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Amid the dynamic manufacturing landscape of the modern world, innovation remains key in fostering competitiveness and growth. Whereas psychological safety has been proven to be an inducer of innovative work behaviour (IWB), fewer studies have probed the mechanism through which this is achieved, particularly in emerging economies. Addressing this literature gap, the current study examines the mediating effect of perceived organisational support (POS) between psychological safety and innovative work behaviour in a South African manufacturing company. We adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design, where data were collected from 423 employees with the help of reliable and validated measures. Data were analysed using STATA version 17, and all the respondents were collected with the help of a structured, closed-ended questionnaire. The results indicate that perceived organisational support plays a partial mediating role in the association of psychological safety with innovative work behaviour. In other words, perceived organisational support enhances the positive effect of psychological safety on employees' inclination to innovate, which highlights its strategic significance. This study contributes to the organisational behaviour field by unpacking the indirect role of POS in the safety–innovation relationship and offers practical implications for HR practitioners and leadership. Organisations are encouraged to create inclusive feedback systems, reward the contributions of employees, and infuse support mechanisms into workplace culture to release employee innovation and build adaptive capacity in competitive environments.

This article examines the load-shedding crisis in South Africa, primarily emphasising its disruption of digital development and its hindrance to the nation's ability to fulfil the requirements of digitalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The report aimed to evaluate the impact of digitalisation on community development following COVID-19. The South African government has implemented strategies aimed at addressing the crises of unequal access to digital resources in communities; however, the ongoing load-shedding crisis continues to hinder progress by imposing daily power cuts, thereby exacerbating the digital divide. It is essential to acknowledge that COVID-19 has compelled the government and private sector organisations to transition into the digital era, where operations are conducted without physical presence, relying on technical innovations. The research concluded that the government has insufficiently addressed the issue of load-shedding, now referred to as load-reduction, and has demonstrated an incapacity to implement effective systems to respond to the crises. The study contends that the issue of load-shedding in South Africa can be mitigated if the government invests in nations with sufficient energy connectivity to support digital advancement. The study asserts that the nation will lag in benefiting from digitalisation unless the obstacles impeding it are promptly resolved. The study employed a qualitative methodology, enhanced by a critical evaluation and analysis of secondary data obtained from electronic documents. The study substantially identifies deficiencies related to the load-shedding issues and proposes ways to aid the government in effectively addressing these crises, ensuring equitable access to technology, and bridging the South African digital divide.

Research on job satisfaction (JS) and work engagement (WE) has been conducted in the context of the South African public sector; however, there remains a gap in understanding the relationship between JS and WE within the offices of specific government departments. This study sought to investigate the correlation between work engagement and job satisfaction among administrative employees. The South African Government is viewed as a failed state because of its difficulties in delivering efficient and effective services to its citizens, which may undermine public trust in institutions. The study sought to ascertain that managers in a chosen government department recognise the correlation between job satisfaction and work engagement. A quantitative research approach employing a cross-sectional design was implemented, utilising two established questionnaires on job satisfaction and work engagement, which were distributed to administrative employees (n = 180) through Google Forms. Participants were selected using the snowball sampling method. The collected data underwent analysis through factor analysis. The data obtained from 180 respondents indicated a positive correlation between work engagement and job satisfaction. Management should prioritise the enhancement of work engagement, as it directly impacts job satisfaction and can lead to improvements in both employee and organisational performance. This alignment may improve employee motivation and the contributions employees make to the organisation. This study emphasises the significant correlation between employee engagement and job satisfaction, especially among administrative staff. This will assist the organisation in aligning its policies with employee expectations.

Entrepreneurship is a fundamental driver of economic growth and innovation, particularly in emerging economies where youth unemployment remains a critical challenge. This study examines the role of self-efficacy in shaping entrepreneurial motivation and behaviour among students at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), South Africa. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, this study integrates Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour and Becker’s Human Capital Theory to explore the link between self-efficacy, entrepreneurial intentions, and long-term business success. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with purposively selected students enrolled in entrepreneurship programs. Thematic analysis was utilised to extract key themes related to self-efficacy, resilience, risk-taking behaviour, and socio-economic influences. The findings indicate that students with higher levels of self-efficacy demonstrate stronger entrepreneurial motivation, persistence, and proactive business engagement. The study further explores the role of mentorship programs, institutional support, and policy interventions in enhancing self-efficacy among young entrepreneurs. The research offers critical policy recommendations for higher education institutions, government bodies, and business incubators, advocating for structured entrepreneurship training, financial accessibility reforms, and mentorship-driven ecosystem development. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurial self-efficacy in emerging markets and provide actionable strategies to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among university students.

Pandemics result in significant devastation, leaving considerable destruction in their wake. Numerous researchers contend that the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic exceeded prior pandemics in various aspects. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global economies, businesses, and societies, resulting in substantial damage and lasting effects. The aviation industry experienced a significant near-collapse for the first time since the advent of aeroplanes, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research was initiated to synthesise existing studies on the strategies utilised by Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to sustain operations during disasters such as COVID-19 in South Africa. This systematic literature review analyses the survival strategies and failures of SMMEs in Africa in response to the economic disruptions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixteen accredited journals were incorporated into the data analysis. The thematic analysis identified several themes from the original data: Networking and Accessing Financial Support, Response to Crisis Conditions, Digital Technology, Disruption of Supply Chains, and Inadequate and Insufficient Government Support. This study synthesises existing research to identify factors that supported SMMEs in sustaining operations and recovering from challenges induced by the pandemic. This study offers significant insights into the survival strategies and challenges faced by SMMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. African leaders should supervise the execution of digital transformation initiatives, focused financial assistance, and strategies for long-term business continuity.

