International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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Exploring the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of Fibroids among Vhavenda community in South Africa
Full text linkThis 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
Career pathways and employability challenges of national certificate vocational (NCV) office administration graduates in one of the TVET colleges in Limpopo
Full text linkCareer trajectories and graduate employment outcomes have been extensively studied across disciplines; however, the post-graduation pathways of National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Office Administration graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions remain under-investigated. This study, grounded in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (ELT), explores the career destinations of NCV Office Administration graduates from a TVET college in Limpopo, South Africa. Adopting a qualitative research design within a constructivist paradigm, data were collected using open-ended questionnaires from 13 purposively sampled graduates. Thematic content analysis revealed a significant misalignment between the skills imparted by the NCV programme and labour market demands. This skills mismatch, exacerbated by limited industry engagement, adversely affects graduate employability. Based on these findings, the study recommends the establishment of a dedicated career guidance unit within the college to support informed programme selection and career planning. Furthermore, it advocates for enhanced collaboration between the college, academic staff, and industry stakeholders to facilitate graduates’ transition into employment. Curriculum development should respond dynamically to empirical insights reflecting current labour market trends. This study contributes to the discourse on improving employability outcomes for NCV Office Administration graduates and identifies avenues for further research
“Voices from the shadows”: A social learning perspective on the role of informers in murder investigations in Krugersdorp
Full text linkThis 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
Financial retirement planning of government employees in Tanzania: Moderating effect of financial decision behavior
Full text linkThe study examined financial retirement planning of government employees in Tanzania: Moderating effect of financial decision behavior. The study applied a cross-sectional survey strategy, positivist paradigm and deductive approach. The study collected quantitative data through questionnaire from government employees working in different ministries within Dodoma region in Tanzania. The study examined whether the moderator moderates the relationship between independent variables (computation capability, financial knowledge, financial education and risk attitude towards financial products) and dependent variable (retirement planning). Data analysis was through Smart PLS-SEM path modelling. The study findings were that financial decision behavior had statistically significant positive moderating effect (p=0.013) on retirement planning. Moderating effect of financial decision behavior on the relationship between risk altitude towards financial products and retirement planning found to be a theoretical contribution of this study as it supports behavioral finance advocates who asserts that the theory of expected utility is an incomplete model since it lacks individual behavioral aspects. This study has incorporating a moderating variable financial decision behavior borrowed from the theory of planned behavior, which has indicated a significant moderating effect that has widened the explanatory power of the theory. This study offers pertinent insights for policy makers concerns on reviewing policy guidelines by government regulators and professional bodies, to advocate for employee’s savings and investment behavior, employees access to a range of financial products, regular training on financial products available in the financial market for better investment decision. Lastly, practitioners and academia can use the results of this study for future references
The causal relationship between foreign divestment, economic growth and financial development in African countries
Full text linkThis paper examines the causal relationship between foreign divestment (FD), economic growth, and financial development in African countries between 2000 and 2020. The research addresses the inadequately studied influence of macroeconomic variables on FD, focusing on the African context, where scholarly investigations on FD remain scarce. The study seeks to provide policymakers with insights on strategies to mitigate FD outflows and promote sustainable development. The research employs the Dumitrescu-Hurlin Panel Causality test to investigate causal relationships between FD, economic growth, and financial development. The study uses panel data covering multiple African nations over two decades, offering a robust temporal and spatial analysis. The approach emphasises examining unidirectional and bidirectional causation within the macroeconomic framework, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the interplay between these variables. The main findings of the study reveal a unidirectional causation between FD and economic growth across African countries, although this relationship is not consistent in all instances. Additionally, a bidirectional causal relationship is identified between FD and financial development (FIN). These findings underscore the interconnectedness of FD with macroeconomic stability and highlight the importance of fostering economic growth and financial sector development to address FD outflows effectively. This study contributes to the underexplored area of FD in African nations by highlighting its causal relationships with economic growth and financial development. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and multinational enterprises (MNEs). The findings further underscore the importance of sound governance practices, economic stability, and financial sector development in mitigating FD outflows and fostering sustainable development in Africa
Elevating knowledge sharing and communication through Artificial Intelligence: An organizational perspective
Full text linkKnowledge-sharing is essential for organizations that seek to maximize collective intelligence, foster collaboration, and enhance employee relations. Effective communication accelerates the exchange of ideas, ensuring that knowledge is shared accurately within groups. Knowledge sharing and organizational communication are essential characteristics of any organization, and employees must support each other to survive internal organizational dynamics. The study aims to understand the relationship between knowledge sharing, organizational communication, and artificial intelligence (AI). The study examined how organizational communication strengthens knowledge sharing and how AI technologies enhance the connection. A systematic literature review analysis was conducted using the PRISMA flow diagram to explore the effect of communication strategies on knowledge sharing and identify how AI tools can streamline these processes. Data from databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct were accessed. The analysis indicated that incorporating AI technologies to improve knowledge sharing and organizational communication minimizes costs, increases employee productivity, streamlines workflows, provides faster information retrieval, and enhances decision-making. However, despite its possible benefits, incorporating AI in organizational communication strategies does not come without challenges. The study recommends how organizations can encourage employee knowledge sharing through communications and AI to improve employee relations and organizational performance. It is additionally essential to reflect on how AI can be brought in strategically to break the barriers around effective knowledge sharing and organizational communication. Sharing knowledge and communicating effectively across an organization is more critical than ever in today’s fast-paced business environment
