https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/19910 2026-08-07T01:26:25Z 2026-08-07T01:26:25Z Nhlapho, Nokulunga https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32785 2026-07-28T10:21:52Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

A management skills and leadership styles framework for increased competitiveness: a case selected ICT-based SMMEs in South Africa Nhlapho, Nokulunga he sustainable competitiveness of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) is critical for economic resilience, yet many fail to achieve consistent growth and innovation due to inadequately targeted leadership and management development. This study examines the management leadership capabilities and skills that drive sustainable competitiveness among SMMEs supplying ICT solutions in South Africa’s Lowveld Nexus, a unifying term describing the interconnected economic activities of Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. The absence of a context specific framework that links leadership and management competencies to the unique competitive demands of ICT based SMMEs within this economically diverse region was the rationale. Grounded in Agile Management Theory, Transformational Leadership Theory, Socio technical Critical Theory, and Ambivalent Technology Stances, the study adopts a qualitative, exploratory approach to examine the lived realities of ICT SMMEs. Twenty-one SMME owners and managers were purposively selected across the three provinces and participated in in depth interviews. The data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six step framework to ensure analytical rigor and transparency. The findings reveal that existing generic leadership and management frameworks are insufficient for the specialized and dynamic ICT SMME context. Transformational leadership emerged as a critical driver of competitiveness, particularly where leaders demonstrated vision, strategic thinking, innovation orientation, and the ability to motivate and empower teams. Beyond leadership style, the study identifies five interdependent pillars that shape competitiveness, namely strategic education and training, relevant operational experience, robust support systems, adaptive leadership capability, and flexible management practices. The study makes a substantive contribution by developing an integrated framework that demonstrates how leadership, management, contextual realities, and technological dynamics interact to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness. This advances existing theory by moving beyond single theory explanations and introducing a multi-dimensional, context sensitive perspective on ICT SMME performance. Practically, the framework provides actionable guidance for policymakers, training institutions, and SMME leaders seeking to strengthen leadership capacity and enhance competitiveness within the South African ICT sector.; Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwakuwukuqonda amakhono okuphatha kanye nobuholi adingekayo ekukhuleni kokuncintisana nokusimeme kumaBhizinisi Amancane, Amaphakathi, Nasebenza ngezinga elincane kakhulu (ama-SMME) ahlinzeka ngezixazululo zoBuchwepheshe Bolwazi noKuxhumana (ICT) e-Lowveld Nexus yaseNingizimu Afrika. Leli yigama elihlanganisayo elichaza ukuxhumana phakathi kweGauteng, Limpopo, kanye neMpumalanga. Kucatshangwa ukuthi kukhona ukushoda kohlaka oluzinikele lokuqonda amakhono okuphatha kanye nobuholi adingekayo ekukhuleni kokuncintisana nokusimeme ku-Lowveld Nexus. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise indlela ngokuchazayo, ngokwenza izingxoxo ezijulile nabahlanganyeli abangama-21, abakhethwa ngobuchule kusetshenziswa amasampula ahlosiwe phakathi kwabanikazi bama-SMME ezifundazweni zonke zaseGauteng, Limpopo, naseMpumalanga. Lolu cwaningo lusekelwe phezu kombono wokuphatha oshesha kakhulu kanye nombono wobuholi benguquko. Imininingwane eqoqiwe yahlaziywa kusetshenziswa indlela yokuhlaziya indikimba edalulwe kuBraun noClarke kuhlonzwe izingqikithi ezibalulekile zokuphatha kanye nekhono lobuholi. Okutholakele kuveze ukuntula okubonakalayo kobuholi obukhona, obujwayelekile kanye nezinhlaka zokuphatha ukuze kubhekwane ngempumelelo nezinselela ezithile kanye namathuba ama-SMME abhekene nawo emkhakheni we-ICT oguquguqukayo. Ucwaningo lwembule izici ezinhlanu ezibalulekile eziyisisekelo ezibalulekile kuma-ICT SMME, okuholela ekuqhudelaneni nasekukhuleni okusimeme endaweni ye-ICT: imfundo nokuqeqeshwa, ulwazi, izinhlelo zokusekela, amakhono obuholi, amakhono okuphatha. Lolu cwaningo lufake isandla ngohlaka lokuphatha ubuchwepheshe kanye nokuqamba izinto ezintsha kanye namakhono obuholi ezisombululo ze-ICT ezihlinzeka ngama-SMME. Ucwaningo luphetha ngokuthi ‘indlela yomhlaba wonke’ yobuholi nokuthuthukiswa kokuphatha ayanele ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukukhula okusimeme kulo mongo. Lolu cwaningo luphakamisa ukuthi abaholi kufanele basebenzise uhlaka lobuholi obuqondene nemboni ethile, olwakhiwa ngalolu cwaningo, lwafanelana nezidingo eziyingqayizivele kanye nezinkimbinkimbi zabahlinzeki bezixazululo ze-SMME ICT, oluchaza ngokusobala futhi luthuthukise iqoqo lamakhono obuholi adingekayo ukuze kuzuzwe ukuncintisana nokukhula okuzinzile.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Mphahlele, Raesetse Prisca https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32782 2026-08-04T10:15:51Z 2026-07-20T00:00:00Z

