INTRODUCTION: Self-employment, in which individuals work for themselves in a small business or microenterprise to earn an income or generate a salary, has been encouraged to facilitate employment opportunities in South Africa. However, participation in self-employment within the community served by professionals such as occupational therapists is limited by many factors, including effective government initiatives, such as implementing the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) policies. To enable individuals and community participation in this type of work for those with occupational dysfunction, mainly persons with disabilities, professionals such as occupational therapists need to understand the structural, contextual and occupational outcomes related to self-employment. Based on the Framework for Occupational Justice, this study explored the occupation of self-employment in microenterprises in the low-resourced urban community of Alexandra Township. METHOD: A quantitative descriptive non-experimental design study was used to identify informal microenterprises in the community using a transect walk and community mapping. Structured interviews were conducted to complete a questionnaire with key informants (service providers and business owners) who provided perceptions on factors that impacted the occupational outcomes of microenterprises. RESULTS: Structural and contextual factors from the participants' experience resulted in unjust occupational outcomes, which indicates that occupational rights, particularly participation, choice and balance, were negatively affected by the lack of opportunities, such as jobs. Occupational marginalisation and imbalance were reported since many businesses lacked adequate and appropriate space for trade. Some business owners, however, reported just occupational outcomes related to the occupational right for meaningful occupation in providing a service to the community and financial income to support themselves and their families. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapists need to play various active roles in raising the consciousness of unjust occupational outcomes and support for just occupational outcomes that are achieved in engagement in self-employment in informal microenterprises. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Occupational therapists should take note of the factors and occupational outcomes of being self-employed identified in this study and consider the roles they could play in expediting success in this occupation for clients. Occupational therapists could assume: • A collaborative role, such as referring and working with various key role players or sectors in the interest of sourcing and providing opportunities for skills development for those entering self-employment, particularly in entrepreneurial training. This may include working with the government (e.g., Department of Labour and Small Enterprise Development Agency), private sector (e.g., yes4youth), other professions (social workers and industrial psychologists) and organisations for persons with disabilities (e.g., Disabled People South Africa). • A researcher role by conducting further research in this field, e.g., the development of an evidence-based framework on self-employment for occupational therapists. More research is still needed on, e.g., domains such as performance patterns, performance skills and client factors related to self-employment for persons with disabilities. • An educator's role by incorporating and teaching content on self-employment as an occupation when training occupational therapy students. • A clinical role, where they could assist with adaptations to the skills, tasks or environment to facilitate engagement in self-employment. Essential aspects to consider by the occupational therapist together with their clients during the collaborative occupational therapy process include, but are not limited to, o The client's motivation, dedication and whether self-employment is the client's primary choice. o The client's potential to be self-employed and their level of resilience in dealing with factors affecting self-employment in the informal labour sector.

Abstract Financial resilience is a faculty that improves the capabilities of companies to identify financial problems, resist them, confront them and recover quickly in the face of an economic crisis, such as that generated by COVID-19. The objective of this article is to determine the effects of financial resilience on the economic well-being of MSMEs in Baja California, Mexico. An economic well-being index is estimated based on the OECD/INFE (2020) methodology and an econometric model with information from 465 entrepreneurs to prove that financial resilience attenuated economic shocks in MSMEs during the recent period of economic crisis. The results suggest that, although the economic deficit negatively affected the economic well-being of the MSME, the majority of entrepreneurs preferred to be prudent, supporting deficits and avoiding new financial instruments. It was evident that MSME entrepreneurs sought to restore and improve their economic well-being through financial prudence.

Resumen La resiliencia financiera es una facultad que mejora las capacidades de las empresas para identificar problemas financieros, resistirlos, afrontarlos y recuperarse rápidamente ante una situación de crisis económica, como la generada por el COVID-19. El objetivo del presente artículo es determinar los efectos de la resiliencia financiera sobre el bienestar económico de la MiPyMe en Baja California, México. Se estima un índice de bienestar económico con base en la metodología de OECD/INFE (2020) y un modelo econométrico con información de 465 empresarios para probar que la resiliencia financiera atenuó los choques económicos en las MiPyMe durante el periodo reciente de crisis económica. Los resultados sugieren que, si bien el déficit económico afectó negativamente al bienestar económico de la MiPyMe, la mayoría de empresarios prefirieron ser prudentes, soportando déficits y evitar nuevos instrumentos financieros. Se evidenció que los empresarios de MiPyMe buscaron a través de la prudencia financiera restablecer y mejorar su bienestar económico.

