Browsing by Author "Taifa, Ismail WR"

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    An analytical study on establishing strategies for improving the productivity of the spinning industries
    (Inderscience, 2022-02-09) Kundi, Beatus A.T.; Taifa, Ismail WR; Mwasubila, Ibrahim Joseph
    Strategies for improving the productivity of the spinning industries are much needed. In this paper, a case of a spinning industry was systematically studied. The strategies for enhancing productivity were established through a mixed approach. The studied industry experienced low productivity as they were only achieving 55%-68% of their production plan. Also, their actual operational machine availability was 67%. The proposed strategies include improving the spooling and the drawing process by installing new machinery technology; improve raw materials and components flow; hiring well-trained workers; develop employee training programs; search for new market segments; establish effective information and communications technology section, and develop an implementable maintenance plan. The study also revealed that system dynamics modelling helps to arrange descriptive information analytically. Thus, Vensim® software was applied to illustrate the differences between productivity, specifically before and after implementing the established strategies. The study considered only a single industry and 'single-factor productivity measures'.
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    Assessing the digitalisation level of the Tanzanian apparel industry: Industry 4.0 perspectives
    (Emerald, 2022-05-19) Taifa, Ismail WR; Mollel, Joshua Z; Nhelekwa, Lucas B
    Purpose Industry 4.0 has an inimitable potential to create competitive advantages for the apparel industry by enhancing productivity, production, profitability, efficiency and effectiveness. This study, thus, aims to assess the digitalisation level of the Tanzanian apparel industry through the Industry 4.0 perspectives. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods-based approach was deployed. This study deployed semi-structured interviews, document review and observation methods for the qualitative approach. For the quantitative approach, closed-ended questionnaires were used to ascertain the digitalisation levels and maturity level of the textiles and apparel (T&A) factories and small and medium-sized textile enterprises in Tanzania. The sample size was 110, with participants engaged through the purposive sampling technique. Findings Industry 4.0 frameworks evolved into practices mainly since 2011 in several service and manufacturing industries globally. For Tanzania, the findings indicate that the overall maturity level of the T&A industries is 2.5 out of 5.0, demonstrating a medium level of adoption. Thus, the apparel industries are not operating under the industry 4.0 framework; they are operating within the third industrial revolution – Industry 3.0 – framework. For such industries to operate within the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0 – that is only possible if there is significantly well-developed industrial infrastructure, availability of engineering talent, stable commercial partnerships, demand from the marketplace and transactional relationship with customers. Research limitations/implications This study’s limitations include: firstly, Industry 4.0 is an emerging area; this resulted in limited theoretical underpinnings in the Tanzanian perspectives. Secondly, the studied industries may not suffice the need to generalise the findings for the entire country, thus needing another study. Originality/value Although Industry 4.0 conceptual frameworks have been on trial in several industries since 2011, this is amongst the first empirical research on Industry 4.0 in the Tanzanian apparel industry that assesses the digitalisation levels.
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    Establishing standard allowed minutes and sewing efficiency for the garment industry in Tanzania
    (2022-01-20) Taifa, Ismail WR; Alexander, Taus; Nchalala
    Purpose The garment factories focus on improving their production systems by involving innovative and advanced production methods and/or techniques to cope with fast-changing trends. Accordingly, this study aims to establish the standard allowed minutes (SAMs) and sewing efficiencies for Tanzania’s sewing industry, thus improving the production processes. Design/methodology/approach The research deployed a quantitative method. A stopwatch measured each operation for shirts and trousers to compute SAMs and efficiency. The shirt manufacturing processes involved 40 operations. Ten measurements were taken from different SL and LL industries operators for each operation. The trouser comprised 42 operations with 10 measurements taken from a different operator at the same garment factories for each operation. Findings SAMs for shirts at SL and LL factories were 29 and 31 min, respectively, while trousers were 30 and 34 min. The sewing efficiencies for shirts at both SL and LL factories were 83.98% and 81.93%, respectively. Similarly, the sewing efficiencies for trousers at both SL and LL factories were 81.25% and 80.95%, respectively. Research limitations/implications Since SAMs results are not established through literature rather a quantitative approach, the findings thus place crucial information for similar factories to benchmark from. Such information are crucial as factories could increase productivity and operational efficiency, reduce costs and non-value adding activities and estimate lead times. Notwithstanding the findings gathered, the study only established SAMs for two garments. Originality/value Although the garment industry has been developing over the years, this study was probably among the first studies in Tanzania that established SAMs. Theoretical underpinnings indicate that the factories use the experience to assemble garments, thus the need for this study.