Evaluating approaches to patents and pharmaceutical test data protection in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states
Full text linkA discussion of pharmaceutical test data protection is a potentially broad area for scholarly investigation. During preclinical and clinical drug testing, test data that evidences safety, effectiveness, and quality is generated to obtain marketing approval by drug regulatory authorities. Depending on the nature of the information and the jurisdiction, such information may be protected as a trade secret or a patent. Protecting patents and pharmaceutical test data in the SADC has significant ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). While it is essential to incentivise research and development, it is also crucial to ensure that patients have access to safe and effective medicines and that the public interest is protected. SADC members have diverse approaches and laws on patents and pharmaceutical test data protection. While some countries have comprehensive legal frameworks that balance intellectual property rights with the public interest, others have outdated or incomplete frameworks. The lack or inadequacy of legal frameworks for patents and pharmaceutical test data protection in some SADC countries can negatively affect public health. This paper surveys and calibrates the existing legal frameworks within the SADC region by identifying gaps and suggesting possible law reform solutions inspired by the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Agreement, other international frameworks, and comparative law. Using the reward theory as its theoretical lens and linking the main arguments to the obligation of patentees to disclose their inventions fully, the paper concludes that the SADC region requires adequate legal frameworks
How urbanisation impacts the transmission of cultural knowledge and practices from one generation to the next within Vhavenda communities
Full text linkTraditional lifestyles, including the transmission of cultural knowledge and customs, are often disrupted by urbanisation. The decision to conduct this study was influenced by the alarming loss of cultural knowledge and practices, which were disturbed by urbanisation. The objective of this study was to explore how urbanisation affects the generational transfer of cultural practices and knowledge within Vhavenda communities. The Vhavenda people hold valuable traditional indigenous knowledge and practices that should be preserved and passed down to the younger generation. A qualitative narrative enquiry approach was used, and interview data were analysed to identify recurring themes related to the impacts of urbanisation and cultural transmission. The data was organised into relevant themes using thematic coding. The study was based on the Push and Pull Factors Theory, which elucidates the motivations for rural-to-urban migration within the framework of urbanisation. The key findings revealed that urbanisation has transformed social structures, housing arrangements, and communication styles. Elders play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting traditional knowledge. The study recommended developing strategies to facilitate the sharing of cultural knowledge in urban areas, emphasising the importance of cultural preservation and its impact on the transmission of cultural practices. The study concluded that preserving traditional indigenous knowledge techniques is crucial, as it helps individuals maintain a connection to their roots and future paths, thereby preserving their sense of identity
Manufacturing excellence for labour productivity improvement: Evidence from a selected automotive parts manufacturing organisation in South Africa
Full text linkThe performance of productivity has garnered significant interest among economists, with a prevalent discussion affirming the crucial role of productivity enhancement in fostering and sustaining growth. This necessitates businesses to recognise manufacturing excellence in their operations. Manufacturing excellence is a non-prescriptive paradigm for organisational management aimed at enhancing competitiveness. The processes established for consistent delivery must yield products with minimal variance and no flaws. This study investigates the impact of manufacturing excellence strategy on workforce productivity in South African automobile parts manufacturing firms. The study employed a quantitative methodology to investigate production and associated experiences within an automobile parts manufacturing organisation that implemented a manufacturing excellence strategy for enhancing productivity. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), was utilised for data analysis. The corporation functions within the eThekwini Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. The study was conducted by gathering pre- and post-quarterly data on absenteeism, spoilage, and labour productivity. The findings demonstrate that manufacturing excellence affects labour productivity. Nonetheless, neither absenteeism nor spoilage correlates with worker productivity following the introduction of manufacturing excellence. This study reveals the strengths and shortcomings of manufacturing excellence and its impact on workforce productivity in automobile parts manufacturing firms in South Africa.
Integration of generative artificial intelligence into higher education research as a supporting tool: A balance between innovation and ethics in research
Full text linkAlthough the growing use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in higher education research offers exciting potential for enhancing innovation and efficiency, it is also troubled by significant ethical challenges. This review systematically explores critical concerns that border on risks that are associated with data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency deficiencies, accountability gaps, and threats to academic integrity. This was done by providing a literature-based assessment of why the use GAI in higher education continues to be problematic. This assessment yielded informative insights that were deciphered from 31 papers which were systematically selected from a sampling universe of 119 publications. Findings highlight the necessity of striking a balance between embracing AI-driven advancements and upholding ethical standards in research, in a manner that does not compromise human capacities to mitigate the unexpected eventualities and their consequences. A set of actionable guidelines that are designed to enhance the responsible integration of GAI in higher education without side-lining the importance of observing critical ethical issues that must be considered and adhered to in academic research is given. These guidelines are useful because they form the foundation of a robust framework which gui, Generative, Higher Education, Researchdes the way GAI is used in higher education research without forgetting that this technology is not an all-round paragon