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Assessing risk factors for juvenile delinquency necessitates a holistic approach, taking into account individual, familial, societal, and communal influences. Risk factors are conditions or attributes that may elevate the probability of adverse outcomes or behaviours in adolescents. These elements may include multiple dimensions of a young individual's life, such as personal, familial, peer, educational, and communal influences. Globally, crime persists as a pressing issue, predominantly involving youngsters in offences such as cybercrime, robbery, theft, shoplifting, substance misuse, cash-in-transit heists, violent crimes, abduction, kidnapping, gang-related activities, cultism, and ritual killings. It is imperative to confront the prevailing trend of juvenile criminal actions inside society. This article analyses risk variables associated with juvenile criminal behaviour and the responses of the criminal justice system and its stakeholders. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating in-person interviews and surveys for data acquisition.  Research identifies determinants of criminal behaviour, including low self-control, impulsivity, and substance abuse. Family-related factors encompass parental neglect, maltreatment, and inadequate support. Social factors involve associations with delinquent peers, poverty, and discrimination. A correlation exists between drug, alcohol, and substance abuse and criminal behaviour among youth. Parental indifference may impact youth decision-making. Some young offenders are incarcerated in correctional facilities, while others participate in rehabilitation through diversion programs. The findings highlight the necessity for cohesive treatments involving family, community, and institutions, prioritising mental health support and restorative justice to diminish youth recidivism. The study advocates for the active involvement of stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations and rehabilitation centres. It emphasises the necessity for vigilant supervision and monitoring of youth by parents, guardians, family members, communities, institutions, and the criminal justice system to proactively prevent access to drugs and substances that incite violence and criminal behaviour. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of integrating family, community, and institutional interventions, mental health support, and restorative justice to mitigate youth recidivism. Additionally, it calls for the regular monitoring of youth mental health and the provision of effective interventions such as rehabilitation, youth crime prevention, treatment, and morality regeneration programs.

In South Africa, only 6% of the population is expected to retire with financial independence, and the implementation of the Two-Pot retirement system in September 2024 exacerbates the retirement savings dilemma, underscoring an urgent necessity for creative retirement planning solutions. This article thoroughly delineates the present status of research into the utilisation of Robo-advisors in retirement planning. This analysis evaluates the appropriateness and feasibility of employing Robo-advisors to enhance and democratise digital financial advice within the context of a developing economy like South Africa, particularly through the adoption of the Two-Pot retirement scheme. A comprehensive literature analysis was conducted utilising the Emerald Insight, ProQuest, and Scopus databases to find peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2019 and 2024. These articles critically assessed the function of Robo-advisors in democratising financial advice, providing a cost-efficient, accessible, and perhaps less biassed alternative to conventional advising services. The study highlights the imperative for future research to guarantee the ethical, transparent, and controlled implementation of robo-advisory services in South Africa. The literature analysis delineates five pertinent study themes: emerging literature on Robo-advisors, behavioural dimensions, risk assessment, regulatory frameworks, and Robo-advisor characteristics pertinent to the South African retirement context, considering the Two-Pot retirement system.The report delineates potential research opportunities for each highlighted issue to aid scholars in performing empirical investigations aimed at optimising retirement planning in South Africa through the use of Robo-advisors.

A transformative shift is imminent as generative artificial intelligence facilitates a synthetic and highly individualised approach to information creation and transmission. Technological breakthroughs and innovations necessitate the integration of technology across all facets of life, operations, and education to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Numerous institutions worldwide have adopted Generative AI (GenAI) as a revolutionary tool in educational dialogue, encompassing teaching, learning, student participation, and research. The study sought to assess digital innovations using GenAI, video platforms, and social media within the educational sphere. A mixed-methods design was employed including 225 participants. Research indicated that AI improves personalisation and engagement, while video and social media tools promote collaboration and digital literacy. GenAI can automate administrative functions, support multidisciplinary research, and enhance dynamic and interactive learning experiences. Artificial intelligence can automate and improve several processes, facilitating support for both learners and educators, from managing routine enquiries to optimising resource allocation via predictive analytics. Video educational platforms facilitate the creation of interactive and customised content. Social media may augment initiatives, cultivate digital literacy, and promote user-generated content. The research suggests that effective integration necessitates ethical AI knowledge and institutional capability.

