Fostering Successful Smart Campus Transitions Through Consensus-Building: A University of Technology Case Study

Abstract

University campuses across the world are transforming into Smart campuses at an increasing pace. Such transformation is predicated on an understanding that this move will engender improved levels of resource efficiency and cost-savings. The desire to embed resource efficiency measures is driven by the dwindling resources being experienced by these institutions. Reporting on Smart Campus transitions indicate varied performances. Achieving early buy-ins from relevant stakeholder groups has been identified as a success factor. Therefore, achieving a consensus among stakeholder groups within HEIs becomes imperative. This chapter details the aspirations of a South African University of Technology (SAUoT) to transform into a Smart Campus. Precisely, it analyses perceptions of relevant stakeholders towards the development of a strategic framework for facilitating Smart Campus transitions at SAUoT in a manner suggestive of a consensus. Accordingly, this study reports on the findings from a workshop session with representatives of different stakeholder groups at SAUoT. Findings highlight the variety of perceptions concerning the proposed transition and the sequence of implementation processes therein and, the development of a context-based definition of the Smart Campus. Expectedly, findings from this study will foster better appreciation of stakeholders’ roles in successful Smart Campus transitions.