International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293)
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Investigating the impact of digital transformation in the public sector: A case study of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), South Africa
Get PDFThis study intends to assess the impact of digital transformation on public sector service delivery, concentrating on the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in South Africa. The report examines critical obstacles obstructing the effective execution of digital transformation programs, including as antiquated infrastructure, procurement inefficiencies, and opposition to change. It also analyses the advantages of agile approaches in improving flexibility, responsiveness, and collaboration in digital projects. We utilised a qualitative study methodology, conducting semi-structured interviews with SITA personnel and analysing pertinent organisational documents. The dataset comprised interviews with personnel from several departments, together with performance and service delivery reports spanning from 2015 to 2022. The study\u27s principal findings indicate that (i) agile methodologies markedly enhance the adaptability and efficiency of digital transformation initiatives; (ii) robust data governance and sharing practices promote transparency and accountability, albeit encountering obstacles such as data silos and inconsistent quality; and (iii) addressing challenges such as digital hesitancy and leadership deficiencies is crucial for cultivating a culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement. The study ultimately offers strategic recommendations for tackling these difficulties and improving digital transformation initiatives inside SITA.
Impact of township economic revitalisation programme on entrepreneurship development and innovation in Gauteng, South Africa
Get PDFThe Township Innovation Hub was established by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development to promote economic development and competitiveness in Gauteng by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. However, upon adopting the Gauteng Township Economic Revitalization Strategy in 2014, the services offered by TIH were expected to be disbursed in different townships to support small businesses involved with innovation; hence, the eKasiLabs were established. As a result, eKasiLabs have been promoting entrepreneurship in different townships through various programs. This study, therefore, assesses the socio-economic impact of the eKasiLabs programs in Gauteng. To achieve this objective, a mixture of qualitative (key informant interviews) and quantitative (propensity score matching (PSM) and textual analysis) approaches were adopted. The analysis shows that the eKasiLabs programme has significantly improved entrepreneurial development and innovation among the beneficiaries in the township despite notable challenges. The impacts of the improved growth could thus be observed in business growth, innovation, productivity improvement, and job creation
Exploring the digital capabilities and workforce skills required for a private utility to operate in society 5.0
Get PDFThe paper explored the digital capabilities required by the private utility environment to participate and remain competitive in Society 5.0. The development of a digital infrastructure for power utilities within a smart society, utilizing renewable energy and integrating traditional and renewable sources, presents challenges in identifying the specific skills required for effective operation within Society 5.0. While technologies like virtual power plants, smart grids, and microgrids offer potential for enhanced energy management, there is a significant gap in understanding the workforce capabilities needed to support, maintain, and sustain these advanced systems. Therefore, a thorough assessment of the proposed technological structures and requisite skills is essential to ensure successful implementation and operation in this evolving energy landscape. It investigated the type of skills would the workforce require for a private utility to support a super-smart society. A non-probability sampling strategy was utilised to access the entire interest set. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were performed, with the participants featuring a private utility company’s management, administrative, and technical staff. All interviews conducted were recorded after obtaining consent from the participants. Probing questions were asked until the participants supplied the information needed to address the study questions. The findings and the implications are that management and technical staff responsible for managing and coordinating the activities of utilities (water and electricity) and the technical staff responsible for the implementation and maintenance of energy solutions, in a private utility company were interviewed to establish and ascertain their digital capabilities and preparedness for the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions (Society 5.0)
ISS corporate governance risk profiling: Testing the caretaker persona
