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Competitive intelligence strategies are employed by higher education institutions to assist with student recruitment. These competitive intelligence (CI) strategies help maintain or increase market share in education. Utilising competitive intelligence is crucial for firms in competitive markets, assisting in strategic planning and execution. Higher education organisations can benefit from CI to make informed decisions and develop strategic goals. The competition between selected public universities that reside in the same town has resulted in devising competitive strategies to attract grade 12 students with effective and innovative student recruitment strategies. The study sought to examine how competitive intelligence is used as a strategy to promote student recruitment at selected public universities. The study adopted a quantitative research approach where 234 first-time entering university students were used as key informants. To collect data, a questionnaire was used and is attached. It was discovered that both institutions utilised similar strategies to recruit students. Results reveal that the selected public universities employ traditional and technology-based strategies for student recruitment, relying on past success rather than a standardised approach based on competitive intelligence. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of competitive intelligence strategies in student recruitment, aiming to promote diverse communication needs among current and potential students.

In response to escalating global environmental challenges, mainly the urgent issue of climate change delineated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), large corporations are increasingly pressured to mitigate their carbon emissions and ecological footprint. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has emerged as a pivotal strategy in this endeavour, promising to revolutionise how businesses approach sustainability while maintaining economic competitiveness. AI offers capabilities such as optimising operational efficiencies, enhancing energy management systems, and facilitating data-driven decision-making processes—all of which are instrumental in achieving sustainability objectives. However, the effective application of AI in environmental sustainability initiatives faces several challenges. These include addressing data scarcity, ensuring ethical deployment of AI technologies, and complying with evolving regulatory frameworks. This study investigates how large corporations are leveraging AI to reduce their environmental impact through AI-driven strategies for carbon footprint reduction. The study follows a qualitative approach, six medium-large corporates in Gauteng were interviewed to gain insights on the subject matter. The findings highlight that AI adoption enhances operational efficiency and environmental stewardship while highlighting ongoing challenges and the need for robust ethical and regulatory frameworks. Moreover, emerging trends such as AI-driven autonomous vehicles for logistics and advanced climate modelling illustrate AI's transformative potential in reshaping corporate ethos and addressing environmental concerns. The study contributes insights grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, offering practical recommendations for corporations to harness AI effectively for sustainable growth within the framework of the UN SDGs and global environmental norms.

In Higher Education, intellectual stimulation as a key aspect of transformational leadership, plays a vital role in fostering creativity and critical thinking among students. Several efforts have been made to improve students’ creativity in teaching and learning. Intellectual stimulation in Higher Education plays a significant role in fostering keen interest for learning and preparing students for future challenges. It creates a dynamic educational experience that benefits both the educators and students. However, there are still many institutions that have not optimized their students’ capacity development. For this reason, intellectual stimulation is considered as a strategic means for the improvement of creativity in education. All over the world, educational institutions encourage transformative teaching and learning skills design so as to implement a shift from the traditional pedagogy and be more creative with their teaching activities. Nevertheless, teaching and learning accomplishments in Higher Education are often faced with the challenge of resistance to change which slows down the improvement of students’ creativity improvement. This study comprises a systematic literature review using PRISMA approach to track related researches on the role of intellectual for the improvement of creativity in teaching and learning in Higher Education. The study defines the concept of intellectual stimulation and creativity in teaching and learning. The significance of intellectual stimulation in Higher Education is to enhance teaching strategies, influence policies and guide future research  by providing a clear and impactful contribution through the promotion of active learning, encouraging student feedback on their thinking processes, directing funding towards innovative teaching methods and technologies that enhance intellectual stimulation in order to build supportive learning environments and finally, policy makers can use findings on intellectual stimulation to advocate for curricula that emphasizes problem solving, creativity and real world application .Results obtained indicate that intellectual stimulation plays a crucial role in improving students’ creativity. Findings from the study can be linked to potential policy changes for enhancing educational practices and improving education policies serving as advocates for inquiry-based learning and critical thinking skills. The potential contribution of this review study will prompt educators to encourage questioning, introduce diverse learning activities such as group projects and case studies, critical thinking exercises, foster a growth mindset in students, connect to real world issues.