This study investigates the influence of Industry 4.0 technology on work engagement through the lens of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, aiming to mitigate technostress. The primary objective is to explore how advanced technology affects work engagement and to develop a model that addresses potential negative impacts such as technostress and techno-addiction. Utilizing a sample of 339 employees from rated hotels in South Africa, data were collected through physical and online questionnaires. The study employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the relationships between technology use and work engagement. Results indicate a significant positive effect of technology on work engagement (path coefficient=0.356, t=8.140 p<0.01), suggesting that Industry 4.0 technologies enhance employee vigor, dedication, and absorption by providing greater work flexibility and autonomy. These findings challenges existing literature, which often highlights the negative consequences of technology on work engagement. The study contributes to the understanding of how to harness Industry 4.0 technology to improve employee well-being and offers practical recommendations for effectively integrating such technologies in organizations.

This study investigated the influence of organisational culture and responsible leadership on employee job satisfaction. A positivist research philosophy was adopted, with a stratified sample of 373 permanent employees from a South African state-owned enterprise, using a quantitative approach and cross-sectional design. Data were collected using the Organisational Culture Assessment Inventory (OCAI), the Responsible Leadership Scale (RLS), and the Job Satisfaction Index (JSI). Data reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, while confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression were used to determine predictive relationships among variables. The results indicated that organisational culture correlated positively and significantly with both responsible leadership and job satisfaction, and responsible leadership also correlated positively and significantly with job satisfaction. Furthermore, responsible leadership significantly predicted job satisfaction, whereas organisational culture did not significantly predict job satisfaction. From a business ecosystem and strategy perspective, the findings highlight the importance of fostering responsible leadership and adaptive organisational cultures as key enablers of sustainable performance, ethical governance, and stakeholder trust. These factors are crucial for strengthening strategic alignment and long-term competitiveness in complex institutional environments. The study also has socio-economic development implications: by promoting responsible leadership and enhancing employee satisfaction, state-owned enterprises can drive productivity, social equity, and inclusive growth, thereby reinforcing South Africa’s broader business and socio-economic ecosystem.

The quality of infrastructure in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres has a profound influence on child development outcomes, particularly in marginalised communities. This article investigates the infrastructural challenges facing township-based ECD centres in Johannesburg, South Africa, and explores how these challenges influence parents’ decisions and, potentially, the developmental trajectories of their children. Drawing on the National Integrated ECD Policy (2015) and the Department of Social Development (DSD) infrastructure norms, the study employs a mixed-methods design to assess the availability and adequacy of physical infrastructure in selected centres. Parents of children attending township ECD centres participated through an online quantitative survey and telephonic qualitative interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings reveal widespread compliance with minimum infrastructure standards—such as access to clean water, basic sanitation, and classroom space—but expose critical gaps in outdoor play areas, safety features, and child-friendly environments. These deficiencies are compounded by limited financial resources, overcrowded facilities, and dual-purpose premises that serve both as homes and ECD centres. While parents generally expressed satisfaction with proximity, staff care, and affordability, their responses also highlighted low awareness of infrastructural quality as a determinant of developmental outcomes. The study concludes that township ECD infrastructure reflects a “silent quintile” system—an informal, inequitable tier of provisioning shaped by historical neglect, regulatory ambiguity, and constrained investment. It argues for targeted infrastructure grants, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and parental awareness campaigns to ensure that ECD infrastructure supports rather than hinders child development. This article contributes to the growing discourse on structural inequality in early childhood provisioning and calls for policy coherence and cross-sectoral collaboration to advance the right to quality early learning for all children in South Africa.

Evaluation systems are slowly making inroads in South African municipalities, particularly in the metros, yet their effective utilisation remains uneven across service delivery programmes. This study investigates the barriers affecting the uptake of evaluation in implementing the Indigent Programme Exit Strategy within the City of Tshwane (CoT) Metropolitan Municipality. Despite the strategic intent of the exit strategy to reduce long-term dependency and promote self-sufficiency among beneficiaries, the study finds that evaluation evidence is rarely used to inform decisions related to the strategy's design, implementation, or review. Instead, reliance is placed on administrative reporting and compliance-driven monitoring data, which limits learning, adaptation, and accountability. Using a qualitative case study approach grounded in institutional and systems theory, the study draws on semi-structured interviews and document analysis to identify key barriers, including weak political incentives for evaluation use, limited integration of evaluation processes into decision-making cycles, and inadequate feedback loops between evaluators, implementers, and policymakers. The findings underscore that the challenge is not the absence of M&E systems but rather the underutilisation of evaluation evidence to inform programmatic change. The article concludes by offering context-sensitive recommendations for enhancing evaluation uptake within municipal exit strategies and related interventions, contributing broader lessons for strengthening evidence use in local governance.

