Showing papers in "African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development in 2017"

Fear of Small Numbers: An Essay on the Geography of Anger

Abstract: The eminent sociologist Anthony Giddens defined globalization as the ‘intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by e...

The effect of technological innovation on production-based energy and CO2 emission productivity: Evidence from BRICS countries

Abstract: Collectively, Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa (known as BRICS) are emerging as an economic superpower. In 2014, BRICS countries accounted for approximately 40% of the total world population, 30% of the total earth surface and almost 20% of the world’s economic output. Along with increasing economic growth in BRICS countries, energy usage and related carbon emissions are drawing increasing attention as a result of increasing international concern about climate change. Environmental policy has two types of role to play in the economic process. On one hand, firms can adopt or purchase existing ‘cleaner’ technology; on the other hand, they can invest in R&D for inventing new ‘cleaner’ technology. A panel data econometrics analysis of the relevant variables taken from the OECD data set for the period 2005–2012 reveals that innovative environment-related technology has had a sound impact on the sustainable performance of BRICS countries, with the green technological innovations hav...

Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty

Abstract: Today’s globalized world is characterized by the criminal co-existence of immense prosperity and appalling poverty, with anti-poverty rhetoric being as pervasive as poverty itself. There is perhaps...

Adoption of agrochemical management practices among smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana

Abstract: This study explores smallholder cocoa farmers’ adoption decisions of agrochemical inputs in the Ghanaian cocoa industry using farm-level data collected from a sample of 838 farm households in four cocoa producing regions. Multivariate probit and Tobit models were used to examine the determinants of agrochemical inputs adoption and the extent of adoption, respectively. The result of the study showed that agrochemical management practices are complementary and thus the adoption of an agrochemical input is conditional on the adoption of others. Different household characteristics, household assets, institutional variables, and the perception of soil fertility status and the incidence of pests and diseases influence the adoption of individual agrochemical inputs. Furthermore, the result of the study showed that intensity (or extent) of agrochemical adoption (measured as farmers’ expenditure on agrochemicals) is also influenced by some socioeconomic and institutional variables such as extension services and fa...

Public perceptions about renewable energy technologies in Nigeria

Abstract: Globally, there is a focus on generating energy from renewable energy sources in order to ensure sustainability. However, experience has shown that although the public generally accepts renewable energy technology (RET), there is also opposition to its implementation. Renewable energy education is thus essential for its successful implementation. This work is based on doctoral research which seeks to explore the Nigerian public’s understanding (inclusive of knowledge, beliefs, perceptions and attitude) of RET. A mixed-method approach was used and the work was based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). The results shows that there are significant positive correlations between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and intention to use RET. Negative perceptions about the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), lack of information about how RET works, cost and corruption all created negative perceptions about RET among the public. There is a need for both f...

University-driven inclusive innovations in the Western Cape of South Africa : towards a research framework of innovation regimes

Abstract: Inclusive innovation refers to the improvement of living conditions and creation of employment opportunities for the poor through the development or co-creation of new products, services, processes and business models aimed at resource poor communities. Based on an empirical study of 15 university-led inclusive innovation projects in the Western Cape Province in South Africa, using an inductive approach we apply an analytical framework that serves two purposes (1) to describe our empirical findings and (2) to develop a broader research agenda that identifies a number of key research questions on the role of inclusive innovation projects in developing countries, and ways of addressing those questions in future studies. The empirical findings reveal a wide variety of university departments and individual staff members engaging with low-income user groups or entrepreneurs to (co-)create, launch or operate inclusive innovations. Our analysis shows that unravelling the various structural components and functio...

Innovation for inclusive development, public policy support and triple helix: perspectives from BRICS

Abstract: This paper investigates the role of innovation in (inclusive) development – subsequently referred to as innovation for inclusive development (IID) and the links to public policy in BRICS (Brazil, R...

Sustainable agriculture practices and livelihoods in pro-poor smallholder farming systems in southern Africa

Abstract: Climate variability and change threaten and impact negatively on biodiversity, agricultural sustainability, ecosystems, and economic and social structures – factors that are all vital for human resilience and wellbeing To cope with these challenges, embracing sustainability in food production is therefore essential Practising sustainable agriculture is one way of ensuring sustainability in pro-poor farming communities in low-income countries Sustainable agricultural practices are those practices enabling farmers to meet current and future societal needs for food, fibre, ecosystem services and healthy lives This study evaluates the dynamics of farm-level adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and their effects on maize productivity, crop income and food adequacy, using data from the Chinyanja Triangle in southern Africa We apply joint estimation techniques to estimate consistently the impact of sustainable agriculture practices on maize productivity, crop income and food adequacy We establishe