Get PDFControlling corporate governance decision-making RISK is one of the prime safeguarding directives in the PCAOB’s requirement that the financials of Market Trading Firms [MTFs] are reasonably free from material error and thus are reliable indications of the results of operations. In this Corporate Governance Risk [CGR] context, it is important to understand the Interacting- & Integrated-Systemic Components of CGR and how they have evolved over time. We examine these aspects from Circa 1985 to date. We argue that the Driving Control System is: The Firm’s decision-making system of Internal Control over Financial Reporting [ICoFR] that impacts the Nature of CGR—to wit, Increasing CGRisk results as management experiences Increasing difficulties in maintaining adequate ICoFR. We examine the historical development of these systemic components and how they have spawned an Economic Sector of Firms that Rate & Score MTFs on the nature of their CGR profile, one currently predominate aspect of which is: The Nature of the MTF’s Caretaker Persona. With this as context, we present a duel-effect inferential design that examines the reliability of the Bloomberg™ Market Navigation Platform’s Institutional Shareholder Services™ [ISS]-Profiler as an information-link to be used in selecting MTFs to create CGR-sensitive Investment Portfolios. Our inferential results suggest for the MTFs in the ISS-Groups [{1: Lowest CGR} & {5: Mid-Level CGR} & {10: Highest CGR]}, it is likely that: (i) The decisions made by all involved in Management’s System of ICoFR, in its current COSO-version, are reflective of these MTF’s Caretaker Personas, (ii) The effects of these Caretaker Personas are analytically perceptible as reflected in the MTF’s Financials, and (iii) are aligned with the expected Nature of the ISS-Groups
Transformation of the Satya Adhi Wicaksana Doctrine: A contemporary study of building the integrity of law enforcement officers in the Attorney General\u27s office of the Republic of Indonesia
Get PDFThis study aims to determine and examine the transformation of the Satya Adhi Wicaksana teachings (Loyalty based on honesty, both towards God Almighty, oneself and family and towards fellow human beings) to build the integrity of Adhyaksa personnel (prosecutors and administrative staff) at the Attorney General\u27s Office of the Republic of Indonesia. The research method used is normative legal research with a qualitative descriptive analysis approach and primary and secondary data processing. The findings of this study are that the transformation of the Satya Adhi Wicaksana teachings is a very important guideline for every Adhyaksa personnel and aims to build the integrity of law enforcement officers at the Attorney General\u27s Office of the Republic of Indonesia. Then the transformation of the Satya Adhi Wicaksana teachings which are associated with the Pancasila philosophy, is very relevant for higher legal education in Indonesia to produce law graduates who have integrity, competence and professionalism so that they can apply laws and regulations in Indonesia by the principles of the implementation of the state\u27s law enforcement function. Furthermore, the transformation of the Satya Adhi Wicaksana doctrine is expected to foster public trust in prosecutors, increase the consistency and fairness of prosecution actions, and provide a basis for holding prosecutors accountable. Thus, this research is expected to provide a contribution of thought for the government, especially the Attorney General\u27s Office of the Republic of Indonesia based on the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and the Pancasila philosophy
Utilisation of M-government in Matjhabeng local municipality: a necessity for effective public participation
Get PDFSince the first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa in 2020, public participation in municipalities took a knock as COVID-19 regulations prohibited large crowds from gathering. Because the Matjhabeng local municipality\u27s valuation roll was about to be renewed, this became a major point of contention. As a result, this article investigated how Matjhabeng local municipality conducted public participation to comply with the law during the pandemic. The study is primarily quantitative, but qualitative aspects are also included. According to the findings, the municipality failed to use other platforms to ensure that no one was left behind while drafting the rates policy. As a result, it is suggested that the use of m-government in Matjhabeng local municipality is necessary for public participation during COVID-19 and beyond
The worth of corporate social responsibility in SME growth to large corporate size
Get PDFThis study investigated the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It examined the extent to which SMEs can engage in CSR to achieve larger sizes. A purposive study selected three large corporates that started as SMEs and grew to become large corporates through CSR. Interviews with managers leading CSR in these corporates revealed that CSR can be a key driver of growth, leading to larger sizes. The study concludes that CSR can be effectively used by SMEs to enhance their growth, potentially even to multinational enterprise levels. Recommendations include training employees in CSR knowledge, integrating CSR into business operations, prioritizing CSR initiatives, exposing management to CSR, and incorporating CSR into the mission for strategic status
Maximizing productivity, harnessing the power of portable gadgets for SMTE business communication in Eastern Cape peri-urban areas
