https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/19910 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:53:20 GMT 2026-11-06T13:53:20Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/33112 Emergent strategy-making in private higher education institutions by managers: a micro-foundational perspective Magama, Grace EMERGENT STRATEGY-MAKING IN PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS BY MANAGERS: A MICRO-FOUNDATIONAL PERSPECTIVE The current study aimed to explore how strategy emerges in South African Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI) through the everyday micro-foundational practices of managers operating at various organisational levels. Existing strategy literature has largely prioritised deliberate, top-down processes, often overlooking how strategy is enacted informally, iteratively and contextually within complex institutional environments. This research departed from a linear, plan-based ontology and instead adopted a practice-process perspective grounded in Strategy-as-Practice (S-as-P), micro-foundational theory, and Bourdieu’s theory of practice. From this viewpoint, strategy is regarded not as a fixed outcome but as a dynamic phenomenon shaped by situated cognition, social interaction, power and individual routines. The study employed a qualitative, intrinsic single-case design, purposively sampling managers at operational, middle and executive levels within a South African PHEI. A constructivist-interpretivist paradigm guided the research, enabling a rich interpretation of how managers enacted strategy through daily micro-foundational-practices. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, written narratives and document analysis. The data were thematically analysed to produce a grounded model of emergent strategising informed by real-world managerial practices. Key findings revealed that strategy emerged through socially embedded micro-doings, such as strategic adaptation and flexibility, institutional purpose and vision, communication and collaboration in decision-making, and the influence of leadership and power dynamics. Central to these findings was the role of “phronesis” (practical wisdom) and “metis” (practical intelligence), which enabled managers to navigate flux, uncertainty, the institution and operating environment. Significantly, the study advanced a multi-level understanding of strategic agency, highlighting that managers at various hierarchical levels contributed meaningfully to emergent strategising, despite differing levels of formal iii authority. This contribution adds a contextual and empirical extension to S-as-P by recognising that strategising is not merely concentrated at the top but is distributed through layers of practice across the organisation. The main theoretical contribution of the study lies in its integration of micro-foundations with a practice-based view of strategy within a context from the Global South. The findings challenge essentialist views of strategy as formal design and instead position strategy-making as a pluralistic, emergent process shaped by practice, power and place. The final conceptual framework connects micro-practices to organisational outcomes, offering an alternative perspective on how strategy is enacted under real-world institutional conditions. The study concludes that strategising is not merely the result of deliberate planning but also arises from responsive, embodied and socially constructed actions. These insights enhance our understanding of the lived dynamics of strategy work and provide a valuable foundation for future research and leadership development in higher education contexts experiencing change. The findings may inform the design of more adaptive, inclusive and practice-oriented strategic processes within PHEIs and similar organisations; UKWENZIWA KWAMASU EZIKHUNGWENI EZIZIMELE ZEMFUNDO EPHAKEME OKWENZIWA NGABAPHATHI: NGOKWEZIMO ZANGALESO SIKHATHI EZENZAKALAYO Inhloso yocwaningo lwamanje ukuphenya mayelana nokuthi amasu avela kanjani ezikhungweni zemfundo ephakeme ezimele eNingizimu Afrika (HPEIs) kusetshenziswa imisebenzi yansuku eyenziwa abaphathi abasemazingeni ehlukene esikhungweni. Incwadi yamasu esetshenziswayo ibeka eqhulwini izinqubo ezihleliwe ukusuka phezulu, ezivame ukuthi zikushaye indiva okwamasu angahleliwe, okuphindaphindiwe, futhi ngokuhambisana nokwenzeka endaweni yesikhungo eziyinkimbinkimbi. Lolu cwaningo luyasuka ohlelweni olulandelwayo/oluqondile okuwucwaningo ngokukhona, kunalokho lusebenzisa umbono wenqubo yalokho kwangaleso sikhathi okusekelwe yi-Strategy-as-Practice (S-as-P), ithiyori yezenzo zabantu/yokwenzakalayo, kanye nethiyori yenqubo ka-Bourdieu. Ngokwalo mbono, isu aliwona umphumela ongaguquki kodwa liyaguquka ngokwezimo ezikhona, ukuxhumana kwabantu, nangezinqubo zansuku zonke zomuntu ngamunye, izimo zenhlangano nezingaphandle kanye nobudlelwano