John Agwa-Ejon - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by John Agwa-Ejon
Proceedings of PICMET '14 Conference: Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology; Infrastructure and Service Integration, 2014
This paper investigates the technical advancement in the production of ethanol in Southern Africa... more This paper investigates the technical advancement in the production of ethanol in Southern Africa and examines the utilisation of ethanol and of the by-products derived from its production process. Although numerous studies have identified the use of ethanol as an alternative energy source especially in Brazil and the USA, very little data and analytical attention has been given to Southern Africa. This paper therefore builds on that and on the study done on alternative energy in Southern Africa such as the coal to liquids processes by Sasol. The paper demonstrates that the expansion of bio-ethanol as an alternative fuel would result in the reduction of Greenhouse gasses emissions and an increase in the rural economic development in the Southern African region. In conclusion the paper emphasises the need for a speedy upgrading of the ethanol technological methods in order to expand the use of bio-ethanol as an alternative energy. In addition the paper strongly recommends the supplem...
Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are not spared from the global economic and financial... more Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are not spared from the global economic and financial turmoil which periodically occurs worldwide and therefore they must adjust their financial needs to accommodate such dynamic phenomena. This is particularly relevant in developing countries such as South Africa. It is important to note that SMMEs are major contributors to the economy, as the y provide employment opportunities and create economic wealth resulting in the reduction in poverty and increased employment. In order to succeed and prosper, SMMEs need to establish a sound financial management function, and therefore it is vital to investigate the financial challenges these firms are experiencing. Th is paper reveals a better and deeper understanding of the issues surrounding the financial difficulties encountered by SMMEs in the Gauteng Metropolitan area. The data used in the study was gathered by administering structured questionnaires to businesses within Gauteng, selected rand...
2018 Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), 2018
Artisanal small scale mining (ASM) activities are a global phenomenon, carried out mainly by indi... more Artisanal small scale mining (ASM) activities are a global phenomenon, carried out mainly by individuals or groups within communities. Artisanal and small scale operators mine a range of minerals, dimension stones and metals available at their disposal. While artisanal operations are often looked at as illegal activities, small scale operators directly depend on these mining activities for survival, with some forming cooperatives within their respective markets. Most ASM activities are labor intensive and lack modernized technologies to optimize mining productivity. Sandstone operators in QwaQwa South Africa often have to work long hours to collect as much raw material as possible. This paper discusses strategical technologies which can be applied in small scale mining to aid community development and growth. Literature shows that small scale mining of sandstone in the Free-State province (South Africa) can provide a sustainable livelihood for communities where ASM activities are un...
Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) have always played a key role in the economies of maj... more Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) have always played a key role in the economies of major industrial societies in both Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment levels. Their survival and growth depended mainly on extensive research and innovation. As we enter the 22nd century, globalisation has become an influential force in world trade. It is important to view SMMEs as instruments capable of responding to globalization. While it is true that globalization creates opportunities for SMMEs to be effectively involved in global markets, it also poses numerous challenges and problems. While their flexibility and adaptability promise their success in global trade, SMMEs can only achieve this through effective research and innovation, hence making them competitive in terms of price, quality of goods and their ability to meet delivery requirements. Research and innovation is particularly important especially in the developing countries such as South Africa where SMMEs are impor...
Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises play a key role in South Africa’s economy especially in relat... more Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises play a key role in South Africa’s economy especially in relation to Gross Domestic Product, unemployment as well as poverty eradication. In order to be able to compete globally and to effectively improve their productivity the SMMEs needs to utilize both existing and new technology in their Operations. This study investigates the impact of technological factors affecting productivity in SMMEs. The data used was collected by administering questionnaires to businesses within Gauteng Province selected through probability random sampling method. The data analysis was mainly through descriptive statistics where the results indicated that technological factors have significant impact on SMMEs especially during their early stages of establishment. Recommendation on better usage of Technology to improve productivity in Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises were suggested.
