Explore publications.

The airline industry faces persistent profitability pressure stemming from high fixed costs, intense competition, and macroeconomic volatility. Since the entry of low-cost carriers (LCCs), ancillary revenue—defined as income generated from services and products supplementary to the core ticket—has evolved from a peripheral activity into a strategic financial pillar for both full-service and low-cost airlines. This study investigates the determinants of passenger willingness to pay (WTP) for à la carte ancillary services and identifies behavioural and demographic profiles that predict purchase frequency. Using a survey of 254 air travellers and a multi-method statistical approach (Chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Kruskal–Wallis with Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons), six hypotheses are tested. The results demonstrate that (i) passengers familiar with à la carte services allocate significantly larger travel budgets to such services (p < .05); (ii) frequent travellers (>5 flights/year) are significantly more likely to purchase à la carte services (χ² = 8.44, p < .01); (iii) frequent-flyer programme (FFP) members purchase ancillary services at substantially higher rates (χ² = 9.70, p < .01); and (iv) contrary to common managerial intuition, short-haul passengers purchase à la carte services more frequently than long-haul passengers (χ² = 4.51, p < .05). Wi-Fi access is valued across all age cohorts without statistically significant differences. The findings extend the revenue management literature by empirically validating familiarity and loyalty-programme membership as the strongest behavioural predictors of à la carte WTP, and offer actionable guidance for targeted personalisation, segmentation, and dynamic pricing strategies. Implications for machine-learning-driven ancillary recommendation systems are also discussed in light of recent advances in offer management (2022–2025).

Customers’ demand for printing industry to be more productive and compete globally in relation to delivery, cost, quality and use of technological factors is one of the factors which have a possible impact on productivity. Printing establishments through the South African printing industry have a major role to play in the country’s economy. Printing industry is characterised by overloading, inefficiency and ineffectiveness affecting overall organisational performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing productivity improvement practices and develop productivity improvement model to improve printing division. This study follows a qualitative research approach as it is an exploratory research technique used to understand the underlying reasons, perceptions and motivations of individuals in solving a problem. A sample of Government Printing Works’ (GPW) employees directly involved in the printing, finishing and packaging of Higher Education and Training examination question papers located in Pretoria, City of Tshwane municipality participated in this study. A number of critical success and barriers to productivity improvement practices are identified.  Barriers factors include poorly designed process; poorly designed layout; poor quality materials; lack of effective maintenance plans; unsatisfactory planning; supplier inefficiencies and customer inefficiencies were the major causes of low productivity in the GPW. This comprehensive and holistic framework can assist government printing employees’ and lean practioners’ in their lean manufacturing implementation journey systematically and improve the organisation’s performance.

The objectives of this paper are, first, to explore factors influencing customers' satisfaction with private healthcare services, and second, to investigate the relationship between patient attributes and the factors influencing customer satisfaction. The SERVQUAL model was employed to assess the quality of healthcare services from the patients’ perspective, offering valuable insights for private healthcare providers in Limpopo, South Africa. The study surveyed 242 patients from the Thulamela District Municipality using a self-administered questionnaire. A quantitative research approach and stratified random sampling were used to collect the data. The results indicate that factors influencing customer satisfaction in private medical services include the physical environment of the practice, the competence of reception staff, and the professionalism of medical doctors. Additionally, the study found a significant relationship between patient attributes and these key factors. The study underscores the importance of aligning healthcare service delivery with patient needs and expectations to enhance competitiveness and ensure long-term sustainability. To enhance customer satisfaction, the medical doctors are encouraged to focus on tangible aspects of their facilities and human resources, operational and structural enhancements, accessibility and pricing.

This paper examines the need to decolonise entrepreneurship education in South Africa by addressing epistemic inequalities and aligning curricula with local socio-economic realities. Grounded in decolonial and human capital theories, the study critiques existing programmes that are dominated by Western pedagogies privileging individualism and profit maximization. A literature review shows that current curricula inadequately reflect indigenous knowledge, community-oriented practices, and the informal economy, which remains a crucial site for livelihoods and economic participation. Three key gaps are identified: an overreliance on Eurocentric content, weak contextual relevance to South Africa’s socio-economic challenges, and the exclusion of indigenous and community-driven approaches. These shortcomings limit the curriculum’s capacity to prepare students to address pressing issues such as unemployment, inequality, and informality. The study argues for a decolonised curriculum that integrates African epistemologies, emphasizes social and community entrepreneurship, and produces graduates capable of contributing to inclusive and sustainable development. This study adopts a conceptual and integrative literature-based approach to examine the decolonisation of entrepreneurship education in South Africa. Drawing on peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, doctoral studies, and prior empirical research conducted within South African higher education contexts, the paper synthesises existing scholarship to identify structural gaps, epistemic exclusions, and contextual misalignments within entrepreneurship curricula. Rather than presenting new primary empirical data, the study draws on illustrative insights from established South African studies to support conceptual arguments. This approach is appropriate given the paper’s aim to advance theoretical clarity, curricular reflection, and contextually grounded recommendations for entrepreneurship education reform.