This study explores the complex dynamics of succession planning and conflict in family businesses in South Africa, with the objective of developing a theoretical framework to guide future research and practical interventions. A qualitative methodology was employed, using an interpretive research paradigm to gain in-depth insights into the lived experiences of family businesses. The study draws on a comprehensive review of literature to identify key themes, including governance structures, generational dynamics, cultural influences, and the role of communication in succession processes. Findings reveal that succession in South African family businesses is often hindered by a lack of formal planning, entrenched familial expectations, and unresolved interpersonal tensions. Cultural values and patriarchal norms also emerged as significant influences on how succession is perceived and enacted. The study concludes that effective succession planning in South African family businesses requires a context-sensitive approach that balances tradition with professionalization. It recommends the adoption of structured governance mechanisms, open communication strategies, and succession training for both incumbent and successor generations. This research present theoretical framework that integrates socio-cultural, organizational, and individual dimensions of succession planning and conflict management in family businesses.  

This research assesses the levels of digital financial literacy (DFL) and the patterns of Fintech adoption among university students in South Africa. It expands the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework to investigate the impact of demographic factors on DFL as a precursor to Fintech utilisation. A quantitative methodology utilised convenience sampling to distribute 376 questionnaires at two public universities in South Africa. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multiple linear regression using IBM SPSS version 29.0, with reliability evaluated through Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Findings reveal moderate to high levels of DFL among university students; however, notable knowledge deficiencies exist concerning consumer rights and redress mechanisms. Demographic analysis indicated that gender had no significant impact on DFL levels, whereas income, age, and educational attainment showed significant correlations. Three components of DFL demonstrated positive and significant correlations with university students' intentions to adopt Fintech products and services; however, awareness of digital financial risks did not significantly influence these adoption intentions. The findings enhance the theoretical framework of technology acceptance models in emerging markets and offer empirical evidence regarding DFL's influence on Fintech adoption. This study provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, and educational administrators aiming to improve financial inclusion initiatives and increase Fintech utilisation among university students in South Africa.

The efficient integration of young people into the global job market is fundamental to sustainable development, significantly impacting economic stability, social unity, and demographic benefits. This study examines the determinants of youth labour absorption across key economic sectors in South Africa. The study uses the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to analyse sector-specific time-series data. The empirical findings show that youth labour market outcomes are influenced by both macroeconomic and microeconomic factors, with varying effects across economic sectors. The identified key determinants of youth labour absorption include economic growth, skills levels, labour costs, capital- or labour-intensity, profitability, and investment. In the manufacturing sector, for example, a rising capital-to-labour ratio was identified as one of the key constraints on youth labour absorption, while relatively low labour costs supported youth labour absorption in the community and social services sector. These sector-specific insights highlight the necessity of differentiated policy responses. Accordingly, the study recommends targeted strategies to promote inclusive economic growth, bridge skills mismatches, and encourage investment in labour-intensive industries.

This study aims to provide compelling evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of local economic development (LED) in advancing economic and social development. The research undertook a systematic review of existing literature to assess whether LED strategies have effectively addressed the racially and gender-based socio-economic disparities between affluent and impoverished communities. The analysis revealed that municipal LED efforts have predominantly concentrated on community economic development projects, many of which have turned out to be economically unfeasible with minimal enduring impact on poverty alleviation. Moreover, the collaboration among government entities, local businesses, and the voluntary sector was frequently found to be weak or altogether absent. For significant socio-economic transformation in South Africa, LED policies must emphasize not only an increase in the number of job opportunities but also a diversification of economic activities. Local governments are called upon to play a proactive role in this transformative process. Furthermore, the LED strategy should be comprehensive and not reliant on a limited number of projects. This study This research is characterised by originality and great scientific value, as it underscores the necessity for the national government to take on a leadership position and devise LED guidelines that empower local authorities with the capacity to effectively foster LED activities.