2018 Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET)
Proceedings of PICMET '14 Conference: Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology; Infrastructure and Service Integration, 2014
This paper investigates the technical advancement in the production of ethanol in Southern Africa... more This paper investigates the technical advancement in the production of ethanol in Southern Africa and examines the utilisation of ethanol and of the by-products derived from its production process. Although numerous studies have identified the use of ethanol as an alternative energy source especially in Brazil and the USA, very little data and analytical attention has been given to Southern Africa. This paper therefore builds on that and on the study done on alternative energy in Southern Africa such as the coal to liquids processes by Sasol. The paper demonstrates that the expansion of bio-ethanol as an alternative fuel would result in the reduction of Greenhouse gasses emissions and an increase in the rural economic development in the Southern African region. In conclusion the paper emphasises the need for a speedy upgrading of the ethanol technological methods in order to expand the use of bio-ethanol as an alternative energy. In addition the paper strongly recommends the supplem...
Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are not spared from the global economic and financial... more Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are not spared from the global economic and financial turmoil which periodically occurs worldwide and therefore they must adjust their financial needs to accommodate such dynamic phenomena. This is particularly relevant in developing countries such as South Africa. It is important to note that SMMEs are major contributors to the economy, as the y provide employment opportunities and create economic wealth resulting in the reduction in poverty and increased employment. In order to succeed and prosper, SMMEs need to establish a sound financial management function, and therefore it is vital to investigate the financial challenges these firms are experiencing. Th is paper reveals a better and deeper understanding of the issues surrounding the financial difficulties encountered by SMMEs in the Gauteng Metropolitan area. The data used in the study was gathered by administering structured questionnaires to businesses within Gauteng, selected rand...
2018 Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), 2018
Artisanal small scale mining (ASM) activities are a global phenomenon, carried out mainly by indi... more Artisanal small scale mining (ASM) activities are a global phenomenon, carried out mainly by individuals or groups within communities. Artisanal and small scale operators mine a range of minerals, dimension stones and metals available at their disposal. While artisanal operations are often looked at as illegal activities, small scale operators directly depend on these mining activities for survival, with some forming cooperatives within their respective markets. Most ASM activities are labor intensive and lack modernized technologies to optimize mining productivity. Sandstone operators in QwaQwa South Africa often have to work long hours to collect as much raw material as possible. This paper discusses strategical technologies which can be applied in small scale mining to aid community development and growth. Literature shows that small scale mining of sandstone in the Free-State province (South Africa) can provide a sustainable livelihood for communities where ASM activities are un...
Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) have always played a key role in the economies of maj... more Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) have always played a key role in the economies of major industrial societies in both Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment levels. Their survival and growth depended mainly on extensive research and innovation. As we enter the 22nd century, globalisation has become an influential force in world trade. It is important to view SMMEs as instruments capable of responding to globalization. While it is true that globalization creates opportunities for SMMEs to be effectively involved in global markets, it also poses numerous challenges and problems. While their flexibility and adaptability promise their success in global trade, SMMEs can only achieve this through effective research and innovation, hence making them competitive in terms of price, quality of goods and their ability to meet delivery requirements. Research and innovation is particularly important especially in the developing countries such as South Africa where SMMEs are impor...
Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises play a key role in South Africa’s economy especially in relat... more Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises play a key role in South Africa’s economy especially in relation to Gross Domestic Product, unemployment as well as poverty eradication. In order to be able to compete globally and to effectively improve their productivity the SMMEs needs to utilize both existing and new technology in their Operations. This study investigates the impact of technological factors affecting productivity in SMMEs. The data used was collected by administering questionnaires to businesses within Gauteng Province selected through probability random sampling method. The data analysis was mainly through descriptive statistics where the results indicated that technological factors have significant impact on SMMEs especially during their early stages of establishment. Recommendation on better usage of Technology to improve productivity in Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises were suggested.
2018 Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET)