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This paper provides a systematic constitutional analysis of telemarketing regulation in South Africa, arguing that intrusive practices violate the foundational rights to privacy, dignity, freedom of association, and equality. Using a doctrinal methodology, it examines the jurisprudential evolution of these rights in digital commerce, the efficacy of key statutes such as the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and the normative influence of international law. The analysis reveals a critical disjuncture between robust constitutional guarantees and their practical enforcement, exacerbated by systemic challenges including inadequate regulatory capacity, technological advancement outpacing legislation, and the disproportionate targeting of vulnerable populations. The paper concludes by proposing an integrated, rights-based reform agenda, contending that effective telemarketing regulation is essential not only for protecting fundamental rights and human dignity in the digital age but also for promoting consumer trust, ethical business conduct, and sustainable digital market development.

This study investigates how a major South African private hospital group adopts and scales multiple renewable energy sources (MRES) within a mission-critical healthcare environment characterised by chronic grid instability. Using a qualitative single‑case study design, the research draws on semi-structured interviews with senior executives and technical managers, complemented by documentary analysis, to explore the barriers, enablers and governance mechanisms underpinning MRES adoption. The results reveal that financial and economic constraints, regulatory fragmentation, legacy infrastructure, and supply chain limitations constitute multidimensional barriers. In contrast, economic viability, executive leadership, risk-managed implementation, and energy-security imperatives serve as decisive enablers. The study demonstrates that effective adoption arises not from technology choices alone, but from an integrated organisational approach that combines diversified energy portfolios, phased implementation strategies, contractual procurement, and structured sustainability governance. The proposed Integrated MRES Adoption Framework synthesises these dimensions, offering a holistic model for energy transition in high-risk medical settings. The study concludes that hospitals can meaningfully advance renewable energy penetration when technical diversification is embedded within robust governance, financial feasibility assessments, and patient-safety-aligned risk management. Limitations include a single-case scope and senior-level perspectives; future research should compare public and private systems, evaluate long-term performance, and deepen inquiry into staff-level change processes.

The rapid shift to online teaching and learning (OTL) during and after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant institutional and infrastructural challenges in higher education. While existing research has examined experiences of emergency remote teaching, limited attention has been given to systematically identifying the foundational pre-conditions necessary for sustainable OTL implementation, particularly within business school contexts in developing settings. This study aimed to identify the pre-conditions required for effective OTL implementation at the Durban University of Technology Business School (DBS). A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative survey data (n = 82) with qualitative open-ended responses. Quantitative data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis, reliability testing and chi-square goodness-of-fit tests, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. The findings reveal strong convergence between quantitative and qualitative results. Structural barriers, mostly related to internet connectivity, device access and staff development, emerged as the most critical pre-conditions. Participants also emphasised digital skills, stable power supply and institutional support as foundational requirements. The study contributes empirical evidence on institutional readiness for OTL and provides a structured framework for prioritising infrastructure, capacity building and support systems in similar higher education contexts.

The research investigates the impact of conflicting role obligations on the aspirations for postgraduate education among administrative staff in higher education institutions (HEIs). It subsequently presents a conceptual framework aimed at enhancing comprehension of the obstacles and incentives linked to inter-role conflicts in regard to postgraduate ambitions inside higher education institutions. Utilising illustrative case data and employing a qualitative systematic literature review approach, the research investigates the impact of conflicting role demands on individuals' motivation and ability to attain advanced academic levels. Anchored on Role Conflict Theory, Boundary Theory, and the Conservation of Resources Theory, which together address role interference, domain permeability, and resource depletion, the research investigates how perceived conflicts within study domains influence aspirations for postgraduate pursuits. Research indicates that occupational stress combined with personal and familial obligations presents considerable obstacles to academic progress, while simultaneously driving individuals to seek postgraduate education as a means of career enhancement and professional development. The research emphasises the dual function of conflict as both a motivator and a limitation in influencing postgraduate educational ambitions. Despite the constraints posed by the lack of literature specifically addressing postgraduate ambitions among administrative staff in higher education institutions, the research provides significant exploratory perspectives on the lived experiences of this underexplored demographic and underscores the necessity for institutional measures that facilitate a balance between work and study. The study offers a cohesive conceptual framework that connects conflicting inter-role tensions to intentions for postgraduate studies, thereby making a significant contribution to career development research and laying the groundwork for future empirical studies within the administrative sector of higher education

