Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Kuwait Chapter)

Systemic failures in witness protection: Addressing coordination gaps and institutional weaknesses in south African state-owned enterprises

2025-12-06T13:24:37+00:00

State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa have become epicentres of corruption, yet mechanisms designed to protect witnesses and whistleblowers remain fundamentally inadequate. This study examines institutional shortcomings in witness protection coordination within SOEs, analysing the mandate distribution among various agencies and the practical challenges in implementation. Through an examination of high-profile cases where witnesses faced intimidation, violence, or death, this research reveals critical gaps in South Africa’s approach to protecting those who expose corruption. Employing a mixed-methods approach that combines institutional analysis with case study examination, including a systematic review of legislative frameworks (2010–2024) and confidential interviews with 23 former officials across multiple institutions, the study reveals fundamental coordination failures between the Office for Witness Protection, the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, and SOE internal structures creating dangerous gaps exploited by corrupt networks. An integrated framework for SOE witness protection is proposed, emphasising resource pooling and coordinated responses. Without addressing these systemic failures, South Africa’s anti-corruption efforts will remain undermined by a climate of fear that deters potential witnesses.

Integrating ESG-driven risk intelligence: A strategic framework for sustainable financial performance and CSR alignment in emerging economies

2025-12-06T13:28:51+00:00

If companies aspire to sustainable profitability amidst rapidly shifting global priorities, they will need to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics into their risk intelligence frameworks. This study provides a holistic framework for connecting ESG-induced risk assessment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) congruence, including the contexts of developing countries such as Brazil, South Africa, and India. SmartPLS is quantitative research method that uses structural equation Modelling (SEM) and collects data from a diversified set of professionals across several sectors. This study offers valuable insights into how ESG-informed risk data can help capital allocation, increase stakeholder trust, and reinforce organizational resilience. The results indicate that companies with integrated ESG risk policies tend to be more proficient in mitigating operational and systemic risks and/or driving corporate financial sustainability and reputational integrity. The intentional integration of CSR into the ESG ecosystem can promote ethical governance and enhance fair value creation. This study significantly contributes to the sustainability finance debate by offering substantial ramifications for finance executives, corporate strategists, and lawmakers to increase the future profitability of their business models through products and institutions in volatile and high-return industries. It explains that goals are used as a compass to help navigate profitability. In addition, the agenda emphasizes the pivotal role of stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration in strengthening ESG-driven corporate strategies. By aligning internal policies with external expectations, companies can better anticipate regulatory changes, investor preferences and societal demands. This alignment is particularly important in emerging markets, where institutional voids, political uncertainty, and socioeconomic disparities amplify risks. Incorporating ESG risk intelligence aids in compliance and focuses on competitive advantage by fostering transparency, innovation, and long-term value creation. As organizations increasingly operate in interconnected economies, the ability to balance profitability and responsibility is a defining factor for sustainable business excellence. Hence, this study aims to provide a significant contribution to integrating ESG-driven intelligence.

Digital Climate Activism in the Global South: Evidence from Social Media–Driven Climate Campaigns

2025-12-06T13:33:15+00:00

Social media has become a crucial tool for climate change advocacy, enabling real-time information dissemination, grassroots mobilization, and policy influence. This study employed a content analysis research design to examine the effectiveness of social media campaigns on climate change in Nigeria. Using Microsoft Excel, data were systematically extracted, categorized, and analyzed from posts related to prominent climate change hashtags such as #ActOnClimate, #ClimateStrikeNigeria, #SaveMakoko, and #BanPlasticInNigeria across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Thematic analysis was conducted to classify content into key areas, including awareness creation, grassroots mobilization, policy influence, and engagement trends. Findings revealed that social media significantly enhanced climate change awareness among Nigerian youths, with infographics, videos, and memes simplifying complex environmental issues. Additionally, campaigns such as #EndGasFlaring and #SaveMakoko successfully pressured policymakers and raised global awareness of local climate issues. However, challenges such as misinformation, digital divide, government censorship, and inconsistent campaign engagement were identified as barriers to sustained impact. This study contributes to existing literature by demonstrating how Excel-based content analysis can effectively assess social media engagement patterns. The results underscore the need for sustained, fact-checked advocacy and increased digital accessibility to maximize the impact of climate campaigns. The study recommends that environmental organizations and policymakers leverage data-driven advocacy strategies to enhance social media engagement and influence environmental policies. Future research should explore the role of artificial intelligence in improving climate change discourse on digital platforms.