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Technological advancement has transformed the grocery retail, fundamentally altering how consumers interact with retailers and purchase essential goods. Despite rapid digital adoption since the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake of online grocery shopping (OGS) in emerging markets remains uneven. The drivers of consumer attitudes towards this channel are not well understood in the South African context. This paper investigates the effects of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived risk on consumer attitudes towards OGS in Gauteng, South Africa. It investigate whether perceived usefulness mediates the effect of perceived ease of use on attitude. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed online to grocery shoppers aged 18 to 60 across Gauteng, yielding a final valid sample of 507 respondents. The data were analysed using a two-step structural equation modelling approach in Stata 17, with Spearman correlation and quantile regression conducted as additional robustness checks. Perceived usefulness emerged as the strongest, most consistent driver of consumer attitudes towards OGS (β = 0.555, p < 0.001). Perceived ease of use had a positive direct effect (β = 0.162, p = 0.020) that did not hold consistently under the quantile regression check; it was, however, strongly correlated with perceived usefulness (ρ = 0.589, p < 0.001). A formal mediation test found that perceived usefulness did not significantly mediate the relationship between perceived ease of use and attitude (Sobel p = 0.321), indicating that perceived ease of use influences attitude directly rather than through perceived usefulness. Contrary to previous studies and initial expectations, perceived risk did not significantly influence consumer attitudes (β = 0.059, p = 0.319). These findings extend the Technology Acceptance Model to an emerging online grocery market and offer practical guidance for retailers seeking to strengthen consumer adoption in similar developing-market contexts.

This paper provides a systematic constitutional analysis of telemarketing regulation in South Africa, arguing that intrusive practices violate the foundational rights to privacy, dignity, freedom of association, and equality. Using a doctrinal methodology, it examines the jurisprudential evolution of these rights in digital commerce, the efficacy of key statutes such as the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and the normative influence of international law. The analysis reveals a critical disjuncture between robust constitutional guarantees and their practical enforcement, exacerbated by systemic challenges including inadequate regulatory capacity, technological advancement outpacing legislation, and the disproportionate targeting of vulnerable populations. The paper concludes by proposing an integrated, rights-based reform agenda, contending that effective telemarketing regulation is essential not only for protecting fundamental rights and human dignity in the digital age but also for promoting consumer trust, ethical business conduct, and sustainable digital market development.

The research investigates the impact of conflicting role obligations on the aspirations for postgraduate education among administrative staff in higher education institutions (HEIs). It subsequently presents a conceptual framework aimed at enhancing comprehension of the obstacles and incentives linked to inter-role conflicts in regard to postgraduate ambitions inside higher education institutions. Utilising illustrative case data and employing a qualitative systematic literature review approach, the research investigates the impact of conflicting role demands on individuals' motivation and ability to attain advanced academic levels. Anchored on Role Conflict Theory, Boundary Theory, and the Conservation of Resources Theory, which together address role interference, domain permeability, and resource depletion, the research investigates how perceived conflicts within study domains influence aspirations for postgraduate pursuits. Research indicates that occupational stress combined with personal and familial obligations presents considerable obstacles to academic progress, while simultaneously driving individuals to seek postgraduate education as a means of career enhancement and professional development. The research emphasises the dual function of conflict as both a motivator and a limitation in influencing postgraduate educational ambitions. Despite the constraints posed by the lack of literature specifically addressing postgraduate ambitions among administrative staff in higher education institutions, the research provides significant exploratory perspectives on the lived experiences of this underexplored demographic and underscores the necessity for institutional measures that facilitate a balance between work and study. The study offers a cohesive conceptual framework that connects conflicting inter-role tensions to intentions for postgraduate studies, thereby making a significant contribution to career development research and laying the groundwork for future empirical studies within the administrative sector of higher education

