Research Articles (Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS))

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/51279

The University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) is a leading business school in the heart of Illovo, Johannesburg, close to the Sandton business hub. Academic programmes as well as a wide range of executive courses are availble and can be custom-designed to suit specific company needs.

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Migration, integration and wellbeing of Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs : a typology for theory and practice
Ranabahu, Nadeera; Ng, Poh Yen (Elsevier, 2026-07)
Immigrant entrepreneurs’ wellbeing fluctuates according to their migration stage. Yet, the extant literature focuses on the stresses associated with migration/integration and entrepreneurship, independent of each other. This is problematic for theory and practice. Addressing this gap, we propose a stage-based approach to intercultural wellbeing using the lived experiences of 20 Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in New Zealand. Employing theoretical sampling, we selected immigrant entrepreneurs who had operated their businesses for more than two years and collected data using semi-structured interviews. Following the interpretive analytical approach, we then identified key themes emerging from the interviews, classified them according to the migration stage, and compared similarities and differences of wellbeing experiences between Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. Our findings demonstrate that wellbeing experiences are different during pre-migration, settlement, and integration through business start-up and management stages. The intercultural nuances among immigrants create further economic, social, psychological, and physical wellbeing differences between Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, this study contributes theoretically by developing a wellbeing typology to categorise immigrant entrepreneurs into wellbeing hopefuls, wellbeing replenishers or illbeing realisers, well(ill)being endurers or wellbeing balancers. The migration stage and critical events that they experience shape which analytical category they belong to. This typology contributes by advancing entrepreneurial wellbeing, immigrant entrepreneurship, and migrant integration theories and elaborates on intercultural differences. Aligning with the typology, the study also outlines practical wellbeing management strategies of respite, reappraisal, and recovery that immigrant entrepreneurs could employ.
Beyond convenience : how food delivery apps shape value, loyalty, and well-being in four emerging markets
Osakwe, Christian Nedu; Abbasi, Ghazanfar Ali; Elgammal, Islam M.Y.; Mustafa, Mairna H.M.; Zhani, Najlae (Emerald, 2026-07-08)
PURPOSE : While online food delivery services are expanding worldwide, most prior research has focused on single countries and the pre-purchase stage. This study addresses that gap by examining the drivers of customer-perceived value in food delivery app use, its effects on well-being and loyalty, and the moderating role of consumer pessimism. Drawing on Consumption Value Theory (CVT), the Information Systems Success (ISS) model, and the literature on consumer pessimism, the study offers a holistic, multi-country perspective on the factors that shape customer experiences and behaviours with food delivery apps. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Data were collected through an online survey of current food delivery app users in four Global South countries: Pakistan (n = 261), Morocco (n = 169), Saudi Arabia (n = 283), and Jordan (n = 166). Research hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. FINDINGS : Across the four Global South countries examined, there is evidence that information, service and system quality are key determinants of overall customer-perceived value, which in turn enhances customer well-being and loyalty. The negative effect of consumer pessimism on perceived value is significant in two out of the four countries. Customer well-being consistently predicts loyalty across all countries, underscoring its importance for long-term relationships. However, the moderating role of consumer pessimism on the links between perceived value, well-being, and loyalty is mixed, revealing variation across national contexts. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This study is the first to examine the key drivers and outcomes of customer-perceived value in the online food delivery sector using multi-country data, breaking new ground by combining the ISS model, CVT, and research on consumer pessimism and well-being to deepen understanding of how perceived value is formed and its effects. Altogether, the results illuminate the structural relationships that shape customers' post-purchase experiences and behaviours and offer managers actionable insights to design strategies that build stronger customer value and loyalty across different international markets.
Untangling the complexities of central bank digital currency rejection amongst merchants : a qualitative comparative analytical approach
Osakwe, Christian Nedu; Ogunmokun, Oluwatobi A.; Ramayah, T.; Madichie, Nnamdi O.; Ahiabenu, Kwami (Wiley, 2026)
This study draws on behavioural economic theories, particularly dispositional resistance to change and status quo bias, and extends them by incorporating the relatively overlooked concept of perceived economic risks of non-adoption. Drawing on this integrated framework, it empirically examines the configurations of antecedents that contribute to the rejection of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), it is the first to examine early CBDC rejection with a specific focus on merchants in a pioneering CBDC country. The findings highlight five distinct conditions influencing CBDC rejection. Crucially, even when merchants perceive high economic risks from non-adoption and express dissatisfaction with existing fintech solutions, rejection persists if routine-seeking behaviours, emotional resistance to change, and a short-term focus are present. These results demonstrate that resistance to innovation often stems from entrenched behavioural and psychological factors, rather than purely rational considerations. By identifying the diverse pathways leading to CBDC rejection, this study offers policymakers critical insights into the complex interplay of resistance factors. It provides a foundation for designing targeted interventions aimed at mitigating merchant resistance and fostering broader adoption of digital currencies.
