Society for the Study of Business & Finance- SSBFNET: E-Journals
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Evaluating the impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth in developing economies: Evidence from South Africa (2000–2023)
No full textThis study examines the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth in South Africa over the period 2000 to 2023. An Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model was employed to assess the relationship between FDI inflows and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while controlling for key macroeconomic variables. The findings reveal that FDI exerts a significant positive influence on economic performance, with a 1% increase in FDI inflows associated with a 1.93% rise in GDP. However, high inflation exerts a detrimental effect, with a coefficient of -1.99, highlighting the importance of macroeconomic stability. The analysis also indicates that trade openness contributes positively to economic growth, while political risk remains a substantial deterrent to investment, as shown by a coefficient of -3.11. These findings underline the importance of maintaining a stable political environment, managing inflation effectively, and enhancing trade liberalisation to maximise the benefits of FDI. Policy recommendations include strengthening regulatory frameworks and fostering trade openness
Strategies for financially sustainable energy efficiency projects in low-income communities: An examination of the sustainable chameleon approach
No full textThis paper examines the financial sustainability problems encountered by the Kuyasa Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project, which renovated 2,309 low-income residences with solar water heaters, compact fluorescent lighting, and insulated ceilings. Notwithstanding its environmental and social advantages, the project encountered considerable financial deficits, especially in maintenance funding, attributed to decreasing Certified Emission Reduction (CER) values and delays in payout. A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods approach was utilised. Quantitative data were gathered from 370 people of Kuyasa using structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were acquired through semi-structured interviews with 20 specialists in the energy sector. The analysis was based on the "Integrated Participatory Sustainable Framework," which integrates systems theory, sustainability theory, community empowerment, and energy availability. The findings indicated that the project\u27s financial unsustainability stemmed from constraints in the revenue stream, contribution channels, loan repayment strategies, and community empowerment initiatives, culminating in a negative Net Present Value (NPV). The paper introduces the "Sustainable Chameleon Strategy to Overcome Challenges," which figuratively utilises ten adaptive traits of the chameleon to guide context-specific, sustainable financial processes. The study presents a replicable framework for renewable energy initiatives, proposing techniques to enhance financial viability via innovative design, stakeholder engagement, and adaptable finance mechanisms beyond the CDM. This study presents the innovative "Sustainable Chameleon Strategy to Overcome Financial Sustainability Challenges," which provides a creative and integrative method for addressing financial sustainability issues in community-based renewable energy initiatives, particularly in low-income and developing nations
Grassroots Activism in shaping Modern Social Movements in South Africa: An analysis of Cycles of Protest Theory, from apartheid to post-apartheid
No full textThis paper analyses the influence of grassroots action on contemporary social movements in South Africa via the lens of protest cycle theory. It examines critical movements such as anti-apartheid activism, labour strikes, and contemporary grassroots initiatives, asserting that social movements are influenced by political, economic, and social factors, including state repression, socio-economic disparities, and civil society. The paper conducts a qualitative examination of movement trajectories, identifying specific mobilisation periods and external elements such as organisational structures, leadership, and local conditions. It demonstrates that cycles of protest signify societal tensions and the persistent quest for justice and equality in South Africa. The results enhance the comprehension of social movements in the Global South and underscore the significance of contextualised analysis in the examination of collective action
Financial literacy and financial wellbeing of youth entrepreneurs: The mediating role of financial behaviour
No full textThis study investigates the relationship between financial literacy and financial well-being among youth entrepreneurs in Tanzania, focusing on the mediating role of financial behaviour. Drawing on human capital theory and behavioural economics, this study employed a cross-sectional design and collected data from a sample of youth entrepreneurs using structured questionnaires in selected urban areas in Tanzania. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to assess both direct and indirect relationships among the variables. The findings reveal that financial literacy significantly and positively affects financial well-being, underscoring the foundational role of financial knowledge in enhancing economic decision making. Furthermore, financial literacy significantly influenced financial behaviour, and financial behaviour partially mediated the relationship between financial literacy and financial well-being. These results suggest that while financial knowledge is critical, it is the consistent application of this knowledge through daily financial practices, such as budgeting, saving, and debt management that ultimately leads to improved financial outcomes. This study contributes to the growing literature on financial capability and entrepreneurial sustainability in developing economies and supports the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1, SDG 4.4, and SDG 8. These findings have important implications for policymakers, educators, and development partners aiming to enhance youth financial empowerment through integrated financial education and behaviour-focused intervention
Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship as drivers of socio-economic transformation in Ghana
No full textThis paper examines the effect of indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship in further advancing socioeconomic development in Ghana. It emphasizes how culturally imbibe knowledge systems and traditional practices contribute to long-term development. Specifically in tourism-related industries like agriculture, crafts, and traditional medicine. A quantitative survey was conducted with 362 indigenous entrepreneurs from three administrative regions of Ghana. Structured questionnaires were employed to gather data about innovative techniques and socioeconomic results. The data was asses using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to find the underlying scope of the innovation and multiple regression analysis. This focus on the relationship between indigenous innovation and socioeconomic factors. The results show a significant relationship between indigenous innovation techniques and major socioeconomic outcomes. The study findings portray a significant and positive correlation between indigenous innovation practices and key socio-economic outcomes, such as employment generation , income growth and cultural continuity. The relationship was significant at p < 0.001. These findings point out that indigenous innovation is not only as a driver of local economic development, but rather is a vehicle for preserving cultural identity and community resilience. The study presents novel empirical evidence from the Global South, challenging conventional innovation paradigms in stressing the socio-cultural relevance of indigenous knowledge systems. It provides new insights on how grassroots entrepreneurial behaviors anchored in tradition can supplement national development initiatives and enhance the broader debate on inclusive innovation
