Nuclear energy technology adoption by intensive energy industrial users in South Africa

Ezekiel Maphisa, Gillian Marcelle and Radhika Perrot

International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2012, vol. 5, issue 1/2, 158-183

Abstract: This paper analyses factors affecting adoption of pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) process heat plant (PHP) technology, a nuclear power generation technology, among intensive energy consumers in South Africa. It reports on a study that analysed the factors affecting take up of a novel technology, examining the role played by technology attributes, organisational characteristics of potential adopters and technology developers' actions in the market. Empirical results show that although PBMR PHP is viewed as a credible nuclear technology, there remained serious concerns over safety and other social concerns. The study found strong correlations exist between likelihood of technology adoption and the specific attributes of the technology; the adopters' organisational characteristics, including elements of absorptive capacity and the actions of technology developers.

Keywords: industrial technology; technology adoption; pebble bed modular reactor; PBMR; nuclear energy; South Africa; intensive consumption; energy consumers; industrial users; process heat plant; PHP; nuclear power; power generation; novel technologies; technology attributes; organisational characteristics; potential adopters; technology developers; safety; social concerns; absorptive capacity; technological learning; technological innovation; technological development; development policies; R&D; research and development. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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