Browsing by Subject "Infrastructure"

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    An analysis of economic infrastructure investment in South Africa
    (Wiley, 2005) Perkins, Peter; Fedderke, Johann; Luiz, John
    This paper analyses long-term trends in the development of South Africa's economic infrastructure and discusses their relationship with the country's long-term economic growth. A database covering national accounts data, railways, roads, ports, air travel, phone lines and electricity was established for this purpose, and may facilitate further quantitative research. PSS (Pesaran, Shin and Smith, 1996, 2001) F-tests are used to identify directions of association between economic infrastructure and economic growth. These indicate long-run forcing relationships from public-sector economic infrastructure investment and fixed capital stock to gross domestic product (GDP), from roads to GDP, and from GDP to a range of other types of infrastructure. There is also evidence of potential simultaneity between specific types of infrastructure and GDP. The evidence suggests three main findings. Firstly, the relationship between economic infrastructure and economic growth appears to run in both directions. Inadequate investment in infrastructure could create bottlenecks, and opportunities for promoting economic growth could be missed. Secondly, South Africa's stock of economic infrastructure has developed in phases. Policymakers should focus on choosing or encouraging the right type of infrastructure at the right time. Thirdly, the need for investment in economic infrastructure never goes away. The maintenance and expansion of infrastructure are important dimensions of supporting economic activity in a growing economy, provided that individual projects are chosen on the basis of appropriate cost-benefit analyses.
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    Challenges of maintaining highly specialised infrastructure facilities at an institution of higher learning in South Africa
    (2025) Hlophe, Matholi; Michell, Kathleen
    Facilities management (FM) plays a crucial role in the success of higher education institutions. This study explores the challenges that facilities managers encounter in performing routine maintenance work and the impact of inadequate maintenance on highly specialised facilities at a South African higher education institution. The primary aim of this study was to understand the challenges associated with maintaining highly specialised infrastructure such as biosafety containment laboratories, pre-clinical laboratories, and research clean rooms. The objectives include investigating the reason senior academics are reluctant about routine maintenance, challenges experienced by the facility managers when conducting maintenance, assessing the impact of these challenges on academic activities, identifying key factors that contribute to maintenance difficulties, and to make recommendations towards improving infrastructure management. The study employed an interpretivist paradigm with an accompanying qualitative research approach. A single case study of a higher education institution in South Africa was utilised. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with facilities managers, maintenance personnel, contractors as well as senior academics managing or using these highly specialised facilities at the selected higher education institution. A total of 22 interviews were undertaken and the data analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that the primary reasons for senior academics' resistance to routine maintenance include disruptions to ongoing academic activities, lack of communication and stakeholder engagement, and concerns about expertise and safety, and their limited knowledge on the facility maintenance requirements. Facilities managers face significant challenges due to administrative bottlenecks, insufficient support from higher management, and ineffective project governance, including lack of formalised contractual agreements and regulatory frameworks. Budget constraints, communication barriers, fragmented communication systems, a lack of a centralised communication mechanism further exacerbate these issues as these impede the efficient dissemination of maintenance information to the relevant stakeholder(s). Furthermore, old infrastructure and a reactive maintenance culture led to frequent breakdowns. In addition, rapid technological advancements result in frequent equipment obsolescence and high maintenance costs resulting to further disruptions. To address these challenges enhanced stakeholder engagement and involvement is needed together with improved communication channels and the establishment of robust governance frameworks to ensure timely and effective maintenance of highly specialised facilities. Recommendations emanating from this study include: adopting proactive maintenance strategies to prevent equipment failures before they occur; enhancing training for technical staff to ensure they are equipped to maintain specialised equipment; improving monitoring systems to better predict maintenance needs; securing sustainable funding models to support ongoing maintenance and equipment upgrades; and lastly, involving the facility managers in the design phase of the infrastructure and in the planning of the academic calendar. These strategies aim to promote timely implementation and completion of maintenance projects, reduce costs, and ensure sustainable maintenance practices in higher education institutions. This research provided valuable insights and a framework for other institutions facing similar challenges, contributing to the broader field of infrastructure management in higher education.
