portfolio of mostly patented products. Manufacturers of crop protection products need to review the manner in which these products are marketed, which distribution system management models are to be used, and the importance that is placed on distribution system management in the marketing mix. The primary aim of this study was defined as: "The development of appropriate distribution system management models for application in South Africa and Australia~. The secondary aim was defined as: "Establishing the key factors which determine the relationship between manufacturers and distributorsn . The dominant economic characteristics of the global crop protection industry are deemed to consist of a global market valued at US $28,090 mio, a mature market in a decline phase, the rapid consolidation of industry players, increased generic product manufacturer activity and an overall decline in manufacturer profitability. In South Africa crop protection product manufacturers use approximately 46 independent distributors to market products on farms through 600 affiliated commissioned sales agents. In Australia the distribution of crop protection products is much more concentrated. Distribution is essentially controlled by five national distributors and their coupled salaried representatives. Manufacturers therefore rely on third parties for the marketing of their products to farmers in both countries. The applicable problem statement has been formulated to select a distribution system management model that will: (i) optimally balance direct distribution related cost and subsequent levels of control over distributors; (ii) maximise the probability that a distributor will buy and actively promote the complete product portfolio of a for high levels of interpersonal relationship maintenance; and (vi) manufacturers have to instill the philosophy that distribution system management is part of a manufacturer's strategic business and marketing focus and not simply a task to be performed by a third party.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tradisionele maniare waarop die vervaardigers van oesbeskermingsprodukte beheer kan uitoefen oor verspreidingsisteme is nie meer so suksesvol nie. Beheer was gebaseer op kwaliteil produkte, die mag van die handelsmerk:n gevestigde klientebasis en 'n wye produktereeks,bestaande uit gepatenteerde produkte, Vervaardigers van oesbeskermingsprodulcte moet die wyse waarop hierdie produkte bemark word, watter verspreidingsisteem bestuursmodelle gebruik word en die belangrikheid wat geplaas word op die bestuur van die verspreidingsisteme in die totala bemarkingspoging in heroorweging neern. Die primere doelstelling van hierdie studie is: "Die ontwikkeling van toepaslike verspreidingsisteem bestuursmodelle vir toe passing in Suid-Afrika en Australia. "Die sekondere doelstelling is: "Die vas stelling van die sleutelfaktore wat die verhouding tussen velVaardigers (verskaffers) en verspreiders bepaar. Die dominante ekonomiese kenmerke van die globale oesbeskermingsindustrie is 'n markwaarde in VSA $ 28,090 miljoen, 'n stagnante mark in 'n agteruitgang lase, die drastiese konsolidasie van die industrie spelers, 'n toename in die aktiwiteite van die generiese produkvervaardigers en 'n algemene daling in die winsgewindheid van die vervaardigers. In Suid-Afrika gebruik die vervaardigers van die oesbeskermingsprodukte ongeveer 46 onafhanklike verspreiders om die produkte op plaasvlak te bemark met behulp van 600 geaffilieerde kommissie agente. Die verspreiding van oesbeskermingsprodukte is baie meer gekonsentreerd in Australie. Verspreiding word in wese beheer deur vyf nasionale verspreiders en hulle spanne van verkoopsteenwoordigers wat 'n salaris verdien. In beide lande moet velVaardigers van oesbeskermingsprodukte staatmaak op onafhanklike instansies vir die bemarking van hul produkte op plaasvlak. Die probleemsteiling is dus die uitdaging om 'n verspreidingsisteem bestuursmodel t9 ontwikkel wat: (i) . n optima Ie balans sal gee tussen direkte verspreidingskoste en gekoppelde vlakke van beheer oor verspreiders; (ii) die waarskynlikheid dat . n verspreider die betrokke produkreeks van die vervaardiger sal aankoop en aktief sal promoveer; (iii) dit kan bereik in . n mark waar verspreiders talle bronne het van soortgelyke produkte teen kompeterende pryse. Gebaseer op die sekondere navorsing wat gedoen is wit dit blyk dat daar 'n algemene konsensus is dat daar n nei9in9 weg is van transaksie spesifieke besigheidsverhoudings na besigheidsverhoudings gebaseer op vennootskap gebaseerde benaderings in die interaksie tussen vervaardigers (verskaffers) en verspreiders. Hierdie tipe besigheidsverhouding word gekenmerk deur hoe vlakke van onderlinge vertroue, wedersydse verbintenis, konflik hanteringsmeganismes en goeie wedersydse kommunikasie. Primere navorsing is in Suid-Afrika (253 respondente) en Australia (180 respondente) gedoen. Implikasies vir die konstruksie van verspreidingsisteem bestuursmodelle wat voortvloei uit hierdie navorsing sluit in die belangrikheid dat on vervaardiger on wye en gesogte produkreeks het, die vereiste dat produkte beproefde effektiwiteit het, produkte kompeterend geprys is, die vereiste vir hoe vlakke van verskaffer opvolgdiens en die vereiste vir goeie interpersoonlike verhouding tussen werknemers van beide die vervaardigers en die verspreiders. Hierdie elemente moet ondermeer gerugsteun word deur goeie kommunikasiesisteme. Die "idea Ie" verspreidingsisteem bestuursmodelle is vervolgens voorgestel vir beide Suid-Afrika en Australie, gebaseer op die bevindinge van ondermeer die sekondere- en primere navorsing. Hierdie mode lie het ten doel om toepaslike strukture en besigheidsbenaderings vir vervaardigers daar te stel om hulle behulpsaam te wees om die geidentifiseerde behoeftes van die verspreiders aan te spreek.