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This systematic review provides investigation into the evolution of Supply Chain Management (SCM) practices from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 in South African enterprises, with a specific focus on the integration of Blue Ocean Strategy. Industry 5.0 marks a significant shift towards more personalised, sustainable, and humancentric industrial practices, leveraging advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and address environmental concerns. The research aims to investigate how SCM practices in South African firms are transforming under the influence of Industry 5.0 paradigms and to assess how the Blue Ocean Strategy can bolster competitiveness, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. Adopting a comprehensive methodology, this study systematically reviewed peer-reviewed articles from 2019 to 2023. Employing the PRISMA framework for structured literature review, and thematic analysis using Atlas-ti 24 software, the research scrutinised the evolution of SCM practices, focusing on technological adoption, strategic innovation, and sustainability integration. The findings reveal that South African firms are progressively adopting Industry 5.0 technologies, integrating them within SCM to improve flexibility, responsiveness, and sustainability. The application of Blue Ocean Strategy is identified as a catalyst for creating uncontested market spaces and driving innovation, which not only improves the firms' market position but also aligns with sustainable business practices. However, challenges such as technological integration complexity, high transition costs, and the need for skilled human resources are notable impediments. This research significantly contributes to academic literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the SCM evolution in the context of Industry 5.0 within emerging markets, particularly focusing on South African enterprises. It also offers practical insights for industry practitioners on leveraging Blue Ocean Strategy alongside Industry 5.0 technologies to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable growth. The study underlines the need for policy interventions to support technological adaptation and capacity building in the SCM sector, suggesting avenues for future research on overcoming the barriers to Industry 5.0 adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School leadership development (SLP) in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0) is a crucial aspect of preparing basic school leaders to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid technological advancements and changes in the modern world. The 4.0 is characterized by the fusion of digital, physical, and biological technologies, which profoundly impact various aspects of society, including education. Thus, this study examined basic school leaders' development needs in 4.0 in Nigeria and South Africa. A comparative research approach of survey design was adopted with the aid of a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (mean score) and an independent t-test were used to analyze the collected data. Results indicated that basic school leaders in South Africa fared better than their counterparts from Nigeria regarding their 4.0 knowledge. However, no significant difference was found in 4.0 leadership skills. Leaders from both nations indicated the need for development programs in technological applications to enhance competency to perform their administrative tasks. In theory, the study addresses African schools' 4.0 leadership needs. To lead education into the future, each nation must also understand the specific 4.0 leadership skills its school leaders will need. In light of the study's findings, policymakers should consider what gaps need to be filled to equip their basic school leaders with Education 4.0 skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to recent developments and implications inspired by fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies in the global manufacturing sector through the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept, this study was conducted to discover the impacts of I4.0 and environmental quality on the South African manufacturing sector, considering governance quality. To the best of our knowledge, no study has analysed the long-run and short impacts of I4.0, environmental quality and governance quality on the South African manufacturing sector integrating the bound test cointegration, Fully-Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) & Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) estimations techniques. Therefore, this study attempts to bridge this gap using different econometric approaches. The data used spans from 2000Q1 to 2020Q4. The principal component analysis was used to create Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and governance quality components. In this study, utilising the dynamic NARDL, it is seen that the LCO2, representing environmental quality, possesses positive and significant relationship with the LMVA, but when in interaction with the governance quality variables (GOV, INS, POL & ECO), there exists a positive and insignificant relationship with the LMVA showing there exists a dearth of green innovative technologies in the South Africa manufacturing sector respective of its significance. Utilising the FMOLS and DOLS, the GOV, INS, POL & ECO which represents governance quality, mostly possesses negative but significant relationships with the LMVA, even when in interaction with the I4.0 variable proving the I4.0 technologies have not yet started to be impactful to the South African manufacturing industry at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the transformative impact of the digital revolution on South African higher education institutions through a Systematic Literature Review. Thus, EBSCOHost, Emerald, Google Scholar, SAGE Journals, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, Elsevier, and Taylor & Francis were used to retrieve and analyse information from scholarly publications such as book chapters, reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, and other publications (n = 17) in South Africa between 2019 and 2023. The research questions of the study aided the discovery of significant themes to explore the transformative impact of the digital revolution on South African higher education institutions. The study found that challenges to embracing digital education in South African higher education institutions include resistance to change, marginalisation of certain socioeconomic groups, poor infrastructure, lack of funding, inadequate Fourth Industrial Revolution tools for instruction, and lack of Fourth Industrial Revolution skills training and development. In contrast, the opportunities include increased student enrolment, Massive Open Online Courses, use of technology to end social exclusion, research and development, and curriculum redesign. The study put forward recommendations that key stakeholders of higher education institutions can use to improve the curriculum in the digital revolution. Prospects for future research were suggested. The study concluded that while various challenges exist for the digital revolution in South African higher education institutions, opportunities can be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a modern and evolving technological environment whereby advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) affect people's livelihoods and jobs. The 4IR is anticipated to have an impact on numerous employment relationships in the South African retail industry by substituting workers with new technologies and systems, forcing retail companies to retrench retail sector workers. In light of this concern, methodologically, this article used a literature review research approach to critically examine the protection offered by the Labour Relations Act (LRA), Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (UICA), and Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), to determine what protective mechanisms these legislation offer to safeguard the rights of South African retail sector workers who will lose their jobs due to the introduction of new technologies in the workplace. The findings were that the LRA and the BCEA offer severance pay as the sole financial protection designed exclusively to mitigate the effect that lawful retrenchments have on affected employees, whereas the UIA provides a UIF benefit only to retrenched workers who were