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    Lack of adoption of electronic Medical Records Systems in developing countries. A case study of Zimbabwe
    (2019) Mhembere, Taurai Brian; Kabanda, Salah
    This study explored the phenomenon of electronic medical records systems in Zimbabwean primary healthcare institutions. The goal of the study was to investigate the lack of adoption of electronic medical records systems by primary healthcare institutions in developing countries using an interpretative case study approach focusing on the Zimbabwean context. Despite the positive benefits that are associated with EMRs, developing countries have been reluctant in implementing this technology within their primary healthcare institutions. A number of studies have been conducted on EMR systems but only a few have investigated the reasons for the limited use of EMR technology in developing countries particularly within the Zimbabwean context. This study primarily adopted a case study approach and was qualitative in nature. The study made use of in-depth interviews to obtain its data, and purposive sampling method was used to identify participants for the study. The study made use of a sample size of fourteen respondents who were identified based on their knowledge and could assist explore this particular topic relevant to the research. The targeted population for this research were key staff members privy to patients’ medical records management within the primary healthcare facilities. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis soon after the transcription process. The results of the study show that EMRs technology in Zimbabwe has been implemented on a limited scale within its public hospitals. The technology is being used mostly in HIV/AIDS management or in particular departments. The study reveals that although healthcare institutions in Zimbabwe have adopted EMRs technology, most of the information is still being archived on the paper based system. The findings of the study show that Zimbabwe hasn’t adopted EMRs due to challenges such as lack of proper infrastructures, resistance in the use of EMRs, remoteness, shortages in skilled labour and concerns of confidentiality and privacy. Furthermore, the study shows that though the application of the EMR system is limited in Zimbabwean hospitals, the study found that its benefits have been noticeable. EMR technology has made it easy to access information, averted redundant expenditure and has made time improvements. However, the study revealed that EMR systems come with their own shortcomings such as lack of access to patient documents due to network faults and the need for familiarity with computer systems.
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    National development banks' investments in climate resilient infrastructure: challenges and prospects
    (2025) Ramathuba, Vivian; Alhassan, Abdul Latif
    This thesis explores the challenges faced by National Development Banks (NDBs) in facilitating investments toward low-carbon and climate-resilient sustainable infrastructure in South Africa. It emphasises their critical role in addressing substantial financing gaps essential for meeting the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commitments under the Paris Agreement. As global priorities increasingly shift toward sustainable development goals, NDBs are undergoing significant transformation, transitioning from their traditional roles as financiers to becoming proactive mobilisers of investment. This pivotal shift is examined in this study within the broader context of a renewed interest in these banks, recognising them as essential policy tools for spearheading rapid and sustainable development initiatives. Through qualitative interviews with 12 experts in climate finance and related fields, the study illustrates how NDBs utilise financial instruments such as concessional loans, blended finance, and long-term financing to mitigate perceived high risks and attract private capital, particularly in sectors prone to high risks like water management and climate-resilient transport. Additionally, NDBs can be mandated by the government to channel substantial international funds into national sustainable infrastructure projects effectively. This mission-oriented approach underscores the unique position of NDBs as critical intermediaries and implementers in the national climate strategy. Despite their potential to bridge vast funding gaps and align their focus with the Paris Agreement, NDBs encounter significant challenges, including policy inadequacies, coordination difficulties, financial constraints, and external economic pressures. This study proposes innovative strategies for NDBs, such as expanding blended finance models, implementing risk mitigation mechanisms, and enhancing institutional capacities to support mobilising funding for sustainable and low-carbon infrastructure. The findings highlight NDBs' ability to adapt to market conditions and regulatory environments, highlighting their pivotal role in transforming South Africa's infrastructure financing landscape to achieve its NDC objectives. Furthermore, this research underscores the importance of strategic policy alignment and innovative financing approaches, including using guarantees and partnerships with international climate funds to enhance project bankability and enable significant private sector participation. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that NDBs are crucial in driving the investment towards a climate-resilient infrastructure in South Africa.
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    The economy-wide impacts of the labour intensification of infrastructure expenditure in South Africa
    (CSSR and SALDRU, 2015-05-28) McCord, Anna; Van Seventer, Dirk