International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293)
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Effects of uninhabitable off-campus residences on students’ mental health at the University of Venda, Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa
Get PDFThis study aimed to explore the effects of uninhabitable off-campus residences on students’ health at the University of Venda. A qualitative approach was used for an in-depth subject approach. The phenomenological research design was used to understand the meanings of human experience regarding the research problem. Non-probability sampling methods and convenience sampling techniques were used to solicit participants. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was then used to analyse the data. The study discovered that some students who live in off-campus accommodation are subjected to unhealthy conditions, unsafe environments, and non-study conducive surroundings. The findings also revealed that these students end up being affected by both physical and mental illness. The unpleasant conditions in these facilities are perpetuated by the landlords’ ignorance and unwillingness to invest. Recommended means to deal with the uninhabitable residences include sufficient investment and regular monitoring of the facilities by the facilities’ owners, as well as ensuring cooperation between students, their representatives, and the landlords. Lastly, there is a need to orchestrate policy and interventions to ensure continuous consideration of students’ health, safety, and comfort of off-campus residing students
The implications of technology and innovation: a critical analysis of youth and children\u27s activities on social media platforms
Get PDFInnovation and technology have transformed all facets of human endeavours, including the experiences of youth and children. Digital technology and connection have influenced the lives of youth and children across all societies. Presently, connectivity has permeated all regions of the world, and the utilisation of application technology, particularly social media, has influenced children and adolescents both positively and badly. Connected teens and youngsters have gained several opportunities while also facing countless threats. Individuals lacking connectivity face the peril of marginalisation and disadvantage, as a significant portion of the contemporary world remains inaccessible to them. As the internet becomes more embedded in civic and political life, it offers children and young people chances to engage in issues that impact them and to articulate their views and opinions. The study examines the essential role of kids and children on social media platforms and the consequences of innovation and technology. A mixed method was employed for the study, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies for data collection. The research indicated that digital access to social media influences equitable opportunities for youngsters. Digital technology has a dual nature; it advantages youngsters and children by providing access to knowledge, educational resources, cultural artefacts, and opportunities for peer interaction. Numerous youths and children have been victimised on diverse social media sites, with some individuals utilising these channels to plan attacks on their targets. A correlation exists between exposure to violence, pornography, violent video games, cyberbullying, sexting, online exploitation on social media, and subsequent violent behaviour and immorality. It is essential to implement social skills training in educational institutions, grant children and adolescents access to cognitive behavioural therapy, encourage parents to monitor their children\u27s online activities and security settings to safeguard their information, and educate them on the significance of maintaining the confidentiality of their personal data. The government must control, monitor, and oversee the actions of youth and children on social media platforms, rehabilitate victims, and develop moral regeneration programs in educational institutions
Towards a unified conceptual framework for understanding the entrepreneurship construct
Get PDFEntrepreneurship is often examined from psychological, social, and economic perspectives. However, this fragmented approach limits our understanding of how these dimensions interact, especially in a world shaped by rapid technological changes and evolving market dynamics. To address this, the Yolk Entrepreneurship Framework was introduced as an integrative model that unifies diverse perspectives. This study employed a conceptual research design and systematically reviewed two decades of literature from leading journals. Through thematic analysis, it explores six key variables: entrepreneurial mindset, sociocultural influences, economic factors, intrapreneurship, sustainable entrepreneurship, and technological advancements. The findings reveal that entrepreneurship is shaped by the dynamic interplay between individual traits and broader contextual factors. Notably, social capital enhances innovation driven by a mindset, highlighting the synergy between internal attributes and external networks. The Yolk Framework visualises these interconnections and promotes a comprehensive view of entrepreneurship. This underscores the need to integrate psychological, sociological, and economic insights to fully grasp the entrepreneurial process. This framework offers a comprehensive lens for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to understand entrepreneurship as a dynamic, interconnected phenomenon that supports informed research, inclusive policy design, and context-sensitive practice
Promoting social inclusion through AI integration in higher tertiary institutions: A South African perspective
Get PDFThis study explores Artificial Intelligence’s potential in promoting social inclusion in South African tertiary institutions. Despite advancements in expanding access to higher education, historical disparities continue to exclude marginalised groups from accessing equal opportunities in education and human capital development. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a promising avenue to bridge this gap by enhancing accessibility, promoting personalised learning, and streamlining administrative processes. The study adopts a desktop literature review to explore how AI-powered tools can leverage intelligent assistive technologies, personalised learning experiences and automated administrative tasks that reduce bureaucratic barriers to enhance physically challenged students’ accessibility and address their diverse learning styles and needs. Despite the potential benefits of AI tools, challenges such as the digital divide, infrastructure constraints, AI bias, cultural sensitivity, and institutional capacity persist to hinder massive adoption. The study recommends infrastructure development, digital literacy programs, culturally sensitive AI design, and capacity-building initiatives for educators to fully harness AI\u27s potential for social inclusion in higher education institutions. The study contributes new knowledge to the ongoing discourse on AI-driven social inclusion in higher education. It emphasises opportunities and challenges prevalent in South Africa. Hence, the study demonstrates how leveraging AI can foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environmen
Impact of the national health insurance on private healthcare providers in South Africa: disruption or partnership?
