Society for the Study of Business & Finance- SSBFNET: E-Journals
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Exploring the utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services in rural South Africa: Knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of youth in Mutale Village, Limpopo province
No full textSexual 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 essentia
Modelling the determinants of net trade in communications, computer, and technology goods in South Africa: A linear regression Econometric approach (2015–2024)
No full textThis paper analyses the factors influencing South Africa\u27s net trade in communications, computer, and technology-related commodities with a linear regression econometric methodology from 2015 to 2024. Utilising Structuralist Trade Theory, Endogenous Growth Theory, and Digital Trade Theory, the study assesses the impact of high-technology exports and ICT-related service trade on the nation\u27s net trade in goods within the Balance of Payments framework. The model utilises annual time-series data, integrating high-technology exports quantified as a proportion of manufactured exports and in absolute monetary terms, in conjunction with communications and computer service imports and exports. The empirical findings indicate that increases in the absolute value of high-technology exports and ICT service exports positively influence net trade performance, whereas ICT service imports have a detrimental effect. The decreasing proportion of high-technology exports in manufacturing indicates ongoing fundamental deficiencies in industrial advancement. The findings suggest that South Africa\u27s trade sustainability relies on enhancing innovation-driven exports and diminishing dependence on imported digital services. The research offers pertinent insights for export diversification, digital industrial advancement, and sustained trade competitiveness in emerging economies
Critical success factors for effective SME ideation programs: Insights from DUT’s Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator
No full textThis study examines the critical success factors (CSFs) that contribute to the effectiveness of ideation programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on the Durban University of Technology’s Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator. Employing a quantitative methodology, data were collected from 52 participants through a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. The demographic profile indicated that most participants were young entrepreneurs operating in early-stage, resource-limited businesses. Reliability testing confirmed the robustness of the measurement scale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.831; KMO = 0.709). Results from mean score analysis and one-sample t-tests demonstrated that clearly defined program objectives, customized content, mentoring, collaboration, practical learning experiences, a supportive environment, and access to market insights were consistently highly valued. Additionally, mechanisms such as feedback processes, follow-up support, and partnerships with industry stakeholders were identified as essential for maintaining the long-term impact of ideation initiatives. The study concludes that the success of ideation programs depends on a systems-based approach that effectively integrates resources, processes, the environment, and ongoing feedback, thereby promoting innovation, competitiveness, and resilience among SMEs
Determinants of digital integration and indigenous language adoption in SMME management: A case of KwaZulu-Natal Province
No full textThis study examines the integration of digitalization, mobile applications, and vernacular languages in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) management within KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. A quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted using systematic probability sampling of 147 SMMEs across five sectors (agriculture, hospitality, construction, healthcare, and transportation) in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region. Findings reveal significant gaps between policy support and the actual implementation of digital-vernacular language integration, with 45% of respondents indicating inadequate policy support and 58.9% expressing dissatisfaction with the current progress of digitalization. Results suggest the need for targeted policy interventions to support the digital transformation of SMMEs that incorporate indigenous language capabilities. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of digital transformation and linguistic diversity in emerging economy entrepreneurship management, and the dynamic capabilities theory was undertaken as the benchmark to support the literature. The findings revealed a disconnect between the provision of support from policymakers and authorities regarding the program of action and deliverables that could help SMMEs integrate their entrepreneurial management with the demands of digitalisation, including resources and capabilities. The findings further exposed the gap between the expectations of SMMEs and the current level of digital and vernacular language integration in terms of systematic support and deliverables. Additionally, the findings characterized the slow pace of transformation supported by policymakers in digitalization, mobile applications, and the adoption of vernacular languages, which is already at an advanced stage in similar emerging economies in the global South
Impact of COVID-19 on the management of teaching and learning strategies in secondary schools within the Hlanganani North Circuit, Vhembe District
