Research Articles (Business Management)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/2508

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 398

The adoption puzzle : investigating the supply side determinants of blockchain technology adoption for entrepreneurial financing
Kuhlengisa, Mclntosh Mufunani; Eresia-Eke, Chukuakadibia E. (LPPM of Narotama University Surabaya, 2025-03-31)
PURPOSE : Access to financing is vital for the growth of entrepreneurial firms in emerging economies like South Africa. Technological innovations such as blockchain can reduce transaction costs and disrupt traditional models, offering benefits like reliability, trust, security, and efficiency. However, adoption barriers persist, including infrastructure limitations and the emerging nature of the technology. METHODOLOGY : This study employs a quantitative approach to investigate factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology among employees of entrepreneurial financing firms through an online survey. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling and Artificial Neural Network Analysis (PLS-SEM ANN). FINDINGS : the findings indicate that facilitating conditions, social influence, anxiety, and attitude significantly impact the behavioral intention to adopt blockchain, while effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and self-efficacy do not. The study recommends creating supportive environments, leveraging social networks, addressing anxiety, and fostering positive attitudes toward blockchain. It suggests investing in infrastructure, increasing awareness of blockchain benefits, improving communication to alleviate anxieties, and showcasing success stories to enhance adoption. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This paper is original
Analyzing entrepreneurial identity and capabilities as determinants for business sustainability in the dance Industry
Bornman, Dawid Alwyn Jacobus; James, Augustina Geertruida (Routledge, 2026)
This study explores how entrepreneurial identity and capabilities contribute to the adoption of innovative business practices in the contemporary dance industry, which has faced challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative research interviews with fourteen dance professionals—company owners, studio owners, freelancers, and educators—provided insights into their entrepreneurial behaviors. The research identified five key themes: (1) entrepreneurial identity, (2) capabilities, (3) networks, (4) support structures, and (5) innovation. The pandemic forced dance businesses to find alternative revenue streams, which highlighted a lack of business skills and training as a shortcoming and the need for industry-specific entrepreneurial training programs. As academic research related to the dance industry as a creative business is almost nonexistent in a South African context, this study offers new insights into the industry and reveals that the pandemic pushed dance businesses to operate in new ways of doing business.
Psychological capital and firms' performance during crises : the role of entrepreneurial ecosystem quality
Kansheba, Jonathan Mukiza; Marobhe, Mutaju Isaack; Fubah, Clavis Nwehfor; Bhat, Mohd Abass (Emerald, 2026-06-02)
PURPOSE : The study integrates the conservation of resources (COR) and social embeddedness theories to explain how psychological capital (Psy-Cap) and entrepreneurial ecosystem quality (EEQ) affect the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during turbulence periods. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : The study employes the structural equation modeling on a dataset of 364 Tanzanian SMEs to test both direct effects of Psy-Cap dimensions on firms' performance and the moderating effects of EEQ. FINDINGS : The study finds that self-efficacy, resilience and hope significantly enhance SMEs' performance during crises, whereas optimism negatively affects performance during prolonged turbulence. Furthermore, while EEQ significantly strengthens the positive effects of self-efficacy and resilience on performance but does not significantly moderate the relationships involving hope and optimism. The results highlight the nuanced role of psychological capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem quality in shaping firms' outcomes during turbulent times. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This research contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by integrating psychological capital and the entrepreneurial ecosystem perspectives in a crisis context. It offers novel insights from a developing-country setting, thereby addressing the empirical gap in non-Western economies. Uniquely, the study reveals that excessive optimism may hinder firms' performance, challenging conventional assumptions. It also underscores the critical role of ecosystem quality in enhancing psychological resource utility for SME sustainability during crises.
