Adoption of innovation as a tool for entrepreneurial agility within road freight industry

Abstract

Lack of investment caused substantial freight and passenger rail cutbacks in South Africa in the 1990s. Capital investment for rail infrastructure fell from R1.44 billion to R500 million by 1996. Massive transit grew unrestrained, and road and rail competed for market share. (2012) SA Transport. Road operators transferred goods on road networks when rail traffic decreased due to transport deregulation. These reasons have limited freight rail use, resulting in outdated railway infrastructure and equipment. SADB (2012). Road goods transport firms have evolved dramatically in the previous 30 years to maintain quality. Transport operators require advanced vehicle management, scheduling, monitoring, and other management technologies to keep up with worldwide advances. However, the sector lacks a solid knowledge of truck transport firm owners' capabilities to aid the nation's entrepreneurial development objectives via innovation. Innovation in fostering entrepreneurial agility is examined in the research. South African trucking business owners will be surveyed using a hybrid questionnaire to get qualitative data. Although innovation is considered crucial for efficiency and advancement, studies does not concentrate enough on the innovation ability of enterprises in this country, especially in key areas like transportation and supply chain management. This study investigates if creative technologies like 4IR can help small firms and society nurture creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial agility. The survey found that most Gauteng Road freight businesses invest in technology. Most subject matter experts (SMEs) agreed that firm size affects innovation. Most company owners feel the COVID-19 pandemic has changed customer buying habits. The research highlighted significant factors affecting Gauteng entrepreneurial innovation. Lawmakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs will benefit from the study.