Functional requirements of eCRM solutions for the South African SME sector
- Authors: Zaayman, Philip
- Date: 2009-01-15T13:12:09Z
- Subjects: Small business , Customer services , Customer relations management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14798 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1874
- Description: M.Phil. , The issue of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) within organisations has gained importance over the last five years, and the trend is set to continue with new CRM software vendors entering the market regularly. For a business, it is cheaper to retain existing customers than to acquire new ones, therefore increased customer loyalty and interaction is important. The value that electronic CRM (eCRM) allows is that it increases customer interaction, by eliminating physical intervention and subsequent errors. The Internet has allowed this interaction to become more sophisticated, with service information instantly available to both the customer and the business. The number of channels for interaction has also increased. Specifically, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need low cost eCRM solutions that adapt to their business models and IT structures. The South African SME is limited by certain budgeting, resource and time constraints, and the owner of the SME cannot always devote time in search of a suitable eCRM solution for his business. The multitudes of vendors, offering various levels of functionality with increased focus on the SME sector, allow the SME many choices. However, companies selecting eCRM software vendors often lack an objective basis due to a lack of alternative information sources. Vendors making unsubstantiated and incorrect claims about the functionality of their software, further complicate the problem. From an SME point of view, the functionality and cost criteria of the eCRM solution is the most important. However, the minimum functionality criteria that vendors’ software packages must adhere to, in order to be considered an eCRM suite are: Customer Analysis; Marketing Automation; Sales Automation; Customer Service and Support; and Web-centricity. The research problem lies therein that South African SME owners or managers are unsure which functionalities are available, and which to deem important when considering eCRM solutions for their businesses. The objective of this study is to formulate a matrix of functionality that eCRM solutions must adhere to in order to be successfully implemented by the SME. This matrix is not prescriptive, but will guide SME management by identifying criteria and functionality that the solution needs to contain. The aim is to help SMEs select the right software, not to select the software for them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zaayman, Philip
- Date: 2009-01-15T13:12:09Z
- Subjects: Small business , Customer services , Customer relations management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14798 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1874
- Description: M.Phil. , The issue of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) within organisations has gained importance over the last five years, and the trend is set to continue with new CRM software vendors entering the market regularly. For a business, it is cheaper to retain existing customers than to acquire new ones, therefore increased customer loyalty and interaction is important. The value that electronic CRM (eCRM) allows is that it increases customer interaction, by eliminating physical intervention and subsequent errors. The Internet has allowed this interaction to become more sophisticated, with service information instantly available to both the customer and the business. The number of channels for interaction has also increased. Specifically, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need low cost eCRM solutions that adapt to their business models and IT structures. The South African SME is limited by certain budgeting, resource and time constraints, and the owner of the SME cannot always devote time in search of a suitable eCRM solution for his business. The multitudes of vendors, offering various levels of functionality with increased focus on the SME sector, allow the SME many choices. However, companies selecting eCRM software vendors often lack an objective basis due to a lack of alternative information sources. Vendors making unsubstantiated and incorrect claims about the functionality of their software, further complicate the problem. From an SME point of view, the functionality and cost criteria of the eCRM solution is the most important. However, the minimum functionality criteria that vendors’ software packages must adhere to, in order to be considered an eCRM suite are: Customer Analysis; Marketing Automation; Sales Automation; Customer Service and Support; and Web-centricity. The research problem lies therein that South African SME owners or managers are unsure which functionalities are available, and which to deem important when considering eCRM solutions for their businesses. The objective of this study is to formulate a matrix of functionality that eCRM solutions must adhere to in order to be successfully implemented by the SME. This matrix is not prescriptive, but will guide SME management by identifying criteria and functionality that the solution needs to contain. The aim is to help SMEs select the right software, not to select the software for them.
