Foreign direct investment and the transfer of technologies to Angola's energy sector

The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the transfer of technology is undergoing a great deal of academic scrutiny and policy analysis. A growing body of literature shows that FDI can be a channel by which to transfer and/or acquire technology; however, there is a paucity of empirical studies on this as it relates to African economies. This article seeks to fill some of that gap by focusing on how FDI inflows are contributing to the transfer of technologies specifically into Angola’s energy sector. The analysis is based on qualitative research conducted in Angola in 2014 and reveals that energy production and distribution-technology infrastructure, including machinery and human skills, have been developed largely through FDI inflows. There is, however, no evidence that this FDI has enlarged Angola’s endogenous scientific and technological research capabilities in the energy sector; therefore, policies that promote these capabilities, especially manufacturing capabilities, should be introduced.Dem Zusammenhang von ausländischen Direktinvestionen (Foreign Direct Investment, FDI) und Technologietransfer wird sowohl in der Forschung als auch in der politischen Analyse große Bedeutung zugeschrieben. Zahlreiche Veröffentlichungen belegen, dass FDI den Transfer von und/oder den Zugang zu Technologien erleichtert. Allerdings gibt es zu wenige empirische Studien, die diesen Zusammenhang in Bezug auf die Wirtschaft afrikanischer Staaten untersuchen. Der Autor will diese Lücke zu einem kleinen Teil schließen, indem er die Bedeutung des Technologietransfers durch den Zufluss von FDI im Energiesektor Angolas ermittelt. Seine Analyse basiert auf qualitativer Forschung in Angola im Jahr 2014. Er zeigt auf, dass sich die Erzeugung von Energie( trägern) und die Verteilungsinfrastruktur – maschinelle Ausrüstung und Qualifizierung – durch den Zufluss von FDI erheblich entwickeln konnten. Allerdings gebe es keinen Beleg dafür, dass dieser Zufluss die endogenen wissenschaftlichen und technologischen Forschungspotenziale im angolanischen Energiesektor gefördert hat. Der Autor empfiehlt politische Maßnahmen zur Förderung dieser Fähigkeiten, insbesondere im Bereich der Produktion.http://www.africa-spectrum.orgam2016Political Science

Inward foreign direct investment and transfer of environmentally sound technology in Angola

Many developing countries have relied on foreign direct investment as a primary means to acquire technologies. However, there has been inadequate empirical research on the nexus between foreign direct investment and the transfer of environmentally sound technology (EST), specifically focused on African countries. In this paper I explore whether inward foreign direct investment in Angola’s energy sector has indeed transferred ESTs. My study encompasses illustrative case studies specifically related to energy firms, and the data were drawn from literature and in-depth individual interviews. The results indicate that Angola has used its national policy framework and institutions to promote inward foreign direct investment, and has harnessed appropriate international regimes to acquire ESTs. Countries may therefore invoke sovereignty principles enshrined in constitutional provisions, or may utilise international regimes to attract ESTs through foreign direct investment. I recommend that further studies be conducted to explore this subject area, drawing examples from other African countries and differing economic sectors.http://www.sajs.co.zaam2016Political Science

The missing links in climate services for health and heat-health services : examining climate-heat services in peri-urban districts in South Africa

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Qualitative datasets that are restricted and not publicly available. Due to confidentiality agreements, supporting data can only be made available to bona fide researchers subject to a non-disclosure agreement. Details of the data and how to request access are available from A.E. Manyuchi at Global Change Institute of The University of the Witwatersrand.Climate services for health can facilitate health resilience and adaptation to climate change, particularly if they are well-calibrated to promote wellness and save lives. In this study, the status of climate services for health in South Africa’s Agincourt sub-district, Mpumalanga province, was assessed. A qualitative case study methodology encompassing multiple methods of data collection was used. The results show that climate services for health in the Agincourt sub-district, albeit essential, are fragmented and underdeveloped. Scientifically informed heathealth services are non-existent. Notwithsatnding this gap, healthcare and allied professionals are aware of the importance of climate services for health. The main barrier to climate services delivery is the paucity of interagency coordination; for example, coordination to plan and respond to climate-health information between the South African Weather Services and the Departments of Health and Education is lacking. Inclusive climate services for health are essential for positive prevention and treatment outcomes. Future studies must provide an investment case for climate services for health, demonstrating the benefits of acting and the costs of inaction.The Global Change Institute (GCI) of the University of the Witwatersrand.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/cliseram2024Geography, Geoinformatics and MeteorologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-11:Sustainable cities and communitie

