The effects of electricity load-shedding on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Pretoria, South Africa: A case study of Marabastad Business Community
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
South Africa has been experiencing electricity load shedding for over sixteen years and this has affected the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country, with devastating effects recorded in the post-Covid-19 era. SMEs are key drivers of the economy and their performance has a great influence on it, as they contribute 36% of gross domestic product (GDP). This case study of the problem used the qualitative research method, with data collected through interviews. This study established that, in the area studied, there is a decline in the performance of the entrepreneurs and working hours have been drastically reduced due to load-shedding. Proposals are made of measures that the SME implementers and the government of South Africa can take in order to prevent the situation from further deteriorating.
期刊介绍:
The journal has a regional focus on southern Africa. Manuscripts that are accepted for consideration to publish in the journal must address energy issues in southern Africa or have a clear component relevant to southern Africa, including research that was set-up or designed in the region. The southern African region is considered to be constituted by the following fifteen (15) countries: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Within this broad field of energy research, topics of particular interest include energy efficiency, modelling, renewable energy, poverty, sustainable development, climate change mitigation, energy security, energy policy, energy governance, markets, technology and innovation.