- Full Text:
Information security risk management in the South African small, medium and micro enterprise environment
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Liesel
- Date: 2008-07-07T09:33:28Z
- Subjects: Small business , Risk management , Computer security management , Information technology security measures
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/761
- Description: The small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) environment of South Africa contributes 42% to the national gross domestic product. This is a high number for a largely under-regulated environment. The corporate governance and IT governance standards that apply to South African companies are not feasible for SMMEs, and neither are they enforced, although 80% of failures of SMMEs are attributable to lack of enterprise management skill. The first objective of this dissertation is to examine the South African SMME, and in so doing determine whether local regulatory standards can be used for this unique enterprise formation. The second objective of this dissertation is to determine whether international methodologies for information security risk management, as an inclusive of IT governance, may be used in the unique local SMME formation. The result of these two objectives creates a gap in a typical information security risk management methodology that is suitable for the South African regulatory and economic environment for SMMEs. A model has been created as a possible answer for filling the gap. The dissertation includes the Peculium Model, which answers the regulatory and economic requirements that resulted from the second objective. The Model allows the small enterprise a simple but effective method for managing risks to its information assets, with the control of corporate governance and IT governance included in its framework. The Model answers the methods for identifying and assessing risk in a tradition-based but feasible new qualitative technique. , Labuschagne, L., Prof.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Liesel
- Date: 2008-07-07T09:33:28Z
- Subjects: Small business , Risk management , Computer security management , Information technology security measures
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/761
- Description: The small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) environment of South Africa contributes 42% to the national gross domestic product. This is a high number for a largely under-regulated environment. The corporate governance and IT governance standards that apply to South African companies are not feasible for SMMEs, and neither are they enforced, although 80% of failures of SMMEs are attributable to lack of enterprise management skill. The first objective of this dissertation is to examine the South African SMME, and in so doing determine whether local regulatory standards can be used for this unique enterprise formation. The second objective of this dissertation is to determine whether international methodologies for information security risk management, as an inclusive of IT governance, may be used in the unique local SMME formation. The result of these two objectives creates a gap in a typical information security risk management methodology that is suitable for the South African regulatory and economic environment for SMMEs. A model has been created as a possible answer for filling the gap. The dissertation includes the Peculium Model, which answers the regulatory and economic requirements that resulted from the second objective. The Model allows the small enterprise a simple but effective method for managing risks to its information assets, with the control of corporate governance and IT governance included in its framework. The Model answers the methods for identifying and assessing risk in a tradition-based but feasible new qualitative technique. , Labuschagne, L., Prof.
- Full Text:
A product development process for a photovoltaic water pump system in a small to medium enterprise
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Lyon
- Date: 2009-02-26T12:22:59Z
- Subjects: New products , Solar pumps , Small business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2185
- Description: D.Ing. , The effective management of technology and new product development in a high technology small to medium enterprise associated with a large corporation with specific reference to the development of solar photovoltaic water pumps is investigated in this study. Innovative product and the development thereof have already become this century's battleground. The availability of information to all and the ease of communication have contributed to changing the battleground. Small organizations and companies can now also participate in high technology environments, different from the past. Technology management and new product development are subjects that are thoroughly studied, discussed and understood in larger corporations (LCs) and multinational enterprises (MNEs). It would appear that the same cannot always be said when it comes to small to medium high technology enterprises. The following research questions can be asked: • How does the current body of knowledge (regarding technology and new product development) influence and impact on technology and new product development in a small to medium enterprise? • How does the interface and interaction between various small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and SMEs and other large corporations impact on new product development in a small to medium enterprise? • How does a small to medium enterprise cope with relatively limited resources when attempting to develop a new product? • How does the informal nature of a small to medium enterprise impact on new product development? • Does a small to medium enterprise use a structured process to manage new product development? As SMEs become more prominent role players in technology intensive industries, answers to the above questions will strengthen the SME in the relevant areas and enhance the role that SMEs will play in the future. To answer the research questions the study comprises: • an applicable literature survey in the areas of technology management and new product development, • an investigation into the business environment and interaction a typical SME encounters during new product innovation including resource management, • the development of an alternative model for the new product development (NPD) process in an SME, • an industry acceptability survey of the proposed alternative model and • a case study (photovoltaic water pump system) of the development of a new product, mapped onto the developed alternative NPD process. A study of the literature and own experience have shown: • a lack of addressing the above questions and the impact thereof and • a lack of practical and appropriate guidelines to implement technology management and ensure repetitive successful innovative new product development (NPD) in small to medium high technology enterprises. The author suggests a reduced complexity NPD process model, which takes cognisance of intangibles such as the chaotic interaction between various stages and tasks within the NPD process, informal decision making and natural information feedback mechanisms and illustrate why an SME that observes a given structural discipline displays an inherent advantage over large corporations and multinational enterprises. The model is exposed to a limited scope industry survey and applied to a case study (development of a photovoltaic water pump powered by sunlight). The acceptability survey, although limited, suggests that industry supports the hypotheses on which the development of the proposed alternative new product development process is based. The proposed management process was mapped onto the case study to ascertain whether it is practical. The application of the proposed management process to the case study resulted in further insight into possible alternative methods of reporting on new product development work. A complete photovoltaic water pump system as a new product emanated from the case study with significant marketability.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Lyon
- Date: 2009-02-26T12:22:59Z
- Subjects: New products , Solar pumps , Small business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2185
