Research Articles (Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM))

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/1703

The Graduate School of Technology Management was established as a fourth school in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology with effect from 1 January 2007.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 439

Industrial electricity pricing and renewable energy : a temporal analysis of the effect of taxes
(MDPI, 2025-04) Oyewole, Gbeminiyi John; Thopil, George Alex
This study investigates the industrial electricity pricing (IEP) profiles of 22 OECD countries to understand the effect of renewable energy and taxes on overall prices. Clustering analysis was performed on pricing data from the year 2000 to 2018 to observe how prices evolved. Ordinal logit regression analysis was performed to determine possible associations between the clustered groups and the percentage share of renewables generated (REG), specifically linked to wind, solar photovoltaics and solar thermal. Other independent variables indicating economic and market structures were also considered. Clustering results for both prices before and after tax indicated three pricing clusters, termed low, median, and high pricing clusters. IEP in Italy and Germany was found to have the highest effect owing to taxes, while IEP in countries such as the US, Norway, Canada, and Denmark was least affected by taxes. Regression results show positive associations between the clustered profiles and REG. The positive association between the non-taxed component of IEP and a unit increase in REG is 1.41 times, whereas the positive association of overall IEP price (including taxes) and a unit increase in REG is 56.26 times, which is 39.9 times higher. Our results show that REG penetration has had a minimal effect on IEP over the time under consideration, but rather that the taxation on IEP coincides with REG penetration, contributing to IEP increases.
A quantitative modeling approach to energy justice in electric vehicle adoption
(Elsevier, 2025-05) Dall-Orsoletta, Alaize; Oosthuizen, Rudolph; Dranka, Geremi Gilson; Ferreira, Paula
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is a key component of the global low-carbon transition, yet it may also give rise to social and ethical issues derived from its widespread adoption. Nonetheless, there is limited research on how justice issues can be integrated into EV-related decision-making, particularly through quantitative modeling. This study employs a system dynamics model to simulate the effects of various policies on EV adoption and charging infrastructure, incorporating quantitative proxies for distributive justice, an energy justice tenet. The model is parametrized and calibrated for the case of Portugal. The results reveal disparities in charging station distribution and EV ownership between urban and rural areas, with ownership parity delayed in scenarios involving increased vehicle demand. The EV market share is projected to reach 26 % in the baseline scenario and up to 83 % under a policy mix scenario by 2050. Subsidy policies further delay rural ownership parity (2045 vs. 2033 in the base case). The urban-to-rural ratio of public charging stations per unit of area varies from 2 to 7 by 2050. This study contributes to the emerging interdisciplinary field of energy justice by providing insights into the complexities of equitable EV adoption, supporting just and sustainable transitions.
Innovation research in and on Africa : A literature analysis in 2015–2021
(NISC (Pty) Ltd and Informa UK Limited (trading as Taylor & Francis Group), 2024) Jauhiainen, Jussi S.; Mugabe, John Ouma
Innovation scholars disseminate their significant findings through international scientific journals. We conducted content analysis of 2,869 peer-reviewed articles on innovation in Africa, examining their origins, themes, collaborative networks, and scholarly influence. These articles, spanning the years 2015–2021, were curated from the Web of Science database across scientific, social science, and humanities journals. The findings reveal that 46.3% of these articles lacked contributions from African organizations or scholars, while 25.1% involved collaborations between African and non-African entities. A remaining 28.6% were exclusively authored by African scholars, with South African universities being the most frequent contributors. Notably, articles authored by scholars from non-African institutions garnered more citations and appeared in journals with higher impact factors. Key themes within these articles revolved around the knowledge economy, African business innovation, agricultural advancements, and the role of mobile phones in knowledge dissemination and marketing. Surprisingly, sustainability topics were notably absent. South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana featured prominently in the discussions. In conclusion, it is imperative to foster broader participation from African nations and scholars in innovation research and ensure a stronger African perspective in international publications. Additionally, as open-access publishing gains momentum, concerns about escalating publishing costs warrant attention.
The South African Defence industry : a contemporary comparative analysis of its second tier nature
(Routledge, 2025) Gopaul, Kevin; Van der Lingen, Elma; Oosthuizen, Rudolph
The South African Defence Industry has undergone several changes over the past decades, with the end of Apartheid seeing the industry transform itself from a practically self-sufficient one to a smaller one, embedded into foreign firms and achieving international success. However, the recent past has not been kind to the industry, and the calls for government support appear unheeded. By performing an extended literature review, this research attempts to determine whether the second-tier label given to the South African Defence Industry is accurate and if the nation’s changes have affected this categorisation. Further, by comparing its characteristics to those of similar nations’ and exploring African defence industries, it is effectively a contemporary examination of South Africa’s place in the international arms industry.