This research investigates consumer perceptions of retail service quality at a particular supermarket chain located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It expands upon the SERVQUAL paradigm to examine the determinants influencing consumer happiness and loyalty within the supermarket scenario. The study utilised a quantitative research design to gather data from 400 customers at four supermarket sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to assess the dimensionality, reliability, and validity of variables evaluating retail service quality. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to examine the interrelations among these constructs. The study examined the impact of interpersonal interactions, loyalty, customer satisfaction, physical attributes, policies, and reliability on customer views. The results demonstrate that clients uphold favourable attitudes regarding all dimensions of service quality, with personal interaction, loyalty, and customer satisfaction being especially significant. The study establishes a substantial positive correlation among policy, physical attributes, interpersonal contacts, and customer happiness. Nonetheless, it fails to establish a substantial correlation between reliability and consumer pleasure. The study emphasises the significant impact of customer happiness on perceived loyalty. The study contributes by adapting and validating the SERVQUAL paradigm for the context of grocery chains. It provides pragmatic insights for service businesses seeking to improve customer experiences and cultivate loyalty.

This study examines the efficacy of using smartphones for teaching and learning in higher education, with a particular emphasis on undergraduates and blended learning. It is vital to investigate how cellphones, favored by Generation Z and Millennials, might improve academic achievement because the COVID-19 epidemic required a change from traditional teaching approaches to accommodate remote and online learning. The scholarly article explores smartphones' potential as an effective teaching and learning aid by conducting a theoretical investigation. Understanding how these tools can promote learning outcomes is crucial given the prevalence of smartphones and our escalating reliance on digital technologies. This systematic literature review aims to shed light on the potential benefits and challenges associated with integrating smartphones into the educational process for undergraduate students within the Higher Institutional learning environment of the University of Technology (UoT). Drawing upon peer-reviewed articles and studies published from early 2020 to the present, the review critically examines the advantages and drawbacks of smartphone usage, investigates undergraduate preferences, and assesses the implications for teaching and learning methodologies. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the efficacy of smartphones in enhancing teaching and learning outcomes, emphasizing their positive impact on student engagement, academic achievement, and overall satisfaction within blended learning environments. The review offers practical recommendations for educators to promote greater student engagement by prioritizing individual needs and leveraging digital resources to foster creativity and innovation.

The study significantly enhances the current literature by highlighting the importance of financial management skills in the success of MSMEs, especially in the context of small construction firms functioning under unstable and uncertain economic conditions. It offers insights on how effective financial management can alleviate the negative impacts of economic uncertainty, including variable interest rates and regulatory modifications, which were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study concentrates on BCO Construction in Johannesburg, examining the distinct financial issues encountered by small construction firms and the potential solutions through improved financial management strategies. The research delineates numerous vital financial management competencies needed for project accomplishment. This encompasses the capacity to manage liquidity efficiently, sustain profitability, and utilize financial instruments such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Earned Value (EV) management. It emphasizes the significance of abilities in managing financial leverage, which can facilitate the attainment of project objectives within budgetary and temporal limitations. The findings indicate that the absence of trained financial personnel, ineffective payment systems, and liquidity issues are substantial obstacles for BCO Construction. Consequently, it is advisable to tackle these difficulties through specialized financial literacy and management training to enhance overall project performance. The study employs a quantitative methodology, including standardized questionnaires administered to eighty (80) participants to gather data regarding the problems and competencies required for financial management in building projects. The analysis conducted with SPSS version 29 indicates that enhancing communication channels, integrating strategic financial planning, and implementing thorough training programs are essential for aligning financial objectives with overarching corporate goals. This alignment is essential for optimizing resource allocation, guaranteeing financial stability, and improving competitiveness in the construction sector.  

The motivation behind this study is rising concern about climate change and its impact on future generations. Mining companies in Zimbabwe are significant contributors to environmental degradation. The study tested the relationship between climate action and green human capital management and its sub-variables of green recruitment and selection, green training and development, green reward management, and green performance management. The quantitative survey utilized a sample size of 383 employees across the Zimbabwean mining sector. The study found that green human capital, green training and development, and climate action are being implemented in the Zimbabwean mining sector. However, the study found that mining enterprises need to implement green recruitment and selection, green reward management, and green performance management, which is a cause for concern. The study accepts all hypotheses as multiple linear regression, which showed a significant positive relationship between climate action and green human capital and its sub-variables. The study recommends that organizations utilize green human capital management practices in the fight against climate change and its consequences. The study adds to the body of knowledge on green human resources by providing valuable insights into green human capital activities that generate maximum climate action.