A novel hybrid decomposition-based wind speed prediction model : application to Lahore, Pakistan
Noor, Malaika; Nazir, Hafiza Mamona; Qureshi, Moiz; Iftikhar, Hasnain; Rodrigues, Paulo Canas; Hashem, Atef F. (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2026-04-29)
Accurate modeling of Wind Speed (WS) data is essential in renewable energy, optimization of agriculture, and disaster risk reduction. However, in the presence of nonlinearity, non-stationarity, and noise in WS, the prediction becomes less efficient. A hybrid framework that combines denoising and decomposition has been developed using WS data from Lahore from 1986 to 2016. Four single-stage preprocessing techniques, namely Moving Average (MA), Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), Wavelet Transform (WAV), and Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), and a dual-stage denoising pipeline involving Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) and Empirical Wavelet Transform (EWT) were considered. To model the denoised WS data, statistical models, i.e., Autoregressive Moving Average (ARIMA), machine learning models, including Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM); and deep learning models, namely Long Short Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), and Convolutional Neural Network-LSTM (CNN-LSTM) have been implemented. Furthermore, the data were split 80-20 to assess the performance of the proposed models. Different evaluation metrics, i.e., Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Bias Error (MBE), and Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), as well as the Taylor diagram and error prediction box plot, have been used to compare the performance of the proposed methodology. Results confirmed that a simple model, such as ARIMA, with all preprocessing methods, is not suitable for WS prediction. However, SSA along with LSTM (complex model) achieved the best accuracy with least MAE and NSE i.e. 0.0627 and 0.9947 respectively. The application of a dual-stage VMD-EWT somewhat improved the performance of the weaker preprocessing methods, but it did not outperform single-stage denoising methods. Single-stage SSA, when combined with deep learning, yields the most reliable WS predictions, whereas dual-stage denoising improves stability and performance under weaker preprocessing methods.
Advanced data analysis with gretl
Yalta, A. Talha; Cottrell, Allin; Rodrigues, Paulo Canas (Springer, 2026-05)
The continuing growth of computationally intensive methods has made software an increasingly central component of empirical research in economics, econometrics, and statistics. In this context, the quality of scientific software matters not only in terms of numerical capability, but also in terms of transparency, accessibility, and reproducibility. These considerations are especially important in econometrics, where implementation details can materially affect empirical results and where broad access to reliable tools remains essential for both research and teaching.
Hierarchical structure of the entrepreneurial career competency instrument : evidence from frequentist and Bayesian bifactor structural equation modelling
Schaap, Pieter; Botha, Melodi (MDPI, 2026-04-08)
Robust measurement of entrepreneurial competencies (ECs) is crucial for entrepreneurship education, yet their internal structure remains theoretically contested and empirically underexamined. This study examined whether the four-factor Entrepreneurial Career Competency Instrument (ECCI) exhibits a hierarchical (bifactor) structure among South African entrepreneurs. Using two non-probability samples (N = 1305; N = 280), we analysed competing models, including a bifactor exploratory structural equation model (ESEM). The selected 56-item bifactor ESEM solution was examined for conceptual replicability in the smaller sample using Bayesian structural equation modelling (BSEM) with informative priors and sensitivity analyses to address small-sample uncertainty. Our findings revealed a theoretically supported hierarchical structure with a strong general factor and distinct specific factors: entrepreneurial career mindset, innovativeness, motivation, and implementation, enhancing the interpretation of scores. This study guides ECCI usage by suggesting total scores for broad assessments and domain scores for diagnostic feedback. Methodologically, the findings demonstrate that combining frequentist and Bayesian approaches across samples strengthened structural validity and provided insights into evaluating imprecise responses to self-report measures and addressing sampling constraints. Overall, this work contributes a robust structural model of the ECCI and enriches the EC literature, serving as a framework for refining, testing and applying attribute-based EC measures in diverse contexts.
