Industry 4.0 technologies and public procurement nexus: An analysis of South African transformative opportunities towards modernisation

Advances in Corporate Governance

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Industry 4.0 technologies and public procurement nexus: An analysis of South African transformative opportunities towards modernisation
 
Creator Mojaki, Lawrence M. Ndlovu, Nkanyiso K.
 
Subject — artificial intelligence; Internet of Things; blockchain; big data; cloud computing; digital innovation; public procurement; Industry 4.0
Description Background: This study explores the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies within the South African public procurement system, addressing entrenched challenges such as fragmented processes, limited transparency and operational inefficiencies.Objectives: This study examines how Industry 4.0 technologies can be strategically integrated into the South African public procurement system to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability.Method: The study followed a qualitative desktop research design which synthesises legal frameworks, policy documents and academic literature to assess how digital innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, big data analytics, and cloud computing, can enable more accountable and efficient procurement practices.Results: Findings indicate that these technologies, when strategically embedded across key supply chain management (SCM) elements, namely demand management, acquisition, sourcing and supplier selection, evaluation and adjudication of bids, contract performance monitoring, and risk management, enhance predictive planning, reduce procedural bottlenecks and reinforce integrity in public procurement.Conclusion: The research demonstrates that digital enablement can reposition procurement from a compliance-driven function to a dynamic governance mechanism responsive to service delivery needs.Contribution: The study recommends the formulation of a national digital procurement strategy, investment in secure and interoperable infrastructure, capacity development for procurement officials, and the piloting of digital platforms in high-expenditure sectors. Managerial implications include the need for institutional agility, cross-functional innovation and leadership commitment to digital transformation. Through the alignment of technological adoption with constitutional values and developmental priorities, public procurement can serve as a strategic lever for inclusive governance and systemic reform.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2025-11-27
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/acg.v2i1.20
 
Source Advances in Corporate Governance; Vol 2, No 1 (2025); 9 pages 3078-2252
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://goodgovernancejournal.org/index.php/acg/article/view/20/78 https://goodgovernancejournal.org/index.php/acg/article/view/20/79 https://goodgovernancejournal.org/index.php/acg/article/view/20/80 https://goodgovernancejournal.org/index.php/acg/article/view/20/81
 
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Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Lawrence M. Mojaki, Nkanyiso K. Ndlovu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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