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School social work has become a globally recognized specialty, but its limited integration into South African schools risks worsening psychosocial issues among learners and increasing teachers' stress. The present research explored teachers' and parents' perceptions regarding the need for school social work services to address learners' psychosocial challenges and support teachers in two underprivileged schools in South Africa. Ten high school teachers and four parents from two underprivileged high schools participated in interviews as part of a qualitative research approach. The study employed reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the collected data. The findings revealed that teachers actively observed learners’ psychosocial problems and that current support structures were inadequate, as learners were referred to community-level social workers. While teachers attempted to support learners, learners were often reluctant to disclose sensitive issues; teachers lacked appropriate training in supporting learners and were overwhelmed by this non-academic role. School social workers were advocated for and viewed as offering dual benefits: providing individualized, holistic services to learners and their parents, and equipping educators with tools to better navigate learners’ psychosocial issues. We recommend the formal incorporation of school social workers in underprivileged schools to strengthen support systems, reduce pressure on teachers, and promote holistic learner development.

Orphanhood remains a significant and multifaceted challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where children under the age of eighteen who have lost one or both parents are often exposed to heightened risks related to inadequate education, psychosocial support, nutrition, shelter, and care. South Africa is among the most affected countries, with orphanhood compounded by poverty, inequality, disease, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Although various governmental and non-governmental interventions exist, many are limited by poor sustainability, weak contextual relevance, and insufficient community ownership. Moreover, orphaned learners are frequently positioned as passive recipients of support rather than empowered contributors to their own development. This scoping review protocol aims to map and synthesise existing evidence on mentorship and life-coaching interventions to inform future framework development designed to enhance educational achievements and life goals of orphaned secondary school learners in Klipgat. Guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework, the review protocol will involve identifying the research question, relevant studies, study selection, data charting, and the collation and summarisation of findings, with stakeholder consultation included where appropriate. A comprehensive search of studies published between 2010 and 2025 will be conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Grey Literature, Scopus, and Grey literature. The review process will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) protocol guidelines.

Numerous studies have shown that colleges and departments at the University of Technology (UoT) are frequently overseen by mid-level management, who may not possess a thorough understanding of the potential effects of UoT choices on employee well-being in the workplace. Some of these leaders neglect employees by displaying autocratic or poisonous characteristics, instead than embodying ethical and effective leadership that fosters the principles of 'Spirit of Ubuntu' ethics. Thus, the research aimed to investigate the dynamics of subordinate leadership and employee interactions in the workplace for potential evidence of unethical leadership styles and behaviours at a University of Technology in South Africa. Quantitative data was obtained from 312 out of 420 employees, yielding a response rate of 74%. The inferential results substantiate the alternative hypothesis that lower-level leadership exhibits immoral tendencies in the workplace. Moreover, the findings of the hypothesis indicate that certain lower-level leaders may not consistently exemplify role modelling, transparency, and ethical behaviour. Furthermore, they may neglect to cultivate an environment that emphasises respect, trust, and equality among employees or sufficiently consider the ethical ramifications of UoT decisions. The research consequences indicate that certain lower-level executives lack mentorship, transparency, and ethical conduct. Consequently, certain lower-level leaders are reluctant to exhibit unusual dedication to resolving faculty or departmental issues. The study advocates for the introduction of annual anonymous assessments of subordinate leadership, which may reinforce the UoT’s principles of transparency, professionalism, fairness, responsibility, honesty, and integrity. These research findings may be utilised by other organisations investigating the correlation between lower-level leadership (Supervisors, Heads of Departments, etc.) and employees.

