International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293)
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Digitalisation: a transformational approach for productivity improvement in the food industry in South Africa
Get PDFTechnological advancements are becoming increasingly significant due to the poor production levels of enterprises in South Africa. Consequently, businesses use technology modifications in their operations that create chances for enhanced flexibility and productivity enhancement. This emotion supports a transformative concept of digitisation. Digitalisation involves the separation of information and technologies designed to transform operational dynamics for enhanced corporate performance. It serves as both an enabler and a catalyst for enhancing productivity. This study investigates the impact of digitisation on productivity enhancement within a specific distribution sector of a food manufacturing company in South Africa. The study employed a quantitative approach to investigate production and the associated experiences inside the distribution division of a food manufacturing enterprise that implemented digitalisation to enhance productivity. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model was employed to analyse data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The corporation functions within the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study was conducted by gathering pre- and post-quarterly data on product picking accuracy, hourly product loading, product replenishment rate, and product release rate. The results demonstrate a statistically significant association between the product release pace and the company’s production in the post-digitalization period. Nonetheless, it fails to demonstrate the correlation between product picking accuracy, product loading per hour, or product replenishment rate and productivity. A targeted organisational strategy on digitisation is expected to enhance the organization\u27s performance. Digitising records enables the tracking of each phase of the production process, so maintaining transparency and instilling confidence in consumers. Therefore, the primary significance of this study lies in its examination of the strengths and shortcomings of digitalisation for enhancing productivity in South Africa.
Research as public management tool for improved municipal governance in South Africa
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to call for an intensified research practices and institutionalisation within municipal governments in South Africa, and the contextual focus includes typical municipalities in the Ngaka-Moridi Molema district of the North-West province. Research as a public management tool has been largely negated in municipal governance decision-making processes and this is linkable to the general deterioration of municipal governance systems in the local sphere. This paper found that the majority of municipalities in South Africa, including the ones in NMMD do not have a full appreciation of research in that very few to none have established research components to support municipal decision-making processes. Insights were further drawn from certain theories of governance to complement the suggestions made in the paper pertaining to ways in which municipalities can inculcate not only the spirit of research but its embedding with the governance [council] system
Marketing and strategic challenges with commercializing acceleration of Small-Growers Enterprises
Get PDFThe adoption of plausible strategic marketing deliverables within the sustainable agricultural ecosystem remains a challenge for small-scale growers due to scarce resources and constraint capabilities. The prospects of expediting access to markets and points of sale, which properly established and capacitated enterprises dominate, contain the ability for small-scale growers to commercialise their hard-earned crops and produce. This study unpacks the strategic marketing techniques and tools that small-scale growers could utilize to mitigate their active participation in the complex agricultural business ecosystem. The body of literature explicated various considerations that could be integrated into an attempt to demystify the common challenges and constraints that conform the small growers from the marking mix context and perspective. A positivism-oriented philosophy of the quantitative methodology was utilized in the study to solicit the description of the variables that constitute the elucidation of the strategic phenomenon in the study. The findings revealed that various marketing tools could provide constructive and beneficial advantages for small growers if applied efficaciously and correctly. The findings further indicated that packaging the marketing mixes intervention such as channels, segmenting positioning, channel, target market, and promotion could accelerate the small growers\u27 attainment of sustainable competitive advantage within the broader scope of commercializing their enterprises
Barriers to artificial intelligence adoption in State-Owned Enterprises
