Social justice and the role of business: a case study of Sorbet franchisees in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are crucial to the nation's prosperity. A robust SME sector significantly contributes to the economy's Gross Domestic Product by lowering poverty and unemployment rates and encouraging entrepreneurship. Despite their substantial relevance and contribution to economic growth, SMEs worldwide— particularly in South Africa—continue to suffer a number of difficulties. This study explored the role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in promoting social justice and business transformation in KwaZulu-Natal. The growth and prevalence of SMEs are both noticeably low in KwaZulu-Natal. As a result, the objectives of the study are to examine the difficulties in KwaZulu-Natal with regard to SME funding and governmental support for Sorbet, to identify the function of change management in advancing Sorbet's social justice in KwaZulu-Natal and to list the social justice initiatives that Sorbet in KwaZulu-Natal has implemented and to establish Sorbet, the chosen SME, and its plans for promoting transformational business in KwaZulu-Natal. Sorbet is a well-known network of beauty and wellness salons that is well regarded for its exceptional services and dedication to promoting social justice and improving the society. Sorbet effectively incorporates corporate social responsibility into their business strategy, actively participating in a range of social issues such as women's empowerment, youth development, and community assistance projects. The brand's inclusive policies and commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for workers and customers demonstrate the important role that companies can have in advancing social change and justice in society. The study examined the various forms of social justice and business transformation strategies perceived by employees and managers of a selected SME, Sorbet, in KwaZulu-Natal. The research design adopts a quantitative approach with a pre coded structured questionnaire administered to the selected sample. Using Sekaran and Bougie's (2016) computed statistical table, out of a target population of 330 elements, the sample equated to n = 181. The simple random sample without replacement was used to select the requisite selection. The researcher collected the completed questionnaires, capturing the data to form a data set. The questionnaire used for this study included a mix of structured questions with closed-ended responses and Likert-scale statements. These were designed to target a specific area and gather accurate data that could be analysed statistically. This was statistically tested using the more robust tools of parametric tests with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The statistical breakdown was performed in two stages, specifically a descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistics to evaluate the hypotheses. Several significant findings emerged from the thorough theoretical examination of the statistics. Furthermore, these findings were corroborated by other authors and researchers who conducted comparable investigations and whose results were analysed in relation to the findings of the present study. The study contributes academically to the field of Management, specifically the SME sector, within South Africa and explores its adaptability to the South African context. The research design includes descriptive statistics for the quantitative data gathered in the form of graphs, cross-tabulations, and other figures. Examples of inferential techniques include correlations and chi-square test results, which are interpreted using p-values. A statistical significance statement is typically used to report a result. A test statistic generates a p-value. "p 0.05" indicates a significant finding. "p 0.05" indicates an important finding. The exploratory framework created as a model for Sorbet, in conjunction with the study's findings and suggestions, may prove useful for future goal-oriented strategies by the Organisation. The study concludes with recommendations for future research in this emerging field.