Palgrave Studies in Technology and Innovation in Africa – serie

This edited collection examines the impact of new technologies and new managerial and policy perspectives on entrepreneurial development in Southern Africa, paying particular attention to small and medium sized enterprises, which contribute significantly to GDP and employment, but often find it difficult to survive beyond the first five years.Chapters are divided in two parts, the first covering technological perspectives and the second managerial perspectives. Africa’s cultural and geographic diversity is taken into account, with authors from Ghana, Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe providing regional case studies and the editors synthesising these discussions in a concluding chapter that touches on sustainability and development to working lives and livelihoods across the region. Exploring critical issues of entrepreneurial human capital development, innovation, technology, legislative frameworks and marketing strategies, this book will be of great interest to researchers, students and policymakers.

This edited collection examines the impact of new technologies and new managerial and policy perspectives on entrepreneurial development in Southern Africa, paying particular attention to small and medium sized enterprises, which contribute significantly to GDP and employment, but often find it difficult to survive beyond the first five years.Chapters are divided in two parts, the first covering technological perspectives and the second managerial perspectives. Africa’s cultural and geographic diversity is taken into account, with authors from Ghana, Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe providing regional case studies and the editors synthesising these discussions in a concluding chapter that touches on sustainability and development to working lives and livelihoods across the region. Exploring critical issues of entrepreneurial human capital development, innovation, technology, legislative frameworks and marketing strategies, this book will be of great interest to researchers, students and policymakers.

As Africa's digital economy expands rapidly, it presents a wealth of opportunities for both micro and macroeconomic development. This book, the first of two volumes, offers a comprehensive examination of how digital technologies are redefining business models, market dynamics, and innovation strategies across African markets.Drawing on rigorous empirical research and conceptual frameworks, this volume explores the evolution of digital business models in Africa, analyzing their transformative potential and impact on various sectors. It delves into critical areas such as e-commerce, online consumer behavior, trust and risk perceptions in digital marketplaces, and the rise of social commerce. The book also examines the sustainability of emerging business models, such as video streaming platforms, and explores digital innovation in key sectors like fintech. It will be of great interest to scholars and students of innovation strategy and business in Africa.

With more people across Africa gaining access to the internet, digital marketing offers a way for firms to reach an ever-larger audience. The number of people buying goods and services online has more than doubled in the last five years and the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the shift towards online shopping and digital content consumption. This contributed volume balances theory with practical research-based case studies, providing an outline of the current state of digital marketing in Africa, as well as an assessment on the opportunities and challenges that lie in the future.Chapters in the book explore cutting edge digital marketing topics, including social media engagement metrics, consumer behaviors towards virtual reality (VR), interactivity in digital out-of-home advertising, enhanced customer engagement and customer experience, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, and digital marketing for sustainable public health development. It will be of great interest to scholars and students of marketing, technology and innovation and business in Africa and beyond.

As Africa's digital economy expands rapidly, it presents a wealth of opportunities for both micro and macroeconomic development. This book, the second of two volumes, offers a comprehensive examination of how digital technologies are altering the way companies interact with customers and the continent's broader digital ecosystem.Drawing on a rich mix of empirical studies and conceptual frameworks, this volume examines key themes at the forefront of Africa's digital revolution. It explores the impact of super-apps and IoT on consumer interactions, the role of mobile technologies in shaping African digital ecosystems, and the multifaceted influence of digital technologies on socio-economic development. The book delves into cutting-edge customer engagement strategies, including the use of short-form video content, chatbots, and emojis in digital customer service, providing empirical insights into their effectiveness in the African context. Furthermore, this volume offers nuanced analyses of social media's role in brand engagement and e-commerce, exploring generational dynamics and cross-country trends. It also examines the intersection of digital activism and brand management, offering valuable insights for companies navigating the complex socio-political landscape of African markets. It will be of great interest to scholars and students of innovation strategy and business in Africa.

This book comprehensively analyses the dynamic transformation of transport and logistics in Zimbabwe, its evolving challenges and opportunities and highlighting the critical role of sustainability and resilience in shaping its future. It provides a comprehensive and research-backed case study of, Zimbabwe, a developing nation, adapting its infrastructure, policies, and technologies to meet the demands of a rapidly globalizing world while addressing the environmental and social impacts of transport systems. Through in-depth studies of various sectors of the transport industry, this book provides a timely exploration of sustainable transport solutions that can drive economic growth, promote regional integration, and ensure long-term resilience. It serves as an essential resource for scholars and students of operations management and logistics, transport, infrastructure management in Southern Africa and of developing nations more widely, as well as practitioners and policymakers seeking an advanced analysis of transport opportunities and challenges in Zimbabwe.

Although many African governments, public institutions, NGOs, investment institutions and entrepreneurial firms have begun to deepen their discourses on the economic, social, technological, legal and institutional implications of AI adoption on the continent, many gaps persist. For instance, Africa’s investment into AI to support the nurturing, incubating and scaling of start-ups and entrepreneurial firms remains comparatively low to the rest of the world. This book offers a collection of research chapters, exploring the intersection of digital entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence adoption in the African continent. It covers topics including the potential of generative AI, digital finance, SMEs, rural entrepreneurship and social media.Part of the new Palgrave Studies in Technology and Innovation in Africa book series, this volume will be of great interest to students and scholars of technology and innovation strategy and business in Africa.

In an era where dynamic responsible artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being deployed across the higher education environment, this contributed volume unpacks how the Southern African region is creating a unique route towards impactful and ethical innovation in business schools and other management faculties. The chapters are developed from real world case studies, grounded research and expert analysis across a number of Southern African countries on how higher management education institutions are integrating responsible artificial intelligence (AI) into educational governance, curricula, and policy while focused values of equity, sustainability and social justice. The book is an important resource for researchers and students of AI innovation, higher education studies and responsible management education, as well as policymakers and management education practitioners.