International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293)
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The impact of COVID-19 on remuneration structures of South African JSE-listed transportation companies
Full text linkThis study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on executive remuneration structures within South African transportation companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, while also examining shifts in the intangible components of remuneration offered to employees. Employing a predominantly quantitative research design, the study analyses remuneration data to evaluate structural changes post-pandemic. Additionally, a qualitative analysis was conducted on corporate disclosures to assess the evolving nature of intangible remuneration elements. The findings reveal a notable shift in remuneration composition, with a greater proportion of executive compensation attributed to variable elements such as bonuses and short-term incentives, accompanied by a relative decline in base salaries. Moreover, companies demonstrated increased sensitivity to employee well-being, adopting flexible work arrangements and prioritising health and safety. These outcomes suggest that the pandemic catalysed both structural and philosophical changes in remuneration practices. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering a sector-specific analysis of how global disruptions can reshape compensation frameworks, thereby informing future corporate governance and human resource strategies
A comparative analysis of the absolute risk-adjusted performance of South Africa’s SRI funds before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Full text linkSocially Responsible Investing (SRI) is an investment strategy developed to minimize the negative socio-economic and environmental impacts of each financial investment. Inconsistent results are presented during the analysis of the absolute risk-adjusted returns of SRI funds in comparison to conventional funds, and this negatively impacts investor awareness on adopting SRI funds as a viable substitute to conventional funds during economic crises. This research paper aims to improve SRI in South Africa by increasing the awareness of investors on viable investment substitutes, considering the amendments made to regulation 28 of the Pension Fund Act of 1956. These regulatory changes have made provisions to include principles of SRI into South African retirement fund investments and will increase the demand for SRI products in South Africa. The research objective is to provide empirical evidence on the absolute risk-adjusted performance of SRI funds relative to the performance of a matched set of conventional funds, before and during an economic crisis. The results are obtained by comparing the Sharpe ratio and Coefficient of Variation (CV) of each SRI fund to each matched conventional fund. The comparative analysis using the Sharpe ratio reveals that more sampled SRI funds (60%) outperform the sampled matched conventional funds (40%) before the COVID-19 pandemic. More Sample SRI funds (70%) outperform the sampled matched conventional funds (30%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. On an absolute RA basis, using the CV to compare SRI fund performance to conventional fund performance, the sampled SRI funds (50%) and the sampled matched conventional funds (50%) equally outperform one another before the COVID-19 pandemic however, more sampled SRI funds (60%) outperform the sampled matched conventional funds (40%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that SRI funds can match and outperform conventional funds both before and during an economic crisis period and should be considered as a viable investment substitute
The implications of integration of cultural diversity facets in higher education
Full text linkThe purpose of this paper to discuss the impacts of diversity in the educational setting, it seems necessary ?rst to de?ne some key terms, including culture and cultural diversity. The paper purely theoretical, therefore, information will solicited through literature review to present arguments. Teaching culturally diverse classrooms starts from embracing beliefs that recognise the strengths of cultural diversity. Beliefs are seen as individual cognitive conceptions in constant relation to behaviour and the external environment. Bidirectional relationships exist between personal beliefs, behaviour, and the external environment, but their influence and reciprocal effects vary for different activities and under different circumstances. Diversity has become an increasingly important part of lecturers’ lives beyond school, and even within the classroom it can also help increase their understanding of complex issues of diversity students are confronted with. Similar all social behaviour, teaching and learning is shaped through acculturation and different cultural backgrounds. Most people expect a learning and teaching environment that they are used to from their own educational experience as a student. Teaching in intercultural educational environments should be sensitive to different cultural styles of learning and teaching. This sensitivity is essential, regardless of the subject, whether it is a universal scientific phenomena or not. Paper argues that although cultural groups share commonalties in perspectives, behaviours, and ways of being in the world, they are rarely homogenous. The paper concludes that inclusion of diversity especially when dealing with different cultures is important because it helps with systematic and organized process of applying which strategies and theories to improve the quality of education
Qualitative analysis of motivation on employee efficiency and productivity: insight from a selected FMCG organisation in South Africa
