International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293)
Not a member yet
466 research outputs found
Sort by
Progress made towards achieving National Development Plan in post COVID-19 era
Full text linkThis paper seeks to evaluate the progress that has been made towards achieving the NDP in post COVID-19 era. By bringing South Africans together, unleashing their energies, developing an inclusive economy, and strengthening the state\u27s and leaders\u27 capacity to collaborate on solving complex issues, the National Development Plan (NDP) aims to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. The Plan\u27s strategy centers on citizens taking an active role in their own development, a strong leadership across society that collaborates to solve issues, and a capable and developing state that can step in to address historical injustices. The Plan tackles the need to improve the state\u27s capacity to grow more quickly, attract more workers, and boost living standards for everyone, especially the poor, as well as to improve the people\u27s capacity to live the lifestyles they want. The COVID-19 epidemic has severely damaged an already damaged economy, which has impacted the NDP 2030\u27s implementation. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed in this study\u27s mixed research technique. The mixed approach was chosen because it may be blended in a way that preserves the original procedures and structures of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Purposive sampling, a kind of non-probability sampling, was employed to obtain a suitable sample to accomplish the study\u27s goal. Questionnaires and interviews were the two methods of data collecting that the researcher employed. The International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 28.0 computer program was used to perform statistical analysis on the data gathered from the questionnaires. The results were displayed using graphical tabular form, frequencies, and percentages. The data collected through interviews were analysed through thematic analysis and presented in narrative form
Competition dynamics among foreign and local businesses in Chris Hani District Municipality: the role of product diversification and pricing strategies
Full text linkThe overarching aim of this study is to shed light on the effects of the competitive dynamics between local and international enterprises in townships and rural regions of the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM), Eastern Cape province, South Africa. To achieve this aim, our study compares the effects of these selected strategies between local and foreign businesses owned by local and foreign traders in townships and rural areas in the CHDM. We employed a quantitative research approach using questionnaires to gather data. In the complete model, the indirect effect of product diversification (PD) on competition dynamics (CD) through pricing strategy (PS) is minimal and non-significant. Similarly, for foreign businesses and local businesses, the mediation effect remains negligible. These findings suggest that while PD influences CD directly in some contexts, PS does not play a significant intermediary role. Overall, the results highlight the direct impact of PD on CD, particularly for foreign businesses. The mediating role of PS is negligible, and the importance of diversification for competition differs significantly between foreign and local businesses. These findings suggest the need for tailored diversification strategies based on the business context to enhance competitive positionin
Factors contributing to body image dissatisfaction among female students at the University of Venda, Limpopo province
Full text linkNumerous female students at universities are apprehensive about their physiques. Perception of body image has emerged as a global public health concern. This research examined the elements leading to body image dissatisfaction among female students at the University of Venda. The research was qualitative and utilised an exploratory design. A sample of 10 female students from the University of Venda was selected using the convenience sampling method. A pre-tested, semi-structured interview guide facilitated data collection, while thematic content analysis was employed to examine the gathered data. The study\u27s findings indicated that body comparison, societal beauty standards, social media, and body shaming by family and friends were the primary factors contributing to students\u27 dissatisfaction with their body image. The findings indicated that students with body image dissatisfaction encountered obstacles such as a lack of self-confidence, tension, avoidance, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Acceptance of body image, self-care, and a nutritious diet were recognised as coping mechanisms to address the issues associated with student body image dissatisfaction. In conclusion, students ought to be urged to seek timely professional assistance to address their body image issues and prevent a deterioration in their everyday functioning.
