Explore publications.

From the 1930s, the South African minibus-taxi industry has been playing a fundamental role in supporting the growth and development of minibus-taxi entrepreneurs. The minibus-taxi industry in South Africa is often misunderstood due to its informal nature. However, it is worth noting that the South African minibus-taxi industry has created economic opportunities for taxi entrepreneurs, and today it has an annual turnover of R38-billion to R50-billion. This study investigated the role of the South African minibus-taxi industry in promoting the development of taxi entrepreneurship in Mankweng taxi ranks, within the Limpopo Province and its limited within this area. The mixed-method research approach was used with a stratified-random sampling using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 110 taxi entrepreneurs. In addition, the study conducted group focus interviews purposively with 12 minibus-taxi bosses. Qualitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis and quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software and then transported to the Microsoft Excel for further analysis where necessary. The findings reveals poor business planning; weak support from both the Mankweng Taxi Association and government; and high fuel prices affects the day-to-day business activities and causing majority of minibus-taxi entrepreneurs running their businesses at loss without realisation. The study recommend an urgency for the Mankweng minibus-taxi group and their key stakeholders to design an entrepreneurship model suitable for the industry’s development to boost the local economy. This study sought to demonstrate the importance of unlocking the full potential of minibus-taxi entrepreneurship through sufficient support from both the government and minibus-taxi associations to address structural challenges, limited access to resources and finance, and regulatory complexities to lessen the burden of running the minibus-taxi business. The study challenges policy-makers intentionally to design programs aimed at incorporating the minibus-taxi business into boosting the overall economy in a formal manner.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) plays a vital role in any organization, facilitating trade both globally and locally. An organization with a robust SCM can easily meet demands, ensuring that goods or services are readily available and delivered promptly. However, poor structuring and management of SCM can lead to significant challenges, including service delivery failures. This study aims to analyze supply chain practices in the public sector in Limpopo Province, specifically focusing on public entities. The study seeks to identify weaknesses within the supply chain practices of public entities in Limpopo, highlighting issues such as lack of strategic alignment, inadequate policy implementation, and poor enforcement of SCM rules and regulations. A qualitative research approach was employed, collecting data through interviews with various experts from different public sectors to address the identified flaws in SCM practices. The findings reveal that there is a significant misalignment between supply chain and organizational strategies, which has led to service delivery backlogs, high levels of corruption, and continuous strikes across the province for better services. The study also finds that top-level management, including provincial leaders, do not perceive SCM as vital enough to warrant their attention, resulting in limited support for SCM practitioners. The lack of strategic focus and governance failures in SCM contribute to financial inefficiencies and poor service delivery, underscoring the need for provincial leaders to adopt a more strategic approach to SCM as a tool for improving public service delivery. This study provides insights into the critical role of SCM in the public sector, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies, policy enforcement, and managerial support to mitigate governance and compliance failures. The research underscores the necessity for public entities in Limpopo to realign SCM strategies with organizational goals to enhance service delivery and combat corruption.

Agriculture is the major source of livelihood and income for about 80% of the Zimbabwean population. However, in recent decades, climate change, political standoffs, hyperinflation, and an energy crisis have held the sector hostage. Policy and academic scholarship have mainly focused on reforming agricultural policies. Studies on the diagnostic potential of non-contributory social assistance in increasing resilience and recovery from shocks are limited. Focusing on south-eastern Zimbabwe, this article identifies climate change-related farming challenges. It explores how social assistance, cash transfers and material transfers, in particular, can generate the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change. The article utilised mixed methods research data collected between June and December 2022. The study shows increased use of improved inputs, increased farm output and asset ownership, risk coping and non-farm investment, household income, food security, and production capabilities. The results provide a sufficient empirical rationale for promoting social assistance and smallholder agriculture interactions. It shows how social assistance interventions generate multiplier effects in smallholder farming. The government should normalise the increasing demand for smallholder farming products to promote agriculture through social protection.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of organisational culture on employee attitudes towards organisational change in a South African state-owned enterprise. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a random sample (n = 373) of employees at a state-owned enterprise. The Organisational Culture Questionnaire (OCQ) and the Employee Attitudes to Organisational Change Scale were evaluated. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the influence of organisational culture on employee attitudes towards organisational change. The findings indicate that organisational culture is related positively and significantly to employees' attitudes towards organisational change. Furthermore, the results indicate that organisational culture influences employees' attitudes towards change. The findings provide new evidence that an organisation that promotes positive organisational culture practices influences employee behaviour and attitudes positively towards organisational change in a South African government organisation.  

Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of higher education, significantly transforming the landscape of higher education. This study aims to identify, analyse and visualise peer-reviewed academic research output on artificial intelligence (AI) and graduate attributes in higher education. Data was gathered from the Scopus database over a decade (2014-2024), with search terms related to artificial intelligence, graduate attributes, and higher education. Following the PRISMA method guidelines, 106 articles were deemed necessary for review. Bibliometric methods, content and thematic analysis were used to identify main themes, and VoSviewer software was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed research productivity, citation overview, the main subjects, the territory of the leading researchers, thematic choices and future research opportunities and directions. Themes such as the impacts of AI on graduate attributes emerged, which may assist policymakers, educational institutions, teachers and students in their strategies and choices for adopting and using AI. The study recognised research trends, provided insights into the current state of AI and higher education research, and identified potential gaps in the literature on the research landscape of AI, graduate attributes, and higher education. The study can guide future researchers on emerging thematic opportunities.

Currently, South African government departments is inundated with common dire predicaments prominently manifested in the form of lack of punctuality, frequent leave requests, lack of engagement and poor management of employee wellbeing, resulting in high absenteeism rates. Flexible working schedules ameliorate the level of contentment and performance, which has been discovered to benefit both the employer and employee. There are limited previous studies done in the South African Public Sector on the subject of adopting flexibility conditions in the workplace. The empirical evidence on the subject is still sparse for the transitional economy like South Africa. Hence, this study sought to investigate the flexible work arrangements in the public organisation. The study adopted an exploratory design and a qualitative approach. A qualitative research approach was chosen for the study because it provided an opportunity to explore the research objectives in greater detail. The sample size and strategy used comprised organising focus group interviews as well as individual interviews, using a sample of 10 participants from different levels of the organisation. The findings of the study revealed that offering flexibility could help and support the emotional health of the employees. The study also found that a call for a flexible work strategy is of interest to most employees as it provides work-life balance. The organisation should consider implementing and making provision for flexible working arrangements which in turn improve job fulfilment, increase work and life, motivate employees, reduce absenteeism and increasing the quality of service delivery at all organisational levels.

This study explored organisational culture and strategy implementation within the framework of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). Using semi-structured interviews and thematic data analysis, the study explored the primary determinants of organisational culture and how these drivers affect the implementation of strategies in the 4IR. A total of twenty-five bank workers from South Africa participated in the study to collect qualitative data. Version 23 of the Atlas-ti software was utilised to analyse the participant data. Content analysis was employed in the study to analyse the data. The study's findings suggest that a variety of organisational culture challenges have an impact on the banking industry's capacity to put strategies into implementation. This includes elements related to organisational skills, mentality and attitude, collaboration and partnership, innovation and technology investment, as well as aspects of organisational leadership and strategy, structure, learning, incentives, processes, and procedures. The study reveals a wider perspective and significant recommendations to help managers adopt a comprehensive and multidimensional approach when tackling organisational culture difficulties within the framework of implementing strategies in the banking sector. In addition to making significant recommendations, the study's conclusion emphasises how crucial it is for the bank to maintain a similar culture across all of its business units because this will affect employee morale and behaviour when the strategy is being implemented.

Green procurement is one of the major topical issues that have become increasingly popular worldwide as the world embraces sustainability. Zimbabwe is one of the countries in the world that is struggling to adopt the use of green procurement in the health sector. Some identified factors affecting such adoption are lack of technology and infrastructure, training and awareness especially of the procurement officers and those in charge of the sector, policy and regulatory framework, limited supply chain, economic pressures and stakeholder engagement. The study’s objective was toidentify and analyse factors affecting the adaptation of green procurement practices in Zimbabwe’s health sector. The study used qualitative secondary data, and three key documents were analysed in the ATLAS. ti 24. Themes were created and results confirmed the challenges faced by adopting green procurement in the health sector in Zimbabwe. The study found that economic challenges, policy and regulatory framework shortfall, limited supply chain management, lack of stakeholder engagement, technology and infrastructure shortfalls and failure to have training and awareness regarding green procurement. Policymakers should encourage collaborations and partnerships between government and industry can facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices and resources. Zimbabwe as a signatory to the Abuja Declaration of 2001, the country can revert to this agreement and meet the suggested 15% of the total country budget set aside only for the health sector to support the adoption of green procurement. The study recommends that the government make use of the monitoring and evaluation systems that will influence policymakers in support of green procurement. The study recommended that the government should enact policies that support sustainable procurement and training should be carried out as Zimbabwe is one of the countries that signed the Sustainable Development Goals especially goal number 3.

