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This study aims to identify the most influential blockchain types for potential implementation areas in the transforming mobility ecosystem, considering application area-specific needs such as transparency, transaction speed, scalability, energy usage, security, and operating cost. The study demonstrated the hybrid blockchain suitability for most of the 13 distinguished mobility applications, while private and consortium blockchains are found applicable based on the needs of specific use cases. A public blockchain is only found suitable for two of the use cases. Proof of Authority and Proof of Stake matches well with most use cases, while Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance and Proof of Work could be suitable in particular.

This paper examined the mediating role of trust in government on the influence of public governance quality indicators (accountability, political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption) on tax compliance in Africa. Cross-country data obtained from 38 African countries for 2015 was used and analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. The study found that accountability, political stability, control of corruption, and trust have a significant influence on tax compliance among the sampled African countries, but government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and the rule of law and have insignificant influence on tax compliance. The result of the mediating effects revealed that trust mediates the influence of accountability and political stability on tax compliance in Africa. However, it failed to mediate the influence of government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption on tax compliance among sample African countries. The study offers theoretical insights on the role of trust as a mediator on social exchange relationships from the context of public governance quality on tax compliance. It also implies to the policymakers that building trust is an important mechanism through which the impact of public governance on tax compliance would be more pronounced. The study further calls for replication of its findings in other continents such as the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

Cash(liquidity) management is at the heart of a firm’s financial management. It is a silver lining between the bankruptcy and the success story of a company. Therefore, this study intends to contribute some insights into cash management practices and how firms can use them to achieve sound financial performance. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on existing theories and cash management practices that are useful in decision making. After the analysis of the available literature, the study highlights important theories including trade-off theory (TOT), transaction model, precautionary measures, financial hierarchy, and cash flow theory. Furthermore, management practices such as stochastic cash management model, speeding up cash collections, centralization & decentralization of management, asset portfolio diversification, and cash disbursement are discussed.  The study suggests that a sound financial performance can be achieved through a hybrid approach and through adaptation and embracing innovations in cash management systems.

Road’s infrastructure is regarded as an essential factor to achieve development goals. It is recorded that most people living in the rural areas are constrained by poor road infrastructure, thereby causing poverty, hunger, and food insecurity. This situation calls for more investments in road infrastructure to promote agricultural activities. Using systematic review method, this study reviewed literature pertaining to road infrastructure in South Africa, the review focused on the importance, benefits, and present state of road infrastructure and the socio-economic effects of poor road infrastructure. The study revealed that Most South African roads are in bad shape, especially roads in the rural areas. due to lack of qualified personnel to manage road infrastructure, government regulations and policies and financial challenges. The implications of this study's findings are substantial for future research. Firstly, in order to ensure the timely delivery of infrastructure construction projects, the study's findings are expected to provide guidance to decision-makers and stakeholders in South Africa and other nations on how to proactively implement measures to provide and maintain sustainable, good road infrastructure.

The main aim was to determine how the supply chains of the FMCG industry may enhance their resilience through the adoption of digital technologies. Additionally, enhancing visibility and transparency through the augmentation of operational efficiency to elevate overall performance. This analysis utilised the Uncertainty Framework theory, which provides a systematic approach for identifying, categorising, and managing uncertainties within the supply chain. Organisations can formulate strategies to effectively manage and mitigate risks by understanding the many dimensions of uncertainty within the supply chain and their interrelations. The research utilised a qualitative methodology, gathering data via semi-structured interviews with 25 supply chain specialists and senior executives possessing extensive experience in the FMCG sector. The study's findings indicate that digital transformation enhances agility, transparency, and data-driven decision-making, which is crucial for bolstering the resilience of the FMCG supply chain. Six themes emerged from the findings: data-driven decision-making, supply chain visibility and transparency, automation and robots, collaborative platforms and ecosystems, predictive analytics and forecasting, and traceability and sustainability. The research will enhance our understanding of the implementation of digital transformation initiatives throughout FMCG supply chains. This involves analysing the application of digital technologies in supply chain operations. The study may ascertain the impact of these technologies on various resilience criteria, including flexibility, agility, visibility, and responsiveness, by analysing the role of digital transformation in FMCG supply chains. The research findings can assist supply chain managers in making educated decisions on investments and strategic planning for digital transformation initiatives.Research on digital transformation in the FMCG sector is limited, particularly on these unprecedented upheavals. Moreover, there is little study connecting digital transformation with sustainability and resilience in FMCG supply chains, which is essential for comprehending how these projects might collaboratively enhance robust supply systems.

The study examines how quality of governance influences the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study adopts a quantitative research strategy that utilises panel data of selected countries during 28 years, that is, 1996-2023. Indicators of governance like Government Effectiveness (GE), Political Stability and Absence of Violence (AV), Rule of Law (RL), Regulatory Quality (RQ) and Voice and Accountability (VA). The findings indicate that Strong Governance frameworks significantly enhance FDI inflows in Sub-Saharan Africa. VA was found to be a very strong positive determinant. GE and PS were also found to have negative relationships in within-country analyses. The IFRS adoption, being a uniform variable throughout the sampled countries, was observed to increase investor confidence. These results imply that the improvement of governance are synergies that help to establish the stable, transparent, and predictable environment sought by investors. Thus, policymakers can improve the governance systems and provide citizen involvement in order to boost foreign investment and attract sustainable capital and economic growth in the region.

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

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

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

Celebrity endorsement is a widely utilised strategic marketing method employed by companies globally. This study examines the influence of sport celebrity endorsement, with particular emphasis on Lionel Messi's effect on the profitability of the brands he represents. Two prominent brands, adidas and Louis Vuitton, both positioned within the top ten most valuable fashion brands in 2024, were selected for analysis. The study utilised secondary data to fulfil its aims. The findings indicate that Lionel Messi has a positive impact on profit generation for endorsed brands, underscoring the effectiveness of integrating high-profile sports celebrities into marketing communication strategies to enhance profitability. Brand managers who have not yet employed sports celebrity endorsements should consider this approach, as it has demonstrated a substantial impact on company profits. This study recognises specific limitations, as is common in research endeavours. Future research should evaluate the influence of local sports celebrities on the profitability of brands they endorse within the community.