In order to diversify a portfolio, find prices, and manage risk, derivatives products are now necessary. There is a lack of understanding of the true influence of derivatives on the behavior of the underlying assets, their volatility consequences, and their pricing as complex instruments. There is a dearth of empirical research on how these instruments impact company risk exposures and inconsistent findings. This study examines corporate derivatives’ impact on stock price exposure and systematic risk in South African non-financial firms. Using a dataset of listed firms from 2013 to 2023, we employ Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models to assess the effect of derivatives on return volatility and beta, a measure of systematic risk. Additionally, we apply the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to address potential endogeneity between firm characteristics and derivatives use. Our findings suggest that firms using derivatives experience lower overall volatility and reduced systematic risk compared to non-users. The results are robust to various control factors, including firm size, leverage, and macroeconomic conditions. This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on an underrepresented emerging market and provides insights relevant to global risk management practices.

The implementation of data interoperability in healthcare relies heavily on policy frameworks. However, many hospitals across South Africa are struggling to integrate data interoperability between systems, due to insufficient policy frameworks. There is a notable awareness that existing policies do not provide clear actionable direction for interoperability implementation in hospitals. This study aims to develop a policy framework for integrating data interoperability in public hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The study employed a conceptual framework grounded in institutional theory, which provided a lens to understand policies for interoperability. This study employed a convergence mixed method research design. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study comprised 144 clinical and administrative personnel and 16 managers. Data were analyzed through descriptive and thematic analysis. The results show evidence of coercive isomorphism that public hospitals lack cohesive policies that facilitate data interoperability. Key barriers to establishing policy framework include inadequate funding, ambiguous guidelines, weak governance, and conflicting interests among stakeholders. The study developed a policy to facilitate the integration of data interoperability in hospitals. This study underscores the critical need for the South African government, legislators, practitioners, and policymakers to consult and involve external stakeholders in the policy-making processes.

Political patronage has become a notable concern in the South African public sector, often compared to a new epidemic because of its adverse effects on governance and public administration. This phenomenon involves by political leaders offering rewards and appointment people for key government positions and allocating resources to them based on their political loyalty rather than their abilities and qualifications. This intensifies corruption by fostering a culture in which competence is subordinate, resulting in inadequately qualified individuals assuming key positions and receiving benefits, thereby amplifying opportunities for unethical conduct. In turn, this practice undermines the effectiveness and integrity of public sector institutions. The purpose of this article is to offer a broader analysis and implications of political patronage and how it fuels corruption and governance in the South African public sector. This article employs a secondary research method through the review of existing literature to examine the nature of political patronage, its nexus with corruption and misgovernance in the public sector, drawing reference to contemporary, renowned corruption cases. This paper submits that overcoming these challenges necessitates a holistic approach that involves the professionalization of the public sector, robust measures to combat corruption, and improved transparency. The objective is to establish and promote a public service that emphasizes competence, responsibility, and the fulfilment of governance functions in order to serve the wider interests of citizens.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines, and energy storage systems, offer many benefits, including increased energy efficiency, sustainability, and grid reliability. However, their integration into the smart grid also introduces new vulnerabilities to cyber threats. The smart grid is becoming more digitalized, with advanced technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) devices, communication networks, and automation systems that enable the integration of DER systems. While this enhances grid efficiency and control, it creates more entry points for attackers and thus expands the attack surface for potential cyber threats. Protecting DERs from cyberattacks is crucial to maintaining the overall reliability, security, and privacy of the smart grid. The adopted cybersecurity strategies should not only address current threats but also anticipate future dangers. This requires ongoing risk assessments, staying updated on emerging threats, and being prepared to adapt cybersecurity measures accordingly. This paper highlights some critical points regarding the importance of cybersecurity for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the evolving landscape of the smart grid. This research study shows that there is need for a proactive and adaptable cybersecurity approach that encompasses prevention, detection, response, and recovery to safeguard these critical energy systems against cyber threats, both today and in the future. This work serves as a valuable tool in enhancing the cybersecurity posture of utilities and grid-connected DER owners and operators. It allows them to make informed decisions, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the reliability and security of grid-connected DER systems in an evolving energy landscape.

This study investigates the role of agricultural exports as a potential engine of economic growth in South Africa, employing a cointegration and error correction model (ECM) framework on time series data from 1980 to 2023. The results confirm a long-run equilibrium relationship between agricultural exports and economic growth, with lagged total exports and employment significantly influencing GDP growth in the short run. However, other factors like foreign direct investment, gross capital formation, and population growth did not exhibit a statistically significant impact. These findings underscore the importance of agricultural exports in driving South Africa’s economic growth. To further enhance this potential, the study recommends establishing a consistent and transparent policy environment to foster investor confidence and long-term planning in the agricultural sector, expanding the range of agricultural exports to reduce vulnerability to external shocks and enhance overall economic resilience and streamlining customs procedures, reducing trade barriers, and improving logistics to enhance the competitiveness of South African agricultural exports in the global market. These policy recommendations, grounded in empirical evidence, offer a roadmap for harnessing the full potential of agricultural exports to drive sustainable economic growth in South Africa.

Institutions of higher learning are crucial to sustainability. They play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of leaders who will successfully execute the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation. This research therefore intends to present a preliminary conceptual approach in examining how industrial revolution 4.0 (I.R. 4.0) technologies, and lean practices affect sustainability in South Africa’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The study shall employ survey questionnaire to collect data from the employees of the institutions. This preliminary study reveals that hybrid IR 4.0 technologies and lean practices as enablers of sustainability has not gained enough attention in the HEIs. Existing literature show the important role plays by performance variance of lean practices to improve sustainable performance when deployed from industry to education sector. The report validates the HEI’s future course, which has been incorporating new technology into its services processes recently. Using the created items, researchers may utilize empirical analysis to look into the combined effects of lean practices and IR 4.0 technologies on sustainability in HEIs. The following conclusions may be drawn: HEIs are essential for the application of sustainability principles; curriculum focused on sustainability and culture change are critical for attitude development; and the political climate and stakeholder interests impact the implementation of sustainability.