Get PDFSouth Africa\u27s National Health Insurance (NHI) initiative represents a profound policy shift aimed at achieving universal health coverage and reducing healthcare disparities. Central to this reform is the creation of a single, publicly funded healthcare system designed to integrate both public and private providers. This paper interrogates whether the NHI will disrupt private healthcare providers or enable synergistic partnerships that enhance national health outcomes. Drawing upon policy documents, legal evaluations, industry submissions, and expert analyses, the article explores the evolving interface between the public and private sectors under the NHI. Core thematic areas include regulatory realignment, financial restructuring, operational integration, legal implications, and collaborative opportunities. The findings reveal a dual trajectory: disruption manifests through constrained revenues, heightened administrative demands, and diminished autonomy, while opportunities emerge in the form of “contracting-in” models and integrated service delivery. The study concludes that the long-term impact of the NHI on private healthcare hinges on the coherence of policy design, the inclusivity of stakeholder engagement, and the resilience of institutional governance. A well-executed partnership framework can preserve the strengths of private healthcare while advancing equitable and efficient national health objectives
The impact of co-parenting on children: how shared parenting affects child development and mental health in Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa
Get PDFThis study explores the impact of coparenting on child development and mental health in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The research aims to examine the relationship between coparenting quality and child development outcomes, with a specific focus on child mental health. A quantitative research design was employed, involving a sample of 150 parents or primary caregivers of children aged 5 to 18 years. The data was collected through questionnaires to assess coparenting dynamics, parenting styles, and child behavioural outcomes. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) cooperative coparenting relationships and positive parenting styles are crucial for promoting healthy child development and mental health outcomes, (ii) conflict in coparenting relationships is a significant concern, with a substantial proportion of participants reporting moderate to high conflict levels, and (iii) the coping mechanisms employed by parents and caregivers, such as talking to the child and encouraging physical activity, are effective in supporting child well-being. The study\u27s findings have significant implications for practice and policy, emphasizing the importance of promoting healthy coparenting relationships, positive parenting styles, and effective coping mechanisms to support child development and mental health
Artificial Intelligence adoption in South African SMEs: Challenges, Opportunities and gaps in research.
No full textThe adoption of digital technologies has gained momentum across both large and small organizations. This trend has been facilitated by the need for innovative and sustainable production. Compared to larger organizations, the adoption of digital technologies in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been relatively low in developing countries, and South Africa is not an exception. Previous research reveals the slow adoption of AI in South African SMEs. Thus, this study reviews existing literature to explore the challenges to the adoption of AI in South African SMEs. Findings reveal that organizational, technological and environmental factors can present opportunities or challenges to the adoption of AI in South African SMEs lending support to the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) model. Inadequate digital infrastructure, inadequate technical skills, financial constraints and resistance to change are identified as key obstacles to the adoption of AI in South African SMEs. The study recommends that SMEs strengthen their organizational and technological factors including employees’ technical competencies, top management commitment, digital infrastructure, financial resources and innovative culture to enhance AI adoption. Furthermore, government interventions in areas of digital infrastructure, digital skills development and innovation funding can promote AI adoption in South African SMEs. Nevertheless, future research should include rural SMEs and SMEs in diverse sectors such as retail, agriculture, healthcare, logistics and e-commerce to gain nuanced insights AI adoption in South African SMEs across diverse sectors
Determinants of the primary impediments to SME performance in the South African business environment
Get PDFThis study examines the most significant challenges facing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, drawing on firm-level data from the 2022 World Bank Enterprise Survey. Using probit regression analysis, it explores how firm size, sector, geographic location, and female ownership influence the severity of perceived business constraints—namely, access to finance, infrastructure, regulation, workforce skills, crime, and the informal sector. The results indicate that sectoral differences are the strongest predictors of obstacle severity. Due to their capital and logistics needs, sectors such as Fabricated Metal Products, Construction, and Retail face heightened financial and transport challenges. Regionally, firms outside Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape report more severe infrastructure issues, particularly electricity, while those within these provinces face greater skills shortages. Medium-sized firms generally report fewer constraints than smaller firms. Female ownership is not a consistent determinant of obstacle severity; however, firms without female ownership perceive corruption and crime as slightly less severe. These findings underscore the need for targeted, sector- and region-specific policy responses, particularly in enhancing financial access for capital-intensive industries and addressing regional disparities in infrastructure and workforce development
Lived experiences of a science faculty business partner in an academic institution: implications for practice and lessons learnt
Get PDFHRBPs play a crucial strategic role in academic institutions by bridging faculty autonomy, collegial governance, and HR policy. HRBPs in academia handle conflicting demands from deans, department heads, and unions while fostering organisational transformation. Exclusive HRBPs\u27 academic experiences are understudied despite increased recognition of their value. This study examines how HRBPs develop trust, enforce policies, exercise emotional resilience, and mediate conflicts to create customised HR practices that improve academic HRBP effectiveness. This qualitative multi-case study used purposive sampling to examine HRBPs\u27 perspectives in scientific faculties at six South African HEIs. Data were obtained via personalised open-ende
Digital globalisation and educational inequalities access, infrastructure, and pedagogy in marginalised regions
Get PDFThis study conducts a thorough analysis of contemporary literature (2020–2025) regarding the impact of digital globalisation on educational inequality in South Africa\u27s marginalised regions, focussing on the interrelated aspects of access, infrastructure, and pedagogy. This systematic literature review synthesises evidence from worldwide and South African contexts to demonstrate how enduring inequities in broadband access, affordability, and institutional capability hinder fair participation in digital learning. Rural provinces like Limpopo and Eastern Cape continue to be disproportionately impacted by inadequate connectivity, elevated data expenses, and insufficient teacher digital knowledge. The results reveal three primary themes: (1) physical and socio-economic obstacles to access, (2) infrastructural and institutional limitations, and (3) educational deficiencies stemming from culturally insensitive digital design. The paper presents a three-dimensional equity paradigm that integrates these domains to inform inclusive digital education policy. It advocates for infrastructure expansion, ongoing affordability initiatives, comprehensive digital literacy training, and legislative frameworks that incorporate equity criteria to guarantee that digital globalisation fosters change rather than exclusion within South Africa\u27s educational system