International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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Education the new currency for unification in the African digital society
Get PDFIn the contemporary, rapidly merging globe, education has become a pivotal force in bridging divides towards togetherness, particularly within the African digital landscape. The concept posits education as the new currency for unification across Africa, highlighting its capacity to significantly reshape the continent\u27s socio-economic landscape in the digital era. It reevaluates the inherited education system, which consistently serves foreign interests, into one ideologically reformed to be more Afrocentric and innovation-oriented. Integrating education with digital transformation enables the youth to become catalysts for change, capable of guiding the continent towards a progressive and inclusive future. The paper advocates for educational solidarity, asserting that coordinated efforts and public-private partnerships are essential to address the educational inadequacies in Africa. This article posits that Africa may realise its full potential as a global leader in the 21st century by adopting digital education specifically designed to address its distinct requirement
A comparative analysis of lean manufacturing usage in Small and Medium Apparel Enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Get PDFCompanies in the South African apparel industry are being driven to improve their operational efficiency by implementing Lean Manufacturing Principles (LMPs) as a result of the severe competition that they face both locally and internationally. To evaluate the effectiveness of LMP implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within the apparel sector in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), this research employed a quantitative methodology. The degree of LMP adoption and its influence on operational performance, quality management, and competitiveness are brought to light through a comparison analysis between a small-sized company (Company A) and a medium-sized company (Company B). The was gathered using a structured survey distributed to employees across different functional levels in both companies. The findings suggest that there are significant differences in the implementation of LMP between the two companies, with Company B reaching a higher degree of adoption and generating more substantial benefits in both efficiency and quality. When it came to smaller businesses, difficulties such as insufficient managerial assistance, limited resources, and knowledge gaps were more noticeable. This study enhances the understanding of LMP application in SMEs and offers recommendations for fostering lean adoption, minimizing waste, and encouraging sustainable practices and continuous improvement within South Africa\u27s apparel industry
Factors affecting travel intention and purchase behavior of airline passengers: the mediating role of promotional discounts in airline tickets
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of social media exposure to promotional discounts on the travel intentions and purchasing behaviours of Millennials and Generation X airline consumers in the National Capital Region (NCR), Philippines, as social media and technology increasingly serve as vital instruments in the airline industry\u27s marketing and promotional sales strategies. Due to the existence of studies on this topic elsewhere, there is a paucity of research and statistics available to reflect the current state of the Philippine aviation business. Considering that airlines are gradually rebounding from the challenges posed by the early pandemic and the tourism business is currently thriving, the researchers found it compelling and recognised the potential for more investigation on this topic. The researchers conducted an analysis of data from 390 respondents using PLS-SEM, revealing that social media exposure does not directly affect travel intentions, although both brand image and promotional discounts do have an influence. Travel intentions serve as significant indicators of purchasing behaviour. Promotional discounts act as an essential intermediary between social media visibility and brand perception regarding travel intentions. These findings underscore the significance of integrating Promotional Discounts into social media and branding efforts to effectively enhance customer Travel Intention. Scholars and researchers may significantly benefit from the conceptual framework and findings of the present study. Additional investigation into the interrelations among the elements may enhance the economic resilience of the tourism and airline industries during a pandemic. The findings indicate that promotional discounts serve as a mediator; therefore, marketers and decision-makers in the tourism sector should explore strategies to enhance their advertising and marketing approaches to boost travel intentions and foster business growth
Evaluating community trust in the South African government: An analysis of community perceptions
Get PDFThe evolving perceptions of trust within the community about both national and local government have substantial ramifications for the long-term viability of the nation\u27s democracy and the degree of societal trust. This study sought to evaluate the degree of public trust among South African adults in their national and municipal governments, as well as to analyse the variables influencing this trust. The report underscores considerable scepticism in South African national and local administrations, attributable to performance deficiencies, inadequate service delivery, absence of transparency, and insufficient community participation. Individuals associated with the ANC exhibit comparatively more trust owing to past allegiance. We advocate promoting reforms to restore public trust by enhancing governance processes, increasing transparency, and ensuring efficient service delivery, especially for marginalised areas