No full textCOVID-19 is an illness associated with severe respiratory conditions, including pneumonia. Its widespread impact disrupted educational systems internationally. In South Africa, schools were provisionally closed as a preventive measure to limit the spread of the virus, leading to important changes in teaching and learning practices. This study aimed to investigate how COVID-19 impacted the management of teaching and learning strategies in secondary schools within the Hlanganani North Circuit of Vhembe District. A qualitative research approach was adopted, utilising interviews, observations, and document analysis to gather data. Participants were chosen through purposive sampling and included three principals, three deputy principals, and three departmental heads, all serving as members of their respective school management teams. The study focused on three schools, with each school contributing one principal, one deputy principal, and one departmental head. The findings revealed that school leaders come across difficulties in adopting new teaching approaches, largely due to limited technological skills and knowledge. Important challenges identified included inadequate training and a lack of resources, which hindered the ability to sustain effective teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommended that the Department of Education should distribute resources and invest in the necessary infrastructure needed to support the digital transformation of education. It also concluded that providing training opportunities would help school managers strengthen their knowledge and skills associated with effective teaching and learnin
An applied study on the implementation of a multimodal explainable artificial intelligence system in long-term care institutions
No full textThis study investigates the effects of perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PU), and trust (TR) on behavioral intention (BI) toward adopting multimodal explainable artificial intelligence systems in long-term care institutions. Specifically, it examines the mediating role of PU in the relationship between PEU and BI and further analyzes how TR moderates the relationships of PEU and PU with BI. Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to nurses, care attendants, and administrators working in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed, and 125 valid responses were obtained, yielding an effective response rate of 84%. ncluded a clear, non-technical explanation of what a multimodal explainable AI system is, to help readers who are not AI specialists better understand the core conce. The empirical results indicate that PU, PEU, and TR all have significant positive effects on BI. Moreover, PU partially mediates the relationship between PEU and BI, while the interaction terms TR×PEU and TR×PU significantly moderate BI: when trust is high, the effect of PU on BI is strengthened, whereas the effect of PEU on BI is weakened. These findings suggest that, in high-trust settings, long-term care professionals are more willing to tolerate system complexity if the system is clearly useful. Based on these results, the study offers managerial and policy implications for integrating smart technologies into Taiwan’s long-term care sector, emphasizing the importance of usefulness, usability, and trust in enhancing technology adoption. This research extends the Technology Acceptance Model by integrating trust, providing new insights for digital transformation in long-term car
Humans still touch hearts: Why human streamers spark more empathy and desire than AI in live commerce?
No full textThis paper aims to evaluate how the type of streamer (human vs. AI) influences consumer desire in live-streaming commerce through socio-cognitive and motivational mechanisms. Building on the CASA framework, Self-Determination Theory (SDT), and the Model of Goal-Directed Behavior (MGB), this study examines whether human and AI streamers differentially generate perceived empathy, which then activates intrinsic and extrinsic motivations leading to consumer desire. This paper also aims to test whether personal involvement and skepticism moderate the empathy–motivation pathway. A between-subjects experimental design was used to randomly assign participants to view identical livestreaming scripts presented by either a human or a humanoid AI streamer. Data from all 277 Chinese livestreaming participants were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The key findings show that (i) perceived empathy is significantly higher for human streamers than AI streamers, (ii) perceived empathy significantly boosts intrinsic motivation and consumer desire, with a smaller effect on extrinsic motivation, and (iii) intrinsic motivation, but not extrinsic motivation, is a significant predictor of consumer desire. Additionally, personal involvement strengthens the link between empathy and intrinsic motivation, while skepticism weakens the motivational pathways—especially in AI-based interactions. This research reveals that empathy is the main psychological link between streamer identity and consumer desire, and that intrinsic motivation is the dominant mechanism driving consumer engagement in live commerce, grounded in warmth and relatedness. The findings also indicate that emotional authenticity and the fulfillment of psychological needs remain crucial determinants of consumer desire, even in AI-mediated retail. Practical implications include enhancing empathetic communication and balancing the use of human and AI streamers in digital commerce
Building resilience in the Sahel: Interactions between drought, degraded land, and household nutrition