Abstract The process of Internationalization of a fashion brand requires a prior strategy in which the monetary resources available to allocate to the registry are valued, the urgency of filing applications in markets where the brand is already being marketed and the intention to expand exports of the product in the future and, consequently increasing the countries in which protection will have to be requested. The Madrid System is a useful and advantageous alternative for trademark owners who have a limited budget and require extensive brand protection, also giving them the ability to add designations at a later stage.

Resumen El proceso de Internacionalización de una marca de moda requiere una estrategia previa en la que se valoren los recursos monetarios disponibles para destinar al registro, la urgencia de presentar solicitudes en mercados donde ya se está comercializando la marca, así como la intención de ampliar la exportación del producto en el futuro, aumentándose en consecuencia los países en los que habrá de solicitarse protección. El Sistema de Madrid es una alternativa útil y ventajosa para los titulares de marcas que cuentan con un presupuesto limitado y requieren de una protección amplia de su marca, brindándoles además la posibilidad de agregar designaciones en una etapa posterior.

Resumo O processo de Internacionalização de uma marca de moda requer uma estratégia prévia em que sejam valorizados os recursos monetários disponíveis para destinar ao cadastro, a urgência de pedidos de depósito em mercados onde a marca já é comercializada e a intenção de expandir as exportações do produto no futuro e, conseqüentemente, aumentando os países nos quais a proteção deverá ser solicitada. O Sistema de Madrid é uma alternativa útil e vantajosa para proprietários de marcas registradas que têm um orçamento limitado e precisam de proteção de marca extensa, dando-lhes também a capacidade de adicionar designações em um estágio posterior.

RESUMEN La mecanización es de gran relevancia en el desarrollo del sector agrícola, como una herramienta que facilita las actividades agrícolas con calidad y rapidez y un incremento significativo de la productividad y competitividad de este sector, en el caso de la provincia de Manabí en Ecuador este aspecto se hace más relevante por tener este sector un peso sustancial en su vida económica y social. El objetivo de la investigación fue realizar un diagnóstico de las competencias de mecanización agrícola en los cantones de la zona central de Manabí. La metodología utilizada consta de varias etapas, las que permitieron evaluar los factores que caracterizan las competencias de la mecanización agrícola en la zona objeto de estudio: factor humano, maquinaria, condiciones de operación e infraestructura y financiamiento. Para la recolección de la información se elaboraron y aplicaron encuestas basada en los factores objetos de análisis dirigidas a los productores agrícolas y a los propietarios/empresarios prestadores de servicios de mecanización de la zona central de Manabí. Los resultados del diagnóstico en la muestra seleccionada muestran que solo el 41 % de las actividades agrícolas se están realizando con el uso de la maquinaria agrícola y que un 20 % de los productores tienen medios propios para realizar las actividades agrícolas, entre otros aspectos relevantes. En su conjunto, los resultados permitieron concluir que las competencias de mecanización agrícola en la zona central de la provincia de Manabí presentan niveles bajos no deseados que limitan su productividad.

ABSTRACT Mechanization is of great relevance in the development of the agricultural sector, as a tool that facilitates agricultural activities with quality and speed and a significant increase in the productivity and competitiveness of this sector, in the case of the province of Manabí in Ecuador this aspect becomes more relevant because this sector has a substantial weight in its economic and social life. The objective of the research was to carry out a diagnosis of agricultural mechanization competencies in the cantons of the central zone of Manabí. The methodology used consisted of several stages, which made it possible to evaluate the factors that characterize the competencies of agricultural mechanization in the area under study: human factor, machinery, operating conditions and infrastructure and financing. For the collection of information, surveys based on the factors under analysis were prepared and applied to agricultural producers and owners/entrepreneurs who provide mechanization services in the central zone of Manabí. The results of the diagnosis in the selected sample show that only 41% of the agricultural activities are being carried out with the use of agricultural machinery and that 20% of the producers have their own means to carry out agricultural activities, among other relevant aspects. As a whole, the results allowed concluding that the agricultural mechanization skills in the central zone of the province of Manabí present undesirable low levels that limit its productivity.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to describe the ownership of pets and knowledge of zoonoses among residents in the district of Bambamarca - Cajamarca, Peru, in 2022. In total, 394 surveys were carried out, 30.5% in the urban area (Bambamarca city) and 69.5% in the rural area (Llaucán, San Juan de Lacamaca, Chala and El Tuco). Of those surveyed, 54.8% were female, 20.8% had completed secondary school and the average age was 39.9 years. Besides, 58.4 and 35.5% of interviewees claimed to own dogs and cats, respectively. The person: dog ratio was 4:1 and person: cat was 6.7: 1; 45.2% of dog owners raised them as pets and 45% of cat owners raised them as rodent pest controllers; 67.9% of the dogs were males and 50.5% of the cats were females. The rate of sterilized animals was less than 4% in both species. In the case of dogs, 54.1% walked without restriction and 31.7% of cats were classified as «outdoor»; 50.3% of dog owners and 69.5% of cat owners mentioned performing internal deworming, and 45 and 61.5%, respectively, performed external deworming on a regular basis (at least every 3 months). Moreover, 58% of dogs and 12.8% of cats were reported to have been vaccinated against rabies in the last year. Ignorance of the meaning of the term zoonosis reached 95.4% of those surveyed; however, 90.4% said they knew that animals could transmit diseases to people, the most recognized being rabies (69.8%). It is concluded that it is necessary to develop health education campaigns so that pet owners develop responsible ownership and thus avoid negative impacts on public health and animal welfare.