With the global trend to prioritize tailoring communication strategies to meet the ever-changing diverse workforce, the study reveals a more nuanced reality.  While much focus is placed on addressing communication differences, this papers position is that not enough focus is on our basic human need to communicate. This paper aims to evaluate whether certain aspects of the flow of information and communication are racially shared perceptions. Furthermore, through a Chaos Theory lens, evaluate the influence of managerial and organizational control mechanisms on various internal communication perceptions. A quantitative method was adopted, and data was collected from 63 non-management respondents in an automotive group in Kwa-Zulu Natal, by a closed-ended 5-point Likert scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify racially shared and divergent perceptions of organizational communication and the statistically significance.  Key findings conclude that the free and accurate flow of information is a shared perception, regardless of race, and thus, a basic human need.  Furthermore, the study demonstrates the significant influence managerial and organizational control mechanisms have on aspects of organizational communication, and challenges current academic positions that similar race dyads experience higher levels of trust.  Finally, the paper concludes that the significant negative perception to control mechanisms, such as informal idea-sharing processes, flexible communication between levels, and active participation in SOPs and policy development, is a racially shared perception.

In response to escalating global environmental challenges, mainly the urgent issue of climate change delineated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), large corporations are increasingly pressured to mitigate their carbon emissions and ecological footprint. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has emerged as a pivotal strategy in this endeavour, promising to revolutionise how businesses approach sustainability while maintaining economic competitiveness. AI offers capabilities such as optimising operational efficiencies, enhancing energy management systems, and facilitating data-driven decision-making processes—all of which are instrumental in achieving sustainability objectives. However, the effective application of AI in environmental sustainability initiatives faces several challenges. These include addressing data scarcity, ensuring ethical deployment of AI technologies, and complying with evolving regulatory frameworks. This study investigates how large corporations are leveraging AI to reduce their environmental impact through AI-driven strategies for carbon footprint reduction. The study follows a qualitative approach, six medium-large corporates in Gauteng were interviewed to gain insights on the subject matter. The findings highlight that AI adoption enhances operational efficiency and environmental stewardship while highlighting ongoing challenges and the need for robust ethical and regulatory frameworks. Moreover, emerging trends such as AI-driven autonomous vehicles for logistics and advanced climate modelling illustrate AI's transformative potential in reshaping corporate ethos and addressing environmental concerns. The study contributes insights grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, offering practical recommendations for corporations to harness AI effectively for sustainable growth within the framework of the UN SDGs and global environmental norms.

Globally, staff development is essential for enhancing employee performance and promoting organizational success (Akdere & Egan, 2020). In the context of local municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the absence of effective staff development has been recognized as a significant factor contributing to inadequate service delivery (Thusi & Selepe, 2023). Although the importance of staff development is acknowledged, municipalities face challenges in determining the effectiveness of these initiatives (Zulu, Yalezo & Mutambara, 2022). The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified these issues, resulting in organizational changes, such as the shift to remote work, which have affected employee performance (Rogerson & Rogerson, 2020). This study investigates the influence of staff development programs on employee performance, with a focus on the Msunduzi Municipality. A literature review identified notable challenges, including insufficient engagement, inadequate compensation, and a lack of consultation during the development of performance management systems (Khunoethe, 2021; Govender & Bussin, 2020). The study is grounded in Human Capital Theory, which suggests that investing in employee skills leads to enhanced performance and improved service delivery (Mphahlele & Zandamela, 2021). The methodology involved purposive sampling and in-depth interviews with staff at the Msunduzi Municipality to gain insights into their perceptions of staff development programs. The findings indicated that while training programs were appreciated, they often lacked alignment with broader organizational goals. Personal Development Plans (PDPs) were identified as vital for synchronizing individual growth with municipal objectives; however, challenges related to performance management persisted, reflecting a compliance-driven culture. The study advocates for the implementation of a more integrated staff development framework that focuses on goal-oriented, needs-based training aligned with organizational objectives. Additionally, continuous monitoring and mentorship programs are recommended to ensure ongoing improvements in service delivery and employee performance. Addressing economic constraints through strategic resource allocation will be crucial in overcoming these challenges.