- Description: D.Ing. , The effective management of technology and new product development in a high technology small to medium enterprise associated with a large corporation with specific reference to the development of solar photovoltaic water pumps is investigated in this study. Innovative product and the development thereof have already become this century's battleground. The availability of information to all and the ease of communication have contributed to changing the battleground. Small organizations and companies can now also participate in high technology environments, different from the past. Technology management and new product development are subjects that are thoroughly studied, discussed and understood in larger corporations (LCs) and multinational enterprises (MNEs). It would appear that the same cannot always be said when it comes to small to medium high technology enterprises. The following research questions can be asked: • How does the current body of knowledge (regarding technology and new product development) influence and impact on technology and new product development in a small to medium enterprise? • How does the interface and interaction between various small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and SMEs and other large corporations impact on new product development in a small to medium enterprise? • How does a small to medium enterprise cope with relatively limited resources when attempting to develop a new product? • How does the informal nature of a small to medium enterprise impact on new product development? • Does a small to medium enterprise use a structured process to manage new product development? As SMEs become more prominent role players in technology intensive industries, answers to the above questions will strengthen the SME in the relevant areas and enhance the role that SMEs will play in the future. To answer the research questions the study comprises: • an applicable literature survey in the areas of technology management and new product development, • an investigation into the business environment and interaction a typical SME encounters during new product innovation including resource management, • the development of an alternative model for the new product development (NPD) process in an SME, • an industry acceptability survey of the proposed alternative model and • a case study (photovoltaic water pump system) of the development of a new product, mapped onto the developed alternative NPD process. A study of the literature and own experience have shown: • a lack of addressing the above questions and the impact thereof and • a lack of practical and appropriate guidelines to implement technology management and ensure repetitive successful innovative new product development (NPD) in small to medium high technology enterprises. The author suggests a reduced complexity NPD process model, which takes cognisance of intangibles such as the chaotic interaction between various stages and tasks within the NPD process, informal decision making and natural information feedback mechanisms and illustrate why an SME that observes a given structural discipline displays an inherent advantage over large corporations and multinational enterprises. The model is exposed to a limited scope industry survey and applied to a case study (development of a photovoltaic water pump powered by sunlight). The acceptability survey, although limited, suggests that industry supports the hypotheses on which the development of the proposed alternative new product development process is based. The proposed management process was mapped onto the case study to ascertain whether it is practical. The application of the proposed management process to the case study resulted in further insight into possible alternative methods of reporting on new product development work. A complete photovoltaic water pump system as a new product emanated from the case study with significant marketability.
- Full Text:
Developing an optimisation model for the cost of working capital for SMEs
- Stroucken, Jacob Gerhard Marie
- Authors: Stroucken, Jacob Gerhard Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Working capital , Small business , Small business - Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/262056 , uj:27652
- Description: Ph.D. (Finance) , Abstract: Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) are at a considerable disadvantage when seeking finance for their businesses. They are at the mercy of both financiers and powerful trading partners who are able to impose stringent conditions on the terms of finance or trade. The impact is felt, mostly, on the working capital of the firms. This study seeks, firstly, to show that it is possible for firms, who collaborate financially, to optimise the cost of their working capital, at no net cost to any party and, secondly, to develop a model to measure the financial benefits that can be thus obtained. The literature argues that individual firms, who optimise their working capital, increase their profits. It is shown, however, that this is usually done at the expense of their trading partners. Research also shows why trade credit is used and how expensive it is. Both topics are developed to achieve the objectives of this study. It is shown that it is possible to optimise working capital in a supply chain. The Working Capital Cost Optimisation (WCCO) model is developed from a dyadic trading system to a full supply chain to calculate the benefit of financial collaboration. A supply chain is simulated from data obtained from a bank in SA and the WCCO model is tested. Three scenarios are considered 1) a benchmark scenario in which every firm trades with another, 2) a scenario in which SMEs and large enterprises (LEs) trade only with each other, and, 3) a scenario where the cost of trade credit is introduced to trade between SMEs and LEs. The output is analysed to determine the impact of the resulting financial benefits on key financial ratios of the firms. It is found that the financial benefit, especially for SMEs, increases as collaborative trade is focussed towards trade with LEs in a trade credit situation. The WCCO model can be applied to any situation where firms agree to collaborate using their financial resources. State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and government departments who have a mandate to assist SOEs could be persuaded to implement the findings of this study to the benefit of SME suppliers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stroucken, Jacob Gerhard Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Working capital , Small business , Small business - Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/262056 , uj:27652
- Description: Ph.D. (Finance) , Abstract: Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) are at a considerable disadvantage when seeking finance for their businesses. They are at the mercy of both financiers and powerful trading partners who are able to impose stringent conditions on the terms of finance or trade. The impact is felt, mostly, on the working capital of the firms. This study seeks, firstly, to show that it is possible for firms, who collaborate financially, to optimise the cost of their working capital, at no net cost to any party and, secondly, to develop a model to measure the financial benefits that can be thus obtained. The literature argues that individual firms, who optimise their working capital, increase their profits. It is shown, however, that this is usually done at the expense of their trading partners. Research also shows why trade credit is used and how expensive it is. Both topics are developed to achieve the objectives of this study. It is shown that it is possible to optimise working capital in a supply chain. The Working Capital Cost Optimisation (WCCO) model is developed from a dyadic trading system to a full supply chain to calculate the benefit of financial collaboration. A supply chain is simulated from data obtained from a bank in SA and the WCCO model is tested. Three scenarios are considered 1) a benchmark scenario in which every firm trades with another, 2) a scenario in which SMEs and large enterprises (LEs) trade only with each other, and, 3) a scenario where the cost of trade credit is introduced to trade between SMEs and LEs. The output is analysed to determine the impact of the resulting financial benefits on key financial ratios of the firms. It is found that the financial benefit, especially for SMEs, increases as collaborative trade is focussed towards trade with LEs in a trade credit situation. The WCCO model can be applied to any situation where firms agree to collaborate using their financial resources. State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and government departments who have a mandate to assist SOEs could be persuaded to implement the findings of this study to the benefit of SME suppliers.
