David, L O; Nwulu, N I; Aigbavboa, C O and Adepoju, O O (2025) Resource sustainability in the water, energy and food nexus: Role of technological innovation. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(3), pp. 725-743. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to examine the role of technological Innovation in ensuring resource sustainability in the water, energy and food (WEF) nexus, as there exists a shortage of statistical research on the extent of the influence of technological Innovation on the WEF nexus. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a quantitative research method, using a well-structured questionnaire to collect data from management staff in the WEF departments in South Africa. The collected data were analyzed by using mean score ranking, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings: The findings show that the technological process of technological innovation is significant for resource sustainability. The result also showed that technological innovations directly and statistically significantly affect WEF nexus. The EFA resulted in three components of WEF nexus product innovation, WEF nexus process innovation and WEF nexus novel innovations. Furthermore, the CFA and SEM analysis reveals that six technological innovation indicators influence the sustainability of the nexus: smart water metering technology, smart metering technology, food quality monitoring technology, agricultural technology solutions, new technological design and eco-friendly WEF products. Originality/value: The sustainability of these three inevitable resources for man's survival is dependent on technological innovations, and this study has shown the major categories of innovations needed, thus establishing a pathway for engineering design.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | energy and food (wef) nexus; sustainability; technological innovation; water; wef security |
| Index terms: | technological innovation, management staff, engineering design, monitoring, survival, quantitative research, product innovation, questionnaire, methodology, South Africa, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling |
| Subjects: | design process, Geography, research methods, environmental science, innovation and technology management, innovation studies, statistical analysis, management, data analysis and analytics, control systems, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Human Resources, Digital Applications, Site Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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