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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 liberalization of higher education in Cameroon has significantly reshaped the educational landscape, leading to a proliferation of private institutions. While this expansion aims to meet the high demand for higher education and diversify educational offerings, it has been accompanied by systemic issues that undermine educational quality. This study explores the impact of these issues, including corruption, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient laboratory equipment, lack of qualified lecturers, poor academic programs, and inadequate evaluation of the quality and relevance of these institutions. Motivated by the urgent need to address these challenges and enhance educational outcomes, this study investigates the primary infrastructure and equipment deficiencies in private institutions and examines how these deficiencies impact the quality of education. It also examines the impact of corruption and maladministration, highlighting the challenges posed by the employment of underqualified instructors in student training, which further compromises educational quality and student outcomes. The findings reveal significant deficiencies that severely limit the capacity of private institutions to provide quality education. The study highlights the need for comprehensive reforms, including stricter regulatory oversight, increased investment in infrastructure, and measures to combat corruption. Additionally, addressing the use of unqualified lecturers and improving the evaluation processes of academic programs are crucial steps. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure that private higher education institutions can effectively complement public universities and contribute to national development. The findings and recommendations of this study aim to inform policy changes and educational reforms, providing a pathway to improving the quality of higher education in Cameroon. By implementing these reforms, Cameroon can create a more robust and equitable higher education system that meets the needs of its growing student population and supports the country's broader developmental goals.

This paper examines the financial and psychological impacts of the current grade system in South African universities, particularly on students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The system, designed to enhance the quality of education by ensuring students grasp core concepts before advancing, often extends the duration of study for student. This extension leads to significant financial burdens, including additional tuition fees, accommodation costs, and subsistence expenses. The rigid structure of grading can prevent students from progressing in their programs, as failing a core module often disqualifies them from taking multiple subsequent modules. The literature review highlights international practices and the unique socio-economic context of South Africa. Findings reveal that the system contributes to high dropout rates, increased student debt, and psychological distress. This paper argues for a reform in the grading system, suggesting a cap at 40% pass, instead of 50% pass for progression at undergraduate level, which would alleviate some of these pressures. Discussions focus on the potential benefits of such a reform, including reduced financial strain on NSFAS, improved student retention, and better mental health outcomes. The conclusion reiterates the necessity of policy changes to create a more equitable and sustainable higher education system. By addressing these challenges, South African universities can ensure that more students complete their degrees in a timely manner, benefiting both the students and the broader economy.

The implementation of language policies in South African universities faces significant barriers rooted in the country's socio-economic and historical context. Despite constitutional mandates and policy frameworks aimed at promoting multilingualism and equity, practical challenges persist. Developing indigenous African languages into fully-fledged academic mediums is a complex and resource-intensive process, requiring substantial financial investment, skilled language specialists, and institutional commitment. The historical privileging of English and Afrikaans during apartheid has created an entrenched system where these languages dominate academia, marginalizing indigenous languages. Efforts to elevate these languages to academic status are further complicated by the need for consistent scientific terminology and academic materials, which are currently lacking. Furthermore, the financial burden on universities to support multilingual education, including translation services and recruiting qualified staff, is considerable. This financial strain is compounded by broader economic challenges facing the higher education sector. While preserving Afrikaans as an academic language promotes diversity and inclusivity, it also highlights the disparities in language development and usage in academia. The reluctance of the government to invest heavily in transforming other local languages into academic mediums reflects practical considerations about marketability and global competitiveness, as English remains the predominant language for research dissemination and professional advancement. This paper explores these barriers in detail, drawing on policy guidelines and existing literature, and discusses their impact on higher education institutions and students. The findings reveal a need for a balanced approach that acknowledges both the practical constraints and the cultural significance of multilingualism in fostering a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.

This aim of this paper is to present an understanding State-Owned Entities (SOE’s) responses to the energy crisis in Nigeria and South Africa. The energy crisis in both Nigeria and South Africa has posed significant challenges, with both countries experiencing severe power shortages that have impacted economic growth and the quality of life. State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the energy sector, such as Nigeria's NESCO and South Africa's Eskom, have traditionally been central to efforts of ensuring energy security. The paper therefore through a qualitative method of research, attempts to reveal the responses of the SOE’s in these states to address the energy crisis. Hence, it concludes that South Africa responded by unbundling Eskom and Nigeria privatising the energy sector. But these mechanisms are yet to solve the energy crisis.

Youth unemployment is an ongoing issue that affects individuals domestically and globally, and such a problem has been an issue for a number of years. As a survival approach for economic improvement in most countries, entrepreneurship has been the driving force. There is some evidence that entrepreneurship programs can increase employability. In addition, it can increase motivation for starting a business, particularly among youth who typically have lower levels of self-confidence. To identify how entrepreneurial training interventions can enhance entrepreneurship elf-efficacy among unemployed youth, as systematic review of past study was conducted. Human capital theory was used to explain how human development idea, which encourages economic production through the foundation for skill development and training programs. The theory assists in exploring the intervention programs that enhance self-efficacy in entrepreneurship. The review revealed that there is a direct relationship between training interventions and youth unemployment. It is concluded that training interventions assist the youth to be more informed and skilled, exposing them to venture creation. Therefore, training interventions are the soundest approach to addressing youth unemployment and other socioeconomic issues.