This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on human capital management practices (HCMPs) and their influence on work engagement. The research aims to evaluate the effects of recruitment and selection, training, career opportunities, and reward on employee engagement, and to examine whether digital transformation moderates these relationships. Using a sample of 607 employees, data were collected through online questionnaires from the banking and hospitality sectors in South Africa and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study finds that HCMPs such as recruitment and selection, training, career opportunities, and reward positively affect work engagement. However, contrary to expectations, digital transformation did not significantly moderate the effect of HCMPs on Work engagement. This suggests that the impact of digitalization may be more complex and context dependent. The significance of this study lies in highlighting the stability of HCMP impacts amidst technological change, providing insights for organizations to manage work engagement effectively without over-relying on digital transformation as a moderating factor.

Digital marketing has profoundly altered the marketing techniques utilised by merchants. Although a growing number of rural retail enterprises in South Africa are starting to implement these techniques, the comprehensive effect of digital marketing on their sustainability is still inadequately examined. This study seeks to investigate the impact of internet marketing on retail operations in the rural community of Flagstaff. A quantitative research methodology was utilised, distributing questionnaires to all 52 major merchants via a census technique, yielding 45 replies and an 87% response rate. The results demonstrate that merchants employ several digital marketing strategies, such as social media marketing, email marketing, and mobile marketing, to engage with customers and present sales propositions. This engagement is constrained by the minimal acceptance of digital marketing among consumers, restricted e-commerce utilisation, and inadequate digital literacy, preventing both sides from fully leveraging its advantages. The report advises businesses to persist in using digital marketing methods, including social media and email marketing, into their promotional efforts. This strategy will enable them to engage the niche population that prefers these platforms and maintain alignment with market trends, so assuring competitiveness. Furthermore, it is essential to assist rural areas in improving their digital marketing adoption to sustain retail enterprises and maintain relevance in the contemporary digital environment.

There is significant rivalry among South African banks as a result of the banking sector's being oversaturated. Banks can make use of financial resources, robust organisational cultures, human resources, and productive employee collaboration in light of resource-based theory. The implications of strategy implementations in the banking sector are also looked at. An in-depth interview was created to collect data from twenty-five bank employees. Altas Ti was used for data analysis. The relationship between organisational sustainability and strategy implementation drivers was investigated in this study through the use of qualitative research methods. The results indicate that technology, social capital, organisational culture, and support from upper management all significantly influence how much a strategy is put into implementation. The findings also demonstrate a clear connection between the drivers of strategy implementation and achieving favourable financial and customer outcomes in addition to obtaining a competitive advantage. This study also clarifies the variables that affect strategy implementation and how it could enhance this sector's growth and competitiveness prospects. According to the current study's findings, in order to enhance organisational effectiveness, the banking industry needs to pay special attention to strategy implementation drivers.

The main aim was to determine how the supply chains of the FMCG industry may enhance their resilience through the adoption of digital technologies. Additionally, enhancing visibility and transparency through the augmentation of operational efficiency to elevate overall performance. This analysis utilised the Uncertainty Framework theory, which provides a systematic approach for identifying, categorising, and managing uncertainties within the supply chain. Organisations can formulate strategies to effectively manage and mitigate risks by understanding the many dimensions of uncertainty within the supply chain and their interrelations. The research utilised a qualitative methodology, gathering data via semi-structured interviews with 25 supply chain specialists and senior executives possessing extensive experience in the FMCG sector. The study's findings indicate that digital transformation enhances agility, transparency, and data-driven decision-making, which is crucial for bolstering the resilience of the FMCG supply chain. Six themes emerged from the findings: data-driven decision-making, supply chain visibility and transparency, automation and robots, collaborative platforms and ecosystems, predictive analytics and forecasting, and traceability and sustainability. The research will enhance our understanding of the implementation of digital transformation initiatives throughout FMCG supply chains. This involves analysing the application of digital technologies in supply chain operations. The study may ascertain the impact of these technologies on various resilience criteria, including flexibility, agility, visibility, and responsiveness, by analysing the role of digital transformation in FMCG supply chains. The research findings can assist supply chain managers in making educated decisions on investments and strategic planning for digital transformation initiatives.Research on digital transformation in the FMCG sector is limited, particularly on these unprecedented upheavals. Moreover, there is little study connecting digital transformation with sustainability and resilience in FMCG supply chains, which is essential for comprehending how these projects might collaboratively enhance robust supply systems.

