New Advances in Business, Management and Economics Vol. 11

Reimagining Provincial Supply Chain Management in South Africa: A Digital and Institutional Transformation Framework

2025-10-27T12:35:23+00:00

This chapter critically evaluates the effectiveness of supply chain management (SCM) reforms in South Africa’s provincial government sector. South Africa's provincial landscape is divided into nine provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, North-West, and Northern Cape, each having different capacities, infrastructure readiness, and procurement maturity. The aim was to identify key institutional and digital transformation levers necessary for overhauling provincial supply chain management systems. This study was motivated by the persistent challenges in provincial SCM, ranging from bureaucratic inertia to technological underutilisation, highlighting the urgent need for reform. Furthermore, the inquest was also driven by the imperative to transition towards more accountable and digitally enabled governance that aligns with developmental objectives. Employing a qualitative research design, the study used thematic analysis to draw insights from policy documents and relevant literature. In addition, thematic analysis was conducted on both interview data and secondary sources. Findings reveal a persistent misalignment between SCM policies and institutional implementation capabilities. Key challenges include a lack of digital infrastructure, inadequate skills, inconsistent oversight mechanisms, and resistance to change. The adoption of the proposed eight-pillar digital and institutional transformation framework can significantly enhance the effectiveness of SCM in provincial departments. Furthermore, this framework is especially relevant in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and Limpopo, where audit results have consistently highlighted issues such as improper expenditure, noncompliance with SCM rules, and paper-based procurement processes. It provides policymakers and managers with actionable insights to redesign governance systems that are more responsive, transparent, and developmentally aligned. This study contributes to the SCM reform discourse by bridging theoretical and practical gaps in public procurement transformation. It puts forth a framework that supports both digital innovation and institutional coherence.

Monetising Underutilised Assets for Financial Sustainability: A Skin-in-the-Game Approach for the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo, Zimbabwe

2025-10-27T12:38:45+00:00

This study investigates the effectiveness of a Skin-in-the-Game Guaranty Approach in monetising underutilised assets within the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo, Zimbabwe, with the goal of enhancing financial sustainability amid persistent economic challenges. Rooted in the principle that direct stakeholder involvement fosters ownership and commitment, the approach was applied to explore how lay members, priests, and religious can collectively contribute to resource mobilisation and asset utilisation. Adopting a quantitative, descriptive research design, the study surveyed 385 participants across the diocese, drawing on structured questionnaires and descriptive statistical analysis to assess perceptions of feasibility, benefits, and challenges. The results revealed diverse stakeholder perspectives shaped by gender and educational backgrounds, while also exposing barriers such as resistance to change, limited technical expertise, and operational constraints. Despite these challenges, findings underscore the importance of transparent governance, strategic vision, and inclusive training programmes in building trust and ensuring effective implementation. The study contributes theoretically by extending the Skin-in-the-Game concept—traditionally applied in finance and risk management—into the religious institutional context, thereby offering a novel framework for resource monetisation in faith-based organisations. Practically, it provides a roadmap for the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo and comparable institutions to achieve financial resilience through stakeholder-driven initiatives. The research concludes that embedding community participation and accountability is vital for overcoming inertia and sustaining development projects. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and the lack of qualitative depth, which constrain the exploration of evolving dynamics and subtle stakeholder narratives. Future research should integrate longitudinal and qualitative methods to capture the long-term impact of asset monetisation and deepen understanding of cultural and organisational factors influencing adoption.

Understanding Seniors’ Experience of Luxury Consumption: An Emotional and Psychological Perspective