This paper examines the shift from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 in relation to sustainable supply chain management (SCM), highlighting the incorporation of human-centric technologies. As industries progress, there is an increasing necessity to integrate technologies that enhance human-machine collaboration, optimise operational efficiency, and foster sustainability. This work aims to do a systematic review of the evolutionary process, emphasising the transformation of supply chain management by these technologies. A systematic review technique, adhering to the PRISMA framework, was utilised to collect and assess pertinent material published between 2010 to 2024. The review encompassed an exhaustive database search, stringent eligibility screening, and thematic analysis via Atlas-ti software to discern main themes and patterns concerning the incorporation of human-centric technology in supply chain management. The results indicate that the change to Industry 5.0 entails a substantial movement towards human-automation collaboration, with AI and machine learning as essential components. Digital transformation is redefining supply chain management by utilising big data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain technology to enhance transparency, traceability, and decision-making. Bionic supply chains, integrating human intelligence with machine efficiency, are developing as a vital foundation for operational resilience and sustainability. The study suggests that the incorporation of human-centric technology in supply chain management enhances efficiency and sustainability while fostering a more resilient supply network adept at reacting to interruptions. This paper offers essential recommendations for academics and practitioners seeking to enhance supply chain operations in the context of Industry 5.0.

A well-crafted ecotourism strategy that encourages the participation of poor rural communities could create opportunities for local communities’ residents. This study investigated whether the local communities are participating in the implementation of ecotourism projects. A mixed-methods approach was adopted in the form of interviews and questionnaires. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and ATLAS TI applications were used for data analysis, respectively. The findings indicate that community members had not been properly informed about ecotourism services across the four local municipalities, thereby, community participation in ecotourism activities was somewhat sporadic, inconsistent, and informal. An improved communication network is recommended to encourage local participation in ecotourism businesses.

This paper aimed to systematically review the literature on management accounting research among small businesses in emerging economies. The study analysed 69 management accounting survey articles on small businesses that were published between 2013 and 2023 using a database-driven search strategy. This analysis synthesised the results into five themes: utilisation of management accounting, factors affecting its use, and its effects on firm performance. It further identified a theme in the management accounting frameworks developed for SMEs in emerging economies as well as the role of government in supporting the implementation of MAPs among SMEs. This study found that general SMEs in developing countries are low adopters of management accounting; those that are using MAPs widely apply the traditional systems. In addition, the study noted that the usage of MAPs is influenced by numerous factors that are similar in different countries. The present view indicates that there is limited research on models or frameworks that have been developed to improve the easy application of management accounting in SMEs. There is a need for more research to be conducted on providing solutions to the low adoption level and how the barriers to the application of MAPs can be overcome by SMEs in emerging economies, instead of just identifying the constraints.

Promoting inclusion requires acknowledging and tackling many aspects and overcoming obstacles and disparities that hinder equitable access to opportunities, resources, and services. It is worth mentioning that the hierarchical method of creating policies and providing services in urban areas frequently neglects to consider the varied requirements and viewpoints of different communities. Therefore, it is necessary to further investigate approaches to policymaking and service delivery that take into account the different needs and perspectives of the community. This article examines the City of Johannesburg as a case study to investigate a collaborative approach for municipal governments to enhance inclusion in urban areas. Using a qualitative research design, this study gathers data by analysing documents and reviewing existing literature. The data are examined using the process of content analysis. The report reveals that coproduction approaches enhance inclusivity in the City of Johannesburg by fostering collaboration opportunities between local governments and communities. It illustrates that when individuals participate in the formulation of policies and the provision of services, local governments may more effectively access the many needs and viewpoints of the community and develop policies and services that are more efficient and inclusive. The report also emphasises the difficulties linked to the implementation of a coproduction strategy and suggests the need to enhance capabilities and establish trust and communication among stakeholders.

Intra-SADC trade has not met the target that was set by the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) of achieving 22% by the year 2022 due to a myriad of various trade-related challenges. This present study aims to compare the results of using a Poisson Maximum Likelihood Estimator (PPML) with Random Effects (RE), Fixed Effects (FE), and an Ordinary Least Squares (POLS) model on a balanced panel of select eight Southern African Development Community (SADC) members that trade with South Africa over the period 2010-2022. The paper empirically examines how South Africa’s overlapping Regional Economic Community (REC) membership affects bilateral trade. Also, the examination of how the impact of distance between South Africa and its trading partners impacts bilateral trade. The study findings are that PPML provides more robust results than other estimation techniques in estimating the gravity model for a balanced micro panel. From the PPML results, distance has a significant negative impact at a 5% level on bilateral exports from South Africa which implies that SADC countries that are relatively far in terms of distance from South Africa and landlocked tend to experience a relative fall in exports from South Africa.  However, multiple REC membership has a positive and significant impact of 1% level of significance on bilateral trade contrary to the negative relationship that was expected. The study recommends the speedy conclusion of outstanding AfCFTA issues for member states to effectively benefit from the economies that economic geography presents.

The state and non-state actors have always influenced the issues arising in society, particularly concerning state-owned entities (SOEs), economic stability, and instability. From having an influence within their national borders to the international scale, these actors are very pivotal agents that often seek to bring justice and better ordinary individuals' lives. Non-state actors such as multinational corporations and civil society organizations are some of those on the frontlines of fighting for economic emancipation, especially in less developed states. Yet, this is not always the case; in some instances, they can be noted as villains who would bring about the injustices themselves. Although their influence cuts across many sectors of society, the paper sought to discuss the contribution of these two actors, the state and the non-state actor, to the economic stability and/or instability of state-owned entities. From this premise, the paper adopted a qualitative method and case study approach for South African Airways (SAA) to understand the contribution of state and non-state entities to the financial stability or instability of SAA. Thus, the findings suggest that SOEs are affected by various direct and indirect interventions by both state and non-state actors, especially in their economic ambitions, which provide stability or instability in the entity. Hence, the paper concludes that the economic stability or instability of SOEs such as SAA is largely affected by the intervention of both state and non-state actors.