registered by their employers to the UIF and who had contributed appropriately to the UIF, to the exclusion of employees whose employers did not register them to the UIF. This means that the UIF and severance package provide compensatory benefits to only a certain portion of employees. Consequently, these benefits are insufficient to safeguard the rights of retrenched South African retail sector workers who may become permanently unemployed in the era of 4IR. As a result, it was proposed to implement measures such as reskilling the workforce before retrenchment considerations to increase their chances of obtaining employment in the 4IR era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he fourth industrial revolution has brought about plenty of changes in the educational landscape. As a result, the implementation of online education is now a necessity for any higher education institution that seeks recognition in the 21st century. Furthermore, online education has become a well-established global practice that enables active, individual, and flexible learning. While online education is growing at a tremendous rate in higher education, in South Africa, its use in Nursing Education is a relatively new phenomenon. This explorative, descriptive, qualitative research design paper aimed to report the results of a whole study whose purpose was to explore and describe the perceptions nurse educators have towards online education at the Nursing Education Institution in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Three themes emerged: the perceived advantages of online education, the perceived disadvantages of online education, and the perceived measures that can be used to promote the use of online education. The study concludes that online education has both advantages and disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agro-investment in the fourth industrial revolution will be an imperative driving factor and a sacrosanct enabler for small farm business entrepreneurs to participate holistically in the agricultural economic value chain. Investing in advanced technology and entrepreneurship has the potential to promote business modernization and improve the productivity and profitability of farm businesses. This study assessed agro-investments in small farm business entrepreneurs in the era of the fourth industrial revolution in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The study objectives were precisely to determine the perception of small farm business entrepreneurs on agro-investment and examine the impact of agro-investment for small farm business entrepreneurs in the fourth industrial revolution. The questionnaire used in this study employed structured and semi-structured questions for data collection, and an aggregate of 235 participants were randomly selected. The results on perception indicate that small farm business entrepreneurs mostly perceive agro-investment in the fourth industrial revolution as not suitable for small farm business conditions; this may be attributed to modern agricultural implements being predominantly manufactured in accordance with commercial sector specifications. The results from the binary logistic regression analysis on the perception of small farm business entrepreneurs in the fourth industrial revolution revealed that gender (P-value = 0.031), level of education (P-value = 0.04), farm size (P-value = 0.048), farming skills and knowledge (P-value = 0.027), farm productivity (P-value = 0.059) and investment opportunities (P-value = 0.057) were significant and influence the perception of small farm business entrepreneurs. The mean and standard deviation were used to assess the degree of severity of impact. From the results, sources of investment, technology, market participation, economic benefits, and government interventions were discovered to be impactful on agro-investment for small farm business entrepreneurs. The key contributions of agro-investments among small farm business entrepreneurs in the technological era embody catalyzed rural development, a diversified inclusive rural economy, and competitive participation in the agricultural food value chain. Another crucial contribution of the study is unlocking and accentuating the potential and opportunities that investors, technology designers, and manufacturers can exploit in small farm business agro-investments. This paper identifies and recommends that the South African government ought to create enabling environments for agricultural investment activities to thrive, especially among small farm business entrepreneurs, thereby providing grant funding and training, and enabling public-private stakeholder linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an important enabler of the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions. It has the potential to empower intelligent production systems that are central to industry 4.0 and help place worker wellbeing and the planet at the centre of industry 5.0 processes. However, few studies have considered the different roles of AI in industry 4.0 and 5.0. This paper reports on a bibliometric review of 2887 documents examining the use of AI for industry 4.0 and industry 5.0. We found that scholarly activity increased rapidly from 2018 onwards and can be attributed to a large variety of countries, including India, South Africa and China. Our analysis reveals four clusters in the literature, with two showing particular promise for researchers notably around the themes of industry 5.0 and deep learning. Further insights are presented and discussed, followed by a future research agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Records and archives are the footprints of any organisation due to the value of their information. In South Africa, the records and archives are governed by the National Archives and Record Service of South Africa Act No. 43 of 1996, as amended under the auspices of the National Archives and Record Services of South Africa. The current archival holding is compatible with paper, film, and audio formats as provided in the Act. This study sought to explore the strategies for developing digital infrastructure that would rescue records and archives from a stagnant state in the Government of South Africa. This being an interpretive study, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and augmented with content analysis. In view that this was a case study, the population comprised 10 chief information officers and records practitioners from national government departments of South Africa. The collected data were thematically analysed. This study established that the current infrastructure of record-keeping contributes heavily to the stagnant situation of records because only those in the proximity of the archival holdings can access the records by visiting the premises. This study also argues that if the current infrastructure prevails, records and archives will continue to be stagnant. In view of the emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution, the study recommends that records and archives can be saved from the stagnant state by developing the infrastructure for cloud storage within the borders of South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates adaptation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) among the rural youth in Qunu, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The broad focus on 4IR in job creation is its impact on youth skills development, and an important question is how rural youth benefit from 4IR opportunities. With few studies conducted on the topic of youth skills development in the context of 4IR, an investigation of the problems faced by the rural youth in Qunu in accessing emerging technologies was deemed to be of value. Mixed-method research was employed with a sample of 44 young people living in Qunu. Data was analysed using themes. The findings of this study indicate that the respondents had inadequate knowledge about 4IR and the opportunities it offers. Also, little is being done to improve the skills of the youth, though they show interest in improving their IT skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the employability of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era in South Africa. It examines the role of TVET lecturers in providing skills that are relevant to the contemporary period. The study uses qualitative research inspired by the interpretivist approach, and a purposive sampling strategy to get the perspectives of TVET lecturers and employers. It was observed that TVET lecturers