Full text linkOrganisations are experiencing significant transformations that necessitate modern strategies to maintain pace. Motivation has emerged as an essential element of the workplace for organisational success. Motivated employees are often more effective and productive in achieving corporate goals and objectives; nonetheless, this concept continues to pose a challenge for contemporary businesses. The research investigated the impact of motivation on staff efficiency and production inside a specific Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company in South Africa. Data were gathered through interviews utilising a non-probability quota sampling method from a sample of 11 people in a qualitative study. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data, facilitating the identification of patterns and the development of themes. The findings indicate that (i) the motivational strategies predominantly employed by the FMCG organisation pertain to the workplace environment, remuneration, well-being, and professional development; (ii) elements such as training and development, sense of belonging, equity and fairness, and career advancement significantly impact the efficiency and productivity of the study participants, with training and development being the most essential. Despite the beneficial effects of motivation, apprehensions arose regarding diverse training requirements and team management. The report advocates for a requirements assessment to identify and address skill deficiencies, prioritise good team management, cultivate a culture of continuous learning, and improve employee engagement through a sense of belonging, equity, justice, and career advancement. These proposals synchronise motivational tactics with organisational objectives, hence enhancing staff productivity and competitive edge. This study provides valuable insights into improving staff efficiency and productivity through motivation in the dynamic FMCG sector in South Africa, with extensive implications for managerial practices and employee engagement
Salient underlying determinants contributing to the endemic prevalence of feminized poverty in Limpopo province, South Africa
Full text linkPoverty remains a pervasive global challenge, disproportionately affecting women, with profound implications for their well-being and that of their families. The aim of the study was critically examining the underlying factors contributing to the high incidence of poverty among women in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The primary concern of this study is the alarming prevalence of poverty among women in Limpopo, a situation that has far-reaching consequences for both individual lives and broader societal structures. By exploring the social, economic, and cultural dimensions that perpetuate poverty, this study seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on poverty and gender inequality in South Africa. Through a qualitative research approach, the study identified key factors that exacerbate women\u27s vulnerability to poverty, including gender-based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, and social exclusion. The sample for this study consisted of five women selected to explore the phenomenon of feminized poverty. The sampling procedure used in this research was based on a non-probability sampling technique, specifically purposive sampling. purposive sampling was used to select five women who had experiences of feminized poverty, understood as the disproportionate representation of women among the poor due to gendered social, economic, and political factors. The data was collected using Semi-structured interviews to get firsthand experience from women. The collected data was analyzed thematically. The researcher went through the data, coding the text, and classifying the codes into more general themes that correspond to the research objectives. The study\u27s findings demonstrated that social isolation and restricted access to basic services exacerbate this vulnerability. The study also found that because women are routinely excluded from social support that might enable them to become economically independent or break free from poverty, this kind of exclusion perpetuates cycles of poverty. The findings offered valuable insights for policymakers to create sustainable strategies that support gender equality and alleviate poverty in the region
Perceptions of artificial intelligence on the future of employees\u27 job security in Africa: secondary data analysis
Full text linkIn the rapidly evolving digital era, introducing AI has become a pivotal factor across all organisational levels. However, the global proliferation of artificial intelligence has sparked immediate apprehension among the currently employed and those seeking employment. As we navigate the societal transformations of the twenty-first century, the dynamic interplay between AI and job security has risen as a crucial area of investigation within Human Resources Management research. This investigation delves into the global perceptions of artificial intelligence on the future of employees\u27 job security in the workplace, a question of paramount importance in the current landscape. This study is a systematic review, with the data comprising previously published research articles, reports, and studies collected and analysed to gain comprehensive insights. The systematic literature review was conducted in five steps: developing explicit questions for critique, collecting and categorising data, evaluating, summarising evidence, and discussing. The process necessitated retrieving data from various databases, including Scopus, Sabinet, Science Direct and Elicit. The research adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, a widely accepted framework for conducting systematic reviews, to ensure methodological rigour and transparency in the research process. The findings offer mixed perceptions of artificial intelligence on future employees\u27 job security in Africa. The study provides themes in relation to how employees in the African affiliation view the integration of AI in the workplace: Future uncertainties, Role of AI in HR Practices, Employee well-being, training and development, Positive attitudes towards AI and job opportunities. The investigation highlighted AI challenges and opportunities in Africa, making sense of why employees do not trust the introduction of AI, as it is perceived as a threat to their jobs. It offers valuable guidelines for decision-makers in Africa to ensure that AI is utilised legally and ethically and that steps are in place to mitigate employment losses