Exploring business process outsourcing services and activities for sustainable competitive advantage in the emerging markets: a case of mobile telecom operators
Full text linkAs globalization continues to reshape the business landscape, the use of Business process outsourcing services and activities is gaining significant popularity among businesses. The exact services and activities that benefits and create a sustainable competitive advantage to organizations remain underexplored and few studies have been conducted in the Southern Africa developing countries including South African mobile operators. The main purpose of this study was to redress the existing knowledge gap by ascertaining the actual services and activities that the mobile telecom operators are outsourcing for sustainable competitive advantage. A structured closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect raw data from 210 employees. Overall, the results indicate that some of the key services and activities outsourced for sustainable competitive advantage included building and managing network infrastructure, network roll-out and management, manufacturing of mobile network equipment, monitoring the mobile network on capacity overload and breakdowns and assembly operations, maintenance of the base stations of mobile network, manufacturing of hard software components and resolving software problems and fleet management. The practical implications of the findings, assist organizational management in making informed and structured decisions through the identification of critical activities and services that contribute to the attainment of a sustainable competitive advantage and performance improvement of the mobile telecom operators
Evaluation of generative artificial intelligence (GENAI) as a transformative technology for effective and efficient governance, political knowledge, electoral, and democratic processes
Full text linkThe incorporation of generative artificial intelligence in governance, political knowledge, electoral, and democratic processes is essential as the world transitions to a digital paradigm. Numerous nations have adopted Generative AI (GenAI), a disruptive technology that compels electoral bodies to advocate for the integration of such tools into governance, electoral, and democratic processes. Nevertheless, these technologies do not ensure effortless integration or efficient usage owing to intricate socio-cultural and human dynamics. Certain African jurisdictions are ill-prepared for the adoption of these technologies due to factors including underdevelopment, insufficient electrical supply, lack of technology literacy, reluctance to change, and the goals of governing parties. This study examines generative artificial intelligence as a disruptive technology for enhancing governance, political knowledge, electoral processes, and democracy. A mixed-method approach was employed, incorporating surveys and in-person interviews. The analysis of data, debates, and interpretation of findings were grounded in postdigital theory and theme analysis employing an abductive reasoning technique, in alignment with the tenets of critical realism. The study demonstrated that GENAI can influence political knowledge, election processes, and enhance efficiency in government and democracy. Moreover, GENAI, including ChatGPT, can either exacerbate or mitigate societal tendencies that contribute to human division, facilitate the dissemination of misinformation, perpetuate echo chambers, and undermine social and political trust, as well as polarise disparate groups or sets of viewpoints or beliefs. AI offers substantial opportunities but also poses many obstacles, including technical constraints, ethical dilemmas, and social ramifications. The swift progression of AI may disrupt labour markets by automating tasks conventionally executed by people, resulting in job displacement. Implementing AI necessitates significant upskilling and proficiency with digital tools; therefore, governments and organisations must adequately train their personnel to reconcile the disparity between AI\u27s capabilities and users\u27 comprehension. Additionally, there is a requisite for governmental oversight, regulation, and monitoring of AI adoption and utilisation across all facets of its implementation
Decolonization and the legacy of currency: the case of France’s former colonies
Full text linkThis article critically examines the legacy of the CFA franc system, a colonial-era monetary arrangement that continues to shape the economic landscape of 14 countries in West and Central Africa. Framed within the discourse of decolonization and economic sovereignty, the paper explores the historical origins, institutional design, and enduring consequences of the CFA franc. While the currency system provides nominal stability, it restricts fiscal and monetary autonomy, reinforces dependency on France, and inhibits regional integration and industrial development. Drawing on theoretical and empirical literature, policy reports, and civil society commentary, the paper evaluates the political economy of monetary reform, including the proposed Eco currency. It emphasizes the need for structural transformation, regional cooperation, and democratic governance in reimagining African monetary futures. The analysis concludes by emphasizing that genuine economic liberation requires dismantling financial instruments rooted in colonial logic and replacing them with systems that reflect African priorities, agency, and development goal
Microfinance and women\u27s entrepreneurship In South African townships
