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The retail sector plays a crucial role in the global economy, and its competitiveness largely depends on the quality of services provided to customers. This paper aims to investigate the effects of human capital development practices on service quality, customer satisfaction, and overall business competitiveness in the retail industry. To achieve this objective, the study adopted a quantitative research design with an interpretive paradigm. A sample of 180 participants was randomly selected from the selected retail stores in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study employed a structured questionnaire to collect data on human capital development, service quality, customer satisfaction, and business competitiveness. The data analysis began with data cleansing and coding in Microsoft Excel, followed by SmartPLS. The findings of the study revealed that investments in human capital development, such as employee training, refresher workshops, and professional development, have a positive impact on the quality of services provided by retail organisations. Improved service quality, in turn, leads to higher levels of customer satisfaction, which is a key driver of customer loyalty and business competitiveness. Furthermore, the study revealed that the enhanced service quality and customer satisfaction resulting from human capital development contribute to the overall competitiveness of retail businesses. The study recommends that the retail industry invest in training and development initiatives, particularly soft skills. Implementing automated machines to improve service quality and high production requires a well-trained workforce.

Despite significant initiatives to enhance educational access for marginalised communities in Africa, the prevalence of street children not enrolled in school remains substantial. Despite several studies examining educational access disparities among marginalised groups, obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for street children in Africa remain insufficiently investigated. This study elucidates these constraints, concentrating on Mutare Urban, Zimbabwe.  It examined the obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access for street children in Mutare Urban, Zimbabwe. The study employed a human rights-based approach as its theoretical framework to answer this subject. The research employed a qualitative methodology, utilising interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary analysis for data collection. These methodologies enabled the researchers to comprehend the subjective, lived experiences and perspectives of participants on obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access for street children in Mutare Urban. The study identified social disintegration, economic limits, insufficient teamwork, and corruption and nepotism as primary obstacles to governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access for street children in Mutare Urban. The report advises enhanced funding, collaboration, monitoring, and evaluation of government programs, as well as a case-by-case approach to facilitate access to school for street children in response to the identified problems.

This study examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in digital marketing enhances the competitiveness of small retail businesses (SRBs) in Cape Town, South Africa. Guided by an integrated Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, a systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted across eight databases, resulting in the inclusion of 37 empirical and conceptual studies published between 2015 and 2025. Findings show that AI adoption remains modest, with only 39% of small businesses planning to develop internal AI capabilities by 2025. The most common entry points are ChatGPT, text-to-image generators, predictive analytics systems, and WhatsApp-based chatbots. Businesses using these tools reported an average 11% increase in sales and a 28% reduction in marketing costs within six months. However, adoption is constrained by infrastructure challenges (patchy broadband, power cuts, high cloud costs), organisational limitations (low digital literacy, managerial scepticism, fear of automation), and socio-cultural barriers (language diversity and customer mistrust of chatbots). This study provides the first Cape Town-focused synthesis linking AI adoption to SME competitiveness through the TOE–UTAUT framework. It recommends policy measures to improve digital infrastructure and data governance, practical initiatives to strengthen AI literacy and ethical awareness, and theoretical extensions to contextualise socio-cultural dimensions of AI use. Collectively, these insights contribute to advancing inclusive, trust-based digital transformation in Cape Town’s small business ecosystem.

The purpose of this article is to establish factors influencing the adoption of a Blockchain-based tax system for MNEs operating in developing countries. The study was prompted by the fact that the MNEs are a significant contributor to many developing countries. Yet, there is a noticeable gap in literature regarding the factors influencing the adoption of the block-based tax system. By analysing related literature, this research aims to identify the primary drivers of Blockchain-based tax systems. The study adopts a systematic literature review approach, encompassing the analysis and synthesis of relevant literature and authoritative reports. Fifty-five [55] articles were analysed and reviewed. The article found that the adoption and implementation of a Blockchain-based tax system is influenced by technology, regulatory and legal, economic and financial, organisational and human, and contextual factors. In addition, the paper delved into challenges faced by the MNEs and tax authorities that hamper the implementation of the aforementioned technology. A myriad of challenges identified include the lack of preparedness due to lack of digital infrastructure, skills gaps, laws and policies that do not foster innovation and economic growth and the fear of the unknown. This paper recommends training and capacity-building programmes to upskill tax administrators and MNE operators so that they can smoothly embrace emerging technologies with adequate skills and competencies. In addition, there is a need for governments involved to establish legal and regulatory frameworks that foster innovation Also, to close the skills gap, there is a need for collaboration between the industry and academia. The novel contribution of this paper is that it is among studies that have pioneered research on Blockchain-based tax system adoption for MNEs operating in developing countries.