The contribution of creative industries to sustainable urban development in South Africa

Abstract: South African policymakers are increasingly advocating for creative industry entrepreneurship to play a vital role in the economic development of cities, for example, by creating pathways for job creation and encouraging urban regeneration. The question, ‘How can we use creative industries for the economic regeneration of urban regions?’ is dealt with in this study. This paper addresses the question in three ways: examining the international debates about the effectiveness of creative projects as tools for urban development; deliberating on the factors that cause city authorities to put more importance on policies guiding creative industries; and describing the evolution of creative industries in two South African cities: Johannesburg and Cape Town.In this paper, I argue that the role of creative industries in South Africa, as a promoter of urban development as an essential component of broader development plans, has been dynamic, but also problematic at times. I interrogate the role of creative industrie...

Effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seed as a coagulant in domestic wastewater treatment

Abstract: An investigation on the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seed for the treatment of domestic sewage was carried out in 15 litres plastic pots. Completely randomized design (CRD) experimental design was adopted. The treatments included: the control culture (no Moringa seed), 2 g of Moringa oleifera, 4 g of Moringa oleifera and 6 g Moringa oleifera. Physical, bacteriological and chemical properties of domestic sewage were investigated before and after treatment. The turbidity value was reduced drastically for the treatments. Water hardness was reduced from 64.2 mg/l to 36 mg/l for the treatments. Alkalinity was reduced from 148 mg/l to 114 mg/l for the treatments, total solids were reduced from 1280 mg/l to 1129 mg/l for the treatments, suspended solids were reduced from 384 mg/l to 306.3 mg/l for the treatments, dissolved oxygen was reduced from 124.8 mg/l to 112.7 mg/l for the treatments, dissolved solids were reduced from 896 mg/l to 820.3 mg/l for the treatments, and acidity was increased from 0.84 to 2...

A poverty-reduction oriented perspective to small business development in South Africa: A human capabilities approach

Abstract: Despite the South African government’s strategic policy interventions and huge investments into small business development over the past two decades, solid evidence of the transition of informal businesses to the formal sector is hard to encounter. Furthermore, the high rates of unemployment in the country point to the growing incapacity of small-scale, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) to address the chronic social ills of poverty, inequality and social deprivation ravaging the country. Building on mainstream literature on the government interventions designed to promote growth without equity among SMMEs and Sen’s capabilities approach, this theoretical study advances a poverty-reduction approach to entrepreneurship underpinned by a systematic integration of multiple-level conversion factors, sustainable resourcing (especially seed funding and managerial capacity development), commercialization of business activities, a strong entrepreneurial orientation and solid managerial capabilities. Such an inte...

Plastic waste as strength modifiers in asphalt for a sustainable environment

Abstract: This research took the form of an investigation into the applicability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as strength modifiers in asphalt road construction. Samples of thoroughly washed, naturally dried and shredded PET wastes were collected. The optimum binder content (OBC) of the unmodified asphalt mix was determined. The bitumen used for the control mix was replaced with PET waste in 1, 3 and 5% proportions. Another sample was prepared with the addition of 1, 3 and 5% of PET waste while the OBC was fixed. The samples were subjected to Marshall Stability (MS) and Marshall Flow (MF) tests. Bulk density (BD), void in total mix (VTM), and void filled with bitumen (VFB) were determined. The results were compared with standards. The PET content obtained that conforms to the specification in AASHTO, ASTM and Nigeria Federal Ministry of Works standards was found to be 1% addition to OBC by weight of aggregate. This percentage PET content was 15% by weight of bitumen with BD, VTM, VFB, MF and MS being 2.38 kg...

Effect of soluble dietary fibres from Bambara groundnut varieties on the stability of orange oil beverage emulsion

Abstract: Soluble dietary fibres (SDFs) [30% (w/w)] from four varieties of Bambara groundnut (BGN), viz. black-eye, brown-eye, brown and red were used to stabilize orange oil beverage emulsions at 6% (w/w) orange oil. Emulsion stability was studied using Turbiscan MA 2000 and in terms of oil-droplet size characterization. The volume-surface mean diameter (d3,2) and equivalent volume-mean diameter (d4,3) of the four emulsions ranged between 2.68–4.38 µm and 17.09–18.62 µm, respectively. Emulsions stabilized with black-eye-SDF and brown-SDF possessed the least and highest d3,2 and d4,3, respectively. The d3,2 and d4,3 of all four emulsions were significantly (p < 0.05) different. Emulsions were relatively stable to creaming and destabilized mainly by phenomenon involving oil-droplet aggregation. The backscattering flux of the emulsions ranged from 72.9% (brown-SDF stabilized emulsion) to 85.0% (black-eye-SDF stabilized emulsion). All four BGN SDFs greatly indicated their potential in stabilizing beverage emulsions.

