International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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Integration of Traditional and Western Healthcare Systems in South Africa: Strategies from the Ndebele indigenous people
Get PDFThe Traditional and Western Healthcare systems are the recognized health systems in South Africa. The two healthcare systems continue to provide healthcare for South African Indigenous communities; therefore, the government’s imbalanced support of the healthcare systems has resulted in Western healthcare receiving extensive support while traditional healthcare receives little to no support despite being regarded as the primary healthcare for most Indigenous communities in the country. In light of this, understanding the strategies for integrating the two healthcare systems may establish an effective and balanced healthcare system that supports the health needs of the indigenous communities. However, there is little research regarding the potential strategies for integration from the indigenous people’s perspective. Therefore, this qualitative study explores strategies for integrating the South African Western and Traditional healthcare systems of the Ndebele indigenous people in the Vezubuhle indigenous community under the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality. The study employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques to sample 17 participants: five traditional health practitioners, 5 elderly Indigenous custodians, and 7 Indigenous community members. The qualitative data was generated using one-on-one semi-structured interviews and analysed using the thematic data analysis technique
Digital financial literacy among university students in South Africa: A quantitative study
Get PDFThis research assesses the levels of digital financial literacy (DFL) and the patterns of Fintech adoption among university students in South Africa. It expands the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework to investigate the impact of demographic factors on DFL as a precursor to Fintech utilisation. A quantitative methodology utilised convenience sampling to distribute 376 questionnaires at two public universities in South Africa. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multiple linear regression using IBM SPSS version 29.0, with reliability evaluated through Cronbach\u27s alpha coefficients. Findings reveal moderate to high levels of DFL among university students; however, notable knowledge deficiencies exist concerning consumer rights and redress mechanisms. Demographic analysis indicated that gender had no significant impact on DFL levels, whereas income, age, and educational attainment showed significant correlations. Three components of DFL demonstrated positive and significant correlations with university students\u27 intentions to adopt Fintech products and services; however, awareness of digital financial risks did not significantly influence these adoption intentions. The findings enhance the theoretical framework of technology acceptance models in emerging markets and offer empirical evidence regarding DFL\u27s influence on Fintech adoption. This study provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, and educational administrators aiming to improve financial inclusion initiatives and increase Fintech utilisation among university students in South Africa
Family business succession planning and conflict in South Africa: A theoretical framework to guide future research and practice
Get PDFThis study explores the complex dynamics of succession planning and conflict in family businesses in South Africa, with the objective of developing a theoretical framework to guide future research and practical interventions. A qualitative methodology was employed, using an interpretive research paradigm to gain in-depth insights into the lived experiences of family businesses. The study draws on a comprehensive review of literature to identify key themes, including governance structures, generational dynamics, cultural influences, and the role of communication in succession processes. Findings reveal that succession in South African family businesses is often hindered by a lack of formal planning, entrenched familial expectations, and unresolved interpersonal tensions. Cultural values and patriarchal norms also emerged as significant influences on how succession is perceived and enacted. The study concludes that effective succession planning in South African family businesses requires a context-sensitive approach that balances tradition with professionalization. It recommends the adoption of structured governance mechanisms, open communication strategies, and succession training for both incumbent and successor generations. This research present theoretical framework that integrates socio-cultural, organizational, and individual dimensions of succession planning and conflict management in family businesses.
How leisure benefits emerge for shrimp fishing consumers: A Self-Determination Theory perspective
Get PDFShrimp fishing, a unique leisure activity in Taiwan, provides an important recreational option for local residents. Guided by self-determination theory, this study investigates how leisure motivation and leisure involvement affect perceived leisure benefits, with leisure satisfaction as a mediator. A survey from 359 shrimp fishing participants and structural equation modeling, results how that both leisure motivation and involvement positively influence leisure benefits, with leisure satisfaction acting as a partial mediator. Moreover, leisure motivation exerts stronger direct and indirect effects than involvement. These findings contribute to the literature by extending self-determination theory in leisure research and provide practical guidance for venue operators and managers in enhancing consumer engagement, improving service design, and sustaining cultural leisure industries.
Evaluating the preferences of stakeholders of a comprehensive higher education institution on the modality of applying for academic records
Get PDFThis study focuses on evaluating the preferences of stakeholders of a comprehensive higher education institution located in Manila, Philippines, regarding the process of applying for academic records. Onsite application is the traditional process wherein the stakeholders transact personally on campus to request for needed documents. The online system enables remote application of academic records supported by technology. It is marked by the ability to make the application anywhere and anytime, at the convenience of the stakeholder. The study highlights that both the online and onsite modalities have advantages available to stakeholders. Through qualitative and quantitative methodologies, factors influencing the preference of stakeholders are identified. Though the online application is overwhelmingly preferred by the respondents, the onsite application remains relevant. Combining the advantages of both modalities promote convenience on the part of the stakeholders and empowers them to make contextual choices depending on their preferences. Determining the preferences of stakeholders allows the academic institution to tailor-fit services and fine-tune processes to meet, or even exceed, the expectations of stakeholders. The results of the study can be used as a guide by academic institutions on how to improve the various modalities used to provide efficient customer service to stakeholders
The macroeconomic determinants of South African sectoral returns: Evidence from Bull and Bear Regimes
Get PDFThe Adaptive Market Hypothesis (AMH) allows for a re-evaluation of the relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market returns, acknowledging that this relationship is time-varying and asymmetrical. This study investigates the impact of macroeconomic factors on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) sector returns under varying market conditions from January 2008 to December 2024. Using a Markov regime-switching model, the findings show that macroeconomic effects on sectoral returns are regime-dependent and time-sensitive. In bullish markets, inflation growth has a significant negative impact on Industrial sector returns, but no significant effect during bearish regimes. For the Financial sector, inflation and money supply growth negatively affect returns, while the real effective exchange rate growth has a positive impact. In the Resource sector, all macroeconomic variables significantly influence returns during bearish conditions, with inflation growth showing a notable negative effect. Overall, JSE sector returns exhibit bull and bear market dynamics, and the influence of macroeconomic variables is neither uniform nor static aligning with the AMH framework
The impact of higher education among law enforcement officers on policing effectiveness, public safety, and security in selected African states
Get PDFThe study assessed the impact of higher education on law enforcement in South Africa and other selected African states, focusing on policing effectiveness, public safety, and professional development. The study used a quantitative research approach utilising a structured questionnaire administered to 646 respondents enrolled in various policing and security programmes. The sample population was drawn from safety, security, and law enforcement sectors across South Africa, Namibia and Eswatini. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, and index scoring. Findings reveal that officers pursue higher education primarily to improve performance, enhance critical thinking, and support career advancement within and beyond law enforcement. Higher education has a positive impact on officers, equipping them with analytical and communication skills, which fosters evidence-based problem-solving and ethical leadership, ultimately benefiting public safety and security. However, the study also highlights to a smaller extent potential drawbacks, such as creating divisions between degree-holding and non-degree-holding officers, and the risk of overemphasising analytical roles at the expense of frontline practice. Therefore, the study recommended that higher education should be made accessible to most police officers and law enforcement personnel. In addition, policies should be put forth to enhance team cohesion and mutual trust, which are critical to the effective policing of field needs, incorporating both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies.
