Read the extract below and answer ALL the questions that follow.

The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions

The demand for metals and minerals in the $21$st century is driven by sustainable development challenges, including

renewable energy, climate change mitigation, electronics, telecommunications, transportation, energy storage,

infrastructure, and specialty military technologies $($Fortier et al$.,2018).$ However, many of these critical materials are not

primary products but are instead opportunistically extracted during the refining of other primary metals. For instance, indium

and gallium can be obtained during zinc refining, tellurium from copper or gold smelting, and rhenium from molybdenum

concentrate roasting. This extraction process has historically led to limited reported data on resources, mining, smelting,

and refining activities in these sectors due to their small and modest value.

The ongoing technological revolution and industrial change are reshaping the global innovation landscape and economic

structure, driving a quest for sustainable development. This includes renewable energy production, clean transportation

transitions, technological transformation, and carbon$-$negative manufacturing, resulting in an unprecedented demand for

critical minerals. However, many hidden barriers exist to pursuing a more sustainable development path, including the

challenge of a sustainable supply of critical minerals to support the construction of renewable energy and electrified

transportation.

The motivation for the proposed study

It is evident from the above excerpt that critical minerals will assume greater importance in contributing to South Africa$$s

economy over the next few decades. This will be driven by requirements for South Africa to $(1)$ bring all greenhouse gas

emissions to net zero by $2050,(2)$ grow the advanced manufacturing sector, $(3)$ spur economic development and prosperity,

$(4)$ mitigate risks to national security, and $(5)$ create opportunities for South African businesses in critical mineral supply

chains domestically and internationally.

Mr Thabo Mudd, a business researcher with a keen interest in critical minerals development across the African continent

has proposed a study with the aim of assessing the impact of dynamic capabilities in the South African mining industry on

critical minerals development in the South Africa.

Following a comprehensive review of the literature on critical minerals and the prevailing socioeconomic context in South

Africa, Mr Mudd has formulated the following research questions for a proposed study:

$$ What are the key dynamic capabilities exhibited by firms operating within South Africa's critical minerals sector, and how

do these capabilities contribute to their competitive advantage and resilience in the face of changing market conditions?

$$ How do economic, regulatory, and environmental factors influence the development and evolution of dynamic

capabilities within South Africa's critical minerals sector, and what strategies can firms employ to effectively navigate

these challenges?

$$ What are the implications of dynamic capabilities within South Africa's critical minerals sector for sustainable

development, including considerations related to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic growth

at both local and national levels?

$$ How can policymakers, industry stakeholders, and other relevant actors leverage insights from the study of dynamic

capabilities to formulate and implement strategies that promote long$-$term sustainability and resilience within South

Africa's critical minerals sector, while ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and minimizing adverse impacts?

QUESTION $1(30$ Marks$)$

$1.$ Please outline how you would go about conducting the investigation with reference to the following:

$1\mathrm{.}1$ Based on the research questions synthesised for the proposed study, formulate a suitable title for Mr

Mudd$$s proposed study.

$(3$ marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}2$ Formulate FOUR $(4)$ Research Objectives that Mr Mudd$$s proposed study will attempt to answer. $(4$ marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}3$ Mr Mudd has proposed a pragmatic approach for the study. Based on that, motivate an appropriate

research design for Mr Mudd$$s proposed study.

$(6$ marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}4$ Based on your proposed design, discuss the methodology you would follow by answering the following questions

$1\mathrm{.}4\mathrm{.}1$ Sampling Methodology:

$1\mathrm{.}4\mathrm{.}1\mathrm{.}1$ Elaborate on the methods of sampling that you would use in the study, justifying their propriety for the

study.

$(6$ marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}4\mathrm{.}2$ Method of Data Collection

$1\mathrm{.}4\mathrm{.}2\mathrm{.}1$ Propose a data collection instrument$($s$)$ and or method$($s$)$ for the study and provide a rationale for

proposing the data collection method.

$(5$ marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}4\mathrm{.}3$ Method of Data Analysis

$1\mathrm{.}4\mathrm{.}3\mathrm{.}1$ For each of the four research questions formulated by Mr Mudd for a proposed study, briefly discuss

the methods of$,$ and approach to$,$ data analysis that you would use.

$(6$ marks$)$