- Full Text:
Information needs of small, micro and medium enterprises
- Authors: Rathaba, Dikomo Dorcas
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Small business , Information retrieval
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/414173 , uj:34921
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: It is of importance to establish the need companies, institutions or organisations have for information to satisfy a specific purpose. Research studies that focus on information needs are conducted to assist in providing improved, effective and relevant services to the customers who need and use information. Establishing and understanding the information needs of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in intended to assist in providing insight and intelligence to institutions that offer business support services to SMMEs. The intelligence from the research can then be used to align the services offered to the SMMEs to be more effective, efficient and needs-based (Savolainen, 2017:3). The purpose of this research study was to establish what information SMMEs need when making use of the services of the University of Johannesburg Centre for Entrepreneurship (UJCfE). An overview of the importance of SMMEs is provided as a basis to clarify the importance of establishing the information needs and seeking behaviour of SMMEs. Having provided an outline of the importance of SMMEs in a developing country such as South Africa, it was further highlighted what the importance of information to SMMEs is. In addition, an overview of possible challenges SMMEs encounter with availability and access to information was provided. The study is based on the Customer Focus Theory (CFT), in this case the customer being the SMMEs. The CFT considers the customer’s identify location, personality and organisation’s experience, where applicable. Furthermore, the theory places emphasis on the process of gathering, understanding and using customer requirements and information as well as accepting and using feedback from the customer to improve customer service. The study followed a qualitative research design with the use of a self-administered questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The questionnaire was sent through electronic mail (email), with an option to complete an online Google form or hard copy of the questionnaire, to 434 SMMEs on the University of Johannesburg Centre for Entrepreneurship (UJCfE) database. Based on the data collected from the online and print questionnaire, the data was analysed following a descriptive statistics analysis method through identifying similarities, differences, categories and themes from the responses.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rathaba, Dikomo Dorcas
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Small business , Information retrieval
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/414173 , uj:34921
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: It is of importance to establish the need companies, institutions or organisations have for information to satisfy a specific purpose. Research studies that focus on information needs are conducted to assist in providing improved, effective and relevant services to the customers who need and use information. Establishing and understanding the information needs of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in intended to assist in providing insight and intelligence to institutions that offer business support services to SMMEs. The intelligence from the research can then be used to align the services offered to the SMMEs to be more effective, efficient and needs-based (Savolainen, 2017:3). The purpose of this research study was to establish what information SMMEs need when making use of the services of the University of Johannesburg Centre for Entrepreneurship (UJCfE). An overview of the importance of SMMEs is provided as a basis to clarify the importance of establishing the information needs and seeking behaviour of SMMEs. Having provided an outline of the importance of SMMEs in a developing country such as South Africa, it was further highlighted what the importance of information to SMMEs is. In addition, an overview of possible challenges SMMEs encounter with availability and access to information was provided. The study is based on the Customer Focus Theory (CFT), in this case the customer being the SMMEs. The CFT considers the customer’s identify location, personality and organisation’s experience, where applicable. Furthermore, the theory places emphasis on the process of gathering, understanding and using customer requirements and information as well as accepting and using feedback from the customer to improve customer service. The study followed a qualitative research design with the use of a self-administered questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The questionnaire was sent through electronic mail (email), with an option to complete an online Google form or hard copy of the questionnaire, to 434 SMMEs on the University of Johannesburg Centre for Entrepreneurship (UJCfE) database. Based on the data collected from the online and print questionnaire, the data was analysed following a descriptive statistics analysis method through identifying similarities, differences, categories and themes from the responses.
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Entrepreneurial leadership and management for change and successful business growth
- Authors: Nieuwenhuizen, C.