play a minimal role in the development of the curriculum due to a rigid top-down approach from the Ministry of Higher Education. Companies are forming partnerships with TVET colleges by offering places for in-service training, practicals and internships. The study reveals that South African businesses have adopted 4IR-related technologies, requiring a skilled TVET force that is ready for these transformations. The findings highlight the need for regular curriculum transformation and the importance of TVET education in producing artisans, technologists and technicians that are vital for the South African economy on an ongoing basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was motivated by the need to strategically implement changes propelled by the advent of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) to meet the increasing demand for theoretical skills required by industries for regional and global competitiveness through a university--industry partnership among South African universities. A total of 22 out of 26 South African Universities were purposefully selected for the study. A survey design was adopted in which a structured online interview was conducted with 70 out of 188 Deans/Executive Deans of faculties through the Microsoft Teams and Zoom platforms. The results show that most of the academic faculties had implemented the specific guidance provided by industry partners and relevant associations into the curriculum for teaching and learning at the faculty level. However, only 18% of the Deans/Executive Deans had the 4IR as a separate strategy formulated in their institutions, while about 30% of faculty Deans/Executive Deans had 4IR strategies integrated into the existing institutional strategy. Further findings reveal ed the unwillingness of the faculties of Engineering and the Built Environment and the faculty of science to embrace any form of institutional guidelines for responding to evolutionary change and for implementing the 4IR in their activities. They preferred to remain open to innovation and respond in the best way possible rather than being stiffened by organizational policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapid advancement from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 is reshaping global operational landscapes, introducing a new era where technology, strategy, and sustainability intersect. This evolution is particularly significant in South Africa, where supply chains are a critical component of the economic framework and are increasingly influenced by technological innovations, demanding a comprehensive understanding of their implications. Purpose of the Study: This study aims to systematically review the existing literature to explore the evolving paradigms in operations management as businesses transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, focusing on the South African supply chain context. The primary objective is to ascertain how this transition impacts operational practices, decision-making processes, and overall supply chain efficiency. Design/Methodology/Approach: Adopting a systematic literature review methodology, the study analyses 13 peer-reviewed articles, employing thematic analysis to identify, synthesise, and interpret the significant themes emerging from the literature. The PRISMA framework guided the selection and review process, ensuring a rigorous and replicable research approach. Results/Findings: The findings reveal that the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 in South African supply chains is driving a significant shift toward more integrated, intelligent, and sustainable operations. Key themes identified include the pivotal role of advanced technologies like AI and IoT, the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making, and the integration of sustainability and innovation in operational frameworks. Recommendations: Future research should focus on empirical studies to validate the theoretical insights and explore the practical implications of Industry 5.0 technologies. For industry practitioners, embracing a strategic approach to technology adoption, fostering a culture of innovation, and prioritizing sustainability are recommended to leverage the opportunities presented by this transition. Managerial Implication: Managers and industry leaders must navigate the complexities of this new industrial era by developing competencies in emerging technologies, adopting resilient and adaptive operational strategies, and championing sustainability. Policymakers should facilitate this transition through supportive regulations, fostering innovation ecosystems, and ensuring the workforce is equipped with the requisite skills for a future-oriented industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reports that, in most of its member countries, the percentage of employed individuals who are members of trade unions has decreased significantly over the past few decades, with less than 20 percent. Some of the studies done on this subject unequivocally acknowledge that low membership turnover and dwindling trade union densities are caused by the incapacity to mobilize, organize, and serve members. In order to determine the most effective and efficient way to use these integrated digital strategies, this research investigates types of digital modes for organising, mobilising, and retaining new coming educators. Data were gathered through interviews with ten SADTU organisers and ten students from particular South. African universities, using the qualitative method. The data was analysed using a grounded (thematic) approach. The study's overall findings shows that digital technologies play a significant role in luring newer generations of trade union members. The findings of this study directly influenced the creation of more precise and efficient digital strategies for recruiting and organizing young emerging teachers, leading to an overall enhancement in the recruitment and retention of talent within the education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the circular economy is commonly used among industries in developing countries to achieve carbon neutrality targets, its impact on social sustainability must be clarified. Stakeholders (for instance, community stakeholders) have been observed to be unaware of the focal firm's circular supply chain activities. Because this gap has not been generally reflected in the literature, it is critical to perform an empirical study to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The goal of this research was to determine whether new technologies such as big data and predictive analytics might influence an organization's propensity to share information related to circular economy practices with stakeholders as well as to increase connectivity with those stakeholders in the Industry 4.0 era. We also investigated whether these actions could increase stakeholder trust and engagement and social sustainability as a result. We tested our theoretical model using samples from food supply chain firms in South Africa. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using WarpPLS 7.0 software. The findings show that firms that deploy big data and predictive analytics are more likely to share information related to the circular economy with stakeholders and that these firms are also well‐connected with those stakeholders, resulting in increased trust and engagement. This, in turn, contributes to the social sustainability of supply chains. Our research has made a significant contribution by encouraging a theoretical debate regarding the willingness to share information regarding the circular economy and the social sustainability of the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to determine factors important in restructuring the education system to meet the skills demand required during the era of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0). The study used a qualitative research method based on a narrative design involving multiple stakeholders (n = 35). Data from the participants were collected and analysed to reveal 12 critical success factors required for restructuring the education system from basic to higher education level. The success factors are based on enabling the basic structure of an effective education system, to develop and strengthen effective work-integrated learning, to overhaul the basic education structure and learning content and to enhance elements of interconnected systems. The study concludes that there is an urgent need for preparedness of the basic and higher