A strategic model for advancing environmental sustainability and service effectiveness in the automotive supply chain in South Africa Mphahlele, Raesetse Prisca Environmental sustainability has become a key topic of discussion in the global automotive industry, as well as in South Africa. However, the South African automotive industry lacks clear guidelines for implementing environmentally sustainable practices and linking these practices to service performance. The aim of this study was to develop and test a model that facilitates the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices and enhances service effectiveness in the automotive supply chain in selected regions of South Africa. The study was grounded on Institutional Theory (IT) and the Resource-Based Theory (RBT). Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires in a cross-sectional design from 392 supply chain professionals, including waste managers, auto-parts suppliers and technicians across automotive workshops and supply chains in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Free State, achieving a high response rate. The structured online questionnaire was administered through Google Forms. The collected data were tested using a partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) through Smart-PLS 3 and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for data screening (descriptive statistics). Key findings reveal that compliance and certification, as well as optimised inbound logistics, are the primary and significant antecedents driving environmental sustainability (ES) adoption within this sector. Contrary to some expectations, factors such as top management support and technology adoption had no direct, significant impact. Furthermore, achieving environmental sustainability demonstrably enhances multiple dimensions of service effectiveness, including productivity, quality, innovation, and customer relationships. However, environmental sustainability did not have a significant direct effect on supplier relationships. Based on these empirically validated relationships, this study develops and proposes a focused, practical implementation model for the South African automotive supply chain. The model strategically prioritises leveraging regulatory compliance and certification, as well as optimising inbound logistics, as key drivers for achieving environmental sustainability, which subsequently enhances productivity, quality, innovation, and customer engagement. Theoretically, the study's findings contribute to institutional theory by showing that, in weak-enforcement contexts in South Africa, compliance and certification tend to spread because organisations copy what others are doing, rather than being forced to do so. In addition, the study identifies inbound logistics as a strategic capability that generates sustainability outcomes in SME-dominated settings where more capital-intensive capabilities do not. Key recommendations include strengthening government policy support, implementing systematic carbon footprint tracking, integrating sustainability into innovation strategies, and fostering long-term customer partnerships aligned with environmental goals. This study provides a vital roadmap for the industry to translate sustainability commitments into tangible operational performance improvements.

2026-07-20T00:00:00Z Subramoney, Sivakumarie https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32724 2026-08-04T10:35:42Z 0025-12-08T00:00:00Z

A comprehensive framework for big data analytics capabilities and competitive advantage in South Africa Subramoney, Sivakumarie This study examines the contribution of big data analytics capabilities to gaining competitive advantage in South African businesses. The study is underpinned by the resource-based theory and dynamic capabilities theory and develops and tests a conceptual model that positions big data analytics capabilities as a multidimensional construct comprising tangible, human, and intangible resources. The study also examines the mediating role of dynamic and operational capabilities in linking big data analytics capabilities to improve competitive advantage. An exploratory sequential mixed method design was employed. The qualitative phase employed semi-structured interviews with high-level executives from various industries to determine the contextual challenges and success factors for implementing big data analytics in South Africa. The outcomes of this phase guided the application of a survey instrument in the quantitative phase where feedback was collected from 110 business leaders. The results were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that big data analytics capabilities have a significant positive effect on dynamic capabilities, which in turn have a substantial impact on competitive advantage. However, operational capabilities revealed no impact on competitive advantage. The study also highlights context-specific challenges such as skills shortages, infrastructure constraints, organisational readiness, and regulatory requirements impacting the adoption of big data analytics capabilities in South Africa. This research contributes to practice as well as theory by applying big data analytics capabilities literature to a developing market context, confirming dynamic capabilities as a driver of competitive advantage. The research also provides business leaders with practical insights into how to develop and deploy big data analytics capabilities. The study also offers a conceptually rich framework and proposes directions for further study to improve the understanding of big data analytics in dynamic and constrained environments. In addition, the study recommends that South African businesses invest in developing dynamic capabilities, talent, and data-driven cultures, while policymakers prioritise digital infrastructure, funding incentives, and regulatory frameworks to support adoption. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported data, focus on medium-to-large firms, and restriction to the South African context, which limit generalisability but open avenues for longitudinal and cross-sectoral research.

0025-12-08T00:00:00Z Dhlamini, Alfred Siphiwe https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32650 2026-06-22T11:48:54Z 1994-01-01T00:00:00Z

The financing of small businesses in the Greater Soweto Area Dhlamini, Alfred Siphiwe Small business plays an important role in the economies of all countries where the free enterprise system is the accepted economic system. Small business, firstly, accounts for a large proportion of the economic activity, and secondly plays a major role in job creation. According to Sunter (1993a:82), 95 per cent of the jobs being created worldwide are in the small business and informal sectors. However, small businesses mostly find it difficult to raise funds to operate due to a number of problems as indicated by Vos loo (1989d: 1). This study seeks to investigate the financing of small businesses in the Greater Soweto Area with particular reference to the different sources of finance available to small business, the factors that influence the capital requirements of small businesses, the actual sources of finance utilized by small businesses in the greater Soweto Area, the extent of the use of informal finance by small businesses .and the financing problems experienced by small businesses in the Greater Soweto Area. The study is divided into three main sections. Firstly, a literature study of the subject is undertaken. Secondly, an empirical study i"s conducted by means of data collected from 400 small businesses in the Greater Soweto Area. The data is analyzed and reported on. Thirdly, a number of conclusions are drawn from the analyses of the data (see section 5.2) and a number of recommendations are made (see Section 5.4). In Section 5.5 areas for further research are proposed

1994-01-01T00:00:00Z