The Township Innovation Hub was established by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development to promote economic development and competitiveness in Gauteng by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. However, upon adopting the Gauteng Township Economic Revitalization Strategy in 2014, the services offered by TIH were expected to be disbursed in different townships to support small businesses involved with innovation; hence, the eKasiLabs were established. As a result, eKasiLabs have been promoting entrepreneurship in different townships through various programs. This study, therefore, assesses the socio-economic impact of the eKasiLabs programs in Gauteng. To achieve this objective, a mixture of qualitative (key informant interviews) and quantitative (propensity score matching (PSM) and textual analysis) approaches were adopted. The analysis shows that the eKasiLabs programme has significantly improved entrepreneurial development and innovation among the beneficiaries in the township despite notable challenges. The impacts of the improved growth could thus be observed in business growth, innovation, productivity improvement, and job creation.

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as the transformation agenda of the world driven by digital technologies has heralded a significant and drastic shift from normal societal ways of doing things to a more advanced well-knit society. In a bid to enhance efficient service delivery and good governance South African municipalities should also join the bandwagon and adopt 4IR technologies in its operations. The study therefore unpacks the challenges and opportunities for adopting 4IR technologies in South African municipalities. The study being qualitative relied on purposively written records to gather data which was then analysed using thematic and content analysis techniques. The study established that South African local authorities are still lagging behind in terms of investing in 4IR technologies and they also face 4IR capacity building challenges. Similarly, SA municipalities should therefore embrace the conspicuous opportunities heralded by 4IR to address the attendant challenges and enhance efficient service delivery in its localities. 

This research examines the correlation between human capital and economic growth in South Africa. Human capital is represented by Government Expenditure on Health (GEH), Government Expenditure on Education (GEE), and Secondary School Enrolment (SER). Notwithstanding substantial investments in these domains, South Africa has enduring economic difficulties, prompting apprehensions regarding the efficacy of existing human capital policies. This research aims to evaluate the influence of differences in GEH, GEE, and SER on economic productivity, consequently guiding policy decisions. We utilised a quantitative methodology employing annual time series data obtained from the World Bank and the South African Reserve Bank. The analysis incorporated unit root tests (ADF) to determine data stationarity and Johansen cointegration tests to examine long-term correlations among the variables. The data indicate that GEH positively influences economic productivity, suggesting a correlation between increased health spending and elevated GDP. Conversely, SER exhibits a negative correlation with economic growth, indicating that merely augmenting enrolment numbers does not yield enhanced economic results. While Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has a favourable correlation with economic growth, it is statistically insignificant. The report advocates for South Africa to prioritise educational quality over enrolment figures and to ensure continuous investment in healthcare services. Furthermore, subsequent research ought to investigate the ramifications of human capital within particular sectors, such as tourism, to yield focused policy recommendations for fostering economic growth.

Advancements in science and technology has resulted in substantial transformations inside society. The telecommunications sector has established cyberspace, a virtual domain for online communication, data exchange, and digital interactions. This platform enables individuals to interact and cultivate relationships worldwide, fostering a sense of proximity despite geographical separation. Nonetheless, these improvements provide concerns, since there has been an increase in cyber victimisation via cyberspace, the internet, computer networks, and online systems. Criminals are progressively utilising these technologies to perpetrate illicit actions, endangering individuals, governments, organisations, and institutions.This study analyses the evaluation of cyber policies for regulating, monitoring, and supervising cyberspace activities, along with the implementation of cybersecurity measures to address technologically advanced crime. A mixed methods strategy, including qualitative and quantitative methodologies, was employed for data collecting. The research revealed that although cyberspace provides avenues for social contact, idea exchange, information dissemination, commercial transactions, and additional activities, it remains susceptible to cyber threats including ransomware, fraud, warfare, terrorism, trafficking, and breaches of privacy. Formulating cyber regulations to regulate actions in cyberspace is crucial for efficient law enforcement, alongside the establishment of a cybersecurity framework to safeguard critical cyber systems and bolster security protocols across several sectors. To safeguard both the public and private sectors against cybersecurity risks, it is essential to create and execute plans. These tactics encompass the regular evaluation and auditing of security systems, investment in cybersecurity training programs, maintenance of current systems, formulation and rehearsal of incident response plans, and dissemination of information among experts and professionals.