Determining relationship between business size, turnover and longevity among South African Small-to-Medium Enterprises
Get PDFSmall to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are a key part of socio-economic development in South Africa by providing employment, generating incomes, and alleviating poverty. Despite their significance, South African SMEs continue to register high failure rates, low growth rates, and short lifespan, particularly in unstable industries. Existing research has consistently cantered on the determinants of firm performance but has been remiss in considering the combined effect of firm size, financial turnover, and performance on lifespan in SMEs—specifically in diversified industrial settings. Bridging the research gap in extant research, the present research considered the interrelationship between the aforementioned variables in the best-performing and poorest-performing industries in South Africa, Manufacturing and Construction industries. The study used a correlational research design and collected data from 204 SMEs using structured questionnaires to gauge the number of employees, turnover per year, and operation period in years. Pearson correlation analysis established that in the Manufacturing industry, longevity was weakly and significantly interrelated with turnover and size but in the Construction industry was weak or statistically non-significant. Contrastingingly, when both industries were combined together, weak but statistically significant interrelationship was established between longevity and both turnover and size, but a strongly positive interrelationship was established between turnover and size. The results conclude that firm size and financial performance are key drivers of the lifespan of SMEs, especially in more stable industries
Investigating the current challenges of cultural tourism for sustainable local economic development in KZN province, South Africa
Get PDFThis study investigates the prevailing barriers to the development of cultural tourism to become an inclusive and participatory agent of local economic growth in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Using a mixed methods study approach, researchers collected data by giving structured questionnaires and conducting semi-structured interviews in eleven culturally rich areas of the province. Quantitative findings indicate the COVID-19 pandemic significantly eroded tourism growth, followed closely by the lack of local engagement, primarily among the youth and women, largely resulting from the unavailability of information and the lack of support for small businesses. Qualitative findings endorse the stated barriers, indicating the lack of sufficient strategic planning, under-marketing of the culture of tourism, and the lack of integration of such aspects of culture, such as traditional foods and arts, into the touristic products. The study calls for inclusive policies to empower the marginalised communities, the widening of community engagement, and the utilisation of KZN’s cultural resources to drive economic transformation. The study concludes by providing recommendations for responsive governance, strategic marketing, and development paradigms that can reposition the culture of tourism as a viable path for inclusive development in the province
Tax sanctions, tax reform factors, and SME compliance in Ghana
Get PDFThis study examined the moderating effect of tax sanctions on the relationships between tax reform factors (knowledge in tax laws, tax rights, tax business income) and tax compliance among SMEs in Ghana. The study adopted quantitative research design. Stratified random sampling technique was deployed in the selection of two hundred and fifty-two (252) SMEs in Accra. Data collection was done using questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. The study found that significant positive relationships exist between tax business income factors (knowledge in tax laws, tax rights, tax business income) and tax compliance among SMEs in Ghana. The study also found that tax sanctions negatively moderate the relationship between knowledge in tax laws and tax compliance as well as tax business income and tax compliance. Tax sanction was found to positively moderate the relationship between knowledge in tax rights and tax compliance among SMEs. The study recommended the need for continuous tax education by tax authorities to enhance tax knowledge among SMEs, which has positive implications on tax compliance. The study further recommended that, rather than relying solely on tax sanctions, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) should explore positive reinforcement mechanisms to encourage voluntary compliance. Offering tax rebates for timely compliance, such as discounts for businesses that consistently meet their tax obligations, can serve as an incentive. Finally, improving perceptions of tax fairness by clearly communicating how tax revenues benefit businesses and society may further enhance tax compliance among SMEs
Influence of digital technology on business operations among manufacturing organisations in the iLembe municipal district in South Africa
