2026-03-13
Mohamed A. Badat, Visvanathan Naicker
Background: Knowledge management (KM) research in the public sector remains insufficiently explored and underdeveloped. It is important for public sector employees to be cognisant of the merits of KM initiatives and the factors and enablers that contribute to successful KM implementation within their respective organisations. Objectives: The study sought to conduct a critical assessment of the KM processes and to identify key enablers of these processes within a public sector organisation. Method: A qualitative approach, using a case study research strategy, was employed to achieve the study’s research objectives. Results: There are numerous formal structures and systems supporting KM practices within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Certain practices are consistent with the KM practices indicated in the literature, such as benchmarking practices and collaboration through informal social networks. There are also several limitations, including training practices that do not ensure staff competency, which hinder the creation of knowledge within the sector. Conclusion: Critically assessing KM practices to identify their benefits and key enablers is likely to foster greater employee engagement in these initiatives within organisations. Contribution: This study responds to a specific need for research that raises awareness among public sector employees about the contributions of KM practices, as well as the factors and enablers that support their successful implementation within their organisations. Critical enablers of KM processes within the SAPS include a leadership style that motivates and inspires subordinates, trust-based relationships with the community, including strong informal networks of informants, and crime-analysis-driven operations.
2026-02-26
Sello E. Mmakau, Tebogo Sethibe
Background: Digital transformation has become essential for improving public-sector efficiency and service delivery. Despite growing investment in digital initiatives, many government entities struggle to achieve meaningful transformation. This is partly due to a limited understanding of how leadership styles, organisational culture, and digital maturity interact in developing-country context models. Objectives: This study identifies and determines the causal relationships among transformational leadership, digital leadership, organisational culture, and digital maturity for digital transformation. In addition, it empirically fits, tests, and validates the proposed digital transformation model. Method: A quantitative research design was employed. A structured survey was administered to 380 employees across four government entities in Gauteng, producing 299 valid responses (79% response rate). Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the direct, indirect, and mediating relationships among the study constructs. Results: Findings indicate that although digital maturity is positively associated with digital transformation, it does not significantly predict transformation outcomes. Transformational leadership shows a negative relationship with digital transformation, suggesting contextual constraints in hierarchical public institutions. However, both transformational and digital leadership positively influence organisational culture. Organisational culture emerges as the strongest determinant of digital transformation and serves as a central mediating mechanism. A negative correlation between organisational culture and digital maturity further suggests that entrenched cultural traits may inhibit digital readiness. Conclusion: The study contributes a validated multidimensional model integrating leadership and cultural and technological factors. It offers a context-specific African perspective, demonstrating that adaptive leadership and cultural alignment are critical for achieving successful digital transformation. Contribution: The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and public-sector leaders seeking to strengthen digital governance capability.
2026-01-29
Kabelo Mokhonoana, Zaakir Ally, Pranisha Rama
Background: The emergence of the Internet transformed global communication and operations, evolving into an essential tool that underpins daily life. Technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and robotics have reshaped the digital landscape. Telecommunications, which enables communication across distances, has experienced rapid innovation now entering the era of 5G. However, this progress has been accompanied by escalating cybersecurity risks that threaten the integrity of systems and data. Objectives: This study investigates the cybersecurity skills required to protect the telecommunications sector from emerging cyber threats. It aims to identify skill gaps and determine which cybersecurity competencies are viewed as most critical by audit professionals within the sector. Method: A qualitative approach was adopted, using interviews to collect data from cybersecurity professionals in the South African telecommunications sector. The sample comprised 15 participants in the audit field purposefully selected based on their demonstrated experience and expertise in cybersecurity. Results: Findings indicate that participants recognise the importance of cybersecurity skills, yet gaps remain in areas such as threat detection, incident response and secure system design. Respondents emphasised the need for continuous training and the importance of understanding cybersecurity frameworks. Conclusion: The telecommunications sector must address both technical and soft skills in cybersecurity. Strengthening the workforce’s cyber capabilities is vital for sustainable protection against threats. Contribution: This study provides valuable insights into sector-specific cybersecurity needs and highlights the importance of skills development. It supports future policy, training and strategic interventions aimed at building cyber resilience in the telecommunications sector.
2026-01-29
Jackline Estomihi M. Kiwelu, Patrick Ngulube
Background: Rural community libraries are increasingly recognised for providing localised knowledge, yet their potential to support agricultural extension services and improve access to postharvest knowledge in Uganda remains underexplored. Objectives: This study examined the postharvest information needs of smallholder maize farmers and explored how community libraries can be leveraged to translate and repackage research-based knowledge to meet these needs. Method: A mixed-methods parallel design was employed. Data were collected from a survey of 312 maize farmers, personal interviews and two focus group discussions (FGDs) with 22 extension workers and four librarians. Desk research was conducted to analyse relevant documents. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed using SPSS, while qualitative data were thematically coded and interpreted with ATLAS.ti. Results: Farmers face critical knowledge gaps in storage, drying, value addition, credit access, pest management, marketing and insurance. Although limited in reach, rural community libraries are underutilised, yet hold potential as localised hubs for translating and repackaging research-based knowledge into farmer-relevant formats. Strengthening libraries’ roles through policy support, funding, partnerships and multi-channel dissemination could enhance knowledge access, reduce postharvest losses, increase farmer incomes and improve food security. Conclusion: Current top-down knowledge sharing inadequately meets farmers’ needs, while rural libraries’ untapped capacities limit access to relevant agricultural knowledge. Contribution: The study identifies community libraries as key knowledge intermediaries and proposes their integration into extension systems to promote effective knowledge translation (KT) and improvement in postharvest practice.