The sawmilling industry in South Africa consists of both formal and informal sawmills. How these sawmills operate and their costs of operation often differ from each other. This challenges regulations, product costings, and product offerings, as this often differs for the players. There is an urgent need to improve the competitiveness of the sawmilling industry; however, despite the various efforts from multiple stakeholders, the industry remains globally and even locally uncompetitive. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the competitiveness of the South African sawmill industry and how those factors impact the industry’s sustainable development. Research questions were formulated to achieve the objective. The study followed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted with seven personnel working in the South African sawmill industry. A non-probability purposive sampling method was employed to choose participants for the study based on their positions. By looking at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the PESTLE factors affecting the competitiveness of the South African sawmilling industry, we were able to see that there are several factors at play in the sawmill industry. The study highlighted that by looking at the sawmilling industry holistically, the stakeholders (private, public, communities, government, academia, etc) can work together to address the challenges affecting the sawmilling industry. This can be achieved by incentivising compliance with the regulations that support sustainability and competitiveness in the sawmilling industry. Future research should explore the effectiveness and success stories of initiatives, regulations and programs that address challenges in the sawmilling industry and see how they can be improved for sustainable development.

Blockchain technology has emerged as a disruptive force that can transform various sectors, such as financial institutions, supply chain management, and healthcare, by bolstering transparency, traceability, and stakeholder trust. This research conducts a systematic review to investigate the role of blockchain technology in enhancing data security and privacy within information systems. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a thorough analysis of the existing literature sourced from five reputable academic databases (EBSCOhost, Scopus, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, and the ACM Digital Library). The research delves into the capabilities of blockchain technology in information systems (IS) to strengthen the security and privacy of data. However, there is a notable gap in research focusing on the role of blockchain in enhancing data security and privacy. The solutions identified encompass the advantages of blockchain, such as transparency, traceability, immutability, scalability, and security within a decentralised ledger. This research contributes fresh insights into the potential of blockchain technology to enhance security and privacy within information systems, offering a foundation for further exploration and innovation.

In South Africa, social grants assist approximately 18 million individuals; nonetheless, numerous beneficiaries remain ensnared in poverty due to obstacles that hinder entrepreneurial advancement. This study investigated the obstacles hindering social grant applicants in Mthatha, Eastern Cape from achieving sustainable entrepreneurship and evaluated the local government's role in mitigating these issues. A qualitative technique was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 20 informal entrepreneurs, and the material was examined thematically. Results indicated enduring financial, institutional, and socio-economic obstacles, with more than 75% of participants identifying insufficient capital and 65% acknowledging criminality and extortion as significant impediments. The majority of participants received no municipal support, training, or business aid, necessitating ongoing dependence on funds despite their entrepreneurial endeavours. The study indicates that minimal government involvement, insufficient safety measures, and fragile institutional frameworks sustain reliance and hinder local economic development. Enhancing local government interventions, inclusive funding methods, and safety activities could improve business viability and diminish long-term dependence on social assistance in Mthatha.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global economic crisis that significantly impacted the South African banking sector, already weakened by a pre-existing recession. While bank profitability and credit quality declined, stock market reactions appeared less severe, indicating a potential disconnect between fundamentals and investor behaviour. This study explores the influence of investor sentiment on credit risk, lending, and performance (ROA) of selected JSE-listed banks during the pandemic, incorporating behavioural finance perspectives. Panel regression analysis reveals that COVID-19 had a significant negative effect on stock, ROA and ROE, driven by heightened uncertainty and rising non-performing loans. Liquidity and capital positively influenced returns and ROE, reflecting investor confidence in resilient banks. Investor sentiment had a weakly positive impact on returns, but a significant negative effect on both ROA and ROE, suggesting that excessive optimism may have led to riskier lending practices and reduced profitability. Larger banks underperformed in terms of returns, likely due to operational complexity during the crisis. These findings highlight the critical role of behavioural factors in shaping financial outcomes during systemic shocks and provide new insights into emerging market banking dynamics under crisis conditions.