education systems to effectively meet the required employment skills at a time of industry 4.0. This will assist the necessary development and competitiveness within developing countries, including South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategic role of integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) when teaching indigenous languages continues to become increasingly apparent within language planning and policy discourse. The integration of ICT in teaching African languages is a complex and diverse research area, making it challenging to identify common factors that define fundamental methods. The argument put forth is that higher education institutions should invest in implementing continuous and intensive awareness-raising seminars about the value of linguistics, language technology, and practice. This paper aims to investigate a comprehensive plan for emerging digital practices and learning design expertise to enable digital democracy in South African higher education by exploring the various opportunities for integrating technology and African languages. Descriptive themes are developed after an intensive existing literature review and analysis. The Language Management Theory (LMT) guides the paper. The author highlight suggestions to ensure that South Africa meets the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 4, which aims to provide inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning, primarily using ICTs. By presenting various ICT-based models for education as a transformational approach towards integrating ICTs in teaching African languages, the higher education sector will be revolutionized in the African continent and all developing countries that lack understanding of the power of incorporating technology in teaching and developing native languages. Practice recommendations are also made to ensure successful adaptation to the 4th Industrial Revolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All public service organisations in the world use social policies as a guide to render services for the greater good of their citizenries. Operating in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) implies that schools need to reinvent their role (administratively, pedagogically and otherwise) to ensure that they become catalysts for transferal of context-specific knowledge, problemsolving skills and creative thinking. Also, amidst a growing call by indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) scholars, governments and tribal authorities throughout the continent, for African organisations to consider infusing indigenous epistemologies into their daily professional practices, this qualitative study investigated how Batho Pele (a Sotho word meaning "people first") principles moderated participants' execution of internally and externally directed knowledge-sharing practices at three selected public schools in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The sample constituted 20 participants, namely teachers, heads of departments, administrative clerks and principals. Based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews and documents, the study found that two of the selected three schools did not consistently comply with the Batho Pele principles (BPPs) of (a) consultation, (b) access, courtesy and redress, (c) encouraging and rewarding excellence in innovation, and (d) leadership and strategic direction. Only one school was found to have satisfactorily complied with all the prescribed BPPs in how it fostered internally directed (or collegial) knowledge-sharing practices. However, in terms of the infusion of BPPs in externally directed knowledge-sharing practices (more especially towards parents, education officials, stakeholders from the public and private sectors and the school community at large), all three schools were found to have satisfactorily engendered a climate of (a) consultation, (b) access, courtesy and redress, (c) information, openness and transparency, and (d) value for money. The study recommends that the fervency with which schools practise externally directed knowledge sharing must also be replicated in internally directed knowledge-sharing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversations in South Africa around decolonising higher education since the 2015/2016 #RhodesMustFall movements have remained largely theoretical. Recently, much of the attention in many higher education institutions seems to have moved on from these conversations to apparently more 'interesting' topics like the fourth industrial revolution and the impact of Covid-19. The aim of this article is to rekindle the desire among participants in higher education, specifically in management education, to respond in a practical manner to the call for decoloniality. Towards this aim, we present findings from a constructivist grounded theory study in which we interviewed 31 participants in the management education space on how to decolonise management education. We describe the following six themes that emerged: 'globalisation', 'race', 'capitalism', 'meaning of decolonisation', 'lekgotla', and 'critical pedagogy'. Drawing on these themes we propose a tentative conceptual framework on how we might begin to construct a meaningful decoloniality movement in the context of management education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising waves of Industry 4.0, Sustainable Development Goals and COVID-19 have resulted in repercussions that have challenged the status quo. In preparation, Action Design Research (ADR) was used in Engineering Education as an adaptive mechanism. This research paper follows a 5-year development journey of a Business Engineering course at a South African university. The paper discusses the adaptations and refinements in response to the waves above and how they were integrated in the content, presentation and assessments of the course. Furthermore, this paper extracts generalizable findings for Engineering Education and reflects on the design of the next cycle of the course in anticipation of further waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The business environment has seen rapid changes due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the influence of exponential technological advancements. The enhancement of technology-based work environments has changed the skill set needed by graduates entering the workforce. In this regard, higher education institutions have shown signs of struggling to adapt curricula to prepare graduates with the skills needed by the fast-changing workforce environment. The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) developed a framework with competencies aimed to address the needed graduate skills, and for institutions to use as guiding documents in the amendment of their curricula. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the top universities in South Africa's accountancy module documents to determine whether the curricula are addressing the 4IR workforce needs. The SAICA-proposed competency framework (2025CF) was used as a conceptual framework for the evaluation of the university's curricula documents, and findings indicate that universities still need to make substantial changes in order to include newly-added pervasive skills as prescribed by 2025CF. Findings from the systematic literature review indicate that universities adequately address business acumen skills; however, the categories of digital-, relational and decision-making acumen were insufficiently evident within the current curricula of the top five South African universities. The apparent lack of specific skills development for graduates needs urgent attention considering the technological changes brought on by the 4IR within the accountancy domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psychological, behavioral, and technological impacts of adopting online modalities in the Universities within the post-COVID-19 and 4IR era were assessed in this paper. The current researcher obtained informed consent from the 125 academic staff members from five universities in four provinces--the University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, Durban University of Technology, University of Western Cape, and North-West University--through a cross-sectional survey methodology. This study's researcher promoted voluntary participation and ensured ethical standards were respected. In total, 116 surveys were located and completed. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 was used to clean and analyze the data. This study illustrates how willingness to use online modalities inside universities during the post-COVID-19 and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is highly influenced by a readiness to change, innovative work behavior, and technological competence. This study demonstrated that adopting online modalities in South African universities during the post-COVID-19 and 4IR periods was significantly influenced by technological proficiency, innovative behavior, and willingness to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal of the study is to look at how entrepreneurship affects regional economic development in the Nkangala District Municipal area. Economic empowerment, income and employment development, economic restructuring, and the eradication of economic inequality can all be achieved through entrepreneurship. Through creating jobs, encouraging creativity, creating effective techniques for utilising resources, and improving people's socioeconomic well-being, entrepreneurship promotes economic progress. This investigation employs a quantitative research approach. There are 55 business owners in the study sample. The data from the study were analysed using SPSS. Regression and correlation analysis were used to quantitatively analyse the research variables. Using Cronbach's Alpha, the results indicated that a coefficient greater than.70 ensures the validity and reliability of the research instruments. The study concludes that building knowledge and abilities in this area, emphasising entrepreneurial education, and considering mentorship initiatives are crucial. Recognising adequate education in the context of the digital economy and the fourth industrial revolution is one of the main principles in this. The use of digital technology affects the environment and creates previously unthinkable exponential development for new participants with a variety of business models and philosophies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to examine and analyze how the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) contributes to economic growth and development in South Africa. It argues that the 4IR is a pathway to achieve economic growth and development. Although much emphasis from the literature indicates the negative impact of the 4IR on human development, this paper brings to light that the 4IR is an engine to the headway of economic development. To get the expected results, desktop research is used, covering South Africa as an area of focus. Hence, it adopted a literature-based methodology that relies on the use of existing literature to critique the role of the 4IR in enhancing economic development. It reveals that the 4IR is detrimental to human development, however, it can be used as a catalyst for economic growth and development. It thus recommends that the 4IR must be fully embraced by both government and private sector for the betterment of economic development and business growth amongst others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) rapidly advanced at the beginning of the 21st century. Leaders within organisations need to adjust their visions, plans, organisational structures, and management with regard to the demands, challenges and opportunities of this development. This is in particular the case in higher educational institutions (HEIs), which have to adjust to the rapid changes and new demands of skills of university graduates. Leaders in HEIs must therefore be aware of the related challenges and opportunities and might have to adjust the learning and teaching environment, the skills development of students, graduates, and faculty, as well as the technological requirements to create advanced skill sets. This article is based on a qualitative research study which was conducted at a university in South Africa. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to explore the views of higher-education leaders at the selected university. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. It was found that leaders in HEIs need to be aware of their leadership and preferences in times of transition toward a more technologised learning environment, as well as the needs, demands, challenges and opportunities of the new workplaces, and new skill sets needed in the 4IR. The researchers made some recommendations. "Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom." George Washington Carver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to appraise the level of entrepreneurial activity in South Africa and to identify the challenges to implementation of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) that obstruct the leveraging of 4IR technologies to boost entrepreneurial activity in the country. A conceptual exploratory literature review approach was applied. This study's results show that a high unemployment rate, the quality of entrepreneurial support initiatives, physical infrastructure, enterprise funds and increased economic freedom are enablers of entrepreneurial activity in South Africa. High data costs, poor digital technological preparedness, an unreliable energy supply, data protection and cyber security risks, among other factors, were identified as obstacles to 4IR implementation. We, therefore, recommend a 4IR fund, mandatory data price laws, proactive policing, further public–private partnerships, enhancement of whistle-blower protection laws, among others, as solutions to buoy entrepreneurial activity through application of 4IR technologies. These results signal the need to ensure a synchronized effort by all relevant spheres of government to address the 4IR implementation challenges and enhance entrepreneurial activity for South Africa's economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food and beverage (FOODBEV) manufacturing industry is a significant contributor to global economic development, but it is also subject to major global competition. Manufacturing technology evolution is rapid and, with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ever accelerating. Thus, the ability of companies to review and identify appropriate, beneficial technologies and forecast the skills required is a challenge. 4IR technologies, as a collection of tools to assist technological advancement in the manufacturing sector, are essential. The vast and diverse global technology knowledge base, together with the complexities associated with screening in technologies and the lack of appropriate enablement skills, makes technology selection and implementation a challenge. This challenge is premised on the knowledge that there are vast amounts of information available on various research databases and web search engines; however, the extraction of specific and relevant information is time-intensive. Whilst existing techniques such as conventional bibliometric analysis are available, there is a need for dynamic approaches that optimise the ability to acquire the relevant information or knowledge within a short period with minimum effort. This research study adopts smart knowledge management together with artificial intelligence (AI) for knowledge extraction, classification, and adoption. This research defines 18 FOODBEV manufacturing processes and adopts a two-tier Natural Language Processing (NLP) protocol to identify technological substitution for process optimisation and the associated skills required in the FOODBEV manufacturing sector in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the critical role of digital leadership in driving digital transformation within the quantity surveying profession, which is increasingly influenced by technological advancements and the 4th Industrial Revolution imperatives. The aim is to identify essential digital leadership characteristics that facilitate this transformation and assess digital leadership's role in the process. The research is grounded in qualitative data from semistructured interviews with directors of South African quantity surveying firms, using an interpretivist approach and an inductive methodology. This method, chosen for its depth and nuance, used thematic narrative analysis to uncover the core characteristics of digital leadership in these companies. The study's findings are eye-opening, revealing four critical digital leadership characteristics required for navigating the digital age's complexities: adaptability, motivational visionary, innovation, and urgency. These characteristics are consistent with the broader principles of transformational leadership and are essential for remaining relevant and competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Leaders