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South African Defence Review 2015 found that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is in significant decline and will lose important military capabilities in the long term if nothing is done. In a shrinking defense budget, general rhetoric blames aging equipment and staff for the decline. However, managerial issues in the SANDF may be to blame for the decline. We examined academic and other literature to find the origin of this problem and found that the SANDF does not use any systems management methodology to manage tasks. This peculiarity hinders SANDF management and prevents it from providing credible defense to South Africa. We found that empirical studies on SANDF management are scarce and failed to explain this oddity. To understand why the SANDF's application inherent management functions fail to provide a genuine defense capacity, this paper proposes a cognitive technique to conceptualize an empirical investigation beyond a literature review. We propose a systems management approach based on the Administrative Theory of Management, Neoclassical Theory of Management, and General Systems Theory frameworks in management education. We believe that empirical public and management research may create defence capabilities management understanding. This premise guides our study conceptualization by outlining the research context and then doing a research problem analysis to find the knowledge gap. To examine the literature, we use thematic summative content analysis. The research conceptualisation—problem statement, purpose statement, research questions, strategy, design, process, and methods, and interpretative frameworks—is based on this analysis. On the latter, we expect to write later.

Whilst e-commerce continues to grow, it has met privacy, trust, and security challenges. Blockchain technology is among the solutions that e-commerce can use to address these challenges. Blockchain technology poses benefits but comes with its challenges. The purpose of this study was to systematically review literature that focused on the state and prospects of blockchain technology in e-commerce. Specifically, the research question is what is the state of the application of blockchain technology in e-commerce? The study conducted searches using four databases (EbscoHost, Science Direct, IEEE Explore, and Jstor) as well as Google Scholar. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied in the searches to answer the research question. In total, 25 articles were used for this research and were thematically analysed. The results showed that while there are many benefits in implementing blockchain technologies in e-commerce, there are also challenges. The benefits include an increase in privacy, enhanced security, and minimized costs of transactions. The challenges are tax evasion, black market transactions, and lack of regulation. Results also showed blockchains are used to track product movement and originality. The study's novel contribution is to theory by developing a model for the application, benefits, and challenges of the blockchain technology ecosystem in e-commerce. The study contributes to policy by focusing on sustainable development goals 7 and 9. The research also contributes to the body of knowledge on the application of blockchain. Businesses, scholars, government officials, and other stakeholders can use this study to understand the application, challenges, and benefits of blockchain in e-commerce.

The study examined the factors influencing motor vehicle purchase intention during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Social Judgement Theory, and the Self-Congruency Theory were employed for the study. A quantitative research approach was applied, and data was collected using a questionnaire that 223 respondents completed and selected through convenience sampling. A structural equation model was used to test the proposed conceptual model of the study. The empirical results revealed that perceived value, perceived reliability, and brand awareness of the vehicle, together with the manufacturer’s and/or seller’s website quality, positively impact the consumer’s attitude, which subsequently affects their purchase intentions. The study has both practical and theoretical implications. The findings from the study could assist motor vehicle marketers in developing marketing strategies during a pandemic and provide policymakers with guidelines for the marketing of motor vehicles during a pandemic.