Researchers World - International Refereed Social Sciences Journal

Strategic ICT Leadership in Constrained Environments: GITO Agency in South Africa’s Public Sector – Insights for Developing Nations

2025-09-25T13:01:31+00:00

Purpose: This article examines how Government Information Technology Officers (GITOs) in South Africa's public sector navigate leadership strategically amidst persistent institutional inflexibility, bureaucratic slowdowns, and tight budgets. Despite the good intentions behind formal ICT governance frameworks—like the Corporate Governance of ICT Policy Framework, the Public Finance Management Act, and the SITA Act, all designed for accountability and efficiency—actual real-world data tells a different story. The research involved 55 GITOs who worked at national, provincial and local government levels and found that current organizational structures hinder both agility and innovation in the ICT sector. Our research lays bare how GITOs exhibit remarkable adaptive agency, a truth illuminated by looking through lenses like strategic leadership, street-level bureaucracy, and institutional work. These GITOs are far from just carrying out orders; they're actively working through and around existing regulations. They achieve this through their ability to manipulate situations by forming strategic alliances and negotiating the compliance terms.. This article contributes to ICT governance and public administration literature by foregrounding the lived practices of digital leadership in the Global South and calls for more context-sensitive, flexible governance models that recognise discretion, adaptation, and influence as essential features of public sector ICT leadership.

The Role of Innovation Hubs in Accelerating Circular Economies: Business Model Innovation and Cross-Sector Collaboration (A Systematic Review)

2025-09-25T13:47:31+00:00

Purpose: The study aims to explore the systematic review the critical role of innovation hubs in accelerating the transition to circular economies (CE) by fostering innovation, collaboration, and the development of sustainable business models in which to understand the mechanisms through the innovation hubs fostere circular thinking and to identify the conditions under which they most effectively drive systemic change toward a more regenerative economic framework. Methodology: By analysing 11 peer-reviewed studies, this review identifies several key themes, including business model innovation for the circular economy (BMI4CE), the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. Innovation hubs facilitate the integration of circular principles by supporting startups and established businesses in experimenting with circular models, implementing advanced technologies such as blockchain and IoT, and encouraging collaboration across industries. However, significant challenges remain, including regulatory and financial barriers, constraints in technological adoption, and the need for greater consumer engagement. Findings: The review highlights that while innovation hubs provide essential platforms for knowledge sharing and partnership, addressing these barriers is crucial for scaling circular economy practices. Policy implications are discussed, emphasizing the need for cohesive regulatory frameworks, financial support mechanisms for circular startups, and initiatives to increase consumer awareness and participation. Originality: The current research makes a significant contribution to current literature and also contributes to a deeper understanding of how innovation hubs can accelerate circular economy initiatives, offering insights for policymakers, businesses, and academics.

China and Niger-Delta Collaboration on Maritime Security during 2000- 2015 – A Review

2025-09-25T13:55:10+00:00

Purpose: China Nigeria collaboration in Niger Delta maritime security before 2015 subjects to analysis while exploring its maritime security strategies and their effects on pirate reductions. Objective: To examine the effects that the China-Niger Delta partnership had on reducing regional piracy incidents. Methodology: A quantitative research approach was implemented through structured questionnaires, which were distributed to 385 respondents spread across the main coastal states selected by using stratified random sampling methods. Multiple regression ANOVA and model summary analysis in SPSS version 24 served to interpret the collected data. Results: Chinese maritime security initiatives, together with piracy reduction strategies and bilateral measures, effectiveness demonstrated statistically significant positive results according to the research (β = 0.352, β = 0.298, β = 0.210). The predictive power of the model reached 34.5 percent based on the calculated R-squared value. Implications: The research participants confirmed that strategic cooperation with focused foreign assistance plays a vital role in controlling maritime threats. Novelty: The research demonstrates that Chinese participation brought positive security improvements to the area, yet additional strategic policy networks and field-based enforcement practices are vital for maintaining stability in the Niger Delta.

The Role of Green Banking in Enhancing Profitability: Evidence from Indian Retail Banks

2025-09-28T12:28:47+00:00

Purpose: This study provides an empirical investigation into the effect of Green Banking Practices on the profitability of selected Indian retail banks. Panel data were collected from secondary sources, specifically the annual reports of the top five retail banks in India, covering the period from the year two thousand twenty to two thousand twenty-two. The analysis explores how environmental sustainability initiatives undertaken by banks influence financial performance. The empirical evidence suggests that these banks are increasingly aware of the strategic importance of adopting environmentally responsible practices. Green Banking has emerged as a matter of relevance at the board level, with institutions gradually integrating climate change considerations into their strategic planning and operational execution. This shift has shown a favourable impact on overall profitability, indicating that sustainable practices are not only environmentally essential but also financially beneficial. To examine the relationship between the variables, the study employed regression analysis, where profitability served as the dependent variable and various Green Banking indicators acted as independent variables. The results contribute valuable insights that can inform policy development and encourage further academic inquiry into the intersection of environmental sustainability and financial performance in the banking sector.