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This study examined media advertisement, self-image, and self-esteem as predictors of skin bleaching behavior among Nigerian undergraduate students, grounded in Social Learning Theory.  A cross-sectional survey of 350 undergraduates (56.3% female) from five on-campus hostels used the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, an adapted Body Self-Image Questionnaire, and media influence assessments. Multiple regression analysis examined predictive relationships. The findings reveal media advertisements were the strongest predictor of skin bleaching behavior , followed by self-image and self-esteem. The model explained 62.4% of variance. Currently, 25.4% of participants used skin bleaching products, 77.1% had family history of the practice, and only 8.1% demonstrated adequate knowledge of health risks. The findings highlight media influence as the primary behavioral driver, supporting Social Learning Theory's emphasis on environmental factors and observational learning. Interventions must address media messaging, regulatory frameworks, and health literacy rather than relying solely on individual psychological interventions.

This study evaluates Sub-Saharan African bitcoin governance models using regulatory sandboxes. 180 relevant studies were synthesised using PRISMA (2021–2025). The discovery, screening, eligibility, and inclusion phases of the research identified noteworthy trends and findings. Analysing study findings into prominent patterns and key themes deepens this investigation. Sandboxes in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana provide controlled testing of blockchain ideas but suffer regulatory fragmentation, algorithmic prejudice, and monopolistic behaviour. Governance hurdles and diffusion dynamics are examined using TOE and DOI frameworks. It presents inclusive, adaptive, and internationally aligned sandbox governance rules. The article offers evidence-based ways to balance innovation, financial stability, and consumer protection to inform legislation.

Amid growing consumer and societal expectations for environmental responsibility, this study examines how retailers’ sustainability practices drive customer loyalty through the mediating role of retailer legitimacy and the moderating role of consumer scepticism. Drawing on legitimacy theory, the objective of this study is to develop and test a conceptual model linking sustainability practices, corporate reputation, retailer legitimacy, consumer scepticism, and customer loyalty. Data from a cross-sectional survey of South African retail consumers were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results show that sustainability practices enhance both retailer legitimacy and customer loyalty, with legitimacy significantly mediating the effects of sustainability and corporate reputation on loyalty. Corporate reputation also strongly predicts retailer legitimacy. The study’s novelty lies in being the first to empirically test retailer legitimacy as a mediator in the sustainability–loyalty relationship within retailing, and to reveal the moderating influence of consumer scepticism. From a managerial perspective, the findings underscore the importance of transparent and credible communication of sustainability initiatives in strengthening legitimacy and fostering enduring customer loyalty, particularly in emerging markets where scepticism may be heightened.

Globally, SMEs were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in developing nations where systemic vulnerabilities are more noticeable. This study examines the growth and survival tactics used by SMEs in South Africa's eThekwini Metropolitan Area during the pandemic's peak and the subsequent recovery period. The study, which was based on a quantitative design, used a structured questionnaire to survey 304 managers and owners of SMEs. The results show that SMEs used a variety of survival tactics, such as lowering operating costs, integrating digital technology, and making short-term changes to their business models. Product diversification, strategic alliances, and the adoption of e-commerce were among the growth strategies. The Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, which shed light on how SMEs used internal resources and adjusted to external shocks, serve as the foundation for this study. Recovery efforts were, however, hampered by obstacles like a lack of digital infrastructure, difficulty accessing relief funds, and complicated regulations. A post-crisis policy reflection and a SWOT analysis provide strategic insight into enhancing the resilience of SMEs. The study ends with specific managerial and policy suggestions that can be applied to urban SME ecosystems in developing nations.

Notwithstanding the presence of comprehensive legislative and regulatory frameworks designed to direct the South African Police Service (SAPS) towards enhanced service delivery, a continual disparity persists between policy objectives and real-world results. Hoeyi & Makgari (2021) assert that SAPS leadership has persistently encountered difficulties in improving service performance, notwithstanding several reformative mandates and policies intended to alter policing in democratic South Africa. Efficient police service provision is essential for ensuring public safety and cultivating confidence between law enforcement authorities and the communities they serve.  This research examined community opinions regarding police service delivery in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. The research employed a mixed methods approach. The study comprised 383 respondents in the quantitative phase, while the qualitative phase contained interviews with persons from varied demographics and geographic regions. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and cluster sampling methods. The researchers employed semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to gather data. Qualitative data underwent theme analysis, while quantitative data was evaluated via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated a dichotomy in community perceptions. Tangible resources, including well-maintained police stations and modern cars, were valued; but, the relational and procedural dimensions of service delivery were deemed inadequate. Principal issues encompassed erratic reactivity, inadequate communication, restricted transparency, and allegations of corruption and favouritism. Participants emphasised unaddressed community-specific problems, including insufficient focus on gender-based violence and substance-related concerns. The report proposes creating policies that emphasise transparency and accountability, improving training programs in emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity, and promoting community engagement through frequent forums and collaborations with local organisations.