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Small business
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6189 , ISSN 978-0-866970-661-9 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5267
- Description: The vast majority of businesses initiated by entrepreneurs originated as micro or small businesses. These businesses are usually started and entrepreneurially managed by one person. They can grow and become larger small businesses or even medium and large businesses if the entrepreneur does not become a manager. The entrepreneur has a distinctly different mindset from that of the manager or bureaucrat, but often the entrepreneur becomes complacent with a specific level of achievement in his or her business. The entrepreneur then becomes the content manager of a small business who is averse to risk, change and innovation. The entrepreneurial business is then replaced by a managerially focused small business. It also often happens that ideas are good and the people behind them are competent but don't know how to manage a business and have no underlying appreciation of business fundamentals. The business then fails due to a lack of management skills and behaviour as well as knowledge regarding the different functions of a business. Businesses that have been successfully established often fail due to the entrepreneurs' inability to adapt to the changing needs of the business, which often includes a more managerial and functional approach. The true entrepreneur is a leader, adaptive, innovative and willing to take risks, but as the business grows, a more managerial style becomes necessary. This can happen when the business is small, but the challenge usually presents itself acutely when the business has become medium sized. This paper explores the nature and role of the entrepreneur as change agent in the economy and business.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nieuwenhuizen, C.
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Small business
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6189 , ISSN 978-0-866970-661-9 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5267
- Description: The vast majority of businesses initiated by entrepreneurs originated as micro or small businesses. These businesses are usually started and entrepreneurially managed by one person. They can grow and become larger small businesses or even medium and large businesses if the entrepreneur does not become a manager. The entrepreneur has a distinctly different mindset from that of the manager or bureaucrat, but often the entrepreneur becomes complacent with a specific level of achievement in his or her business. The entrepreneur then becomes the content manager of a small business who is averse to risk, change and innovation. The entrepreneurial business is then replaced by a managerially focused small business. It also often happens that ideas are good and the people behind them are competent but don't know how to manage a business and have no underlying appreciation of business fundamentals. The business then fails due to a lack of management skills and behaviour as well as knowledge regarding the different functions of a business. Businesses that have been successfully established often fail due to the entrepreneurs' inability to adapt to the changing needs of the business, which often includes a more managerial and functional approach. The true entrepreneur is a leader, adaptive, innovative and willing to take risks, but as the business grows, a more managerial style becomes necessary. This can happen when the business is small, but the challenge usually presents itself acutely when the business has become medium sized. This paper explores the nature and role of the entrepreneur as change agent in the economy and business.
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Entrepreneurial skills required for small and medium enterprises in the Johannesburg Metropolitan
- Authors: Mwepu Mbuya, Jean-Marie
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Small business , Entrepreneurs
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8354
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the growth of the South African economy as a result of the increasing rate of unemployment across the country. Small and medium sized businesses are recognized globally as the best strategy to alleviate poverty and boost economic growth through job creation. In order to create and sustain small and medium businesses, it is important to ensure that entrepreneurs possess the required skills that will ensure the viability of their organizations in the long-run. The more skills an entrepreneur possesses, the more entrepreneurial success will unfold. This research aimed to investigate the personal entrepreneurial skills and competencies that are required from small and medium entrepreneurs in order to operate efficiently in the Johannesburg metropolitan area. Five entrepreneurial skills were selected, namely , the skill of leadership, the skill of creativity and innovation, the skill networking and trust, the skill of time management and the skill of goal setting and commitment. One hundred and one entrepreneurs across the Johannesburg metropolitan area participated in the survey. The analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and recommendations were made on how to improve each selected entrepreneurial skill. The major findings of the research were that all selected entrepreneurial skills proved to be crucial for the success of the small and medium businesses. The importance of entrepreneurial training and education was also emphasised as a strategy that could improve the entrepreneurial skills of start-up entrepreneurs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mwepu Mbuya, Jean-Marie
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Small business , Entrepreneurs
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8354
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the growth of the South African economy as a result of the increasing rate of unemployment across the country. Small and medium sized businesses are recognized globally as the best strategy to alleviate poverty and boost economic growth through job creation. In order to create and sustain small and medium businesses, it is important to ensure that entrepreneurs possess the required skills that will ensure the viability of their organizations in the long-run. The more skills an entrepreneur possesses, the more entrepreneurial success will unfold. This research aimed to investigate the personal entrepreneurial skills and competencies that are required from small and medium entrepreneurs in order to operate efficiently in the Johannesburg metropolitan area. Five entrepreneurial skills were selected, namely , the skill of leadership, the skill of creativity and innovation, the skill networking and trust, the skill of time management and the skill of goal setting and commitment. One hundred and one entrepreneurs across the Johannesburg metropolitan area participated in the survey. The analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and recommendations were made on how to improve each selected entrepreneurial skill. The major findings of the research were that all selected entrepreneurial skills proved to be crucial for the success of the small and medium businesses. The importance of entrepreneurial training and education was also emphasised as a strategy that could improve the entrepreneurial skills of start-up entrepreneurs.
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Assessment of the e-readiness of small and medium sized enterprises in the ICT sector in Botswana, with special reference to information access
- Authors: Mutula, Stephen M.