This PRISMA-guided review synthesises evidence from 32 studies on how multilingual training supports women’s entrepreneurship in South African townships and rural areas. We focus on post-2010 literature from South Africa and comparable African contexts to examine the intersection of language, culture and capability-building in entrepreneurship support. Findings show that integrating indigenous languages and bilingual facilitation into training improves comprehension, confidence and customer reach; strengthens access to markets, finance and networks; and contributes to higher start-up participation and business resilience. Multilingualism emerges not only as a communicative aid but as a strategic resource that enhances inclusion, opportunity recognition and market insight. Policy and ecosystem factors such as public SME support and mobile enabled learning moderate these effects. We argue for language-sensitive curricula, co-delivery with community partners and targeted localisation of digital content. The review highlights design elements for more inclusive entrepreneurship development and outlines implications for policy and training providers. Keywords: multilingual training; women’s entrepreneurship; South Africa; language barriers; rural development; PRISMA.

This study rigorously analysed policy deficiencies and structural vulnerabilities in climate-resilient water and sanitation governance in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The research employed a qualitative approach, utilising semi-structured interviews with fifteen purposefully selected stakeholders, comprising municipal water technicians, engineers, planners, national and provincial authorities, and civil society representatives. The investigation examined the interaction between climate-induced pressures—such as droughts, floods, and rainfall variability—and governance deficiencies that undermine water and sanitation systems. The data collection concentrated on personal experiences of infrastructure failure, discrepancies between policy and reality, and obstacles in institutional coordination. Findings indicated that despite the province functioning inside advanced national frameworks like the National Water Act and the Disaster Management Act, their execution is cursory and predominantly reactive. Participants emphasised an excessive dependence on obsolete national climate models that neglect spatially distinct vulnerabilities across urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Chronic underinvestment in infrastructure maintenance has become a persistent issue, as municipal budgets prioritise new capital projects over lifespan asset management. The technical team had institutional memory but lacked decision-making power because of bureaucratic procurement processes and disjointed interagency collaboration. The study additionally revealed significant deficiencies in real-time monitoring and enforcement capabilities, as well as gender discrepancies that marginalised women's involvement in governance frameworks. The study concludes that without immediate reforms to decentralise climate data generation, incorporate localised risk assessments, enhance preventive maintenance systems, and institutionalise participatory, technology-driven governance mechanisms, the water and sanitation systems in Eastern Cape will continue to be structurally fragile and susceptible to climate impacts. These insights provide novel empirical evidence to the discourse on sub-national climate adaptation in Africa, highlighting the necessity for multi-tiered, data-driven, and gender-sensitive reforms rooted in the realities of communities impacted by climate change.

The globalized and technologically advanced business environment presents significant challenges to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play a critical role in national economic growth and innovation. These challenges include strategic orientation, effective resource allocation, and adapting to changing markets, often resulting in premature business failure. Therefore, the paper reviews recent literature on how tangible resources such as financial capital, physical assets, and technology influence SME growth, focusing on studies from the past decade that apply frameworks like the Resource-Based View. A systematic literature review was conducted, involving a comprehensive search of academic databases. Thematic analysis was applied to synthesize the findings on resource impact and management in SMEs. The review revealed that financial capital, physical assets, and technological infrastructure significantly influence SME growth. However, the extent of impact varies across contexts, depending on managerial capabilities, access to finance, and market conditions. Addressing this gap, the article aims to inform both theory and practice on SME sustainability and development and suggests avenues for future research.  