2025-10-27T12:41:57+00:00

The ageing population is one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century, impacting various sectors (United Nations, 2023). In marketing, seniors—typically defined as individuals aged 50 and above—are a valuable target group due to their favourable economic factors, lack of time constraints, and fewer commitments, leading to high consumption potential. This study addresses the issue of luxury consumption among seniors by examining the impact of advanced age on the emotions and psychological antecedents involved in the consumption of luxury products. Furthermore, it aims to highlight the differences among various segments of senior consumers in this context. As the first study to focus specifically on these aspects for senior consumers, a qualitative, exploratory approach was deemed necessary. To this end, 30 individual interviews were conducted with luxury consumers aged 50 and over. The study was conducted in France, and the respondents were randomly selected and interviewed in various locations, such as museums, luxury restaurants and hotels. The results underscore the importance of considering the role of both positive and negative emotions in luxury consumption, as well as the presence of emotional ambivalence related to advanced age among the participants. Moreover, senior luxury consumers referred to psychological antecedents associated with brand consciousness, materialism, and self-esteem. With a high purchasing power, increasing market size, and distinct behaviour compared to younger people, seniors are seen as newcomers in luxury marketing and deserve special attention. Despite extensive research on luxury consumers, most studies have focused on a younger demographic. However, both academics and practitioners have recognised the unique characteristics of senior consumers and their significant potential in the luxury sector. Understanding the nuances of ageing and its impact on luxury consumption is essential to effectively addressing this market. This knowledge helps develop better managerial insights and product offerings that strengthen the connection between senior consumers and luxury brands. The geographical limitation of the study presents opportunities for future research in diverse contexts, notably in cross-cultural studies on luxury consumption. Moreover, subsequent studies should explore the role of subjective age in shaping the emotional and psychological factors underlying luxury purchase intentions.

Unlocking the Potential of MSMEs in Advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat in Jharkhand, India

2025-10-27T12:44:17+00:00

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a pivotal role in realising the vision of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative, launched by the Government of India, aims to transform the country into a self-reliant economy by enhancing domestic production, reducing dependence on imports, &and promoting local businesses. This study provides insights into the potential of MSMEs in making Atmanirbhar Bharat and offers recommendations for policymakers to support MSMEs' growth. This study also examines the contribution of MSMEs in Jharkhand, a state rich in natural resources but often grappling with socio-economic issues, toward achieving self-reliance. The study explores how MSMEs in the region leverage local resources, generate employment, and promote entrepreneurship while addressing issues such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of access to finance, and limited market reach. The government of Jharkhand has introduced state-specific initiatives to complement central schemes and address local issues faced by MSMEs. The study highlights successful MSME initiatives in Jharkhand that have boosted local industries like handicrafts, mining, agro-based enterprises, and steel production, showcasing their potential to drive economic growth and self-sufficiency. It also delves into the impact of government schemes such as the PMEGP (Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme) and the MSME Samadhan initiative on empowering these enterprises. Skill development and labour-related issues are also major barriers for MSMEs in Jharkhand. The study emphasises the importance of digitalisation, skill development, and market linkages for strengthening MSMEs in Jharkhand. By analysing the region's unique issues and opportunities, this study aims to provide policy recommendations to further enhance the role of MSMEs in achieving an Atma Nirbhar Bharat, with Jharkhand serving as a model for sustainable and inclusive development. This study explores the challenges in making Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The findings suggest that MSMEs can become the backbone of the Indian Economy.

Nexus Between Good Governance and Economic Growth: Econometric Evidence from India

2025-10-27T12:46:39+00:00

The concept of good governance refers to the way authority is exercised to manage a country’s economic, social and political resources. It highlights the importance of dynamic interactions between the state, civil society and citizens in processes of decision-making, implementation and accountability. When governments prioritise key sectors such as education, health and social protection, the outcomes directly enhance individual well-being and foster inclusive growth. This study investigates whether good governance helps drive economic growth in India, using annual data from 1996 to 2022. Economic growth is measured by per capita GDP, while governance is captured through three key indicators: control of corruption, political stability and voice and accountability. To get a clearer picture, other important factors such as the Human Development Index (HDI), government consumption, trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI) and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) are also included.

The analysis applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach, which is well-suited for exploring both short-run and long-run relationships, when variables are integrated of mixed order. The results confirm that good governance plays a significant role in supporting India’s long-term economic growth. Specifically, stronger control of corruption, political stability and voice and accountability are all linked with higher economic growth. Among the control variables, human development, government consumption and trade openness also show a positive impact on economic growth. On the other hand, FDI is found to have a negative but statistically insignificant impact, while GFCF has a negative but significant impact, suggesting that capital investments in India may not be translating efficiently into economic growth, possibly due to institutional or structural weaknesses.

