Explore publications.

The integration of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, the Internet of Things, Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity into aviation – is reshaping how airlines and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisations create value, yet evidence on the gap between digital potential and at-scale implementation remains fragmented. This study examines how Aviation 4.0 technologies affect aviation operations, with a particular focus on MRO. A qualitative, mixed-methods design combines a systematic literature review, secondary evidence from an industry MRO digital survey, five semi-structured expert interviews (sales, data science, MRO operations, R&D innovation, and technology-provider management), and two technical case studies (neural networks for aircraft retirement and an AI-based digital twin for a Power Electronics Cooling System). Findings reveal that predictive maintenance is the dominant digital priority (prioritised by 56% of respondents), yet only 6% of MROs have scaled digital and analytics across the enterprise; over 80% cite data limitations and more than 70% cite organisational resistance as barriers. Field implementations in a focal MRO produced substantial measurable value, including $4.2M annual savings from an in-house planning platform and $6M additional revenue from an integrated quote-to-contract system. The study triangulates concept, practice and market evidence in a single crosswalk, clarifying where the Aviation 4.0 promise has materialised and where the principal barriers persist. Practically, this study provides MRO executives and policymakers with an evidence-based roadmap mapping conceptual potentials to realised implementations.

The scarcity of water and energy in South Africa impacts multiple domestic and economic sectors, such as agriculture, industry, energy production, and ecosystems. This leads to diminished output, environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity. The challenges are closely associated with the ongoing overexploitation of natural resources, attributable to the transformative effects of industrialisation and urbanisation. Current trends in energy and resource consumption, agricultural systems, and urban expansion are largely unsustainable and necessitate strategic interventions to mitigate environmental damage and promote long-term resilience. In the absence of oversight, these trends could exacerbate detrimental climate change patterns and limit economic growth. This study investigates the ongoing challenges related to the manufacturing sector's impact on water and energy resource depletion, while also assessing the potential cost savings from adopting cleaner production technologies. This study provides a significant contribution by presenting empirical evidence from the iLembe District, utilising a quantitative research design. A survey was performed across multiple factories in the iLembe Municipal District of South Africa. Of the 262 businesses surveyed, 184 out of 191 responses were considered reliable for data analysis. The study objectives were evaluated through descriptive and correlation analyses to assess the impact of digital technology on water, energy, and operational cost savings in manufacturing organisations within the district. The findings suggest that manufacturing organisations in the iLembe Municipal District demonstrated a lack of commitment to adopting digital technology as a waste management strategy to decrease electricity and water consumption. Respondents concurred that their organisations have achieved cost reductions by implementing cleaner production processes. The research demonstrated that digital technology has a beneficial effect on water and energy conservation, cost reduction, and the improvement of organisational performance. Management must understand the beneficial effects of digital technology to guarantee sustainable organisational performance..

Automated flow line manufacturing systems are becoming more relevant in the automotive sector.  Improving productivity in the manufacturing system is the core objective of all companies, measured by overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).  OEE is a measure of how well a manufacturing operation is utilised compared to its full potential during the periods when it is scheduled to run. Organisations have thus made technological changes in their processes that have led to opportunities for greater flexibilities.  This sentiment underpins the concept of automation.  Hence, this study examines the impact of automation for productivity improvement in the selected automotive assembly organisation in South Africa.  Automation is the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services.  The study was quantitative in design and examined production and the related experiences of the automotive assembly organisation that has adopted automation system in its automobile roof process in weld plant for productivity improvement.  The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data.  The company operates in the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.  The study was achieved by collecting pre- and post-quarterly data for labour productivity, process efficiency and downtime.  The results establish that labour productivity, process efficiency and downtime have a relationship and are statistically significant to company productivity after automation was implemented.  It has the potential to reduce errors, increase productivity and augment human capacity.  Hence, the original value of this study is its approach in uncovering strengths and weaknesses of automation for productivity improvement in South Africa. 

