Society for the Study of Business & Finance- SSBFNET: E-Journals
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Navigating the glass ceiling: Women’s leadership experiences in a South African financial services organisation
No full textDespite efforts made by the government and organizations with the intent of improving gender equality and promoting women’s participation at the highest levels of management within the financial sector and other male-dominated industries, women still lag significantly. This issue persists despite the prevalence of biases that affect their performance. This study examined the experience of female leaders working within the financial services sector of a South African organization with regards to the availability of access to mentoring and the glass ceiling phenomenon. A qualitative approach of research methodology was employed through the application of semi-structured interviews with an in-depth exploration of the opinions of nine female leaders. Themes were used to identify patterns that emerged with the application of this approach. The study results indicated that the female executives experience numerous difficulties that include inequality during the process of selecting employees, pay disparities between the female and male employees, lack of respect from their fellow workers or employees at their respective institutions of employment, as well as a lack of adequate mentoring programs. Women’s leadership journeys are affected by structural, cultural, and individual barriers. To foster the growth of female leaders, organizations should embrace solid gender equity initiative implementation and promote inclusive cultures at the workplace. This study’s results are useful in designing improved pathways of access and minimizing gender-related barriers within the male-dominated secto
Deducting the suspension period from the duration of the Restraint of Trade Clause: A note on Future Packaging and Machinery (Pty) Ltd v Polti
No full textThe Labour Court examined enforcing a restraint of trade clause against a senior employee fired after over three decades in Future Packaging and Machinery (Pty) Ltd v Polti. This dispute hinged on whether the court may enforce a national restraint clause for 36 months under section 22 of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996, which protects the right to freely select a trade. Proceedings revealed that the employee worked for a competitor, violating his contract.Based on Magna Alloys, Basson, and Reddy, the court reiterated that limitations are permissible but unenforceable if against public policy and unjust. The court found that the employer had a protectable interest, but it deducted the employee\u27s suspension from the restraint. The court also ruled the restraint appropriate without explanation. The judgement adds to trade jurisprudence\u27s constraint. The court underlines that employees, regardless of status, should honour their contractual commitments but also that the breadth and length of the restraint must be balanced. The judgement balances contractual commitments with constitutional ideals
The influence of entrepreneurial characteristics on the profitability of SMEs in Zambia
No full textSmall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are central to the Zambia’s economy, but often struggle with sustained profitability. This study examined the influence of entrepreneurial characteristics on SME profitability in Zambia. Specifically, the study aimed at; (i) identifying the key influential entrepreneurial characteristic and (ii) analysing the relationships between entrepreneurial characteristics and SME profitability. Entrepreneurial characteristics examined included; innovativeness, risk-taking, autonomy, confidence/negotiation skills, readiness, need for achievement, experience and education. Data were collected from 201 SMEs registered with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) across seven urban canters through structured questionnaires administered in face-to-face approach. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. Findings revealed that entrepreneurial characteristics significantly influence SME profitability, with autonomy emerging as the most influential characteristic. However, correlation analysis indicated that autonomy and other characteristics including; education, experience, innovativeness, readiness, confidence, need for achievement, and risk-taking do not have a significant direct linear relationship, implying that their influence is contingent on contextual factors like finance, regulations, and markets. The study concludes that entrepreneurial characteristics alone are insufficient for profitability; instead, their influence depends on their alignment with environmental opportunities, offering insights for policy, training, and SME support interventions. Therefore, policy and practice should move beyond narrow emphasis on formal education or abstract entrepreneurial characteristics. Interventions should promote adaptive leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, and resource mobilisation that promote autonomous behaviour.  