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper was to prove the contribution of the Works Order Close-Out Meeting process at Nampak Flexible Ndabeni, through the development of a Close-Out Meeting contribution evaluation model. Although the value of the Close-Out Meeting process is intuitively understood, a formal measurement would underscore the importance of the process. Using a funnel-based analysis, a total of 63 Close-Out Meeting findings was identified for formal benefit review and were categorised into five finding groups. For each of these five groups a contribution measurement methodology was developed. The methodology was rooted in sound management and ERP theory and then applied to the findings in each group. The following key groups were identified and discussed: Incorrect standards. The importance of correct standards was shown, and the potential misstatement due to incorrect standards was quantified. The analysis showed that effective, ongoing variance review can identify errors in standards and that changes can be initiated and authorised in a short timeframe. ERP process review. Findings that specifically addressed lack of proper process were reviewed and real benefit was calculated for three categories, namely information misstatement, risk mitigation and productivity gains. Formulas were developed and applied for the benefit calculation. The analysis showed it is dangerous to assume that processes are cast in stone or fundamentally sound, and that the Close-Out review process not only identifies deficiency of these processes, but initiates corrective action. Shop floor process review. The investigation into findings that addressed process conformance showed that in most cases the process breakdowns related to the accuracy of information captured into the ERP. The impact of poor information, process non-conformance and corrective action was clearly shown. Actions to improve performance. Targeted actions to improve production performance were subdivided into actions that improved productivity and actions that reduced the risk of recurrence of a negative event. Benefits were calculated using established methods, and in both cases the benefit was substantial. Business decision confirmation. The Close-Out Meeting sometimes forced analysis that did not lead to action but to a better understanding of the business reality. What was shown is that the ability to identify, list and analyse findings of this nature added value. By expanding the benefit analysis beyond a simplistic implementation of corrective action, the scope of benefits was increased. The study achieved several objectives. The analysis showed that corrective actions taken by management have a scientific base and that the implementation of corrective actions delivered real business value. This allowed the business to place the Close-Out Meetings in the correct context, as the business could conclude that Close-Out Meetings were fundamental to its continued success. From a theoretical point of view the body of knowledge around Close-Out Meetings was expanded, while the results also supported the Nampak ERP value case. Close-Out Meetings at Nampak Flexible delivered clear, measurable benefits when discussion points were converted to actions that were acted upon by the business. The value was of such a nature to confirm the importance of Close-Out Meetings as a component of good ERP-manufacturing practice.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie werkstuk was om die bydrae van die "Works Order Close-Out Meeting" proses by Nampak Flexible Ndabeni te bewys met behulp van 'n "Close-Out Meeting" evaluasiemodel. Alhoewel die waarde van die "Close-Out Meeting"-proses intuitief aanvaar word, aksentueer die ontwikkeling van 'n formele maatstaf die belangrikheid van die proses. 