Health risk assessment of exposure to ambient concentrations of benzene, toluene and xylene in Pretoria West, South Africa

Abstract: Benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) are part of the volatile organic group of pollutants and are seen as international environmental priority air pollutants that can constitute a threat to public health. This study assessed the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of exposure to BTX in an industrial area located in Pretoria West, South Africa. The study comprised two parts, namely ambient air monitoring and the application of a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) model. The study included sampling data for the 2014 calendar year (January – December). Sampling frequency were hourly samples of ambient concentrations of BTX. Estimate of the possible non-carcinogenic risk of BTX and carcinogenic risk of benzene were determined using the hazard quotient (HQ) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) respectively. Annual average concentration (µg/m3) of BTX was 0.9 ± 0.9, 2.2 ± 2.5 and 0.8 ± 0.6, respectively, with higher concentrations during winter months. The HQ indicated no likelihood of adverse health effects on chi...

Environmental health risks associated with e-waste exposure in Badplaas, Carolina and Elukwatini landfills, Republic of South Africa

Abstract: A recent study identified a mixed stream of waste in Badplaas, Carolina and Elukwatini landfills However, the risks associated with the situation in the three selected towns remains unknown Thus, this paper fills this gap of qualitatively assessing the potential environmental health risks associated with specific waste streams identified Secondly, there are no scientifically acceptable methods of assessing risks in unregulated landfills, given their irregular nature This study attempts to adapt existing risk assessment methods towards standardizing a basic qualitative method that can be used to estimate potential risks that these facilities may pose to environmental health Previous studies have found an association between human exposure to heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, and the prevalence of different cancers, birth defects and a number of mutagenic risks This study identified e-waste as the common source of heavy metals and chlorinated organic compounds such as arsenic, lead, mercury

Perceptions on organic farming and selected organic fertilizers by subsistence farmers in Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract: Organic farming, which is a form of alternative or sustainable agriculture, makes a major contribution to the improvement of food security globally through recycling of natural resources. This study assessed 60 subsistence farmers’ perceptions of organic farming. Descriptive statistical analyses of randomly selected subsistence farmers indicated that the majority of respondents (80.0%) had previous knowledge of organic farming but had failed to practise it because they could not afford it. In addition, they thought organic fertilizers, such as dry sewage, human faeces and human urine were unacceptable because of their smell, their unhygienic nature and the respondents’ fear of disease epidemics. The female respondents’ order of decreasing preference for organic fertilizers was animal droppings > animal urine > human faeces > sewage > human urine, whereas for males it was chicken droppings > cow dung > animal urine > sewage and human urine > human faeces. Respondents with no high school education regarded ...

Exploring the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM): Impact on innovation ecosystem in India

Abstract: To make India one of the leaders in solar energy generation and to promote ecologically sustainable growth that addresses the nation’s energy security challenge is one of the promising goals of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) or National Solar Mission. This paper presents the country’s current solar energy scenario and explores ways in which various actors, agencies and policies shape the mission from the different perspectives on innovation literature. Innovation ecosystem is one of the perspectives where the sense of environment or ecology of various institutions, actors and other factors surrounds the activity of research and innovation. In this ecosystem, there is no single actor that can perform independently. The research outcomes, especially the patents, research publications and R&D investment, have become an increasingly essential area after the announcement of the JNNSM. The study also highlights that the number of research papers published in relation to solar energy has inc...

A study on the awareness level of additive manufacturing technology in south-western Nigeria

Abstract: In this paper, the level of awareness of AM/RP technology in south-western Nigeria was investigated and presented. In a survey, copies of a questionnaire were administered to sixty (60) engineering personnel in research/tertiary institutions in the south-western states in Nigeria and forty (40) useful responses were obtained and analyzed. The analysis indicated that there was 40% awareness of AM/RP technology in the south-western Nigeria, whereas 60% of the respondents had not previously heard of the technologies. It was further deduced that the highest level of awareness of 50% was for inkjet/3D printing, amongst other forms of AM/RP technology in the south-western states in Nigeria. The analysis of the availability of AM equipment indicated that only 5% of the respondents specified that their institutions in south-western Nigeria possessed inkjet/3D printing AM equipment. This was at one research institute in south-western Nigeria. Though, the amount of AM/RP equipment installed is small at the moment, ...

