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Women entrepreneurs in South Africa continue to encounter financial, institutional, geographical, and gender constraints that hinder business growth. This research explores how these interrelated constraints affect women’s entrepreneurial perspectives and the engagement in the small- and medium-sized enterprise sector. Using an interpretivist qualitative method, data were gathered using an open-ended digital survey with 25 women entrepreneurs operating in various South African settings, reinforced by an analysis of pertinent policy and entrepreneurship-related papers. Thematic analysis identified six interconnected themes: financial exclusion and gendered power; gender norms and patriarchal expectations; geographic marginalisation; network and institutional exclusion; intersectional disadvantage; and resilience and survival-focused strategies. Findings show that women embrace adaptive practices such as personal savings, informal finance and diversification, which allow businesses survival but do not always promote sustained success. These barriers limit access to capital, markets, networks, facilities, and value chains, reducing job growth and business competitiveness. Reflecting on feminist economics, decolonial feminism, and intersectionality, the paper contends that women’s entrepreneurship needs to be regarded as a systemic and structural challenge, instead of a single resilience challenge. The research recommends coordinated, gender-responsive actions that promote accessibility to financing, markets, infrastructure, networks and supportive institutions.

Electronic public participation (EPP) is becoming more popular to enhance traditional public engagement and promote equitable municipal planning. But the degree to which digital engagement provides significant public impact in South Africa’s Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process is not well recognised. This study looks into EPP practices, application challenges, and potential for improving digital engagement in three metropolitan municipalities: Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela Bay. A mixed-methods, multiple-case research design was used. Data were obtained from 588 participants, who included municipal officials, ward councillors, ward committee members, and residents, with 260 formal and 250 informal settlement populations. Quantitative data from local residents were evaluated using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests, whilst interviews and open-ended questions were thematically analysed using Dedoose and combined during interpretation. The findings show that EPP is entrenched unequally across local municipalities and IDP phases. The City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay made better use of online and blended engagement, whilst Ekurhuleni leaned more mainly on traditional meeting procedures. Across municipalities, digital engagement was focused on information exchange, consultation, analysis, and project-related phases, with less integration into strategic planning, approval, execution, and monitoring. Digital disparity, inadequate institutional capacity, and ineffective feedback systems all hampered meaningful involvement. The evidence, as explained using Arnstein’s Ladder, Smart Governance Theory, and Collaborative Governance Theory, reveals that online access has increased faster than citizen control. As such, this research offers a holistic EPP implementation framework which combines digital and in-person interaction throughout the IDP process, backed up by equitable access, institutional cooperation, feedback, accountability, and joint decision-making avenues. The framework also emphasises the opportunity of EPP to improve stakeholder collaboration and the larger municipal economic landscape.

This study investigates the effects of large class sizes on students' learning experiences at a South African university of technology. With increasing enrolment in higher education, many universities face the challenge of managing large classes, which raises concerns about the quality of teaching and learning. This study used a quantitative research design to gather and analyse data through structured questionnaires administered to third-year undergraduate students in three departments with high enrolment numbers in the Faculty of Management Sciences at one university of technology. The findings reveal that large classes have a negative impact on students' ability to engage with academic content, interact with lecturers, and receive timeous feedback. Students reported feeling disconnected, overlooked, and less motivated in overcrowded learning environments. The study highlights areas where technological tools and improved pedagogical strategies could mitigate some of the challenges associated with large-class learning. The study also investigated how academic support services offered by the Teaching and Learning Development Centre (TLDC), the Writing Centre, and the Student Counselling Centre affect students’ learning and performance. The paper concludes by recommending strategies and support systems to enhance student learning in large class contexts.

