Driving factors-based approach for identifying performance indicators in sugarcane supply and processing systems

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop and demonstrate a driving factors-based approach for identifying and ranking performance indicators in integrated sugarcane supply and processing systems (ISSPSs) on an on-going basis. Design/methodology/approach – The research included a literature review, development of an approach, testing of the approach in four ISSPSs and checking the tests’ results for consistency with Southern Africa sugar industry benchmarks and external knowledge of the four ISSPSs. Findings – The research offers a systematic approach for identifying and ranking performance indicators based on existing driving factors in ISSPSs. Results obtained from the application of the approach in four ISSPSs are consistent with industry benchmarks and external knowledge of the ISSPSs. Research limitations/implications – The approach was tested in only four ISSPSs. It is recommended that the approach should be tested in other complex systems to further validate its effectiveness. It is further recommended that the approach should be systematically compared with existing approaches that are used for identifying and ranking performance indicators. Originality/value – This research is of academic value and of practical value to practitioners in ISSPSs. The research blends knowledge from network theory and cause-and-effect analysis to come up with a systematic approach for identifying and ranking performance indicators in ISSPSs on an on-going basis. Further, the approach identifies and ranks performance indicators as part of one data set. This approach has never, to the authors’ knowledge, been used in agro-industry before.

An adaptive, probabilistic, cognitive agent architecture for modelling sugarcane growers’ operational decision-making

“…If the grower thinks it will rain or be windy on the following day, he can burn cane in advance to mitigate these conditions (Sanjika & Bezuidenhout, 2015). If there was an emergency on the grower's farm, or that of his neighbour, like a runaway fire, the grower would help to resolve the emergency before continuing with his burning and delivery tasks.…”