This study examines the influence of high school accounting instruction on the academic performance of first-year financial accounting students at a rural comprehensive university. In the context of South African higher education, students frequently gain admission to accounting diploma or degree programs without prior secondary school accounting instruction, prompting questions regarding the impact of previous accounting knowledge on university performance. Current research presents inconclusive findings, with certain studies demonstrating no significant association between high school accounting experience and university achievement, whereas others indicate a favourable correlation. Significantly, a research gap exists for rural comprehensive institutions, which cater to a heterogeneous student body and are inadequately represented in existing studies. This study recruited all first-year accounting students at a rural institution to ascertain the correlation between high school accounting education and university performance. The results suggest that past study of accounting in high school does not significantly influence students' success in first-year accounting courses, indicating that high school accounting knowledge does not immediately improve academic results at the university level. Nonetheless, the data indicate that students who excelled in high school accounting are likely to also succeed in their first year of university accounting, implying that high school achievement may be a valuable predictor of university performance, even if it does not directly affect overall outcomes. The study's shortcomings encompass its concentration on a singular rural institution and the omission of second- and third-year students, so constraining the extent and generalisability of the findings. These constraints underscore the necessity for future investigations encompassing multiple institutions, longitudinal monitoring of students' academic advancement, and comprehensive variable analysis to elucidate the intricate factors affecting student success in rural South African higher education, especially within accounting programs.

The successful implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) policy in South Africa depends largely on the effectiveness of public administration systems. Therefore, this study examines the importance of public administration in translating NHI policy objectives into practical outcomes. Guided by the Institutional Theory, the study explore how administrative capacity, coordination and institutional structures influence policy implementation. This study adopts a theoretical approach. The analysis relies on existing literature, government reports, policy documents, and case studies of countries that have implemented national health insurance systems. The findings reveal that weak administrative capacity, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and fragmented coordination, poor finances, and lack of engagement continue to undermine the realization of universal health coverage. These institutional constraints illustrate how organizational pressures and systematic weakness affect the delivery of public health reforms. The study contributes to policy discourse by highlighting that strengthening administrative capacity and implementing institutional reforms are essential for improving the effectiveness of NHI. It recommends targeted training, enhanced interdepartmental coordination, and streamlined decision-making process to ensure efficient policy implementation.

This study explored the relationship between consumerism, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and ethical performance in Zimbabwe through a survey analysis. The research explored the differences in consumerism between developed and less developed countries and identified various influence consumerism, including economic situation, level of consumer education and awareness, and cultural considerations. The concept of consumerism was familiar to Zimbabwean consumers, but they lacked a comprehensive understanding of how it could be used to hold businesses accountable. Consumerism is in its infancy in Zimbabwe, and citizens lack awareness of their rights and obligations. This research relied on the understanding and perceptions of consumers to examine the relationship between consumerism, CSR, and ethical performance in Zimbabwe, as well as the effects of consumer activism on corporate behaviour. The data for this exploratory study was collected and analysed using qualitative methodologies from a representative sample of 200 Zimbabwean consumers chosen at random. The collected questionnaires were carefully analysed and structured to identify themes and key differences, providing a holistic understanding of the study. The findings indicated that consumers in Zimbabwe prioritise price, brand, quality, and country of origin over CSR and the ethical performance of organisations. This suggests that businesses in Zimbabwe have little incentive to prioritise CSR and ethical behaviour unless it aligns with the demands of consumers. The research highlighted the need for more education and awareness-raising efforts around CSR and ethical business practices in Zimbabwe. Overall, the study underscored the importance of consumerism and its impact on corporate social responsibility and ethical performance in Zimbabwe.  