Get PDFState-owned enterprises (SOEs) have significant opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, decision-making, and service delivery through artificial intelligence (AI). However, several barriers hinder widespread AI adoption in these organizations. This article measures the impact of AI adoption on performance indicators like production output and customer satisfaction in State-Owned Enterprises. It analyses financial sustainability, resource management, and efficiency metrics while identifying key barriers such as high implementation costs, lack of technical expertise, and resistance to change. The barriers to AI adoption in the SOEs are studied quantitatively. Data was gathered from 240 carefully chosen SOE personnel in South Africa (SA) using a survey approach, which had a 93.28% response rate. The population of this study comprised employees of South African SOEs. The focus of the article is on examining the perspectives of individuals in SOEs in SA regarding AI implementation. Further complicating AI integration are data security and privacy concerns, as well as legal and compliance issues. A lack of strategic vision and financial limitations are also major obstacles to advancement. Developing successful plans to encourage AI adoption in SOEs, which will eventually spur innovation and enhance public sector performance, requires an understanding of these obstacles. The article concludes that despite significant barriers to AI adoption in South African SOEs—such as lack of senior management support, inadequate infrastructure, resistance to change, data quality issues, and a shortage of skilled staff—there are clear opportunities for improvement. This is one of the articles that focuses on identifying barriers of adopting AI in South African SOEs and it lays a foundation for future research on AI in SOEs
United States mediation in the Israel-Palestine conflict: Trump’s first-term diplomacy
Get PDFThis paper reviews existing literature on the United States of America (USA) mediation in the Israel and Palestine conflict under Donald J Trump\u27s Presidency during his first term of office. The review flows from an expansive point of view to a narrow point of view. The expansive point of view will deal with the term mediation, what mediation entails, and other factors revolving around the causes of successful and failed mediation procedures. Thus, this narrowed point of view will focus on the USA mediation in the Israel and Palestine conflict during the first term of Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Therefore, by employing a qualitative research methodology, the paper reviews data from existing journal articles, books, and governmental reports on the use of mediation as a means of diplomacy in the Middle East conflict during Trump\u27s administration. The findings of the paper suggest that in the first administration of Trump, the USA was using mediation as a weapon to advance their national interests while also fostering their international dominance. Hence, the paper concludes that mediation can be used as an example of foreign policy aspirations of a state which can be weaponised to advance the state\u27s internal interest
A complex conundrum of Information security in virtual banking
Get PDFThis paper examines a complicated dilemma of information security in virtual banking, where technical innovation intersects with the necessity to safeguard advanced financial systems, resulting in paradoxes and tensions. The study reveals a significant knowledge deficiency concerning the amplification of information security vulnerabilities as financial organisations shift from conventional to digital banking. Framed through a socio-technical lens, the objective of this research study was to develop a grounded theory that offers new insights into the conceptualisation of information security in virtual banking. This conundrum is characterised by its multifaceted nature and involves competing interests in security, information security, usability, technological innovation, and customer trust. To resolve the difficulties of the conundrum, the qualitative researchA qualitative research study employing an innovative mixed-methods dual approach, integrating the Straussian grounded theory method (GTM) with Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), was conducted, facilitating both detailed analysis of information security practices and a comprehensive understanding of virtual banking ecosystems. The study\u27s critical findings from 20 participants, derived from Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM), are encapsulated in the Trust-Responsive Security Architecture (TRSA) framework, which integrates socio-technical perspectives and demonstrates how these inherent tensions can be managed. TRSA asserts that virtual banks encounter a dilemma wherein excessive security can result in complexity, friction, and diminished usability, potentially undermining trust. This situation is reframed as an emergent socio-technical balance issue, necessitating that virtual banks continuously negotiate and manage the equilibrium between security, trust, and usability. The study thus claims that the ramifications of this research are that vThe research indicates that by implementing TRSA, virtual banks can emphasise user-centric design in virtual platforms to balance trust and information security requirements, hence fostering trust, usability, and regulatory compliance
Technology readiness and demographic drivers: Understanding mobile commerce adoption patterns in South Africa’s digital economy