The study focused on Sustainable adoption of cryptocurrencies for enhancing financial stability in emerging markets. The problem of the study is lack of awareness on the use of cryptocurrency resulted in many transacting people losing their money to scam and criminals who use fraudulent methods to deprive those with little knowledge to transact through the cryptocurrency. The specific objectives of the study are to; establish the factors influencing the adoption of cryptocurrencies for enhancing financial stability emerging markets, analyse the opportunities and challenges for the adoption of cryptocurrencies in emerging markets, establish strategies for enhancing financial stability through the adoption of cryptocurrencies in emerging markets. The research study is guided by the Technology Acceptance Model by Davis, (1989). the findings of the research indicated that the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use showed positive association on the intention to use cryptocurrencies. The ease and usefulness of cryptocurrencies was found in fulfilling various roles including making instant international money transfer, transacting at low charges, using it as an alternative source of currency, making free anonymous transaction and paying for the online service that accept cryptocurrencies. The results indicate that higher inflation and increased exchange rate volatility are positively associated with greater use of cryptocurrencies, explaining that such economic conditions drive individuals to seek alternative financial instruments. The study concluded that, the adoption of cryptocurrency is important for enhancing financial inclusion amongst people of different walks of life in emerging markets. The adoption of cryptocurrency by the emerging markets is significant in maintaining financial stability and reduce the erosion of the local currencies in emerging markets.

Thulamela's tourism sector has experienced growth in recent years, contributing to a steadily rising regional GDP. However, persistent unemployment and poverty raise concerns about the extent of local community involvement in tourism planning and decision-making, which is essential for ensuring equitable benefits, cultural preservation , and sustainable development. this study examined community participation and interactions with local businesses and authorities in Thohoyandou and surrounding villages within the Thulamela Local Municipality. A quantitative survey involving 304 community members was conducted, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 29.0 with appropriate statistical techniques. the results reveal a significant gab between communities and administrative governance structure , along with a strong demand for inclusion in the formulation and drafting of tourism policies and participatory planning platforms. This study contributes to the scholarship on community involvement in tourism and offer potential insight for academics, managers, planners and policymakers who seek to enhance inclusive, community-centered tourism governance in developing contexts such as South Africa.

Unlawful mining poses a significant global challenge. It contributes to environmental degradation, corruption, and exploitation, with Africa being disproportionately affected. This qualitative, exploratory study investigated the factors that drive unlawful mining in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa, in response to growing concerns about its substantial economic and social impacts. Through semi-structured interviews, 26 purposively selected participants from diverse backgrounds, including law enforcement and key stakeholders, provided varied perspectives. The findings consistently highlight unemployment and poverty as primary drivers that compel individuals to engage in illegal mining activities. The participants also emphasized the inherent dangers faced by illegal miners and the complex socio-economic dynamics that perpetuate this illicit enterprise. Critically, existing policing strategies were perceived as inadequate. The study concludes that effectively mitigating unlawful mining in Ekurhuleni requires comprehensive approaches that address underlying socio-economic vulnerabilities and foster active community involvement. This underscores the need for coordinated efforts to reduce its impacts and support local safety and development.

In the post COVId-19 era, online education has become an integral part of higher education, underscoring the need to understand students’ experiences, satisfaction and preferences to inform institutional strategies for optimising online education. The study follows a quantitative survey approach in which an online cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken among 295 purposively selected students’ in South African higher education institution. A self-administered validated online questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the reliability of the various constructs, mean scores, and standard deviations. Students found online teaching enjoyable (54.9%), (55.1%) engaging, with the opportunity to ask questions. Findings can inform HEIs’ managers and leaders’ strategic decisions regarding online education, including investment in infrastructure, faculty training, and support services. Creating interactive and engaging online content such as videos, simulations, and gamification to enhance student engagement. Providing online orientation, technical support and troubleshooting services to address technical issues and ensure smooth online learning experiences.

Customers’ demand for printing industry to be more productive and compete globally in relation to delivery, cost, quality and use of technological factors is one of the factors which have a possible impact on productivity. Printing establishments through the South African printing industry have a major role to play in the country’s economy. Printing industry is characterised by overloading, inefficiency and ineffectiveness affecting overall organisational performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing productivity improvement practices and develop productivity improvement model to improve printing division. This study follows a qualitative research approach as it is an exploratory research technique used to understand the underlying reasons, perceptions and motivations of individuals in solving a problem. A sample of Government Printing Works’ (GPW) employees directly involved in the printing, finishing and packaging of Higher Education and Training examination question papers located in Pretoria, City of Tshwane municipality participated in this study. A number of critical success and barriers to productivity improvement practices are identified.  Barriers factors include poorly designed process; poorly designed layout; poor quality materials; lack of effective maintenance plans; unsatisfactory planning; supplier inefficiencies and customer inefficiencies were the major causes of low productivity in the GPW. This comprehensive and holistic framework can assist government printing employees’ and lean practioners’ in their lean manufacturing implementation journey systematically and improve the organisation’s performance.