South Africa’s local communities experience a myriad of social issues, because of this, social entrepreneurs take interest in understanding the “problem” and introducing innovative solutions to tackle them, this could be through (but not limited to) the launch of a social enterprise(s).  While proving the impact of a social enterprise is essential for its sustainability, not all social enterprises can/are able to measure and communicate their impact clearly. In this paper, we have explored the interventions used by different social entrepreneurs to address local problems and how the social impact of the interventions was tracked. Purposive sampling was used to identify the social entrepreneurs suitable for this study. The social entrepreneurs identified were engaged through semi-structured interviews, and the generated data was analysed through the thematic analysis technique. The findings of the study show that most of the social entrepreneurs that were engaged do not track the social impact of their interventions at all. Those that do track their social impact do not use any formal or consistent social impact measurement tools, and have shared their interest in receiving formal social impact measurement training. In conclusion, it is important for social entrepreneurs to measure their social impact, this ensures that they are accountable in their work and improves the sustainability of their interventions.    

The article seeks to explore the factors which restrict doctoral graduate throughput rates at a selected University of Technology faculty located in the Western Cape, South Africa. In a developing economy like South Africa higher education qualifications are important as it is universally accepted that doctoral studies, in particular advance knowledge and innovation is important in any society. Furthermore, doctoral graduates play a significant role in the knowledge economy, promote innovation organisations, boost credibility of organisations and connect ideas between academia and industry. A positive nexus exists between a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the number of doctoral candidates produced. To achieve the aim of this article a qualitative interpretive design was adopted to identify the factors which restrict throughput rates and the extent or significance thereof. The locus for this study was a selected faculty in a University of Technology (UoT) located in the Western Cape, South Africa with the target research population delineated as employees who hold a master’s degree within the same faculty. Using qualitative interpretive design and thematic analysis of survey responses from 40 master’s-qualified employees, the study identifies key barriers and proposes targeted interventions. The forty participants were purposively selected to participate in the questionnaire survey. The paper will propose interventions to facilitate the improvement of the doctoral throughput rate premised on the analysis of the results arising from the questionnaire survey. The paper proposes targeted and contextualized interventions to address the systemic challenges restricting doctoral enrolment and completion by the faculty employees.

Parental alcohol abuse remains a persistent global public health concern with far-reaching implications for child and adolescent development. While international research continues to demonstrate the correlation between parental alcohol misuse and adverse behavioural outcomes in children, limited attention has been directed toward the experiences of youth in rural African contexts. This study explores the effects of parental alcohol abuse on youth behaviour in Ha-Makuya Village, a rural community in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory design. A purposive sample of eight youth aged 18–30 who had been exposed to parental alcohol abuse was selected, with seven ultimately participating in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using a six-phase thematic analysis within an interpretivist paradigm. The findings reveal that parental alcohol abuse destabilises family functioning, resulting in financial strain, emotional distress, inconsistent parenting, and social stigma. Participants further described behavioural consequences such as withdrawal, anger, and difficulties forming healthy social relationships. Owing to the absence of formal support services in the village, youth relied mainly on informal coping strategies, including peer support, involvement in community activities, and avoidance-based behaviours. The study highlights the urgent need for rural mental health support, school-based counselling, community education, and family-centred rehabilitation services. It also recommends further research into gendered experiences and intergenerational patterns of alcohol-related behaviours in rural societies.

The research analysed a scoping assessment of conflict management studies among employees in developing nations, drawing on existing information. The study aimed to identify the conflict management tactics utilised by employees in developing nations and to assess the obstacles and outcomes related to conflict management practices in these contexts. This research was founded on a pragmatic viewpoint. A scoping review methodology was adopted utilising the PRISMA-ScR architecture. An iterative search was undertaken utilising terms such as “employee relations,” “conflict management,” and “developing countries,” based on six studies from various developing contexts. Studies were evaluated for relevance by examining titles, abstracts, complete texts, and methodological rigour following the removal of duplicates. A quality appraisal checklist evaluates the clarity of research aims, methodological transparency, relevance, credibility of findings, and overall confidence in the research, utilising thematic analysis.  The study indicated that the scoping review illustrates effective conflict management solutions employing a collaborative approach in developing nations and emphasises instances where interdisciplinary institutions enhance team cohesion, employee satisfaction, and workplace efficiency. These solutions encounter obstacles stemming from institutional deficiencies, insufficient funding, or inadequate training. The report advised that emerging nations require robust institutions that offer targeted training to enhance conflict management systems at all organisational levels