Supply chain risk mitigation strategies for small, medium and large firms : lessons learned during COVID-19
Nel, Jacobus Daniel (AOSIS, 2025-10-16)
ORIENTATION : Many firms were not prepared for the disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. RESEARCH PURPOSE : The study determines how small, medium and large firms successfully responded to the pandemic. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : There are lessons to be learned on how different sized firms successfully implemented risk mitigation strategies in response to the pandemic. These lessons can be used to manage future disruptions. RESEARCH DESIG, APPROACH AND METHOD : The study used quantitative research using an online survey instrument. The respondents were employed in different sized firms in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic and were all experienced in and knowledgeable on their firms’ supply chains. The research used analysis of variance procedures to compare the means of 230 small, medium and large firms across different research focus areas. MAIN FINDINGS : Small, medium and large firms successfully mitigated supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic by increasing flexibility, agility, collaboration, visibility and adaptability across their supply chains. As a strategy, redundancy was preferred by larger firms. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : The findings identified increased flexibility, agility, collaboration, visibility and adaptability within different sized firms and across their supply chains as strategies to improve resilience and prepare for future disruptions. On redundancy, smaller firms used a low-diversification risk mitigation strategy, while larger firms implemented a high-diversification strategy, illustrating that both strategies can work. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD : The lessons learned from the identified supply chain risk mitigation strategies can motivate firms to prepare better for future disruptions.
Exploring the critical incident technique to inform distress causality and sensemaking
Jombe, Melody Kuziwa; Pretorius, Marius (AOSIS, 2025-05-09)
ORIENTATION : Before a business in distress can be turned around, it requires the accurate identification of the distress causality. Recognition and sensemaking of distress remains a significant factor to inform actions. RESEARCH PURPOSE : This study investigated and explored the application of the critical incident technique (CIT) to inform venture distress causality for sensemaking. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : Often decision makers are faced with causal ambiguity and rationalism when attributing distress causality. Critical incident technique method has been extensively applied in health sciences as a diagnostic decision-making process to investigate causality. This study applied CIT method as a diagnostic tool to inform causality and origin of business venture distress. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD : A qualitative study was conducted with a total of 25 participants who included business rescue practitioners (BRPs), creditors and managers. The data were collected through both semi-structured interviews and a card sorting activity. Thematic analysis indicated the core incidents. MAIN FINDINGS : The application of CIT method in causal attribution revealed a range of causes, distress origin and severity indicators of distressed ventures and the force that impels and propels management to act when faced with distress situations. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : Understanding distress causality and its associated origin is the first step for a successful turnaround. Management always faces challenges, critical incidents and crises that they fail to understand. Critical incident technique method may assist decision making. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADDS : The study introduces CIT method to venture distress context, offering valuable insights into how decision makers can successfully attribute distress causality.
A multi-stage decomposition and hybrid statistical framework for time series forecasting
Abbasi, Swera Zeb; Abdelwahab, Mahmoud M.; Hussain, Imam; Qureshi, Moiz; Rind, Moeeba; Rodrigues, Paulo Canas; Hussain, Ijaz; Abdelkawy, Mohamed A. (MDPI, 2026-04)
Modeling and forecasting nonstationary and nonlinear economic time series remain fundamentally challenging due to structural breaks, volatility clustering, and noise contamination that distort the intrinsic stochastic structure. To address these limitations, this study proposes a novel three-stage hybrid statistical framework that systematically integrates multi-level signal decomposition with structured parametric modeling to enhance predictive accuracy. The proposed hybrid architectures—EMD–EEMD–ARIMA, EMD–EEMD–GMDH, and EMD–EEMD–ETS—employ a hierarchical decomposition–reconstruction strategy before forecasting. In the first stage, Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) decomposes the observed series into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and a residual component. In the second stage, Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) is applied to further refine the extracted components, mitigating mode mixing and improving signal separability. In the final stage, each reconstructed component is modeled using ARIMA, Exponential Smoothing State Space (ETS), and Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) frameworks, and the individual forecasts are aggregated to obtain the final prediction. Empirical evaluation based on a recursive one-step-ahead forecasting scheme demonstrates consistent numerical improvements across all standard accuracy measures. In particular, the proposed EMD–EEMD–ARIMA model achieves the lowest forecasting error, reducing the root-mean-square error (RMSE) by approximately 6–7% relative to the best-performing single-stage model and by about 3–4% relative to the two-stage EMD-based hybrids. Similar improvements are observed in mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), indicating enhanced stability and robustness of the three-stage architecture. The results provide strong numerical evidence that multi-level decomposition combined with structured statistical modeling yields superior predictive performance for complex nonlinear and nonstationary time series. The proposed framework offers a mathematically coherent, computationally tractable, and systematically structured hybrid modeling strategy that effectively integrates noise-assisted decomposition with parametric and data-driven forecasting techniques.
