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This study advances research and practice related to adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of South Africa (SA). The study evaluated AI adoption by South African manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); established the challenges faced by manufacturing SMEs in adopting AI; and developed a framework for adopting AI for manufacturing SMEs’ growth and survival. The study adopted a systematic literature review approach. Articles from Scopus and Google scholar databases, ranging from the years 2018 to 2024, were used. Of the 206 articles found, 54 were shortlisted. The systematic review analysis was performed using the PRISMA framework. The results identified AI adoption by South African manufacturing SMEs is low, limiting their innovation and productivity. The results also show, despite the numerous benefits AI adoption can offer manufacturing SMEs in the country, a major constraint is the lack of a framework to enhance adoption and implementation. Hence, this study was conducted to develop a framework to improve AI adoption by South African manufacturing SMEs. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge and provide new insights to manufacturing SME owners/managers, policymakers and practitioners into AI adoption to enhance manufacturing SMEs’ ability to compete on the global stage.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa previously faced challenges due to limited resources, restricted access to technology, and the need to constantly adapt to a dynamic business environment. The introduction of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a potential solution to these issues, promising to enhance operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. As a representative of developing economies, South Africa experienced a growing interest in AI technologies. This study was conducted to explore the impact of generative AI on SME productivity in South Africa, an area which had been underexplored. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study evaluated the current state and implications of generative AI in South African SMEs. It involved in-depth interviews to gather perceptions, experiences, challenges, and benefits from SME owners and managers regarding the adoption of generative AI technologies. The findings analysed via R Statistical Software revealed significant insights into the specific areas where generative AI substantially impacted SME productivity. It also identified the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of generative AI by SMEs, as well as the potential long-term implications. Key findings included notable improvements in data-driven decision-making, operational efficiencies, and market expansion strategies. However, the study also highlighted barriers such as the lack of technical expertise, initial setup costs, and concerns over data security. Overall, the impact of generative AI on SMEs in South Africa was found to be predominantly positive, paving the way for further technological advancements and adoption in the sector.

The advent of Industry 5.0 marks a pivotal moment in global industry, characterized by the fusion of advanced technologies and human-centred approaches. Embedding Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) into teacher training becomes imperative in Africa, where the demand for skilled professionals is burgeoning. This study delves into the transformative potential of TPACK for African educators, emphasizing its role in equipping them with skills to prepare students for Industry 5.0 demands. Through a systematic literature review spanning from 2000 to 2024, this research examines TPACK's multifaceted dimensions and its relevance to twenty-first-century learning skills in Africa. It scrutinizes how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence reshape pedagogical practices and content delivery in African educational contexts. Furthermore, it explores TPACK's ability to empower teachers in nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy among students, essential for navigating the complexities of Industry 5.0. The findings underscore the necessity for tailored professional development programs integrating TPACK into African teacher training curricula. Moreover, the research stresses the importance of contextualizing TPACK within the socio-economic and cultural realities of African classrooms to ensure its efficacy. Additionally, the study highlights the pivotal roles of government policies and educational institutions in providing necessary support and resources for widespread TPACK adoption among educators. This research advocates for a paradigm shift in African teacher education, highlighting TPACK's centrality in preparing educators for Industry 5.0 challenges and opportunities. By equipping teachers with adept technology integration skills, African nations can foster innovative and globally competitive learners poised to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution.

The Digital literacy has become an imperative part of higher education, since the Covid19 outbreak, traditional institutions had to adapt digital learning techniques. However, students from rural schools were left in the dark. Since there are still some extremely poor schools in the rural parts of South Africa, where there is still no access to electricity. Therefore, the ability to use any digital tools remains a huge challenge for such students. The transition from a rural school to an urban higher education institution that is very tech savvy and living in the 4th industrial revolution is extensively difficult. Subsequently, the success of students from rural schools gets hindered. However, this doesn’t necessary mean that these students are incapable of succeeding in their respective programs. This paper aims to explore the challenges faced by students from rural schools regarding digital literacy. The research methodology will be a quantitative approach, the sample will be drawn from students in traditional universities who are coming from rural high schools. The findings of this paper will be used to recommend ways of increasing the success rate of learners from rural schools in digital literacy and skills development for traditional universities in South Africa. Keywords: Digital Literacy, Inclusive Education, Student Succes, South African Higher Education Subject classification codes: I230; I240; I210

Transformational leadership and employee change resistance have been studied extensively. However, no systematic attempt has been made to reframe those findings in light of leaders' inspirational drive. The sample size of 170 participants from eThekwini automobile dealership organisations indicated that employees' intention to resist change was negatively associated with their managers' transformational leadership style focused on inspirational motivation. Transformational leadership's impact on employee resistance to change at eThewkini Automobiles in KwaZulu-Natal is examined through a leader's inspirational motivation. Inspirational motivation reduced staff resistance to change at these car companies, according to the transformational leadership tool multi-leadership questionnaire (MLQ). Various branches of 6 major automobile companies in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were considered for this study. The study included 170 of 270 individuals. Both descriptive and correlational analysis were employed to test study objectives. The study found that inspirational motivation mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and employee resistance to change because transformational leadership reduces resistance, improves commitment, and embraces change. Inspirational motivation mediates transformational leadership in organisational change management, according to the study. The study suggests that management use inspiring motivation to promote change management acceptability and commitment to change and reduce employee resistance to change.

