Society for the Study of Business & Finance- SSBFNET: E-Journals
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Emotionally intelligent and rights-conscious leadership: How primary school principals address leadership challenges
No full textDespite existing research on emotional intelligence in school leadership, principals continue to face challenges that can affect decision-making and equitable school practices. These challenges include managing teacher conflicts, securing resources, and overseeing school finances, all of which have implications for the fair distribution of opportunities and support within the school community. Principals with well-developed emotional intelligence are better equipped to navigate these challenges while promoting inclusive and rights-responsive educational environments. Emotional intelligence encompasses self-awareness, recognition of emotions in others, emotion regulation, and relationship management, which includes mentoring, conflict resolution, fostering teamwork, and setting the emotional tone within the school. By engaging with education stakeholders, principals can address challenges while advancing social justice within their schools. This study explores the remedial actions employed by primary school principals to address leadership challenges through the lens of emotional intelligence. Using a constructivist paradigm, the research applies Goleman’s emotional intelligence framework within a qualitative design. Three purposively selected primary school principals participated through interviews and observations, with data triangulated using field notes. Findings indicate that emotionally intelligent principals communicate effectively to resolve staff conflicts, seek stakeholder support, and ensure equitable access to resources. The study recommends enhancing principals’ emotional and relational competencies and fostering stakeholder collaboration to advance both effective and socially just school leadership
Digital influence and self-efficacy in promoting exercise and stress reduction
No full textPhysical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining health and reducing stress, particularly among students in demanding disciplines such as nursing. This study examines how social media and self-efficacy influence exercise behavior and stress relief, drawing on the Social Cognitive Theory and Uses and Gratifications Theory. Data were collected from 295 Vietnamese undergraduate nursing students and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results reveal that both social media use and self-efficacy significantly and positively affect stress relief, with exercise behavior acting as a mediating variable. The proposed model explains 69.2% of the variance in exercise behavior and 57.8% in stress relief. These findings suggest that exposure to fitness-related content and higher confidence in one’s ability to exercise contribute to greater engagement in physical activity and improved stress management. The study highlights the importance of integrating digital media and self-efficacy enhancement strategies into university health promotion programs. Universities should consider using social media platforms to share motivational content, facilitate online exercise communities, and organize student-led fitness initiatives. Policy-makers may also support campaigns promoting physical activity as an effective stress management strategy for health-related professions
Analysis of the management systems for the control of issued firearms by the South African police services
No full textEffective governance of state-issued firearms remains a critical challenge within the South African Police Service (SAPS), where persistent firearm losses and administrative discrepancies undermine public trust, institutional integrity, and national safety. Although SAPS operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework—including the Firearms Control Act, Standing Orders, and National Instruction 6/2018—the gap between formal prescriptions and actual operational practices continues to widen. Guided by Systems Theory and the Work-As-Imagined/Work-As-Done (WAI/WAD) and Efficiency–Thoroughness Trade-Off (ETTO) models, this qualitative study examines how organisational structures, behavioural dynamics, and operational pressures collectively shape firearm management outcomes. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and document analysis involving national, provincial, and operational stakeholders. Findings reveal that firearm governance failures are systemic rather than individualised, driven by inconsistent compliance, outdated monitoring systems, weak accountability mechanisms, and a culture that normalises deviations from prescripts. The study contributes theoretically by demonstrating how WAI/WAD misalignments and ETTO-driven behaviours manifest within high-pressure policing environments. Practically, it proposes an Integrated Firearm Control and Management Framework that addresses system-level vulnerabilities through enhanced oversight, digital tracking, strengthened training, and culture-focused interventions. The article offers a holistic understanding of SAPS firearm governance and provides actionable pathways for reform aimed at reducing losses, improving accountability, and realigning operational practice with legislative intent
Health literacy and impact on health outcomes, barriers and gaps: Systematic review