in quantity surveying firms have a positive attitude toward digital technologies, emphasising an urgent, innovative, and adaptable leadership style. However, the study acknowledges some limitations, most notably its focus on South African firms, which may limit the generalisability of its findings. Future studies with a broader geographic and sectoral scope are needed to validate and improve on these findings. Practically, the study provides valuable insights for quantity surveying firms. It emphasises the importance of developing digital leadership capabilities centred on the identified traits. Adaptability, visionary motivation, innovation, and urgency form a framework that guides leaders in managing digital transformation initiatives effectively. The study suggests fostering a learning culture, encouraging innovation, and instilling a sense of urgency in embracing digital changes. This paper adds new perspectives to the relatively unexplored field of digital leadership in the quantity surveying profession. It fills a significant gap in academic literature and professional practice by highlighting specific leadership traits required for digital transformation in this field. The findings and recommendations presented are useful to practitioners and academics, providing a more nuanced understanding of digital leadership dynamics in today's business environment. In essence, this study emphasises the critical importance of digital leadership in the quantity surveying profession, offering a nuanced perspective on the leadership characteristics required to guide these firms through the digital transformation journey. It highlights adaptability, a visionary approach, innovation, and a sense of urgency as key traits for effective digital leadership. It provides a road map for quantity surveying firms to navigate the digital era successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present time of technological development, entrepreneurship is becoming more advanced and innovative. Unlike in antiquity, indigenous entrepreneurship did not gain much prominence in terms of technology in rural areas. The purpose of this paper was to understand and analyse the relevance of indigenous entrepreneurship in the 4IR era. The paper argues that indigenous entrepreneurship has been muted and dysfunctional in most of the rural communities due to a lack of technological integration in their businesses. This is a conceptual paper that adopts a literature-based methodology to analyse the relevance of indigenous entrepreneurship in the epoch of the 4IR. This paper revealed that indigenous entrepreneurship is slowly losing its relevance in rural areas and is not profitable in the current state of technological development. It indicated that the indigenous entrepreneurs in rural areas are not acquainted with the current use of technology or how to capitalise on technology to keep their entrepreneurial activities productive. Hence, it recommended that indigenous entrepreneurs must be compatible and use the current technology to stay in the market in the long run and be more profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a global phenomenon affecting all spheres of operations and all organisations. The South African vanadium mining and minerals extraction operations are included in this. The objective of this research was to understand work done on 4IR technologies for feasible future operations in SA's vanadium sector so as to find out any necessary conditions or factors that contribute to the decision to adopt 4IR technologies. A secondary objective was to determine any correlations among the factors and organisational targets. These have been met by following an exploratory stance using both qualitative and quantitative methods to find and analyse the data gathered. The main findings were that the factors affecting vanadium mining activities in SA are technical feasibility, cost of automation, benefits of automation and regulation requirements. Seven levels of automation have been used to assess the current levels of automation. A framework has been proposed and used to investigate the factors that contribute to the decisions for automation in the vanadium industry in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education systems have not been spared the disruptions occurring because of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). While there have been publications on Education 4.0 in Africa, there is a scarcity of research that attempt to unpack research trends, gaps, and patterns. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data extracted from the Scopus database. Data were analysed using VOSviewer. African research outputs on Education 4.0 have increased linearly between 2015 and 2022. These research outputs are mostly published outside Africa. There are limited collaboration networks among African institutions and academics. African authors tend to cite more academics outside Africa than they cite fellow academics affiliated at African institutions. Research funding appears limited. Research areas that emerged most frequently included e-learning, machine learning, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Unpacking research trends on Education 4.0 provides researchers and policy makers with critical information to map out future research and policies, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring teachers' identities while teaching in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is essential. Such assists teachers to reflect, improving their teaching through various networks. Identities are conscious thoughts interrogating subconscious thoughts that drive teachers to understand their personal needs. Eleven teachers, registered for a Master of Education degree at a university in South Africa, were purposively selected for this study. The objective of this study was to understand teachers' identities while teaching mathematics in the 4IR. Focus-group discussions, reflective activities, and one-on-one semi-structured interviews, framed by a pragmatic case study, were used for data collection. The teachers' identities revealed that the Three Tree Rings Theory with Currere was useful when applied as the teaching framework. Such application of the theories generated three categories of teaching identities within the 4IR. Categories were societal, professional, and personal identities. The university at which these participants were registered prescribed Moodle. However, the students mostly used social media sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp. As a result, students used digital technologies even during face-to-face classes. The study concluded that, although there were elements of both personal and professional identities, the societal identity was that which drove teaching. Consequently, this study recommends that teachers should learn to reflect on, in, and for their actions, in order to address the 'what', 'how', 'who', and 'why' questions of education, natural identity, and the 4IR/5IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been highly dominant universally in the wake of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). 4IR has to do with the application of Internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, big data, blockchain technology, intelligent robotic machines, and AI for the management of records. AI can be used to perform records management activities faster than human intelligence (HI). The study sought to investigate how records management activities can be discharged using artificial intelligence (AI) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. The study investigated the state of records at CSIR and identified records management activities that can be managed through AI and intelligent robotic machine. Convergent mixed-methods research was conducted, and data were collected using interviews and questionnaires. Data were analysed thematically and statistically and presented in tables and figures. The study reveals that AI can be used to discharge records management functions at the CSIR throughout the life cycle of records, which includes the creation, digitisation, classification, storage, maintenance, and retrieval of records. The study proposed a framework that may assist the CSIR to use AI for records management in support of service delivery. It is hoped that the framework proposed may serve as a benchmark and guideline for the implementation of AI in archives and records management industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the