Cybersecurity is an urgent concern for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda, driven by the rapid digital transformation of businesses and increasing dependence on online platforms. This study explores Ugandan SMEs' cybersecurity challenges, highlighting prevalent cyber threats, risk exposure, and a cyber maturity typology to mitigate cybercrime effectively. Using a qualitative, descriptive research design based on secondary data and a literature review, the study examines how Digital, Blended, and Traditional Business Models influence SMEs' cybersecurity preparedness. A key contribution of this research is the development of a context-sensitive typology of SME cyber maturity, which categorises businesses as Traditional, Transitioning, Digitally Enabled, and Digitally Mature, aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework but adapted to Uganda's unique environment. The study identifies ongoing issues such as data breaches, financial fraud, and weak digital infrastructure, as well as gaps in policy enforcement and the disconnect between cybersecurity regulations and SME operators' literacy levels, as key cybersecurity threats. Informal responses to cybercrime, including vigilante actions, are also highlighted. This study provides a maturity typology for SMEs that guides policymakers and business owners in improving cybersecurity practices in Ugandan SMEs. The study calls for multi-stakeholder collaboration, stronger regulatory enforcement, and scalable awareness programs to build a more resilient SME sector. Overall, this study contributes to the discourse on SME cybersecurity by proposing literacy-sensitive interventions tailored to the needs of Uganda and offering a foundation for future research into the effectiveness of Uganda's cybersecurity frameworks.

Good governance is a critical component of efficient public service delivery, and its principles are vital for ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainability within municipal structures. The King III Report on Governance provides a framework for sound governance practices in both public and private sectors in South Africa. This study examines the perceptions of corporate services within Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality regarding their compliance with the King III principles of good governance. The research adopts a qualitative approach, employing interviews and document analysis to explore the understanding, implementation, and challenges of adhering to King III principles within the corporate service divisions of the municipality. Key areas of focus include ethical leadership, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and integrated reporting. Findings suggest a mixed perception of compliance levels among corporate service personnel. While there is a general awareness of the King III principles, implementation is hindered by systemic challenges such as limited resources, insufficient training, and inconsistent monitoring mechanisms. Moreover, the study highlights a gap between policy frameworks and practical application, as well as the impact of political influences on governance processes. Despite these challenges, the study identifies positive strides made by the municipality in areas such as stakeholder consultation and ethical leadership initiatives. It recommends targeted training programs, improved resource allocation, and the establishment of independent governance monitoring committees to enhance compliance with King III principles. This research contributes to the broader discourse on governance in local government and underscores the need for a strategic and holistic approach to embedding good governance principles within municipal operations. The findings are relevant to policymakers, municipal administrators, and governance practitioners seeking to foster a culture of accountability and transparency in local government structures.

Reader lexicon quality and organization affect text comprehension. This paper integrates empirical and theoretical investigations on how lexical quality affects understanding. This study seeks to define lexicons, which are essential to reading comprehension. This research emphasises the requirement for vocabulary teaching trajectory to improve educational fluency. Qualitative research methods, including phenomenology, underpin this study. Due to its focus on subjective experiences, the study was able to contextualise how participants use lexical information to comprehend text. A focus group discussion with five carefully picked participants captured rich and in-depth participant perspectives on vocabulary learning and text comprehension. According to this study, high-quality lexical representations enable rapid word recognition, while poorer fluency limits comprehension. This paper concludes and recommends that targeted instruction in vocabulary and fluency, which support reading development, is necessary for language learning functionality and to reduce language disjuncture for students at risk for comprehension difficulties.

The local government in South Africa is important in providing critical services to communities, although local government is tasked with critical service delivery functions, many faces systemic challenges when fulfilling this responsibility. Mkhondo Local Municipality is no exception, challenges such as inefficiency, inadequate resource management, and limited public participation. This study is grounded in consequential theory, which underscores the significance of outcomes in assessing actions. This theoretical framework facilitates the exploration of strategic actions to enhance service delivery in Mkhondo. The aim of this article was to propose effective strategies to enhance service delivery at Mkhondo Local Municipality. This article adopted a qualitative methodology, with purposive sampling to select ten experienced participants from the supply chain management and finance units. Data was collected through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with 10 key municipal staff members. The interview transcripts were analysed thematically using NVivo 12 to identify and organise the emerging themes. The results highlighted several barriers, including ineffectiveness of performance monitoring, inadequate procurement transparency, and minimal community involvement. The article recommends the implementation of performance-based accountability, improved stakeholder participation, and transparency in municipal procedures. It is recommended that municipal strategies are aligned with consequential theory to significantly improve service delivery. These interventions can foster greater transparency, efficiency, and public trust, providing a model for similar municipalities across South Africa.

Indigenous knowledge portrays rich science-related knowledge that incorporates cultural practices. Additionally, Indigenous knowledge provides constructive cultural contexts that augment a rich understanding of sociocultural practices for sustainable development. It also attempts to promote connections with modern science concerning the promotion of sustainable development. The qualitative methodology was employed to let students analyse Indigenous science for sustainable development in local community spaces. Subsequently, an analysis of students’ perceptions regarding recognition of the relevancy of Indigenous science for valuable sustainability promotion was captured through semi-structured interviews. Students’ realization revealed that local communities embrace Indigenous science to address challenges in modern science topics such as Medicine, Agriculture, Renewable energy, and Household cleaning products production. Interestingly, students find relevancy in igniting the contextualization of science teaching and learning from Indigenous knowledge. Connecting Indigenous science and modern science education can orchestrate the promotion of relevant education for sustainable development.