No full textHealth literacy is a public issue and plays a crucial role in improving health outcomes by empowering individuals to make informed decisions, effectively manage diseases, and utilise healthcare services appropriately. The aim of the systematic review is to examine current literature on health literacy and impact on health outcomes as well as the barriers hindering health literacy, gaps and possible suggestions to improve health literacy in Nigeria and its applications across the globe. A systematic review was performed according to Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework and followed PRISMA reporting flowchart. Most of the studies were designed to assess the impact of health literacy on health outcomes in Nigeria, covering various health issues such as HIV, tuberculosis, reproductive health, hypertension and diabetes. Most of the studies demonstrated a positive link between health literacy and improved health outcomes. Health literacy has the potential to promote behaviour change, disease-related knowledge and improve health outcomes in different population groups
Sustainable land reform and its impact on agricultural productivity and rural development in South Africa
No full textThe issue of land continues to be pivotal in Southern Africa, reflecting the lasting effects of historical land dispossession from the colonial and apartheid periods. This study analyses the effects of sustainable land reform on agricultural productivity and rural development in South Africa, emphasising the connections among land redistribution, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The study utilises a systematic literature review alongside grey literature, incorporating government reports and publications from international organisations. Thematic analysis was employed to identify, analyse, and report patterns. The findings underscore the necessity of enhancing land tenure systems, increasing resource accessibility, and delivering sufficient support for agricultural development. Recommendations focus on improving small-scale agriculture via climate-smart practices and promoting financial inclusion. This paper advances the land reform discourse by presenting a policy framework that combines sustainable agricultural practices with land redistribution, thereby securing enduring economic and environmental advantages. The primary contribution is the provision of actionable recommendations that incorporate sustainability into land reform, thereby promoting inclusive rural development
Educational setbacks and psycho-emotional effects of the Covid-19 pandemic during clinical education of undergraduate nursing students, South-Africa
No full textThe pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare and nursing education. Clinical exposure provides students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and prepare for their professional responsibilities. A high-quality, safe clinical learning environment is essential for fostering students\u27 professional and academic development, which has been adversely affected by the global pandemic. To investigate the educational challenges and psycho-emotional impacts of the pandemic on the clinical teaching of undergraduate nursing students at a university in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative exploratory and descriptive technique was employed, utilising semi-structured face-to-face interviews that were audio recorded. Purposive sampling was utilised, and 25 persons expressed interest in participating; however, data saturation was achieved with 15 participants. Participation was voluntary, and participants\u27 information was maintained in a confidential and private manner. Thematic data analysis was conducted, revealing themes related to educational setbacks necessitating adjustments, including hybrid learning as an alternative clinical teaching and learning method, simulation as an alternative clinical teaching and learning method, extension of training, absenteeism from clinical areas, and NEI unpreparedness for the pandemic. The categories of Reluctance at clinical settings, Anxiety and Fear, Stress, Regret, and Loss of Hope constituted the theme of Psycho-emotional consequences. This research indicated that undergraduate nursing students encountered considerable educational challenges and psychological distress during clinical instruction amid the epidemic. Consequently, it is essential to raise awareness that NEIs should be better equipped for pandemics of this sort. It required all stakeholders to evaluate and formulate strategies for professional nursing education during pandemics in conjunction with students
Balancing discipline and rights: Insights from school management teams on corporal punishment
No full textMaintaining discipline is a critical aspect of effective teaching and learning in South African secondary schools. Despite being legally abolished, corporal punishment continues to be used, raising concerns about teacher misconduct and learner well-being. This study explores the perspectives of school management teams (SMTs) on the continued use of corporal punishment. Employing a qualitative approach within an interpretative paradigm, data were collected through interviews with one principal and two deputy principals from two schools. Findings highlight significant challenges associated with corporal punishment, including learner trauma, increased bullying, declining academic performance, and absenteeism. The study recommends that schools adopt alternative disciplinary strategies while actively engaging parents in supporting teachers’ professional development on managing learner behaviour, thereby balancing discipline with learners’ rights
