Barriers and promotors of green energy adoption within a South African manufacturing company

Abstract

This study examined the factors promoting and prohibiting green energy technology adoption. The research aimed to understand why the rate of green energy adoption is low in the South African manufacturing industry, as the industry contributes significant carbon dioxide emissions, causing global warming. Literature had established that government policies and the markets were the promoters of green energy adoption, whereas supplier experience and competencies were barriers. Research questions were developed from the literature study to guide the research questions used to collect data. Case study research was conducted to build on the body of knowledge regarding the green energy diffusion and adoption phenomena. Ten knowledgeable and experienced participants were interviewed to collect data. The interviews were recorded and transcribed to prepare for data analysis. After analysing data on Atlas Ti, themes from the codes were analysed under each research question. The study supports the findings concerning promoters of green energy, adding that investors’ functions also promoted the adoption; other supplier capabilities, such as the unavailability of solar storage technologies, were barriers. Hybrid models for various green energy applications and effective technologies should be developed, providing flexibility to the industries and promoting the rate of adopting green energy.