Scielo RSS http://www.scielo.org.za/rss.php?pid=1684-199920230001&lang=en vol. 23 num. 1 lang. en http://www.scielo.org.za/img/en/fbpelogp.gif http://www.scielo.org.za http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-19992023000100001&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ORIENTATION: Value addition has become increasingly important as a springboard to the growth of manufacturing enterprises in emerging economies. Despite the importance attached to value addition, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe's leather sector have minimally participated in value-added leather products. RESEARCH PURPOSE: This study aimed at understanding the value addition initiatives among the SMEs in the leather sector, challenges as well as ascertaining how internal and external factors impact value addition. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Small-to-medium enterprises in the leather sector participate minimally in value addition while large corporations largely depend on it as a springboard to growth. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: This study adopted a qualitative approach to collect data using interviews with 15 purposively selected owners or managers drawn from the three leather clusters (hides and skins, leather products and finished leather products) in Zimbabwe's two major cities Harare and Bulawayo. Content analysis was applied to analyse interview data and the emergent themes are reported as findings. MAIN FINDINGS: Transportation, preservation and storage of raw hides and skins emerged as the major value-addition initiatives among the majority of SMEs while a handful of them produce value-added leather products. Value-addition challenges included limited value-addition knowledge, high cost of leather machinery and a lack of government support while both internal and external factors are stifling value-addition initiatives. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Increased participation in value addition will create multiple jobs for the SMEs in the leather sector in Zimbabwe and allow them to address the socio-economic dimensions. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The originality of the research topic, research objectives, methodology employed as well as the research findings have the potential to fill the lacuna already identified in value-addition literature. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-19992023000100002&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ORIENTATION: Research has highlighted the significant role of entrepreneurship education and training (EET) in transforming individual lives, communities and nations. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the impact measurements of entrepreneurship education outcomes by exploring its indicators and methodological approaches and its associated challenges. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: The impact measurement of entrepreneurship education is an under-researched area of study. This study intends to close this gap. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: A scoping review was conducted on 80 articles and dissertations using the Arksey and O'Malley framework to explore the extent, range and nature of literature on the impact measurements of entrepreneurship education. MAIN FINDINGS: The study found three leading impact measurement indicators of entrepreneurship education - the subjective, objective and institutional-framework. The most commonly utilised methods of measuring the impact of entrepreneurship education are the pre and post-test or post-test, longitudinal and experimental designs. The findings also reveal that the primary challenge of impact measurement studies is self-selection of individuals who participate in EET programmes because of their desire to pursue entrepreneurial activities. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The impact measurement indicators of entrepreneurship education should be tailored to a specific audience and stakeholders' perspectives and also assess the participant's development, society and the national economy. The article, situated on the premise of the constructivists' recommendation that learners are not tabula rasas; the measurement of the impact of entrepreneurship education should instead focus on ex-post results and not pre-post results. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The study could assist entrepreneurship education curriculum evaluators to understand the various indicators and methods of measuring the impact of entrepreneurship education. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-19992023000100003&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ORIENTATION: Ethically questionable practices have given rise to a tremendous interest in studying leaders' ethical behaviours, which have become a subject of interest for scholars and practitioners alike, and how they could affect employee loyalty positively RESEARCH PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational commitment in a South African steel industry. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Previous research on the influence of ethical leadership on employee commitment suggests that ethical leaders are those who inspire, motivate and foster an ethical culture that enhances the psychological connection and well-being of workers. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH, AND METHOD: This research was quantitative and employed a cross-sectional approach. The measuring instruments were the Ethical Leaders Behaviour Questionnaire and the Organisational Commitment Scale. A convenience sample (N = 200) was drawn from among permanent employees at South African steel manufacturing company. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted. MAIN FINDINGS: The results indicate that the participants' perceptions of ethical leadership related positively to the level that ethical leadership predicted organisational commitment. PRACTICAL AND MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study have interesting implications for management and human resource professionals, as they can use the information during leadership development training to promote and encourage ethical behaviour and psychological attachment among employees. The data might also be utilised to establish a culture of responsibility, which could increase employee dedication. Ethical leadership appeared as a crucial component of organisational commitment, which may result in reduced inclination to leave and absenteeism. The data might be used by management to enforce and encourage ethical behaviour, which could increase employee commitment. CONTRIBUTION OR VALUE-ADDITION: The findings of this research will add to the body of knowledge about the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational commitment in the context of South African steel industry, while emphasising the practical implications for line managers and behavioural practitioners. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-19992023000100004&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ORIENTATION: Fraud and corruption have become a major concern for the South African government. However, the government has made attempts (often futile) to fight the scourge of corruption. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) developed a framework aimed at minimising corruption; nevertheless, loopholes in its anticorruption efforts continue to be an encumbrance. RESEARCH PURPOSE: This research sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fraud Management and Compliance Department (FMCD) in terms of its role in the prevention, detection, investigation, reporting and resolution of fraud, theft, corruption and maladministration within the SASSA. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: The study was based on public knowledge of the plethora of activities both by civilians and by the SASSA officials that are negatively affecting the SASSA's achievement of its goals and objectives. