Emmanuel Ndhlovu – författare

This edited volume, the third in a three-volume set, discusses implications of The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in Africa. By rebuilding natural ecosystems, linking billions to digital networks, and better managing assets, the world may be able to undo the damage done by the industrial revolutions. There are, however, significant concerns that institutions will not be able to adapt, that governments will not adopt and regulate new technologies to reap their benefits, that power shifts will result in serious new security threats, that inequality will increase, and that societies will break apart. Written by an international panel of experts, analyzes the potential of smart technology across sectors and industries in Africa to bring about long-term, sustainable growth.  

The book Post-Independence Development in Africa: Decolonisation and Transformation Prospects revisits the development debates and development realities in Africa. This is achieved by offering theoretical comments about post-independence development in Africa and by providing historical details pertaining to the development approaches adopted in Africa immediately after independence in the 1960s and mid-70s. Sitting at the intersection of two sets of scholarly literature, namely; literature on development and literature on development discourses and practices in Africa, the book comprises a mixture of detailed sector-specific accounts of the status of development on the continent. The chapters in the book also contribute to clarifying how the two strands of literature intersect using several case studies across Africa.

The second in a three-volume series, this edited volume discusses post-independence economic inclusion in selected African countries. While human development indices rise and poverty rates fall across the African continent, facilitated by recent technological and innovation development which reaches previously inaccessible regions, indicators continue to lag in several crucial areas. Economic and social inclusion, therefore, remains at the forefront of development discussions across the continent. Using a variety of case studies underpinned by multidisciplinary research approaches, the chapters in this book explore a wide range of economic and financial inclusion issues from all aspects; from benefits and challenges to the steps that need to be taken to improve the level of economic inclusion on the continent. Governments, development agencies, non-governmental organizations with a bias toward development, students, and university lecturers will all find this book interesting.

The tourism and hospitality industry in the 21st century cannot be adequately planned, executed, marketed, managed, or studied without taking into account digital technology and its impact. The Fourth Industrial Revolution provides the framework for sustainable development in this sector. Technology not only increases profitability but also enables the industry to effectively respond to pressing global sustainability challenges such as pandemics, climate change, energy crises, staffing shortages, and hyperinflation. Moreover, technology allows the industry to consider its current and future economic, social, and environmental consequences, addressing the needs of tourists, the industry, the environment, and destinations. However, implementing technology efficiently and ethically is a complex process, and the opportunities, costs, and challenges vary depending on the geopolitical and socio-economic context.

The application of digitalisation and technological innovations have played a significant role in promoting universal design and reasonable accommodation for older adults and individuals with disabilities in both developed and developing countries. These advancements are crucial for the growth of accessible tourism and hospitality. This edited book aims to explore the trends, challenges, and complexities of integrating digitalisation and technology into the tourism and hospitality industry. It also examines the strategic shifts that will shape future research in this area. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research, including theoretical insights, empirical evidence, and evidence-based recommendations. It covers a range of technologies, such as blockchain, robots, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, big data, and analytics. The goal is to understand how these disruptive technologies are being used and their potential impact on various stakeholders, as well as their future possibilities and limitations.

The tourism and hospitality industry is rapidly undergoing a disruptive transformation owing to advances in information and communications technology. This book aims to highlight how the unfolding digital transformation trends help the industry attain sustainable development by taking full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts and addressing the needs of tourists, the industry, the environment, and destinations.  With the advent of digital technologies following the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), there has been a rapid change in how customers and businesses interact regarding the timeliness and relevance of communication. Although the positive effects of digital transformation have received sustained scholarly interest, its adverse effects, as well as how the digitisation of tourism operations can enable the achievement of sustainable development, have attracted limited academic focus.

The book comprises contributions that generate theoretical insights, empirical findings, and evidence-based recommendations by focusing on emerging and forecasted technologies used in the tourism and hospitality industry, such as blockchains, robots, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, big data, and analytics. The book could be helpful for future research to focus on the impact of different forms of digital technology by examining their sociocultural and environmental effects. Building on prior research, the chapters in this volume extrapolate current studies on digital development to provide more links to tourism and hospitality.

