Background: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to influence macroeconomic performance through trade integration and structural adjustment. However, empirical evidence based on observed post-ratification data remains limited, particularly with respect to gross domestic product (GDP) dynamics in early-implementing economies. Aim: This study examines GDP dynamics in the context of AfCFTA and assesses whether the post-2018 implementation period is associated with changes in macroeconomic performance among early ratifying countries. Setting: The analysis focuses on seven early ratifying African economies – Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Niger, Chad, Eswatini and Côte d’Ivoire – over the period 2012–2024. Method: A longitudinal panel framework is applied using a fixed-effects regression model with a post-2018 indicator, a time trend and pandemic controls. Cluster-robust standard errors and a Wild Cluster Bootstrap procedure are used to strengthen inference. A complementary counterfactual analysis based on pre-2020 growth trends is also implemented. Results: Among the seven early ratifying economies, the findings indicate a positive and statistically significant association between the post-2018 period and GDP dynamics. In the logarithmic specification, this corresponds to an approximate 7.17% higher level of nominal GDP relative to the pre-2018 trajectory. Counterfactual analysis reveals heterogeneous adjustments: smaller economies exceed projected growth paths, while larger economies exhibit persistent negative deviations. Conclusion: The post-ratification period is associated with measurable shifts in GDP trajectories, although recovery from the pandemic remains uneven across countries. Contribution: This study provides empirical evidence based on observed macroeconomic data during the AfCFTA implementation phase among seven early ratifying economies, combining econometric and counterfactual approaches to capture structural changes in GDP dynamics.
Background: Packaging serves as a key inferential cue in private-label retail contexts, where brand-based quality signals are limited. However, existing research largely focuses on discrete packaging attributes, offering limited theoretical insight into packaging as a higher-order multidimensional construct within the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) framework. This study conceptualises functional packaging value (FPV) as an integrated stimulus and examines its role in shaping consumer evaluation and purchase intention through cognitive-affective pathways. Aim: This study conceptualises FPV as a multidimensional higher-order construct within the S-O-R framework and examines its influence on the purchase intention of private-label packaged foods through the sequential mediating roles of perceived value and attitude. Setting: This study was conducted among urban Indian consumers who recently bought private-label packaged foods in organised retail settings. Method: A structured questionnaire with a quantitative cross-sectional design was used in this study. Data from 557 consumers were analysed using SEM modelling. Results: FPV enhances perceived value, which reinforces attitudes and purchase intentions. FPV also directly influences attitudes, indicating complementary partial mediation through cognitive-affective pathways. The findings demonstrate that functional packaging operates as a higher-order integrated stimulus rather than a set of isolated attributes. Conclusion: Multidimensional FPV influences purchase intention through sequential cognitive and affective processes for private-label products. Contribution: This study reconceptualises FPV as a higher-order multidimensional construct within the S-O-R framework and demonstrates that perceived value and attitude sequentially mediate the relationship between FPV and purchase intention, extending FPV theory to an under-represented emerging private-label retail context.
Background: Environmental risks, defined as any potentially negative financial impact due to environmental conditions, are considered in several ways within the international banking sector. But, in the South African banking landscape, objective standardisation of environmental risk consideration is lacking due to different expectations by government departments, reputational drivers and the threat of greenwashing. Aim: This study aims to investigate the perceived future of environmental risk considerations in the banking sector of South Africa. Setting: This study was carried out within the South African banking sector, using six different banks representing 80% of the market share. Method: We interviewed representatives from six banks using the Seven Questions Method, then identifying temporal themes and sub-themes framed using Institutional Theory. Results: The results showed an ongoing evolution in environmental risk considerations. Past considerations were compliance-driven, with the present drivers being increased professionalisation within organisations and the need for industry regulatory alignment. The future will include further standardisation in the industry and benchmarking between organisations, expecting continued regulatory reform and mainstreaming of environmental risk consideration. Conclusion: According to the participants, the future should address challenges and prevent greenwashing while standardising the approach to environmental risk consideration throughout the South African banking industry. The participants’ reactions highlighted that Institutional Theory remains important, especially mimetic forces and isomorphism, in the current and potential future consideration of environmental risk. Contribution: This study shares the perception of the South African banking sector regarding environmental risk consideration and identifies the drivers that resulted in the current state, as well as those shaping the future.
