International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy

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.

Increasing access to quality education in South Africa has led to a rise in enrollment by students from diverse backgrounds at higher education institutions. However, first-entering students transition from secondary school to higher education, and it is hypothesized that this will affect students psychologically, socially, and financially. Financially, many higher education students in South Africa rely on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This study investigates the relationship between students’ socioeconomic backgrounds and academic success at a South African university. A mixed-methods approach surveyed 74 first-year students in the Extended Curriculum Programme at the University of Venda, South Africa. Findings from regression and correlation analyses indicate that poor and low socio-economic backgrounds among Extended Curriculum Programme students significantly affect their academic performance and success. These findings challenge the notion that disadvantaged backgrounds necessarily hinder student achievement and emphasize the importance of creating an environment that supports students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Eight policy recommendations and strategies are provided to enhance student success and support for diverse socio-economic backgrounds in higher education institutions.

Digital platforms are reshaping the landscape for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa, offering innovative solutions to challenges in market access, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency. This study provides a comparative analysis of the role of digital platforms in supporting SME growth in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, three of the continent’s most digitally active economies. Drawing on secondary data from reputable sources, the research examines how mobile technologies, e-commerce, and fintech platforms influence SME outcomes in revenue, employment, and access to finance. The study further explores the enabling and constraining ecosystem conditions, such as digital infrastructure, literacy, and regulatory environments, that mediate platform effectiveness. The study shows that while all three countries exhibit measurable gains from platform adoption, the scale and sustainability of impact vary widely. Kenya shows significant advancement due to mobile-first innovation and proactive regulation. Nigeria demonstrates rapid but uneven progress shaped by informality and infrastructure gaps. South Africa benefits from advanced digital systems, yet faces persistent inclusion challenges in underserved communities. The study concludes with actionable policy recommendations to improve digital access, build inclusive ecosystems, and align national efforts with regional initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy

African agribusiness ecosystems are increasingly threatened by the multifaceted impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme weather events. These disruptions pose significant risks to food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development across the continent. This paper explores integrated strategies for enhancing climate resilience in African agribusiness, drawing on resilience theory and systems thinking as guiding conceptual frameworks. It synthesizes current developments in climate-smart agriculture (CSA), the role of indigenous knowledge systems, regional carbon market mechanisms, and the need for improved policy coherence. The study draws from a wide range of empirical literature, regional initiatives, and policy documents, including the African Union Commission’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032), to examine how scientific innovations, traditional practices, financial instruments, and inclusive governance can contribute to sustainable adaptation. Emphasis is placed on the active participation of women and youth, equitable access to resources, and the transformation of entire agrifood value chains. The findings suggest that the adoption of CSA and other resilience strategies remains uneven due to structural and institutional barriers. However, opportunities exist to scale successful models through enhanced coordination, policy alignment, and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and knowledge platforms. The paper concludes by proposing strategic policy pathways and practical recommendations to support the transformation of agribusiness ecosystems into resilient and inclusive systems capable of withstanding current and future climate risks.

This study aimed to analyze the challenge of consultocracy in the administration of local government in South Africa, and to further identify its triggering factors and related consequences. Data collection was guided by qualitative research approach whereby 20 officials responsible for the management of different municipal internal units were interviewed. The data were thematically analysed. Among other things, the study identified skills deficit, corruption and absolute or geographical impossibility as key triggering factors behind consultocracy in municipal governments. Firstly, the study raises alarm to the emerging practices of consultocratic managerialism in the administration of local government. Secondly, it adds to the body of literature ways in which consultocracy manifests and the municipal vulnerabilities, as well as practical ways to overcome this problem.   