The study examined whether male and female South African accounting and tax practitioners differed in their self-reported ethical attitudes, reported professional experiences, reported categories of unethical client requests and stated intended responses to a tax-related ethical scenario. The study was motivated by mixed research observations on gender perceptions of ethical behaviour and the high number of previous accounting scandals in South Africa. These scandals have led many to question the ethics of the accounting profession, and whether accountants are upholding public trust. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was employed. A total of 245 usable questionnaires were analysed. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to examine gender differences across 12 ethical-attitude items, while chi-square and exact tests were used to evaluate associations involving the categorical professional indicators, reported client-request categories and stated scenario responses. No statistically significant gender differences were detected across the 12 ethical-attitude items, and no professional ethical indicator remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Although female respondents selected the understate-income category more frequently than males, this exploratory comparison did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Approximately 90% of both groups stated that they would notify both the client and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) when responding to the understated-income scenario, and no statistically significant gender association was detected. Findings indicate limited gender-related variation in the reported ethical attitudes and stated professional intentions of practitioners in this predominantly young, early-career sample. They also highlight the importance of practitioners’ reported exposure to external client pressure and their stated intended professional responses. The findings should not be interpreted as demonstrating actual ethical behaviour or as establishing that professional education, regulation or occupational socialisation caused the observed similarity.

This study investigated the factors influencing consumer repurchase intentions of beauty and haircare products on e-commerce platforms in South Africa. With the growing trend of online shopping, understanding the determinants of repurchase intention became essential for businesses looking to retain customers. The purpose of the study was to explore how various factors such as brand trust, security risk perception, ease of use, customer readiness, and loyalty impact consumer repurchase behaviour. A quantitative research design was employed, using an online questionnaire to collect data from 164 respondents who had previously purchased beauty and haircare products on an online shopping site for cosmetics in South Africa. The study utilised multiple regression analysis to assess the relationships among the identified factors and their influence on repurchase intentions. The findings revealed that brand trust, ease of use, and customer loyalty were significant positive predictors of repurchase intentions, while security risk perception had a negative impact. Readiness did not show a significant relationship with repurchase intentions. Based on these results, the study recommends that e-commerce businesses in the beauty sector focus on building trust, enhancing user-friendly interfaces, and fostering customer loyalty programs to encourage repeat purchases.  

The study examined whether male and female South African accounting and tax practitioners differed in their self-reported ethical attitudes, reported professional experiences, reported categories of unethical client requests and stated intended responses to a tax-related ethical scenario. The study was motivated by mixed research observations on gender perceptions of ethical behaviour and the high number of previous accounting scandals in South Africa. These scandals have led many to question the ethics of the accounting profession, and whether accountants are upholding public trust. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was employed. A total of 245 usable questionnaires were analysed. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to examine gender differences across 12 ethical-attitude items, while chi-square and exact tests were used to evaluate associations involving the categorical professional indicators, reported client-request categories and stated scenario responses. No statistically significant gender differences were detected across the 12 ethical-attitude items, and no professional ethical indicator remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Although female respondents selected the understate-income category more frequently than males, this exploratory comparison did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Approximately 90% of both groups stated that they would notify both the client and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) when responding to the understated-income scenario, and no statistically significant gender association was detected. Findings indicate limited gender-related variation in the reported ethical attitudes and stated professional intentions of practitioners in this predominantly young, early-career sample. They also highlight the importance of practitioners’ reported exposure to external client pressure and their stated intended professional responses. The findings should not be interpreted as demonstrating actual ethical behaviour or as establishing that professional education, regulation or occupational socialisation caused the observed similarity.

This study investigated the factors influencing consumer repurchase intentions of beauty and haircare products on e-commerce platforms in South Africa. With the growing trend of online shopping, understanding the determinants of repurchase intention became essential for businesses looking to retain customers. The purpose of the study was to explore how various factors such as brand trust, security risk perception, ease of use, customer readiness, and loyalty impact consumer repurchase behaviour. A quantitative research design was employed, using an online questionnaire to collect data from 164 respondents who had previously purchased beauty and haircare products on an online shopping site for cosmetics in South Africa. The study utilised multiple regression analysis to assess the relationships among the identified factors and their influence on repurchase intentions. The findings revealed that brand trust, ease of use, and customer loyalty were significant positive predictors of repurchase intentions, while security risk perception had a negative impact. Readiness did not show a significant relationship with repurchase intentions. Based on these results, the study recommends that e-commerce businesses in the beauty sector focus on building trust, enhancing user-friendly interfaces, and fostering customer loyalty programs to encourage repeat purchases.  

