International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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Leveraging dynamic capabilities to drive innovation and enhance business performance: insights from the café industry in Malang City
This study explores the critical role of dynamic capabilities in enhancing business performance among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the café sector of Malang City, Indonesia. Specifically, it examines how dynamic capabilities influence both explorative and exploitative innovations and how these innovations, in turn, affect business performance. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 110 café owners through structured questionnaires. The results indicate that dynamic capabilities significantly impact both explorative and exploitative innovations. Explorative innovation, which involves the development of new products and the exploration of new markets, was found to have a substantial positive effect on business performance. Conversely, exploitative innovation, which focuses on refining and improving existing products and processes, showed a positive but less pronounced impact. The findings underscore the importance of dynamic capabilities in fostering innovation and improving business performance in a competitive environment. This study offers practical insights for café owners and entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector, highlighting the need for continuous development of dynamic capabilities and a balanced approach to innovation. Future research is encouraged to expand on these findings by exploring additional factors and utilizing longitudinal data to capture the evolving nature of these relationships
Effect of Lean Six Sigma on order fulfilment process: evidence from manufacturing companies in Gauteng, South Africa
This study examines the collaboration between Lean Six Sigma principles and order fulfilment procedures, which are essential for facilitating international trade. The objective is to ascertain the extent to which sustainable and effective lean processes improve customer satisfaction and accelerate global product delivery. The study employs a dual methodology: initially, doing a comprehensive analysis of the current body of literature on the integration of Lean Six Sigma in order fulfilment inside various manufacturing companies, with the aim of finding any deficiencies or areas that require further investigation. Furthermore, we utilise a quantitative approach by administering surveys to professionals in the South African manufacturing industry. Deductive reasoning examines responses using random sampling to ensure unbiased selection. The findings emphasise that using Lean Six Sigma practices in the South African manufacturing sector can address customer concerns regarding the quality of orders and the timeliness of deliveries. This can provide a competitive advantage in the global market. The study validates that the inclusion of Lean Six Sigma measurements alleviates bottlenecks by focusing on improvements in operations, procedures, and communication. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma methodologies in improving order fulfilment for enterprises engaged in international trade. It promotes these concepts to optimise processes, assuring timely deliveries and increased customer satisfaction. This study addresses several deficiencies in the current research on the incorporation of Lean Six Sigma in the manufacturing order fulfilment process. These gaps encompass the challenges of incorporating emerging technology, integrating collaborative supply chains, and incorporating sustainable practices. The distinctive methodology of integrating a comprehensive analysis of existing literature with empirical evidence enhances the novelty of the research outcomes. Manufacturing companies that aim to achieve global market excellence get practical advantages
Challenges in research data collection and mitigation interventions
This paper investigated the challenges that researchers in a health sciences university can experience, and ways to counterbalance the negative effects of these challenges. Focus was on the extent to which gatekeepers on higher education institutions (HEIs) can restrict research, and the way natural sciences researchers often experience gatekeeper biasness on denying them access as compared to the way health sciences researchers are treated. The method compared experiences of researchers for Master of Science (MSc) degrees in selected science subjects, and the projects undertaken by health sciences students. All the studies were based on students on campus as research subjects. The MSc ones were for students who were already academics teaching on campus. All the proposals received clearance certificates from the same ethics committee. Upon requiring the HEI registrar to grant permission to use the student as study participants, the health sciences were granted permission and the names of the students. For the science academics, they were denied permission to the student numbers, which were needed to request individual students to make on decisions whether they wanted to participate in the studies or not. Gatekeeping weaknesses were explored, and lawful interventions were used to collect research data. It was observed that in the science academic divisions of HEIs that are dominated by the health sciences, gatekeeper unfairness and power could offset creativities and innovations initiated by researchers. Recommendations have been made to limit this power
Incorporation of crime intelligence-led policing in South Africa police operation: is South African police getting it right
