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External environmental changes manifest in erratic economic situations that adversely impact human lives, economies, and SMEs globally. This constitutes a significant global danger to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Small and medium-sized enterprises significantly contribute to the national gross domestic product. Nevertheless, the majority of SMEs have limitations, particularly in terms of resources. SMEs must embrace CI to forecast and make educated decisions regarding the efficient management of existing, often limited resources. Government assistance, in multiple capacities, is equally essential. Moreover, the implementation of Continuous Improvement (CI) by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) may facilitate nations in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which aims for reduced unemployment through sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Nonetheless, there exists a paucity of literature regarding CI implementation frameworks that assist SMEs in implementing CI techniques for resource management and the advancement of a sustainable economy. This study seeks to establish a framework for Continuous Improvement (CI) implementation to assist SMEs in adopting CI technologies for resource management and enhancing operational efficiency. A systematic literature review (SRL) methodology is utilised to discern essential elements vital for the implementation of continuous improvement (CI) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study enhances the sparse information on CI in SME contexts by synthesising best practices and significant insights from global literature. It enables SMEs to manoeuvre through economic volatility and assists policymakers in formulating specific actions. The framework ultimately promotes sustainable economic development and enhances the capacity of SMEs to endure external shocks, including IoT and AI analytics, as well as their consequences for business ecosystems.  

This study examines the influence of strategic foresight on the financial performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) within the mining sector of South Africa's Eastern Limb. It examines the roles of scenario planning, external environmental assessment, and organisational culture in fostering financial resilience and competitive advantage. The research utilises a quantitative methodology, employing survey data gathered from 310 participants, comprising firm owners, managers, and employees within mining SMEs. The study employs linear regression analysis to evaluate the correlations between strategic foresight activities and financial performance metrics, including revenue growth, profitability, and return on investment (ROI). Reliability was established via Cronbach’s alpha (exceeding 0.9 for all constructs), while validity was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. The findings demonstrate that all three elements of strategic foresight—scenario planning, external environmental scanning, and organisational culture—exhibit a substantial and favourable correlation with financial success in mining SMEs. The investigation indicates that SMEs with strong strategic foresight systems are more adept at risk mitigation, regulatory adaptation, and maintaining financial growth. The research highlights the essential function of strategic foresight in improving financial resilience and stability in mining-focused SMEs. Companies that actively participate in scenario planning and environmental monitoring while fostering a robust organisational culture are more likely to adeptly manage market uncertainty. The findings provide guidance to SME leaders, policymakers, and researchers on incorporating foresight-driven strategies for enduring sustainability and financial prosperity.

The defining characteristic of CI practice is the implementation and strict adherence to ethical principles. While there is evidence of ongoing CI practices by corporations, critics argue that there is a dearth of scientific research on the implementation and enforcement of CI ethics. Critics contend that the absence of ethical adoption and enforcement of competitive intelligence (CI) principles has created a nebulous zone that blurs the distinction between CI and industrial espionage. The adoption and implementation of competitive intelligence (CI) ethics guarantees that companies engage in ethical and legal CI practices. It improves the standing of companies and reduces the cost of having to restore a damaged reputation. The aim of this study was to determine the level of acceptance of corporate integrity ethics in the ICT industry in South Africa. Furthermore, the objective is to evaluate the strategies employed for enforcing ethical practices and the various elements that impact the adoption of corporate integrity ethics in the ICT industry in South Africa. The research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a web-based questionnaire to gather data from professionals working in the South African ICT business. The study discovered that South African ICT companies fully embraced CI ethics. Furthermore, the study identified seven elements that have an impact on the adoption of CI ethics, as well as multiple approaches for enforcing ethical practices. As a result, South African ICT enterprises are able to save money that would otherwise be spent on repairing their reputation after being accused of industrial espionage. Furthermore, companies should enhance and diminish aspects that have a positive and negative impact on the adoption of CI ethics, respectively.