Aligning human capital with business objectives: A blueprint for modern organisations
Get PDFThis study provides a comprehensive review of recent academic literature (from 2017 onwards) that investigates the essential connection between workforce management and strategic business objectives. The review integrates a diverse array of studies that emphasise the complex nature of human capital, which includes employee skills, knowledge, motivation, and engagement, and their influence on organisational performance. A key focus of the discussion is the importance of leadership in establishing a clear strategic vision, nurturing a culture of communication, and encouraging employee participation in decision-making processes. Additionally, the study examines the transformative potential of data-driven human resource practices, such as people analytics, in identifying skill deficiencies, enhancing talent management, and facilitating evidence-based workforce planning. Despite these advancements, challenges like organizational silos, misaligned incentives, and resistance to change continue to pose significant barriers. The findings indicate that effective alignment necessitates a holistic approach that merges strategic HR leadership, continuous professional development, cultural flexibility, and transparent performance management systems. Practical recommendations are provided to assist business leaders and HR professionals in crafting and executing strategies that ensure employees\u27 efforts are intentionally aligned with organisational priorities. The study highlights deficiencies in existing research, especially regarding the variations in alignment strategies across different industries and geographical areas, and advocates for additional empirical investigations to enhance comprehension. In summary, this review underscores that strategically aligned human capital can act as a significant catalyst for innovation, competitiveness, and organisational resilience in today\u27s business environment
The impact of Generally Recognised Accounting Practices (GRAP) on the quality of financial statements of the South African municipalities: Evidence of pre-grap adoption compared to post-grap adoption periods
Get PDFThe Republic of South Africa (RSA) adopted the move to accrual-based accounting in 1999, and the implementation of GRAP standards by the Municipalities has been affected since 2006. The expected benefits were improving transparency, accountability, quality, and efficiency of municipal financial reporting. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of GRAP standards on the quality of financial reporting in RSA municipalities during the period of Pre-GRAP (2005/06 to 2009/10) compared to Post-GRAP (2010/11 to 2015/16). This study employed a quantitative approach wherein secondary data was sourced online from the National Treasury database. A panel dataset split into two subpanels (pre and post), drawn from a sample of 125 municipalities, was used to test the study’s hypothesis. The data were winsorized to eliminate outliers, and a multicollinearity test was conducted to identify and eliminate variables that could have resulted in model misspecification. A Hausman Test was used to select the study’s regression model, which was estimated using the STATA 15 software. The residuals of the regression model were used as a measure of accrual quality and, hence, financial reporting quality. A larger standard deviation of residuals indicates poorer accruals quality and financial reporting quality. The findings indicated a standard deviation of 0.061 (pre-GRAP) and 0.084 (post-GRAP) for the adoption periods, which indicates higher financial reporting quality. These relatively unchanged standard deviation results suggest that GRAP did not significantly improve the quality of financial reporting by municipalities after its adoption
Rural criminology and traditional practices in South Africa: Exploring the impact of violence during the Umguyo ceremony
Get PDFSouth Africa continues to experience high levels of violent crime, with the South African Police Service (SAPS) recording over 22,000 murders in 2023/2024, alongside increasing incidents of robbery and assault. While these statistics are alarming, little is known about the hidden forms of violence that occur within cultural settings, particularly during traditional ceremonies such as Umguyo, a Xhosa ritual that precedes Ulwaluko (Traditional Male Circumcision). This paper aims to evaluate the social, economic, and psychological effects of violence during the Umguyo practice on families and the broader rural community. It is also aimed at examining how such violence disrupts cultural harmony, education, and community cohesion. The study employed a qualitative approach, drawing on interviews and focus group discussions with custodians of culture and community members in the Amathole District Municipality of South Africa. Findings of the study demonstrate that (i) violent incidents during Umguyo transform the ceremony from a joyous cultural event into one of grief, creating deep emotional trauma and financial strain for affected families; (ii) traditional obligations such as funerals and cancelled rituals further burden families economically and socially; and (iii) rumours and disputes following violent incidents contribute to long-term community fragmentation and hinder educational progress during the initiation season. Overall, the study highlights how violence linked to cultural practices undermines social cohesion, mental well-being, and economic stability in rural South Africa. Addressing this requires culturally sensitive legal reforms and strengthened community engagement