Internal migration significantly influences South Africa's urbanisation path, affecting urban planning, service delivery, and governance mechanisms. This research investigates the impact of migration-related elements on civic engagement and urban development approaches within municipal administrations. Utilising a comprehensive examination of existing academic literature and governmental documents, the research examines the limitations of conventional participatory methods in the context of rapid urban growth and demographic changes. The findings indicate that internal migration challenges static population assumptions, contributes to the growth of informal settlements, and places pressure on urban amenities, services, and municipal resources. Traditional participation frameworks, typically established within stable, geographically bounded communities, may marginalise mobile and underprivileged groups, therefore limiting inclusive government. Consequently, the research advocates for flexible public engagement by highlighting ongoing involvement, institutional learning, adaptation, and multilevel collaboration. Adaptive engagement could bolster municipal resilience by improving responsiveness, inclusivity, and preparedness to modify planning and governance practices in accordance with changing demographic circumstances. The study enhances the understanding of local governance by connecting internal migration to adaptive governance and demonstrating how participation can be customised to demographic shifts. It additionally presents pragmatic approaches for towns to integrate migration into their planning, budgeting, data-driven governance, and intergovernmental cooperation.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation represents a significant occupational hazard for outdoor workers, contributing to various health outcomes including dermatological conditions, ocular diseases, immune system impairment, and decreased productivity. Workers engaged in industries such as construction, agriculture, and transportation are frequently exposed to UVR levels exceeding recommended safety thresholds, thereby increasing their risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), pterygium, cataracts, and immunosuppression. Despite widespread awareness of these risks, current preventive measures and occupational regulations are often insufficient. This systematic review aims to compile and analyze current evidence regarding the health impacts of occupational solar UVR exposure among outdoor workers. Additionally, it seeks to identify existing gaps in knowledge and policy to support the development of effective preventive strategies and guide future research efforts. A comprehensive, systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Keywords and MeSH terms related to UVR exposure, outdoor occupations, skin and eye health, and preventive interventions were utilized. Studies selected for inclusion focused on adult outdoor workers and addressed UVR-related health outcomes or exposure assessments. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, findings were synthesized thematically. Research consistently indicates that outdoor workers experience UVR exposure levels two to three times higher than indoor workers, often exceeding safety limits established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). There is strong evidence linking chronic UVR exposure to increased risks of NMSC (relative risk 1.43–2.42), pterygium, and cataracts, with biomarker studies corroborating UV-induced immunosuppression. Additionally, UVR exposure has been associated with cognitive performance, productivity, and absenteeism, leading to considerable economic impacts. While preventive measures such as sunscreen use, protective clothing, and educational programs have improved protective behaviors by approximately 20–40%, adherence to these practices remains limited. Currently, global regulatory frameworks are inadequate, with only about one-third of countries implementing comprehensive occupational UVR guidelines.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into human resource management (HRM) processes has significantly enhanced organisational operations by optimising efficiency in talent acquisition, performance assessment, and employee engagement initiatives. Nonetheless, this integration introduces ethical challenges, including algorithmic bias, data privacy concerns, and the reduction of human decision-making autonomy. The purpose of the review is to systematically examine the ethical considerations associated with AI deployment in HRM, explicitly addressing issues related to bias, transparency, privacy breaches, and job displacement. Additionally, it evaluates strategies for deploying AI responsibly to uphold principles of fairness, accountability, and stakeholder trust. Considering the purpose of the review, a comprehensive systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted, sourcing data from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The review targeted publications relevant to the aims of the study, utilising search keywords such as "ethical consideration," "algorithmic bias," and "data privacy." Data synthesis was conducted via narrative methods complemented by thematic analysis to identify prevailing patterns, research gaps, and emergent themes. Findings revealed that AI enhances HRM functions through automation, predictive analytics, and the delivery of individualised employee experiences, contributing to cost reductions and improved decision-making efficacy. However, potential negative implications include reinforcement of existing biases, violations of privacy, lack of transparency in decision-making processes, and threats to employment stability. Empirical evidence indicates disproportionate impacts on marginalised populations and underscores the necessity for ethical frameworks, including the development and implementation of explainable AI (XAI) and hybrid human-AI systems. Finally, it is affirmed that although AI offers transformative operational benefits within HRM, the associated ethical risks necessitate the implementation of comprehensive governance structures, bias mitigation protocols, and active stakeholder participation. Approaches such as hybrid human-AI systems, targeted workforce training, and adherence to regulatory standards are essential to ensuring sustainable and ethical AI integration. Future research should prioritise investigating employee perceptions and conducting cross-cultural analyses to enhance ethical AI governance in HRM contexts.