Measuring the Return on Investment (ROI) through an integrated framework: A case of academic staff training and development interventions in South Africa
No full textThis study aimed to develop an integrated framework for measuring the ROI of T&D interventions for academic staff in South African public universities. Measuring the ROI and impact of T&D on employee performance is critical for demonstrating value. T&D professionals face increasing pressure from top management to show tangible business benefits for their interventions. An interpretivist approach was adopted using qualitative methods. Fourteen participants were purposefully selected from six universities, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDPSETA). Data were collected through interviews and document analysis and were analyzed thematically. Four themes that emerged from data included T&D interventions, management of interventions, support for interventions, and ROI measurement. Universities assessed impact at multiple levels (reaction, learning, behavior, and results) but did not fully implement Phillips’s ROI methodology. While some ROI elements, such as training costs and benefits, were considered, government institutions supporting universities did not directly measure ROI but expected universities to evaluate interventions against set objectives. The study provides an integrated ROI framework suitable for T&D interventions in South African public universities. It provides practical recommendations for improving ROI measurement and accountability and suggests directions for future research
A scoping review protocol on managerial strategic initiatives to improve institutional performance
No full textAfrican institutions are under pressure to innovate, adapt, and maintain global competitiveness in rapidly changing circumstances. Innovation management, leadership changes, capacity building, and governance frameworks are increasingly seen as key to institutional performance and sustainability. These methods are becoming more important, but research on their nature, execution, and efficacy is scarce. In this scoping study, we map and synthesise the literature on management strategic initiatives to improve African institutional performance between 2015 and 2025. The six steps are establishing the research question, locating suitable studies, selecting a study, charting the data, gathering, summarising, and reporting the results, and consulting stakeholders. A comprehensive search technique will be used throughout Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, ProQuest, AJOL, and grey literature sites including Google Scholar, World Bank, and African Development Bank repositories. Peer-reviewed and grey material published in English between 2015 and 2025 on managerial approaches to improve African institutional performance is eligible. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and entire texts, with differences handled by discussion or a third reviewer. A standardised charting form will guide data extraction, and narrative synthesis with tables and figures will present findings. Since this study reviews current literature, ethical approval is not needed. Institutional leaders, policymakers, academics, and practitioners will benefit from findings. Publishing in a peer-reviewed journal, academic conferences, stakeholder workshops, and policy briefings will optimise impact
Disclosure determinants in corporate reporting: Testing the significance of financial and pension variables
No full textThis study investigates the impact of financial and pension factors, including funding ratios, pension accounting modifications, and anticipated future cash flows, on disclosure practices in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Although previous studies have provided significant insights into the correlation among pension variables, corporate attributes, and disclosure levels, empirical information in IFRS jurisdictions is still few. To rectify this deficiency, we examine the factors influencing key actuarial estimate (CAE) disclosures and the actual variations in discount rates and anticipated asset returns, utilising panel data from 173 German companies (DAX, MDAX, SDAX), encompassing 1,057 and 1,352 firm-year observations, respectively. Employing the deferred remuneration theory as a framework, the findings reveal that greater firm size and regulatory status enhance the sensitivity of discount rates and anticipated returns, whereas extensive litigation disclosures diminish both. Profitability is positively correlated with sensitivity, whereas a weaker financed status exerts a mitigating influence. The correlations are most robust and consistent among DAX and MDAX companies, but less so among SDAX companies. The model exhibits a high overall fit, with R² values between 0.38 and 0.72. The results indicate that management of larger, regulated enterprises must be particularly vigilant about the formulation and dissemination of pension-related assumptions, as disclosure decisions can significantly affect market reactions. This study enhances comprehension of the factors and implications of pension assumption disclosures by presenting comparative evidence from significant German indices, thereby proposing practical recommendations for company policy and regulatory supervision. This work theoretically expands the deferred remuneration theory (DRT) by illustrating that the intensity and orientation of compensation–disclosure interactions differ systematically based on firm size, governance structure, and financial attributes. This indicates that the amount and direction of the relationship between remuneration and disclosure are not consistent, contrary to DRT\u27s assumption. Instead, they exhibit consistent variation based on firm size, governance frameworks, and critical financial performance metrics
Determining factors for radiographers’ intention to leave public healthcare settings in South Africa