The study evaluating social entrepreneurial activity as a strategy to enhance sustainable rural Economies in South Africa, using the uMhlathuze community. Sustainable local economic development is a paramount concern in South Africa, as ongoing inequality, unemployment, and spatial underdevelopment persistently hinder inclusive progress. This research assesses social entrepreneurial activity as a strategic approach to improving sustainable local economies, especially in marginalised and resource-limited areas. The research used a qualitative approach with original interview from selected participant to examine the ability of social businesses to foster grassroots creativity, create job opportunities, and enhance community resilience. Research demonstrates that social entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in local economic diversification, promotes social cohesiveness, and improves access to important services. Nonetheless, its influence is frequently restricted by insufficient legislative backing, inadequate financial frameworks, and institutional obstacles that impede scalability. The study presents a framework for incorporating social entrepreneurship into local development plans, highlighting collaborative governance, capacity building, and conducive regulatory frameworks. The research positions social entrepreneurship as a catalyst for sustainable development, highlighting its capacity to foster transformational and inclusive economic results in South Africa.

Relational leadership is a key antecedent of employee attitudes and rewards perceptions. However, empirical evidence linking its specific dimensions to compensation outcomes within South Africa’s context remains limited. Drawing on social exchange and equity theories, this study examines how specific relational leadership dimensions influence compensation perceptions. Data was collected from (N = 122) permanently employed personnel at a South African organisation, using a quantitative, cross-sectional design and validated self-report measures. The data was analysed by using Pearson correlations and multiple regression to predict employee compensation through relational leadership. The ethical component emerged as the most consistent and dominant predictor of employee compensation across all models. The empowering component showed significance in one model, but the dimensions usually linked to RLP, including inclusive, caring, and visionary components, had no statistically significant impact on reward outcomes. These findings highlight a critical distinction between behaviours that foster a supportive climate and those that validate the structural legitimacy of reward systems. The study concluded that in socio-economically complex environments like South Africa, employees prioritise ethical governance and fairness over interpersonal warmth when evaluating compensation. Consequently, organisations should prioritise ethical decision-making and transparent accountability in LDPs to enhance satisfaction and perceived equity.

This article examines how illegal online gambling platforms stress-test South Africa's cyber-enforcement capacity and evaluates the South African Police Service's (SAPS) operational readiness to enforce the National Gambling Act against digitally mediated and often offshore operators. The study pursues four objectives: (1) to assess SAPS's investigative capacity and procedural readiness in cyber-enabled gambling cases; (2) to map the practical enforcement pathway from detection and digital evidence collection to prosecution; (3) to identify recurring operational bottlenecks and jurisdictional obstacles; and (4) to propose targeted measures that align gambling regulation with cybercrime enforcement tools. The study employs a qualitative desktop-based research design incorporating doctrinal legal analysis, a structured scoping review of the literature, and a documentary synthesis of publicly available regulatory communications, policy documents, and court materials. The thematic synthesis of legal, regulatory, and academic sources indicates four persistent enforcement challenges: limited specialist skills in cyber investigations and digital forensics; fragmented coordination among SAPS, gambling regulators, internet service providers, and financial intermediaries; difficulties associated with jurisdiction and cross-border cooperation where platforms operate offshore; and procedural limitations in responding to rapidly evolving technologies. The reviewed literature further suggests that these challenges contribute to inconsistent case development, delays in evidence preservation and attribution, and reduced prosecutorial effectiveness against sophisticated operators. The article argues that strengthening specialist investigative capacity, improving digital evidence procedures, enhancing inter-agency information sharing, and more effectively utilising the Cybercrimes Act alongside gambling legislation could strengthen cyber-enforcement efforts. Collectively, these measures may help reduce the enforcement gap and improve SAPS's ability to address illegal online gambling within an increasingly complex digital environment.    

