An exploration of effective supervisory engagement in the clothing industry through activity sampling technique

Authors

  • Kemlall Ramsaroop Ramdass UNISA
  • Kgabo Mokgohloa UNISA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/33-4-2670

Keywords:

supervisory engagement, activity sampling, industrial engineering

Abstract

The gradual financial decrease through national and international competition led approximately 50% of clothing manufacturers to shut down their businesses in the past decade. In a grapple for improved productivity, organisations are evaluating human assets for further value-add. Industry 4.0 embraces total interaction of technology and human resources with a view to a multi-skilled environment. In this endeavor, first-line managers (supervisors) play a critical role in the clothing manufacturing industry in terms of the elimination of non-value-added activities. The meteoric rise of technology-driven processes inculcated in the drive of Industry 4.0. The clothing industry lacks the drive for continuous improvement due to an impasse in skills-driven improvement and the application of industrial engineering principles. Organisations are seeking improvement opportunities in multi-skilling the workforce. In this endeavor, supervisory activities were evaluated to determine value-add in the production process. This study aims to evaluate supervisory engagement to ascertain non-value-added activities and forms a foundation to leverage human capital into competitive advantage. The research adopted the application of activity sampling analysis through a case study at a clothing manufacturer. Direct observation and informal discussions on the factory floor were used as the primary means for data collection. 

Author Biographies

Kemlall Ramsaroop Ramdass, UNISA

Associate Professor

Kgabo Mokgohloa, UNISA

Senior Lecturer

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Published

2022-12-14

How to Cite

Ramdass, K. R., & Mokgohloa, K. (2022). An exploration of effective supervisory engagement in the clothing industry through activity sampling technique. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 33(4), 165–176. https://doi.org/10.7166/33-4-2670

Issue

Section

General Articles