RESUMEN El estudio tuvo como objetivo describir la tenencia de animales de compañía y los conocimientos de zoonosis entre pobladores en el distrito de Bambamarca - Cajamarca, Perú, en 2022. Se realizaron 394 encuestas, siendo 30.5% en la zona urbana (Bambamarca ciudad) y 69.5% en la zona rural (Llaucán, San Juan de Lacamaca, Chala y El Tuco). De los encuestados, 54.8% fueron mujeres, 20.8% contaban con secundaria completa y la edad promedio fue de 39.9 años. El 58.4 y 35.5% de entrevistados aseguraron poseer perros y gatos, respectivamente. La relación persona: perro fue 4:1 y persona: gato de 6.7: 1. El 45.2% de poseedores de canes lo criaban como mascota y el 45% de poseedores de gatos los criaban como controladores de plaga de roedores. El 67.9% de los perros fueron machos y 50.5% de los gatos fueron hembras. La tasa de animales esterilizados fue menor al 4% en ambas especies. En caso de los perros, 54.1% paseaban sin restricción y 31.7% de los gatos se clasificaron como «outdoor». El 50.3% de tenedores de perros y 69.5% de tenedores de gatos mencionaron realizar desparasitaciones internas, y 45 y 61.5%, respectivamente, desparasitaban externamente de manera regular (al menos cada 3 meses). El 58% de perros y el 12.8% de gatos fueron reportados como vacunados contra la rabia el último año. El desconocimiento del significado del término zoonosis alcanzó al 95.4% de los encuestados; sin embargo, el 90.4% afirmó conocer que los animales podrían transmitir enfermedades a las personas, siendo la más reconocida la rabia (69.8%). Se concluye que es necesario desarrollar campañas de educación sanitaria a fin de que los propietarios de animales de compañía desarrollen una tenencia responsable y evitar de esta forma impactos negativos sobre la salud pública y el bienestar animal.

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar cuáles son los factores que inciden en la adopción del comercio electrónico por parte de las pymes en Guayaquil. La importancia e impacto que tiene el E-Commerce en las organizaciones es de gran magnitud en diferentes aspectos, es por ello que se han estudiado varios modelos de adopción de E-Commerce. Algunos de estos modelos estudiados son los de Kabanda & Brown modelo integrado de adopción de E-Commerce donde se mencionan tres factores relevantes como el organizacional, de innovación y ambiental, por otra parte, también se tiene el modelo de adopción de E-Commerce para pymes de Wang & Hou, donde definen el contexto tecnológico, organizacional y ambiental como factores determinantes en la adopción del E-Commerce. El factor organizacional hace referencia a las características propias de la organización y de los propietarios en el momento de adoptar las tecnologías de E-Commerce, mientras que el factor de innovación analiza los aspectos del por qué un usuario acepta o rechaza las nuevas innovaciones por medio del modelo de aceptación de tecnología. Para el desarrollo de este trabajo se emplea metodología de tipo descriptivo y método cuantitativo; se realiza una encuesta, a la muestra de 67 pymes comerciales de Guayaquil. En conclusión, se identifican los factores que influyen en la adopción del comercio electrónico por parte de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (pymes) en Guayaquil, revelando aspectos tecnológicos, organizativos, de innovación y transaccionales. Estos factores ejercen tanto impactos positivos como negativos durante el proceso de adopción del comercio electrónico.

