Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37942
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Item Perceived barriers to digitalization by small-scale farmers Gauteng Province(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Choguya, DonaldDigitalization in the fourth industrial revolution era has transformed many industries across the board. However, there are some that have been affected more than the others as depicted in the digital vortex. Lagging is the agricultural sector. This study was a quantitative research study that utilized a sample of 40 small-scale farmers to be representative of the Gauteng Province small-scale farmers. The research related the perceived barriers to digitalization and its impact to the agricultural activities of small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province. The data was analysed using the multiple regression analysis and correlation coefficient. Analysis of the results showed a massive gap between small-scale farmers and commercial farmers on the adoption of digitalization. Further analysis indicated that small-scale farmers were less likely to be impacted by digitalization to adopt technological utilization. It was also found that small-scale farmers were contributors to food production. Finally, it was also discovered that small-scale farmers were less established to adapt and adopt to digitalization in their agricultural activities due to various barriers. The recommendations were that there was need to do more research to find ways to bridge the gap to digitalization between small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province and commercial farmers. So that small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province especially the small-scale farmers in rural areas could also be exposed to the digitalization of operations to enable them to improve productionItem Perceptions of Carbon Capture and Storage as a CO2 emissions reduction technology in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Malemane, Gcobisa; Surridge, TonyThis research aimed to establish the perceptions of role-players in South Africa of the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. The CCS technology aims to capture CO2 emissions and prevent them from entering the atmosphere. The technology was mandated by Cabinet in 2012. The two role-players chosen for this study are the CO2 emitting Industry and Policy Influencers. The introduction of a new technology presents challenges, especially in its full adoption by those intended to use it. CCS was identified by government as a CO2 reduction technology, but has not been enforced on industry, it has merely been suggested as one of the climate change mitigation options, according to the National Development Plan 2030. Technology alone is not always a factor in its adoption, concerns of regulation, investment, safety and environment always arise. It is therefore of interest to ascertain if the mentioned role-players have the same or a differing understanding and regard for CCS. An aligned perspective is necessary so that each role-player may know its individual contribution to CCS development in South Africa. The study followed a quantitative approach using an electronic platform to reach respondents. The respondents received identical statements and were only differentiated by their sector of employment. The results were analysed using the Fisher’s exact test, suitable for small samples. Statistical significance was determined using p values as evidence against the null hypothesis. Key findings include a sizeable portion of respondents who neither agreed nor disagreed with posed statements. The role-player with the most overall neutral responses was Industry. Policy Influencers seemed to be more confident of their responses. The role-players produced more similar than differing responses. Industry respondents showed a noticeable gap (neutral) in the general knowledge of the CCS technology, compared to the policy influencers’ confidence in the general knowledge of the technology. Both industry and policy influencer are convinced that regulation and cost are potential barriers to the development of the technology in South Africa. Both industry and industry showed neutrality in the notion that CCS will lead to unintended consequences. The key message is that further stakeholder engagement is required between the two role-players, as both the Industry and Policy Influencers are in agreement of what could impede the development of CCS in South AfricaItem Perceived barriers to digitalization by small-scale farmers Gauteng(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Choguya, Donald; Oba, PiusDigitalization in the fourth industrial revolution era has transformed many industries across the board. However, there are some that have been affected more than the others as depicted in the digital vortex. Lagging is the agricultural sector. This study was a quantitative research study that utilized a sample of 40 small-scale farmers to be representative of the Gauteng Province small-scale farmers. The research related the perceived barriers to digitalization and its impact to the agricultural activities of small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province. The data was analysed using the multiple regression analysis and correlation coefficient. Analysis of the results showed a massive gap between small-scale farmers and commercial farmers on the adoption of digitalization. Further analysis indicated that small-scale farmers were less likely to be impacted by digitalization to adopt technological utilization. It was also found that small-scale farmers were contributors to food production. Finally, it was also discovered that small-scale farmers were less established to adapt and adopt to digitalization in their agricultural activities due to various barriers. The recommendations were that there was need to do more research to find ways to bridge the gap to digitalization between small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province and commercial farmers. So that small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province especially the small-scale farmers in rural areas could also be exposed to the digitalization of operations to enable them to improve production.Item Perceptions of factors affecting growth in the Small-Scale Embedded Solar Photovoltaic sector in South Africa(2022) Hlebela, Meddas CharlesSouth Africa is experiencing electricity shortages due to the various challenges faced by Eskom. This has resulted in Eskom implementing rotational power cuts, commonly known as ‘load shedding’. Small-scale embedded solar photovoltaic systems are ideal in offering immediate solutions to address the current power shortages and to ensure the country’s security of electricity supply. The study utilised the socio-technical transition framework to investigate the perceptions of factors affecting growth in the small-scale embedded solar PV sector in South Africa. The study utilised a qualitative research approach. A total of thirteen (13) interviews were conducted, using a semi-structured interview guide. Purposive sampling, which is sometimes called selective sampling, was utilised for this study. The respondents for this study consisted of stakeholders with significant knowledge, expertise, and interest in the energy industry which included policy, regulation, commercial banks, utilities, financial, energy experts, as well as energy journalists and energy analysts. The findings indicate that socio-technical factors which include institutional, technical, economic, and social factors affect growth of the small-scale embedded solar PV sector in South Africa both positively and negatively. The findings identified the key challenges facing the sector to include lack of funding, regulatory burden, unattractive feed-in tariffs and lack of a clear regulatory framework. The key recommendations of this study include the development of active strategy from government and the regulator to promote the small-scale embedded solar PV sector, the need for shortening or streamlining of the regulatory processes to facilitate establishment of more small scale embedded generations in the country, introduction incentives such as feed-in tariffs and tax incentives, as well as increasing the threshold of small scale embedded generators of more than 1MW to only register and not need a generation licence. The findings confirm that socio-technical factors of institutional, technical, economic, and social factors affect growth of the sector. The growth of the sector is critical and is urgently required to address the electricity supply challenges in South Africa.