Robotic Process Automation Readiness Barriers and Enablers in South Africa’s Energy Supply Chain

Résumé

South Africa’s energy industry faces ongoing challenges including power shortages, ageing infrastructure, and supply chain inefficiencies, while, limited empirical evidence exists on how organisations in this industry prepare for Robotics Process Automation (RPA) adoption. This study examines the RPA readiness barriers and enablers within the supply chain of South Africa’s energy industry. The research adopts a qualitative design grounded in the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework and the Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement (ADKAR) change management model to connect technological capability with individual and organisational readiness for change. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 18 professionals representing eight stakeholder groups, including supply chain managers, IT specialists, process improvement leads, and employees affected by automation. Four key readiness barriers emerged: readiness gaps (61 mentions), organisational misalignment (158), infrastructure strain (83), and job security and resistance (60). Corresponding enablers included leadership accountability, RPA governance and alignment frameworks, readiness checklists, structured communication protocols, KPI frameworks, capability audits, investment planning, psychological safety, and regulatory alignment mechanisms. The integration of TOE and ADKAR offers a novel dual-lens perspective that extends existing knowledge. The findings provide practical guidance for managers and policymakers seeking to strengthen organisational systems and structures with human readiness factors in emerging economies.

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