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The South African retail sector encounters fierce competition, escalating operational expenses, and swiftly evolving consumer behaviour. In this context, cost efficiency is crucial for maintaining profitability and competitiveness. Notwithstanding these challenges, numerous merchants persist in employing conventional costing systems that depend on generalised allocation bases, such as direct manpower or machine hours, frequently leading to cost distortions and erroneous price decisions. Activity-Based Costing (ABC) presents a more accurate option by elucidating cost drivers and resource utilisation. This study evaluates the efficacy of ABC in improving cost efficiency within South African retail firms by analysing its impact on cost allocation precision, operational performance, and financial decision-making. A mixed-methods research strategy was utilised, integrating quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to produce a thorough knowledge of ABC implementation. Structured questionnaires distributed to financial managers and cost analysts yielded quantifiable information regarding the correlation between ABC adoption and cost efficiency. Qualitative interviews examined managerial attitudes, implementation obstacles, employee opposition, and organisational preparedness. The research is grounded in a post-positivist framework, emphasising both statistical correlations and practitioner insights to comprehend the operation of ABC within intricate retail contexts. Research demonstrates that ABC enhances cost transparency, pricing precision, and the capacity to attribute costs to certain activities. Retailers employing ABC exhibited enhanced resource alignment and successfully identified and eradicated non-value-adding processes. Nonetheless, considerable obstacles, such as implementation expenses, data intricacy, technological constraints, and reluctance to adapt, were observed, especially among small and medium-sized shops deficient in sophisticated information systems and analytical capabilities. The research underscores the significance of organisational capabilities, digital readiness, and ongoing training for effective ABC implementation. This article analyses how Activity-Based Costing (ABC) might improve cost efficiency in publicly traded South African retail enterprises. The study was theoretically grounded in Cost Behaviour Analysis, the Theory of Constraints, and the Resource-Based View. By integrating cost behaviour, operational bottlenecks, and organisational capabilities into the assessment of Activity-Based Costing (ABC), it contributes to the theoretical framework. The explanatory mixed-method sequential design utilised both survey data (n = 100) and interviews (n = 12). Research demonstrates that Activity-Based Costing significantly impacts cost allocation precision, operational efficacy, and financial outcomes. Regression analysis demonstrates a strong positive link between the adoption of ABC and cost efficiency (b = 0.62, p < 0.01). However, there are difficulties to adoption, including technological limitations, high expenses, and staff resistance. The research will contribute to the strategic cost management literature and provide practical guidance to retail enterprises in emerging economies.

The aim of this study is to explore the dimensions used to measure the success of MSMEs in Durban Central. Despite the vital role MSMEs play in the area's economic landscape, there is a lack of research on the specific success dimensions used by these businesses. A cross-sectional and descriptive research design was employed for this study, utilising a quantitative approach. 217 MSMEs in the retail sector of Durban Central received structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis, including descriptive and inferential statistics, was conducted using SPSS version 29. The findings suggest that MSMEs in Durban Central predominantly rely on financial metrics, such as turnover/sales and net profit, to measure their success. While financial indicators offer valuable insights into economic viability and financial health, there is a growing recognition of the importance of integrating non-financial metrics, such as customer referrals and product/service innovation, into performance assessment systems. This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the dimensions used to measure the success of MSMEs in Durban Central, an area where research in this domain is scarce. Through a thorough examination of both financial and non-financial metrics, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of MSME performance evaluation practices in the region. The study recommends the significance of integrating non-financial dimensions into performance assessment systems and provide practical insights for enhancing MSME competitiveness and sustainability in the dynamic business environment of Durban Central.

The research analyzes in depth how Beyond Budgeting influences financial results across the South African non-ferrous metal industry. The research solves the challenge of outdated budget systems alongside marketplace insecurities and operational obstacles in the examined sector. The 60-month period from 2020 through secondary financial statement analysis of non-ferrous metal firms constitutes the research approach. Financial performance analysis used a sample set of statements to conduct t-tests on paired data points for examining budgeting practice associations. Beyond Budgeting brought better revenue results to organizations but proved minimally effective in increasing profitability when associated with growing cost diversity levels. Beyond Budgeting produced enhanced revenue results but did not create substantial changes in operating profit numbers. Traditional budgeting methods proved unfit for handling the changing non-ferrous metal market environment because they produced erroneous financial prediction results. The study findings indicate South African non-ferrous metal firms should implement Beyond Budgeting for their revenue flexibility but must maintain cost control systems for profitability sustainability. Organizations should combine traditional budgeting components with Beyond Budgeting principles to attain financial security as well as market responsiveness according to research findings. Financial managers require training in adaptive budgeting and organizations should install real-time tracking systems which effectively regulate cost variances.