Background: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are increasingly important sustainability indicators. Because corporate GHG disclosure remains voluntary in South Africa, reporting is often inconsistent and difficult to compare across companies. Food producers face stakeholder pressure to disclose emissions transparently. Aim: To evaluate the extent to which JSE-listed food producers in the farming, fishing and plantation subsector disclose their GHG emissions in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 305 standard. Setting: The study focused on JSE-listed food producers where sustainability disclosure is shaped by voluntary frameworks. Method: Content analysis was conducted on the 2024 integrated, sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reports of six purposively selected JSE-listed food producers. Disclosure was assessed using a GRI 305-based coding index comprising 30 items per company across five categories, resulting in 180 company-level disclosure observations scored on a three-point ordinal scale. Results: Most companies disclosed gross Scope 1 and location-based Scope 2 emissions, and several reported emissions intensity and reduction initiatives. However, Scope 3 disclosure was minimal, and key supporting information (such as base years, emission factors, methodologies and gases included) was frequently omitted. Conclusion: Although GHG reporting remains voluntary in South Africa, the findings indicate limited alignment with the full set of GRI 305 disclosure requirements, reducing transparency and comparability. More complete and methodologically transparent disclosure, particularly for Scope 3, would improve decision usefulness for stakeholders. Contribution: The study provides a GRI 305-based assessment of GHG reporting among JSE-listed food producers and offers a replicable coding approach to support future research, benchmarking and policy development.
Background: Persistent governance failures in South African public institutions have intensified scholarly and policy interest in ethical leadership as a governance capability associated with accountability, institutional integrity and organisational performance. However, dominant ethical leadership measures were primarily developed in private-sector environments and may not adequately reflect the realities of bureaucratic governance within South African government institutions. Aim: This study aimed to develop a contextually grounded ethical leadership measurement scale for South African government institutions and to explore its underlying dimensional structure. Setting: The study was conducted within two national government institutions in South Africa. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional research design was adopted. An Ethical Leadership Questionnaire was developed from established ethical leadership and governance theories and administered to permanently employed public-sector staff members. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to examine the latent structure of ethical leadership in a public-sector governance context. Results: The findings supported a multidimensional ethical leadership structure comprising Character, Influence and Morality. The dimensions reflected dispositional ethical attributes, behavioural enactment of ethical standards and normative ethical orientation, respectively. Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that ethical leadership in government institutions may comprise distinguishable but interrelated governance capabilities. Contribution: This study contributes to governance and leadership scholarship by developing a contextually grounded, exploratory measure of ethical leadership for South African government institutions.
Background: There is a growing volume of literature on corporate governance and corporate sustainability. Despite this, the linkage among a critical mass of board gender diversity (BGD), audit committee independence (ACI) and corporate carbon emissions is an unresolved issue. Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of BGD and audit committee (AC) on (direct and indirect) carbon emissions (CO2) performance. This article paves the way for an understanding of how firm size can affect the relationship between critical mass of BGD, ACI and corporate sustainability performance (CSP). Setting: The study sample has listed firms from the Group of Seven (G7) economies. Method: The study uses the fixed effects regression. The outcomes are robust across different methods and measurements (e.g. System GMM, Blau’s Index). Results: The article finds that a critical mass of BGD (≥ 20% female representation) drives corporate sustainability performance by mitigating the level of carbon emissions (direct, indirect and total), indicating that token representation of women on corporate boards limits their effectiveness. The outcomes also show the effectiveness of ACI in promoting carbon emission deduction. Further, the study finds that firm size moderates the relationship between the critical mass of BGD and CSP. Meanwhile, the study finds that the moderating effect of firms’ size on the relationship between ACI and CSP are statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The article offers empirical evidence that the efficacy of the BGD critical mass and ACI in promoting CSP, offering valuable implications and insights for the policymakers to align their governance structures and regulations with sustainability goals. Contribution: The current work makes a unique contribution to the current empirical literature by investigating the effect of firm size on the linkage among the critical mass of BGD, ACI and CSP.