This research analyses the employment demands and resources encountered by support personnel at a mining company in Gauteng during the latter phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 12 support staff, chosen via convenience sampling (median age = 44), who engaged in semi-structured interviews (3 women, 9 men; 3 White, 9 African). The researchers utilised an inductive technique and applied Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis to discover four themes: job pressures encountered, organisational job resources, organisational assistance, and perceived support. The findings indicate that elevated job resources may enhance work efficiency and effectiveness in individuals managing job demands. The study also revealed that perceived organisational support affects job pressure and emotional fatigue in employees. The findings underscore the imperative for employees to proactively pursue job resources and assistance to manage job demands, emphasising the significance of deliberate resource allocation in high-stress industries to bolster resilience and equip both employees and organisations for future crises. The paper fills a gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive narrative analysis of employment demands and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative interviews with support personnel enhance our understanding, supplementing prior quantitative studies that have predominated the research field. Future research should examine the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on employee well-being in relation to job demands and resources, and evaluate the function of diverse job resources in aiding employees to navigate post-pandemic issue

This article examines the necessity for implementing a more intelligent, inventive, and disruptive policing paradigm, such as intelligence-driven community policing, to address both traditional and technology-facilitated crimes. Intelligence-driven community policing is a comprehensive policing paradigm that emphasises the identification and prevention of habitual criminals, concentrating on groups that present a threat and risk to the community. It employs community intelligence alongside other intelligence-driven policing strategies and methodologies to address crime and criminal activity.  The research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The data for this research was gathered in three countries: Denmark, the two South African metropolitan provinces of Gauteng and Western Cape, and three Nigerian cities: Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The findings demonstrate that community policing has been embraced and executed in the majority of jurisdictions; yet, numerous issues hinder its efficient implementation. This encompasses a deficiency in comprehending the model's conceptual framework, misinterpretations and misconceptions by those responsible for its implementation, and an incapacity among the police, stakeholders, and the general public to distinguish community policing from state and regional policing. Innovative policing has significant consequences for international law enforcement in an increasingly digitised and complicated environment. Technological advancements have obscured the distinctions between the physical and digital domains, rendering the criminal scene increasingly global and complex. National and international law enforcement authorities must use innovative approaches and remain abreast of swift digitalisation and technical progress. This study recommends shifting to intelligence-driven community policing by integrating intelligence-led police strategies, techniques, and approaches into the community policing implementation framework. Understanding the conceptual framework of community policing and contemporary implementation methods tailored to the specific demands of each jurisdiction, police agency, culture, and circumstances is essential. A comprehensive recommendation is proposed to enhance the capacity and capability development of criminal justice, law enforcement, and intelligence personnel regarding the execution of intelligence-driven community policing.

Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are crucial to South Africa's economy, significantly contributing to job creation and innovation. However, they face challenges such as limited access to finance, skills shortages, and difficulties in adopting emerging technologies, which hinder their growth and sustainability. This study aims to explore the role of innovative entrepreneurship and technology in enhancing SMME performance. Through a systematic literature review and thematic analysis, the research identifies twelve key themes that underscore how innovative entrepreneurship can drive adaptability, improve operational efficiency, and facilitate market access. Findings indicate that innovative business models and practices are essential for SMMEs to overcome financial and operational barriers, enabling them to respond effectively to market demands. The study recommends that the South African government and private sector collaborate to enhance financial accessibility, develop targeted training programmes, and improve infrastructure. By fostering a supportive environment for innovative entrepreneurship, SMMEs can leverage emerging technologies more effectively, ultimately driving economic growth and social development in the country.

This study explores the effect of oil production (OP) on environmental sustainability in relation to the role of institutions in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), using annual data from 1990 to 2022. Estimates from the dynamic common correlated effects and dynamic seemingly unrelated regression indicate that oil production heightens the ecological footprint, while this devastating impact is lessened by its interaction with institutional quality. Furthermore, there is evidence that ecological footprint and oil production are causally related to economic growth in both directions. To promote a sustainable environment, oil production activities in OPEC should be incorporated into a strong institutional structure that supports the environment. OPEC should also enhance the proportion of renewable energy in its energy mix through subsidies, tax holidays and carbon pricing.