Strategic considerations for digitalising humanitarian supply chains for resilience : a bibliometric analysis
Kruger, Sean; Schutte, Carla (Cambridge University Press, 2026-03)
The frequency and severity of disasters are increasing, and promoting the adoption of digital technologies could enhance the agility, reach, and resilience of humanitarian supply chains. Global patterns of digital innovation in humanitarian supply chains are examined through a systematic quantitative literature review and bibliometric analysis of 4,780 Scopus-indexed documents (2015–2025). Combined with targeted qualitative syntheses, co-word analysis, co-citation mapping, and bibliographic coupling, the analysis reveals digitalisation as an expanding technology-led field, dominated by response-phase applications. Dominant clusters centre on: artificial intelligence-driven forecasting, emerging logistics optimisation, last-mile operations, and data analytics platforms. We interpreted these patterns through the Technology–Organisation–Environment model. It is found that digital technologies are necessary and applicable throughout disaster management phases. A conceptual framework reconfigures Technology–Organisation–Environment domains reflecting the context-driven dynamics of humanitarian supply chains, emphasising resilience. Future research should focus on longitudinal, co-designed case and action research into digital adoption, integration challenges, and community-based knowledge in fostering innovation.
Understanding black women opportunity entrepreneurs' networking behavior : navigating intersectionality in South Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem
Pettersen, Inger Beate; Scheepers, Caren Brenda; Botha, Melodi; Moos, Menisha; Moos, Menisha (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : Globally, black women entrepreneurs represent the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, driving significant economic and social impact. This research timely responds to calls aiming for varied research contexts and for investigating women entrepreneurs in non-Western contexts. This study examines networking within South Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) to contextualize theory across diverse cultural and socio-economic settings, thereby deepening understanding of the compounded barriers faced by black women entrepreneurs at the intersection of race and gender. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : A qualitative research design was adopted to explore individual experiences while identifying patterns and connections that can enhance our understanding of black women's networking behavior to navigate the EEs in South Africa. FINDINGS : The study's findings reveal three unique themes which contribute to women's proactive networking behavior, involving cross-gender and cross-race relations. Furthermore, we learn how black women entrepreneurs exploit strategic networking opportunities to grow their tech ventures and navigate intersectionality through resilience of being part of a minority group. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS : EE actors should deliberately introduce allyship programs to enhance black women's position and belonging in various settings through, e.g. mentorship and training programs. Policymakers in other countries could gain key insights from the South African Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) policy, which positively influence women entrepreneurs' position in EEs. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : Our study links the Intersectionality Theory with Social Network Theory. Previous studies considered gender and networking behavior, without referring to the intersection between gender and race and how this intersection might influence networking behavior.
Decoding the brain, respecting the person : a neuroethical inquiry into consent and cognitive liberty in South Africa
Botes , Marietjie; Labuschaigne, Melodie; Casteleyn, Camille; Inkster, Becky; Sheppard, Mark (Springer, 2025-10-09)
As neurotechnologies emerge in South Africa's clinical, research, and consumer health landscapes, existing informed consent models, predominantly shaped by Western individualist ethics, prove insufficient. Neural data, uniquely intimate and increasingly commodified, poses profound ethical and legal risks, including mental privacy violations, behavioural profiling, and cultural alienation. This article interrogates these risks through a neuroethical lens grounded in African relational philosophy, particularly Ubuntu, which emphasises communal personhood, collective decision-making, and spiritual interconnectedness. We analyse the limitations of South African and international legal frameworks, arguing that they neither adequately recognise neural data as a distinct category nor accommodate culturally appropriate consent processes. In response, we propose a pluralistic, relational consent framework that incorporates tiered, dynamic, and interactive mechanisms, sensitive to linguistic, educational, and spiritual diversity. By centring cognitive liberty and advocating for sui generis neurorights protections, this paper contributes a decolonial, culturally situated perspective to global neuroethics and informs more inclusive governance models for neural technologies in legally and socially pluralistic societies.