Background: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies encounter resource constraints, impairing performance. In this digital age, resource scarcity is a significant barrier to SMEs competing effectively in the global market. Aim: The study addresses a critical knowledge gap regarding how SMEs can leverage network capabilities (NCs) to enhance the effectiveness of digital ambidexterity (DA) and improve SME business performance (SME BP). Setting: The article examined the role of NC in the relationship between DA and SME BP. Method: The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design, sampling 370 owners and managers. The data were analysed through regression analysis. Results: Digital ambidexterity had a significant direct positive effect on the mediator variable, NC. Network capability had a significant positive effect on SMEs’ BP. When the mediator variable NC was controlled for, the mediation analysis indicated that DA was a significant predictor of SMEs’ BP. Conclusion: Policymakers should promote SMEs’ DA onboarding initiatives by offering tax breaks to collaborations between large firms and indigenous SMEs. Small and medium enterprises in emerging economies should utilise their networking capabilities to support DA initiatives. Contribution: The findings are significant for SME managers and owners, who should carefully utilise networks to increase their DA and business performance.
Background: The rapid rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa has sparked two competing fiscal narratives: one calling for alternative taxation mechanisms to offset declining fuel-related revenues, and the other advocating for expanded tax incentives to accelerate adoption. Aim: To examine the current tax position of EVs for consumers and to explore potential legislative changes that may affect their taxation in South Africa. Setting: Uncertainty exists in South Africa regarding the current tax position for EV consumers and potential legislative responses, creating a need for evidence to guide policy. Method: A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with tax experts and analysed using thematic analysis, supported by a document analysis of the current tax framework. Results: Electric vehicles provide savings on fuel and carbon-related levies; however, higher import duties, purchase prices (increasing value-added tax [VAT] and ad valorem tax) and electricity levies offset some of these benefits. Although declining fuel revenue is a concern for the National Treasury, practical, administrative, ideological and socio-economic constraints limit the feasibility of additional taxes or consumer-side incentives. Short-term EV adoption is expected to remain modest due to electricity supply constraints, a carbon-intensive energy mix, limited charging infrastructure, high costs and geographic factors. Conclusion: South Africa’s economic, fiscal, and infrastructural realities necessitate a distinctly context-specific approach to EV taxation. Contribution: The clarification of the current tax position of EVs and potential legislative changes extends knowledge of South Africa-specific barriers and provides evidence to guide policy that supports adoption while safeguarding government revenue.
Background: Strategic human resource management (SHRM) is central to improving organisational performance by aligning HR practices with business goals. In today’s competitive environment, SHRM drives employee engagement, talent retention and productivity. Despite growing interest, how employees themselves experience and evaluate SHRM in Saudi small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains underexplored. Aim: To examine the impact of SHRM practices on organisational performance in Saudi Arabian SMEs from the employee perspective, within the context of Saudi Vision 2030. Setting: A stratified sample of 300 employees across Saudi Arabian SMEs in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, representing multiple industries. Method: A quantitative survey design was employed using validated scales (Job Satisfaction Survey and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale). Data were analysed using Pearson correlation, chi-square tests, multiple regression and structural equation modelling. Results: SHRM practices were significantly and positively associated with employee performance (r = 0.752, p 0.001), job satisfaction (r = 0.624, p 0.01) and financial performance indicators. Compensation satisfaction showed a non-significant direct effect (p = 0.918), interpreted through Saudi cultural values prioritising non-monetary recognition. Conclusion: This study provides employee-level empirical evidence that SHRM practices drive performance outcomes in Saudi Arabian SMEs. Findings offer actionable guidance aligned with Vision 2030 objectives and contribute to contextual HRM theory. Contribution: This study contributes employee-level evidence of SHRM–performance linkages in Saudi Arabian SMEs, extends contextual HRM theory by demonstrating the cultural contingency of compensation practices in emerging-economy settings and operationalises RBV, HCT and Contingency Theory within a single integrated empirical design.