This systematic review examines how organisational culture (OC) influences organisational change in developing countries, addressing a literature gap concentrated in Western, high-income contexts. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we analysed 35 studies published between 2000 and 2025, spanning healthcare, manufacturing, higher education, public administration, and finance across 15 developing nations. The synthesis employed thematic analysis guided by the Competing Values Framework and institutional theory. Results indicate that organisational culture operates as a contingent mediator rather than a uniform driver or barrier. Clan culture consistently facilitates change through empowerment, trust, and participative decision-making. Conversely, a hierarchy culture typically impedes implementation through centralised authority, information hoarding, and suppressed psychological safety. Adhocracy and market cultures produce context-dependent effects, moderated by sectoral constraints and managerial practices. National cultural dimensions, political interference, and resource scarcity significantly moderate these relationships, often neutralising formal change policies. The findings demonstrate that change management practices mediate the culture-outcome link but require multi-level alignment to succeed. This review contributes a contextual model for OC-change dynamics, extending Western frameworks by showing that hierarchy in developing contexts is frequently an institutionalised norm rather than a managerial preference. Practically, the study provides evidence-based guidance for diagnosing cultural fit, adapting change strategies to national realities, and addressing systemic resource constraints.

Cross-sector fraud between South Africa’s financial and telecommunications sectors has intensified, driven by sophisticated criminal networks that exploit operational disparities between these industries. Traditional fraud detection systems, which depend on centralised data sharing and siloed organisational structures, encounter substantial legal and practical obstacles under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). These include restrictions on cross-entity data transfer, data minimisation requirements, and transparency obligations for automated decision-making. This study developed and evaluated a privacy-preserving framework that integrates Federated Learning (FL) and Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to enable collaborative fraud detection while safeguarding customer privacy and ensuring regulatory compliance. A mixed-method approach was employed. Quantitative experiments were conducted on a dataset of 35,675 credit card transactions linked to telecommunications parameters, training a federated global model across simulated financial and telecommunications providers. A qualitative systematic literature review identified key barriers to cross-sector collaboration and distilled lessons from prior Federated Learning and Explainable Artificial Intelligence implementations. The federated model demonstrated strong detection performance, achieving a ROC-AUC of 0.98, near-perfect precision and recall for legitimate transactions, and an F1-score of 0.89 for the minority fraud class, all without exchanging raw customer data between institutions. SHAP analysis identified TransactionAmt and card1 as the most influential features, thereby satisfying POPIA's transparency mandates. While federated approaches did not consistently surpass siloed models in raw accuracy, this marginal trade-off reflects the essential privacy-utility equilibrium required for legal compliance. The framework effectively reconciled collective security with individual privacy, confirming that POPIA adherence need not diminish detection efficacy. This study provides a validated blueprint for financial and telecommunications providers in South Africa to collaboratively counter cross-sector fraud within regulatory constraints. The framework further supports audit trail generation and decision rationales, addressing compliance obligations. Drawing on systematic literature review insights, particularly regarding collaboration barriers and prior Federated Learning and Explainable Artificial Intelligence implementations, the findings offer regulators and investors practical guidance for meeting statutory requirements without compromising privacy rights.

Globalisation has intensified cultural diversity within organisations, foregrounding cultural intelligence as an essential capability for effective functioning in multicultural work environments. This is particularly salient in South Africa, widely recognised as one of the most culturally diverse societies in the world. This article explores the role of cultural intelligence in promoting psychological well-being within South African organisations. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study involved twelve employees working in culturally diverse organisational contexts. Data were collected through one-on-one telephonic interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that cultural intelligence plays a pivotal role in facilitating psychological well-being by enhancing interpersonal understanding, reducing cross-cultural conflict, and fostering inclusive and supportive work environments. Participants highlighted cultural intelligence as a critical individual and organisational competency that enables employees to navigate cultural differences more effectively, thereby contributing to emotional resilience, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. The article argues that deliberate investment in the development of cultural intelligence across all organisational levels is imperative, as it not only promotes psychological well-being but may also strengthen organisational effectiveness and sustainability in culturally diverse contexts.