state of leadership readiness in the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) to develop policy for the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). The DTPS is the lead Department in terms of 4IR within the Public Service and there are specific skills that are required within the DTPS to effectively lead in this regard. This study investigated the perceived gap between current skills and required skills in DTPS. The study adopted a qualitative method to obtain leaders' views and opinions by conducting structured and semi‐structured interviews. The nature of the study is exploratory. A total of 10 DTPS employees, both female and male on a 50/50 basis were interviewed on the skills of the leaders' state of readiness in developing policy for 4IR. The study findings identified an absence of problem‐solving, analytical, creative, technical, conflict management, collaboration and artificial intelligence, innovation and change management skills. It recommends that these competencies be included in the current Public Service Competency Assessment Framework that ensures that leaders are ready for policy development for 4IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced technologies are satisfying the demands of individuals and of industry. But what about employees? Various organisations have begun to explore adopting new technologies and increasing employee buy-in. ‘Digital Ubuntu’ is a newly coined term that describes collaborating with each other to solve a problem digitally. This discussion paper aims to explore the use and unpack the implications of using the term “Digital Ubuntu” around the adoption of advanced technology in South Africa. This paper concludes that Digital Ubuntu could significantly impact employee buy-in, the adoption of advanced technology, and policymaking. This study offers direction for further exploration of Digital Ubuntu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to determine the inclusion of specified Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in the curriculum of library and information schools at the University of Botswana in Botswana (UB) and the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in South Africa. The said 4IR technologies are cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning as well as blockchain technology. This study used content analysis on the website of the two universities, documentary review and literature as data sources in the endeavour to resolve the research problem. The two universities were selected purposively because they were comprehensive universities using the South African context. In addition, the selection was also informed by the LIS curriculum offered by the universities. The study revealed that UB offered a Bachelor of Information and Knowledge Management with specialisation in archives and records management, knowledge management, and library and information studies, and the Bachelor of Information Systems (information management). At postgraduate level, the UB offered a master's degree in archives and records management, a master's degree in library and information studies, and a Master of Philosophy/Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Studies. UFH offered a Bachelor of Library and Information Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management at undergraduate and the postgraduate levels. Regarding the inclusion of the specified 4IR technologies in their curriculum offerings, the study found that both the UB and the UFH were not included. The study recommends the inclusion of the specified 4IR technologies in the library and information science school to prepare graduates for the disruptive 4IR work environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several countries around the world are taking advantage of emerging technologies to leverage the use of natural resources to develop and grow bio-based industries. As a result, these activities have become the backbone of bioeconomy-growth strategies in the developing world. Adoption of the concepts and technological aspects of this facet of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) across government, academia, and industry has fostered innovation in the health, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors. However, the relationship between the technological catalysis of innovation and the bioeconomy from the perspective of a developing country has been left unexplored. In this context, this review explores the contribution of technological advances toward a sustainable, valuable bioeconomy and the current policy mandates. We focus our attention on South Africa because the country has a holistic, well-defined bioeconomy strategy that is consistent with the conditions of developed nations more generally. The review suggests that developing countries could adopt a multidisciplinary approach to designing their bioeconomy strategies. We further assert that developing holistic strategies that address the recent COVID-19 pandemic and potential future world crises could be beneficial in achieving sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platform work in the gig economy has become a universal phenomenon, even more so in the socially distanced landscape of COVID-19. Characteristic of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, hundreds of thousands of on-demand workers across the globe today earn a living by performing tasks assigned to them via digital platforms. The gig economy undoubtedly offers certain appealing benefits, including work flexibility and independence. As established in part 1 of this article, platform work holds vast potential to create muchneeded jobs, especially for the youth, who are facing a higher degree of job precarity than any generation before them. At the same time, though, the very structure of platform work - with a peculiar triangular contracting relationship between the parties involved - renders on-demand workers vulnerable, having to carry most of the risk. In part 2, we delve deeper into the various forms of vulnerability among on-demand workers in the gig economy, with a particular focus on developing countries such as South Africa. After a brief look at the extent to which the classification of labour could be regarded as a contributing factor to vulnerability, we draw on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition of vulnerability to categorise the types of vulnerability ondemand gig workers are exposed to. Four broad categories are identified, namely vulnerability relating to conditions of employment, individual and collective labour rights, dispute resolution structures, and social security protection. Each category is concretised by a brief discussion of the applicable South African statutory provisions as well as practical examples. This is followed by an overview of various international standards and recent steps taken by the ILO and the European Union to protect platform workers in the gig economy. The article concludes with proposals on how to expand the traditional idea and categories of work in an effort to afford rights and protection - and so provide decent work - to new, future-oriented types of workers in South Africa. It is argued that South Africa needs to develop a uniquely South African approach to the future of work that has on-demand workers and their vulnerabilities at its centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MBA programmes are considered flagship business programmes for business individuals. Business schools are often revered for being cuttingedge and critical business thought centres. However, over the years, programmes such as the MBA have been criticised due to their relevance. Changes such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the 4th Industrial Revolution, and increasing global political instability have resulted in harsher trading environments for business. As the business landscape evolves, so too are business schools' programmes, such as the MBA, required to evolve. Purpose: This study explored the efficacy of a sample of South African MBA programmes concerning their perceived efficacy in developing leaders fit for the 4th Industrial Revolution. Methodology: The study conducted a series of semi-structured qualitative interviews with identified stakeholders relating to the business school ecosystem to explore perceived opinions of the efficacy of business schools in programmes such as the MBA. Findings: The analysis from the interviews revealed that MBA programmes in South Africa need to enhance their focus