Background: Analysing the persistence of consumption patterns is fundamental to identifying latent economic dynamics and the underlying factors of market fluctuations. In the BRICS Plus countries, this involves a complex interplay of socioeconomic, cultural and political conditions. Aim: To study the degree of consumption persistence in 11 countries to determine whether shocks have transitory or permanent effects. Additionally, we examined how external shocks may have impacted spending patterns there. Setting: The data used are ‘Final Consumption Expenditure of Households and NPISH’ from the World Bank and are annual (1960–2022). Method: Fractional integration techniques. These econometric methods analyse time series with long-term memory, meaning that past events influence the future over an extended time horizon, although they fade over time. Results: There are substantial differences. The most significant positive trends are in Brazil, Iran and Russia, as well as Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. Only Iran and Saudi Arabia show evidence of mean reversion and temporary shocks. For the other countries, we cannot rule out the possibility that the shocks are permanent, as the unit root hypothesis is not rejected. Conclusion: Each country exhibits distinct strengths and weaknesses. The methodology helps us analyse past consumption and its persistence to understand future consumption. Policy recommendations include fiscal stimulus, increased disposable income, investment in infrastructure, among others. Contribution: No articles or books were found that analyse this topic with fragmented integration in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICS) Plus countries. Furthermore, the results are heterogeneous between countries, implying that the same policy recommendations cannot be generalised.
Background: State-owned logistics enterprises often struggle to convert resource advantages and digital transformation initiatives into superior performance. Prior research links strategic agility to business model innovation (BMI) and firm performance (FP), but less is known about when agility becomes more performance-relevant in regulated and bureaucratic settings. Aim: This study examines whether BMI mediates the relationship between strategic agility and FP and whether absorptive capacity strengthens the relationship between strategic agility and BMI. Setting: The study focuses on Indonesian state-owned logistics enterprises. Method: A quantitative approach was employed using survey data from managerial-level respondents (n = 427). Partial least squares structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the proposed relationships. Results: Strategic agility was positively associated with BMI and FP, and BMI partially mediated the relationship between agility and performance. Absorptive capacity significantly strengthened the association between strategic agility and BMI although the moderation effect was small. These findings indicate that agility is more strongly linked to business model renewal when firms possess stronger knowledge-processing capability. Conclusion: Strategic agility is not a self-sufficient performance mechanism. Its performance relevance depends on whether agile responses are translated into BMI and supported by absorptive capacity. Contribution: This study extends dynamic capability theory by positioning BMI as a value-conversion mechanism and absorptive capacity as an internal boundary condition in state-owned logistics enterprises.
Background: Increased competition in the higher education sector has intensified pressure on institutions, particularly in attracting student enrolments, funding and academic talent. As the number of institutions grows, marketers are seeking more effective ways to reach their audience. Institutions are therefore increasingly making use of social media marketing to gain a competitive advantage over other entities. As polytechnics compete for the same student enrolments, these institutions need to utilise social media marketing to build brand awareness effectively and gain a competitive advantage against rival institutions. Aim: No research has examined the use of social media marketing for brand awareness, specifically focusing on its sub-factors in Zimbabwean polytechnics. The research aimed to determine the influence of social media marketing activities on brand awareness, focusing on its sub-factors in Zimbabwean polytechnics. Setting: The study was conducted among Zimbabwean polytechnic students. Method: A quantitative survey was used to administer an online questionnaire through convenience sampling, and 492 valid questionnaires were collected. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and examined in IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: Results revealed statistically significant relationships between social media marketing activities and brand awareness, top-of-mind awareness, brand recall, and brand recognition. Conclusion: Social media marketing activities factors, and their sub-factors significantly predict brand awareness in the context of Zimbabwean polytechnics. This demonstrates the need for students to be exposed to social media marketing to create brand awareness. Contribution: A model was proposed to enhance brand awareness by polytechnic marketers through social media marketing for competitive advantage purposes.
Background: Digitalisation, knowledge-intensive work, and workforce mobility have reduced the effectiveness of control-oriented supervision. As work increasingly requires adaptability, problem-solving, and innovation, diverse supervisory approaches and creativity-enabling work environments are now central to sustaining employee-driven innovation (EDI). Aim: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between supervisory behaviour and work environment factors in advancing employee innovation. Setting: The study was conducted among 4206 employees within the administrative and academic sectors of a South African higher education institution. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used, employing a census survey in which 624 participants completed a self-developed questionnaire (15% response rate). Inferential statistical analyses were conducted to examine how supervisory behaviour and the internal work environment influence employee innovation. Results: Supervisory behaviour demonstrates a positive relationship with EDI, a link that is mediated by internal organisational factors such as an innovation-supportive culture, established innovation mechanisms, available innovation opportunities, and tolerance for risk-taking. Conclusion: Employee innovation does not arise from individual effort alone but is shaped by the interaction between supervisors’ day-to-day behaviours and the broader internal work environment. Innovation is most likely to be sustained when supervisory support, an innovation-oriented culture, and enabling structures operate in a coherent, mutually reinforcing manner. Contribution: This study makes practical contributions by identifying supervisory support and management–team alignment as key levers for fostering innovation, and theoretical contributions by demonstrating how innovation culture and environmental mechanisms mediate the relationship between supervisory behaviour and employee innovation.
