To my MBA colleague Bata Pfungwa for always supporting and encouraging me to complete my studies. There is increasing demand to improve the performance of the mining sector, particularly the platinum sector, which is facing falling metal prices that threaten the viability of the business. To this end, this study assessed technological capacity development and sustainable development factors affecting the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe.
The study adopted a positivism approach based on quantitative inquiry by analyzing the current levels of technological capacity development and sustainable development in the platinum mining sector. The study further explored institutional mechanisms in place to support the accumulation of technological capabilities and sustainable development. Furthermore, the study sought to determine the critical success factors affecting technological development and sustainable development affecting the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe.
The study found and concluded that the integration of legislative frameworks, management capacities and capital budgets are critical factors for technological capacity development. All explanatory factors for sustainable development were found to have no significance for sustainable development except for environmental factors.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
At the local level, the industrial development policy, the science and technology and innovation policy, and the Nano technology statement recognize science, technology and innovation as the main drivers for achieving competitiveness and sustainable growth through technological change (Ministry of Industry and Trade, 2011 , Ministry of Science and Technology Development, 2012, Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, 2011). The ability to acquire foreign technologies, adapt and improve them, as well as develop the necessary infrastructure, is crucial to the success of the mining sector in Zimbabwe. New technologies are increasingly being used by mining operations to promote sustainable development by enhancing their environmental and business performance (Dash, 2015). The platinum sector can apply or adapt technologies to enable new activities that lead to economic and environmental benefits. Therefore, this study seeks to "make an assessment of the critical success factors for technological capacity building and sustainable development in the Platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe".
To assess the current levels of technological capability and sustainable development in the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe. To put institutional mechanisms in place to support technological capacity building and sustainable development in the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe. To identify critical success factors for the development of technological capability in the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe.
To identify critical success factors for sustainable development of the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe. What are the current levels of technological capability and sustainable development in the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe. What are the institutional mechanisms in place to support technological capacity building and sustainable development in the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe.
What are the key success factors for the development of technological capacity in the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe. What are the key success factors for the sustainable development of the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe. RBV is about how a firm uses its capabilities and resources to achieve superior performance, which will be achieved by firms that align their organizational structures with resources and capabilities (He et al. 2012). The RBV approach is important in the accumulation of technological capabilities in the mining sector, as each company uses its internal resources, capital, skills and knowledge, experience and innovation capacity to develop its technological capabilities to its advantage.
Saunders et al (2009) define sampling as “the process by which a researcher selects a sample of participants for a study from the population of interest”. The study assessed the critical factors influencing the development of technological capabilities and sustainable development in the platinum mining sector. The study also concluded that technological capabilities are heavily influenced by factors over which the platinum mining company has control.
The technological capability regression model is only able to explain 59% of the variation in technological capability development in the platinum mining sector in Zimbabwe.
Letter of consent
Questionnaire for mining companies in the platinum mining sector
The macroeconomic environment is stable and predictable for sustainable development in the platinum mining sector. The companies in the platinum sector have internal and external training programs that are conducted to increase the level of competencies of the staff members in their areas of responsibility. Total value of capital employed in the platinum mine is sufficient enough for technological capability accumulation.
The plants, machinery and infrastructure are suitable for taking up technological developments in the platinum mining sector. The operating capital employed in the platinum mine is adequate enough to promote research and development in the platinum mining sector. Do you think your watershed communities have benefited from the upcoming platinum mine activities?
Land use management and rehabilitation is important for the sustainable development of the platinum mining sector. Total value of capital employed in the platinum sector mine is sufficient enough for technological capability development. The plants, machinery and infrastructure are insufficient to promote technological capability development in the platinum mining sector.
Revenues from the platinum mining sector fuel the growth of other sectors through the supply chain. Companies in the platinum sector value health and safety programs Strongly agree [ ] Agree [ ] Neutral [ ] Disagree. Legislation should support technological change in the platinum mining sector, including the protection of intellectual property rights.
Training and upskilling in the platinum mining sector is a prerequisite for technological capacity building. The number and quality of scientific and technological institutions must be high enough to support the labor market for the platinum mining sector. Consolidating learning efforts across the platinum mining sector is also key to improving the development of technological capabilities.