The swift proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithmic technologies in the criminal justice system and legal profession is apparent worldwide. Machine learning algorithms are currently impacting sentencing determinations in multiple jurisdictions globally. Artificial intelligence, in contrast to the organic intelligence of humans and animals, possesses the ability to learn, adapt, and evolve through the assimilation of knowledge and new information. AI software can independently learn and enhance its performance based on the data it acquires. These algorithms can identify trends, elaborate on them, and discover more effective methods for executing specific activities via automation. Human fallibility necessitates the integration of AI as an essential instrument in judicial decision-making, especially in criminal sentencing, thereby aiding judges in achieving more precise and efficient outcomes, which permits them to concentrate on other matters. This paper assesses the application of artificial intelligence in criminal sentencing within the judicial system from a comparative standpoint. A mixed-method approach was utilised, integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collecting, encompassing in-person interviews and surveys. The research demonstrated that AI systems can swiftly analyse extensive amounts of legal language, facilitating tasks such as transcription, document summarisation, and legal research. AI employs diverse algorithms to address a multitude of problems through pattern recognition and the execution of precise instructions. Through the analysis of huge datasets, AI can deliver impartial recommendations, resulting in more uniform sentence outcomes for analogous situations. Artificial intelligence can evaluate an offender's likelihood of recidivism by analysing variables such as age and educational background, thereby aiding courts in making educated sentence decisions. The study indicated that the risks and obstacles linked to AI in sentencing encompass prejudice amplification, potential coercion of judges to conform to AI suggestions, and ethical issues related to transparency and human rights. To alleviate these hazards, transparency mandates are crucial for enabling judges to comprehend the elements evaluated by AI systems. Stringent data-quality criteria must be established to avert the recurrence of inequitable sentencing practices. Proactive supervision and regulation of AI are essential, accompanied by rigorous legislation overseeing the design and development of algorithms. Consistent auditing, targeted AI training, and instruction for judges and legal practitioners are essential for the proper integration of AI in the criminal justice system..    

The research focused on the contribution of forensic accounting to the detection and prevention of money laundering in Zimbabwe. It sought to find out how forensic accounting methods are implemented, evaluate their effectiveness in ensuring compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), assess the contribution of forensic accountants to the activities of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), understand the institutional challenges of implementation, and create an integrated forensic accounting model. The researchers used a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were gathered through 235 structured questionnaires, and qualitative data were obtained from 15 purposively selected key informants. Quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression techniques in SPSS. Qualitative data were analysed thematically to determine the main themes and stakeholder views. The results showed that forensic accounting techniques, such as transaction tracing, risk-based auditing, and the use of technology, are extensively practised and, thus, significantly facilitate the identification of suspicious transactions. These activities positively influence the compliance of the FATF, primarily through regular audits and reporting. Nevertheless, limited funding, lack of sufficient training, and poor cooperation between agencies were some of the challenges that prevented the agency's effectiveness. The regression results reveal that the use of forensic accounting techniques, compliance with FATF standards, contributions from the FIU, and technological integration are factors that significantly improve the effectiveness of AML. On the other hand, institutional challenges have a negative impact on the effectiveness of AML, thus the need for a coordinated approach is confirmed. The study recommends integrating the use of technology, joint training, and regulatory compliance into a comprehensive forensic accounting model.

This study investigates the role of infrastructure maintenance in addressing persistent electricity outages in the eThekwini Municipality, in Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.  The research identifies that aging infrastructure, poor maintenance practices, and inadequate resource allocation are significant contributors to the rising frequency and duration of power disruptions across the municipality.  The impact of these outages includes economic losses, traffic disruptions, increased crime, and health risks, particularly for residents reliant on home-based medical care.  The study adopted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, themes, and knowledge gaps related to electricity infrastructure maintenance. Key findings revealed that poor planning, limited budgetary support, skills shortages, infrastructure vandalism, and theft exacerbate the crisis.  The research achieved its objectives by highlighting the relationship between infrastructure reliability and effective maintenance practices its father proposed a set off extendable recommendations including increased investment and preventative maintenance workforce training the adoption of smart grid technologies and community engagement to reduce vandalism and illegal connections these strategies aim to improve network reliability and service delivery while addressing the social political tensions that result from frequent power failures.