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:22:41Z
- Subjects: Small business , Electronic information resources , Electronic commerce , Business enterprises , Computer networks , Botswana
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1854
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The purpose of this research was to determine the status of e-readiness of Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access using ICTs for competitiveness in the local and international markets. The population of study consisted of key informants from 114 SMEs in the ICT sector in Gaborone and Francistown, the capital city and the second largest city of Botswana respectively. The official list of ICT companies provided by the government of Botswana was used as the sampling frame. The research used a two-phase design - the preliminary survey and the main survey of the project. The preliminary survey consisted of two stages. During the first stage, a short structured questionnaire was administered to a census of 114 key informants from SMEs in the ICT sector. During the second stage, six focus group discussions were used to collect data from key stakeholders in the ICT sector who included representatives from: ICT companies, ICT professional body in Botswana, government utility corporations, academia and the business community. The participants in the focus group discussions involved representatives from 55 SMEs who were identified like in the first stage using the government official list of SMEs in Botswana. The quantitative data collected through questionnaire were analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic tables. The results were represented using tables, pie charts, categories and narrations. The results of the preliminary survey of the project were used to characterise the ICT sector in terms of its size, key players, nature of businesses, products and services traded in, distribution of business by location and the issues that affected the sector. This characterisation was important in two main respects. Firstly, it provided a clear roadmap for the design of the main survey of the research since little information existed on the subject of e-readiness on Botswana in general and with respect to SMEs in particular. Similarly, the government had invested a lot of resources in ICT infrastructure development and was focusing on SMEs especially those in the ICT sector to diversify the economy from the dominant diamond mining to service industry. Secondly, the results of the preliminary survey of the project supported the development of a structured interview schedule that was used during the main survey of the project. During the main survey of the research data was collected from companies that participated in the focus group discussions. From the focus group list of participants, an alphabetical name list of 55 SMEs was created. There were 43 Small-Sized and 12 Medium-Sized enterprises that were represented during the focus group discussions. For the purpose of carrying out the structured interviews, SMEs were stratified into two (Small-Sized enterprises and Medium-Sized enterprises). From the Small-Sized enterprises stratum, 20 companies were systematically selected (from the 43) taking every other member on the list. On the other hand, in the Medium-Sized enterprises stratum, all the 12 enterprises were selected for interviews because the number of respondents was small. The data collected was analysed using categories and thematic tables because it was largely qualitative. The results were presented in the form of thematic tables and through narrations. The findings from the SMEs surveyed indicated that most of the SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana were Small-Sized enterprises that were largely not e-ready to participate in the global electronic business environment because of several impediments such as: the lack of awareness, inadequate policy and legislative framework, poor telecommunication and electricity infrastructures, poor e-commerce infrastructure, inadequate government support, the lack of access to credit, investment barriers, the lack of critical ICT skills and more. The major outcomes of the project include an exposition of the e-readiness status of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana, a road map that can assist the government of Botswana to establish a strong export-oriented ICT sector. The weaknesses and strengths of Botswana’s e-readiness status with regard to SMEs are brought to the fore, thus creating awareness upon which the government can design interventions that are tailored to meet Botswana’s SMEs’ specific needs. Similarly, this project provides a framework upon which the government can benchmark against its counterparts in the rest of the world in order to define its investment priorities. The project also provides baseline information which the government could use to implement appropriate policy and legislative decisions in order to enhance the e-readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana. Finally, the new integrated e-readiness tool that was developed in this project is the first of its kind to bring the different major components of e-readiness (such as enterprise, ICT, human resources, information and external environment readiness) into a single assessment tool with great attention paid to information access. The tool is also modular in design and thus can allow specific e-readiness assessment of individual segments of society to be modelled independently of each other. The tool also enriches the qualitative aspects of e-readiness that are only minimally addressed in a few of the existing macro e-readiness assessment tools. Among the key recommendations from the research is the need for the government of Botswana to promulgate relevant policies and implement pragmatic programmes that would enable SMEs in the ICT sector in the country to use various information technologies in order to gain access to relevant information regarding access to credit, investment opportunities, partnerships, education and training opportunities so that they can effectively participate in both the local and international markets. The policy changes and programmes to be undertaken by the government should be underpinned by an effective legislative and regulatory framework that would enable the small business firms to identify, acquire, process, organise, disseminate and apply information for competitive advantage through the effective deployment and application of ICTs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutula, Stephen M.