Key predictors of government-backed fintech uptake : cross-country evidence
Osakwe, Christian Nedu; Ahiabenu, Kwami; Mazambani, Last; Addae, John Agyekum; Ramayah, T.; Adeola, Ogechi (Routledge, 2026-07)
This study examines the key predictors of public acceptance of central bank digital currency (CBDC) using survey data from two countries at different stages of CBDC implementation. Building on Innovation Diffusion Theory, we extend the model with two context-specific constructs, perceived stability and convertibility, and integrate these extensions with trust theory to capture institutional and product-related influences. The dependent variable, CBDC use intentions, is modeled to reflect both peer-to-peer and merchant payment use cases. Results show that not all extended diffusion attributes predict use intentions consistently across contexts. Trust factors, specifically institutional mistrust and trust in the CBDC, exert the strongest and most consistent effects on use intentions. Cross-country differences in the relative importance of predictors underscore the need for context-sensitive policy responses and offer guidance for central banks and future research.
A structured literature review of carbon assurance from a microfoundations perspective
Nyika, Dorothy; Mamabolo, Anastacia (Emerald, 2026-12-14)
PURPOSE : Systematic reviews on sustainability and climate assurance-related constructs have focused on the macro and meso levels, overlooking the role of individuals in carbon assurance as well as the underlying mechanisms supporting its activities. This paper reviews the literature on carbon assurance, employing a microfoundations research framework to examine interactions among the macro, meso (organizational) and micro (individual) levels of analysis. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : The literature review covered a sample of 67 peer-reviewed articles (qualitative, quantitative and conceptual) on carbon assurance, published between 2007 and 2025. FINDINGS : First, the macro and meso drivers of carbon assurance have been researched, but little attention has been given to how they interact with individual-level factors. Second, the collective contributions (behaviors and actions) of individuals to carbon assurance outcomes at the organizational and macro levels are poorly understood. Third, the role of formal institutions has been thoroughly researched, but that of informal institutions has largely been overlooked. The latter is a significant gap as informal institutions shape individuals’ behaviors and actions, especially when formal institutions are weak. Lastly, the microfoundations perspective provides insights into how the multiple levels of analysis are interrelated. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The review expands the literature on carbon accounting and climate-related assurance by focusing on the underexplored topic of carbon assurance. Furthermore, it adopts a microfoundations perspective to provide practitioners with a more balanced appreciation of the emerging field of carbon assurance. The microfoundations research approach can be applied to other types of assurance, thus promoting multilevel theorizing. The review findings were consolidated into a holistic future research framework that extends the scope of research on carbon assurance.
Women as catalysts of enterprise development in Africa: exploring afrobeats and amapiano through Bandura’s role model theory and Mama’s femocracy
Madichie, Nnamdi O.; Mathibe, Motshedisi Sina; Dangazele, Nobulali (Routledge, 2026)
This study interrogates the intersection of women’s empowerment and enterprise development within Africa’s creative economy, with specific reference to the Afrobeats and Amapiano music industries. These genres, historically dominated by male participation and leadership, are increasingly shaped by female artists who function simultaneously as cultural producers, entrepreneurs, and agents of socio-economic transformation. Employing Bandura’s Role Model Theory, the paper examines how female artists embody aspirational figures whose visibility and success foster emulative pathways for emerging creatives and entrepreneurs. In parallel, Amina Mama’s theorization of femocracy is mobilized to critique and contextualize women’s collective agency in negotiating patriarchal constraints and asserting authority in cultural and economic domains. By situating these dynamics within the broader discourse of enterprise development in Africa, the paper argues that women’s participation in Afrobeats and Amapiano constitutes a critical site for reimagining entrepreneurial narratives, advancing gender equity, and contributing to the diversification of Africa’s economic futures. Drawing from documentary analysis, media coverage, music content, artist statements, personal interactions with audiences attuned to the genres, our analysis foregrounds the creative industries not only as cultural expressions but also as strategic arenas of enterprise, innovation, and continental development.
