Journal Design Engineering Masthead
African Civil Engineering Journal | 23 August 2021

A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Process-Control System Efficiency Gains in Ugandan Industrial Infrastructure

D, a, v, i, d, O, k, e, l, l, o, ,, J, o, s, e, p, h, i, n, e, N, a, l, w, a, n, g, a, ,, G, r, a, c, e, N, a, k, a, t, o
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18971834
Process ControlOperational EfficiencyQuasi-ExperimentalSub-Saharan Africa
The intervention produced a significant 17.3pp increase in the composite efficiency index.
Most pronounced gain was a 22% reduction in specific energy consumption.
Analysis employed a rigorous difference-in-differences design with matched controls.
Provides causal evidence for efficiency gains from technological modernisation.

Abstract

{ "background": "The adoption of advanced process-control systems in industrial infrastructure is a key development strategy, yet rigorous empirical evidence of their efficiency impact in sub-Saharan contexts is limited. Existing evaluations often lack robust counterfactuals, making causal attribution difficult.", "purpose and objectives": "This study aimed to quantify the causal effect of implementing modern process-control systems on operational efficiency within Uganda's industrial infrastructure sector, using a quasi-experimental design to isolate the intervention's impact.", "methodology": "A difference-in-differences design was employed, comparing efficiency metrics from six treatment sites before and after system installation against six matched control sites. Operational efficiency was measured via a composite index of energy consumption, throughput, and material waste. The primary analysis estimated the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) using the model $Y{it} = \\beta0 + \\beta1 (\\text{Treat}i \\times \\text{Post}t) + \\beta2 \\text{Treat}i + \\beta3 \\text{Post}t + \\epsilon{it}$, with inference based on cluster-robust standard errors.", "findings": "The intervention yielded a statistically significant positive ATT of 17.3 percentage points (95% CI: 12.1, 22.5) on the composite efficiency index. The most pronounced gain was a 22% reduction in specific energy consumption, with material waste also decreasing substantially.", "conclusion": "Modern process-control systems can generate substantial and measurable efficiency improvements in the studied context. The quasi-experimental approach provides credible causal evidence often absent in technical appraisals.", "recommendations": "Infrastructure developers and policymakers should prioritise investments in process-control technologies, supported by robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Future system designs should be adapted to local operational constraints to maximise gains.", "key words": "process control, industrial infrastructure, quasi-experimental design, operational efficiency, difference-in-differences, sub-Saharan Africa", "contribution statement":