Digital Technology Adoption and Performance in South African Manufacturing Firms: Early Evidence for Policy
Date
2022-03
Authors
Avenyo, Elvis Korku
Bell, Jason F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
In addition, digitalisation and the disruptive and incremental technological changes
and upgrades accompany alterations in global, domestic, and regional value chains
by transforming where, how, and what is manufactured.5
However, these changes
and upgrades, disruptive or incremental, are not always the same across time,
geographies, firms, and industries. These differing impacts are due to several inherent
complexities and characteristics (observed and unobserved), which provides a
smorgasbord of considerations prior to implementing or adopting advanced digital
technologies and a digital industrial policy.
Nevertheless, the rapid pace of technological advancement necessitates an
acceleration of digital technologies' uptake across all facets of society, government, and
business to avoid being left behind.6
Moreover, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
on industrial production, exports, and innovation across developing economies like
South Africa, a well-documented technological follower, emphasises the prospects
of a manufacturing recovery driven by the adoption of digital technologies.