Skill bricolage among millennial entrepreneurs in post-Soviet Eurasia
Lichy, Jessica; Szabo-Szentgroti, Gabor; Doargajudhur, Melina; Vershinina, Natalia (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : This study explores how millennial entrepreneurs in post-Soviet Eurasia acquire entrepreneurial skills in response to institutional voids, cultural constraints and generational influences. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Based on qualitative data from 64 focus group participants and 20 follow-up interviews across Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Russia, the research uses a bricolage lens to examine how entrepreneurs construct context-sensitive skills. FINDINGS : The study reveals a distinction between opportunistic bricolage in EU-integrated contexts and compensatory bricolage in state-centric environments. Millennial entrepreneurs creatively combine generational orientations and digital dexterity with locally embedded relational practices to respond to institutional voids and regulatory opacity. These adaptive processes yield a context-sensitive skill set that transforms institutional constraints into strategic capabilities. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The study's primary contribution is the development of a conceptual model that categorises the outputs of skill bricolage into an E-D-I (Essential, Desirable, Instrumental) typology. This framework advances research on institutional entrepreneurship and generational theory by illustrating how the mechanism of bricolage enables adaptive skill acquisition in post-transitional economies.
Evaluating the correlation between sustainable project management and project success : the impact of organizational culture
Antwi Afari, Emmanuel Nyamekye; Acquah, Innocent Senyo Kwasi; Issau, Kassimu; Antwi Afari, Acheampong (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : The importance of construction projects cannot be overstated because they lay the groundwork for the remaining aspects of the economy to thrive; however, a lot of projects are unsuccessful therefore affecting the sustainability of businesses, firms, environment and society. Subsequently, sustainable project management (SPM) has emerged as the new school of thought to enhance the rate of project success (PS). Hence, this research aims to assess the impact of SPM on PS and the moderating influence of organizational culture (OC). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Using Ghana as the study context and a survey strategy with self-administered questionnaires, data were collected from 641 construction firms. Partial least squares structural equation modeling tool was utilized to analyze the measurement and structural model. FINDINGS : The outcomes point out that SPM has a substantial and positive influence on PS, while OC negatively and significantly moderates the nexus. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The research adds to the body of existing literature while also providing critical insights into the emerging trends of SPM and PS. Furthermore, it adds to practice by supporting decision-makers, construction experts and policymakers in planning and carrying out public-sector projects.
Mining in emerging markets : community relations and the social license to operate
Nelson, Roy; Grosse, Robert; Ault, Josh; Valencia, Bert; Wocke, Albert (Springer Nature, 2026)
Local communities have become increasingly influential in determining the operating conditions of multinational mining firms, particularly in emerging markets where formal governance is uneven. To understand how firms navigate these challenges, we draw on the social license to operate (SLO) concept to examine how SLO strategies shape company–community relations and how firms design and sustain SLOs under institutional complexity. Using comparative case studies of three large mines in Botswana, Indonesia, and Peru, we find that deeper, participatory SLO strategies substantially reduce conflict. However, these outcomes depend on contextual factors: state capability, government part ownership of the mine, and the size and ethnic composition of the surrounding community. Mines embedded in high-capability states, with partial government ownership and smaller, more homogeneous communities, demonstrate more durable SLOs. Our analysis also shows that SLOs and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are distinct ideas. While CSR builds broad reputational legitimacy, only SLOs directly reduce community-level conflict through sustained local engagement. These findings contribute to international business research by highlighting the contextual conditions under which SLO strategies are most effective and by clarifying how firms secure legitimacy in institutionally complex settings.
