Digital Knowledge Community:

Investigating the influence of transformational leadership style On employees job satisfaction and turnover intention in the South Africa public sector

2026-10-15T20:46:07Z

Title: Investigating the influence of transformational leadership style On employees job satisfaction and turnover intention in the South Africa public sector Authors: Tiro, Freddy; Rena, Ravinder Abstract: This study sought to investigate the influence of transformational leadership style on employees’ job satisfaction and turnover intention in the South Africa Public Sector. Surprisingly, only fewer studies have been conducted in South Africa to find the reasons behind public sector employees job satisfaction and turnover intention. This study employed a quantitative research approach, and a self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 250 participants around the North West province of South Africa. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data. The statistical tests used including descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, and Spearman’s rank-order correlation. The results revealed that the positive correlation between transformational leadership and employees' job satisfaction leans towards a small effect size or no practically significant correlation (r = .228), while a negative correlation between transformational leadership and turnover intention leans towards a small effect or no practically significant correlation (r = -.091). Leaders in public sector departments should pay more attention to their followers’ job satisfaction and turnover intention to help them feel connected to the organisation. Recommendations for future research were also provided. The research results strengthen the significance of attributes of transformational leadership in leading officers in the public sector organisations in South Africa that wish to promote positive attitudes in employees and their work climate.

Assessing the knowledge and attitudes of semi-professional netball players in the Western Cape district regarding netball injuries: a cross-sectional study

2026-10-15T20:45:44Z

Title: Assessing the knowledge and attitudes of semi-professional netball players in the Western Cape district regarding netball injuries: a cross-sectional study Authors: Ras, Jaron; Carstens, Roné; Hoffman, Shevonne; Africa, Nashitah; Leach, Lloyd Abstract: BACKGROUND: Netball, with its dynamic movements, poses a high injury risk, notably to the ankles and knees. This study examined the injury knowledge and attitudes of semi-professional netball players in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS: In this study 117 semi-professional female netball players from eight clubs in the Western Cape district were conveniently sampled. A self-administered researcher-generated questionnaire collected data on the players’ sociodemographic characteristics, as well as their knowledge and attitudes regarding netball injuries. Independent samples t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and the χ2 tests were employed for data analyses. RESULTS: Results showed that most players (62.4%) had good knowledge of injury prevention and recovery, though a minority held negative attitudes (39.0% and 29.0%, respectively). Those with over three years of experience demonstrated superior knowledge (85.7%) and more positive attitudes (61.9% and 71.4%). Conversely, a minority (37.6%) exhibited poor knowledge, while a majority (61.00%) displayed positive attitudes. Furthermore, a moderate positive correlation (r=0.552; P<0.001) was observed between overall knowledge and attitudes towards injury prevention and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: While most semi-professional netball players possess adequate injury knowledge, those with longer experience show more positive attitudes. Establishing educational programs emphasizing injury prevention and recovery could benefit players, especially those starting later in life, promoting both knowledge and positive attitudes towards injury management.

Executive leadership insights: navigating crises with adaptive management competencies

2026-10-09T20:45:30Z

Title: Executive leadership insights: navigating crises with adaptive management competencies Authors: Pharaoh, Courtley Abstract: This study investigates the complex university management environment, specifically, universities of technology, seeking to unravel the complicated dynamics that describe changes in management competencies from regular operational periods to times of crisis. The goal is to comprehend how management competencies evolve in response to the unique challenges posed by crises, with a particular emphasis on the impact of the #FeesMustFall student protest and the COVID-19 pandemic. The exploratory research study employs a qualitative methodology that includes semi-structured online interviews conducted through videoconferencing, providing a safe and flexible platform for gathering real-time, audio-visual insights from participants, closely resembling traditional in-person interviews adhering to the strict COVID-19 pandemic requirements and Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) enables a comprehensive exploration of management and crisis competencies. The findings of the study identify six critical changes executives make when a crisis evolves. Ultimately, this study provides a valuable contribution to understanding how university executives evolve and adapt their management competencies during crises, with the unprecedented backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a critical focal point.

Decoding funding dynamics for AI start-ups: investor infl uence, innovation strategies, and ecosystem synergies

2026-10-09T20:45:36Z

Title: Decoding funding dynamics for AI start-ups: investor infl uence, innovation strategies, and ecosystem synergies Authors: Rena, Ravinder; Paul, Linda Abstract: In this research, we analyze the multiple relationships of funding for AI start-ups and specify investor influence, technological changes, and funding types within a start-up ecosystem. The research has identified over 500 relevant AI start-ups and splits the analysis based on regions and time into several years from 2019 to 2024. The research focuses on issues such as the involvement of venture capitalists, corporate investors, governmental support, and funding models of AI businesses. This study makes use of both descriptive statistics of financial and operational data and subjective data collection from the identified start-up founders, investors, and policymakers. Machine learning algorithms, statistical tools like R and Python, and business intelligence tools like Tableau are used to analyze patterns of funding to determine patterns in the data sets. To enhance the findings, the study also relies on secondary data from local and international venture capital databases and financial statements. Some of the findings have to do with ways in which funding ecosystems shape the technological development path of AI start-ups through, inter alia, emphasizing ethical approaches to AI, regulatory frameworks, and sustaining innovations. The study highlights the standout of investor preferences, systematic positioning of innovation centers, and socio-cultural imperative of multi-stakeholder collaboration as the drivers of sustainable growth. In addition, it recognizes challenges such as selection algorithm bias and data privacy issues and it presents policy suggestions regarding funding approaches. The present work advances the knowledge in the field by presenting an overall model of funding processes in AI start-ups, explaining the actions of investors, and providing tools for entrepreneurs. It also educates policymakers about specific areas that should be prioritized to enable a positive culture of unleashing and supporting AI, thereby filling knowledge gaps, and reinforcement AI stability and growth.