bamandla. Ucwaningo lusebenzise ikhwalithethivu, olusezingeni eliphezulu olugxile ohlangothini olulodwa esikhungweni semfundo ephakeme eNingizimu Afrika, ukuhlola ukuthi abaphathi balisebenzisa kanjani isu ngokwezinto/izinqubo zansuku zonke. Ngemposamibuzo eyenziwe kubaphathi abehlukene kuwo wonke amazinga kanye nokuhlaziywa kwemiqulu, kusungulwe indlela ekhombisa ukuthi isu lakhiwa ukuziphatha kwabaphathi kwansuku zonke. Iziphumo ezisemqoka ukuthi isu livela ngokwenzeka nsuku zonke, izenzo zomphakathi, ngokuhambisana nezimo. Okubalulekile kulokhu okutholakele yindima ye-“phronesis” (ukusebenzisa ubuhlakani) kanye ne-“metis” (ukusebenzisa amaqhinga), okwenze abaphathi bakwazi ukubhekana nokungabikho kozinzo, ukungaqiniseki, kanye nokungezwani esikhungweni. Ucwaningo luhlonze izizinda ezine ezixhumene ezibe nomthelela ekuveleni kwamasu: indlela abantu abahlobana ngayo, indlela ababecabanga/abenza ngayo, izinqubo abazisebenzisayo, kanye nesikhundla sabo v enhlanganweni. Abaphathi badale isu ngezenzo ezincane, eziguquguqukayo, nezingekho emthethweni/ezingahleliwe. Ngokuphawulekayo, ucwaningo luveza ukuthi amasu awagcini ngokuvela kubaphathi abaphezulu, kodwa kuwo wonke amazinga okuphatha. Lokhu kuvumelana nethiyori yeS-as-P ngokubonisa abaphathi kunoma yiliphi izinga banesandla ekwakhiweni kwamasu, kungakhathaliseki igunya labo elisemthethweni. Lolu cwaningo luhlanganisa izenzo zomuntu ngamunye nezinqubo zansuku zonke ukuze kuqondwe isu ngokweGlobal South. Kubonisa ukuthi isu akulona nje uhlelo oluqala phezulu lwehlele ezansi, kodwa wuhlelo oluguquguqukayo olubunjwa ukwenza, amandla, nendawo. Uhlaka lokugcina luxhumanisa lezi zenzo zansuku zonke nemiphumela yesikhungo, lunikeza umbono omusha wokuthi isu lenzeka kanjani ngempela ngokwezimo zezikhungo Ucwaningo luphetha ngelokuthi isu akuyona nje into ehlelwayo ngaphakathi kodwa liphinde livele ngezenzo zesikhathi sangempela nezenhlalo, njall. Le miphumela isiza ukuthuthukisa indlela abaholi bemfundo ephakeme abaphatha ngayo izinguquko, ikhuthaze ukuhlela okuhambisana nezimo nokubandakanya wonke umuntu. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/33112 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32981 Business model innovation dynamic capability in the South African fintech industry Fourie, Antonie The fintech industry has seen significant growth since the 2008 financial crisis, and financial technology innovation is viewed as an important contributor to financial inclusion, especially in developing countries. Yet, business model innovation in the fintech industry remains a nascent area of academic research, both globally and in South Africa. Little has been published on the properties of the organisational capabilities that underpin business model innovation, and limited research has been conducted in the South African fintech sector. The objective of this study was to uncover the multi-level causal mechanisms that allow a business model innovation dynamic capability to emerge. A qualitative case study research design, utilising a critical realist, grounded theory method was employed in this study. Business model innovation and the organisational capabilities that underpin this phenomenon were investigated in five fintech firms situated in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Dynamic Capability and Complex Adaptive Systems theoretical perspectives were employed to explicate a Dynamic Capability-Complex Adaptive Systems (DC-CAS) explanatory framework as the basis of fintech business model innovation. This study identified nine causal mechanisms including a Problem Framing Mechanism, Resource Deployment Mechanism, Strategic Prioritisation Mechanism, Market Fit Mechanism, Resource Protection Mechanism, Measured Risk-Taking Mechanism, Leveraging Equity Mechanism, Regulatory Alignment Mechanism and Value Proposition Alignment Mechanism. The DC-CAS explained how these causal mechanisms interacted to enable business model innovation. A further output of the study is a managerial framework to provide practical guidance on the development and application of business model innovation dynamic capabilities. This study also makes policy recommendations to facilitate the development of the fintech sector in South Africa. In conclusion, this study contributes to our understanding of the emergence of business model innovation dynamic capability by explicating the complex organisational and environmental context within which it is situated. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32981 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32785 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. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32785 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32782 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. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32782 2026-07-20T00:00:00Z