Exploring the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of Fibroids among Vhavenda community in South Africa
No full textThis study explored the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of fibroids by Indigenous people of Vhavenda in Khubvi village in Limpopo. Through an explanatory case study approach, the study documented and describe the various traditional knowledge, remedies and plants used, as well as cultural significance attached to these practices. by conducting interviews with local healers and community members, the research gathered valuable insights into the historical context, preparation method, and perceived effectiveness of traditional treatment. This exploratory study contributed to the preservation of Vhavenda traditional knowledge and served as basic for future research and potential integration of traditional medicine into modern healthcare practices. The objective of the study was as follows, To explore the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of fibroids. The study anchored from the theoretical support of health belief model approach. This study used qualitative design. Data collection methods utilized was semi structured interview. The sampling methods include purposive sampling. The analysis indicated that most of people are not aware of the use of traditional medicine for fibroids treatment. This study recommended that the elderly people, the traditional healers as well as traditional birth attendant to educate our young generation on the use of traditional plants for medicinal purposes
Exploring the challenges facing South African Police Services (SAPS) investigations of ritual killings in Vhembe region: Limpopo province
No full textThe aim of the study is to investigate the challenges facing the SAPS in successfully investigating and prosecuting cases of ritual killings in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. The study adopted a qualitative methodology. Purposive sampling technique is used to sample, review and analyse, 30 material sources that reflected coverage on ritual murders and SAPS interventions in Vhembe District. The study applied thematic content analysis, leading to adoption of main thematic themes (legal barriers and SAPS Investigations strategies) to present results. The findings indicate that Human Tissue Act of 1983 hampers police effort to stop ritual murders as it provides for six months’ imprisonment or R2000 payable fine to those found in possession of human remains. This promotes recidivism of ritual murders as there is leniency inherent in criminal justice system. SAPS laboratory Services is unable to accurately determine cause of ritual murder victim’s death in most cases and merely attributing the death to animal predators leading to premature closure of cases. Vhembe communities do not cooperate with SAPS, thus withholding crucial information that may drive police investigations. It is therefore recommended that a special police investigations task team be established to focus specifically on ritual killings. Furthermore, SAPS should establish special community policing forum aimed at strengthening cooperation between the police and members of the community, NGO’S, faith based organisations and community leaders. Further studies should be conducted to examine the effectiveness of methods used by SAPS to investigate ritual murders
From culture and leadership to OCB and employee performance in Buleleng’s village credit institutions
No full textThis paper examines how organizational culture and transformational leadership directly and indirectly affect employee performance through organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) within Lembaga Perkreditan Desa (LPD) or Village Credit Institutions in Buleleng Regency, Bali. It also clarifies how social exchange processes underpin these relationships in a community-based finance setting. A hybrid analytic method combining instrument pretesting, measurement-model evaluation, and variance-based structural equation modeling with mediation testing was employed. Primary survey data were collected from 88 staff-level employees across nine sub-districts over a six-month field period. The findings reveal that supportive culture significantly increases OCB and performance while transformational leadership enhances OCB but has no direct effect on performance. OCB improves performance and mediates both the culture–performance and leadership–performance links. Practically, LPD leaders should treat OCB as a performance lever, engaging staff in decision-making, recognizing discretionary effort, and aligning incentives, resources, and routines. Strengthening collectivist culture, long-term orientation, fair gender norms, and adaptive rules will help ensure that extra-role behaviors consistently translate into measurable performance outcome
“Voices from the shadows”: A social learning perspective on the role of informers in murder investigations in Krugersdorp
No full textThis study examines the role of informers in murder investigations in Krugersdorp, South Africa, through the lens of Social Learning Theory (SLT). Using semi-structured interviews with 14 law enforcement officials, the study explores the values of informers, highlighting how detectives recruit, assess, and engage with informers. Findings reveal that informers, categorised as voluntary, hidden agenda, and paid informers, enhance investigative efficiency by providing insider intelligence but also pose ethical and reliability challenges, requiring trust-building and intelligence verification. The study concludes that detectives learn informer management through observation, collaboration, and crisis-based decision-making. Recommendations emphasise structured training, ethical oversight, and institutional safeguards to optimise informer use in murder investigations and law enforcement practices in Krugersdorp. By situating informer use within both theoretical and local investigative realities, the research contributes insights to criminological scholarship, bridging criminological practice with social theory and offering policy-relevant recommendations for training, ethical oversight, and institutional safeguards in resource-constrained environments
Exploring the specific challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs in Thulamela local municipality, South Africa
No full textImmigrant-owned enterprises have become a significant part of South Africa’s informal and formal economic sectors, particularly within local municipalities. In Thulamela Local Municipality, located in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, immigrant entrepreneurs contribute significantly to local economic activities, especially in retail and the informal sector. Despite their visible presence and contributions, these entrepreneurs encounter a range of limitations that threaten the sustainability and scalability of their businesses. This study explores the key challenges hindering immigrant enterprise owners in Thulamela Local Municipality, to identify both structural and context-specific barriers. The study adopts a qualitative research approach, utilising in-depth interviews and purposive sampling to gather data from 12 participants, guided by a structured interview guide. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and lived experiences across cases. The findings of the study reveal several persistent challenges, including limited access to formal financial institutions, complex regulations, social exclusion, and xenophobic attitudes from local communities. These challenges not only hinder business growth but also limit the long-term integration of immigrant entrepreneurs into the broader local economy. Furthermore, the insufficient institutional support and representation in local enterprise structures amplify their vulnerability and marginalisation. The study recommends the establishment of inclusive local economic growth strategies and structured support programs that recognise the unique role immigrant entrepreneurs play in local economic resilience and inclusive development in underdeveloped municipalities