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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.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming global higher education through disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things. This qualitative study investigates the adoption and utilization of 4IR technologies within Zimbabwean state universities, examining perceived benefits and barriers to integration. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with academic staff, administrators, and ICT personnel across multiple institutions. Findings reveal widespread use of foundational digital tools, including Learning Management Systems, yet adoption of advanced 4IR technologies remains limited and fragmented. Key benefits identified include enhanced access to educational resources, improved academic communication, and increased operational efficiency. Conversely, infrastructural inadequacies, constrained funding, skills deficits, weak policy frameworks, and inconsistent leadership commitment significantly impede broader uptake. Employing the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the study elucidates how technological readiness, organizational dynamics, and external environmental pressures collectively shape 4IR adoption. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations focused on infrastructure enhancement, capacity building, policy alignment, and strengthened collaborations with industry and international partners. These insights contribute to advancing institutional and national digital transformation strategies in Zimbabwe and comparable developing country contexts.

This paper examines a complicated dilemma of information security in virtual banking, where technical innovation intersects with the necessity to safeguard advanced financial systems, resulting in paradoxes and tensions. The study reveals a significant knowledge deficiency concerning the amplification of information security vulnerabilities as financial organisations shift from conventional to digital banking.  Framed through a socio-technical lens, the objective of this research study was to develop a grounded theory that offers new insights into the conceptualisation of information security in virtual banking. This conundrum is characterised by its multifaceted nature and involves competing interests in security, information security, usability, technological innovation, and customer trust. To resolve the difficulties of the conundrum, the qualitative researchA qualitative research study employing an innovative mixed-methods dual approach, integrating the Straussian grounded theory method (GTM) with Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), was conducted, facilitating both detailed analysis of information security practices and a comprehensive understanding of virtual banking ecosystems. The study's critical findings from 20 participants, derived from Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM), are encapsulated in the Trust-Responsive Security Architecture (TRSA) framework, which integrates socio-technical perspectives and demonstrates how these inherent tensions can be managed.  TRSA asserts that virtual banks encounter a dilemma wherein excessive security can result in complexity, friction, and diminished usability, potentially undermining trust. This situation is reframed as an emergent socio-technical balance issue, necessitating that virtual banks continuously negotiate and manage the equilibrium between security, trust, and usability. The study thus claims that the ramifications of this research are that vThe research indicates that by implementing TRSA, virtual banks can emphasise user-centric design in virtual platforms to balance trust and information security requirements, hence fostering trust, usability, and regulatory compliance.

HRBPs play a crucial strategic role in academic institutions by bridging faculty autonomy, collegial governance, and HR policy. HRBPs in academia handle conflicting demands from deans, department heads, and unions while fostering organisational transformation. Exclusive HRBPs' academic experiences are understudied despite increased recognition of their value. This study examines how HRBPs develop trust, enforce policies, exercise emotional resilience, and mediate conflicts to create customised HR practices that improve academic HRBP effectiveness. This qualitative multi-case study used purposive sampling to examine HRBPs' perspectives in scientific faculties at six South African HEIs. Data were obtained via personalised open-ended

This study examined perceived risks in South African omnichannel shopping, focusing on financial, time-loss, transaction, and logistics risks. It addressed consumer uncertainties and the impact on trust and adoption while identifying key risk dimensions. A descriptive research design was employed, utilising a structured questionnaire to gather data from 428 respondents recruited through a marketing research company’s consumer panel. The quantitative approach provided a detailed analysis of perceived risks. The findings revealed that consumers perceive financial aspects, such as refunds and price accuracy, as secure and reliable. Online shopping is considered time-efficient, particularly in information searches and order processing. However, concerns persist regarding the timeliness of returns and the security of personal credentials. Logistics risks, including delivery accuracy and product condition, were received positively, although delivery timeliness remains challenging. Retailers' processes and financial security measures improve post-purchase processes and educate consumers on digital security practices. Strengthening logistics operations, optimising mobile platforms, and implementing strategies tailored to the South African context are essential. Emphasising trust-building through transparency and reliability is critical to addressing consumer concerns. This study contributes to understanding perceived risks in omnichannel shopping within an emerging market context. Highlighting consumer concerns and providing actionable recommendations offers valuable insights for retailers to improve trust and foster greater adoption of omnichannel platforms.

Establishing adaptable cultural practices is the target of organizations and communities to guarantee ongoing development and change. To ensure exceptional performance, the leaders need to promote the organization's inimitability qualities. The paper aims to assess the influence of cultural values on the operations management of SMMEs in the eThekwini Municipal Area in KwaZulu-Natal Data from a variety of SMMEs in the eThekwini Municipal Area was gathered by basic random sampling. The study's sample consisted of 250 respondents who completed the questionnaire. This data was captured and analyzed on SPSS (version 26) and yielded both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study's conclusions demonstrated that cultural values have a major role in improving the performance level of SMMEs. The total efficacy of operations management depends on these cultural values, and it is recommended that their application be increased to create standards that people will want to live up to.

This study aims to critically examine the statutory and regulatory framework governing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public policy-making in South Based on document analysis, the study uses a qualitative methodology informed by an interpretive research philosophy. From a variety of written sources, such as public reports, academic literature, policy drafts, and legislation, data were purposefully chosen and subjected to thematic analysis. Three main conclusions emerge from the study: first, South African regulations governing AI lag far behind the rate of technological advancement; second, the guidelines currently in place for the use of AI in the public sector are confusing and inadequate; and third, the current strategy falls short in striking a balance between innovation and essential protections. The study concludes by recommending that South Africa must move beyond consultative drafts and urgently establish a comprehensive, legally enforceable framework. This framework should be aligned with global best practices to ethically and effectively oversee AI deployment across its public institutions.