The exploration of innovative leadership transition in service delivery performance within the digitalisation era: A case of provincial public sector
No full textThe current global headwinds of trade wars triggered by the imposition of tariffs have rattled the geopolitical landscape, with policymakers having to repurpose their leadership acumen in the context of innovation within the public sector. The contemporary era of the 5th Industrial Revolution, characterised by fast-advancing innovative technologies, has spurred the leaders to take the public spaces to the forefront and centre of their decision-making. These uncertainties and predictabilities have exerted more pressure on policy-makers and authorities to prioritise their leadership and innovative prowess to embrace the new normal of e-commerce, big data and cloud computing pervasiveness in the organisational environment. The study examined the collaboration of the transformational leadership perspective within the demands and challenges of the innovation culture and corresponding permutations within the public sector for the optimisation and maximisation of public value and social good. The study adopted an interpretivist research philosophy predicated on the inductive solicitation of the participants\u27 inputs based on theoretical insights, expertise and experiences within the challenges juxtaposing leadership and innovation assimilation. A rigorous analysis of the extraction of contributions within the study findings revealed unbalanced nuances of innovation as an integral organisational inevitable culture, processes and intervention which should be led by the decision-makers and practitioners. The implications indicate the urgent priority for the public sector entities to invest in innovations in infrastructure, facilities and software coupled with capabilities to drive this integral deliverable. Furthermore, findings presented that the adopted innovations demonstrated to be beneficial in terms of advancing service delivery expectations
Exploring the importance of traditional medicine in society
No full textTraditional herbal medicine remains a vital component of healthcare across Africa, deeply rooted in indigenous cultural beliefs and practices. This systematic review employs the PRISMA framework to analyse regulatory frameworks, cultural significance, and practical challenges related to herbal medicine use in multiple African countries. Findings reveal that nations such as Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda have made notable progress in establishing regulatory agencies and legislative oversight, while others, including Ethiopia, exhibit weaker governance structures. The study highlights the critical role of cultural embeddedness, with traditional medicine addressing holistic health dimensions often absent in biomedical approaches. Despite the accessibility and affordability of herbal remedies, concerns about dosage inconsistencies, contamination, and lack of standardisation persist. Furthermore, uneven institutionalisation and generational knowledge loss threaten sustainability. The review underscores the need for harmonised regulatory standards, preservation of indigenous knowledge, increased research investment, and strengthened collaboration between traditional healers and biomedical practitioners. These measures are essential to safely integrate traditional medicine into formal healthcare systems and support universal health coverage across Africa
Nurturing entrepreneurial skills and mindsets: the imperative role of higher education
No full textEntrepreneurship has become a vital force for economic development and innovation in the 21st century. Higher education institutions are pivotal in preparing students to succeed in this dynamic landscape by nurturing entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. This systematically reviewed the 23 empirical studies from databases between 2014 and 2024 to explore the imperative role of higher education in fostering entrepreneurship. It examines the evolving demands of the global economy, emphasising the need for individuals equipped with the creativity, resilience, and adaptability characteristic of successful entrepreneurs. The research findings highlight the pivotal role of higher education in fostering entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. Key findings include adopting interdisciplinary curriculum design and integrating business, technology, and creative fields to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship. The findings reveal that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are critical in promoting entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. They can achieve this by driving entrepreneurial growth, providing practical learning opportunities, promoting cross-disciplinary and collaborative learning, and addressing challenges in entrepreneurship education. To fully realise this potential, a comprehensive approach is needed, including changes to the curriculum, development of academics, institutional support, and community involvement. This will enable HEIs to produce competent, knowledgeable graduates who drive innovation and economic development. Experiential learning opportunities such as internships and startup incubators significantly nurture entrepreneurial mindsets by offering real-world experiences and enhancing problem-solving skills. The study emphasises the importance of entrepreneurial ecosystems within higher education institutions, promoting collaboration and innovation through partnerships with various stakeholders