Abstract
Mining companies in South Africa are up against several obstacles, including falling prices of commodities, unpredictability in government policy, growing input costs, and increased stakeholder demands. Each mining organization needs to respond in a coherent and integrated manner if they hope to have any chance of successfully addressing these difficulties.
Navigating through the complex world of technology and business strategies is crucial to keep industries, like mining, competitive and valuable. This research takes a deep dive into how Technology Road Mapping (TRM), a tool that helps plan out technological advancements, and business strategy can work hand-in-hand in the mining sector, ensuring it continues to play a vital role in the economy.
The study used a qualitative research method, gathering information through surveys to get a well-rounded view of TRM in the mining sector. A scoring system was used to understand the benefits, barriers, and necessary conditions (enablers) to successfully implement TRM, making the research findings both deep and practical.
TRM helps companies plan their technological investments and projects in a way that aligns with their business plans, ensuring that they stay competitive and make smart, strategic decisions. The findings showed that while people see a lot of value in TRM, recognizing its positive effects on profit and strategic planning, it's not always straightforward to implement. There are hurdles to navigate and certain conditions that need to be in place (enablers) to really get the most out of it.
This research found that TRM is seen as a valuable tool for businesses. Implementing it successfully means strategically tackling any hurdles and making sure the right conditions are in place. The insights from this study pave the way for more detailed research into how TRM and business strategies can work together smoothly, especially in specific sectors like mining, ensuring sustainable competition and strategic planning.