Fourth Industrial Revolution framework for Sustainable Development of rural-based SMMES in South Africa

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is the fourth major industrial era since the initial Industrial Revolution of the 18th century. IR describes a world where individuals move between digital domains and offline reality using connected technology to enable and manage their lives. The 4IR has the potential to change rural areas' fortunes by transforming how they live and work through the wide range of technologies and facilitating communication, processing, and transmission of information by electronic means is undisputed. The adoption of 4IR systems by small businesses is low, although information and communication technology (ICT) has been highlighted as a key enabler of businesses. This is due to the complexity of the environment regarding the implementation requirements. This study investigates the adoption and potential applications of IR technologies that could contribute to sustainable rural livelihoods to propose a 4IR framework for sustainable rural livelihoods. This study adopts a positive research paradigm, utilizing a quantitative research approach. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 100 business owners operating in rural areas in South Africa in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province. A non-probability sampling method, in the form of quota sampling, was used in this study. The IBM SPSS version 26 was used to analyses the collected quantitative data. The study found that SMMEs are finding it more and more challenging to learn about the new technologies accessible for business. SMMEs cannot sufficiently assess how new technology might fit into the goals and procedures of the business. The government appears to have little influence over SMMEs' adoption of new technology. The majority of SMMEs are unaware of any government programs or resources that are accessible to them. The study concludes that SMMEs' adoption of 4IR is impacted by how valuable they believe ICT applications and systems to be. Additionally, the study found that SMMEs' adoption process was aided by their perception of the ease of use of ICT systems and applications, and that their behavior regarding the adoption of ICT systems and applications is influenced by their perception of the cost of deploying these tools as well as the support of owners and management. The study found no significant correlation between employee ICT knowledge and skills and SMME ICT adoption, concluding that employee knowledge and skills of ICT systems and applications had no effect on SMME ICT adoption. This research adds new insights to the growing knowledge on ICT usage by rural-based SMMEs and provides a guideline to policymakers on the best ways and practices to implement the 4IR for sustainable rural development agenda.

Author dc:creator

• Mnisi, Lucky Sunday

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Munyoka, Willard
• Manzira, Francis

• Fourth Industrial Revolution
• 4IR adoption
• SMME
• Information Communication Technology
• SPSS
• Artificial Intelligent
• Rural Sustainable Development

Statement dc:rights

• University of Venda

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/123456789/2673

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:123456789/2673