Community participation is a means of empowering people by creating the space for them to engage in developing their skills and abilities to negotiate their needs in the face of the forces that often appear to obstruct and discourage them. Community participation which results in the development of communities is determined by the extent to which community members and beneficiaries of the process take part in decision-making, to ensure meaningful community participation. Three thematic areas of literature were reviewed, that is: community participation, community development, and service delivery. The study investigated the impact of community participation in community development at Collins Chabane Local Municipality. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted and a total of 120 respondents were purposefully selected to take part in the study. A self-constructed structured questionnaire was applied to collect data and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics. A total of 120 respondents took part in this study, and out of 120 respondents, 53 (44.2%) were males and only 67 (55.8%) were females. The study found that 103 (85.8%) of the respondents agreed with the idea that community members participate in community development. Fifty-eight (58) which constitutes 48.3% of respondents indicated that there is a lack of resources to capacitate rural citizens to actively participate in the development of communities. Forty-nine (40.8%) of the respondents revealed that community members do not contribute resources such as money, materials and labour towards the development of the community. The implications of enduring the challenge of community development at the grassroots are discussed in line with the literature.

Funerals are culturally significant across the continent, often entailing substantial financial costs many families cannot easily bear. This study explores the role of funeral insurance in alleviating financial and social pressures related to burial practices in African countries. The research employs desktop research, analysing secondary data from government reports, academic literature, insurance industry publications, case studies, and media articles. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes such as financial alleviation, societal pressures, and migration’s influence on burial customs. Findings indicate that funeral insurance provides crucial financial support, particularly for families in urban areas and migrant workers, by covering burial-related expenses and ensuring adherence to cultural practices. However, the study also highlights the role of societal expectations, which often encourage lavish funerals, leading to overspending despite the intention of financial relief. Additionally, migration has significantly impacted funeral practices, with many individuals wishing to be buried in their rural hometowns despite the logistical challenges and costs involved. The study concludes that while funeral insurance is essential in mitigating financial strain, it must be complemented by efforts to shift societal attitudes towards simpler, more sustainable funeral practices. The research recommends improving the affordability and accessibility of funeral insurance, fostering financial literacy, developing culturally relevant insurance products, and addressing the social pressures associated with extravagant funerals. Future research should explore regional variations, alternative financial mechanisms, and longitudinal trends further to understand the dynamics of funeral insurance in Africa.

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.

The purpose of this study was to identify the internal implementation strategy issues encountered by a bank in South Africa. Challenges are phased in by South African banks during the fourth stage of the strategic planning process. Banks must be aware of the internal issues affecting the implementation stage. The banking industry in South Africa plays a significant role in the regional economy and market. The article's underlying contingency theory highlights how crucial it is for South African banks to use a range of approaches to address problems that can prevent them from implementing their strategies. Data were mostly gathered through semi-structured interviews with 25 workers of a bank in South Africa. Atlas.ti version 23 software was used to analyse the participant data gathering. The findings show that the South African bank is facing internal issues as a result of senior managers' decision to exclude junior and middle management's participation from the overall plan. This will demotivate those involved and result in a lack of support for the plan. Inadequate support from the change management team and communication from the management team regarding the new plan.

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) have significant opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, decision-making, and service delivery through artificial intelligence (AI). However, several barriers hinder widespread AI adoption in these organizations. This article measures the impact of AI adoption on performance indicators like production output and customer satisfaction in State-Owned Enterprises. It analyses financial sustainability, resource management, and efficiency metrics while identifying key barriers such as high implementation costs, lack of technical expertise, and resistance to change. The barriers to AI adoption in the SOEs are studied quantitatively. Data was gathered from 240 carefully chosen SOE personnel in South Africa (SA) using a survey approach, which had a 93.28% response rate. The population of this study comprised employees of South African SOEs. The focus of the article is on examining the perspectives of individuals in SOEs in SA regarding AI implementation. Further complicating AI integration are data security and privacy concerns, as well as legal and compliance issues. A lack of strategic vision and financial limitations are also major obstacles to advancement. Developing successful plans to encourage AI adoption in SOEs, which will eventually spur innovation and enhance public sector performance, requires an understanding of these obstacles.  The article concludes that despite significant barriers to AI adoption in South African SOEs—such as lack of senior management support, inadequate infrastructure, resistance to change, data quality issues, and a shortage of skilled staff—there are clear opportunities for improvement.  This is one of the articles that focuses on identifying barriers of adopting AI in South African SOEs and it lays a foundation for future research on AI in SOEs.