The study aims to examine the key drivers and financing mechanisms of infrastructure development in Africa and their impact on trade facilitation and regional economic integration. It focuses on understanding the political, economic, and institutional factors shaping sustainable infrastructure growth and trade expansion across the continent. The African continent engages in relatively limited intra-continental trade, with intra-African trade consistently averaging between 12% and 15%. At a broader level, trade growth is widely regarded as a key driver of economic development, employment generation, and poverty reduction. However, the persistent low levels of trade among African countries coupled with high unemployment and widespread poverty have sparked discussions around the urgent need to strengthen both intra-regional and continental trade. In pursuit of regional integration, various regional economic communities were established, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Despite these efforts, concerns persist regarding weak economic infrastructure across several regions of the continent, including within the SADC bloc. Inadequate infrastructure has been identified as a major impediment to enhancing intra-African trade. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to empirically examine the relationship between economic infrastructure and intra-regional trade within the SADC region. The analysis employs panel data covering all 15 SADC member states, utilizing datasets from the SADC Secretariat and the World Bank. Applying the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique, the findings indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship between infrastructure development and intra-SADC exports.

The Marshall-Lerner condition states that a trade balance improves after currency depreciation if trade elasticities exceed one. Using the Vector Error Correction Method (VECM), this study tests the condition for South Africa, focusing on how exchange rate changes affect the trade balance under a floating exchange rate regime. The analysis examines short- and long-run impacts on exports and imports to assess whether exchange rate adjustments can improve the trade balance. Findings reveal that global income growth and exchange rate appreciation positively influence exports, while imports increase with both appreciation and higher domestic income. Although exports and imports respond strongly to exchange rate changes, the Marshall-Lerner condition does not hold for South Africa, suggesting that exchange rate adjustments alone may not improve the trade balance.

The continued increase in food demand globally, has witnessed a corresponding growth in the fast-food restaurant business. The study of food and service quality as major drivers of customer satisfaction and behavioural intention has therefore become a strategic area of interest. This study explored how food and service quality affect customer satisfaction and behavioural intention in the context of quick-service restaurants in Tshwane City of South Africa. Guided by a positivist philosophy, the study employed a deductive approach to theory development. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted and a structured survey instrument was used to collect data from 173 online participants. The results were analysed using IBM SPSS 26, and partial least squares structural equation modelling in Smart PLS 4 to test hypotheses. The findings showed that although food quality had a significant positive effect on behavioural intention, it was not a predictor of customer satisfaction. All the elements of service quality exhibited significant positive influence on satisfaction and behavioural intention. This study offers invaluable insights for managers to embrace customer-driven strategies such as offering high quality food and service because the success of culinary business revolves around achieving customer satisfaction, which is vital for creating positive behavioural intentions. Future studies can be done using relatively larger sample sizes for more generalisability in related studies or other service domains.

Work engagement is a crucial ingredient that cultivates an individual’s physical and general well-being in the workplace. This, in turn, produces organisational effectiveness and contributes to organisational success and sustainability. Concerningly, work engagement remains under-researched in South African higher education institutions. This study investigated the work engagement experiences of employees in a technical services department of a South African institution of higher education. The study employed qualitative research methods and phenomenological research design. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 10 participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The findings suggest that employees who have optimal work demands receive adequate support to discharge their work and feel engaged and attached to their jobs. The findings further suggest that personal and job resources contribute to improved engagement levels among employees. Organisations should enhance the work engagement of employees by effectively managing their job demands while providing adequate job and personal resources. This study provides insights into the importance of cultivating work engagement within the workplace and the ways to achieve this. The study further provides guidelines for enhancing engagement by highlighting four elements to consider: workload, skills and self-efficacy, tools and equipment, and supervisor and co-worker support.    

The quality of institutions continues to be a pertinent issue due to its potential direct and indirect effects on economic growth. The research examined the correlation between institutional quality and economic growth in Botswana from 1990 to 2022. The research utilised the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bounds model to assess cointegration and the Toda and Yamamoto and Dolado and Lütkepohl (TYDL) model to investigate the direction of causality. The ARDL methodology is favoured for this research because to its applicability to small sample sizes. This method is not constrained by the sequence of integration among the variables. The results demonstrate that corruption adversely impacts economic growth in both the short term and the long term. Regulatory frameworks and governmental stability exert a substantial favourable influence on economic growth in both the short and long term. The analysis identified a bidirectional causative relationship between government stability and economic growth, as well as a unidirectional causal relationship from regulatory rules to economic growth. This study revealed a negative impact of labour on economic vitality. The cointegrating link indicates that the Botswana government ought to prioritise investments in institutional quality, targeted procedures, and policies due to their direct influence on economic growth. The report advocates for the Botswana government to formulate and implement legislation that fosters and advances the development of the citizen sector. The Botswana government should improve and sustain the factors that contribute to institutional quality, as they facilitate development.