Full text linkIn emerging economies, women entrepreneurs play a critical role in job creation and social and economic progress, particularly in townships. However, the specific context of women\u27s township entrepreneurship has mainly been overlooked in South African research, which remains fragmented and lacks cohesive insights. This study explores the role of microfinance in fostering women\u27s township entrepreneurship within a South African context. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that microfinance institutions hold a vital position in the economic advancement of women, resulting in elevated female participation in business activities and ultimately fostering their overall empowerment. The investigation focused on women entrepreneurs within the marginalised township of Mdantsane, located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Using a qualitative approach, the study involved in-depth interviews with 15 women entrepreneurs selected through purposive sampling. The data was analysed using thematic analysis, revealing five key themes: empowerment through financial independence, building entrepreneurial skills and networks, increased business volume and turnover, overcoming socioeconomic barriers, and reduction in gender inequalities. The findings suggest that an intervention mapping approach is crucial for policymakers to design tailored microfinance programs for women entrepreneurs in township economies. This approach involves a systematic process that begins with a thorough assessment of the specific financial needs and challenges faced by women in these communities, followed by the development of targeted interventions that address those needs
Stakeholder disharmony as lens to examine the failure of the political economy of Zimbabwe syllabus reform agenda
Full text linkThe unsuccessful reform of the Political Economy of Zimbabwe (PEZ) syllabus is frequently attributed to the political disputes related to the secondary school curriculum that emerged shortly after independence in the 1980s in Zimbabwe. Such explanations are often incomplete and simplistic, failing to address the critical issues surrounding the symbiotic relationship among stakeholders in education, which are essential for the implementation of reform ideas in classrooms. This paper adopts stakeholder disharmony as a lens to examine and explain the apparent failure of the PEZ curriculum reforms in Zimbabwe. The current research indicates that the failure of the PEZ syllabus can be attributed, in part, to the political contestations surrounding its genealogy, design, and attempted implementation; however, the significant impact of stakeholder disharmony must not be overlooked. Data were gathered via document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key informants from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and an official overseeing education in the Catholic Church. The data were utilised to ascertain the causes of the failure and/or stillbirth of the PEZ reform process in Zimbabwe. This account indicates that stakeholder disharmony may be a critical factor in understanding the failure of the PEZ syllabus in Zimbabwe. This paper concludes that, despite numerous reasons proposed to explain the failure of curriculum reforms, the discussions remain incomplete without addressing the role of key stakeholders\u27 inability to find common ground, which has resulted in a detrimental turf war
Meritocracy vs cadre deployment in the global South: an integrative review
Full text linkThis integrative review examines the persistent governance challenge between meritocracy and cadre deployment within public administration in the Global South. Meritocracy focuses on the selection and advancement of individuals based on their qualifications, skills, and performance, while cadre deployment pertains to politically motivated appointments within the civil service, often rationalized in post-liberation or dominant-party environments. The review integrates empirical research, policy analyses, and comparative case studies to evaluate the effects of these competing approaches on state capacity, public service delivery, institutional integrity, and governance outcomes. The findings suggest that meritocratic systems, as demonstrated by countries such as Botswana and Rwanda, are positively correlated with administrative efficiency, professional ethics, and developmental progress. Conversely, cadre deployment, prevalent in contexts like South Africa and Zimbabwe, is typically associated with diminished institutional autonomy, corruption, and state capture. Grounded in the Developmental State Theory, this review highlights the significance of capable, independent, and professional bureaucracies for sustainable development. The study concludes that incorporating meritocratic principles into governance frameworks is vital for fostering long-term institutional resilience and public trust in the Global South
Psychological factors and parenting in shaping adolescent cyberbullying behavior on social media
Full text linkThe rapid advancement of technology has changed the world\u27s civilization rapidly and provided many benefits to humans in various activities. Every individual, from children to adults will adapt to technology because daily life is very interchangeable to the use of technology, especially the internet to access social media, watch movies to find the latest news that spreads quickly. This study aims to identify the influence of Empathy, Self-Control and Parenting Style on adolescent Cyberbullying Behavior on Instagram social media. This study uses a quantitative method with a sampling technique, namely purposive sampling involving as many as 104 adolescent Instagram users as respondents. The instrument in this study is in the form of a questionnaire that is distributed through Google Form. The data of this study was tested using SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) software. The results of this study show that Empathy has a positive and significant influence on Cyberbullying behavior.Self-Control has a negative but not significant influence on Cyberbullying behavior. Parenting has a positive but also insignificant influence on Cyberbullying behavior. The results of this study indicate that the empathy factor is more dominant in influencing adolescent cyberbullying behavior when compared to self-control and parenting style