ABSTRACT The objective of this project is to analyze the factors influencing the adoption of electronic commerce by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Guayaquil. The importance and impact of E-Commerce on organizations are significant in various aspects, leading to the study of several E-Commerce adoption models. Some of these models, such as Kabanda & Brown's integrated E-Commerce adoption model, highlight three relevant factors: organizational, innovation, and environmental. Additionally, Wang & Hou's E-Commerce adoption model for SMEs defines technological, organizational, and environmental contexts as determining factors in E-Commerce adoption. The organizational factor refers to the characteristics of the organization and owners when adopting E-Commerce technologies, while the innovation factor analyzes aspects of why a user accepts or rejects new innovations through the technology acceptance model. This work employs a descriptive methodology and quantitative method, conducting a survey with a sample of 67 commercial SMEs in Guayaquil. In conclusion, factors influencing the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs in Guayaquil are identified, revealing technological, organizational, innovation, and transactional aspects. These factors exert both positive and negative impacts during the E-Commerce adoption process.

The potential benefits of implementing the Last Planner System (LPS) on mining infrastructure projects were explored through two case studies in the South African mining industry. The first part of the study involved measurement of the impact of LPS through earned value techniques on secondary project data. The second part sought to establish the lean construction success factors leading to improvements in construction performance. This was done by means of a research questionnaire distributed to the project owner's teams, contracted parties, and the LPS facilitators. The results revealed a positive correlation between LPS application and planned percentage complete. However, the performance achieved during the LPS pilot was not sustained. The success factors and benefits considered most evident in the case study pilot differed among the three stakeholder groups. The findings are expected to guide construction stakeholders to better define performance measures and focus on factors required to make LPS implementation more effective in the South African mining sector. (LPS industry data owners owner s teams parties facilitators complete However sustained groups sector

ABSTRACT: A 4-month-old male Himalayan cat presented with clinical signs of acute lethargy and motor incoordination after being treated with amitraz for parasite control. On clinical examination, the patient was lethargic and ataxic with severe pulicosis, hypothermia, pale mucous membranes, bradycardia, weak femoral pulses, hyperglycemia, and bilateral mydriasis. Blood tests revealed non-regenerative hypochromic microcytic anemia. Serum alanine levels were elevated tenfold. The patient received supportive treatment with atipamezole (an α2-adrenergic antagonist) at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly. After 24 h of hospitalization and constant monitoring, the patient recovered and was discharged. The published literature showed that the active ingredient amitraz is effective in the treatment of some parasitic diseases in cats, such as scabies and demodicosis; therefore, it is still used for this purpose. Given the small therapeutic margin of this insecticide, veterinarians should caution owners about its potential toxicity. This report emphasized the significance of amitraz intoxication in feline species and the success of the treatment, which should be initiated in the first hour after intoxication.

RESUMO: Um gato da raça Himalaia, macho, com quatro meses de idade, apresentou sinais clínicos de letargia aguda e incoordenação motora após ser medicado com amitraz para controle de parasitas. No exame clínico, o paciente se apresentava letárgico e atáxico, com pulicose grave, hipotermia, mucosaspálidas, bradicardia, pulso femoral fraco, hiperglicemia e midríase bilateral. O exame de sangue revelou anemia microcítica hipocrômica não regenerativa. Os níveis séricos de ALT estavam 10x elevados. O paciente recebeu tratamento de suporte e administração de atipamezol (antagonista α2-adrenérgico) na dose de 0,1 mg/kg por via intramuscular. Após 24 horas de internação e acompanhamento constante, o paciente se recuperou e recebeu alta. Dados publicados na literatura demonstram que o princípio ativo amitraz é eficaz no tratamento de algumas doenças parasitárias em gatos como sarna e demodicose e, portanto, ainda é utilizado para esta finalidade. Dada a pequena margem terapêutica deste inseticida, os veterinários devem informar os proprietários sobre o seu potencial de toxicidade. O objetivo deste relato é enfatizar a importância da intoxicação por amitraz na espécie felina e o sucesso do tratamento, que deve ocorrer nas primeiras horas após a intoxicação.