Technological advancements are becoming increasingly significant due to the poor production levels of enterprises in South Africa.  Consequently, businesses use technology modifications in their operations that create chances for enhanced flexibility and productivity enhancement.  This emotion supports a transformative concept of digitisation.  Digitalisation involves the separation of information and technologies designed to transform operational dynamics for enhanced corporate performance.  It serves as both an enabler and a catalyst for enhancing productivity.  This study investigates the impact of digitisation on productivity enhancement within a specific distribution sector of a food manufacturing company in South Africa. The study employed a quantitative approach to investigate production and the associated experiences inside the distribution division of a food manufacturing enterprise that implemented digitalisation to enhance productivity.  The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model was employed to analyse data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).  The corporation functions within the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  The study was conducted by gathering pre- and post-quarterly data on product picking accuracy, hourly product loading, product replenishment rate, and product release rate.  The results demonstrate a statistically significant association between the product release pace and the company’s production in the post-digitalization period.  Nonetheless, it fails to demonstrate the correlation between product picking accuracy, product loading per hour, or product replenishment rate and productivity.  A targeted organisational strategy on digitisation is expected to enhance the organization's performance. Digitising records enables the tracking of each phase of the production process, so maintaining transparency and instilling confidence in consumers.  Therefore, the primary significance of this study lies in its examination of the strengths and shortcomings of digitalisation for enhancing productivity in South Africa. 

The global business environment is undergoing significant changes due to the impact of COVID-19 and shifts in workforce demographics, making organizational change an inevitable trend. In this context, the smooth adoption of smart manufacturing in the manufacturing industry is crucial for enhancing organizational value. Through a literature review, this study consolidated key factors related to organizational innovation and the implementation of smart manufacturing. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to identify the prioritized sequence of key strategic actions for innovative operations. The results indicated that among 27 assessment indicators, motivation is the most crucial factor for organizational innovation/change. Subsequently, organizations must also prioritize strategic human resource deployment to accelerate the development of long-term organizational goals. This study further examined solutions to ensure both talent and organizational growth during the transformation of innovation strategies.  

This paper aims to establish the uptake of Internet of Things (IoT) by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the digital era in emerging economies. This study aims to 1) determine adoption of IoT by SMEs during digital era in emerging economies, 2) establish challenges faced by SMEs in implementing IoT in emerging economies, and 3) develop a framework for digital transformation for SMEs in digital era in emerging economies. Systematic literature review approach was used. Articles from Scopus database ranging from 2018 to 2023 was used. 57 articles were shortlisted out of 153 articles. PRISMA framework was therefore used to perform systematic review analysis. Results demonstrate that in emerging economies, SMEs do not or are slowly adopting IoT concepts, making them less competitive. The results also determine that although IoT has great promise in SMEs, the key constraint is a lack of strategic implementation frameworks for its deployment and widespread adoption. This study was therefore carried out to develop a framework that supports digital transformation for SMEs in the digital era for emerging economies. Results have significant managerial and practical implications as they offer some insights to SME managers on how they can improve on the uptake and adoption of internet of things in digital era.

This study aimed to assess the readiness of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Mamelodi township to adopt the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Within the South African environment, small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) are frequently associated with a substantial rate of failure. Previous studies have investigated many factors that contribute to the low survival rate of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). However, most of the studies focused on managerial issues, such as lack of experience, ineffective management methods, insufficient financial management, and obsolete marketing techniques. Most established companies have adopted various technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and are thriving as a result of the benefits associated with digitalization and automation. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the readiness of SMMEs in adopting the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and achieving similar benefits. Qualitative data was collected through interviews with owners and managers of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Mamelodi township, Tshwane Municipality. The study found that SMMEs in Mamelodi are willing to adopt the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), while encountering various difficulties. The results provide significant insights for owners and managers of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in townships about the implementation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Furthermore, government organizations tasked with supporting the creation and sustainability of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are aware of the scope of their operations, specifically in a township like Mamelodi. The study provided a vital contribution to the growing body of research on Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in townships and their incorporation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The essay highlighted major barriers that hinder the adoption and use of existing technology, while also providing tangible evidence of the influence of contemporary technology on the development and success of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

Expressing the digitalization of industry in today's world which is rapidly developing day by day, Industry 4.0 is accepted as the most important technology revolution of our time. This shows that a new era in production has started and the industry has been digitized. In order to adapt to this change, companies should actively follow the innovations and shape the organizational structure accordingly. However, if this is the case, we can respond to the expectations of the current period. That is why it is necessary to activate Industry 4.0 after learning all aspects of it and to develop marketing strategies that can adapt to this digital age. In today's competitive environment, it is inevitable to act integrated into this new situation. This study is designed to emphasize how important it is to identify Industry 4.0 and the most heavily affected marketing strategies from it. It is also a review of the conceptual explanation of Industry 4.0 and the importance of advances in new technologies.