This article investigates the nature of the relationship and the effects of changes in oil prices on South Africa's exchange rate. It fills an essential gap in comprehending how oil price shocks influence emerging market economic dynamics. Through the use of a Bayesian Vector Auto-Regressive (BVAR) model, this study finds that the initial oil price shock to exchange rates is weakly positive in the short run, reflecting a 1% increase in oil prices, leading to a 0.08% exchange rate appreciation. The study also finds an asymmetrical relationship between oil prices and exchange rates. These effects become more pronounced when global uncertainty is at its peak. These findings have implications for shaping policies in South Africa. Exchange rate stability strategies could involve diversifying energy sources and introducing risk-hedging methods while striving for stability through flexible monetary and fiscal policies. This research also adds to the ongoing conversation about the susceptibility of emerging market currencies to external pressures, serving as a reference point for examining comparable economies. This research enriches the existing body of knowledge by addressing methodological gaps and providing a contemporary analysis of South Africa's exchange rate dynamics in a post-crisis global economy.

The present study aims to examine the relationship between exchange rate undervaluation and economic growth in South Africa, focusing on the various transmission mechanisms through which this relationship occurs. Through the adoption of secondary quarterly data spanning the period 1980 to 2018 and a two-step Generalised Method of Moments approach. The study estimated a Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate of South Africa and used it to construct a measure of Exchange rate undervaluation. Further, the study examined the effects of Exchange rate undervaluation on the tradable sector, the savings/capital accumulation sector, and the total factor productivity sector. The study found evidence of the tradable sector and total factor productivity (TFP) channels in South Africa. Therefore, we conclude that there exist valuable lessons to be learnt through the analysis of this relationship on a micro level compared to a macro level. Macro-level studies overlook the individual effects, hence why results have been inconclusive. This, therefore, means that South Africa has an incentive to keep the Rand at a competitive level since the industrial and agricultural sectors benefit from a competitive Exchange rate.

The parole system in South Africa is an essential component of the correctional framework, aimed at reconciling the dual goals of criminal rehabilitation and public safety. Although rooted in the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998, the White Paper on Corrections (2005), and international human rights norms, its efficacy is still debated. This article aims to critically assess the degree to which the South African parole system facilitates rehabilitation while ensuring community safety. The research employs a qualitative, doctrinal methodology, focussing on the examination of statutory provisions, policy frameworks, judicial rulings, and contemporary academic literature regarding parole and criminal reintegration. Additional insights are derived from comparative penological viewpoints and reports from oversight entities like the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services. Research demonstrates that while parole theoretically aligns with rehabilitative and restorative justice principles, its execution is compromised by prison overcrowding, resource constraints, insufficient post-release assistance, and erratic risk evaluations. These elements foster public distrust and occasional shortcomings in preventing recidivism, particularly in prominent cases. However, evidence indicates that structured monitoring and rehabilitative programs under parole can diminish recidivism when sufficiently resourced and supported. The paper asserts that the South African parole system necessitates comprehensive reform, incorporating the use of evidence-based risk assessment instruments, fortified community corrections, and improved reintegration assistance. Its contribution to penological studies emphasises the dichotomy of parole as both a rehabilitative instrument and a contentious arena of public safety, providing avenues for realigning parole practices with constitutional and restorative justice objectives.

This study examines the ideological impact of international prison inspectorates on national correctional systems, concentrating on how these bodies influence the balance between rehabilitative and retributive penological philosophies. While their primary mandate is to monitor prison conditions and prevent ill-treatment, inspectorates such as the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) subtly shape penal ideologies through their engagement and recommendations. The research sets out three objectives: to identify the penological philosophies promoted by selected international inspectorates, to analyse their rhetorical and strategic approaches in influencing prison systems, and to assess the tangible impact of these efforts on national policies and prison practices. A qualitative, comparative case study method is used, incorporating content analysis of inspectorate reports and communications, national legislation, and interviews with key stakeholders. Preliminary findings reveal a consistent promotion of rehabilitative and human rights-based approaches by these bodies. The CPT emphasizes normalization and reintegration, OPCAT NPMs focus increasingly on conditions supporting rehabilitation, and the ICRC advocates humane treatment, which underpins rehabilitative ideals. Impacts include legislative reforms, the introduction of rehabilitation programs, and shifts in official discourse. However, these changes vary across countries and are often limited by political, economic, and cultural barriers. The study concludes that international inspectorates, though often operating subtly, contribute significantly to shifting correctional ideologies toward more balanced, rehabilitative models. It adds to penological scholarship by illuminating the mechanisms through which global oversight fosters internal penal reform.

This article examines the load-shedding crisis in South Africa, primarily emphasising its disruption of digital development and its hindrance to the nation's ability to fulfil the requirements of digitalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The report aimed to evaluate the impact of digitalisation on community development following COVID-19. The South African government has implemented strategies aimed at addressing the crises of unequal access to digital resources in communities; however, the ongoing load-shedding crisis continues to hinder progress by imposing daily power cuts, thereby exacerbating the digital divide. It is essential to acknowledge that COVID-19 has compelled the government and private sector organisations to transition into the digital era, where operations are conducted without physical presence, relying on technical innovations. The research concluded that the government has insufficiently addressed the issue of load-shedding, now referred to as load-reduction, and has demonstrated an incapacity to implement effective systems to respond to the crises. The study contends that the issue of load-shedding in South Africa can be mitigated if the government invests in nations with sufficient energy connectivity to support digital advancement. The study asserts that the nation will lag in benefiting from digitalisation unless the obstacles impeding it are promptly resolved. The study employed a qualitative methodology, enhanced by a critical evaluation and analysis of secondary data obtained from electronic documents. The study substantially identifies deficiencies related to the load-shedding issues and proposes ways to aid the government in effectively addressing these crises, ensuring equitable access to technology, and bridging the South African digital divide.