International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science

Technological development has witnessed tremendous and an increase in business interactions as they execute their daily business. Information technology and broadband are significant drivers of productivity and efficiency growth for small firms as they expand their market. This development has raised growing concerns as it relates to data and information security, infrastructure, and related resources  due to an increase in cybersecurity hazards faced  by Small to Medium Enterprises globally. In South Africa, although, during the first four months of 2022, cyber-attacks decreased by 13% to account for 419506 internet attacks, this statistic remains high enough for concern. To counter escalating cybersecurity risks, organizations must have a cybersecurity strategy to safeguard their operations, clients, data, and infrastructure. The threat landscape is changing over time, and despite ongoing attempts to strengthen security, they don't appear to be enough to prevent evolving cyberattacks. The study aims to identify cybersecurity threats facing Small to Medium Enterprises in South Africa by reviewing the literature and identifying key Cybersecurity challenges. It also examines the strategies, resources, and techniques used in South Africa to reduce cybersecurity threats. Lastly, the paper recommends adopting a comprehensive Cybersecurity strategy to build future-proof cybersecurity for Small to Medium Enterprises in South Africa.

This scoping review aims to explore various Deep Learning and Symbolic Artificial Intelligence (AI) models that can be integrated into explainable hybrid AI for the purpose of detecting COVID-19 based on Computerized Tomography (CT) scans. We followed the PRISMA-ScR framework as the foundation for our scoping review protocol. Our approach included a thorough search across 13 databases, complemented by an additional random internet search for relevant articles. Due to the voluminous number of articles returned, the search was further narrowed using the keywords: Deep Learning, Symbolic AI and Hybrid AI. These keywords were used because they are more visible in the earmarked literature. A screening of all articles by title was performed to remove duplicates. The final screening process centered on the publication year, ensuring that all considered articles fell within the range of 2019 to 2023, inclusive. Subsequently, abstract or text synthesis was conducted. Our search query retrieved a total of 3,312 potential articles from the thirteen databases, and an additional 12 articles from a random internet search, resulting in a cumulative count of 3,324 identified articles. After the deduplication and screening steps, 260 articles met our inclusion criteria. These articles were categorized based on the year of publication, the type of aim, and the type of AI used. An analysis of the year of publication revealed a linear trend, indicating growth in the field of Hybrid AI. Out of the five aim categories identified, we deliberately excluded articles that lacked a specified aim. It's noteworthy that 3% of the articles focused on the integration of AI models. The low percentage value suggests that the integration aspect is overlooked, thereby transcripting the integration of Deep Learning and symbolic AI into hybrid AI as an area worth exploring. This scoping review gives an overview of how a Deep Learning and Symbolic AI-based framework has been used in the detection of COVID-19 based on CT scans.

This study was inspired by the observation that code-switching is often discouraged in foreign language schools, where the target language and native language are strictly separated, with the target language designated as the 'official' language of instruction. The study sought to examine instances of code-switching in English as a First Additional Language (EFAL) acquisition among Sesotho native speakers in the Intermediate Phase in South Africa. Furthermore, it sought to illustrate the application of tag-code-switching, inter-sentential code-switching, and intra-sentential code-switching in English First Additional Language (EFAL) education for Sesotho native speakers in the Intermediate Phase in South Africa. This paper studied a particular multilingual phenomena, code-switching. While other linguistic behaviours exist, code-switching is the most popular in additional language contexts in South Africa. This research was founded on a literature review of code-switching in additional language situations. The paper examined the three roles of code-switching: repetition, emotional, and floor-holding. It also provided instances of how tag-code-switching, inter-sentential code-switching, and intra-sentential code-switching might be utilised by Sesotho home language learners to improve their comprehension of EFAL. One finding of the study is that, similar to translanguaging, code-switching fosters a sense of belonging and ownership among learners, and it is generally more accessible for the EFAL student to acquire knowledge from familiar concepts to unfamiliar ones. Another conclusion is that learners' restricted engagement in academic activities, attributable to their inadequate language proficiency, also impacts their motivation. The study advocates for the implementation of code-switching to improve learners' classroom involvement by allowing them to utilise their native language in the acquisition of a second language. The impact of code-switching on Sesotho home language learners' comprehension of EFAL in the Intermediate Phase in South Africa remains undetermined, necessitating further investigation into this important issue.