The adoption of digital technologies has gained momentum across both large and small organizations. This trend has been facilitated by the need for innovative and sustainable production. Compared to larger organizations, the adoption of digital technologies in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been relatively low in developing countries, and South Africa is not an exception. Previous research reveals the slow adoption of AI in South African SMEs. Thus, this study reviews existing literature to explore the challenges to the adoption of AI in South African SMEs. Findings reveal that organizational, technological and environmental factors can present opportunities or challenges to the adoption of AI in South African SMEs lending support to the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) model. Inadequate digital infrastructure, inadequate technical skills, financial constraints and resistance to change are identified as key obstacles to the adoption of AI in South African SMEs. The study recommends that SMEs strengthen their organizational and technological factors including employees’ technical competencies, top management commitment, digital infrastructure, financial resources and innovative culture to enhance AI adoption. Furthermore, government interventions in areas of digital infrastructure, digital skills development and innovation funding can promote AI adoption in South African SMEs. Nevertheless, future research should include rural SMEs and SMEs in diverse sectors such as retail, agriculture, healthcare, logistics and e-commerce to gain nuanced insights AI adoption in South African SMEs across diverse sectors.

This study explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on contemporary leadership practices, highlighting how AI-powered tools redefine decision-making, communication, and organisational management. Traditional hierarchical leadership models, rooted in command-and-control, are increasingly supplemented by AI-enabled approaches that enhance operational efficiency, strategic foresight, and inclusivity. AI facilitates real-time data analytics, predictive modelling, and automation of routine tasks, enabling leaders to focus on innovation and employee empowerment. The integration of AI with established leadership theories—such as transformational, situational, and servant leadership—demonstrates a synergistic potential where technology augments human judgment rather than replacing it. Additionally, AI fosters personalised leadership by analysing employee sentiments and performance, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion through bias reduction in recruitment and performance evaluations. The study underscores the critical balance leaders must maintain between leveraging AI capabilities and preserving ethical standards, data privacy, and human-centric decision-making. Challenges such as algorithmic bias, over-reliance on automation, and accountability gaps are examined alongside the imperative for continuous learning and ethical governance frameworks. Real-world cases from global companies like Amazon, IBM, Tesla, and JPMorgan Chase illustrate both successful AI integration and cautionary failures, emphasizing lessons for effective AI adoption in leadership. Looking forward, the research highlights emerging trends including autonomous leadership systems and the need for developing AI literacy, emotional intelligence, and adaptive capabilities among future leaders. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for organisations to foster responsible AI use, promote human-AI collaboration, and advance leadership development to thrive in an AI-driven digital era. Further research is called for to investigate long-term implications, cultural variations, and psychological aspects of AI-enhanced leadership.

Many developing countries currently base their trade policy modifications on the execution of trade facilitation reforms. There exists a gap between the policy intervention aimed at reform and the practical capacity to implement these trade facilitation reforms. This research employed a straightforward regression model to evaluate the effect of trade facilitation on revenue collections in Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2022, utilising the Logistics Performance Index as a proxy for trade facilitation. Total tax revenue, the variable of interest, is quantified as a percentage of gross domestic product, indicating the efficiency of government tax collection. The findings demonstrate that the efficiency of border clearance and the competence and quality of logistical services  positively influence revenue collections, whereas the quality of trade and transport infrastructure negatively affects revenue collection . The findings indicate that governments should prioritise enhancing the efficiency of border processes and the quality of logistics services to increase revenue, while also mitigating the adverse effects of inadequate trade and transport infrastructure. The implementation of public-private partnerships, investment in alternative energy sources, automation of customs processes, and the establishment of quality management systems in customs administrations can facilitate this achievement. This study confirms that effectively implemented trade facilitation initiatives can realise their intended economic benefits, including reduced trade costs, enhanced efficiency, and increased access to international markets.

The unsuccessful reform of the Political Economy of Zimbabwe (PEZ) syllabus is frequently attributed to the political disputes related to the secondary school curriculum that emerged shortly after independence in the 1980s in Zimbabwe. Such explanations are often incomplete and simplistic, failing to address the critical issues surrounding the symbiotic relationship among stakeholders in education, which are essential for the implementation of reform ideas in classrooms. This paper adopts stakeholder disharmony as a lens to examine and explain the apparent failure of the PEZ curriculum reforms in Zimbabwe. The current research indicates that the failure of the PEZ syllabus can be attributed, in part, to the political contestations surrounding its genealogy, design, and attempted implementation; however, the significant impact of stakeholder disharmony must not be overlooked. Data were gathered via document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key informants from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and an official overseeing education in the Catholic Church. The data were utilised to ascertain the causes of the failure and/or stillbirth of the PEZ reform process in Zimbabwe. This account indicates that stakeholder disharmony may be a critical factor in understanding the failure of the PEZ syllabus in Zimbabwe. This paper concludes that, despite numerous reasons proposed to explain the failure of curriculum reforms, the discussions remain incomplete without addressing the role of key stakeholders' inability to find common ground, which has resulted in a detrimental turf war.