2026-03-31
Babra Duri
Background: In many rural towns, especially in developing countries, the collapse or absence of formal public transport systems has led to the rise in informal mobility services. Informal transport serves as an innovative solution for mobility at the grassroots level and an entrepreneurial avenue that addresses the transport gap whilst providing income opportunities in economically disadvantaged areas. Objectives: This study explores informal transport operators’ perspectives on how the informal transport mode Mushikashika supports local enterprises and provides everyday mobility in rural towns in Zimbabwe, whilst also examining gendered vulnerability. Method: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 informal transport operators to explore their experiences, challenges and perspectives within the transport sector. Results: The findings show how informal transport adapts to evolving mobility needs, revealing its potential for grassroots innovation in underserved areas. Informal transport provides livelihoods for operators and sustains informal economies, such as street vending; however, it also exposes vulnerabilities, particularly for women who face safety risks and harassment in unregulated spaces. Conclusion: This study highlights how informal transport systems can adopt local innovation, inclusive mobility and resilient economic activities in underserved areas. This study advocates recognising Mushikashika within the broader transport system in rural towns. Contribution: This study contributes to debates on informal transport and everyday mobility provision in contexts where formal public transport is absent, using evidence from rural Zimbabwe. This study also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
2026-03-24
Lunga L. Jacobs, Leila L. Goedhals-Gerber
Background: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming maritime industries, creating demand for new technological competencies that traditional educational frameworks may not address. South Africa’s maritime education system requires evaluation against evolving industry requirements to ensure graduate employability and sector competitiveness. Objectives: This article benchmarks South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) maritime-related course offerings against 4IR skill requirements, identifying curriculum gaps and alignment issues between educational provision and industry needs. Method: This study employed an exploratory curriculum benchmarking methodology, analysing 11 SAQA-registered maritime qualifications through systematic content analysis. Reflexive content analysis (RCA) was used to evaluate the presence and integration of emerging technological competencies within existing course structures, cross-referenced against the DHL Logistics Trend Radar (LTR) Framework. Results: The analysis revealed significant gaps between current maritime curricula and 4IR industry requirements. The 11 SAQA maritime-related qualifications demonstrated minimal inclusion of essential 4IR technologies and associated skills within their module structures, creating potential employability challenges for graduates entering technologically advanced maritime environments. Conclusion: This article provides the first systematic evaluation of South African maritime education alignment with 4IR requirements. Contribution: This article contributes practical benchmarking tools for curriculum evaluation and offers specific recommendations for integrating emerging technologies into maritime education frameworks, supporting both educational institutions and industry stakeholders in addressing skills misalignment.
2026-03-17
Elkin R. Zapa Pérez, Bernardo A. Monsalve Lozano
Background: Companies worldwide have increasingly adopted sustainable logistics strategies to optimise environmental management, foster social well-being and generate economic benefits that enhance business performance. Objectives: This study analyses the impact of sustainable logistics on business performance through a systematic literature review (SLR) of studies published between 2011 and 2024. Method: An SLR was conducted in five stages: formulation of research questions, definition of search criteria, article selection based on inclusion and exclusion parameters, quality assessment using four criteria (implementation, impact, methodologies and new practices) and results analysis. The process aimed to identify trends and key findings regarding the relationship between sustainable logistics and business performance. Results: Seventy studies published between 2011 and 2024 were reviewed. Findings indicate that sustainable logistics through practices such as responsible sourcing, green logistics and digital transformation positively influence business productivity, competitiveness and sustainability. Various methodologies and models have been applied, including optimisation, blockchain, Building Information Modelling and decision support systems. Conclusion: Sustainable logistics enhances business performance by improving efficiency, reducing costs and promoting circular economy strategies. Its integration with new technologies has accelerated in recent years, generating economic, social and environmental benefits while strengthening organisational positioning. Contribution: This study consolidates evidence on the positive impact of sustainable logistics on business performance and proposes a four-dimensional conceptual model (individual awareness, technological practices, organisational culture and systemic structures). It also highlights effective methodologies and identifies persistent barriers, offering insights for academic research and corporate strategy.
2026-03-05
Tamara L. Sirenya, Juanita van der Walt, Elmarie Kriel
Background: Despite the rapid growth of e-commerce and increasing reliance on online shopping among university students, many student accommodation environments impose delivery restrictions that hinder last-mile delivery (LMD), particularly by prohibiting staff from accepting parcels on behalf of residents. Objective: This study examined the impact of delivery restrictions on students’ LMD experiences and online shopping behaviour, with specific focus on delivery outcomes, behavioural adaptations and delivery preferences. Methods: A quantitative research approach was adopted using a self-administered online questionnaire. Data were collected from 474 university students residing in Auckland Park and Braamfontein, South Africa. The questionnaire captured information on delivery experiences, coping mechanisms, online shopping frequency and preferred delivery features. Results: The findings indicate that delivery restrictions pose significant barriers to seamless LMD, disrupt students’ academic and leisure routines, and contribute to delivery delays, high delivery fees and long waiting times. These challenges often result in reduced online shopping frequency and, in some cases, abandonment of online purchases. Conclusion: The study concludes that delivery restrictions within student accommodation negatively affect the convenience, reliability and overall satisfaction associated with LMD services, ultimately influencing students’ repurchasing intentions. The findings underscore the need for more flexible, affordable and student-centred delivery solutions, such as smart lockers and improved communication systems, to better accommodate this market segment. Contribution: This study provides empirical insight into the under-explored impact of accommodation-based delivery restrictions on student consumers and highlights opportunities for improving LMD service design in urban student markets.
2026-03-04
Alwyn Hoffman, Jacob van Rensburg, Sonja Grater
Background: Efficient logistics performance is vital for global trade, yet traditional cost assessments often overlook the economic impact of time delay variability. Especially in maritime logistics, these delays can generate substantial indirect costs. This study addresses a critical gap by integrating time-related uncertainty, which contains the implicit cost aspects, into logistics cost modelling to support better decision-making in trade lane selection. Objectives: The study aims to quantify both direct and indirect logistics costs arising from time delays and variability across international shipping routes. Focusing on South Africa’s import trade, it introduces a replicable total economic cost (TEC) model that enables cargo owners and freight forwarders to optimise route and shipping line choices based on holistic cost performance. Method: Using a dataset of 5374 import shipments (2017–2023) from a South African freight forwarder, the study segments total logistics chains into ocean, port and land legs. Time delays and their variability are analysed per segment. Direct and indirect costs – such as the cost of capital tied up in inventory, stock shrinkage and lost sales – are modelled using percentile-based TEC calculations across buffer stock strategies. Results: The ocean leg was the largest contributor to time delays and cost variability. Shipping lines with lower delay variability enabled significantly lower TEC values and smaller buffer stocks. The TEC model revealed that variability-driven costs often exceeded direct logistics expenses. Conclusion: Minimising delay variability, and not just transport time, can significantly reduce logistics costs. The TEC model supports better strategic alignment of shipping line and trade lane choices. Contribution: This study provides a practical, data-driven methodology for quantifying total logistics cost under uncertainty and enabling optimal choices of trade lanes and service providers, addressing a key challenge in global supply chain optimisation.