Assessment of water quality in selected shallow wells of Keiyo Highlands, Kenya

Abstract: A supply of potable water is important for the sustenance of a healthy population. This study was conducted in the Keiyo Highlands, Elgeyo Marakwet County, in Kenya. The aim was to assess seasonal variation in physico-chemical and microbiological water quality parameters of shallow wells. The water quality parameters were analyzed during the wet season of 2015 and during the dry season that followed. Water samples were collected from 10 randomly selected wells and analyzed for pH, turbidity, total hardness, nitrates, phosphates, fluorides, faecal coliforms, total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS). The results were compared with water quality guidelines, such as those of the WHO. pH was low during both the dry (5.35 ± 0.09) and wet (6.14 ± 0.26) seasons, showing the water to be acidic. Faecal coliform values were higher than those recommended by the WHO (0/100 ml) for drinking water in both the wet (2.70 ± 1.34/100 ml) and dry (21.56 ± 10.0/100 ml) seasons. In conclusion, the elevated...

Diagnosis of stator shorted-turn faults in induction machines using discrete wavelet transform

Abstract: Incipient detection and diagnosis of stator winding shorted-turn faults in induction machines is essential for reliable and economical operations in industries. The problem of detecting shorted-turn faults in stator windings has been difficult. Although, from the supply currents, major winding faults can easily be detected, minor faults with less than five per cent of winding turns are not easily detectable. If not detected early, such faults can lead to major winding faults which may further lead to the disruption of the machine and causes production shutdowns. This paper describes the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based diagnosis technique that analyses stator currents under faulty (stator shorted-turn) and healthy conditions. The developed technique depends on the band pass filtering carried out by the DWT, facilitating the extraction of the harmonic components produced by the shorted-turn faults. The discrepancies energy spectrum for three frequencies from the residual of de-noising analysis enables...

Experimental comparison of selected pozzolanic materials

Abstract: Different pozzolanic materials are commonly used in concrete production with different properties. This paper compared the performance of metakaoline (MTK), bamboo leaf ash (BLA), pulverized fly ash (PFA) and corn cob ash (CCA), when used as partial replacement for cement in concrete. The replacement levels considered were 5, 10 and 15%. A concrete mix of ratio 1:2:4 was batched by weight using a water-cement ratio of 0.6. Cubes of size 150 mm were cast from the concrete and cured in water for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Compressive strength and workability tests were conducted, following standard procedures. The results indicated that all the materials had compressive strength comparable to that of the normal concrete (23.97 N/mm2), with strength activity indices that ranged from 80–90%. This performance was observed at maximum replacement levels of 5% for CCA and 10% for each of BLA and MTK, while up to 15% replacement level was used in the case of PFA. The paper concludes that the materials had different in...

Engineering research profile of countries in the African Union

Abstract: Scholarly publication output of engineering research from the member countries of the African Union (AU) are mapped using scholarly publication data from the Scopus® database of Elsevier. The countries are ranked based on various parameters, for example; number of publications, activity index, citations received and so on. The collaboration profiles of countries are plotted using Social Network Analysis tools. The results show that the engineering research publications are increasing in Africa at an exponential rate. However, this is not the main research focus, as the indicators like the activity index and the relative specialization index show overall negative productivity. The possible reason for low productivity in engineering science is perhaps due to the limited coverage of African scholarly publications in global citation databases. Interestingly, engineering research papers from the AU member countries have received quite a good number of citations. So, it is fairly certain that African engineerin...

Scientific real-time research problem-solving and pharmaceutical innovation

Abstract: Despite dramatic advances on a global scale in the scientific fields that underlie pharmaceutical innovation, the literature suggests that returns on investment in pharmaceutical R&D have not kept pace. Further, some argue that for the last 50 years advances in drug and vaccine development have plateaued. In the face of serious challenges, such as increasing antibiotic resistance, the threat of global pandemics such as Ebola, aging populations, increasing healthcare costs, and a general lack of access to medicines by many in developing regions, this paper argues that the current paradigm of pharmaceutical R&D is not able to address these problems adequately. Probabilistic innovation theory predicts how the convergence of technologies and methods such as expert crowdsourced R&D may ultimately contribute to real-time problem-solving. These potentialities are described as a new paradigm in R&D. Such a paradigm might be uniquely suited to an industry that has perhaps moved beyond small molecule R&D into a new...