Life cycle external cost assessment of an onshore wind farm in South Africa
(Elsevier, 2025-06) Ibrahim, Hanif Auwal; Thopil, George Alex; george.alexthopil@up.ac.za
Wind power has been crucial in global energy transitions over the past decade. Such transitions are evident in sub-Saharan Africa, where South Africa is a leading player. Onshore wind power is pivotal in South Africa's energy transition, but the comprehensive external costs of the technology remain unexplored. Conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a 138 MW wind farm, this study aims to fill the existing gap in the literature, by assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) and non-GHG impacts, and then converting them into costs. This study provides critical insights into the environmental, health, biodiversity, crops, and materials impact of onshore wind power, contributing towards improving the overall sustainability of offshore wind power. Findings from the study indicate that climate change impacts contribute 26.1 gCO2eq/kWh, while human health impacts emerge as the most significant non-GHG impact. The onshore wind farm's external cost ranges from 5.95 to 9.88 ZAc/kWh (2.9–4.82 €/MWh), with a median of 6.75 ZAc/kWh (3.29 €/MWh), falling within ranges observed in the literature. Climate change and human health jointly account for 89.4 % of the median external costs, primarily associated with the manufacturing and construction phases. This study underscores the importance of including external costs in the comprehensive assessment of wind power, driven by the decreasing technology costs. The findings highlight the need to incorporate climate change and human health costs to better understand the sustainability of onshore wind power across its life cycle.
Determining the upper economic limit of wind fleets
(South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering, 2024-08-16) Walwyn, David Richard; Stephens, Anthony D.
Wind fleets have become significant energy sources within national grids. However, future expansion of wind fleet capacity may result in little incremental benefit due to the inability of present grid architectures to absorb high levels of excess generation. Determining the upper economic limit is a topical issue but its solution is complicated by variations in energy system architectures and local weather conditions, making energy models essential to system planning. This paper outlines a simplified methodology, referred to as the histogram model, to calculate the upper economic limit for wind fleets, based on annual data for energy generation, recorded at hourly intervals, and the system’s headroom, defined as the difference between base load and demand. The amount of ‘useful energy’ is derived from the wind energy frequency table, the total installed wind fleet capacity, and the headroom. The calculations lead to values for the incremental decarbonisation cost, which can be directly compared to the cost of decarbonisation for gas-based energy generation. The results indicate that the upper economic limit is a wind fleet capacity of 3 times the headroom, where 78% of the required energy is derived from wind and the wind fleet efficiency is 82% (18%of the available wind energy is shed). The development of the model has implications for energy planners, who can now more easily simulate the performance of energy systems as a function of various input parameters.
Draw to a close : inventor triad dynamics and invention quality
(Routledge, 2025-07) Nan, Ding; Markus, Arjan; Oerlemans, Leon A.G.
Instead of comparing open and closed triads as static phenomena, this study examines how closure dynamics among inventors impact the extent to which inventors generate high-quality inventions at the triad level. Combining literature on small group synergy, social networks, and recombinant innovation, we propose that initial open triads of collaborating inventors that turn into a closed triad generate higher quality inventions than triads that maintain open. We also examine how the connectedness of the triad moderates the relationship between triad closure and the generation of triadic high-quality inventions. Using a matched sample of open and closed triads from 1987 to 2008, we find that over time, open triads that turn into closed ones generate higher-quality inventions than triads that remain open. Moreover, the triad’s degree of connectedness weakens the triadic closure’s positive impact on inventive performance. We discuss the implications for the study of innovation, network triads, and collective synergy.
Soft skills and learning methods for 21st-century project management
(SciKA, 2024) Kearney, Jason; Bond-Barnard, Taryn; Chugh, Ritesh
This article addresses a prominent gap in the literature by investigating the crucial soft skills required by project management students, graduates, and new practitioners entering the contemporary workforce. The literature review study adopts a concept-centric approach to examine the essential soft skills and effective learning methods for new project managers in the 21st century. Five essential 21st-century project management soft skills (communication, leadership, interpersonal, teamwork and emotional intelligence) were identified, along with three learning methods (experiential, active and reflective) that can be used to develop them. The implications of this research extend to project management students, graduates, and educators alike, emphasising the importance of nurturing the identified soft skills. As the project management domain evolves, the findings highlight the need for an education that prioritises hands-on learning and reflective practices, enabling emerging project managers to excel in their roles and drive project success.
