**17. Ethical considerations**

The UKZN research office granted the ethical clearance to enable the execution of the study. The researchers ensured that participants signed the consent forms, indicating that they were participating in the research voluntarily. The researchers assured participants of the confidential handling of information divulged in the questionnaires. The researchers were mindful of the effects of leaking business secrets to rival firms and kept all records about the research under lock and key.