Assessing selected biographical factors and entrepreneurial willingness of social grant recipients
Masilela, Boitumelo; Van Vuuren, Jurie Jansen; Masenge, Andries (AOSIS, 2026-01)
PURPOSE : This primary aim of this study was to assess the relationship between selected demographic factors (age, gender, education and marital status) and the entrepreneurial willingness of social grant recipients, framed within Human Capital Theory. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Quantitative data was collected in Johannesburg, Tshwane and rural Limpopo from 725 social grant recipients using structured questionnaires in 2021. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse relationships between demographic variables and entrepreneurial willingness. FINDINGS/RESULTS : The findings revealed that education and age were significantly associated with entrepreneurial willingness. Respondents with higher levels of education demonstrated stronger intentions to pursue self-employment, highlighting the importance of education in shaping entrepreneurial behaviour. Younger participants also showed higher entrepreneurial willingness, suggesting the relevance of age-specific interventions. No statistically significant relationships were found between gender or marital status and entrepreneurial willingness. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : Policymakers can enhance entrepreneurial willingness among social grant recipients by strengthening access to entrepreneurship education, tailoring support to different age groups and linking grant programmes to entrepreneurial development pathways. Simplifying access to resources and encouraging experimentation may further promote self-employment and reduce long-term dependence on social grants. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This study contributes empirical evidence on how demographic factors relate to entrepreneurial willingness among South African social grant recipients, offering insights to inform targeted policy and programme design.
Advancing sustainable supply chain management through digitalisation : insights from the South African automotive industry
Kirsten, Megan; Mthethwa, Simelwe; Sitsha, Thuli; Niemann, Wesley (AOSIS, 2025-10-23)
BACKGROUND : Automotive manufacturing organisations are major contributors to carbon emissions, creating social, environmental and economic challenges. Adopting holistic sustainability can provide a competitive advantage. In developing countries like South Africa, digitalisation remains in its early stages, and few studies have explored the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in supporting sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). Many firms continue to rely on traditional supply chain practices because of barriers such as limited infrastructure and skills shortages. OBJECTIVE : The purpose of this generic qualitative study is to explore the role of digitalisation in SSCM in the South African automotive industry. METHOD : A generic qualitative approach was employed using semi-structured interviews with 12 senior managers from automotive organisations. Purposive sampling ensured participants had relevant experience in digitalisation and sustainability. RESULTS : The findings show that digitalisation significantly enhances SSCM by improving operational efficiency, increasing supply chain visibility, reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainability optimisation. Participants acknowledged digital tools as enablers for more proactive and transparent supply chains although adoption is constrained by resource limitations and resistance to change by employees. CONCLUSION : Digitalisation is a key driver for SSCM in the automotive sector, offering pathways to reduce emissions and improve supply chain performance. Overcoming adoption barriers through investment, training and policy support is essential to unlocking its full potential. CONTRIBUTION : This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on digitalisation and SSCM in developing countries. It provides practical insights for managers and policymakers aiming to leverage digital tools to advance sustainability in automotive supply chains.
Network development mechanisms of immigrant entrepreneurs: insights from an emerging economy
Fubah, Clavis Nwehfor; Moos, Menisha (Emerald Publishing Limited, 2025-12)
PURPOSE ; This study aims to explore immigrant entrepreneurs’ (IEs) networks, particularly emphasising how these networks are developed in a host country when operating businesses. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : A qualitative methodology was used, and data were collected from 25 IEs using semi-structured interviews via the purposive sampling method. FINDINGS : The findings indicated that IEs in South Africa (SA) develop their networks using various relationship-based and performance-based mechanisms. This study argued that trust is not (only) a relationship-based mechanism used in establishing networks but a fundamental ingredient for all successful networking mechanisms. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This original paper contributed to immigrant entrepreneurship literature by providing unique insights into the network development mechanisms IEs use in SA. This aspect has not been sufficiently studied in emerging economies.