The quality of public service provision in South Africa remains a major challenge particularly among institution mandated to assist vulnerable population. This study investigated the impact of public officials’ attitude on the effectiveness of service provision using South African Social Security Agency as a case study. Although structural and resource-based issues are commonly mentioned in the literature, this study suggests that the frontline official’s attitude, behavior and work ethics are important in assessing citizen experience and institutional performance. The systematic literature review approach has been adopted using existing literature including journals from previous scholars, reports available about customer satisfaction, poor communication and lack of accountability compromise the quality of services, create delays and erode public trust. On the other hand, despite structural limitations, driven and sympathetic government officials help to provide improved service delivery. The study shows that an organization culture, service outcomes and employee morale have a strong relationship.

This study empirically investigates hierarchical endogeneity and shock transmission among three major international stock markets the S&P 500, FTSE 100, and Nikkei 225 from 2010 to 2023. Utilizing a Vector Autoregression framework and Granger causality test, the research examines the direction and strength of cross-market dependencies. The findings reveal a clear, asymmetric structure where the US market acts as the primary exogenous driver, with unidirectional causality flowing from the S&P 500 to both the FTSE 100 and Nikkei 225. A secondary channel of influence from the UK to Japan was also identified. Forecast error variance decomposition confirms the US market's dominance, explaining over 25% of the movements in the UK's financial market and 18.7% of Japan's forecast error variance, while remaining largely insulated from feedback. The findings of this study suggest that international markets are characterized by hierarchical endogeneity, challenging notions of symmetric interdependence and highlighting significant implications for financial stability frameworks making a noteworthy contribution.

This study provides a contemporary analysis of the dynamic interplay between persistent trends and short-term stochastic movements in international financial markets, challenging the traditional view of an efficient market. Through a quantitative examination of the S&P 500, FTSE 100, Nikkei 225, DAX, and CAC 40 using daily closing prices from 2000 to 2023, the research employs a 50-day SMA to identify trends and a 14-day stochastic oscillator to gauge whether some financial markets are overbought or oversold. The findings reveal distinct, regime-dependent market behaviors across different economies, with strong uptrends in the United States and Germany contrasting with weaker trends in the United Kingdom and France and a downtrend in Japan. The results empirically demonstrate that a trend following strategy, which goes long during uptrends and remains neutral during downtrends, consistently enhances risk adjusted returns and preserves capital compared to a static buy and hold approach. Furthermore, correlation analysis emphasis that effective global diversification requires an understanding of synchronous market regimes, not just holding different assets. The findings of this study suggest that disciplined, regime aware framework, integrating both trend and momentum signals, is essential for robust global asset allocation in today's complex financial landscape making it a noteworthy contribution.

The integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies into South African local government, as proposed by Ndamase et al. (2025), presents not only operational and technical challenges but also profound legal and regulatory dilemmas. While the potential for enhanced service delivery, citizen engagement, and transparency is significant, the current legal ecosystem governing municipal functions is ill-equipped to address issues of data sovereignty, algorithmic governance, cybersecurity liability, and digital inclusion. This conceptual study employs a doctrinal legal research methodology to identify the critical legal gaps impeding the responsible adoption of 4IR technologies in South African municipalities. Through a systematic review of international best practices from jurisdictions like the European Union, Estonia, and Singapore, and an analysis of South Africa's existing constitutional and legislative framework, this paper proposes a structured legal framework. This framework is built upon four foundational pillars: (1) Data Governance and Citizen Data Sovereignty, (2) Algorithmic Accountability and Transparency, (3) Mandatory Digital Inclusion and Accessibility, and (4) Adaptive Regulation through Regulatory Sandboxes. The study argues that without proactive and sophisticated legal instrumentation, the deployment of 4IR technologies risks exacerbating existing inequalities, infringing on fundamental rights, and creating new forms of unaccountable automated governance. The proposed framework aims to provide legislators and municipal officials with a roadmap for developing laws that not only enable innovation but also safeguard democracy, equity, and the rule of law in the digitalizing local state.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play an important role in poverty alleviation and job creation in developing economies. An MSME needs to develop its own brand to differentiate itself from its competitors. After having developed its brand, an MSME needs to communicate its brand to its target audience. This study aimed to explore the development of brands and brand communication practices in MSMEs. Integrated communication theory was adopted to address the research objective, and exploratory qualitative research was employed to achieve the research objective. In-depth interviews were conducted with managers of MSMEs in townships in South Africa. and primary data analysed through content analysis. The findings of this paper uncovered that MSMEs’ brands were developed with an element of uniqueness and communicated through traditional platforms and social media. The paper offers recommendations to managers of MSMEs on brand communication and suggests future research directions on the topic.