This paper aims to investigate the incorporation of the ILP approach in the research area. It assesses If this approach has been incorporated into crime fighting in the police station’s areas which form part of the research. The research was based in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The aim was to establish the incorporation of ILP in the day-to-day operation of the police, and 8 participants were drawn between the CIO and OPO stationed in four districts (Mkhanyakude, Zululand, uThukela, and Amajuba). The participants included two former police officers (one former Commander of CI and a former Station Commander) who were used to validate information by active police officers. One District Commander was also interviewed. Qualitative research methodology was followed to conduct the research and a purposive method of data gathering was used targeting police officers who work in crime intelligence units and those who have authority over the operational members of the SAPS. They provided information that was used to determine the incorporation of the ILP in the day-to-day operation of the SAPS in the research area. The paper found that this policing approach has not been incorporated into some components of policing in the research area. The major identified stumbling in the incorporation is the structural arrangement of the Crime Intelligence Unit which does not sync with crime combating at the station level
The impact of leadership 4.0 & contemporary management on organisational performance in the 4IR
The efficacy of organisational effectiveness during the Fourth Industrial Revolution may have been hindered by prevailing leadership styles and management practices. Hence, it has been proposed that other theories, models, or approaches to leadership will be necessary for organisations to maintain competitiveness and achieve long-term success in a business environment that deviates dramatically from the norm for leaders. This essay posits that the application of Leadership 4.0 and novel management practices may hold significance within this particular context. This study investigated the influence of leadership 4.0 and modern management on the success of organisations during the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Qualitative research methodologies were employed to conduct desk research and obtain the findings. There exists a positive association between Leadership 4.0, creative management methods, and organisational performance capabilities. Numerous scholarly and practical deliberations have substantiated the significance of leadership, specifically Leadership 4.0, in effectively navigating the complexities and challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Furthermore, supplementary evidence was identified to substantiate theories pertaining to dependent leadership. The findings of this study have practical implications for companies as they validate the existing literature that highlights the crucial role of leadership in organisational performance, particularly for survival and long-term viability in the contemporary business landscape (4IR). The findings make a valuable contribution to the growing body of knowledge in the domains of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), leadership, creative management techniques, and research on organisational performance
Using self-study approach to critique gender stereotyping and discrimination on family resources for girls and women: educational implications
Girls and women continue to suffer at the hands of patriarchal society that excludes them in family resource allocation. The primary objective of this paper is to examine the challenge that leads to the exclusion of family resource allocation in the form of educational resources for African girls and women. This paper adopts a self-study research approach, which is undergirded by interpretivism philosophical methodology. Intersectional feminism offers a lens for questioning the domination and supremacy of patriarchal society that perpetuates girls’ and women’s vulnerability in the acquisition of family resources in this age. We then discuss how girls and women lead lives marred by hunger, poverty, and inequality. Furthermore, we discuss gender violence and inequality, girl commodification, lessons from matriarchal and patriarchal polities, and gender discrimination at the workplace. We recommend that gender stereotypes and discrimination be eliminated in all social settings; and that at family, society and workplace levels. Finally, that educational institution should reconstruct curricula that should purposively interrogate girls and women\u27s gender stereotyping and discrimination, GBV and other gender issues
Investing in the social innovation for sustainability: Identifying the casual effects in pharmaceutical distributors targeting informal settlement areas in Nairobi city, Kenya