Collective leadership practices in plural organisations : insights from state-owned entities in South Africa
Ramukumba, Khathutshelo Mike; De Jongh, Derick; O’Neil, Sumari (AOSIS, 2026-02-20)
PURPOSE : This study examined the social construction of collective leadership in plural organisations with South African state-owned entities (SOEs) as its setting. Adopting the social construction lens, this autoethnographic study investigated how affiliation-driven appointments and personal relationships affected leadership practice, team composition and organisational outcomes. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : The study adopted a qualitative approach and analysed collective leadership through multiple datasets collected from reflexive journals, self-interviews and media reports at three SOEs where the researcher occupied executive leadership roles. In-depth semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 11 participants who held senior positions in SOEs. FINDINGS/RESULTS : Thematic analysis revealed that affiliation-driven appointments shaped team dynamics through perceived biases, hostility and rivalries, which influenced collective leadership in SOEs. Furthermore, unresolved tensions undermined collective leadership and accountability and highlighted the interplay of micro-relational dynamics in shaping collective leadership outcomes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : The implications of the study highlights the need for merit-based and transparent appointment process, inclusive team practices and aligned leadership. It emphasises structured onboarding, conflict resolution and clear accountability mechanisms as key to fostering effective, collaborative leadership and improved organisational performance. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The study proposed three emergent strategies to address the challenges of affiliation-driven appointments: (1) strengthening merit-based appointments through transparent criteria and independent oversight, (2) fostering inclusive onboarding and conflict resolution mechanisms to build trust and team cohesion and (3) enhancing shared accountability through clear role definitions, common purpose alignment and rigorous oversight. These strategies aim to leverage collaboration and trust to promote effective collective leadership within SOEs.
The entrepreneurial intention-action gap and psychological capital components : insights from social and commercial entrepreneurs
Malaku, Mapitso; Botha, Melodi (Emerald, 2025-10)
PURPOSE : The entrepreneurial intention-action gap (EIA) is an intricate phenomenon as this study aims to understand why some individuals with entrepreneurial intentions (EI) do not engage in entrepreneurial action (business start-up). This study aims to investigate the psychological capital (PsyCap) components, hope, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience as mediators of the EIA gap. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : In this quantitative study, a sample of 201 South African social and commercial entrepreneurs is surveyed. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms the validity and reliability of the constructs whereafter mediation analysis is conducted using the bias-corrected bootstrapped confidence interval method. FINDINGS : Entrepreneurial action (EA), conventionally measured as a single construct, is investigated from a novel process perspective. Hope is established as a mediator between EI and the predecisional, preactional and actional phases. While resilience mediates the relationship between EI and the predecisional and preactional EA phases. The analysis of a Global South sample did not indicate a mediation effect for optimism and self-efficacy. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS : A conceptual model is developed and tested which may assist in deepening the theoretical discussions regarding the EIA gap and be of interest to scholars aiming to understand the intersection between entrepreneurship and marketing. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : Entrepreneurship training and support programmes can incorporate these PsyCap components and implement marketing strategies to enhance hope and resilience. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The novel role of hope and resilience as mediators between EI and EA is highlighted to assist prospective commercial as well as social entrepreneurs in the transition from EI to EA.