There is a disconnect between corporate communication and employee engagement which often leads to poor organizational culture and ultimately poor performance. Therefore, the study aims to address this phenomenon and connect corporate communication to employee engagement for organisational success. Organizations are aware of the indisputable connection between their success and employee engagement in the current competitive environment. With a qualitative method using an interpretivism research paradigm, this study explores how corporate communication at Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. promotes employee engagement. Senior, middle, and junior staff members provide detailed perspectives. The study used semi-structured interviews to investigate how employees feel about the channels of communication that are currently in place, as well as how effective they are perceived to be and how they affect engagement. It also looked at tactics and planned communication enhancements that Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. might use to encourage employee engagement. This study added to our knowledge of the complex interplay within a particular organizational setting between corporate communication and employee engagement as well as made contributions theoretically to the stakeholder theory which underpinned the study. The conclusions provided Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. with insightful information about modifying its communication strategies to foster a workforce that is more engaged, content, and eventually more productive. The study's findings give suggestions for enhancement as well as insight into the role of corporate communication in promoting employee engagement at Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. The study's main recommendation is to strengthen the role of human resources, which is crucial in addition to communication reform. The study also concludes that human resource staff members ought to be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in communication, engagement strategies, feedback management, and leadership development.

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept of change management, and employee engagement as a possible organisational turnaround strategy. This is owing to Organisations exist to deliver their strategic goal and objectives, this would amongst others ensure both technical and tactical strategical success. When organisations strategy is in shape there is a high rate of employee retention and recruitment of the best talent in the market. However, the organisations always faces a conundrum of having to tap in their organisational turnaround strategy which in most cases is marred with resistance from the employees. This study seeks to establish the extent to which change management and employee engagement can be adopted as key organisational turnaround strategy. The study adopts an interpretive qualitative design, and thematic analysis to organize dataset into relevant themes. Study recommends employer consultation and employee participation, facilitation, negotiation and agreement, and manipulation and coercion as a blended approach to effective organizational turnaround strategy. The value of the study is how a simultaneous use of change management and employee engagement can be used by global organizations for effective turnaround strategies.

The contributions of entrepreneurs to wellbeing have been recognised in both industrialised and non-industrialised nations for engaging in solving socio-economic issues. In both economies, financial knowledge seems to be a significant instrument for assisting entrepreneurs, especially women, and other latent entrepreneurs to attain access to finance and reinforce money management skills. However, there is a lack of commitment to understand challenges affecting women’s economic activities. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of financial knowledge on the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This study utilised a quantitative research design rooted in positivism philosophy. The study focused on surveying 500 women entrepreneurs including refugees and migrants, ultimately receiving responses from 400 participants. Respondents were selected using convenience quota sampling technique who are operating in the Durban Metropolitan areas. A Likert Scale model has been used in the quantitative questions and respondents had to select answers to the close-ended questions. With the help of 10% of the participants who served as pilot respondents and research professionals in the area of entrepreneurship, the instrument was updated and modified. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used to cross-check, clean, code, and analyze data collected from the target population. The findings show that entrepreneurial activities empower women economically, poor business skills such as insufficient financial literacy skills, access to finance, education and training hinder their economic development. Recognising the valuable contribution of women entrepreneurs to socioeconomic growth, it is essential to implement policies that promote financial literacy among female business owners. This contributes to the sustainability of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises, enhances their empowerment, and promotes economic growth.

This paper examines the challenges facing the provision of low-cost housing conundrum, with specific reference to the Eastern Cape Province. The paper will further explore policy alternatives to the idea of low-cost housing scheme delivery over time with a view to improving delivery of low-cost housing inquest for integrated sustainable communities in the province. Against the above stated background, the aim of this paper is to investigate challenges facing the provision of low-cost housing on the people of Eastern Cape Province.  The guiding research question of this paper is: what is the efficacy way of implementing integrated low-cost housing strategy in addressing the problem of affordable housing shortage for the poor in the Province through the Integrated Human Settlement Plan? This papers setting is in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A mixed method approach is employed to explore and describe the complexities at play in the policy tensions conundrum in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings of this paper suggest that the goal and vision of Integrated Human Settlement Plan should be consistently communicated in clear simple terms to all affected, especially the rural poor communities as they are most affected by the provision of low-cost housing provision. This article contributes to the scholarship of Public Administration and Development Management of resources surrounding the ongoing debate on the implementation of Integrated Human Settlement programme’s and government interventions that are targeted at low income and poor communities in South Africa with regard to transformation, development and policy implementation. The main argument of this paper is that with an adequate policy execution of the government’s development agenda we can improve service delivery as well as integrated human settlement that brings human dignity to the province of the Eastern Cape.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa previously faced challenges due to limited resources, restricted access to technology, and the need to constantly adapt to a dynamic business environment. The introduction of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a potential solution to these issues, promising to enhance operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. As a representative of developing economies, South Africa experienced a growing interest in AI technologies. This study was conducted to explore the impact of generative AI on SME productivity in South Africa, an area which had been underexplored. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study evaluated the current state and implications of generative AI in South African SMEs. It involved in-depth interviews to gather perceptions, experiences, challenges, and benefits from SME owners and managers regarding the adoption of generative AI technologies. The findings analysed via R Statistical Software revealed significant insights into the specific areas where generative AI substantially impacted SME productivity. It also identified the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of generative AI by SMEs, as well as the potential long-term implications. Key findings included notable improvements in data-driven decision-making, operational efficiencies, and market expansion strategies. However, the study also highlighted barriers such as the lack of technical expertise, initial setup costs, and concerns over data security. Overall, the impact of generative AI on SMEs in South Africa was found to be predominantly positive, paving the way for further technological advancements and adoption in the sector.