Background: This study examined how strategic reconfiguration of strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices influences the effectiveness of talent management (TM) within South Africa’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs), with particular attention to how SHRM can drive organisational performance through enhanced talent acquisition, development, and retention. Aim: This research explored a ‘rebooted’ SHRM framework to address talent acquisition, development, and retention, and to mitigate unique SOE challenges, including governance deficits and operational inefficiencies. Setting: The study took place at selected SOEs in Limpopo province. Method: The study was quantitative; the survey questionnaire was distributed across four strata among 252 employees. SPSS (ver. 4.2) was used to analyse data, and factor analysis, correlation, and multiple regression analysis were employed to test the research objectives. Results: The findings reveal noticeable critical SHRM and TM sub-factors, including greening the workplace, corporate social responsibility, future of work, work satisfaction, work motivation, and workforce development. Notably, work motivation showed strong explanatory power, accounting for 61% of the variance (R2 = 0.615; adjusted R2 = 0.605). The findings demonstrate a significant positive relationship between SHRM and TM, and a significant influence of SHRM sub-factors on TM. This reveals work motivation through the social exchange theory perspective, indicating the reciprocal nature of SHRM, fostering employee contributions, and sustaining competitive advantage. Conclusion: The study highlights insights for SOE leaders and policymakers seeking to optimise human capital and improve organisational performance in a dynamic environment. Contribution: The study contributes to the academic literature by identifying context-specific SHRM dimensions and providing empirical evidence of SHRM’s influence on TM outcomes in SOEs.
Background: Voluntary carbon markets represent an opportunity to increase the flow of finance to climate change mitigation measures, as espoused in the Paris Agreement, but remain modest in their capital mobilisation efforts. Aim: The study aims to explore whether a private-sector-led carbon-backed digital currency will be adopted and used. Increased adoption will channel more capital to fund the estimated $7.4 trillion in annual climate finance required to achieve net zero by 2050. Setting: A pilot carbon-backed digital currency was launched in South Africa in 2022, and the entrepreneurs provided trading data to the researchers. Method: The pilot provided empirical evidence and impetus to explore the adoption and usage trends of this blockchain-based innovation through a case study methodology. Results: The adoption of a carbon-backed digital currency, underpinned by intensive activation activities, shows promise. Usage is influenced by increased awareness and socialisation in the market. Merchants hold the currency as assets, and individuals take advantage of incentive opportunities. Conclusion: Explicit incentivisation will increase adoption of a carbon-backed digital currency. An increase in price encourages adoption and use, and tax incentives to reduce capital gains can further increase adoption, and, thus, increase climate finance flows. However, decentralised digital currencies pose several financial stability concerns for regulators, and consumer protection is paramount. Contribution: This study contributes to the emerging body of knowledge on the market mechanisms of digital currencies that yield positive environmental outcomes by exploring what drives adoption and use in an emerging market context.
Background: Dividends tax was introduced in South Africa in 2012 to simplify the corporate tax system, to promote international alignment and to encourage foreign investment. The statutory complexity of the resulting legislative amendments, however, remains unexplored. Aim: This study investigated whether the statutory complexity of Income Tax Act provisions relating to dividends and interest increased since 2012. Setting: Three indicators of statutory complexity (length, readability and tax disputes) were investigated in respect of the tax provisions and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Interpretation Notes relating to dividends and interest in South Africa. Method: This study was quantitative in nature and pursued three objectives: (1) compared the length and readability of tax provisions during 2024 with 2014; (2) analysed the readability of current Interpretation Notes compared to tax provisions, as well as the trend in publication and revision frequency of SARS Interpretation Notes from 2000 to 2024; and (3) observed the trends in tax disputes from 2000 to 2024. Results: Tax provisions on dividends and interest have become longer and less readable over the past decade. The substantial length and comparable readability of Interpretation Notes may further increase overall statutory complexity. Tax disputes relating to dividends and interest have also increased since 2012, indicating practical challenges in applying the relevant tax provisions. Conclusion: The trends identified across all three complexity indicators suggest an increase in statutory complexity since 2012. Contribution: The simplification of tax provisions relating to dividends and interest is recommended, including tax legislation drafting, and further explanatory research on how increased statutory complexity affects foreign investments.
