TY - JOUR
T1 - An assessment of South African airlines’ growth in the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies
T2 - the unexplored dimension
AU - Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis
AU - Ebekozien, Andrew
AU - Mkhize, Nompumelelo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, Andrew Ebekozien and Nompumelelo Mkhize.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Purpose: Aerospace is a demanding technological and industrial sector. Several regulations and policies via innovative digital transformation have been integrated to impact production systems and supply chains, including safety measures. Studies demonstrated that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies could enhance productivity growth and safety measures. The 4IR role in influencing airlines’ growth is yet to receive in-depth studies in South Africa. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of 4IR technologies in influencing airlines’ growth in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: This research used a qualitative research method. Primary data were compiled via 56 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with major stakeholders. The study achieved saturation. A thematic method was used to analyse the collected data. Findings: Findings reveal the nine major factors influencing South African airlines’ growth in the 4IR era. This includes investment in ergonomics applications and research, governance is driven by 4IR, collaboration and incorporation of 4IR concepts, partnership with drone technology and high precision and efficiency with 4IR. Others are reskilling and upskilling, investment in 4IR software, policies to promote 4IR usage in the industry and policies to reduce human interface. Originality/value: Understanding the relative significance of 4IR technologies’ role in airlines’ growth can assist critical stakeholders in promoting innovative policies and regulations tailored towards digitalised aerospace. Thus, the study contributes to strategies to improve digital innovation, airline growth and safety as components of the air travel demands in South Africa.
AB - Purpose: Aerospace is a demanding technological and industrial sector. Several regulations and policies via innovative digital transformation have been integrated to impact production systems and supply chains, including safety measures. Studies demonstrated that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies could enhance productivity growth and safety measures. The 4IR role in influencing airlines’ growth is yet to receive in-depth studies in South Africa. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of 4IR technologies in influencing airlines’ growth in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: This research used a qualitative research method. Primary data were compiled via 56 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with major stakeholders. The study achieved saturation. A thematic method was used to analyse the collected data. Findings: Findings reveal the nine major factors influencing South African airlines’ growth in the 4IR era. This includes investment in ergonomics applications and research, governance is driven by 4IR, collaboration and incorporation of 4IR concepts, partnership with drone technology and high precision and efficiency with 4IR. Others are reskilling and upskilling, investment in 4IR software, policies to promote 4IR usage in the industry and policies to reduce human interface. Originality/value: Understanding the relative significance of 4IR technologies’ role in airlines’ growth can assist critical stakeholders in promoting innovative policies and regulations tailored towards digitalised aerospace. Thus, the study contributes to strategies to improve digital innovation, airline growth and safety as components of the air travel demands in South Africa.
KW - Aerospace
KW - Airline
KW - Digital technology
KW - Fourth Industrial Revolution
KW - South Africa
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85150976067&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/JFM-07-2022-0076
DO - 10.1108/JFM-07-2022-0076
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85150976067
SN - 1472-5967
JO - Journal of Facilities Management
JF - Journal of Facilities Management
ER -