No full textRecurrent droughts, declining soil fertility, and environmental degradation continue to threaten food and nutrition security across the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad. This study examines the linkage between drought events, land degradation, and household nutrition outcomes using a multi-level event–study framework. The analysis combines Demographic and Health Surveys data on child stunting and wasting with CHIRPS and ERA5 rainfall anomalies to identify drought years, complemented by FEWS NET food security classifications. Results reveal that severe rainfall deficits correspond to significant increases in child stunting and wasting rates, especially among rural households reliant on rainfed agriculture. Regression simulations show that a one–standard–deviation decline in seasonal rainfall raises the probability of moderate food insecurity by 6–9 percent, while areas with higher land degradation experience stronger effects. The findings stress the urgency of integrating drought early–warning data, soil restoration programs, and nutrition interventions to strengthen household resilience. Policy implications emphasize scaling up adaptive land management and targeted safety nets in chronically drought-prone zones
The impact of university students’ tendency to purchase from e-commerce sites and demographic characteristics on student satisfaction in the digital era: Case of a foundation university
No full textThis study mainly aimed to examine the impact of university students\u27 purchasing tendency from e-commerce sites and demographic characteristics on student satisfaction through the example of a leading foundation research university in Türkiye. In the study, it was investigated whether there was a significant difference between students\u27 purchasing tendencies from e-commerce sites and student satisfaction. It was also investigated whether there was a significant difference between demographic characteristics and student satisfaction. Methodologically, a descriptive online survey method including a questionnaire was applied to collect data. The survey was responded by 240 randomly selected students. The data were analyzed with SPSS-26. The study concluded that there was no significant difference between the average daily time spent on the internet and the type of device used to connect to e-commerce sites, which are among the criteria reflecting the tendency to purchase from e-commerce sites, and student satisfaction whereas there was a significant difference between the number of products purchased through e-commerce sites and student satisfaction. Furthermore, it was revealed that there was no significant difference between demographic characteristics such as gender, marital status, education and monthly income and student satisfaction, whereas there was a significant difference between age and student satisfaction. Accordingly, it was indicated that the difference in terms of age was especially in favor of students in the 22-25 age group. It is thought that the study will contribute to the literature by examining the impact of university students\u27 purchasing tendency from e-commerce sites and demographic characteristics on student satisfaction, together with the example of a leading foundation research university. The study is limited by the selected sample foundation research university, the number of students responded, survey questions-answers, the applied statistical analysis methods and tests. Therefore, in order to reach more general results, it is suggested to expand the studies with more diverse and larger numbers of foundation research universities, students, survey questions and statistical methods
EFL learners’ academic progression: challenges for teachers and higher education
No full textThe progression of English First Additional Language (EFL) learners from foundational and intermediate phases to higher education poses considerable obstacles for both primary educators and tertiary institutions. This study presents an innovative multi-stakeholder viewpoint by incorporating the insights of instructors, higher education experts, and students, thereby delivering a thorough grasp of the issues encountered throughout educational stages. Notwithstanding initial language teaching, numerous EFL learners encounter difficulties with the academic requirements of higher education, frequently attributable to insufficient reading, critical thinking, and academic discourse competencies. This disparity adversely affects their successful assimilation and academic achievement in higher education. This study seeks to identify the primary pedagogical and systemic problems faced by educators in educating EFL learners, as well as those encountered by higher education institutions in facilitating their uninterrupted academic advancement. A qualitative study methodology will be utilised to collect data via semi-structured interviews with foundation and intermediate phase educators, language support professionals in higher education, and EFL students. Thematic analysis will be employed to reveal persistent patterns and insights. Initial findings indicate substantial discrepancies in curricular alignment, inadequate teacher preparation emphasising the scaffolding of advanced academic language abilities, and restricted comprehensive language support services in higher education. Students encounter challenges with academic reading, writing, and comprehending discipline-specific vocabulary. Addressing the EFL progression gap necessitates a collaborative and comprehensive strategy, incorporating explicit academic language training throughout all educational stages and creating strong support structures in higher education. This study employs a multi-stakeholder perspective to elucidate systemic obstacles to EFL academic achievement and offers pragmatic solutions for curriculum enhancement, teacher professionalisation, and improved tertiary language support