The study focused on Sustainable adoption of cryptocurrencies for enhancing financial stability in emerging markets. The problem of the study is lack of awareness on the use of cryptocurrency resulted in many transacting people losing their money to scam and criminals who use fraudulent methods to deprive those with little knowledge to transact through the cryptocurrency. The specific objectives of the study are to; establish the factors influencing the adoption of cryptocurrencies for enhancing financial stability emerging markets, analyse the opportunities and challenges for the adoption of cryptocurrencies in emerging markets, establish strategies for enhancing financial stability through the adoption of cryptocurrencies in emerging markets. The research study is guided by the Technology Acceptance Model by Davis, (1989). the findings of the research indicated that the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use showed positive association on the intention to use cryptocurrencies. The ease and usefulness of cryptocurrencies was found in fulfilling various roles including making instant international money transfer, transacting at low charges, using it as an alternative source of currency, making free anonymous transaction and paying for the online service that accept cryptocurrencies. The results indicate that higher inflation and increased exchange rate volatility are positively associated with greater use of cryptocurrencies, explaining that such economic conditions drive individuals to seek alternative financial instruments. The study concluded that, the adoption of cryptocurrency is important for enhancing financial inclusion amongst people of different walks of life in emerging markets. The adoption of cryptocurrency by the emerging markets is significant in maintaining financial stability and reduce the erosion of the local currencies in emerging markets.

In Southern African higher education, gender-based violence (GBV) is still a major public health and human rights issue that has a significant impact on students' psychological health, academic achievement, and life paths. Integrative frameworks that direct the successful implementation of prevention and support programs in line with social and emotional learning (SEL) are lacking, despite rising prevalence. To close this gap, this study offers a conceptual framework for examining variables that affect how the Resilience, Rights, and Respectful Relationships program is implemented in academic settings. It promotes a comprehensive strategy that incorporates pastoral care and psychological support by drawing on interdisciplinary viewpoints. Pastoral care uses techniques like story counseling and logotherapy to support meaning-making, spiritual resilience, and identity rebuilding while psychological interventions concentrate on emotional healing. The study highlights the significance of pastoral care in fostering justice-oriented, life-affirming interpretations by critically examining cultural and religious narratives that may sustain gender inequity through the application of theological viewpoints. In the end, it advocates for interdisciplinary, survivor-centered, contextually grounded institutional responses that go beyond policy commitments to address the existential as well as structural aspects of GBV.

This systematic review examines artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital transformation in mathematics education as a strategic business ecosystem issue rather than only a classroom technology concern. The objective is to synthesise how AI-supported pedagogies create educational value, what ecosystem risks accompany adoption, and which organisational capabilities and governance conditions enable responsible implementation. Guided by PRISMA 2020 principles, peer-reviewed empirical and conceptual studies published between 2018 and 2025 were identified from Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, Education Source and Google Scholar. A total of 3,241 records were initially retrieved; after duplicate removal, screening and full-text eligibility assessment, 203 studies were included for structured extraction, quality appraisal and thematic synthesis. The evidence was analysed through a business ecosystem lens focusing on value co-creation, stakeholder interdependence, digital governance, teacher capability, infrastructure readiness and equity. The findings show that AI tools can strengthen adaptive practice, formative feedback, diagnostic analytics, multimodal representation and teacher decision-making when they are embedded in coherent institutional strategies. However, strategic value is weakened by digital inequality, data privacy risks, algorithmic opacity, cognitive offloading, platform dependence, weak curriculum alignment and insufficient teacher capability. The study contributes an ecosystem strategy framework that positions AI as a pedagogical and organisational mediator within a network of learners, teachers, institutions, technology providers, policy bodies, infrastructure actors and communities. It concludes that AI adoption in mathematics education should be strategy-led, ethically governed and capability-driven. Sustainable value creation requires inclusive infrastructure, teacher professional development, data governance, assessment redesign, transparent procurement and partnerships that protect educational equity while enabling innovation in resource-constrained and digitally uneven contexts.