The self-reported human health effects associated with heat exposure in Agincourt sub-district of South Africa

DATA AVAILABILITY : Qualitative data sets are restricted and not publicly available. Due to confidentiality agreements, supporting data can only be made available to bona fide researchers subject to a non-disclosure agreement. Details of the data and how to request access are available from A.E. Manyuchi at Global Change Institute of The University of the Witwatersrand.Exposure to heat and heatwaves are associated with mortality and may amplify morbidities. In a climate change context, projections suggest temperatures will likely rise in the foreseeable future. Our paper assesses the current knowledge on human health effects of heat exposure and gathered local knowledge of heat-health effects in a rural area of the Agincourt sub-district of South Africa. Existing, peer-reviewed published literature on heat effects on human health as well as heat-health indicators was reviewed. Interviews and structured observations to collect data on heat effects on human health in Agincourt sub-district were conducted. The Lancet Countdown heat-related indicators were applied as a framework against which to discuss our findings. A total of 93 participants who lived in Agincourt sub-district for 5 years and more were interviewed. Participants reported that temperatures, especially summertime temperatures, had been rising over the past years. Health effects of heat were deemed more apparent in relation to morbidity. Heatwaves were not easily comprehensible as singular ‘events’, and their effects were poorly understood. The population groups disproportionately affected by heat included infants, the elderly, those living with disability and outdoor workers. High ambient temperatures were deemed to be associated with reduced labour productivity of outdoor workers. Community-level perceptions of heat impacts on health were mainly related to illnesses and diseases, with no understanding of mortality risk. Future health awareness campaigns that encompass the full range of heat-health impacts are essential to reduce vulnerability, morbidity, and mortality. Our study provided location-specific, qualitative, and indicator-aligned data for a geographic area expected to undergo significant heat stress in the future. The study findings have significant research, policy, and practice implications in similar resource-limited settings.The Global Change Institute (GCI) of the University of the Witwatersrand.https://www.nature.com/palcommshj2023Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorolog

Ausländische Direktinvestitionen und Technologietransfer im angolanischen Energiesektor

The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the transfer of technology is undergoing a great deal of academic scrutiny and policy analysis. A growing body of literature shows that FDI can be a channel by which to transfer and/or acquire technology; however, there is a paucity of empirical studies on this as it relates to African economies. This article seeks to fill some of that gap by focusing on how FDI inflows are contributing to the transfer of technologies specifically into Angola’s energy sector. The analysis is based on qualitative research conducted in Angola in 2014 and reveals that energy production and distribution-technology infrastructure, including machinery and human skills, have been developed largely through FDI inflows. There is, however, no evidence that this FDI has enlarged Angola’s endogenous scientific and technological research capabilities in the energy sector; therefore, policies that promote these capabilities, especially manufacturing capabilities, should be introduced.Dem Zusammenhang von ausländischen Direktinvestionen (Foreign Direct Investment, FDI) und Technologietransfer wird sowohl in der Forschung als auch in der politischen Analyse große Bedeutung zugeschrieben. Zahlreiche Veröffentlichungen belegen, dass FDI den Transfer von und/oder den Zugang zu Technologien erleichtert. Allerdings gibt es zu wenige empirische Studien, die diesen Zusammenhang in Bezug auf die Wirtschaft afrikanischer Staaten untersuchen. Der Autor will diese Lücke zu einem kleinen Teil schließen, indem er die Bedeutung des Technologietransfers durch den Zufluss von FDI im Energiesektor Angolas ermittelt. Seine Analyse basiert auf qualitativer Forschung in Angola im Jahr 2014. Er zeigt auf, dass sich die Erzeugung von Energie(trägern) und die Verteilungsinfrastruktur – maschinelle Ausrüstung und Qualifizierung – durch den Zufluss von FDI erheblich entwickeln konnte. Allerdings gebe es keinen Beleg dafür, dass dieser Zufluss die endogenen wissenschaftlichen und technologischen Forschungspotenziale im angolanischen Energiesektor gefördert hat. Der Autor empfiehlt politische Maßnahmen zur Förderung dieser Fähigkeiten, insbesondere im Bereich der Produktion