Informal waste recycling activities: Implications for livelihood and health

Abstract: Informal waste recycling activities are fast becoming commonplace in most developing countries. Using South Africa as a case study, this study characterizes informal collection of recyclable waste ...

A review of microbial hazards associated with meat processing in butcheries

Abstract: Meat is highly nutritional and rich in proteins, which makes it a good substrate for possible microbial growth. As a result, in its raw state, meat is easily susceptible to colonization by microorganisms. This study describes the possible sources of contamination associated with food handlers in butcheries, as well as the microorganisms that are able to contaminate meat and potentially a cause variety of illness. The study also reflects on the knowledge and behaviour of food handlers, their equipment and the working surfaces in butcheries as potential sources of contamination. Meat processing hygiene is part of Quality Management (QM) in abattoirs and butcheries. The QM refers to the hygienic measures taken during various processing stages of meat products. Hence, contamination of meat is often caused by food handlers, the production chain and equipment used. Therefore, it is fundamental in this study to identify possible contamination sources and types of microorganisms associated with such meat safety c...

Outward foreign direct investment from South Africa’s energy sector and the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to Uganda’s energy sector

Abstract: Following the end of apartheid in 1994, outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) from South Africa has been on the increase However, the content of South African OFDI has remained an understudied topic This article explores whether intra-regional flows of FDI from emerging African countries carry environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to developing African countries It examines whether and how OFDI from South Africa’s energy sector transfers ESTs to Uganda through a firm-specific case study of Eskom Enterprises and its subsidiary, Eskom Uganda Ltd It employs secondary data from literature sources and primary data from interviewsThe research results indicate that OFDI can be a carrier of ESTs from emerging African countries to developing African countries The case study demonstrates that OFDI from South Africa’s energy sector has transferred ESTs to Uganda’s energy sector Explicit firm-specific policies and host-country environmental policies have promoted international standards certification an

Outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) and knowledge flow in the context of emerging MNEs: Cases from China, India and South Africa

Abstract: The paper explores the factors driving Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) by Emerging multinational enterprisess (EMNEs) and the patterns of knowledge transfer in six cases of EMNEs from thre...

Key factors influencing the online buying decision when purchasing products in specific product categories

Abstract: Online shopping in South Africa is at least five years behind that in developed countries and online retailers need to adapt their online presence and offerings in order to elevate their position over competitors. This study explores the key factors influencing the online buying decision when purchasing products in specific product categories in the Gauteng province in South Africa. Questionnaires were completed by 111 respondents and descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the results. The online product categories investigated included gifts, books, education products/services, entertainment, air tickets, software/games, electronics, clothes and CDs/DVDs/Videos. It emerged that certain factors were key influencers when buying specific products. Important factors for electronics, for instance are online information and negative experience with shopping offline. The findings of the research can assist online retailers to make the online buying process easier and to increase th...

Perceptions and determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in the production of indigenous leafy vegetables: The case of Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Abstract: There is a high level of consensus on the relevance of indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) in complementing household food security Despite such a high level of consensus and several nutritional and health benefits, farmers have opted not to include them in their farming systems thus affecting production volumes and their availability on market With the emerging interest of linking biodiversity to food security in the face of climate change, there is a need to appraise why many farmers have opted not to include ILVs in their farming systems Against this background, this study used cross-sectional survey data to estimate determinants of farmers’ participation in the production of ILVs Descriptive results reveal that the majority of people in the study area share positive perceptions with regards to ILVs Regression estimates further indicate that production of ILVs are mostly conditioned by shared perceptions and institutional factors rather than socio-economic attributes of farmers Public policies tha

Wind energy potential and economic evaluation of WPS using WECSs in three selected locations of Northern Ethiopia

Abstract: This paper analyzes wind energy potential and economic evaluation of water pumping system (WPS) employed by various wind energy conversion systems (WECSs). The wind speed data gathered from three different locations of Northern Ethiopia are analyzed using the Weibull probability density function. The performance of small- to medium-sized commercial wind turbine models of various rated powers ranging between 25 and 2000 kW are analyzed. Economic evaluation of WPS (used in various WECSs) is performed using present value of cost (PVC) approach. According to the Pacific Northwest Laboratories (PNL) wind resources classification scheme, all the selected locations fall into the Class 1 category; hence they can be considered marginally for water pumping and small-scale electricity generation. It is noted that the POLARIS P 12–25 and the POLARIS P 15–50 are the most economical options for electricity generation and water pumping applications in the region.