This study reports empirical findings of a survey conducted among pharmaceutical distributors serving informal settlement areas in Nairobi city county. The pharmaceutical distributors face several challenges when serving these areas calling the management of the distributors to resort to social innovation as a viable strategy for business survival. The concern however is how sustainable such a strategy is to the survival of the business undertaken by the pharmaceutical distributors. The study was guided by the postulates of the Three Cycle and Tripple Bottom Line models to answer three objectives that sought to address how social innovation has been adopted, the level of sustainability attained as well as the effect of the level of social innovation on the level of sustainability attained. The study drew its population from 30 pharmaceutical distributors targeting informal settlement areas in Nairobi and obtained primary data from managers heading 7 key departments in each distributor. The study was responded to by 168 managers from 30 pharmaceuticals representing 80.4% response rate. Two components of social innovation, namely promoting social values and community empowerment were extracted through Exploratory Factor Analysis and were found to be practiced to a moderate extent (M=3.6; SD=1.36) and contributed to high level of sustainability (M=3.808; SD=1.025). A path analysis constructed using structural equation modelling indicated that the two components of social innovation have varying degrees of contribution to the three pillars of sustainability (planet, people & profit) with the highest being that on people (R2=4.03) and the least on profit(R2=3.46). Overall social innovation has a negative effect on sustainability (?=-0.13; p<0.05). The findings provide useful insights on the role of social innovation as a viable strategy for the sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry and makes suggestions on how it can be deployed to enhance sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry. The findings raise important implications on the relevance of the Three Cycle and Triple Bottom Line Models in explaining the role of social innovation in attaining the goal of sustainability in organizations
Exploring the market resilience of selected stocks in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
The market resilience of a stock is an integral component of financial market because it supports smooth trading and absorb market shocks. However, the contention has always been to effectively determine the level of resilience in stocks with the application of proper methodology to make informed decisions. Therefore, aim of this study was to examine the level of market resilience in selected stocks in the Johannesburg stock exchange. Using a fixed effect model, the findings of this study indicates that most securities trading on the exchange lack market resilience. This was evident in the significant relationship between the specific independent and dependent variables. A risk coefficient should therefore be assigned to bid and ask to spread to enhance market resilience. These risk coefficients will induce the bid and ask prices to be close to the fundamental price
The relationship between transport infrastructure and output growth in rural nodal municipalities within South Africa
Transport infrastructure is an integral part of economic and social development in many countries, including South Africa. Economic growth theories state that a sound transport system enhances accessibility and output. Despite this, rural areas in South Africa face widespread poverty, poor infrastructure and limited access to essential services. This paper aims to examine the impact of transportation infrastructure investment on the output growth of rural nodal district municipalities in South Africa. This study focuses on two main objectives 1) investigating the relationship between transport infrastructure investment and output growth in rural nodal district municipalities and 2) understanding the causal relationship between transportation infrastructure investment and output growth in rural nodal district municipalities—this analysis uses panel data from 2012 to 2019. We used Fisher type (ADF and PP) panel unit root tests (Maddala & Wu,1999) to determine if the variables were stationary. Additionally, we employed Pedroni tests (1999) to ascertain the presence of cointegration among the variables. Once cointegration was confirmed, our study utilised the Panel VECM. A Panel Granger was then conducted to analyse the direction of causality between transportation infrastructure investment and output growth. This study recommends that the government should improve investments in transportation to improve the output of rural nodal district municipalities
Employee performance in the context of perceived organisational change: moderated by power distance and collectivism
Employee performance is crucial for organizational success, especially amid organizational change. This study investigates the influence of employees\u27 perceptions of organizational change on their performance, considering the moderating roles of power distance and collectivism. The background of the research underscores the significance of understanding how employees perceive and respond to organizational change initiatives. The purpose is to examine how cultural dimensions, specifically power distance and collectivism, moderate the relationship between organizational change perception and employee performance. Methodologically, a quantitative approach utilizing survey data from employees PT Pertamina EP Cepu Regional 4 Zona 11 is employed. Principal results indicate a significant positive relationship between employees\u27 perceptions of organizational change and their performance, highlighting the disruptive nature of change on employee productivity. Moreover, both power distance and collectivism moderate this relationship, suggesting that cultural values play a crucial role in shaping employee responses to change. Major conclusions emphasize the importance of considering cultural contexts when implementing organizational change strategies to mitigate potential negative effects on employee performance. This study contributes to the field by providing empirical evidence of the interplay between organizational change perception, cultural dimensions, and employee performance, offering valuable insights for practitioners and scholars aiming to enhance organizational effectiveness amidst change