Foreign direct investment and transfer of environmentally sound technologies : case studies in the energy sectors of Angola and South Africa

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been found a very important channel through which international technology transfer takes place, especially in the context of developed and emerging countries. But very little is known on transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) through FDI in the context of Africa. This policy-science study that brings empirical evidence, conceptual clarity and interdisciplinary approaches to African policymakers and practitioners deals with this crucial issue. The main aim of this study is to explore whether FDI can be used to transfer ESTs. It examines the inflow of FDI into Angola s energy sector and the outflow of direct investments from South Africa s energy sector. It employs a conceptual framework that links government-imposed regulations and agencies, as well as international regimes, to govern the flow of FDI. It specifically analyses how two African countries use national regulations, agencies and international relations to influence FDI for the purposes of the transfer of ESTs. In the case of Angola, it looks at FDI inflows and the transfer of ESTs into the energy sector; while in the case of South Africa, the focus is on the transfer of ESTs out of the sector to other African countries, in particular Uganda. The study produces two main findings. First, Angola uses its national legal and policy framework and institutions to regulate FDI flows for the purposes of acquiring ESTs in the energy sector. It specifically does so through employing structural power to invoke sovereignty principles and implementing these through particular institutions, as well as effectively interacting with international regimes. Second, South African does not purposely promote transfer of ESTs through outward FDI to other African countries, such as Uganda. One of the key conclusions of the study is that host countries (recipients) of FDI can invoke sovereignty principles enshrined in various national policy and legal frameworks, and deploy international relations to attract FDI-carrying ESTs. The two key recommendations from this study are as follows. First, African policymakers and practitioners should shun a reductionist approach to FDI and start viewing FDI as a multidimensional bundle of resources that can contribute in a multifaceted manner to sustainable development. Second, further policy-science researches that generate empirical evidence for African policymakers and practitioners engaged in international negotiations and programmes on FDI and technology transfer as well as sustainable development should be encouraged.Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2016.tm2016Political SciencesDPhilUnrestricte

Foreign direct investment and the transfer of technologies to Angola's energy sector

"The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the transfer of technology is undergoing a great deal of academic scrutiny and policy analysis. A growing body of literature shows that FDI can be a channel by which to transfer and/or acquire technology; however, there is a paucity of empirical studies on this as it relates to African economies. This article seeks to fill some of that gap by focusing on how FDI inflows are contributing to the transfer of technologies specifically into Angola’s energy sector. The analysis is based on qualitative research conducted in Angola in 2014 and reveals that energy production and distribution-technology infrastructure, including machinery and human skills, have been developed largely through FDI inflows. There is, however, no evidence that this FDI has enlarged Angola's endogenous scientific and technological research capabilities in the energy sector; therefore, policies that promote these capabilities, especially manufacturing capabilities, should be introduced." (author's abstract)"Dem Zusammenhang von ausländischen Direktinvestionen (Foreign Direct Investment, FDI) und Technologietransfer wird sowohl in der Forschung als auch in der politischen Analyse große Bedeutung zugeschrieben. Zahlreiche Veröffentlichungen belegen, dass FDI den Transfer von und/oder den Zugang zu Technologien erleichtert. Allerdings gibt es zu wenige empirische Studien, die diesen Zusammenhang in Bezug auf die Wirtschaft afrikanischer Staaten untersuchen. Der Autor will diese Lücke zu einem kleinen Teil schließen, indem er die Bedeutung des Technologietransfers durch den Zufluss von FDI im Energiesektor Angolas ermittelt. Seine Analyse basiert auf qualitativer Forschung in Angola im Jahr 2014. Er zeigt auf, dass sich die Erzeugung von Energie(trägern) und die Verteilungsinfrastruktur - maschinelle Ausrüstung und Qualifizierung - durch den Zufluss von FDI erheblich entwickeln konnten. Allerdings gebe es keinen Beleg dafür, dass dieser Zufluss die endogenen wissenschaftlichen und technologischen Forschungspotenziale im angolanischen Energiesektor gefördert hat. Der Autor empfiehlt politische Maßnahmen zur Förderung dieser Fähigkeiten, insbesondere im Bereich der Produktion." (Autorenreferat

