Browsing by Author "Rathupetsane, Alboricah Tokologo"

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    Just upstream are jobs : mapping South Africa's wind manufacturing potential
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Rathupetsane, Alboricah Tokologo; Swilling, Mark; Mohlakoana, Nthabiseng; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Centre for Sustainability Transition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: South Africa’s transition to a decarbonised economy brings with it the opportunity to expand the renewable energy (RE) sector to other job-inducing industries, like the manufacturing of RE components. The study recognised the gap in the literature on RE industrialisation and its surrounding themes, particularly in the South African context. The study, therefore, explored the potential for establishing a RE manufacturing industry in South Africa with a focus on wind technology. The study combined literature about industrialisation, economic transformation and renewable energy industries to identify the prevailing themes. As a result, the literature analysis dissected the role of localisation policy and the effect that the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has on RE industrialisation. Furthermore, the study explored the emergence of RE manufacturing businesses through partnerships between local actors and global firms, thereby utilising the concept of strategic coupling from the global production network (GPN) framework. The three modes of strategic coupling were investigated: indigenous coupling, international partnerships and production platforms to gain a perspective on what each type means for the South African industry and identify where institutional work can improve the positionality of local actors. The research also made use of an exploratory case study to gather empirical data on a South African wind manufacturing joint venture (JV) company. Using the participant observation method of inquiry, information about the project was gathered over six months. The study distinguished between the external and internal enablers of and barriers to the manufacturing project. Of the six themes used to frame the external aspects, access to finance was found to be the most limiting barrier. Moreover, the research revealed that while South Africa has various financing institutions, including ones with developmental mandates, accessing these solutions requires significant capital injection, which is very challenging to source. The internal or inter-firm investigation focused on how the process of learning between the partners and the effect that learning has on trust and control measures affects the relational quality of the partners, which, in turn, affects the progress of the project as well. The study also identified the supply chain opportunities that an operating wind manufacturing facility could bring to domestic industries, and which of these have higher or lower barriers to entry. Finally, the study found that based on the capacity of the studied JV, twenty-nine direct jobs were created onsite (excluding executive positions). In addition, five indirect jobs were created, which made up the business support functions.