The rapid evolution of digital technologies necessitates a transformative approach to accounting education, particularly in developing countries. Building on Mishra and Koehler’s (2006) foundational assertion that there is no universally accepted method for integrating technology into the educational curricula, this study proposes a TPACK-Bloom’s Taxonomy framework to articulate how technology enhances learning in accounting education. TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) offers a multidimensional lens for aligning technological tools with pedagogical strategies and disciplinary content, ensuring that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics are contextually and instructionally relevant. Bloom’s Taxonomy complements this by structuring cognitive development across six hierarchical levels, ranging from remembering to creating, within technology-enhanced learning environments. Together, these two frameworks provide a versatile tool for designing curriculum interventions that foster digital literacy, critical thinking, and professional competence. This study makes three key contributions to the literature. First, it bridges the gap between technology adoption and pedagogical effectiveness by linking digital tools to cognitive learning outcomes. Second, it contributes to human capital development by promoting the integration of technical, cognitive, and digital competencies. Third, it supports organisational transformation by offering a practical, scalable approach to technology-enhanced learning in resource-constrained contexts.

Decent work has become an impetus behind business success and a critical factor for boosting job satisfaction and for alleviating deviant behaviour in the workplace. This study sought to examine the consequences of decent work perception on employee job satisfaction and workplace deviance among casual workers in Zimbabwe transport industry. The study adopted a qualitative research approach embedded in interpretivism paradigm and multiple case-study design. The findings revealed that casual employees experience indecent work characterized by unfair remuneration, job insecurity, and limited employee representation and limited time to rest which affects their overall satisfaction with work. Job dissatisfaction was also found to positively influence negative workplace deviance. An important implication of this study is the need for bus operator companies to understand the value of fostering decent work if they are to have satisfied employees who would be loyal to the organisation and contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s bottom-line. The study is expected to contribute to empirical evidence on the consequences of decent work on job satisfaction and workplace deviance and provide recommendations to human resource practitioners on the essence of addressing workplace deviance and boosting employee job satisfaction through upholding decent work standards in the workplace.

This paper examined the connectedness between Copper returns and major cryptocurrency returns, with particular attention to their predictive ability and their roles in diversification and risk transmission across varying market conditions and investment horizons. In this study, it is also aimed to evaluate how these relationships evolve across different quantiles and frequency domains, thereby capturing both distributional asymmetries and time-dependent dynamics. We employed a hybrid analytical approach combining Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition and Quantile-on-Quantile Regression to decompose the return series and estimate dependence structures across multiple quantiles and time scales. A dataset comprising daily observations of copper and selected cryptocurrencies, Cardano (ADA), Binance Coin (BNB), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), TRON (TRX), Tether (USDT), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Ripple (XRP), covering the period from 17 September 2014 to 17 April 2026 was analysed. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) short-term connectedness between copper and cryptocurrencies is generally weak, indicating limited immediate transmission of shocks; (ii) medium- and long-term results reveal stronger and more structured dependence, with certain cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin and Binance Coin, exhibiting notable predictive influence on copper returns alongside time-varying co-movements; and finally (iii) the relationship is highly state-dependent, with stronger and asymmetric spillovers emerging during extreme market conditions, suggesting that cryptocurrencies primarily serve as diversifiers rather than consistent hedges. These results highlight the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency–copper nexus and provide important implications for portfolio diversification, risk management, and financial market monitoring in increasingly interconnected global markets.

