Technological Readiness Challenges for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR): A case study of the Setsoto Local Municipality

Abstract

The main aim of this article is to assess the Setsoto Local Municipality’s readiness to adopt emerging technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Although both local government officials and citizens require a level of e-readiness (e-literacy and e-skills), a skills deficit and a lack of cluster implementation of 4IR-related technologies have resulted in a mismatch between critical technological vacancies and the delivery of municipal e-services. Additionally, in most instances, municipalities are poorly equipped to provide these services to their local populace. Thus, this study analyses various factors that affect the Setsoto Local Municipality’s readiness to adopt 4IR-related technologies in rendering e-services. To address this issue, the study employed a qualitative interpretivist research paradigm to explore the lived experiences of officials in the Setsoto Local Municipality. Thirty-five (n=35) semi-structured interviews were conducted with the management and administrative employees of the municipality. The most significant finding of this article is that the adoption of 4IR technologies is hindered by interrelated financial, staffing, information, and communication technology infrastructure constraints that impact the e-readiness capacity of officials. This article recommends that scholars follow a holistic approach when assessing the readiness of local government to adopt and deliver e-services using 4IR mechanisms to the local community.