This paper aims to examine the impact of export diversification on business formation in Africa. The study used a panel dataset comprising 10 African countries (Algeria, Gabon, Lesotho, Morocco, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia) observed annually from 2008 to 2018. The model was estimated using an instrumental variable regression approach within a count data framework and the difference-in-difference method. Main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) export diversification facilitates the formation of new businesses in the sampled countries, (ii) the odds of a business start-up increase by 1.7 – 3.5 times in response to a percentage point increase in export diversification, and finally (iii) business start-ups are at least 95 percent higher in countries with high export diversification compared to countries with narrow export baskets. These findings emphasize the need for policies aimed at moving away from concentrated export baskets towards more diversified ones to leverage entrepreneurial effort in the selected African countries.

This study examines the long-run relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and institutional quality within the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), focusing on Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia over the period 2002–2019. Drawing on institutional theories of FDI, the analysis employs governance indicators such as political stability, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and rule of law to assess their influence on investment dynamics. Using panel unit root and cointegration tests, the study confirms the existence of a stable long-term equilibrium among the variables. The Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) estimator is applied to quantify these relationships. Empirical results indicate that control of corruption, political stability, and regulatory quality exert significant positive effects on FDI inflows, even after accounting for macroeconomic controls. Conversely, government effectiveness and rule of law show no statistically significant impact in the presence of the macroeconomic control variables. These findings underscore the critical role of institutional quality in shaping the investment climate of AMU economies. Policy implications suggest that targeted reforms such as strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, enhancing political stability, and improving regulatory governance can bolster institutional credibility, mitigate investment risk, and attract sustainable FDI to the region.  

This study examines the long-run relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and institutional quality within the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), focusing on Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia over the period 2002–2019. Drawing on institutional theories of FDI, the analysis employs governance indicators such as political stability, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and rule of law to assess their influence on investment dynamics. Using panel unit root and cointegration tests, the study confirms the existence of a stable long-term equilibrium among the variables. The Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) estimator is applied to quantify these relationships. Empirical results indicate that control of corruption, political stability, and regulatory quality exert significant positive effects on FDI inflows, even after accounting for macroeconomic controls. Conversely, government effectiveness and rule of law show no statistically significant impact in the presence of the macroeconomic control variables. These findings underscore the critical role of institutional quality in shaping the investment climate of AMU economies. Policy implications suggest that targeted reforms such as strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, enhancing political stability, and improving regulatory governance can bolster institutional credibility, mitigate investment risk, and attract sustainable FDI to the region.  