BACKGROUND: Parasite infections, unlike regulated animal diseases, do not often receive attention. In fact, parasites are major sources of financial losses in pig enterprises, particularly in subsistence and small-scale pig production systems. OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify the prevalence of ecto- and endo-parasites among peri-urban free-roaming pigs (FRP) in Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), Mpumalanga. METHOD: Pig owners were identified using the snowball sampling method since no sampling frame for FRP farmers exists. Stratified sampling was used to select pigs for sampling for ecto- and endo-parasites. A form was used to record the observations. Pairwise correlation analysis was performed using Stata 15.0. The SPSS V28.0 statistical package was used to perform the chi-square test (X²) to assess the distribution of parasites in different age groups. The prevalence of parasites was assessed in different age groups of pigs using multi-response crosstabs. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to estimate the marginal mean of parasites according to municipality. Statistical significance was assessed at α < 0.05. RESULTS: Over 90% (91.2%) of the pigs examined were infested with at least one parasite, including Haematopinus suis, Sarcoptes scabiei, Ascaris suum, Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris suis, Strongylids, Coccidia spp, Moniezia expansa, and Siphonaptera spp. The correlation between Ascaris suum and body condition was weak but statistically significant (r = 0.24; p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Policy makers, animal researchers and veterinary services must focus on developing policies, risk communication and community engagement materials, which target pig farmers in peri-urban areas such as Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province.

BACKGROUND: As small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the primary source of job creation in Nigeria and contribute 48% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), their performance must be enhanced and sustainability ensured. The article suggests that through competitor orientation and proactiveness, SME managers and owners can achieve competitive advantage which ultimately promotes firm performance. AIM: The article aims to examine how competitor orientation and proactiveness in competitive advantage enhance the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. SETTING: The study focused on registered SME owners and managers who are operating in Nigeria, using Lagos State as a case study. METHODS: This study was conducted through administering questionnaires to owners and/or managers of SMEs as the unit of analysis. A quantitative research design was used with stratified and simple random sampling as the sampling method, with the sample comprising 100 SME owners and/or managers. RESULTS: The results of the study indicated that competitive advantage mediates the relationship between competitor orientation, proactiveness and SMEs' performance indirectly. It further revealed that competitor orientation and proactiveness have significant effects on SMEs' performance. CONCLUSION AND CONTRIBUTION: The article reveals how competitive advantage, which is influenced by competitor orientation and proactiveness, contributes to increased SMEs' performance in SME sectors. Thus, to gain a competitive edge over their rivals, the study recommends that SME owners and managers consider competitor orientation and proactiveness more seriously, as these factors ultimately boost their performance.

Interface areas shared by humans, domestic and wild animals may serve as high transmission contexts for Toxoplasma gondii. However, knowledge about the epidemiology of T. gondii in such areas is currently limited. The present study assessed the seroprevalence of T. gondii in different hosts from Mpumalanga, South Africa. Furthermore, we investigated the local knowledge and related practices about T. gondii by conducting a questionnaire study in the community. Blood samples were obtained and analysed for T. gondii antibodies using a commercial multispecies latex agglutination kit. The seroprevalence detected in humans (n = 160; patients showing signs of acute febrile illness), cats (n = 9), chickens (n = 336) and goats (n = 358) was 8.8%, 0.0%, 4.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Seroprevalence in impalas (n = 97), kudus (n = 55), wild dogs (n = 54), wildebeests (n = 43), warthogs (n = 97) and zebras (n = 68) was calculated at 5.2%, 7.3%, 100.0%, 20.9%, 13.4% and 9.1%, respectively. The questionnaire revealed that 63.0% of household owners were subsistence farmers, and 35.9% were pet owners. A high level of female participation was found (75.3%) when compared to male participation (24.7%). The results show a low circulation of T. gondii in the domestic cycle and suggest the presence of possible bridges between the wildlife cycle and the surrounding domestic cycle. CONTRIBUTION: The study contributes to identifying transmission patterns and risk factors of T. gondii within human and animal populations. This topic fits within the scope of the journal presenting original research in veterinary science, with the focus on wild and domestic populations on the African continent on a topic of universal importance.