Notwithstanding the presence of comprehensive legislative and regulatory frameworks designed to direct the South African Police Service (SAPS) towards enhanced service delivery, a continual disparity persists between policy objectives and real-world results. Hoeyi &amp; Makgari (2021) assert that SAPS leadership has persistently encountered difficulties in improving service performance, notwithstanding several reformative mandates and policies intended to alter policing in democratic South Africa. Efficient police service provision is essential for ensuring public safety and cultivating confidence between law enforcement authorities and the communities they serve.  This research examined community opinions regarding police service delivery in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. The research employed a mixed methods approach. The study comprised 383 respondents in the quantitative phase, while the qualitative phase contained interviews with persons from varied demographics and geographic regions. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and cluster sampling methods. The researchers employed semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to gather data. Qualitative data underwent theme analysis, while quantitative data was evaluated via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated a dichotomy in community perceptions. Tangible resources, including well-maintained police stations and modern cars, were valued; but, the relational and procedural dimensions of service delivery were deemed inadequate. Principal issues encompassed erratic reactivity, inadequate communication, restricted transparency, and allegations of corruption and favouritism. Participants emphasised unaddressed community-specific problems, including insufficient focus on gender-based violence and substance-related concerns. The report proposes creating policies that emphasise transparency and accountability, improving training programs in emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity, and promoting community engagement through frequent forums and collaborations with local organisations.

This article investigates the nature of the relationship and the effects of changes in oil prices on South Africa's exchange rate. It fills an essential gap in comprehending how oil price shocks influence emerging market economic dynamics. Through the use of a Bayesian Vector Auto-Regressive (BVAR) model, this study finds that the initial oil price shock to exchange rates is weakly positive in the short run, reflecting a 1% increase in oil prices, leading to a 0.08% exchange rate appreciation. The study also finds an asymmetrical relationship between oil prices and exchange rates. These effects become more pronounced when global uncertainty is at its peak. These findings have implications for shaping policies in South Africa. Exchange rate stability strategies could involve diversifying energy sources and introducing risk-hedging methods while striving for stability through flexible monetary and fiscal policies. This research also adds to the ongoing conversation about the susceptibility of emerging market currencies to external pressures, serving as a reference point for examining comparable economies. This research enriches the existing body of knowledge by addressing methodological gaps and providing a contemporary analysis of South Africa's exchange rate dynamics in a post-crisis global economy.

The present study aims to examine the relationship between exchange rate undervaluation and economic growth in South Africa, focusing on the various transmission mechanisms through which this relationship occurs. Through the adoption of secondary quarterly data spanning the period 1980 to 2018 and a two-step Generalised Method of Moments approach. The study estimated a Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate of South Africa and used it to construct a measure of Exchange rate undervaluation. Further, the study examined the effects of Exchange rate undervaluation on the tradable sector, the savings/capital accumulation sector, and the total factor productivity sector. The study found evidence of the tradable sector and total factor productivity (TFP) channels in South Africa. Therefore, we conclude that there exist valuable lessons to be learnt through the analysis of this relationship on a micro level compared to a macro level. Macro-level studies overlook the individual effects, hence why results have been inconclusive. This, therefore, means that South Africa has an incentive to keep the Rand at a competitive level since the industrial and agricultural sectors benefit from a competitive Exchange rate.