This paper examined the connectedness between silver returns and major cryptocurrencies, with particular attention to their predictive ability and their roles as hedging, safe-haven, and diversification instruments across varying market conditions and investment horizons. In this paper, it is also aimed to evaluate how these relationships evolve across different quantiles and frequency domains, thereby capturing both distributional asymmetries and time-dependent dynamics. We employed a hybrid analytical approach combining Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition and Quantile-in-Quantile Regression to decompose the return series and estimate dependence structures across multiple quantiles and time scales. A dataset comprising daily observations of silver and selected cryptocurrencies, Cardano (ADA), Binance Coin (BNB), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), TRON (TRX), Tether (USDT), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Ripple (XRP), covering the period from 17 September 2014 to 17 April 2026 was analysed. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) the short-term connectedness between silver and cryptocurrencies is generally weak and statistically insignificant, suggesting limited immediate transmission of shocks between the two markets; (ii) the medium- and long-term results reveal stronger and more structured dependence, with cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin and Binance Coin, exhibiting notable predictive influence on silver returns, alongside evidence of time-varying co-movements; and finally (iii) the nature of the relationship is markedly state-dependent, as certain cryptocurrencies display hedging or diversification benefits under specific market conditions, while others exhibit mixed or asymmetric effects, especially during periods of extreme market stress. The findings indicate that the cryptocurrency–silver nexus is dynamic and evolves across both time horizons and market states, offering delicate implications for portfolio diversification, risk management, and financial market monitoring in an increasingly interconnected global environment.

This paper aims to explore how service quality mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and non-financial performance in Zimbabwe's tourism centres.  The study further examines the relationship between emotional intelligence and non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the paper investigates the relationship between service quality and non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe. Using a positivist paradigm, quantitative methods, and a sample of 549 respondents, data were collected via self-administered questionnaires and analysed with SPSS 29 and Amos 24 software. Main findings of the study demonstrate that  (i) emotional intelligence significantly enhance non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe (ii) service quality has a statistical significance impact, but it negatively correlates with non-financial performance of tourism centres and finally (iii) service quality does not mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and non-financial performance of tourism centres in Zimbabwe relationship. These findings imply that managers should prioritise emotional intelligence directly rather than relying on service quality improvements alone. Policy recommendations include enhancing human capital, encouraging financial institutions to support tourism ventures, and integrating emotional intelligence and service quality into training curricula to foster better performance across Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

This paper examined the effect of TQM on environmental performance (EP) and the mediating role of innovation (INN) in this relationship. We employed a quantitative research method and collected cross-sectional data from 320 SMEs in the food and beverages manufacturing industry OF Ghana. We further utilised PLS-SEM to analyse the data collected. The main results revealed that TQM has a favourable and substantial impact on EP (β = 0.812, p-value = 0.000) and on INN (β = 0.771, p-value = 0.000). Additionally, INN has a favourable and substantial impact on EP (β = 0.163, p-value = 0.000), and, finally, INN partially mediates the direct link between TQM and EP (β = 0.126, p-value = 0.000). However, this mediating effect was strongly influenced by continuous improvement, employee involvement and product innovation. Therefore, SMEs in the food and beverages manufacturing sector should consider investing more in continuous improvement and employee involvement initiatives. Also, pay close attention to and adapt to changes in taste and market trends related to their products.

The study examined the critical approach adopted by entrepreneurship and policy development in promoting socio-economic development. In this review. It also looked at the difficulties small, micro, and medium-sized businesses in South Africa face. The conceptual research looked at the influence of small, micro, and medium-sized companies (SMMEs) on South African development. The study's objective was to evaluate how small, medium-sized businesses (SMMEs) are now driving economic growth and solving social issues in a setting where big businesses and governments appear to be doing very little. As a result, the study examines how SMMEs might help the nation solve persistent societal evils, including poverty, inequality, and social isolation. A desktop literature review research design was adopted to collect data on the role of entrepreneurship in South Africa. The study further looks at policies and practices of big business and government that exacerbate social issues in communities and impede socio-economic development, as well as the specific roles that SMMEs play in achieving socio-economic development goals. The findings reveal that, among various developmental outcomes, SMMEs are at the forefront of generating employment and promoting social and political justice within the nation. Future empirical studies should account for and evaluate the importance of SMME contributions to constructing economic, social, and political justice in the nation.