This study explored whether centralising human resource management (HRM) for SMS appointments can improve recruitment efficiency, enhance transparency, and curtail patronage, while examining the broader implications for public sector governance and service provision. A qualitative, secondary data-driven systematic review was conducted following an adapted PRISMA protocol, with 16 peer-reviewed and governmental documents (2014 – 2024) retained. Thematic analysis proceeded through open, axial and thematic coding, generating four overarching themes: (1) Control vs autonomy, (2) Equity vs effectiveness, (3) Political legitimacy vs technocratic efficiency, and (4) Hybrid governance potential. The findings revealed that three interrelated challenges dominate the current centralised model: (i) Bureaucratic delays and capacity constraints; (ii) Loss of departmental autonomy; (iii) Contextual insensitivity. Conversely, centralisation delivers standardisation, fairness, and merit-based safeguards, providing a transparent platform for oversight and reducing overt patronage. The study proposes a calibrated hybrid architecture. Implementing the hybrid model aligns with constitutional mandates for merit, equity and accountability, while preserving departmental flexibility essential for effective service delivery. It offers a pragmatic pathway to break the "politicised hiring" cycle, improve vacancy-to-fill rates, and restore public trust in senior appointments across the health, education, water, and fiscal management sectors. By synthesising institutional theoretical perspectives with empirical evidence from South Africa and comparative BRICS cases, this research advances understanding of how centralised HRM can be re-engineered to balance technocratic efficiency with contextual responsiveness. The proposed governance framework provides a replicable blueprint for public-sector reform in resource-constrained, highly politicised environments.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is recognised as a fundamental human right in South Africa.  The study explores the underlying reasons and motivations for service hesitancy among youth in Mutale Village, even when they are aware that those services are available.  This study analyses the knowledge, perceptions and experiences of young people in Mutale Village, Thulamela Municipality. Utilising a mixed-method approach, the study employed both snowball and purposive sampling to gather data from 126 participants via semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis while quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statics via SPSS version 19.0. key findings reveal young people encounter numerous challenges accessing SRH services due to minimal awareness of available options. Service use is significantly hampered by prevailing social norms, religious beliefs that view SRG as improper for youth, and misconceptions regarding contraceptives side effects (e.g. fear of infertility). Furthermore, the negative attitude of local healthcare workers was found to discourage young people from using the facilities. The concludes that social barriers and healthcare worker attitudes are major impediments to the utilisation of essential SRH services. The study recommends that clinics in rural areas should expand youth-friendly corners with trained staff who respect confidentiality and provide non-judgmental services. Regular refresher training for healthcare providers on adolescent SRH needs is essential

The New Public Management (NPM) has brought a trend toward the government to administer the performance of government personnel to enhance government performance and the distribution of government services. In 1998, in accordance with the White Paper on Local Government, in South Africa Performance Management (PM) was brought in to improve the performance of government employees and ensure a successful distribution of public services. PM led to the establishment of the Municipal Performance Management Systems (MPMS). However, currently, there is little information on the effectiveness of the usage of MPMS to ameliorate the delivery of municipal services. The study evaluated the fruitfulness of MPMS through exploring the perceptions of municipal employees towards MPMS, and the ability of MPMS to foster positive change in South African municipalities through lessons gained from practices. To address the questions posed by the study, a qualitative method of research was employed drawing heavily on secondary data to expand knowledge of the usability of MPMS in the local government of South Africa. Subsequently, the findings of the study show that the effectiveness of MPMS is affected by various issues such as insufficient information and knowledge concerning MPMS, lack of monitoring and evaluation, poor financial administration, lack of participation from all municipal employees, data accuracy & the reliability of performance indicators, and shortage of skills. In short, the study concluded that the usage of MPMS in South Africa is not 100% effective and could be enhanced through establishing training workshops, monitoring, and evaluation, incorporating all municipal personnel to take part in the MPMS, and offering financial and non-financial incentives to motivate employees.

Since the conclusion of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has witnessed notable economic growth; however, poverty and income inequality continue to be widespread issues. Despite economic growth, poverty and income inequality remain prevalent, with millions of South Africans living below the poverty line and encountering substantial obstacles to economic opportunities. This research examines the connections among economic growth, poverty alleviation, and income inequality in South Africa, utilising data from 1993 to 2023. This study employs various econometric models, specifically Vector Error Correction (VECM), Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), and Generalised Method of Moments (GMM), to examine the relationships among economic growth, poverty reduction, and income inequality in South Africa. The findings indicate that economic growth has a positive effect on poverty reduction, while simultaneously exerting a negative influence on income inequality. The research indicates that employment and access to electricity are essential determinants in alleviating poverty and income inequality. This study recommends that policymakers prioritise investments in education, job training, and infrastructure development, especially in rural areas, to foster inclusive economic growth and mitigate poverty and income inequality. Policymakers should enact measures to enhance electricity access and foster employment opportunities within the formal sector.