Get PDFThis study examines attitudes towards the use of portable devices for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption in Small and Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) in peri-urban areas of the South African Eastern Cape province. A comprehensive examination of portable gadgets in business ICT and their impact on SMTEs in Eastern Cape peri-urban areas was performed using a non-probability purposive sampling technique to select eight SMTEs, with a quantitative methodology approach adopted, using a structured questionnaire for an in-depth interview. Data captured from structured interview sessions were deductively coded with the aid of software (NVivo version 12), with the transcribed interview data divided into different meaningful codes in this process; developed based on the difference, similarities, and meanings that emerged. The findings suggest a positive attitude towards portable digital device and technology use in SMTEs in the tourism sector in Eastern Cape peri-urban areas. Smartphones were found to play a crucial role as essential business tools, particularly favored in rural settings, while laptops were indicated as valued for their portability, serving as indispensable tools for daily business activities, while tablets hold less significance. The results highlight participant reliance on smartphones for business operations as critical, since these devices streamline numerous tasks, improve convenience, and enable seamless connectivity while mobile. The use of tablets in the tourism and hospitality sectors appears to be limited. The finding’s additionally indicated participants are heavily reliant on laptops for routine business activities, due to their portability and convenience. Desktop computers were, furthermore, found to primarily be used as backup systems, indicating a diverse, portable ICT gadget usage pattern among participants
Design Thinking Approach on development of digital application: a case study of FMCG company’s product compliance
Get PDFPopulation growth and changes in consumer demographics over time require fast moving consumer goods or FMCG company that produce consumer goods to keep innovating. Food market was forecasted to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 85.1 million U.S Dollars while beauty and personal care segment projected to reach 10.89 billion U.S Dollars revenue by 2028. Product innovations that are carried out have to conform to regulatory provisions while also meet the required efficacy, quality and safety of the product. The process of fulfilling product compliance can be improved by utilizing technology through digital application. Creation of a digital application have to consider the usability aspect of the user. Design thinking is a method that has been widely used to create a product with human-centered approach and prioritizing the user aspect. Digital application created using a design thinking approach will be easy to use and improve the product compliance process so that companies can have competitive edge compared to competitors. This research is qualitative research that uses study case with design thinking approach. The data was collected by interview method and supplemented by observation method. Informant was five employees that involved in fulfillment of product compliance. Design thinking in this research includes 5 phases, namely empathize, define, ideation, prototype, test. These phases help map problems and formulate ideas to be made into functions or features. Based on the results of the analysis and exploration of ideas, a medium fidelity prototype application was produced which has 4 main menus integrated with 1 technical documentation system. The resulting prototype was tested using the system usability scale and obtained a score of 73.9 and usability rating of 26.6 out of 40 with both grade B-. Further research is expected in refining the prototype and further evaluation on the impact toward product compliance’s business process
Sociological perspective on migration in South Africa
Get PDFThis paper examines the socio-economic dimensions of population migration, emphasising its role as a vital social process within the broader societal framework. Employing a structural-functional approach, the study highlights how migration is shaped by and contributes to societal structures, norms, and cultural dynamics. Migration is influenced by socio-structural and cultural factors, reflecting the interconnectedness of institutions and societal conditions. For instance, urban industrial societies, characterised by institutional and structural compatibility, encourage rapid spatial mobility and long-distance migration. Conversely, traditional rural agrarian societies favour limited mobility and slower migration rates. Drawing on Durkheim’s theory of social evolution, the paper underscores migration’s transformative impact on society. It facilitates the transition from segmented, mechanically organised societies to complex, interdependent ones with advanced divisions of labour. This evolution signifies migration’s role as a driver of societal progress and adaptation. Secondary data analysis reveals that socio-cultural considerations, including family circumstances, are as influential as economic factors in migration decisions. The paper argues for government initiatives that promote social cohesion and regional integration to enable equitable migration opportunities. Such policies are essential for harnessing migration’s potential as a tool for societal advancement. By addressing the interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors, the study provides a nuanced understanding of migration as a dynamic and socially conditioned phenomenon. This research contributes to the discourse on population mobility by linking structural-functional theory with contemporary migration dynamics and policy implications