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: The study adopted a qualitative research approach, including 10 participants with whom one-on-one interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used. MAIN FINDINGS: The study mainly uncovered that the Special Investigation Unit, National Prosecuting Authority, South African Police Service and Public Service Commission each play a critical role in investigating corruption, fraud and maladministration within the SASSA, thus contributing to how future fraud situations are handled. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The article recommends the training and development of relevant authorities to enhance the effectiveness of the FMCD within the SASSA. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: This article contributes to the literature on proposed solutions in effectively diminishing corruption in a South African government entity. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-19992023000100005&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ORIENTATION: South Africa's entrepreneurial landscape faces multiple challenges that minimise the growth of established firms. Ethical misconduct is one of the main challenges entrepreneurs encounter in their business activities. RESEARCH PURPOSE: To gain deeper insight into the entrepreneurs' narratives of the types and management of ethical misconduct when engaging in entrepreneurial activities. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Entrepreneurs are central to economic development and alleviating challenges, such as poverty, employment creation and economic inclusion. Therefore, managing challenges that hinder their growth will contribute to the country's economic development. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: This study used narrative qualitative research to gather data on business ethical misconduct types and their management strategies. A sample of 17 established entrepreneurs participated in one-hour semi-structured interviews. Focusing on established entrepreneurs with more than three years in business provided real experiences of ethical misconduct and their management. Thematic narrative analysis was used to analyse the participants' experiences and develop key themes from the data. This study used narrative qualitative research to gather data on business ethical misconduct types and their management strategies. A sample of 17 established entrepreneurs participated in one-hour semi-structured interviews. Focusing on established entrepreneurs with more than three years in business provided real experiences of ethical misconduct and their management. Thematic narrative analysis was used to analyse the participants' experiences and develop key themes from the data. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides an ethical misconduct management framework that entrepreneurs could use in business practice and teaching. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: This study contributes to entrepreneurial ethics literature and South African entrepreneurship knowledge development. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-19992023000100006&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ORIENTATION: Systems thinking stems from the Twenties and has constantly developed over the years in assisting sectors in operations, management and the environment in checking for interdependencies, interconnections and coherence in all aspects of the elements inputted. In particular, the viable systems model in organisational cybernetics of systems thinking can be considered as a tool used for validating elements and being goal-oriented in nature. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to showcase the role and influence that the viable systems model in organisation cybernetics has in a study conducted on small and medium enterprises. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: In the business world, there is a profound need for organisations to ensure that process flows are maintained to achieve sustainability. The systems thinking approach ensures that process flows are maintained; however, they have proven to be robust in validating elements and achieving goals. In this regard, this study encourages organisations to embrace and utilise systems thinking approaches to improve productivity and, ultimately, sustainability. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: In conjunction with the mixed methodology approach, namely the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for quantitative research and NVivo for qualitative research, the viable systems model in organisational cybernetics was used in this empirical study. MAIN FINDINGS: The core element of 'strategy' and the subelements of 'change', 'purpose' and 'leadership' were investigated. It was found that 'change', 'purpose' and 'leadership' were the main contributors towards achieving sustainability. Furthermore, a systems thinking model - the viable systems model - was used successfully to indicate the interdependencies to purport the goal of achieving sustainability. Ultimately, it was found that 'strategy', 'change', 'purpose' and 'leadership' were required to achieve a 'sustainable business strategy' PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Leaders should consider the use of systems thinking as a tool to ensure the output of a robust process flow, increased productivity and good governance in their organisations. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The viable systems model in organisational cybernetics proved to be successful in checking for interconnections, interdependencies and coherence of the elements used in the research study. Researchers in today's era should consider the use of systems thinking in future research studies. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-19992023000100007&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ORIENTATION: Systems thinking stems from the Twenties and has constantly developed over the years in assisting sectors in operations, management and the environment in checking for interdependencies, interconnections and coherence in all aspects of the elements inputted. In particular, the viable systems model in organisational cybernetics of systems thinking can be considered as a tool used for validating elements and being goal-oriented in nature. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to showcase the role and influence that the viable systems model in organisation cybernetics has in a study conducted on small and medium enterprises. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: In the business world, there is a profound need for organisations to ensure that process flows are maintained to achieve sustainability. The systems thinking approach ensures that process flows are maintained; however, they have proven to be robust in validating elements and achieving goals. In this regard, this study encourages organisations to embrace and utilise systems thinking approaches to improve productivity and, ultimately, sustainability. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: In conjunction with the mixed methodology approach, namely the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for quantitative research and NVivo for qualitative research, the viable systems model in organisational cybernetics was used in this empirical study. MAIN FINDINGS: The core element of 'strategy' and the subelements of 'change', 'purpose' and 'leadership' were investigated. It was found that 'change', 'purpose' and 'leadership' were the main contributors towards achieving sustainability. Furthermore, a systems thinking model - the viable systems model - was used successfully to indicate the interdependencies to purport the goal of achieving sustainability. Ultimately, it was found that 'strategy', 'change', 'purpose' and 'leadership' were required to achieve a 'sustainable business strategy' PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Leaders should consider the use of systems thinking as a tool to ensure the output of a robust process flow, increased productivity and good governance in their organisations. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The viable systems model in organisational cybernetics proved to be successful in checking for interconnections, interdependencies and coherence of the elements used in the research study. Researchers in today's era should consider the use of systems thinking in future research studies.