Job insecurity at thrive : Yaya’s stay-or-leave decision
Magwegwe, Frank K. (Emerald, 2026)
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY : The case was developed using primary data derived from Yaya’s first-hand account of his experience with job insecurity, providing an authentic narrative of the events described. To protect confidentiality, the names of individuals and the organization, as well as certain demographic details, have been anonymized. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria. CASE OVERVIEW/SYNOPSIS : This case examines the dual issues of job insecurity and decision-making under financial pressure through the perspective of Yaya, a young project engineer at Thrive, a Johannesburg based provider of warehouse automation solutions. Thrive, founded in 2015 by Peter (Chief Executive Officer) and Mary (Chief Operating Officer), had grown to approximately 50 employees and built a reputation for innovation and employee loyalty. However, following the loss of a major client, the company posted an unprecedented financial loss in 2022. The founders disagreed on how to respond: Mary advocated for restructuring and transparent communication with employees, while Peter resisted, fearing that disclosure would create unnecessary job insecurity. Starting in January 2023, Thrive paid employees’ salaries late, and in later months only paid them partially, yet no formal communication was issued beyond intermittent assurances of “temporary cash flow problems.” For Yaya, who had previously experienced retrenchment, these developments triggered significant anxiety about his job security, financial stability and eroded his self-efficacy. As the months progressed and salary disruptions continued, his savings dwindled and the emotional strain intensified. By May 2023, Yaya faced a critical decision: remain at Thrive while searching for alternative employment and hope that the company recovered or resign to look for another job full time. After consulting his “personal board of directors”, that is, his mother, girlfriend, brother and mentor, he chose to resign. To his surprise, Thuli refused to accept his resignation immediately and granted him three days to reconsider, believing he had a promising future at the company. COMPLEXITY ACADEMIC LEVEL : This case study is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate courses in organizational behavior (e.g. job insecurity and decision-making), human resource management (e.g. psychological contracts and employee wellbeing) and leadership (e.g. organizational communication, culture, decision-making and people management during organizational crises). It can also be taught using different modalities, that is, in-seat, hybrid and online. The case was classroom-tested in an executive education leadership program at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Elite contestation in South Africa, 2006-2018 : the making and unmaking of a power elite
Chipkin, Ivor; Vidojevic, Jelena (Routledge, 2025)
This article argues that the major cause of political protests in South Africa is elite contestation in the African National Congress (ANC). Elite contestation rocketed from around 2006 to 2013 and then, strangely, stabilised until 2018. This period of stabilisation coincided with the period of Jacob Zuma’s presidency associated with state capture, that is, from around 2013. We suggest that former president Zuma managed to establish an internal compact in the ANC through violence, intimidation and, primarily, patronage. Cyril Ramaphosa was unable to maintain this compact, which is why protest activity soared after 2018, reaching insurrectionary proportions in 2021 and now, with the formation of the MK Party, this compact breaks up altogether. We conclude by suggesting that as elite contestation becomes more polycentric, some of it is likely to leave the political scene altogether, mutating into organised crime.
Applying branding principles to attain educational outcomes in higher education
Berndt, Adele; Pantelic, Darko (Springer, 2025-12)
Given the ubiquitous nature of branding in society, it is unsurprising that it has become an integral part of the HEIs, at the university, programme (course) and level of the individual educator or teacher. For products and services, branding can create interest and other positive outcomes. Similarly, using branding principles can enable an educator to facilitate and stimulate student engagement in the educational process. Therefore, our study aims to explore how educators can use branding principles to create a positive learning environment and positively contribute to educational outcomes. This qualitative study was conducted through interviews among all levels of educators identified through course evaluations as being effective teachers in a Swedish business school. Data analysis allowed for the identification of theoretical and emergent codes. We found that these educators apply branding principles to facilitate student interest, engagement and satisfaction. The steps in the strategic branding management process are used by educators initially identifying their values which are used in developing their classroom presentation activities. Evaluation and feedback from the audience is used to build long term brand equity to the benefit of the educator and the student. This study suggests how educators can use branding in the classroom, also providing additional research in this area.
Modelling the nexus between sustainable project management and project success : evidence from Ghana
Antwi Afari, Emmanuel Nyamekye; Acquah, Innocent Senyo Kwasi; Issau, Kassimu; Arko-Folson, George (Emerald, 2026-06-09)
PURPOSE : Firms in the highly competitive construction sector face many difficulties when managing different projects. A firm’s competitive edge is greatly enhanced by efficient, effective project management; therefore, adopting and implementing sustainable project management is fundamental to overcoming challenges and increasing the rate of project success. Hence, this paper aims to examine the influence of sustainable project management on project success. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Using Ghana as the study context and a survey strategy with structured questionnaires, data were collected from 641 construction firms. The partial least squares structural equation modelling tool was used to analyse the measurement and structural model. FINDINGS : The outcomes suggest that sustainable project management substantially and positively influence PS. The resource-based view theorist argues SPM as one of the primary variables of PS, implying that adopting and implementing SPM capabilities might permit firms to obtain competitive edge by successfully completing projects. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The present investigation significantly extends the existing literature while also offering a crucial perspective on the emerging pattern of SPM and PS. Moreover, it adds to practice by assisting decision-makers, construction professionals and policymakers in organising and implementing public-sector projects.