Get PDFThe scarcity of water and energy in South Africa impacts multiple domestic and economic sectors, such as agriculture, industry, energy production, and ecosystems. This leads to diminished output, environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity. The challenges are closely associated with the ongoing overexploitation of natural resources, attributable to the transformative effects of industrialisation and urbanisation. Current trends in energy and resource consumption, agricultural systems, and urban expansion are largely unsustainable and necessitate strategic interventions to mitigate environmental damage and promote long-term resilience. In the absence of oversight, these trends could exacerbate detrimental climate change patterns and limit economic growth. This study investigates the ongoing challenges related to the manufacturing sector\u27s impact on water and energy resource depletion, while also assessing the potential cost savings from adopting cleaner production technologies. This study provides a significant contribution by presenting empirical evidence from the iLembe District, utilising a quantitative research design. A survey was performed across multiple factories in the iLembe Municipal District of South Africa. Of the 262 businesses surveyed, 184 out of 191 responses were considered reliable for data analysis. The study objectives were evaluated through descriptive and correlation analyses to assess the impact of digital technology on water, energy, and operational cost savings in manufacturing organisations within the district. The findings suggest that manufacturing organisations in the iLembe Municipal District demonstrated a lack of commitment to adopting digital technology as a waste management strategy to decrease electricity and water consumption. Respondents concurred that their organisations have achieved cost reductions by implementing cleaner production processes. The research demonstrated that digital technology has a beneficial effect on water and energy conservation, cost reduction, and the improvement of organisational performance. Management must understand the beneficial effects of digital technology to guarantee sustainable organisational performance.
The effectiveness of service provision in the South African local municipalities: A case of the selected Municipality in North West Province
No full textRecent trends on local government points to a growing public discontent concerning the performance and the capability of municipalities as the service delivery agents and contact points between citizens and government. Greater-Taung Municipality, which is contextual setting in the current study, is one municipality in the North West province that has a demonstrable record of service delivery failures. Despite record service provision falures, Greater-Taung Municipality has previously returned grants allocations, reasons to which remain unknown. To find out, this study employed qualitative methods to investigate the impediments to effective service provision, with the purpose being to suggest workable and practical solutions to improve service provision. Data collection was chieved through key informants purposively selected from the municipality and documentary analysis. Although the study confirmed some of the findings from literature, especially on skills shortages and political inference in administrative work, other key findings pointed to the constant misalignments between service delivery plans and budget allocations. This problem is affecting organisational performance and service provision. Meanwhile political interference ought to be discouraged, a strong performance management system is needed as this will give effect to service provision and improved accountability culture in the municipality. More recommendations are provided towards the end of the article
Sustainable development goals (SDGs) within Romanian accounting research from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Get PDFThe increasing severity of economic, environmental, and social issues determines the transformational and positive role of accounting researchers in the context of climate change. This study aims to bibliometric analysis of the interest of Romanian accounting scholars to publish articles in journals from the Business, Management, and Accounting areas, respectively the Accounting Q1 and Q2 categories that contribute to accounting research, as well as analyzing their interest in publishing articles that are assessed by the WOS database as contributing to SDGs research. The research is based on 161 articles collected from the WOS database, of which 79 articles are assessed by the WOS database as contributing to the research of one or more SDGs. The results support the involvement of Romanian accounting scholars from HEIs in accounting research, as well as their contribution through the articles published as part of the relevant and important SDGs for the accounting profession. The contribution to SDGs research was noted as follows: 4 – quality education; 5 – gender equality; 8 – decent work and economic growth; 9 – industry, innovation, and infrastructure; 12 – responsible consumption and production; 13 – climate action. They target all components of sustainability, namely economic (SDG 8 and 9), environmental (SDG 12 and 13), and social (SDG 4 and 5), but with a significantly greater emphasis on the economic component. This study fills the gap in investigating the interest of Romanian accounting scholars from HEIs in accounting research for the SDGs. Accounting scholars should consider increasing attention to the publication of articles that will contribute to SDGs research, while HEIs should adopt initiatives to implement the SDGs in accounting research