Overall, the findings highlight that improving governance and investing in human development are crucial for India’s sustained progress. Policymakers should therefore focus on strengthening institutions, ensuring accountability and enhancing the quality of governance systems so that investments and reforms can produce stronger and more inclusive economic outcomes.

Process, Product and Marketing Innovations as Drivers of Market Share in Ghanaian Universal Banks

2025-11-13T10:23:35+00:00

The banking industry has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, shaped by technological advancements, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer behaviours. In Ghana, the banking sector faces several challenges, including operational inefficiencies, rapidly changing consumer preferences, and recurrent banking crises that have eroded public confidence. While innovation is recognised as a critical driver of service quality and market share, there remains limited clarity on which specific innovation processes most effectively enhance banking performance. This study examined the impact of four innovation process types—organisational, product, process, and marketing—on the market share of universal banking services in Ghana. Data were collected from 100 managers across four universal banks, with respondents categorised by managerial roles for deeper analysis. An email-based survey was administered over several weeks, with respondents categorised by managerial roles for deeper analysis. Structural equation modelling was employed to test hypotheses, generating path coefficients, t-statistics, and p-values.

The findings highlight process, product, and marketing innovations as significant drivers of market share, with process innovation emerging as the most influential factor. Marketing and product innovations follow in importance, while organisational innovation shows a comparatively limited impact. Process innovation (β = 0.252) emerged as the most pivotal factor shaping bank market shares in Ghana. The result was closely followed by marketing innovation (β = 0.251), product innovation (β = 0.242), and organisational innovation (β = 0.159). This quantified hierarchy provides a clear understanding of the relative significance of each innovation type within Ghana's banking sector.

The study offers actionable insights for strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and policy formulation, helping stakeholders enhance market share and overall performance. By shedding light on the specific innovation processes that drive success, the research equips practitioners with tools to better meet evolving customer needs and gain a competitive edge in Ghana’s dynamic banking landscape. Additionally, addressing the challenges of organisational innovation remains crucial for maximising its potential impact. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge and lays a foundation for future studies to further optimise innovation strategies in the banking industry. The study is limited to four innovation types and a small sample of banks, highlighting the need for future research to involve broader samples and explore the interconnected nature of innovation.

Punjab’s Fiscal Sustainability: A Two - Decade Analysis of Persistent Revenue Deficits (2004-2024)

2025-11-13T10:26:16+00:00

This chapter examines Punjab’s revenue receipts, expenditure patterns, and revenue deficits from 2004 to 2024 to assess fiscal sustainability and policy effectiveness. A comprehensive analysis was undertaken by examining the components of both revenue receipts and revenue expenditure to identify the key components contributing to the revenue deficit. In addition to this, the percentage composition of components of Revenue receipts and expenditure was calculated to study the relative contribution. Thereafter, a descriptive and qualitative study of each component was undertaken through audit reports, government publications and research studies to enable a deep understanding of the underlying trends and drivers of Punjab’s revenue imbalance. Drawing on data from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), PRS Legislative Research, NITI Aayog, and state budget documents, the study highlights persistent structural fiscal imbalances driven by high committed expenditures on salaries, pensions, interest payments, and subsidies. Despite growth in total revenue receipts from ₹13,807 crore in 2004-05 to ₹98,852 crore in 2023-24, revenue expenditure has risen faster, widening the revenue deficit from ₹3,391 crore to ₹24,589 crore. The Dependence on central transfers has increased, while own-tax and non-tax revenues remain constrained by a narrow tax base and low PSU returns. The analysis identifies episodic revenue declines linked to non-tax revenue shortfalls and external shocks, and underscores the impact of high interest payments on development spending. Policy recommendations include subsidy rationalisation, structural revenue reforms, debt management strategies, enhanced capital expenditure, industrial diversification, and promotion of renewable energy initiatives. The findings are significant in terms of policy formation as they provide insights into major causes of persistent fiscal stress in Punjab. Further, the policy recommendations based on these findings offer a roadmap for improving/correcting fiscal health and creating a sustainable public finance management.