Abstract
This study is an inquiry into the role of automation in the operation of small-scale bakeries, how they evolve in the face of advanced technologies that impact today’s small businesses; how they meet their demand and supply against the industry trends that are associated with the 4th Industrial Revolution. Automation is developing across all fields of work at a great pace, and business leaders are faced with prioritizing areas in this arena. Future-driven small-scale bakeries use automation to expand their core strengths, improve on their weaknesses and empower their people by keeping them employed. Artificial intelligence (AI) is known as a system through which machines are measured to complete responsibilities that require a high level of intelligence. AI is a form of automation, as are robotics and software, all of which consist of algorithms. In this research study, attention was focused on small-scale bakeries around the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). Although small-scale businesses have a positive impact on the economy of South Africa, there is still a need to focus on their use of automation. This is one of the few engineering fields that currently utilize technology, while AI is a prototype where recent technology completes tasks that need high level or reasoning.
This study adopted a quantitative research method and a questionnaire was used as the instrument to collect data. A convenience sampling approach was used to collect data from an available pool of participants and 120 questionnaires were administered. All of this was done under the restrictions of Covid-19. As per the findings on 119 bakeries, 58 of them regarded their businesses as requiring continuous growth. A factor analysis was used in this study to understand a set of correlated variables and identify a small set of factors that represents the relationship among a group of independent variables which are equipment, quality control, food safety, labour and workers’ health. Dependent variables are bakery operations and improved operational performance. There are five factors that drive automation presented in this study. Key findings showed that equipment and food safety are correlated and are significant for automation of small-scale bakeries. Cronbach Alpha was examined with results above .7 on all items relating to equipment, quality control, workers’ health, labour, and food safety. This study makes recommendations on continuous improvement and operational performance issues of small-scale bakeries and the need to reproduce funding programs because automation is expensive. This study concludes by highlighting the importance of government contribution and businesses in research for the creation of community-based knowledge.