The doctoral programme is an educational programme put in place to earn the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D). A criterion for assessing the successful administration of doctoral degrees in universities is the timely completion of the programme.  Research indicates that several Ph.D. candidates at Nigerian universities fail to finish their programmes within the anticipated five-year timeframe. This research examined the determinants of efficient administration of PhD programmes in universities in southern Nigeria. A sample of 528 respondents (PhD students, supervisors and coordinators) was drawn from the University of Ibadan 305, Olabisi Onabanjo University 38, Ekiti State University 50 and the University of Lagos 135. Two questionnaires titled “Effective Management of Doctoral Programme Questionnaire” (EMDPQ r=0.83) and “Predictors of Effective Management of Ph.D Questionnaire” (PEMPQ r=0.82) were used to collect data. Multiple regression analysis was used to test two null hypotheses at the significance level of 0.05. The research found that the successful administration of PhD programs in institutions in southwest Nigeria was significantly influenced by student, supervisory, and institutional variables (F(3;461) =25.973, Adj. R2=0.13), accounting for 13% of its variance. It was also shown that institutional (? = 0.277, t = 2.892, p < 0.05) and student-related (? = 0.275, t = 2.425, p < 0.05) factors are more powerful predictors of effective management of doctoral programmes than supervisory variables. The findings indicated that to improve the effective management of doctoral programmes in universities in southwest Nigeria, stakeholders should prioritise collaboration on student, supervisory, and institutional factors.

Sustainable food systems are essential for achieving numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in securing food availability, enhancing nutrition, and fostering sustainable agriculture, while also aiding in other SDGs such as poverty alleviation, promoting health and well-being, encouraging responsible consumption, and addressing climate change. Discussions about both Sustainable Development Goals and the sustainability of food systems are ongoing. This article engages with these discussions by investigating the link between the Sustainable Development Goals and food systems, and analysing how food systems might be prioritised as essential for attaining the SDGs. Supported by a secondary literature assessment, the article demonstrated that food security is essential for sustainable development, influencing many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Numerous Sustainable Development Goals will be realised when individuals have access to sufficient nutritious food. The conclusion is that recognising the intersections and interrelations between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and food systems, along with implementing transformative measures that empower stakeholders along the food supply chain, will enhance governments' prospects of achieving the SDGs.

This study explores the transformation and challenges faced by traditional African marriage systems in the modern era, focusing on both internal cultural shifts and external influences such as globalization, westernisation, and legal reforms. Using secondary data from credible sources, including scholarly articles, books, and online platforms, a qualitative research design was employed, with thematic analysis as the primary method of data interpretation. The study identifies key themes undermining traditional marriage systems, such as socioeconomic pressures, shifting gender roles, the influence of Western ideals, and legal changes. The analysis reveals that while traditional marriage practices are being redefined, they continue to play a significant role in maintaining social cohesion and cultural values within African societies. The study highlights the evolving nature of marriage, particularly in response to the growing financial independence of women, the breakdown of traditional family structures, and the increasing influence of Western marriage models. Recommendations are provided to preserve the cultural integrity of African marriages while adapting them to modern realities, including promoting cultural education, economic adaptation of marriage practices, gender equality, and legal reforms to protect and acknowledge customary marriages. The findings underline the need for African societies to balance tradition and modernity, ensuring that marriage remains a vital institution that upholds communal values while accommodating contemporary aspirations.

The advent of digital technologies and their subsequent integration in the agricultural sector has had mixed implications for various stakeholders. However, while studies on the benefits and challenges of digital transformation abound, there is limited scholarly attention on the impact of digital transformation in the agricultural labour market. This article closes this gap in the literature by exploring how digitalisation impacts the agricultural labour market. It also highlights the future trajectory of labour in agriculture under digitalisation transformation. The article a semi-systematic literature review approach and draws from existing literature in both academic and grey formats. The article shows that digital transformation has mixed outcomes for the agricultural labour market. While it smoothens operations, improve production, and accountability, it is also disrupting agricultural labour relations, compromising workers' collective bargaining power, altering income and working conditions, distorting working time and work intensity, generating discrimination in digital work, and worsening worker surveillance and control. It concludes that while highly digitally skilled workers could benefit from integrating digital tools in their operations, non-skilled, independent, and contracted workers, who are the majority in the sector, are on the losing end. It recommends that the welfare of employees be prioritised as enterprises move into digital transformation.