An adaptive organisational leadership framework through systems thinking
(Emerald, 2025) Abukalusa, Khalid; Oosthuizen, Rudolph; rudolph.oosthuizen@up.ac.za
PURPOSE : The purpose of this study is to present an adaptive organisational leadership framework using systems thinking (ST) to address challenges within volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) environments. The framework is intended to guide leaders in improving organisational adaptability and resilience. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : A systematic literature review was conducted alongside qualitative interviews with 16 experienced leaders from various sectors. A semi-structured interview format ensured robust validation of the proposed framework. The synthesis of primary and secondary data identified critical elements for effective adaptive leadership in a VUCA context. FINDINGS : The adaptive leadership framework consists of three core components: the leader, the followers and the organisational context. ST, future thinking, mental models and adaptive change management form the structural basis of the framework. Interviews with industry experts highlighted mental models’ critical role in adaptive change, highlighting their importance for decision-making. The findings demonstrate the framework’s potential for enhancing strategic responses to complex challenges. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : The framework provides practical guidance for contemporary leaders, helping them to foster a culture of adaptability within their organisations to manage complex situations better. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This research introduces a novel framework integrating adaptive leadership qualities with ST principles. A systemigram illustrates how interconnected elements empower leaders to navigate dynamic environments effectively. The framework addresses current leadership model gaps by promoting resilience and agility.
Lean construction : implementing the last planner system on mining projects
(Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2024-01) Govindasamy, T.; Bekker, M.C. (Michiel Christiaan); giel.bekker@up.ac.za
The potential benefits of implementing the Last Planner System (LPS) on mining infrastructure projects were explored through two case studies in the South African mining industry. The first part of the study involved measurement of the impact of LPS through earned value techniques on secondary project data. The second part sought to establish the lean construction success factors leading to improvements in construction performance. This was done by means of a research questionnaire distributed to the project owner’s teams, contracted parties, and the LPS facilitators. The results revealed a positive correlation between LPS application and planned percentage complete. However, the performance achieved during the LPS pilot was not sustained. The success factors and benefits considered most evident in the case study pilot differed among the three stakeholder groups. The findings are expected to guide construction stakeholders to better define performance measures and focus on factors required to make LPS implementation more effective in the South African mining sector.
Exploring first-year engineering student perceptions of peer-led study groups in a Global South context
(JSAA Editors in collaboration with University of Pretoria, 2024-07) Versfeld, Jessica; Vinson, Caitlin; jessica.versfeld@up.ac.za
The purpose of the study is to explore the advantages of study groups for first-year engineering students in a challenged Global South context. The research aims to explore how the support and resources provided by the peer-led study groups can help students cope with the stressors and challenges that are often associated with the transition to university and the demands of an engineering programme. Educational institutions prioritise student development, yet many student initiatives overlook student agency and that understanding students’ learning approaches is necessary for effective support initiatives. A total of 40 registered engineering students, who voluntarily enrolled in the peer-led study groups, were the subjects of this study at the University of Pretoria. The research adopted a qualitative approach and aimed to explore the advantages of study groups. Data were collected through interviews and surveys with both students and study group leaders to gain their respective views on the strengths and areas for improvement of the learning community experience. The research was conducted using qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of students’ experiences with study groups and the associated benefits. Through participation in study groups, students benefited from the support of their peers, opportunities for alternative problem solving methods, and improved academic performance. Furthermore, the smaller group size and collaborative nature of these groups created a supportive and empowering learning environment, where students felt confident to ask questions and engage in meaningful learning opportunities.
A qualitative study illustrating factors that enable and constrain academic advising practices in a Global South context
(Frontiers Media, 2024-10) Versfeld, Jessica; Mapaling, Curwyn; jessica.versfeld@up.ac.za
INTRODUCTION: Academic advising plays a crucial role in South African higher education, especially considering the country’s diverse student population, historical injustices, and socio-economic inequalities. However, there is a lack of research supporting academic advising practices in this context. METHODS: This study employs a qualitative methodology, using semi-structured in-depth interviews with four academic advisors from the Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (EBIT) department at a South African university. A socio-ecological lens is applied to explore the factors enabling and constraining best practices in academic advising. RESULTS: Key findings reveal that academic advisors face challenges such as limited resources and institutional support. However, opportunities exist for fostering student resilience and academic success. The study identifies enablers and constraints across microsystemic (e.g., advisor passion and resilience), mesosystemic (e.g., interdepartmental collaboration), and macrosystemic (e.g., institutional policies, socio-economic factors) levels. DISCUSSION: As part of the Global South, South Africa shares many socioeconomic and educational challenges with other countries in the region. The study’s findings offer insights that may be relevant to similar contexts. By illuminating the mechanisms that empower the academic advising community, this research seeks to inform the development of more effective student support interventions. The socio-ecological framework provides a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected influences contributing to the efficacy and challenges faced by academic advisors in engineering departments.
