Acta Commercii

Orientation: Sociocultural adaptation and cultural intelligence theory predicts certain relationships between these two orientations and performance in culturally diverse contexts.

Research purpose: The aim of the research was to investigate the contribution of cultural intelligence to sociocultural adaptation and the role of cultural intelligence as a mediator of the relationship between sociocultural adaptation and academic performance of international students in the context of a large South African university.

Motivation of the study: The study was motivated by a lack of knowledge of the role of cultural intelligence in its contribution to sociocultural adaptation and academic performance of international students in the current South African academic context. This lack of knowledge was taken to be a problem for managers in the higher education context.

Research design, approach and method: A purposive sample of 263 international students from a large South African university was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.

Main findings: Unlike metacognitive, cognitive and behavioural cultural intelligences, only motivational cultural intelligence, together with sociocultural adaptation, was found to be significantly and positively associated with academic performance.

Practical and managerial implications: Given that motivational cultural intelligence reflects the interest and motivation of an individual to learn about and adapt to other cultures, university managers should seek to cultivate motivational cultural intelligence through university activities, as this orientation can be developed in sojourners.

Contribution or value-add: The results of this study contest broader predictions that all cultural intelligence orientations act equally to enable academic performance in this context.

Orientation: To broaden the literature, identify markets and determine the motives of these markets within South Africa 

Research purpose: The aim was to compare male and female motorcyclists’ socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics at a motorcycle festival in South Africa. 

Motivation of the study: There has been an increase in motorcycle sales and events and therefore motorcycle tourism, especially in South Africa. While from an international perspective, the socio-demographic and behavioural aspects of motorcyclists are well documented, what is lacking is literature on the behavioural aspects of motorcyclists and the differences between men and women. 

Research design, approach and method: The study was descriptive, and data were primarily collected through self-administered questionnaires. Independent t-tests and cross-tabulation analyses were used. 

Main findings: Four key motives were identified for attending the South Africa Bike Festival. The findings also confirmed that male and female motorcyclists differ from both sociodemographic and behavioural aspects and should be viewed as two distinctive segments. In addition, the research confirmed the importance of the age at which motorcyclists were exposed to motorcycling. 

Practical managerial implications: Marketing campaigns should focus on both segments and should appeal to all motivational factors that have been identified. 

Contribution: The study contributes to the motorcycle literature and provides a greater understanding of motorcyclists’ behaviour and what motivates them to attend a motorcycle festival. The research provides guidelines to event organisers to effectively market such an event. The research also identifies different segments to this event, which provides more indications on what the motorcyclist looks like.

Orientation: Participating in the agriculture and agro-processing chain has the potential to enhance the competitive advantage of small-scale agricultural enterprises in South Africa. 

Research purpose: The study empirically investigated the extent to which agro-processing participation is determined by human and social capital factors, while accounting for the moderating effects of transaction costs. 

Motivation of the study: Research is required that examines levels of human and social capital of small-scale agripreneurs, as these act as major constraints towards improved competitiveness of agribusinesses. 

Design: To test the study hypotheses, a structured questionnaire was administered to 166 small-scale agripreneurs at farmer gatherings across regions in South Africa. 

Findings: Based on the survey results, both human and social capital factors showed a positive and significant influence on agro-processing participation. The findings further highlight the importance of market access and transaction costs to small-scale agripreneurs. 

Practical implications: Policy-makers need to be aware of how human capital factors such as previous education and experience impact participation in agro-processing activities and help to mitigate transaction costs. 

Contribution: Study findings are highly relevant to South Africa as agro-processing and value-adding activities are not always scale dependent, and hence, a focus on human and social capital is valuable.