Background: Compliance with donations tax regulations in South Africa is a burdensome process, which may lead to taxpayers inadvertently evading this tax liability. Aim: The article aims to recommend practical actions, through implementing technology, that can be taken by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to improve the current administration of donations tax. The South African Revenue Service’s current effectiveness in donations tax administration and the incidence of donations tax avoidance, as perceived by tax practitioners, are also explored in support of making the recommendations. Setting: Presently, donations tax does not form part of the e-filing system, and returns must be submitted through the SARS Online Query System. Improving the donations tax administration process may minimise the possibility of taxpayers not declaring donations and evading a tax liability. Method: A quantitative approach was followed by collecting data through a questionnaire from registered tax practitioners. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics with some thematic analysis on open-ended responses. Results: The results suggest that the manual process may contribute to taxpayers evading donations tax, while SARS fails to conduct regular audits and verifications in this area. Adding donations tax on e-filing and the use of technology and artificial intelligence will improve the process. Conclusion: Simplifying the process for submitting and paying donations tax liabilities may increase voluntary compliance among taxpayers who display negative motivational postures. The tax administration could also improve its detection of such liabilities through the use of technology. Contribution: Even with recent improvements in the administration of donations tax, it still includes manual interventions, and the article contributes by providing evidence from theory and practice to suggest practical improvements to the process.
Background: Effective working capital management (WCM) enables corporate leaders to direct scarce resources to the most promising and productive uses. Value can thus be created in a sustainable manner by deploying excess capital to financially feasible projects. As prior authors focused on the associations between WCM and short-term profitability metrics, the value-based perspective warrants attention. Aim: The linkages between WCM and value-based financial performance were investigated in the South African emerging market context. Setting: The value-based WCM and financial performance outcomes of 122 firms that were listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange between 2006 and 2022 were analysed, thereby incorporating two crisis periods. Method: Panel regression analysis was conducted to explore the linkages between selected value-based financial performance and WCM metrics. Results: Significant negative relationships were noted between net operating working capital (NOWC) and return on invested capital and spread, respectively. In contrast, a significant positive link was observed between NOWC and free cash flow (FCF). The sampled companies’ WCM strategies thus enhanced their value-based financial performance. Conclusion: Optimal WCM had positive value-based financial performance implications for selected JSE-listed companies over a 17-year period, including the 2008 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Contribution: The value-based perspective can enable corporate leaders to optimise the allocation of working capital.
Background: In South Africa’s gold-mining sector, aligning talent with organisational strategy is critical for operational sustainability and competitiveness. However, the effective implementation of talent management policies remains a challenge, often characterised by inconsistencies and organisational fragmentation. Aim: The study investigated the existence and implementation of talent management policies and assessed the extent to which these are aligned with corporate strategy in selected gold-mining companies in the Free State province. Setting: The research was conducted at six gold-mining companies operating in the Free State province of South Africa. Method: Anchored in the interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative case study design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with human resource professionals responsible for talent management practices. Results: The findings indicate that while formal talent management policies exist, their implementation is inconsistently applied across departments. This is often hindered by organisational silos, limited leadership support, and insufficient resources. The study reveals only partial alignment between talent strategies and broader business objectives, raising concerns about policy integration and execution. Conclusion: The study highlights a gap between policy and practice, emphasising the need for more integrated and strategically aligned talent management systems in the mining sector. Contribution: The research contributes to talent management scholarship by offering context-specific insights into how talent management is operationalised in the South African mining sector. It provides practical recommendations for aligning talent strategies with organisational goals to enhance workforce effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
