HARNESSING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR VALUE CHAIN OPTIMIZATION AND SOCIETAL TRANSFORMATION

This study explores the transformative potential of digital technologies in optimizing value chains and driving societal progress in South Africa. It proposes a novel framework integrating digital tools such as AI, IoT, and blockchain to enhance efficiency, adaptability, and resilience across value chains while addressing critical societal issues like unemployment, inequality, and sustainability. The study examines the interplay between technological innovation and socio-economic challenges, contextualizing its findings within South Africa’s unique environment. Key challenges, including policy limitations, infrastructure deficits, and digital skill gaps, are discussed alongside opportunities for stakeholders in government, industry, and civil society to collaborate for inclusive growth. This research advances academic knowledge by bridging value chain management theories with socio-technical systems and developmental economics perspectives. It also offers practical insights for fostering digital transformation in South Africa and other emerging economies. The study contributes to global discourses on leveraging technology for equitable and sustainable development.