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) significantly contribute to South Africa's economic growth and job creation; nevertheless, their sustainability is hindered by ongoing structural issues. The article analyses how digital platforms—such as fintech, digital payments, and e-commerce—can facilitate the growth and economic resilience of SMEs. The research employs a rigorous desk review process to synthesise information from academic literature, policy reports, and case studies published from 2015 to 2025. The analysis utilises thematic synthesis, uncovering four principal themes: (1) Barriers to SME Growth, (2) Digital Platforms as Solutions, (3) Obstacles to Digital Adoption, and (4) Theoretical Perspectives on Digital Adoption. Critical findings indicate that although digital platforms have substantial prospects, their adoption is constrained by infrastructural deficiencies, digital illiteracy, regulatory challenges, and perceived risks. Utilising the Technology Acceptance Model and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the research illustrates that perceived utility and ease of use depend on structural and ecological preparedness. The document advocates for a comprehensive, contextually tailored support system that amalgamates infrastructure enhancement, digital skills education, regulatory reform, and the cultivation of institutional trust. The paper's contribution is the reclassification of contextual restrictions as primary factors influencing digital adoption in SMEs within emerging markets.

In an era of compounding crises, skills training is increasingly critical for building resilience in social enterprises (SEs), particularly in marginalized contexts. This study investigates the role of skills training in fostering resilience among township-based social enterprises in Johannesburg, South Africa. Operating within a legacy of spatial apartheid, chronic unemployment, and systemic inequality, these SEs face multidimensional skills gaps that constrain their scalability and sustainability. Through a qualitative, interpretive research design involving 15 SEs in Soweto, this study explores the key skills gaps, the contributions of training to resilience, and the systemic barriers to effective skills development. The findings reveal that skills gaps span financial literacy, technical competencies, digital skills, leadership, and psychosocial preparedness. Skills training, delivered through formal programs, private incubators, and informal peer networks, contributes to resilience by enhancing financial legitimacy, ensuring operational continuity, building social capital, and fostering psychological empowerment. However, significant barriers, including cost, geographic inaccessibility, communication gaps, and cultural mistrust, limit the inclusivity and impact of training initiatives. The study concludes that for skills training to be truly transformative, it must be reconceptualized towards co-designed, context-sensitive, and holistic models that integrate technical, managerial, and psychosocial capabilities. The insights contribute to the discourse on sustainable development and inclusive entrepreneurship in the Global South, offering implications for policymakers, development agencies, and social entrepreneurs seeking to build resilient ecosystems

School social work has become a globally recognized specialty, but its limited integration into South African schools risks worsening psychosocial issues among learners and increasing teachers' stress. The present research explored teachers' and parents' perceptions regarding the need for school social work services to address learners' psychosocial challenges and support teachers in two underprivileged schools in South Africa. Ten high school teachers and four parents from two underprivileged high schools participated in interviews as part of a qualitative research approach. The study employed reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the collected data. The findings revealed that teachers actively observed learners’ psychosocial problems and that current support structures were inadequate, as learners were referred to community-level social workers. While teachers attempted to support learners, learners were often reluctant to disclose sensitive issues; teachers lacked appropriate training in supporting learners and were overwhelmed by this non-academic role. School social workers were advocated for and viewed as offering dual benefits: providing individualized, holistic services to learners and their parents, and equipping educators with tools to better navigate learners’ psychosocial issues. We recommend the formal incorporation of school social workers in underprivileged schools to strengthen support systems, reduce pressure on teachers, and promote holistic learner development.