The role of information sharing, swift trust and collaboration during the delivery of food to disaster victims
Schutte, Carla; Nel, Jacobus Daniel; Human, Lara I. (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : This paper aims to explore the role of information sharing, swift trust and collaboration as critical success factors for distributing food parcels in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Generic cross-sectional qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured interviews among South African humanitarian relief organisations (HROs). Interviews focused on exploring the roles of information sharing, swift trust and collaboration between HROs and other stakeholders when distributing food parcels during the COVID-19 pandemic. FINDINGS : The researchers found that HROs identified the disaster victims and determined their needs through a needs assessment. HROs planned their responses respectively. The planning process involved information sharing with other humanitarian supply chain (HSC) stakeholders, whose responses met expectations. This led to swift trust development and stakeholder commitment in the HSC, fostering collaboration that positively impacted food distribution to beneficiaries. In some cases, information sharing did not result in an expected behaviour. In these cases, the nature of information sharing changed, and relationships with the involved HSC stakeholders were not built on trust. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : HROs can improve future disaster preparedness by understanding the role of information sharing, swift trust and collaboration in HSCs and how these factors apply to their relationships with stakeholders. They can build on relationships where trust has been developed, respond better to current disasters and enhance preparedness for future disasters. HROs can also be better prepared to manage relationships with stakeholders where trust is lacking. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : Information sharing, swift trust and collaboration are critical success factors in disaster management. Based on current research, there is very little evidence of the correlation between these factors from an HSC perspective, especially during a disaster like the COVID-19 pandemic. This research addresses this research gap from the context of an emerging country and builds on the commitment-trust theory and existing frameworks that incorporate these factors. The research findings can be used to improve information sharing, trust and collaboration between humanitarian stakeholders to prepare for future disasters.
Exploring the motives and constraints shaping dog owners’ pet tourism intentions for overnight stays
Van der Merwe, Michelle Caroline; Kotze, Theuns G.; Mostert, P.G. (Pierre) (Sage, 2026)
The study examines motives and constraints shaping South African dog owners’ intentions to include their canine companions in overnight leisure travel. Drawing on attachment theory and leisure constraint theory, the conceptual framework distinguishes three predictor categories: bond-related motives (pet attachment, perceived travel benefits for dogs, reciprocity), owner-related motives (socialisation, prestige, novelty), and pet-related constraints (pet-specific, interpersonal, structural barriers). Data were collected from 437 South African dog owners through self-administered online questionnaires. The measurement model was validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and hypothesised relationships were tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). The measurement and structural models demonstrated acceptable fit. Results indicate that dog owners’ pet tourism intentions are positively predicted by pet attachment and novelty and negatively predicted by pet-specific and structural constraints. Novelty emerged as the strongest predictor, indicating that seeking novel dog-inclusive overnight travel experiences outweighs other examined motives and constraints for South African dog owners. Notably, perceived travel benefits for dogs, reciprocity, socialisation, prestige, and interpersonal constraints did not exert significant effects in the South African context. The findings highlight the importance of owner-related motives, particularly novelty-seeking, and emotional bonds (pet attachment) in motivating overnight pet-inclusive travel and emphasise that practical and pet-related barriers (pet-specific and structural constraints) can dampen intentions. For tourism and hospitality providers, addressing motivational and constraint-based factors—particularly through improved pet-friendly amenities and reduced structural obstacles—is crucial for attracting this emerging market. By integrating motivational and constraint perspectives, the research provides a framework for understanding and advancing dog-friendly tourism strategies in South Africa and similar markets.
A public sector reputation management framework for South Africa’s Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Msiya, Mgwebi; De Beer, Estelle (University of the Free State, 2025-12)
Reputation management was synonymous with the private sector until recently when public sector organisations, particularly in Europe and America, adopted the concept. This study's aim is to contribute to the scant body of knowledge on public sector reputation management, specifically in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. The study adopted a qualitative approach to gain an understanding of the public perceptions of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government's reputation. The findings were based on two participant observations and a purposively selected sample of 15 participants who were recruited from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), media institutions, government departments, youth structures, and business organisations. The study utilised semi-structured interviews and participant observations as data collection techniques. The collected data was analysed thematically through categorisation and Leximancer software analysis. The results of the study show that the Eastern Cape Provincial Government lacks the capacity to manage its reputation strategically, resulting in increasingly discontented communities. Furthermore, the findings reveal that the public held negative views of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government's reputation. The Public Sector Reputation Management Framework, which was developed in this study, provides an understanding of how the Eastern Cape Provincial Government's reputation could be strategically and sustainably managed.

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