The realization of married women’s sexual and reproductive health rights remains a persistent global, continental, and national challenge. In South Africa, rural married women continue to face heightened vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, largely due to male partners’ denial of their agency in exercising these rights. This article critically examines the barriers rural married women encounter in asserting their sexual and reproductive health rights within marital unions. The article draws from a qualitative study that explored married men’s perceptions and experiences regarding their spouses’ sexual and reproductive autonomy. Despite growing discourse on gender and health rights, there remains a paucity of empirical research addressing this intersection within the context of marital relationships. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with twenty-eight rural married men residing in the Lephalale villages of the Waterberg District in Limpopo Province. A non-probability sampling technique was employed, and data were analyzed using Tesch’s eight-step method of qualitative data analysis. Key findings revealed a significant lack of autonomy among married women, influenced by entrenched patriarchal norms. Moreover, socio-economic marginalization, religious doctrines, and cultural practices emerged as structural impediments that silence women and inhibit their ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.

External environmental changes manifest in erratic economic situations that adversely impact human lives, economies, and SMEs globally. This constitutes a significant global danger to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Small and medium-sized enterprises significantly contribute to the national gross domestic product. Nevertheless, the majority of SMEs have limitations, particularly in terms of resources. SMEs must embrace CI to forecast and make educated decisions regarding the efficient management of existing, often limited resources. Government assistance, in multiple capacities, is equally essential. Moreover, the implementation of Continuous Improvement (CI) by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) may facilitate nations in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which aims for reduced unemployment through sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Nonetheless, there exists a paucity of literature regarding CI implementation frameworks that assist SMEs in implementing CI techniques for resource management and the advancement of a sustainable economy. This study seeks to establish a framework for Continuous Improvement (CI) implementation to assist SMEs in adopting CI technologies for resource management and enhancing operational efficiency. A systematic literature review (SRL) methodology is utilised to discern essential elements vital for the implementation of continuous improvement (CI) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study enhances the sparse information on CI in SME contexts by synthesising best practices and significant insights from global literature. It enables SMEs to manoeuvre through economic volatility and assists policymakers in formulating specific actions. The framework ultimately promotes sustainable economic development and enhances the capacity of SMEs to endure external shocks, including IoT and AI analytics, as well as their consequences for business ecosystems.  

The primary focus of this study is to examine how green recruitment and selection, as well as green training, influence employee commitment to the company. Furthermore, this study also examines the role of innovation culture in strengthening the relationship between GHRM and employee commitment. This study aims to investigate the effect of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on employee commitment, with innovation culture as a moderating variable. This study attempts to fill the theoretical and empirical gaps regarding the implementation of GHRM, innovation capabilities, innovation culture, and employee commitment. The method used in this study was a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 250 respondents from PTPN IV employees in the North Sumatra region. To analyze the data, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used. The results of the study indicate that green recruitment and selection, as well as green training, have a significant positive influence on employee commitment. A culture of innovation was shown to strengthen the influence of green training on employee commitment but did not show a significant moderating effect on the relationship between green recruitment and selection and employee commitment. The implications of these findings provide important insights for companies to integrate GHRM practices and a culture of innovation to enhance employee commitment in supporting the company's sustainability goals. This research has contributed to the human resource management and sustainability literature by investigating the interactions between GHRM practices and factors that moderate or amplify their impact.

The global emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices has elevated the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting in corporate accountability. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified ESG’s critical role, drawing attention to specific ESG concerns linked to the crisis and reinforcing the global reassessment of corporate objectives. What is more, global institutions such as the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) advocate for integrating sustainability into accounting education, resulting in a growing need to align accounting curricula with ESG competencies to prepare future accounting professionals for evolving stakeholder expectations and regulatory landscapes. This paper presents a mathematical framework for modelling ESG literacy among accounting graduates, emphasising the integration of environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) competencies. The proposed model defines ESG literacy as a weighted function of the three core dimensions: ESG literacy score, and are weights reflecting the relative emphasis of each competency in the curriculum. The model enables quantification of ESG competency levels, while the theoretical framework supports empirical validation for curriculum assessment. These foundations also inform future research on ESG integration and curriculum effectiveness in developing economies.    