'n Evaluasieproses het 'n totaa1 van 63 bevindinge opgelewer vir analise. Die bevindinge is ingedeel in vyf groeperings en vir elke groepering is 'n ste1 maatstawwe ontwikkel ten einde die bydrae van die bevindinge te meet. Hierdie maatstawwe was gebaseer op bestaande, aanvaarde ERP- en bestuursteorie. Die volgende vyf groepe was geidentifiseer en bespreek. Foutiewe standaarde. Die belangrikheid van akkurate standaarde in die stelsel is bewys, en die skaal van informasiefoute as gevolg van verkeerde standaarde is gekwantifiseer. Daar is bewys dat effektiewe, voortdurende variasie-analise foute kan identifiseer en dat die nodige korrektiewe aksie vinnig implementeerbaar is. ERP-proses. Bevindinge wat voortspruit uit swak prosesse is geidentifiseer en die waarde van die korrektiewe aksie is op drie vlakke geanaliseer, naamlik informasiefoute, risikobeheer en produktiwiteitsverbetering. Formules is ontwikkel en toegepas om die waarde van die korrektiewe aksie te bepaal. Daar is bewys dat dit gevaarlik is om aan te neem dat besigheidsprosesse fundamenteel korrek is, en dat die "Close-Out Review"-proses nie net foutiewe prosesse uitgewys het nie, maar ook die nodige korrektiewe aksie gedryf het. Fabrieksvloerproses. Die ondersoek na bevindinge wat prosesafwykings uitgewys het, het aangedui dat afwykings meestal voorgekom het as gevolg van foutiewe informasie in die ERP-stelsel. Die impak van foutiewe informasie, prosesafwykings en inisiatiewe om die akkuraatheid van informasie te verbeter is duidelik gewys. Produksieverbetering. Bevindinge wat gelei het tot inisiatiewe om produksie te verbeter is verdeel tussen produktiwiteitsverbetering en risikobeheer. Die waarde van die inisiatiewe is bereken met die gebruik van ontwikkelde metodes en in beide gevalle was die resultate baie positief. Ondersteuning by besluitneming. Die "Close-Out Meeting"-proses het somtyds gely tot analise wat nie aanieiding gegee het tot korrektiewe aksie nie, maar wel daartoe gelei het dat bestuur se begrip van besigheidsrealiteit verbeter het. Daar is bewys dat 'n proses wat besigheidsinformasie aan bestuur kan weergee ter ondersteuning van bestuursbesluite, waardevol is. Die mate van voordeel wat uit die proses stem is vergroot deur die waarde-analise uit te brei sodat dit meer is as die blote analise van korrektiewe aksie. Die berekende voordeel uit die "Close-Out Meeting"-proses is groter wanneer die hestek van die voordeel vergroot word om meer as net die direkte waarde van korrektiewe aksie in te sluit. Die studie het voldoen aan verskeie doelwitte. Daar is bewys dat bestuursaksie 'n wetenskaplike basis het en die uitvoer van hierdie aksies besigheidswaarde toevoeg. As gevolg hiervan kon die besigheid "Close-Out Meetings" in die regte konteks plaas en tot die slotsom kom dat hierdie proses 'n fundamentele drywer van besigheidsukses is. Ten slotte is die teorie oor "Close-Out Meetings" uitgebrei en die resultate het ook die waarde onderskryf wat Nampak uit sy ERP-implementasie gekry het. "Close-Out Meetings" by Nampak Flexible het duidelike meetbare voordele opgelewer wanneer die probleme wat geidentifiseer is gelei het tot korrektiewe aksie. Die waarde was van so 'n aard dat die belangrikheid van "Close-Out Meetings" as 'n komponent van goeie vervaardigingsbestuur in 'n ERP-konteks duidelik bewys is.

This thesis draws on David Harvey’s concept of “accumulation by dispossession” and an international political economy (IPE) approach centred on the institutional arrangements and power structures that privilege certain actors and values, in order to critique current capitalist practices of primitive accumulation by the global corporate extractive industry. The thesis examines how accumulation by dispossession by the global extractive industry is facilitated by the “free entry” or “free mining” principle. It does so by focusing on Canada as a leader in the global extractive industry and the spread of this country’s mining laws to other countries – in other words, the transnationalisation of norms in the global extractive industry – so as to maintain a consistent and familiar operating environment for Canadian extractive companies. The transnationalisation of norms is further promoted by key international institutions such as the World Bank, which is also the world’s largest development lender and also plays a key role in shaping the regulations that govern natural resource extraction. The thesis briefly investigates some Canadian examples of resource extraction projects, in order to demonstrate the weaknesses of Canadian mining laws, particularly the lack of protection of landowners’ rights under the free entry system and the subsequent need for “free, prior and informed consent” (FPIC). The thesis also considers some of the challenges to the adoption and implementation of the right to FPIC. These challenges include embedded institutional structures like the free entry mining system, international political economy (IPE) as shaped by international institutions and powerful corporations, as well as concerns regarding ‘local’ power structures or the legitimacy of representatives of communities affected by extractive projects. The thesis concludes that in order for Canada to be truly recognized as a leader in the global extractive industry, it must establish legal norms domestically to ensure that Canadian mining companies and residents can be held accountable when there is evidence of environmental and/or human rights violations associated with the activities of Canadian mining companies abroad. The thesis also concludes that Canada needs to address underlying structural issues such as the free entry mining system and implement FPIC, in order to curb “accumulation by dispossession” by the extractive industry, both domestically and abroad.