The relationship between PMO support functions and project management maturity levels : a case study of a South African petrochemical company
(Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2024-08-30) Bezuidenhout, A.; Steyn, Herman; Pretorius, Suzaan; suzaan.pretorius@up.ac.za
This paper identifies the essential support functions of project management offices (PMO) for various organisational project management maturity (OPMM) levels. A case study of a South African petrochemical company compares a PMO within the company with a small projects department that is not supported by a PMO. OPMM development drivers and essential PMO support functions are identified for both structures. It is proposed that the requirements of essential PMO support functions depend on the OPMM level, but are also affected by business needs. The highest OPMM level is not required for every organisation, as the optimum OPMM level depends on the specific business’ requirements.
Project management maturity and its impact on perceived project success : a case study
(Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2024-08-30) Burger, E.; Pretorius, Suzaan; Steyn, Herman; suzaan.pretorius@up.ac.za
A notion exists that organisations with higher levels of project management maturity execute projects more effectively and efficiently and so have a higher probability of achieving project success. This paper reports on a single case study that measured the project management maturity of four project management knowledge areas, and also investigated the impact of project management maturity on perceived project success in a mining operation. The study found that project management maturity plays a pivotal role in achieving project management deliverables. However, project management maturity alone is not sufficient to guarantee project success.
The reshaping of curriculum transformation to address the 21st-century skill sets and employment prospects during the Fourth Industrial Revolution era : a case of the South Africa TVET colleges
(Stellenbosch University, 2024) Kana, Nomso; Letaba, Tshotleho Petrus
This research explores the employability of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era in South Africa. It examines the role of TVET lecturers in providing skills that are relevant to the contemporary period. The study uses qualitative research inspired by the interpretivist approach, and a purposive sampling strategy to get the perspectives of TVET lecturers and employers. It was observed that TVET lecturers play a minimal role in the development of the curriculum due to a rigid top-down approach from the Ministry of Higher Education. Companies are forming partnerships with TVET colleges by offering places for in-service training, practicals and internships. The study reveals that South African businesses have adopted 4IR-related technologies, requiring a skilled TVET force that is ready for these transformations. The findings highlight the need for regular curriculum transformation and the importance of TVET education in producing artisans, technologists and technicians that are vital for the South African economy on an ongoing basis.
Temporal characterization of land use change and land-scape processes in informal settlements in the City of Cape Town, South Africa
(CONSAS Conference, 2024-07) Okoye, Perpetua Ifeoma; Lalk, Jorg
This study conducted a Land Use Change (LUC) analysis on informal settlements in Cape Town, South Africa, using bi-temporal steps, S1 (2010) and S2 (2016), to characterize land use (LU) conversions and landscape processes for informed policymaking. Utilizing the 2011 na-tional land cover dataset and post-classification methods, two LU datasets and maps, D1 for S1 and D2 for S2, were derived. These classifications achieved an overall accuracy exceeding 95%, with Kappa coefficients above 0.9. The analysis employed change trajectories and con-version labels to evaluate LU changes and landscape dynamics, providing a thematic repre-sentation of LUC within informal settlements. Landscape reclamation processes, including abandonment, urban development, and RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) development, constituted approximately five percent of the total LU conversions, while degra-dation processes like persistence and intensification dominated, affecting approximately 93% of the area. Partial reclamation, notably through interspersed RDP (RDPi), accounted for about two percent of conversions. These findings highlight the importance of accurate and timely LUC data reporting in informal settlements to address socioeconomic challenges effec-tively and support policy decisions to enhance these communities' physical and socioeconomic infrastructure.
Feature guided training and rotational standardization for the morphological classification of radio galaxies
(Oxford University Press, 2023-04) Brand, Kevin; Grobler, Trienko L.; Kleynhans, Waldo; Vaccari, Mattia; Prescott, Matthew; Becker, Burger
State-of-the-art radio observatories produce large amounts of data which can be used to study the properties of radio galaxies. However, with this rapid increase in data volume, it has become unrealistic to manually process all of the incoming data, which in turn led to the development of automated approaches for data processing tasks, such as morphological classification. Deep learning plays a crucial role in this automation process and it has been shown that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can deliver good performance in the morphological classification of radio galaxies. This paper investigates two adaptations to the application of these CNNs for radio galaxy classification. The first adaptation consists of using principal component analysis (PCA) during pre-processing to align the galaxies’ principal components with the axes of the coordinate system, which will normalize the orientation of the galaxies. This adaptation led to a significant improvement in the classification accuracy of the CNNs and decreased the average time required to train the models. The second adaptation consists of guiding the CNN to look for specific features within the samples in an attempt to utilize domain knowledge to improve the training process. It was found that this adaptation generally leads to a stabler training process and in certain instances reduced overfitting within the network, as well as the number of epochs required for training.