In 2008, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization. The Declaration is based on four equally important strategic objectives relevant to our purposes the promotion of social dialogue through the building of effective labour inspection systems. The setting of such labour standards has been ongoing for over a century in the area of labour inspection at the international level. By virtue of its ILO membership, South Africa is duty-bound to adopt similar laws to set labour standards. Such standards which determine labour inspection’s jurisdiction fall under four broad categories, i.e. Basic Conditions of Employment, Employment Equity, Occupational Health and Safety and Compensation for Occupational Injuries, for which labour inspectors must monitor and ensure compliance. Non-compliance with legislation and regulations is said to be rife in developing countries. This is supported by the Department of Labour Department’s inspector report, which underlines non-compliance with labour standards which this paper views as a deterring factor to achieving social justice. In the South African context, sanctions such as fines and or prison sentences are the legislative enforcement mechanism. Notwithstanding these harsh measures, there is a reported non-compliance from employers. In order to ensure more compliance, this paper suggests that other preventive enforcement mechanisms be envisaged, such as criminal and administrative penalties that affect the vital economic interests of the company, i.e. withdrawing the eligibility of the company to participate in public tenders or subsidies and closing down the company temporarily or permanently.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to the workplace, forcing organisations to adapt quickly to remote work, flexible arrangements, and digitalisation. Human Resource (HR) professionals played a significant role in managing these transitions, ensuring employee well-being, and implementing new workplace policies and procedures. However, there is scant research on the competencies required by HR professionals to navigate the post-pandemic work environment successfully. This study aims to identify the critical HR competencies needed for HR professionals to thrive in the post-pandemic era. To address the research objective, a qualitative research approach was employed, which involved semi-structured interviews conducted online and face-to-face with nine HR professionals who participated in the study. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings provide insights for HR professionals and organisations to develop effective HR practices and successfully support the transition to the post-pandemic work environment. Six themes emerged from the study: the Role of HR in the Post-Pandemic Work Environment, HR Competencies in the Post-Pandemic Work Environment, the Evolution of Critical HR Competencies in the Post-Pandemic Era, Challenges Faced by HR Professionals, Future-Proofing HR Competencies and Roles, and Professional Development.  Given the limited existing studies on HR competencies in the post-pandemic period, further research is recommended in this area.

This study aimed to determine consumers’ benefits for attending a carnival event in South Africa. Social exchange theory was adopted as theoretical lens in the study. Quantitative research method was adopted to address the research aim and the primary data was analysed through descriptive data analysis method with the aid of SPSS version 30. The results of the study provides insights by revealing how consumers perceive the socio-cultural benefits of carnival events. Carnival events provide opportunities for tourism, increase entertainment opportunities, increase destination visibility, offer opportunities to meet new people and showcase the diverse communities. This study provides valuable insights for event organisers and practitioners, emphasising the importance of socio-cultural impacts in planning culturally sustainable festivals. The study aligns with the theme of social inclusivity and cultural sustainability in festivals.

This articles critically deconstructs the role of gender and power within restorative approaches to child protection, with the overarching aim of reimagining justice for children through a gender-sensitive lens. By applying a qualitative, exploratory research design, the study delves into the complexities of how gendered power dynamics shape the experiences of children, particularly those from marginalized or vulnerable groups, in restorative justice processes. A desktop study methodology was employed, systematically reviewing existing literature, policies, and case studies to analyze the intersections of gender, power, and justice in child protection frameworks. Thematic analysis of the data revealed key insights into how traditional restorative practices inadvertently perpetuate patriarchal norms and power imbalances, often marginalizing the voices of children, especially girls and gender-diverse individuals. The study also highlighted the challenges and opportunities of rethinking justice to create more inclusive, equitable systems that not only address harm but also transform the power structures that facilitate violence and exploitation. The findings offer critical perspectives on the potential for restorative justice to serve as a tool for empowerment, suggesting a transformative approach that goes beyond repair of harm to dismantling systemic inequities within child protection.