PURPOSE: Ambidextrous SME innovations and technology models have led to success stories in the past. They face new challenges due to increasing uncertainty in the business environment. Purpose: The study reviews ambidexterity literature to determine trends and themes existing in the body of literature on ambidexterity. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study employed a bibliometric and Vosviewer analysis of 1808 articles published on Scopus database from 1999-2022. The study used several indicators including data overview (scientific production in the area and three field-plot), conceptual structure (co-occurrence network, thematic map, and evolution), keyword analysis, and thematic mapping. FINDINGS/RESULTS: The analysis indicated five main themes on which the ambidexterity literature focuses. The results revealed that the key themes in ambidexterity literature are continuous innovation, knowledge management, dynamic capabilities, entrepreneurial and market orientation, enterprise resource management (ERM), and business performance. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The review highlighted that SMEs struggle more in dynamic business environments. Business changes in recent years have proved the importance of innovation, ERM, knowledge management, and dynamic capabilities as beneficial factors for achieving enhanced performance. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The analysis reveals several links in literature and valuable insights into possible models that can be scaled up and replicated across different industries. Themes in the domain mainly focussed on knowledge management, firm performance, digital transformation, open innovation, dynamic capabilities as well as entrepreneurial and marketing orientation The proposed business model can assist SMEs owners and managers in swiftly adapting to unpredictability in the changing business climate caused by the recent pattern of events.

BACKGROUND: This article considers the impact of the production and consumption of alcohol on the economy of South Africa and on South Africa at large. It does this through estimating the costs of alcohol consumption for the South African (SA) society on the one hand, and comparing it to estimates of the economic benefits of having an established alcohol manufacturing industry in South Africa on the other. AIM: The study aims to use available data to objectively assess the role of alcohol in the SA economy. SETTING: The study is conducted at a macro-level on the SA economy. METHOD: Quantitative assessment of the net economic benefit (or cost) of the SA alcohol industry was used for conducting the study. RESULTS: The study indicates that the production of alcohol contributes significantly, both directly and indirectly, to Gross National Product (GDP) and generates broad-based employment in the economy. The damage caused by the consumption of alcohol to society is significant and primarily includes the suffering and even death resulting from medical conditions associated with the consumption of alcohol. CONCLUSION: Taking all factors into consideration, the alcohol industry has a large net positive contribution to the SA economy, levels of employment, and SA society. CONTRIBUTION: There has been much debate and discussion about the net impact of the alcohol industry on South Africa. This study makes a clear contribution to the debate in that it calculates empirically, on a solid statistical foundation, a Rands and cents estimate of the net contribution of the alcohol industry to the South African economy.

Sewage spillage is fast becoming a significant concern in South Africa because of the deteriorating infrastructure and substandard service delivery. Thus, this study investigated the socioeconomic impacts of sewage spillages on businesses in the Umhlanga Rocks coastline area. A questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was used to collect data from business owners in the affected area. One hundred business owners were handed questionnaires to complete, and 95 completed questionnaires were collected. The qualitative data from the questionnaires were analysed using thematic analysis, whereby line-by-line coding was manually completed using Excel. The quantitative data were analysed in R studio using numerous statistical tests, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, the Chi-square test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn's test, and Cohen's d test. The thematic analysis and statistical testing results showed that sewage spillages disrupted businesses significantly. Results indicated that businesses of different sizes experienced socioeconomic losses differently. Consequently, the results of this study have implications for business owners and communities living in the affected area. Moreover, findings have revealed practical strategies and interventions that may be used by micro- to medium-scale businesses to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of sewage spillages. CONTRIBUTION: The practical strategies revealed in this study contribute to reducing the vulnerability of communities and businesses to sewage spillages. Findings of the study have also been disseminated to the business owners and other relevant stakeholders to provide them with alternative solutions in 'softening the blow' caused by the spillages.

BACKGROUND: The study argues that managing tacit knowledge (TKM) would reduce small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operational discontinuity and knowledge loss in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa OBJECTIVES: The article examined the strategies put in place by SMEs for tacit knowledge management (TKM) practices and to develop a framework that will promote TKM for SMEs METHOD: The study adopted a quantitative research method and targeted 326 SMEs using Google Forms. One hundred and eighty (180; 55.2%) useful responses were obtained and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences RESULTS: Most of the SME owners are aware and affirmed that there is a particular tacit knowledge that is of importance to business. The most common methods of capturing tacit knowledge among SMEs are monitoring, practical sessions, in-house training programmes, and brainstorming. Tacit knowledge is shared during meetings (such as project teams) and when dialoguing. The study also revealed that electronic files in computers are the major tools for storing the collected tacit knowledge CONCLUSION: The study concluded that TKM among SMEs in KZN required improvement and recommended improving teams and informal networks and making information and communication technology tools available to preserve tacit knowledge. The SMEs that can afford it can consider employing the services of consultant knowledge management officers to conduct periodic knowledge audits to identify knowledge gaps for proactive solutions CONTRIBUTION: The study contributed to knowledge management, tacit knowledge, explicit knowledge, and TKM