Multivariate Granger causality between financial markets: Evidence from US, Europe, Asia and Emerging market
Full text linkFinancial markets are a system of complex price dynamics that are often influenced by various nonlinear factors. Traditional linear models often do not capture the inherent nonlinearities that exist between them. The aim of this study was to examine the interconnectedness of global financial markets using a multivariate Granger causality framework, focusing the United States, Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. Daily closing share prices spanning 13 years were utilised (January 2010 to December 2023) to analyze the shock transmission dynamics. The findings revealed unidirectional causality from the U.S. to European, Japanese, and Emerging markets, underscoring its dominant role in global financial networks. Conversely, European and Asian markets exhibit no reverse causality on the United States, highlighting asymmetrical interdependence. Notably, China’s Shanghai Composite Granger-causes Emerging market returns, reflecting its rising influence. These insights challenge conventional models that underestimate multilateral linkages, demonstrating that financial integration has intensified bidirectional interactions between Emerging markets and developed markets. By implication, investors should reassess exposure to dominant markets like the U.S. and China’s growing sway over Emerging economies while policymakers should prioritize cross-border spillover monitoring and systemic risk frameworks to address asymmetrical dependencies. Also, institutions must adopt nonlinear models to better capture shock transmission and evolving interdependencies, enhancing resilience against contagion
The intertemporal relationship between downside risks and expected stock returns: Evidence from time-varying transition probability models
Full text linkThe increasing inter relationship between financial markets have led to the discovery of new risk dynamics particularly when considering downside risk. Recent advances in econometric modelling have prompted the search for new insights into the intertemporal dynamics between downside risks and expected stock returns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate this relationship in the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, the DAX, the Nikkei 225, and the TSX Composite, covering the period from January 2000 to December 2023. Using a time-varying transition probability model, the findings revealed consistent negative correlations between downside risk measures and expected returns across all markets, with CVaR exhibiting stronger inverse relationships compared to VaR. These findings challenge the classical risk-return trade-off but align with behavioural explanations where heightened risk aversion during downturns suppresses returns. The regime-switching analysis further uncovers asymmetry in transition probabilities where high-risk regimes persist with a 74% probability, while low-risk regimes show greater stability. By implication, this study provides empirical support for regulatory frameworks prioritizing tail risk mitigation, particularly in volatile markets
Examining the impact of corporate social responsibility of Small and Medium Enterprise owners on community upliftment in the eThekwini municipality
Full text linkThis study was undertaken with the purpose of investigating the impact of corporate social responsibility of small and medium enterprise owners on community upliftment in the eThekwini Municipality. The study sought to reinforce understanding of CSR and its economic, social and environment impact on communities by small and medium enterprises. This study`s target population was 5000 registered SMEs, with a sample of 250 determined through random sampling method and the questionnaire used to collect data. Data collected was analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and cross-tabulation analyses as well as several multivariate statistical techniques to assist in answering key research questions of this study. Validity for this study was ensured through face and content techniques to ensure that items being presented in the questionnaire were clear and that measures included a representative set of items that measure concepts being addressed. The findings revealed the SMs were aware of the impact of corporate social responsibility on community upliftment and that the relationship between community involvement and community upliftment exist to some extent. This study recommended that SMEs be empowered with issues relating to CSR and these issues be implemented in other municipalities in Kwazulu-Natal. The findings of this study are envisaged to assist SMEs to better understand CSR activities and to successfully implement them in communities
Gauteng’s Infrastructure Sustainability Development: Smart Initiatives
Full text linkGauteng, South Africa\u27s preeminent economic hub, confronts the imperative of achieving sustainable infrastructure development amidst rapid urbanization. The strategic integration of smart initiatives is crucial for fostering economic growth, environmental resilience, and societal well-being. This paper presents a critical review of Gauteng\u27s infrastructure sustainability efforts through smart initiatives, employing a conceptual model that delineates Infrastructure Sustainability Development (ISD) as the dependent variable. Four independent variables—Smart Energy Systems, Smart Transportation, Smart Water Management, and Smart Urban Planning—are examined, each further defined by five sub-variables to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of their impact. This analysis evaluates the efficacy of provincial smart infrastructure initiatives, including the flagship Lanseria Smart City project, in promoting sustainability and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study draws upon relevant theoretical frameworks, including Sustainable Development Theory, Systems Theory, Innovation Diffusion Theory, and the Smart Cities Framework, to provide a robust analytical foundation. The findings highlight achievements, challenges, and prospects, culminating in policy implications and recommendations for enhancing sustainable infrastructure development in Gauteng