,INC4805 ASSIGNMENT 04 2025 ANSWERS
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
The background to the research problem provides the contextual foundation that
justifies the need for academic inquiry. In contemporary scholarship, the complexity of
social, economic, and technological challenges requires an integrated approach to
knowledge generation, particularly as societies grapple with persistent structural
inequalities, governance failures, and the pressures of globalization (Maringe &
Osman, 2020). Within this broader context, the identified research problem is situated
at the intersection of theoretical debates and practical concerns. Recent studies
highlight that while there is significant scholarly engagement with issues such as digital
transformation, social justice, and organisational effectiveness, a persistent gap
remains in the translation of theoretical insights into sustainable practice (Mukonza &
Ntshwarang, 2021). This disconnect underscores the necessity of rigorous academic
research that is not only theoretically informed but also empirically grounded.
Scholars argue that research problems do not exist in isolation but emerge from the
convergence of historical trajectories, policy imperatives, and lived experiences of
individuals or communities (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). For example, in the South
African context, enduring socio-economic inequalities and the uneven impact of public
policy reforms continue to shape the research agenda in the social sciences (Breetzke
& Pearson, 2021). These challenges reinforce the need for studies that critically
interrogate both existing literature and real-world practices. Furthermore, by
positioning the research problem against the backdrop of contemporary scholarly
discourse, the study situates itself within a body of knowledge that values evidence-
based inquiry while acknowledging the limitations of prior research.
Thus, the background to the research problem highlights the dual imperative of
addressing theoretical gaps and contributing to practice-oriented solutions. It lays the
foundation for a critical engagement with literature published between 2017 and 2025,
ensuring that the discussion remains timely, relevant, and anchored in current
debates.
, 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW
The primary purpose of the literature review is to provide a systematic and critical
account of the existing body of scholarship relevant to the research problem. A
literature review is not a descriptive summary but a scholarly synthesis that evaluates
prior research, identifies patterns, and exposes conceptual and methodological gaps
(Snyder, 2019). Through this process, the review performs three interrelated functions:
establishing the intellectual foundation of the study, situating the research problem
within ongoing academic debates, and clarifying the contribution of the current study
to knowledge advancement.
First, the review serves to establish the theoretical and conceptual framework
underpinning the investigation. By engaging with recent scholarly work, the study
identifies the dominant paradigms and competing perspectives that inform the
research field (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2019). This enables the researcher to
locate their work within established traditions while also signalling departures or
innovations that the current study seeks to make. Second, the literature review acts
as a diagnostic tool for identifying gaps and inconsistencies in previous studies. For
instance, while recent empirical evidence provides valuable insights into aspects of
the research problem, limitations in scope, methodology, or context often constrain the
applicability of findings (Bryman, 2017). By critically appraising such shortcomings, the
present study positions itself as a corrective or complementary intervention.
Finally, the literature review ensures that the research problem is not constructed in a
vacuum but is informed by a cumulative body of knowledge. As Hart (2018) notes,
scholarly inquiry advances incrementally, with each study building upon the
foundations of its predecessors. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review
extends beyond summarising prior research; it seeks to advance an argument for why
the present investigation is both necessary and timely.
1.3 ORGANISATION OF THE CHAPTER
The chapter is organised thematically to ensure logical progression and coherence.
Following this introduction, the literature review is divided into sections that correspond
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
The background to the research problem provides the contextual foundation that
justifies the need for academic inquiry. In contemporary scholarship, the complexity of
social, economic, and technological challenges requires an integrated approach to
knowledge generation, particularly as societies grapple with persistent structural
inequalities, governance failures, and the pressures of globalization (Maringe &
Osman, 2020). Within this broader context, the identified research problem is situated
at the intersection of theoretical debates and practical concerns. Recent studies
highlight that while there is significant scholarly engagement with issues such as digital
transformation, social justice, and organisational effectiveness, a persistent gap
remains in the translation of theoretical insights into sustainable practice (Mukonza &
Ntshwarang, 2021). This disconnect underscores the necessity of rigorous academic
research that is not only theoretically informed but also empirically grounded.
Scholars argue that research problems do not exist in isolation but emerge from the
convergence of historical trajectories, policy imperatives, and lived experiences of
individuals or communities (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). For example, in the South
African context, enduring socio-economic inequalities and the uneven impact of public
policy reforms continue to shape the research agenda in the social sciences (Breetzke
& Pearson, 2021). These challenges reinforce the need for studies that critically
interrogate both existing literature and real-world practices. Furthermore, by
positioning the research problem against the backdrop of contemporary scholarly
discourse, the study situates itself within a body of knowledge that values evidence-
based inquiry while acknowledging the limitations of prior research.
Thus, the background to the research problem highlights the dual imperative of
addressing theoretical gaps and contributing to practice-oriented solutions. It lays the
foundation for a critical engagement with literature published between 2017 and 2025,
ensuring that the discussion remains timely, relevant, and anchored in current
debates.
, 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW
The primary purpose of the literature review is to provide a systematic and critical
account of the existing body of scholarship relevant to the research problem. A
literature review is not a descriptive summary but a scholarly synthesis that evaluates
prior research, identifies patterns, and exposes conceptual and methodological gaps
(Snyder, 2019). Through this process, the review performs three interrelated functions:
establishing the intellectual foundation of the study, situating the research problem
within ongoing academic debates, and clarifying the contribution of the current study
to knowledge advancement.
First, the review serves to establish the theoretical and conceptual framework
underpinning the investigation. By engaging with recent scholarly work, the study
identifies the dominant paradigms and competing perspectives that inform the
research field (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2019). This enables the researcher to
locate their work within established traditions while also signalling departures or
innovations that the current study seeks to make. Second, the literature review acts
as a diagnostic tool for identifying gaps and inconsistencies in previous studies. For
instance, while recent empirical evidence provides valuable insights into aspects of
the research problem, limitations in scope, methodology, or context often constrain the
applicability of findings (Bryman, 2017). By critically appraising such shortcomings, the
present study positions itself as a corrective or complementary intervention.
Finally, the literature review ensures that the research problem is not constructed in a
vacuum but is informed by a cumulative body of knowledge. As Hart (2018) notes,
scholarly inquiry advances incrementally, with each study building upon the
foundations of its predecessors. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review
extends beyond summarising prior research; it seeks to advance an argument for why
the present investigation is both necessary and timely.
1.3 ORGANISATION OF THE CHAPTER
The chapter is organised thematically to ensure logical progression and coherence.
Following this introduction, the literature review is divided into sections that correspond