Ausländische Direktinvestitionen und Technologietransfer im angolanischen Energiesektor

The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the transfer of technology is undergoing a great deal of academic scrutiny and policy analysis. A growing body of literature shows that FDI can be a channel by which to transfer and/or acquire technology; however, there is a paucity of empirical studies on this as it relates to African economies. This article seeks to fill some of that gap by focusing on how FDI inflows are contributing to the transfer of technologies specifically into Angola’s energy sector. The analysis is based on qualitative research conducted in Angola in 2014 and reveals that energy production and distribution-technology infrastructure, including machinery and human skills, have been developed largely through FDI inflows. There is, however, no evidence that this FDI has enlarged Angola’s endogenous scientific and technological research capabilities in the energy sector; therefore, policies that promote these capabilities, especially manufacturing capabilities, should be introduced.Dem Zusammenhang von ausländischen Direktinvestionen (Foreign Direct Investment, FDI) und Technologietransfer wird sowohl in der Forschung als auch in der politischen Analyse große Bedeutung zugeschrieben. Zahlreiche Veröffentlichungen belegen, dass FDI den Transfer von und/oder den Zugang zu Technologien erleichtert. Allerdings gibt es zu wenige empirische Studien, die diesen Zusammenhang in Bezug auf die Wirtschaft afrikanischer Staaten untersuchen. Der Autor will diese Lücke zu einem kleinen Teil schließen, indem er die Bedeutung des Technologietransfers durch den Zufluss von FDI im Energiesektor Angolas ermittelt. Seine Analyse basiert auf qualitativer Forschung in Angola im Jahr 2014. Er zeigt auf, dass sich die Erzeugung von Energie(trägern) und die Verteilungsinfrastruktur – maschinelle Ausrüstung und Qualifizierung – durch den Zufluss von FDI erheblich entwickeln konnte. Allerdings gebe es keinen Beleg dafür, dass dieser Zufluss die endogenen wissenschaftlichen und technologischen Forschungspotenziale im angolanischen Energiesektor gefördert hat. Der Autor empfiehlt politische Maßnahmen zur Förderung dieser Fähigkeiten, insbesondere im Bereich der Produktion

Public policies and institutions influencing South Africa’s outward foreign direct investment

South Africa is among the leading outward foreign direct investor nations from emerging countries in the world. The country’s transnational corporations have investments in all the seven continents. The integration of the country into the global economic and trading system boosted its outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). Since the 1990s, South Africa has adopted a wide range of national policies, created institutions and become a party to international treaties that have remarkably influenced her OFDI. This study examines the public policies, institutions and political factors that influence South Africa’s OFDI since 1994. The country’s OFDI is influenced by diplomatic relations, implicit public policies and indirect institutions, which is similar to developed countries but different to other emerging countries. The study is stimulated by three factors – a few studies have focused on factors influencing OFDI from African countries; scanty empirical evidence on factors that influence South Africa’s OFDI; and the infancy state of African scholarship on the nexus between diplomacy and international investment. This study contributes to growing research on the role of diplomacy in influencing the direction and content of OFDI. Future studies should examine whether South Africa would benefit more through influencing OFDI following the approaches of other emerging countries.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cpsa202018-11-03hj2017Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)Political Science