Get PDFThis study examines how technology readiness and selects demographic characteristics influence the uptake of mobile commerce among SMEs in Polokwane, South Africa. Although factors such as age, gender, and education level have been investigated in other regions, their impact in the South African SME sector remains insufficiently explored. The research employed a quantitative design, surveying 146 SMEs drawn randomly from a total of 261. Data were collected using a closed ended, self-administered questionnaire and analysed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, ANOVA, regression, and Chi-Square tests. Correlation results revealed a strong positive association between technology readiness and mobile commerce adoption, whereas demographic variables demonstrated weak or non-significant relationships. ANOVA and regression confirmed technology readiness as a significant predictor, with no statistically significant influence from age, gender, or education; Chi-Square tests supported these outcomes. Reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha, and normality was checked using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Overall, technology readiness emerged as the dominant driver of adoption, yet the limited role of demographic factors suggests opportunities for targeted interventions to improve inclusivity and expand adoption among SMEs
Modelling Environmental, Social, And Governance (ESG) literacy: A functional link between accounting graduate competency and ESG dimensions
Get PDFThe global emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices has elevated the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting in corporate accountability. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified ESG’s critical role, drawing attention to specific ESG concerns linked to the crisis and reinforcing the global reassessment of corporate objectives. What is more, global institutions such as the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) advocate for integrating sustainability into accounting education, resulting in a growing need to align accounting curricula with ESG competencies to prepare future accounting professionals for evolving stakeholder expectations and regulatory landscapes. This paper presents a mathematical framework for modelling ESG literacy among accounting graduates, emphasising the integration of environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) competencies. The proposed model defines ESG literacy as a weighted function of the three core dimensions: ESG literacy score, and are weights reflecting the relative emphasis of each competency in the curriculum. The model enables quantification of ESG competency levels, while the theoretical framework supports empirical validation for curriculum assessment. These foundations also inform future research on ESG integration and curriculum effectiveness in developing economies.
The effect of green recruitment and selection, and green training on employee commitment: The moderating role of green innovation culture
Get PDFThe primary focus of this study is to examine how green recruitment and selection, as well as green training, influence employee commitment to the company. Furthermore, this study also examines the role of innovation culture in strengthening the relationship between GHRM and employee commitment. This study aims to investigate the effect of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on employee commitment, with innovation culture as a moderating variable. This study attempts to fill the theoretical and empirical gaps regarding the implementation of GHRM, innovation capabilities, innovation culture, and employee commitment. The method used in this study was a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 250 respondents from PTPN IV employees in the North Sumatra region. To analyze the data, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used. The results of the study indicate that green recruitment and selection, as well as green training, have a significant positive influence on employee commitment. A culture of innovation was shown to strengthen the influence of green training on employee commitment but did not show a significant moderating effect on the relationship between green recruitment and selection and employee commitment. The implications of these findings provide important insights for companies to integrate GHRM practices and a culture of innovation to enhance employee commitment in supporting the company\u27s sustainability goals. This research has contributed to the human resource management and sustainability literature by investigating the interactions between GHRM practices and factors that moderate or amplify their impact
Entrepreneurial success factors in traditional and digital business processes: A comparative literature review
Get PDFStartups have been recognized as direct drivers of national economic prosperity; therefore, factors that contribute to their success hold a special place in entrepreneurship literature. Still, there is a lack of studies elaborating how the emergence of new digital technologies has changed the way success factors impact ventures. To address the research problem, a qualitative methodology is employed grounded on systematic literature review, summarizing insights from existing literature, incorporating 110 research papers published on Emerald, Scopus and EBSCO, and other relevant bases, in the period from October 2024 to September 2025. The central objective of this research is to provide clear comparisons of the impact of four internal entrepreneurial success factors (knowledge, internal innovation capacity, social networks and managerial and planning ability) in the frames of traditional and digital businesses. Results show that the four studied success factors are essential for both traditional and digital businesses. It illustrates that the four elaborate factors are mutually interconnected, starting with traditional processes which emphasize experiential learning, transferring to digital processes emphasizing knowledge of sophisticated technology. As contribution to entrepreneurial practice, comparative analysis underlines the need for deeper understanding of entrepreneurial environments and adaptation of hybrid capabilities combining strategic planning with digital adaptability