This study examined the efficacy of the internal control systems at a TVET College in the Vhembe district, emphasising the five essential components of an internal control system: the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication processes, and monitoring. This research utilises a sample of 52 permanent employees. The selected responders possess familiarity with internal control systems and are engaged in the development and execution of the organization's internal control system. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and cumulative percentages, were employed for analysis. The study's findings indicated that the institution's control environment was predominantly effective, whilst the remaining four components of its internal control system were moderately effective. The researcher determined that the institution's internal control system was moderately effective. The findings indicate that TVET College management should prioritise the enhancement of internal control systems to improve operational efficiency and risk management. The research emphasises the necessity for policies that fosters the ongoing enhancement of internal controls, potentially resulting in stronger governance and accountability inside the organisation.

The focus of this study was to examine the mediating effects of operational efficiency on the relationship between budgeting practices (budget planning and budget participation) and financial performance among 3D printing SMMEs in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The stratified sampling technique was used to select 3D printing SMMEs in South Africa. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) managers and employees of 3D printing SMMEs formed the sample size of the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software versions 26 and Smart PLS 4 were used to analyze the data gathered. PLS-Structural Equation Modelling was used to test the hypothesis for both direct and mediation effects. The results indicate that a significant negative relationship exists between budget planning and financial performance, as well as budget participation and financial performance. Significant positive relationships were found to exist between the following variables: budget planning and operational efficiency, budget participation and operational efficiency, and operational efficiency and financial performance. Operational efficiency was found to mediate the relationship between budget planning and financial performance as well as budget participation and financial performance. The results imply that the implementation of budgeting practices such as budget planning and budget participation in 3D printing SMME is not enough to achieve financial performance unless operational efficiency is given the utmost attention in 3D printing SMMEs in South Africa.

This paper aimed to systematically review the literature on management accounting research among small businesses in emerging economies. The study analysed 69 management accounting survey articles on small businesses that were published between 2013 and 2023 using a database-driven search strategy. This analysis synthesised the results into five themes: utilisation of management accounting, factors affecting its use, and its effects on firm performance. It further identified a theme in the management accounting frameworks developed for SMEs in emerging economies as well as the role of government in supporting the implementation of MAPs among SMEs. This study found that general SMEs in developing countries are low adopters of management accounting; those that are using MAPs widely apply the traditional systems. In addition, the study noted that the usage of MAPs is influenced by numerous factors that are similar in different countries. The present view indicates that there is limited research on models or frameworks that have been developed to improve the easy application of management accounting in SMEs. There is a need for more research to be conducted on providing solutions to the low adoption level and how the barriers to the application of MAPs can be overcome by SMEs in emerging economies, instead of just identifying the constraints.

The purpose of this study is to explore the performance measurement approach of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the South Durban region of South Africa. It has long been known that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in economic growth and income distribution in the world's major economies. However, due to globalisation, the fourth industrial revolution and increased competition from multinationals, South African SMEs face new challenges in measuring their performance. To respond to these challenges, SMEs must adopt efficient and effective performance measurement models. However, currently, according to the researchers, there is no such performance measurement framework. This study aims, among others, to close this gap in the literature. This study uses a deductive, positivist research design to comprehensively explore performance measurement practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a given region. Based on Morgan's sample size table, size 217 was chosen. The use of financial and non-financial performance measures is preferred by SMEs as it shows better performance compared to only one measure. In addition, the study found a positive correlation between business size and age, indicating that larger businesses tend to be older.The results of this study help to understand the complex relationship between job dimensions, age, and performance, highlighting the importance of choosing appropriate performance measures. Future research is recommended to gain a deeper understanding of these relationships and how they vary across contexts and sectors.

The paper analytically examines literature to elucidate the origin and evolution of management accounting buoyed on by the surge in appetite on its use especially during the last two decades. The paper further critically examines the wide critics on the “loss of relevance” of management accounting in enhancing performance explicitly in a modern rapidly changing business environment. A further attempt is made by this paper to better apprehend the concomitant application of traditional and contemporary management accounting practices. It further analysed the current level of appetite on the use of management accounting practices in both developed and developing countries. A critical review of related literature revealed that the history of management accounting can be traced back to the industrial revolution of the 1900s. The study also revealed that management accounting continues to evolve as companies meet new problems that need to be solved and management accounting practices that were used in the early 1900s are still applicable even today. The “loss relevance of management accounting” school of thought was dismissed as traditional MAPs that were used in the 1900s are still applicable even today. The study recommends the use of management accounting as it improves competitive edge and creates value for the organisation.