- Date: 2009-01-12T07:22:41Z
- Subjects: Small business , Electronic information resources , Electronic commerce , Business enterprises , Computer networks , Botswana
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1854
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The purpose of this research was to determine the status of e-readiness of Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access using ICTs for competitiveness in the local and international markets. The population of study consisted of key informants from 114 SMEs in the ICT sector in Gaborone and Francistown, the capital city and the second largest city of Botswana respectively. The official list of ICT companies provided by the government of Botswana was used as the sampling frame. The research used a two-phase design - the preliminary survey and the main survey of the project. The preliminary survey consisted of two stages. During the first stage, a short structured questionnaire was administered to a census of 114 key informants from SMEs in the ICT sector. During the second stage, six focus group discussions were used to collect data from key stakeholders in the ICT sector who included representatives from: ICT companies, ICT professional body in Botswana, government utility corporations, academia and the business community. The participants in the focus group discussions involved representatives from 55 SMEs who were identified like in the first stage using the government official list of SMEs in Botswana. The quantitative data collected through questionnaire were analysed using SPSS while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic tables. The results were represented using tables, pie charts, categories and narrations. The results of the preliminary survey of the project were used to characterise the ICT sector in terms of its size, key players, nature of businesses, products and services traded in, distribution of business by location and the issues that affected the sector. This characterisation was important in two main respects. Firstly, it provided a clear roadmap for the design of the main survey of the research since little information existed on the subject of e-readiness on Botswana in general and with respect to SMEs in particular. Similarly, the government had invested a lot of resources in ICT infrastructure development and was focusing on SMEs especially those in the ICT sector to diversify the economy from the dominant diamond mining to service industry. Secondly, the results of the preliminary survey of the project supported the development of a structured interview schedule that was used during the main survey of the project. During the main survey of the research data was collected from companies that participated in the focus group discussions. From the focus group list of participants, an alphabetical name list of 55 SMEs was created. There were 43 Small-Sized and 12 Medium-Sized enterprises that were represented during the focus group discussions. For the purpose of carrying out the structured interviews, SMEs were stratified into two (Small-Sized enterprises and Medium-Sized enterprises). From the Small-Sized enterprises stratum, 20 companies were systematically selected (from the 43) taking every other member on the list. On the other hand, in the Medium-Sized enterprises stratum, all the 12 enterprises were selected for interviews because the number of respondents was small. The data collected was analysed using categories and thematic tables because it was largely qualitative. The results were presented in the form of thematic tables and through narrations. The findings from the SMEs surveyed indicated that most of the SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana were Small-Sized enterprises that were largely not e-ready to participate in the global electronic business environment because of several impediments such as: the lack of awareness, inadequate policy and legislative framework, poor telecommunication and electricity infrastructures, poor e-commerce infrastructure, inadequate government support, the lack of access to credit, investment barriers, the lack of critical ICT skills and more. The major outcomes of the project include an exposition of the e-readiness status of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana, a road map that can assist the government of Botswana to establish a strong export-oriented ICT sector. The weaknesses and strengths of Botswana’s e-readiness status with regard to SMEs are brought to the fore, thus creating awareness upon which the government can design interventions that are tailored to meet Botswana’s SMEs’ specific needs. Similarly, this project provides a framework upon which the government can benchmark against its counterparts in the rest of the world in order to define its investment priorities. The project also provides baseline information which the government could use to implement appropriate policy and legislative decisions in order to enhance the e-readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana. Finally, the new integrated e-readiness tool that was developed in this project is the first of its kind to bring the different major components of e-readiness (such as enterprise, ICT, human resources, information and external environment readiness) into a single assessment tool with great attention paid to information access. The tool is also modular in design and thus can allow specific e-readiness assessment of individual segments of society to be modelled independently of each other. The tool also enriches the qualitative aspects of e-readiness that are only minimally addressed in a few of the existing macro e-readiness assessment tools. Among the key recommendations from the research is the need for the government of Botswana to promulgate relevant policies and implement pragmatic programmes that would enable SMEs in the ICT sector in the country to use various information technologies in order to gain access to relevant information regarding access to credit, investment opportunities, partnerships, education and training opportunities so that they can effectively participate in both the local and international markets. The policy changes and programmes to be undertaken by the government should be underpinned by an effective legislative and regulatory framework that would enable the small business firms to identify, acquire, process, organise, disseminate and apply information for competitive advantage through the effective deployment and application of ICTs.
- Full Text:
Small and medium-sized enterprises contractors' health and safety performance
- Mustapha, Zakari, Aigbavboa, Clinton, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Authors: Mustapha, Zakari , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Small business , Health and safety
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213934 , uj:21215 , Citation: Mustapha, Z., Aigbavboa, C & Thwala, W.D. 2016. Small and medium-sized enterprises contractors' health and safety performance
- Description: Abstract: Small and Medium Sized-Enterprise (SMEs) contractors form the bulk, by number, of companies in each industry. SMEs differ significantly from large firms, and these factors affect their compliance level. The study aims to assess the SMEs contractors Health and Safety (H&S) performance in the construction industry. Delphi survey was used for the study. Experts were asked to rate the impact of other factors in predicting SMEs contractors compliance with H&S regulations in Ghana. The rating were based on either the impact was considered to be very high or high. Microsoft EXCEL to analyse the data collected. The output from the analysis was a set of descriptive statistics such as means, median, standard deviations and derivatives of these statistics. The findings from the study shows that changes in company structure, changes in ownership at various stages of growth, lack of H&S experts and short track records of H&S regulations were rated by the experts among the factors that affect the SMEs contractors H&S performance.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Mustapha, Zakari , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Small business , Health and safety
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213934 , uj:21215 , Citation: Mustapha, Z., Aigbavboa, C & Thwala, W.D. 2016. Small and medium-sized enterprises contractors' health and safety performance
- Description: Abstract: Small and Medium Sized-Enterprise (SMEs) contractors form the bulk, by number, of companies in each industry. SMEs differ significantly from large firms, and these factors affect their compliance level. The study aims to assess the SMEs contractors Health and Safety (H&S) performance in the construction industry. Delphi survey was used for the study. Experts were asked to rate the impact of other factors in predicting SMEs contractors compliance with H&S regulations in Ghana. The rating were based on either the impact was considered to be very high or high. Microsoft EXCEL to analyse the data collected. The output from the analysis was a set of descriptive statistics such as means, median, standard deviations and derivatives of these statistics. The findings from the study shows that changes in company structure, changes in ownership at various stages of growth, lack of H&S experts and short track records of H&S regulations were rated by the experts among the factors that affect the SMEs contractors H&S performance.