The travel and hospitality industry in the 21st century cannot be conceived, planned, advertised, run, or researched without the use of digital technology and innovation. Sustainable development in this sector cannot be achieved without considering the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The use of technology not only enhances the industry''s profitability but also helps it to respond effectively to pressing global sustainability issues such as pandemics, climate change, energy crises, workforce shortages, and hyperinflation. Furthermore, technology allows the sector to fully evaluate its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of tourists, businesses, the environment, and destinations. However, implementing technology is not a simple process and involves various opportunities, costs, and challenges that differ depending on the geopolitical and socio-economic context.

With the drive towards disability inclusion, digitalisation, technological innovations, and inventions can play a significant role in universal design and reasonable accommodation for older people and populations with disabilities in the Global North and South—such forms one of the key pillars of accessible tourism and hospitality. In the context of the above and in response to the thoughtful need for new and sustained study of the developments, interrelationships, potentialities of the topic, and synergies, this edited book explores the trends, opportunities, challenges, and complexities of digitalisation and technology integration in the tourism and hospitality industry, as well as strategic shifts that will contribute to emerging research streams. The book comprises contributions that generate theoretical insights, empirical findings, and evidence-based recommendations by focusing on emerging and forecasted technologies used in the tourism and hospitality industry, such as blockchains, robots, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, big data, and analytics. The aim is to provide a better understanding of how disruptive technologies and digitalisation are currently being utilised and how they currently and potentially influence various stakeholder groups, as well as their future possibilities and impossibilities. The third volume, in a three-volume set, primarily covers how these new technologies impact consumers and employees of tourism-related services.

This edited volume provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly within the context of sustainable development in Africa. The book explores the multifaceted consequences of the war, drawing attention to its socioeconomic, environmental, and political implications. It also emphasizes the significance of sustainable development on a global scale, positioning itself at the intersection of conflict studies and sustainable development literature.

Chapters discuss the international response to the conflict, including sanctions on Russia and disruptions in global supply chains, which has had significant implications for countries in Africa that rely on Russia and Ukraine for essential commodities. The history and root causes of the conflict are analyzed, highlighting the contrasting narratives – the pro-Russian perspective and the pro-Western viewpoint. Underscoring the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on global peace, sustainable development, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 2030 deadline, this volume will be of interest to researchers and students focusing on development, food systems, peace and conflict, security studies, international relations, and the SDGs.

The book investigates the intersection of agriculture and development in Africa and how it impacts rural industrialisation prospects. It provides a comprehensive view of the position of agriculture in African socio-economic activities and the agricultural sector''s potential as the source for continental development and industrialisation prospects. Significant research has been done on African development with a focus placed on the problematic role played by slavery, colonialism and later by incompetent African leaders who failed to steer development of the type that delivers a progressive, sustained and sustainable transformation of lives and societies. There is limited focus on the possibility of agriculture being the potential basis of African development and the chance for industrialisation. This is a matter of concern, considering the dominance of agriculture as a livelihood and income source for many people on the continent. 

In contributing to the debate on development in Africa, this book aims to show how agriculture can serve as the basis for African development and industrialisation. This will be achieved by (i) providing a detailed historical description of the position of agriculture in African socio-economic activities, (ii) outlining the trajectory of African development with a focus on agriculture, innovation, and mechanisation, (iii) identifying challenges to the development of African agriculture, (iv) exploring the opportunities for agricultural development in Africa, and (v) providing practical and policy recommendations to improve African agriculture and make it the engine for development and industrialisation. 

Utilising a multidisciplinary approach which combines political economy, social policy, financial inclusion, and empowerment approaches, the book also shows how engagement of youth and women, digitalisation, and the provision of support (by public and private actors) can jump-start agriculture as the engine of African development and industrialisation. Taken together with this conscious effort to promote a multi-disciplinary discussion, the book is valuable reading for students, policymakers, and activists interested in emerging new directions in African development thinking and research.