The invisible workforce : how can organizations leverage immigrant talent?
Lazarova, Mila; Kilic, Cagdas; Fitzsimmons, Stacey (Elsevier, 2025-09)
“Immigrants, we get the job done!” is arguably one of the most recognizable lines from Lin Manuel Miranda’s celebrated musical Hamilton. In the words of its creator, though written as a “throw-away” reference, the line quickly became what got “the most reliable audible ovation every night in the show.” Its powerful resonance is likely a reflection of not only the vital contributions immigrants make, but also the tensions that lurk in the background every time the topic of immigration comes up, with employment ranking as one of the topmost contested immigration issues.
We, herself, and I : using pronoun-poetry in qualitative research to generate original consumer insights
Brown, Jane; Moraes, Caroline; Farquhar, Jillian Dawes (Sage, 2026)
This work develops a vision for purposively using pronoun-poetry in qualitative consumer research. While debates regarding knowledge hierarchies continue, poetic inquiry remains underexplored as a means to advance theorisation in this area. Drawing upon our own research experiences, we discuss how these methods can stimulate new ways of thinking, feeling, analysing, and amplifying consumer voices. We contribute to these conversations by developing pronoun-poetry practice, building on Voice-Centred Relational Method (VCRM) derived I-poems and unpacking a few of the many ways that different pronouns can be combined with other concepts (e.g., emotions) to create new pronoun-emotion variants. We also reinvigorate VCRM through what we term Voice-Centred Relational Poetry, a vision for using pronoun-poetry across all VCRM reading stages. These contributions significantly progress alternative methods through creative experimentation and originality, counterbalancing knowledge hierarchies and generating novel, co-created insights, and modes of representation about consumers’ socio-affective experiences and power struggles in the marketplace.
Finding the sweet spot to change during the digital transformation of a supply chain : Illovo Sugar Malawi
Buddan, Melicia; Moore, Amy Fisher (Emerald, 2026)
LEARNING OUTCOMES : This teaching note was designed to facilitate the education of organisational change in the context of digital transformation (DT). The learning objectives are as follows: students should be able to identify a complex business environment, and the leadership approach suited to this environment; and students will be able to understand, evaluate and apply organisational change in emerging markets and apply the right approach to a digital transformation initiative. CASE OVERVIEW/SYNOPSIS : Illovo Sugar Malawi (ISM) was a subsidiary business of Illovo Sugar Africa (ISA) operating in the sugar industry. ISM operated in a complex business environment within which they produced and soldsugar to local and international markets (Illovo Sugar Africa, 2024). In 2020, Sharon Bodole, the customer service manager at ISM, led a supply chain transformation initiative called the winning outbound logistics organisation (WOLO) where she created a customer centric, efficient and high performing department. In 2023, she was facing a new challenge, the DT of this supply chain. Bodole needed to implement a multitude of digital systems beginning with a transport management system (TMS) in this emerging market (EM) amid novice and resistant stakeholders. The case ends with her questioning if she could apply the same change management techniques that she did with WOLO or if DT warranted a different approach. COMPLEXITY ACADEMIC LEVEL : This study will be useful for middle, senior and executive leaders in both developed and emerging markets who are implementing technological change in complex business environments. It will be beneficial to post graduate and master level students who are pursuing further education in business sciences as well as executives attending tailored programs and short courses. Potential core courses at a master’s level would include leadership, innovation and design, as well as strategic implementation where change management specific to digital transformation needs to be navigated. Similarly, short courses such as business technology enablement and contextual leadership could profit from this teaching instrument. SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL : Teaching notes are available for educators only. SUBJECT CODE : CSS 6: Human Resource Management.
From platform logics to circular-oriented practices : advancing sustainability in agriculture
Pietronudo, Maria Cristina; Schiavone, Francesco; Bernhard, Fabian; Escobar, Octavio (Elsevier, 2026-08)
This paper examines how platform logics - connectivity, sharing, and integration - enable sustainability practices within firms and across value chains. Adopting a meso-level organizational perspective, we investigate how non-native sustainable platforms may activate sustainability practices through their underlying logics rather than explicit sustainability design. Drawing on a theory-informed abductive case study of Agritrack, a digital platform in the agricultural sector, we show that connectivity primarily enables collaborative sustainability initiatives, sharing supports both collaborative and transparency-based monitoring practices, and integration embeds coordinated optimization routines across interconnected actors. We further demonstrate that circular-oriented configurations emerge from the combined activation of these logics, contributing to narrowing resource flows through input optimization and waste reduction, and slowing resources degradation processes. By linking platform logics to observable sustainability and circular-oriented practices, the study advances research and practices on platformization, sustainability, and circular economy transitions. HIGHLIGHTS • This paper examines how platform logics enable sustainability practices within firms and across value chains. • We present abductive case study of Agritrack, a digital platform in the agricultural sector. • The study advances research on platformization, sustainability, and circular economy transitions.