on aspects such as technology-linked technical skills, as this is a key driver that continues to shape the business landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4th industrial revolution (4IR) is transforming the traditional modes of systems delivery to be more effective and efficient. This is leveraged from the application of advanced technological methods which are attributed to sophisticated computational capabilities such as Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs). For facilities management (FM), the business environment features of any organisation play a vital role in attaining its objectives which is a core mandate in delivering the functions of FM. Hence, it is important to assess the business environment factors influencing the use of CPS in the delivery of FM functions. This study was conducted in Gauteng province in South Africa with the use of a structured questionnaire administered to built environment professionals. Collected data were analysed in five stages which include data reliability and validity, descriptive statistics, establishing a difference in groups' opinion, principal component analysis, and model testing and fit statistics. Findings from the analysis revealed that business environment features were statistically significant in the actualisation of the use of CPS for FM. Conclusively, the findings from the study make both theoretical and practical contributions to the body of knowledge by providing insights that can help equip organisations with the knowledge of business environment factors that are influential in the use of CPS for FM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal impact reflects the changes that transform the society which affect the well-being of individuals and their families. This study aimed to understand the perceived societal impact of the fourth industrial revolution in South Africa. The investigation used an exploratory mixed research method, with six experts in round table discussion (focus group) and a survey questionnaire with 1,1105 responses. The findings of the study confirm the existential relational proposition that the fourth industrial revolution has a societal impact in South Africa. It is influenced by socio-demographic (province, age) and socioeconomic (education and employment) factors. Additionally, the findings revealed that the perceived highest impact of fourth industrial revolution's will be on improved re-industrialisation (RII = 68.6 percent), increase in work mobility (RII = 68.1 percent) and improved service delivery (65.1 percent). Regarding benefits, if correctly leveraged, these new disruptive technologies create a significant opportunity to leapfrog the advancements made in the previous industrial revolutions and help develop society. However, this might widen socio-economic gaps further, especially if there is no action to change the status quo of the highly unequal society in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth have difficulty making the transition from education to the workplace in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. High levels of youth unemployment prevail in South Africa, and it is necessary to find ways to assist youth to enter the workplace. The purpose of this grounded theory study is to explore how educators view the efficacy of social and emotional learning (SEL) skills in the learning environment. There is evidence worldwide that implementation of SEL skills is effective for improving academic achievement as well as success in the future life. Findings indicate that 68 participating purposive selected educators, who wrote written responses to openended questionnaires, believe SEL skills would have a positive impact on the learning environment; would be essential for learners to become future ready; and would be beneficial to themselves as educators both personally and professionally. Educators referred frequently to the importance of building interpersonal relationships, self-management and social awareness skills. It would be prudent, as a next step of exploration, to collaborate with educators and learners to co-construct effective interventions and formal support structures with policymakers, for the benefit of all those in the learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is known to transform and create opportunities for the world of work. However, little is known about how the future workforce, such as university students, are being equipped and exposed to 4IR technologies and ways of thinking in a South African (SA) context. This study’s findings contribute to understanding the influence of organisational culture on the uptake of 4IR technology within higher education (HE) in SA during a pandemic. The study uses Edgar Schein’s theoretical framework to explore the organisational culture at a university in the Gauteng province. The article responds further to the questions on how 4IR technology and principles are understood and applied within the context, and how to investigate to what extent the 4IR is reflected upon or embedded in the university’s culture. A qualitative research design is used, and data are gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews from seven purposively selected academic and senior management staff members. Thematic analysis uncovered that the university’s ambitious and competitive culture contributed to a positive uptake of 4IR technology and principles, even pre-COVID-19. Furthermore, the specific influence of the university’s Vice-Chancellor to build 4IR thinking into the university helped shape more 4IR thinking and technologies, such as artificial intelligence, whilst still considering the existing disparities of SA, as a developing country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the levels of knowledge of South African citizens about the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) to determine how organizations can assimilate the implications of 4IR to leapfrog the development of the country. The findings show that knowledge was higher among citizens with better socio-economic status, higher education, with in excess of R6 500 (US$464.29) household income per month, are employed full-time, and have access to uncapped internet data or could afford to spend more than R150 (US$10.72) on data per month (more than 1 GB). There were low levels of knowledge among unemployed citizens (excluding tertiary institution students and unemployed graduates) and entrepreneurs. This was concerning as these groups are the main target for the country's economic development and growth. The study recommends increasing knowledge sharing about the 4IR and related technologies and raising awareness or advocating appropriate skills for future careers. This study serves as a baseline for the policymakers and other development agencies or stakeholders to effectively set a national agenda to respond to opportunities and challenges emerging with the 4IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While there is broad consensus about the importance of e-learning technologies to successful teaching and learning, many youths in Higher Education, especially in developing countries are struggling with e-learning. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges associated with the transition into digital learning by Higher Education Institutions in South Africa and the possibilities that such transition offers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era. Method: The paper is an exploration of publicly available data and literature about the adoption and implementation of digital learning in South Africa's historically disadvantaged higher education institutions. Findings: The review of the literature revealed that many higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries are yet to have a full grasp of digital learning and students in such institutions seem to be struggling with this new normal. Now that the world battles to recover from the socio-economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the higher education sector in Africa is expected to rethink how teaching and learning are delivered to comply with the new normal brought by COVID-19 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Recommendation: There is an urgent need for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) based institutions with already developed e-learning policies to partner with the conventional universities towards developing policies, programmes and practices that are 4IR compliant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]