Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry
Mini Dissertation (MPhil (International Business))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
Saved in:
| Other Authors: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Pretoria
2026
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613448910667776 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Rowley, Colin |
| author_browse | Rowley, Colin |
| author_facet | Rowley, Colin |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MPhil (International Business))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109183 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:19.085Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109183 Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry Rowley, Colin ichelp@gibs.co.za Sebothoma, Captain UCTD Business Model Innovation Energy transition Resource-based view Dynamic capabilities Emerging markets Mini Dissertation (MPhil (International Business))--University of Pretoria, 2025. The global commitment to mitigate climate change necessitates the decarbonisation of the energy sector, presenting a profound dilemma for coal-dependent firms regarding business survival and the execution of fundamental resources reconfiguration and business model innovation (BMI). This exploratory cross-sectional qualitative study addresses the critical gap by empirically detailing the actionable frameworks decision-makers use to overcome deep-seated financial, operational and cognitive barriers within the constrained context of the South African coal industry. The study utilises the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities (DC) as its theoretical lens to explore how decision-makers allocate resources and adapt capabilities to enact BMI. The South African context acts as a critical proxy for other emerging markets facing analogous multifaceted challenges. This research employed an exploratory cross-sectional qualitative study design. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews, from a non-probability sample of 14 executive and senior managers. Participants were drawn from three distinct firm classification in the coal value chain: Emerging Coal Miners (ECM), Major Coal Producer (MCP) and Coal-fired Utility (CFU). Findings were systematically analysed using thematic analysis. Results reveal that external financial and geopolitical limitations, such as financial institutions turning away from coal, paralyse BMI adoption. Decision-makers understand the morality of the change but argue that base load limits make coal important for energy security for 20–30 years. The main strategy is progressive organisational transformation. Due to external financial exclusion, internal optimisation (maximising coal cash flow) is the major internal cross-funding mechanism, which funds measured diversification into renewables and critical minerals. The findings provide critical, actionable frameworks and detailed empirical validation for policymakers and decision-makers in high-carbon industries globally. Recommendations include adopting a dual strategy of intense internal cost optimisation and simultaneous strategic narrative management to secure policy and financial viability for diversification venture. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MPhil (International Business) Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure 2026-03-23T09:37:36Z 2026-03-23T09:37:36Z 2026-05-05 2025 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109183 en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Business Model Innovation Energy transition Resource-based view Dynamic capabilities Emerging markets Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry |
| title | Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry |
| title_full | Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry |
| title_fullStr | Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry |
| title_full_unstemmed | Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry |
| title_short | Business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets: the case of South African coal industry |
| title_sort | business model innovation towards energy transition in emerging markets the case of south african coal industry |
| topic | UCTD Business Model Innovation Energy transition Resource-based view Dynamic capabilities Emerging markets |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109183 |