Inadequately treated wastewater effluent is harmful to the receiving aquatic environment. Water-borne chemicals and microbial pathogens pose a health risk to anyone living downstream from sewage treatment facilities. This study assessed the effluent from a package plant with a design capacity of 48kℓ/24 hours, servicing 12 household units and a restaurant in Mogale City. Over a 12 month period, fortnightly water samples were collected from ten selected sites including two boreholes, a river and two dams. Standard parameters including physical (pH, EC, temperature, DO and SS), chemical (nutrient concentration) and biological (bacterial counts) were analysed using handheld meters, standard membrane filter techniques and colorimetric methods. One borehole was affected by pathogen and nitrate runoff from an adjacent poultry farm. If regularly monitored, the package plant effectively removed microbes (most samples contained 0 cfu/100mℓ) but above limit COD, ammonia and phosphate was released in the effluent (with maximum values of 322 mg/ℓ, 42.52 mg/ℓ and 7.18 mg/ℓ, respectively). Generally, river and dam water at the site was of good quality.
Environmental Science
M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

AbstractThe modern Russian agrifood industry is a steadily developing sector of the national economy. The production of a number of goods has reached historically high levels. Russia has a strong position in the export of agricultural raw material commodities, while the country remains dependent on imports from other countries. This chapter examines critical areas of scientific research in Russia that will create opportunities for increasing competitiveness in the transition of the world food systems from conventional agriculture to Agriculture 4.0. Science and technology-based innovations for transforming food systems in Russia include productivity growth through breeding technologies and improved genetics, in combination with technologies that will ensure optimal realization of this potential (feed additives, fertilizers, plant protection products, animal health, and other so-called “package” solutions). The introduction of digital technologies and cross-platform solutions in agriculture, to reduce the gaps in labor productivity, will increase overall productivity and reduce food losses. Diversification of food products includes priorities for high-margin segments of healthy, functional and personalized nutrition, and the deep processing of agricultural commodities. The paper explores closed farming systems (including “urban farming”) that are independent of external climatic and biological factors. Development of the agricultural waste recycling sector is a priority too. Russia lags behind its competitors in terms of the scientific quality of its production. This is due to a lack of efficiency in the financing of agricultural science, as well as an imbalance within its structure. An increasingly acute problem of the transition of Russian food systems to the innovative path is the reduction of human resources. This trend is typical both in the scientific sector, where it is expressed in a decrease in the number of researchers and an aging staff (which threatens the continuity in the established scientific schools and the viability of research teams) and in agriculture as a whole.

This concluding chapter argues that the qiaopi trade was the basis for one of China’s earliest excursions into the modern world economy. The trade quickly progressed from the one-man operations of the early years to the piju formed by qiaopi entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the swift growth of Chinese emigration and remittance. It eventually matured into a stable industry with its own perfected mechanisms, patched onto China’s other modern institutions like banks and the post office and linked to modern forms of communication and transport. The trade gave an impetus to other forms of transnational and domestic industry and to urban growth in coastal cities adjacent to the qiaoxiang. Initially based on networks of blood, place, and tongue, it later joined or created national, transnational, and international networks based on trade, finance, and general migration, mainly in territories around the South China Sea but also in the gold-rush Pacific—the Americas, Australia, and the South Pacific. These networks, maritime and terrestrial, were not just economic but also had deep cultural and social dimensions. Along them ran not just cash, capital, and goods but also people, ideas, and information. The flow of capital, ideas, and population between Chinese in diaspora and their families and communities in China was a key driver in the remaking of China along modern and transnational lines.

