Methodological Evaluation of Process-Control Systems Adoption in South Africa Using Quasi-Experimental Design

Process-control systems (PCSs) are integral in enhancing operational efficiency and quality across various industries, including telecommunications engineering. In South Africa, the adoption of PCSs has shown varying degrees of success, necessitating a methodological approach to understand their integration better. A mixed-method approach employing both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews was utilised. The study adopted a difference-in-differences (DiD) model to analyse data from 100 randomly selected firms across three regions, with a focus on comparing pre- and post-adoption periods for the intervention group. The DiD analysis revealed a significant increase in PCS adoption rates by 25% within the first year of implementation, with notable improvements in process efficiency noted. Key themes identified included technical support needs and initial cost considerations as primary barriers to adoption. Quasi-experimental design provided robust insights into the effectiveness of PCSs in South African telecommunications firms, offering a structured framework for future studies and policy recommendations. Telecommunications engineering companies should prioritise addressing identified challenges through targeted training programmes and financial incentives to maximise benefits from adopting process-control systems. Process-Control Systems Adoption Quasi-Experimental Design Telecommunications Engineering The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y_{it}=\beta_0+\beta_1X_{it}+u_i+\varepsilon_{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.