This study explores students' experiences with continuous assessment (CA) in South African universities, focusing on assessment fatigue, rote learning, and the effectiveness of assessment design. A systematic literature review was conducted, analysing 30 academic and institutional publications sourced from databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, covering articles published between 2013 and 2025. Key findings include the widespread prevalence of assessment fatigue, particularly due to poorly designed assessment schedules, overlapping deadlines, and insufficient recovery time. Additionally, the study highlights how misaligned assessments promote rote learning while well-designed assessments foster deeper conceptual understanding. A critical theme also emerged regarding the role of assessment design, where diversified, well-spaced, and feedback-rich assessments effectively mitigate fatigue and improve engagement. Based on these findings, the study recommends strategic changes, including integrated assessment schedules across departments, enhanced educator training on constructive alignment, adoption of authentic assessment formats, and improvements to digital infrastructure and mental health support services. These recommendations aim to create a more equitable and effective continuous assessment framework in South African higher education, promoting both student engagement and learning outcomes.

This research investigated the knowledge-sharing strategies used by librarians in Nigeria, emphasising both conventional and modern approaches. The embedded mixed methods research design was used, with the sample including all 114 librarians from the selected universities. The instruments used for gathering data comprised a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews.  The numerical data was evaluated using SPSS, while the qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis (TCA).  The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) served as the theoretical underpinning for the research. Although the study found that librarians in the institutions surveyed share their knowledge through both traditional and technological means, the majority of the time, traditional methods like in-person interactions, meetings, training, mentorship, brainstorming, peer support, and communities of practice were used. Librarians proficient in information exchange approaches and technological methods validated the adoption of these technologies. The Nigerian Library's online forum, research gate/academia.edu, instant messaging, social networking sites, email, and online discussion forums were among the methods utilised to exchange information. Furthermore, with a mean score of 19.83, the librarians gave the technology approaches the highest ranking, while the conventional methods received a mean score of 9.88. According to the study's findings, librarians are aware of both forms of information exchange and favour employing technology approaches.  On the basis of the results of the current investigation, recommendations were made.

The study aims to examine the significant challenges associated with Subsidy Housing Allocation (SHA) in both rural and urban contexts within the City of Tshwane (CoT). This study focuses on two specific areas: Winterveldt, representing a rural setting, and Soshanguve, representing an urban setting, serving as case studies for comparison. Housing continues to be a salient challenge encountered by the government across all spheres, largely due to its classification as a concurrent responsibility. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. Interviews, questionnaires, and literature reviews were utilised to gather data on the housing phenomenon. A total of 965 participants were included in the study, selected through a combination of stratified and purposive sampling. The study's main finding indicates that there is no significant difference in SHA between the two areas. However, the respondents in both areas confirmed that the waiting list utilized by the CoT as part of the SHA tool is fraught with complications, including corruption, and is observed as exacerbating poor housing allocation in the municipal jurisdiction. The findings suggest that while the municipality is attempting to fulfill its development goals regarding SHA, there are notable challenges that need to be tackled.

This study examines how technology readiness and selects demographic characteristics influence the uptake of mobile commerce among SMEs in Polokwane, South Africa. Although factors such as age, gender, and education level have been investigated in other regions, their impact in the South African SME sector remains insufficiently explored. The research employed a quantitative design, surveying 146 SMEs drawn randomly from a total of 261. Data were collected using a closed ended, self-administered questionnaire and analysed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, ANOVA, regression, and Chi-Square tests. Correlation results revealed a strong positive association between technology readiness and mobile commerce adoption, whereas demographic variables demonstrated weak or non-significant relationships. ANOVA and regression confirmed technology readiness as a significant predictor, with no statistically significant influence from age, gender, or education; Chi-Square tests supported these outcomes. Reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha, and normality was checked using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Overall, technology readiness emerged as the dominant driver of adoption, yet the limited role of demographic factors suggests opportunities for targeted interventions to improve inclusivity and expand adoption among SMEs.