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) entrepreneurial venture challenge for the innovators was to develop an ERP database using standard generic database software within existing resources and available data at lowest cost in minimum time. The generic ERP database model so developed was completed as a part time task by two innovative entrepreneurs over twelve months for the Australian Department of Defense. They used standard generic database software, existing data, with no additional resources or external consultants. This action research was undertaken on a longitudinal basis by the two entrepreneurs networking closely with the many internal and external stakeholders. The Australian Department of Defense is a complex, high tech Australian Federal Government Department of around 90,000 employees. In 2008-09 the Australian Department of Defense will spend more than $9.6 billion acquiring and sustaining military equipment and services, and will employ over 7,500 people in more than 40 locations around Australia and overseas (Department of Defense, 2009). This comprises the procurement of defense capability products (goods and services) and their support and maintenance from almost every industry sector, on a global basis. Hundreds of small to large enterprises are dependent on the Australian Department of Defense for such orders. The anticipation of the developers of the ERP database was that this entrepreneurial venture could not only help the Australian Department of Defense become an inclusive knowledge based learning society, but subsequently provide an inexpensive database model for other organizations, large or small.

Within the consumer goods industry, cartons are a common way to package a variety of products. Although the primary function of the packaging is to protect the product, it is also used as an advertising tool to promote the product. This, in conjunction with environmental pressures to reduce the amount of packaging, often leads to redesigns of the shape and size of the packaging. When such new designs are required, it becomes necessary to simulate their erection to ensure that this functions correctly. In this paper a constraint-based technique is employed to model the carton and to provide such a simulation. It is also possible to model the mechanisms used to erect cartons using the same techniques and hence simulate and improve the way in which carton faces are driven and guided. The techniques are also investigated in their ability to fold origami boxes. It is discovered that the form of the constraints used may need to change during the process, when previous folding operations limit subsequent possible motions.

Abstract Technological advances in the nondestructive evaluation of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) have brought about enhanced methods to minimize risk factors associated with the drilling or transport of oil and natural gas. This paper focuses on a multidimensional, nondestructive testing (NDT) inspection and measurement package combining wall thickness and outer diameter (OD) measurement data into a single inspection report per tubular. This method of dimensional measurement is performed on the front end of a project, providing end users with numerous benefits from a cost and time perspective, as well as the critical data needed to optimize operations. The package provides high-resolution inspection data for the manufacturer or end user, yielding higher precision burst and collapse strength predictions than previously available. Other benefits of this method include optimization of material placement in casing string design, estimation of cementing fluid volume, and downhole tool clearances among other applications. Confidence and safety levels of burst and collapse ratings are of particular interest to drilling engineers. The wall thickness variations and tubular eccentricity are measured using an automated, nondestructive ultrasonic testing system, utilizing compression wave transducers. The OD measurement is acquired using an automated, nondestructive laser-based testing system. Laser-based testing uses two laser-scan micrometers positioned horizontal to the tubular and 180° apart (Fig. 1). Each laser measures the distance between the tubular and the receiver. These two measurements are combined to calculate the tubular OD. The level of accuracy provided by this technology continues to push the industry forward with higher quality tubulars ranging from the mills to end users.

The main principle of sustainability means being able to meet the needs of today’s society without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development implies the interdependence of its main components: society, economy, and ecology. The prosperity of a society depends on economic progress and the development of new technologies, but in a way that the natural environment is protected and preserved. This concept is inextricably linked to the concept of ecology and, consequently, to all types of transport, given that transport is considered one of the main pollutants of the ecosystem. Due to its rapid development through history, and as the youngest and safest type of transport, air transport is particularly subjected to the environmental impact assessment. At the same time, air transport affects the global economy due to its connection with other sectors, which in turn enables faster mobility of people, services, and goods. This was especially evident with the increased need for faster medical supplies and protective equipment delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Union’s transport policy is geared towards sustainable development by linking all environmental and social goals in a balanced way. Considering the negative long-term impact of COVID-19 on the air transportation sector, the question posed in this paper is whether this can be done in an appropriate way. As part of the European Green Deal, the “Fit for 55” package is a set of proposals to revise and update EU legislation with the purpose of introducing new initiatives regarding the climate goals agreed by the Council and the European Parliament. Regarding air transport, the emphasis is on contributing to reducing CO2 emissions and noise pollution and their impact on other sectors and competitiveness. The EU Commission White Paper: “Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system” emphasizes that the EU aviation industry should become a frontrunner in the use of low-carbon fuels to reach the set targets, as well as that the majority of medium-distance passenger transport should go by rail by 2050. There are also initiatives that aviation taxes should subsidize high-speed rail (HSR), which potentially may cause a decrease in the air transport and benefit an increase the rail transport. The paper will also address the questions as to whether existing legislation, measures, and proposals are appropriate, considering that aviation is one of the industry sectors that is most affected by COVID-19 and could be most affected by the “Fit for 55” package, as well what impact this duopoly might have on the market for travel served by air transport. Does really “Fit for 55” fit air transport?