Legal reforms promoting gender equality have expanded across Sub-Saharan Africa over the past two decades, yet their effects on women’s labor market participation remain underexamined. This study assesses how gender-responsive legal reforms shape women’s labor supply by integrating the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law Index, ILOSTAT employment indicators, and DHS survey data for SSA countries from 2000 to 2023. Using a country-year panel difference-in-differences approach, the analysis exploits the staggered adoption of reforms related to workplace protections, mobility, entrepreneurship, pay equity, and parental leave. The findings indicate that countries implementing clusters of such reforms experience significant increases in female labor force participation, wage employment, and non-farm self-employment. Effects are strongest where reform adoption coincides with stronger institutions, enforcement capacity, and broader social protection systems. The results align with existing evidence on gender norms and labor regulation while providing new empirical insights. Overall, legal reforms matter, but their impact depends on coordinated regulatory and policy support.

Cross-border trade within the Economic Community of West African States remains fundamental to regional food distribution, small-scale commerce, and household livelihoods. Yet traders continue to confront persistent non-tariff barriers, administrative delays, and governance weaknesses that raise the cost of moving goods across borders. This paper investigates how informal governance, corruption pressures, and institutional trust shape trade frictions, drawing on UN Comtrade bilateral flows, the Africa Trade Observatory price data, and Afrobarometer perceptions of institutional performance. Using price-gap estimation and a structural gravity framework, the analysis measures how governance quality influences trade costs and distortions in reported bilateral flows. The findings reveal consistent price gaps between official and actual market values for cereals, livestock, and processed foods, suggesting hidden costs linked to bribe payments and informal checkpoint controls. Gravity results indicate that countries with weak institutional trust experience significantly lower formal trade reporting but higher estimated informal flows. These results align with evidence from Afreximbank, ECDPM, FAO, and the African Development Bank on the persistence of informal corridors as adaptive responses to border inefficiencies. The paper concludes with recommendations for coordinated reforms on transparency, digital border systems, and joint border posts to reduce hidden costs and improve regional integration.

Drawing on multi-wave panel data from over 5,000 households in the World Bank’s Living Standards Measurement Study–Integrated Surveys on Agriculture microdata across Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi, this study investigates how fertilizer subsidies interact with rainfall variability to influence maize productivity among East African smallholders. Using a difference-in-differences framework applied to household-level panel data combined with FAOSTAT indicators, the analysis compares yield responses of subsidy beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries under contrasting rainfall conditions. Results show that fertilizer subsidies significantly raise maize yields in normal rainfall years but provide limited benefits during drought or excessive precipitation, highlighting the conditional effectiveness of input support.  Cross-country differences reveal that program design, especially targeting efficiency and the timing of subsidy delivery, strongly shapes yield outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating fertilizer support with climate information services, soil health interventions, and adaptive policy mechanisms. This study contributes empirical evidence for designing climate-smart and context-sensitive subsidy systems aimed at enhancing resilience and food security in East Africa.      

Amid growing calls for efficiency, transparency, and value creation in public sector supply chain management (SCM) performance, this paper aims to investigate the impact of technological modernisation on SCM practices within the context of South Africa's public service operations. Framed by modernisation theory which historically guided structural reforms in developing economies, the study examines whether readiness to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies such as modern digital systems, automation, and data-driven tools enhance effectiveness while influencing SCM practices and performance. Despite its growing prominence in policy discourse, the adoption of 4IR in the public sector context remains uneven and not yet formally established, creating a need for empirical evidence on whether these technologies deliver tangible performance improvements. The research adopts a quantitative research design with primary data were collected via a structured, self-administered online survey from 120 purposively selected SCM officials based in the Gauteng Province, the economic hub of South Africa and the province consisting of the largest concentration of government departments. A linear multiple regression and ANOVA techniques within SPSS was employed to test for statistical significance of the relationships between the research constructs. The findings show a significant relationship between technological modernisation and SCM performance, reinforcing the role of digitally modernising business systems and practices that lead to improved efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The study contributes to business research by providing empirical evidence that technological modernisation enhances service delivery outcomes and improves operational efficiency in the public sector.