The study sought to investigate the factors influencing environmental reporting in developing countries. This has been necessited by the inconsistances and non compliant to regulations and laws of environmental reporting among the developing countries. Through examining the factors that influence environmental reporting the study hope to establish context based solutions to the challenge of environmental reporting. The study used a quantitative research method and factor analysis to establish the factors influencing environmental reporting. It was discovered that there are seven key factors influencing environmental reporting among Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. These factors are: regulatory drivers, risk management drivers, market drivers, management influence drivers, strategic communication drivers, value creation drivers and legitimacy drivers. The study also revealed that there are several sub-factors that influencing environmental reporting under each key factor identified. The study concluded that environmental reporting influenced by the seven key factors. The study recommends that SADC sought for in-depth understanding of factors influencing environmental reporting. This is because understanding of the factors affecting environmental reporting is essential for the formulation and reporting that that satisfies stakeholders' requirements.

The current research investigates the effect of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) on the Human Development Index in South Africa. A quantitative longitudinal study conducted over 10 years reviewed the relationship between CSI and HDI in South Africa. The survey results confirmed a negative statistical relationship between CSI and HDI in South Africa. With a 1% increase in CSI, leading to a marginal decrease in human development. An implication of the study is that CSI spending is not reaching the citizens of South Africa, possibly due to systemic corruption in South Africa. The results of the study thus have significant policy implications for the implementation and administration of CSI projects in South Africa.

This paper reviews existing literature on the United States of America (USA) mediation in the Israel and Palestine conflict under Donald J Trump's Presidency during his first term of office. The review flows from an expansive point of view to a narrow point of view. The expansive point of view will deal with the term mediation, what mediation entails, and other factors revolving around the causes of successful and failed mediation procedures. Thus, this narrowed point of view will focus on the USA mediation in the Israel and Palestine conflict during the first term of Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Therefore, by employing a qualitative research methodology, the paper reviews data from existing journal articles, books, and governmental reports on the use of mediation as a means of diplomacy in the Middle East conflict during Trump's administration. The findings of the paper suggest that in the first administration of Trump, the USA was using mediation as a weapon to advance their national interests while also fostering their international dominance. Hence, the paper concludes that mediation can be used as an example of foreign policy aspirations of a state which can be weaponised to advance the state's internal interest.

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on executive remuneration structures within South African transportation companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, while also examining shifts in the intangible components of remuneration offered to employees. Employing a predominantly quantitative research design, the study analyses remuneration data to evaluate structural changes post-pandemic. Additionally, a qualitative analysis was conducted on corporate disclosures to assess the evolving nature of intangible remuneration elements. The findings reveal a notable shift in remuneration composition, with a greater proportion of executive compensation attributed to variable elements such as bonuses and short-term incentives, accompanied by a relative decline in base salaries. Moreover, companies demonstrated increased sensitivity to employee well-being, adopting flexible work arrangements and prioritising health and safety. These outcomes suggest that the pandemic catalysed both structural and philosophical changes in remuneration practices. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering a sector-specific analysis of how global disruptions can reshape compensation frameworks, thereby informing future corporate governance and human resource strategies.

Renewable energy technologies to power health facilities have become very important in the 21st century due to the lack of power from conventional power supplies especially in the case of Global South and specifically in Zimbabwe. The study's objective was to examine the role of renewable energy technology in powering medical laboratories and other health care facilities in the Global South- Sustainable Development Goals washing each other’s hands with evidence from Zimbabwe. The study used qualitative methods and secondary data was collected from various sources such as United Nations Development Programme, Reach Alliance, World Health Organisation and Green Platform Policy documents. The main results of the study showed that renewable energy technology has provided relief to patients and rural communities who have not been failing to get services due to a lack of conventional electricity. Additionally, the study indicated that over 1044 health facilities in Zimbabwe are now under solar support hence these facilities now have electricity 24 hours a day and key services are being provided, hence, improving health outcomes and SDG 3 objectives. Additionally, sustainable energy is also more sustainable in the long run as compared to conventional electricity generation which has negative effects on the environment. The policy shift by the government of Zimbabwe to work with partners to provide solar energy to health institutions is applauded. The government can shift its policy towards further empowering the locals to get contracts to implement and install solar energy in the remaining facilities considering that already there was knowledge transfer done when the local engineers were trained by the primary contractors of UNDP. The study recommended that the government may provide policies that support more of the solar grids and move away from relying on conventional electricity generation which has been giving the country problems of load-shedding since year 2008.