The parole system in South Africa is an essential component of the correctional framework, aimed at reconciling the dual goals of criminal rehabilitation and public safety. Although rooted in the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998, the White Paper on Corrections (2005), and international human rights norms, its efficacy is still debated. This article aims to critically assess the degree to which the South African parole system facilitates rehabilitation while ensuring community safety. The research employs a qualitative, doctrinal methodology, focussing on the examination of statutory provisions, policy frameworks, judicial rulings, and contemporary academic literature regarding parole and criminal reintegration. Additional insights are derived from comparative penological viewpoints and reports from oversight entities like the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services. Research demonstrates that while parole theoretically aligns with rehabilitative and restorative justice principles, its execution is compromised by prison overcrowding, resource constraints, insufficient post-release assistance, and erratic risk evaluations. These elements foster public distrust and occasional shortcomings in preventing recidivism, particularly in prominent cases. However, evidence indicates that structured monitoring and rehabilitative programs under parole can diminish recidivism when sufficiently resourced and supported. The paper asserts that the South African parole system necessitates comprehensive reform, incorporating the use of evidence-based risk assessment instruments, fortified community corrections, and improved reintegration assistance. Its contribution to penological studies emphasises the dichotomy of parole as both a rehabilitative instrument and a contentious arena of public safety, providing avenues for realigning parole practices with constitutional and restorative justice objectives.

This study examines the ideological impact of international prison inspectorates on national correctional systems, concentrating on how these bodies influence the balance between rehabilitative and retributive penological philosophies. While their primary mandate is to monitor prison conditions and prevent ill-treatment, inspectorates such as the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) subtly shape penal ideologies through their engagement and recommendations. The research sets out three objectives: to identify the penological philosophies promoted by selected international inspectorates, to analyse their rhetorical and strategic approaches in influencing prison systems, and to assess the tangible impact of these efforts on national policies and prison practices. A qualitative, comparative case study method is used, incorporating content analysis of inspectorate reports and communications, national legislation, and interviews with key stakeholders. Preliminary findings reveal a consistent promotion of rehabilitative and human rights-based approaches by these bodies. The CPT emphasizes normalization and reintegration, OPCAT NPMs focus increasingly on conditions supporting rehabilitation, and the ICRC advocates humane treatment, which underpins rehabilitative ideals. Impacts include legislative reforms, the introduction of rehabilitation programs, and shifts in official discourse. However, these changes vary across countries and are often limited by political, economic, and cultural barriers. The study concludes that international inspectorates, though often operating subtly, contribute significantly to shifting correctional ideologies toward more balanced, rehabilitative models. It adds to penological scholarship by illuminating the mechanisms through which global oversight fosters internal penal reform.

This article examines the load-shedding crisis in South Africa, primarily emphasising its disruption of digital development and its hindrance to the nation's ability to fulfil the requirements of digitalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The report aimed to evaluate the impact of digitalisation on community development following COVID-19. The South African government has implemented strategies aimed at addressing the crises of unequal access to digital resources in communities; however, the ongoing load-shedding crisis continues to hinder progress by imposing daily power cuts, thereby exacerbating the digital divide. It is essential to acknowledge that COVID-19 has compelled the government and private sector organisations to transition into the digital era, where operations are conducted without physical presence, relying on technical innovations. The research concluded that the government has insufficiently addressed the issue of load-shedding, now referred to as load-reduction, and has demonstrated an incapacity to implement effective systems to respond to the crises. The study contends that the issue of load-shedding in South Africa can be mitigated if the government invests in nations with sufficient energy connectivity to support digital advancement. The study asserts that the nation will lag in benefiting from digitalisation unless the obstacles impeding it are promptly resolved. The study employed a qualitative methodology, enhanced by a critical evaluation and analysis of secondary data obtained from electronic documents. The study substantially identifies deficiencies related to the load-shedding issues and proposes ways to aid the government in effectively addressing these crises, ensuring equitable access to technology, and bridging the South African digital divide.

Several official dating institutions viz: SARB, NBER, OECD, CEPR, and others, provide Business Cycle (BC) chronologies with lags ranging from three months to several years. This is problematic for the various oppressed as it poses limits to the usefulness of BC indicators in terms of forecasting and policy implementation at large. In this article, we propose the construction of composite indicators as accurate measures of business cycles in South Africa. We use this composite index to facilitate comparison of both a non-parametric Bry and Boschan dating algorithm and a parametric Markov Switching dating method, in terms of performance and accuracy of dating business cycle turning points in South Africa. Utilising data spanning the period 2000M1 – 2018M12, empirical evidence obtained is such that, composite indices are better than single indicators due to information rich. Further, while the parametric and non-parametric methods’ performances are matched in terms of the number of turning points identified, however, the non-parametric method is more accurate in identifying these turning points. Due to its accuracy the non-parametric method proved to be a promising method of dating business cycle turning points in South Africa and alleviate the problems which are currently facing the South African Reserve Bank, the private sector and the economy at large.