No full textThe South African Society of Radiography noted that a great number of South African radiographers were leaving the government sector to seek employment abroad as well as in private practices. The aim of the research was to determine the factors that affect radiographers\u27 intentions to leave public health care institutions in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The study used a quantitative approach. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey using a stratified random sample of 220 employed radiographers in various public hospitals across KwaZulu-Natal. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of intention to leave. The results reflect that the intention to leave the organization was strongly related to several factors such as incentives, employee engagement, leadership, and burnout levels. Discontentment with leadership increased the likelihood of exit sevenfold. Employees with medium engagement were found to be twice as likely to exit compared to highly engaged employees. Radiographers with insufficient and moderate incentives were 90% and 93% less likely to exit the organization, respectively. Those with reduced burnout were 92% less likely to exit the organization. The findings highlight leadership, employee engagement, incentive structures, and burnout as key determinants influencing employee intention to leave. Focusing on these areas could improve job satisfaction and reduce turnover rate
Capacity-building of ward committee members for community engagement in Johannesburg’s Ward 68
No full textThis study investigated the capacity-building initiatives amongst ward committees in Ward 68. The focus of the investigation was to identify ways to enhance the skills and knowledge that Ward Committee members needed to foster positive relationships with the communities. The researchers collected data through semi-structured interviews. The researchers collected primary data by conducting in-depth interviews with ten members of the Ward Committee, who provided valuable insights into their experiences. Secondary data were collected by analyzing published journals, government reports, and City of Johannesburg reports. The key findings of the study were as follows: the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) only conducted induction training for the Ward Committees; some Ward Committees could not attend the induction training due to different reasons; others attended, but they could not recall the content of the training; and several other challenges hindered the effectiveness of Ward Committees
Knowledge and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Gauteng province, South Africa
No full textThe World Health Organization’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of babies within the first six months of life has been considered a milestone for enhancing the survival rate of the children and the well-being of the mothers. The adoption of EBF among South African mothers, however, remains a concern since it has not yet attained the recommended standards globally. This was a quantitative cross-sectional study undertaken among 399 mothers of children between the ages of 6 and 24 months who accessed immunization services at three clinics that were selected using a random sampling procedure. The study employed systematic sampling to get the subjects. Data collection used a structured questionnaire that focused on the level of knowledge, practices, and factors inhibiting the practice of EBF. There was a good level of maternal knowledge of EBF, with 98.2% having good knowledge, mostly attained through interaction with healthcare providers. All mothers practiced breastfeeding, but only 19.1% breastfed immediately after delivery. There was poor compliance with EBF, yet the majority (60%) introduced nothing but breast milk, although a large proportion (35.6%) introduced formula feeds and solid foods before the age of six months. There were no significant relations between knowledge and both socio-demographic and other factors (all p>0.05). The predominant factors that hindered the practice of EBF included reduced maternal autonomy (16.3%), fear of breasts sagging (6.8%), fear of low milk production (6.0%), maternal illness and preterm delivery, work constraints, and a lack of involvement of the father (35.6%). Despite high levels of maternal knowledge of EBF, there are a number of personal, cultural, and societal factors that exist that serve to impede the achievement of optimal practices. It is recommended that strategies be focused on the enhancement of supportive factors—principally paternal participation—fostered breastfeeding support at work, and concertedly addressed maternal counselling, targeted towards those experiencing difficulties related to maternal health and confidence
Ethics and professionalism in South African traffic and metropolitan policing: Navigating governance, accountability, and public trust in a changing environment
No full textEthical conduct and professionalism are fundamental to democratic policing, directly shaping police legitimacy, public trust, and governance credibility. In South Africa, Traffic and Metropolitan Police Officers (TMPOs) operate at the frontline of municipal law enforcement, engaging daily with citizens while navigating complex institutional, political, and operational environments. Despite their strategic role, TMPOs continue to face persistent ethical challenges linked to weak governance structures, political interference, uneven accountability mechanisms, resource constraints, and organisational cultures that tolerate or normalise misconduct.This study examines how governance arrangements, organisational culture, leadership practices, and operational conditions shape ethical behaviour and professional standards among TMPOs. Drawing on qualitative data from a doctoral study conducted across four South African municipalities, the analysis applies the Governance–Ethics–Public Trust Framework to interpret officers lived experiences of ethical decision-making and accountability. The findings reveal a cyclical relationship in which weak governance undermines ethical conduct, declining professionalism erodes public trust, and diminished trust further destabilises institutional legitimacy. The study contributes empirical insight into an under-researched area of municipal policing and demonstrates that ethical challenges are systemic rather than individual in nature. The article concludes by outlining evidence-based implications for strengthening governance, leadership accountability, professionalisation, and public trust in Traffic and Metropolitan Policing