Rehabilitation remains a core mandate of correctional services; however, in South African Correctional centres, particularly within Limpopo, its effectiveness is constrained by persistent structural and social barriers. Overcrowding, limited resources, unsafe environments, and the entrenched culture of gangsterism undermine rehabilitation initiatives and compromise both staff and inmate safety. Correctional officers, who play a central role in rehabilitation delivery, face excessive workloads, inadequate support, and poor working conditions, resulting in stress, burnout, and diminished service quality. These conditions contribute to ineffective rehabilitation, increased recidivism, premature inmate releases, and violations of offenders’ rights, raising concerns about the overall credibility of the criminal justice system. This study examined barriers to rehabilitation in Limpopo correctional centres, focusing on correctional officers’ experiences. A quantitative approach was adopted, with purposive sampling of 345 officers across six centres. Findings revealed that overcrowding is the most critical challenge, negatively affecting healthcare, accommodation, food provision, and access to training programmes, while weakening institutional control. Gangsterism, evolving from protection-based groups to networks of power and illicit trade, further obstructs rehabilitation. Officers reported unsafe conditions, exposure to violence, and shortages of resources, compounded by recruitment, retention, and training gaps. The study recommends diversion of minor offenders, deportation of foreign nationals, broader use of community corrections, enhanced anti-gangsterism strategies, and partnerships with external stakeholders to support sustainable rehabilitation.

Global economic fluctuations are changing financial environments and pose significant difficulties for South African banks trying to maintain a competitive edge. Macroeconomic changes impact liquidity, credit risk, consumer demand, and regulatory compliance. Therefore, banks must maintain strategic agility and operational resilience. This study methodically investigates how South African banks could react to global economic turbulence to maintain and improve their competitive posture. Analyzing academic literature, industry trends, and financial records from a few selected South African banks, this study used a qualitative case study methodology. It concentrated on spotting adaptive solutions including improved risk management systems, cost-effective digital transformation, and service diversification. The results show that banks that use strategic flexibility and innovation are better suited to resist external economic pressures, while guaranteeing client satisfaction and regulatory compliance. However, there are ongoing issues in the industry, including antiquated systems and low innovation acceptance. This study adds to strategic management conversation by providing a framework showing how banks can match operational transformation with global economic trends. It closes a crucial gap by stressing how South African banks may implement flexible and robust plans to maintain long-term competitive advantage under uncertainty.

The ever-evolving and often higher education system, full of internal and external turbulences within the context of South Africa in the Western Cape provinces, necessitates a strategic leadership process that has resilience, agility and adaptive improvisation in navigating demanding socio-economic, geo-political, and institutional challenges. This study examines the influence of strategic leadership on expediting the executive problem-solving impetus and concomitant decision-making within the pedagogical and academic fraternity, within the higher education institution as a unit of analysis. The study is inspired by the increasing complexities confronting the critical role of higher educational institutions in the broader higher learning ecosystem and stakeholder situational analysis with inclusion, legitimacy, and relevance while navigating through transformation, transition and a paradigmatic shift within the era of breathless speed of technological advancement, innovation, and sustainability. The study is to explore how strategic leadership influences the speed, integrity, and efficiency of organisational decision-making processes. A qualitative semi-structured and open interview utilising a purposive sampling was pursued. Thematic analysis was used to categorize main and sub-themes in the study. The findings illuminate the significance of strategic leadership application within the broader consultative decision-making that is inclusive and participatory, as the key attribute for staff performance and organisational productivity.  

This study examines the mediating role of corporate governance in the relationship between hierarchy culture and sustainability performance within African Civil Aviation Authorities (ACAAs). Grounded in institutional theory, the study seeks to explain how internal cultural systems and governance frameworks jointly influence economic, environmental, and social sustainability outcomes in highly regulated sectors. A quantitative research design was employed, using structured surveys administered to 371 aviation managers across 54 African Civil Aviation Authorities. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test both direct and mediating relationships between hierarchy culture, corporate governance, and the three sustainability dimensions. The results reveal that hierarchy culture has strong positive effects on economic, environmental, and social sustainability performance. However, corporate governance negatively mediates the relationship between hierarchy culture and economic performance and shows no significant mediation for environmental and social outcomes. Aviation regulators should reconfigure governance frameworks to balance regulatory compliance with innovation. Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into aviation governance codes and promoting adaptive, transformational leadership can enhance sustainability performance. This study provides one of the first empirical examinations of the synergy between hierarchy culture and corporate governance within African aviation authorities. It contributes to institutional theory by demonstrating that governance mechanisms, often assumed to enable sustainability, may sometimes constrain it in highly regulated organisational settings.