Draw to a close : inventor triad dynamics and invention quality
(Routledge, 2024) Nan, Ding; Markus, Arjan; Oerlemans, Leon A.G.
Instead of comparing open and closed triads as static phenomena, this study examines how closure dynamics among inventors impact the extent to which inventors generate high-quality inventions at the triad level. Combining literature on small group synergy, social networks, and recombinant innovation, we propose that initial open triads of collaborating inventors that turn into a closed triad generate higher quality inventions than triads that maintain open. We also examine how the connectedness of the triad moderates the relationship between triad closure and the generation of triadic high-quality inventions. Using a matched sample of open and closed triads from 1987 to 2008, we find that over time, open triads that turn into closed ones generate higher-quality inventions than triads that remain open. Moreover, the triad’s degree of connectedness weakens the triadic closure’s positive impact on inventive performance. We discuss the implications for the study of innovation, network triads, and collective synergy.
Institutionalizing foresight in science, technology, and innovation in sub-Saharan Africa
(Wiley, 2024-06) Ouma-Mugabe, John; Botha, Anthon; Letaba, Petrus; john.mugabe@up.ac.za
MOTIVATION : Foresight is increasingly being institutionalized and used in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy processes around the world. Foresight is a toolbox to help decision-makers generate intelligence about future scientific and technological advances and to frame long-term STI policy goals and rationales. Foresight can be used to inform policy to steer research and innovation (R&I) towards attaining sustainable development goals. Yet, foresight is not institutionalized and used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at a time when many governments are formulating new STI policies and some of their science granting councils (SGCs) are setting R&I priorities. PURPOSE : This exploratory study is about challenges and opportunities of institutionalizing STI foresight in SSA. It identifies ways of institutionalizing and using STI foresight. METHODS AND APPROACH : A literature review, bibliometric analysis, interviews, an online survey, and focus group discussions were conducted to identify challenges to, and lessons for, institutionalizing STI foresight in SSA. The literature identified good practices for institutionalizing STI foresight in selected developed countries, to draw lessons for SSA. FINDINGS : While academic research on STI foresight and related topics is increasing, there is very limited foresight practice in STI policy processes in SSA. This is mainly owing to low awareness of STI foresight, weak technical capacity, and generally a lack of foresight culture in STI policy-making in the region. POLICY IMPLICATIONS : Building capacity within governments and establishing a community of practice in STI foresight may help improve the quality and effectiveness of STI policy in SSA. It may enable institutions such as science granting councils (SGCs) to make informed funding decisions, targeting scarce resources at priority research and innovation. Overall, building STI foresight literacy and skills, as well as establishing designated offices for STI foresight, supported by the knowledge to select and adapt foresight tools, will result in improved STI policy-making in SSA.
A framework for developing systems engineering management for process plant acquisition projects
(Wiley, 2025-01) Moodley, Denver; Oosthuizen, Rudolph; rudolph.oosthuizen@up.ac.za
South Africa has a history of poor performance on process plant acquisition projects in the process industry that apply chemical processes within large processing facilities to convert raw materials such as crude oil into fuel and by-products. The most recent failures include the highly publicized Medupi and Kusile projects. This research is based on the acquisition or expansion of large process plants within petrochemical, mining, and energy, typically Systems of Systems integration projects. A significant component of their failings can be attributed to poor systems engineering and systems engineering management capabilities. Acquisition in the context of this study refers to all processes within the stage-gate project development model from project inception to the beneficial operation of the acquired facility. Due to a lack of systems and tools to guide the development of systems engineers and systems engineering managers within the sector, this research was undertaken to develop an industry-specific framework based on the INCOSE framework to support development and recruitment processes. A conceptual model derived from a literature survey was validated and improved with qualitative data gathered using structured open-ended interviews with industry specialists and experts from organizations within the petrochemical, mining, and energy sectors. Insights regarding current recruitment practices and development processes were analyzed to validate the need for a tool and develop an appropriate model for its application. Finally, the analysis and general causes of project failures validated the contents of the framework by highlighting critical competencies and traits required to succeed within the sector.

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