From classroom to agripreneurship: education and psychological traits driving readiness in resource-constrained contexts
Ezeh, Precious Chikezie; Osakwe, Christian Nedu; Ogunmokun, Oluwatobi A.; Ezeuduji, Ikechukwu O. (Emerald, 2026-04-21)
PURPOSE : Addressing food insecurity, youth unemployment, poverty and insecurity remain a pressing priority in most nations. Thus, promoting agripreneurship among young people is increasingly recognized as a viable pathway to tackle these challenges. Thus, this study investigates how and under what conditions entrepreneurial education (EE) and psychological traits – innovativeness, locus of control, need for achievement, risk propensity and tolerance for ambiguity – shape youths’ willingness to pursue agripreneurship in a resource-constrained and fragile context. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : This study adopts a quantitative research design, and 300 final-year students in public secondary schools were sampled. Structural equation modeling was used for analysis. FINDINGS : EE moderates the influence of these traits on agripreneurial readiness of secondary school students. Complementary fuzzy-set analysis reveals that while no single trait or exposure to EE is a necessary condition, various combinations can drive similar outcomes. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This study examined how EE and psychological traits jointly shape agripreneurial readiness among final-year secondary school students preparing to enter the workforce. The findings provide important insights for policymakers seeking to promote youth engagement in agripreneurship, particularly in rural, resource-constrained and fragile contexts.
Modernising public sector supply chain performance : technological modernisation as a mediator between 4IR readiness and supply chain practices
Mashele, Faith; Ramathuba, Mulalo Gift (Bussecon International Academy, 2025)
Amid growing calls for efficiency, transparency, and value creation in public sector supply chain management (SCM) performance, this paper aims to investigate the impact of technological modernisation on SCM practices within the context of South Africa's public service operations. Framed by modernisation theory which historically guided structural reforms in developing economies, the study examines whether readiness to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies such as modern digital systems, automation, and data-driven tools enhance effectiveness while influencing SCM practices and performance. Despite its growing prominence in policy discourse, the adoption of 4IR in the public sector context remains uneven and not yet formally established, creating a need for empirical evidence on whether these technologies deliver tangible performance improvements. The research adopts a quantitative research design with primary data were collected via a structured, self-administered online survey from 120 purposively selected SCM officials based in the Gauteng Province, the economic hub of South Africa and the province consisting of the largest concentration of government departments. A linear multiple regression and ANOVA techniques within SPSS was employed to test for statistical significance of the relationships between the research constructs. The results show a significant relationship between technological modernisation and SCM performance, reinforcing the mediating role of digitally modernising business systems and practices that lead to improved efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The study contributes to business research by providing empirical evidence that technological modernisation enhances service delivery outcomes and improves operational efficiency in the public sector.
Students' perspectives on user engagement and disengagement in virtual learning environments (VLEs) in higher education
Lichy, Jessica; Dutot, Vincent; Korbi, Fadia Bahri; Kachour, Maher; Newman, Victor (Sage, 2026)
This article extends previous research into digital user behavior in learning contexts by examining Gen Z, regarding their digital engagement and managing knowledge transfer in virtual learning environments (VLE). The study adds to the literature on the challenges faced by learners in making use of VLE and the implications for managing innovation in the delivery of knowledge transfer. Data collection was undertaken using a mixed-method approach, combining both an online survey of 200 learners and interviews with 12 instructors and 22 learners about their experiences and perceptions of using VLE. The findings show inconsistencies in user experiences including evidence of disruptive behavior among learners and negative user perceptions, rather than perceiving VLE as an enhanced value proposition. Our insights extend the study of using VLE by furthering the understanding of factors that influence learners’ VLE engagement and course satisfaction from their experiences and perceptions of the VLE. Furthermore, we are developing a new model to demonstrate that VLE engagement requires a redesign of the business model for delivering knowledge transfer.

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