International Journal of Economics and Business Research (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Open Access

  Modelling the performance effects of strategic partnerships and supplier development in South African clothing firms ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Ntombizodwa J. Matsoma, Intaher M. Ambe 
  Abstract: This study examined the performance impact of strategic partnerships (SP) and enterprise supplier development (ESD) within South Africa’s clothing manufacturing sector. It explored how procurement-driven mechanisms contribute to firm competitiveness, efficiency, and inclusive industrial growth. Structural equation modelling was applied to analyse responses from 621 clothing manufacturers operating in three provinces of South Africa. The findings revealed that both SP and ESD exert statistically significant positive effects on firm performance, particularly in enhancing cost efficiency, reducing lead times, and improving product quality. SP fosters innovation and relational stability, while ESD strengthens supplier capacity, infrastructure readiness, and compliance. However, persistent barriers such as financial exclusion, policy misalignment, and global sourcing pressures continue to constrain local industrial revitalisation. The findings inform procurement and industrial policy by demonstrating how institutionalising SP and ESD within buyer-supplier relationships can drive performance and support national development goals. This research offers a validated framework for leveraging relational procurement to foster competitiveness, local supplier upgrading, and INCLUSIVE economic transformation.
  Keywords: strategic partnerships; SP; enterprise supplier development; ESD; procurement; performance; clothing manufacturing; South Africa.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.10076302
   
  

• Open Access

  The role and importance of human capital in exports and growth: the case of Türkiye ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Dilek Temiz, Aytaç Gökmen 
  Abstract: This study examines the effects of Türkiye’s export strategies on economic growth in the globalising world economy and the role of human capital in this process. The relationship between human capital, exports, imports, fixed capital investments and economic growth in Türkiye is analysed for the period 1960-2023 based on the endogenous growth model. The aim of this study is to empirically examine the causality relationship between exports and human capital in Türkiye within the framework of the endogenous growth model. The results obtained from the cointegration analysis and causality tests applied in the study are consistent with the assumptions of endogenous growth theories in Türkiye. The study reveals that exports, imports, human and fixed capital are important elements of economic growth.
  Keywords: human capital; export; economic growth; endogenous growth; fixed capital investments; Türkiye.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.10076363
   
  

• Open Access

  The impact of digital transformation on competitive advantage of retail enterprises from the perspective of supply chain dynamic capabilities ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Li Tong, Achariya Issarapaibool, Ploychompoo Weber 
  Abstract: This study examines how digital transformation (DT) enhances competitive advantage (CA) in Guangdong's retail sector, with supply chain dynamic capabilities (SCDC) as a mediator and channel integration as a moderator. Analysis of 429 survey responses using structural equation modelling reveals that DT directly improves both SCDC and CA. The three-dimensional SCDC construct partially mediates this relationship. Furthermore, strong channel integration amplifies DT's positive effect on CA. The findings integrate dynamic capability theory into retail supply chain management, offering practical insights for firms.
  Keywords: digital transformation; competitive advantage; supply chain dynamic capabilities; channel integration; retailing.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.10076410
   
  

• Open Access

  Strategic human resource governance and forward-looking information disclosure: the role of board gender diversity and audit committee expertise ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Eny Kusumawati, Laila Oshiana Fitria A'zizah, Ovi Itsnaini Ulynnuha, Dian Hapsari, Arief Surya Adhi 
  Abstract: This study examines the impact of board gender diversity and audit committee members’ accounting expertise on forward-looking information disclosure (FLID) within the agency theory framework. Using panel data from 201 firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange across six strategic sectors from 2020 - 2024, a quantitative approach with robust panel regression is applied. The findings reveal that board gender diversity has a significant but negative effect on FLID, suggesting that gender-diverse boards influence disclosure through conservative monitoring rather than increased disclosure volume. Conversely, accounting expertise of audit committee members shows no significant effect, implying that such expertise enhances reporting quality without affecting discretionary disclosure. Control variables, including board size, firm size, leverage, firm age, and year effects, significantly influence disclosure behaviour. Overall, the study demonstrates that internal governance mechanisms may discipline rather than expand disclosure in emerging markets, highlighting contextual governance effects and offering implications for regulators and policymakers.
  Keywords: forward-looking information disclosure; board gender diversity; audit committee expertise; corporate governance; emerging markets.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.10076403