Research quality and supervision methods are receiving greater attention as postgraduate research output becomes increasingly important in South African higher education. Postgraduate students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) departments are expected to conduct research that significantly advances academic understanding, policy formation, and institutional change. The influence of chapter demarcation on research quality has received less attention than research methodology, supervision models, and knowledge generation. This essay investigates the connection between research quality and chapter demarcation in a TVET department in South Africa. The research argues that chapter demarcation is more than just a structural or formatting requirement, based on a qualitative case study informed by supervisory reflections, postgraduate supervision seminar debates, and current South African literature. Instead, it serves as an intellectual framework that improves academic rigour, methodological transparency, coherence, and scholarly communication. The results indicate that by promoting logical development, encouraging critical engagement with the literature, enhancing data presentation, and bolstering supervisor-student interactions, effective chapter demarcation significantly contributes to postgraduate achievement. Chapter demarcation should be specifically taught as part of postgraduate supervision and academic writing development in South African universities, according to the article's conclusion.
The swift growth of streaming video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms has fundamentally disrupted the traditional pay television (pay TV) market in South Africa. This study examines the determinants of consumer choice between pay TV and SVOD, namely: content variety and exclusivity; convenience and usability; habit and social influence. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was administered to 272 South African consumers. Multiple regression analysis and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) were used to analyse the data collected from 272 respondents. The measurement model revealed acceptable construct reliability and convergent validity. The results converge across both analytical methods and indicate that SVOD services are primary viewing platforms for many respondents, although a substantial proportion of households subscribe to both pay TV and SVOD platforms. Nevertheless, statistical analysis demonstrates that frequently cited determinants such as content variety and exclusivity; convenience and usability; habit and social influence do not significantly account for consumer choice within the sampled population. Further, the findings suggest that the South African television market has entered the stage of maturity where traditional adoption drivers have become a baseline expectation rather than differentiating factor. Consequently, consumer decisions may be substantially influenced by structural factors such as ecosystem partnerships, content rights strategies, and bundled service offerings. Based on the key results, it is recommended that media firms shift strategic focus toward ecosystem-level competition, exclusive content rights, telecommunications bundling, and household-level subscription management
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming marketing by improving customer engagement and operational efficiency. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in Qatar, are not able to adopt AI due to high adoption costs, poor technological skills and employee resistance. A thorough and methodological literature review was conducted to get a grasp on the factors influencing AI adoption and the subsequent effect on marketing performance. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, 32 peer-reviewed publications from 2020 to 2025 were analysed by applying a CASP/AMSTAR checklist, thematic coding and narrative analysis. The literature review has identified that technological readiness, managerial support, digital literacy and environmental factors are the major facilitators of AI adoption. However, context and organisational challenges are the main inhibitors of AI adoption. Nevertheless, the literature affirms that AI adoption increases the marketing performance of SMEs, and the TOE and DOI models are supported, while recommending a merger with the dynamic capabilities theory. Finally, the literature review asserts that policymakers and SME managers need to prioritise training, infrastructure and digital readiness to ease the path for AI adoption.
Artificial intelligence and smart tools are invading every aspect of life. Now they are taking over libraries and academic institution in a new concept and approach. Current study hypothesized that internet of things (IoT) in smart libraries is able to positively influence usability, efficiency and user satisfaction within the library. We have developed a questionnaire for this matter, and (96) librarians within academic libraries in Jordan responded. SPSS was used to deal with collected primary data, results of analysis indicated that usability appeared to be highly influenced by IoT within academic libraries (R2 = 0.419), as the second result, user satisfaction (R2 = 0.327), and efficiency (R2 = 0.254) respectively. This trend indicates that the main effect of the IoT is increased ease of interaction between users with the library systems, which further increases their level of satisfaction. Though the efficiency increases are also important, they can be indirectly perceived by users in comparison with the usability improvements. In general, the results indicate that IoT is a very vital force in the process of converting conventional libraries into smart libraries. Study recommended that the implementation of IoT technologies in libraries should be user-focused by the library administrators. As usability exhibited the most significant influence (R2 = 0.419), libraries need to worry about creating easy-to-use interfaces, customized services, and ease of digital experiences, which will match the needs of the users. The libraries should also carry out regular user feedback evaluation to improve the IoT applications to increase satisfaction and service quality. Further recommendations were presented in the study.
The article aimed to pit Eurocentric against Afrocentric punishment systems in eclectic contexts of the globe and adopted a literature review methodology drawing data from different data engines such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, ResearchGate, EBSChost, and the WSU library. Keywords used to gather data included the following: restorative justice, retributive justice, traditional African justice, hybrid justice systems, Ubuntu and justice, Eurocentric punishment, Afrocentric punishment, and comparative justice systems. Data was thematically synthesized and established the following findings: Divergent philosophical foundations of punishment; Punishment as retribution versus restoration; Cultural legitimacy and community engagement; Coexistence and tensions in hybrid justice systems; Implications for justice and social cohesion. Conclusively, incorporating Afrocentric restorative justice principles into Eurocentric-dominated legal systems can offer more culturally respectful, socially cohesive, and holistic approaches to punishment—moving beyond retaliation toward healing and reconciliation. This integration can foster a more equitable and compassionate model of justice by addressing the needs of victims, offenders, and communities, while effectively resolving conflicts within hybrid judicial frameworks.