- Full Text: false
The influence of organisational capabilities on the operational performance of small and medium enterprises
- Authors: Munyanyi, Watson
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business , Organizational effectiveness , Small business - Customer services
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/293107 , uj:31865
- Description: Abstract: Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in the socio-economic growth of both developed and developing countries. Since they cannot rely on resource abundancy for survival and growth, organisational capabilities become a crucial element in their quest for superior growth. This study sought to investigate the influence of organisational capabilities on the operational performance of small and medium enterprises. A total of five capabilities were used as independent variables in this study and these were measured against operational performance. A total of 388 self-administered questionnaires were obtained from small and medium enterprises across the ten provinces of Zimbabwe, and the data cleaned and coded before subjected to several statistical measurements. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were done to confirm the existence of a causal relationship and make inferences among the constructs of interest. The results of the study show that organisational capabilities are an influential factor in as far as small and medium enterprises operational performance is concerned. These findings provide empirical support for both the dynamic capabilities theory and the network theory and if adopted by managers and owners of small and medium enterprises, the findings can add value to the firms’ products quality, operational flexibility, delivery time and cost efficiency. Despite availability of capabilities literature, research on organisational capabilities and operational performance in the small and medium enterprises context remains scant and inconclusive such that it is important to reconsider some of the established views of this study’s findings. , Ph.D. (Business Management)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Munyanyi, Watson
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business , Organizational effectiveness , Small business - Customer services
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/293107 , uj:31865
- Description: Abstract: Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in the socio-economic growth of both developed and developing countries. Since they cannot rely on resource abundancy for survival and growth, organisational capabilities become a crucial element in their quest for superior growth. This study sought to investigate the influence of organisational capabilities on the operational performance of small and medium enterprises. A total of five capabilities were used as independent variables in this study and these were measured against operational performance. A total of 388 self-administered questionnaires were obtained from small and medium enterprises across the ten provinces of Zimbabwe, and the data cleaned and coded before subjected to several statistical measurements. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were done to confirm the existence of a causal relationship and make inferences among the constructs of interest. The results of the study show that organisational capabilities are an influential factor in as far as small and medium enterprises operational performance is concerned. These findings provide empirical support for both the dynamic capabilities theory and the network theory and if adopted by managers and owners of small and medium enterprises, the findings can add value to the firms’ products quality, operational flexibility, delivery time and cost efficiency. Despite availability of capabilities literature, research on organisational capabilities and operational performance in the small and medium enterprises context remains scant and inconclusive such that it is important to reconsider some of the established views of this study’s findings. , Ph.D. (Business Management)
- Full Text:
An analysis of opportunities and trends in the sport business industry with a focus on entrepreneurship and small, medium, micro enterprises
- Authors: Mothilall, Kush
- Date: 2013-05-27
- Subjects: Small business , Sport business industry , Sports - Management , Small business management , Entrepreneurship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7553 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8411
- Description: M.Tech. (Sport Management) , This exploratory study was a situational analysis of the sport business industry with a specific focus on SMME’s and entrepreneurship. The study subsequently aimed to determine entrepreneurial opportunities in the sport domain. A survey questionnaire was administered to 250 small business entrepreneurs plying their trade in the broad South African sport industry. SMME’s were identified through CIPRO, online business databases, and snowballing. A stratified sample was selected through various non-probability sampling techniques. The survey was administered through a combination of post, email, and hand-delivery. A satisfactory yet representative response rate of 49% was realized. Although the geographic specificity of the electronic and postal surveys are not evenly spread through-out the country, it does lean towards SMME’s in the major urban and semi-urban metropolitan regions of the country. The hand-delivered survey was concentrated in the greater Durban region. Nonetheless, the researcher is of the opinion that the results obtained can provide an insightful and meaningful exposition into the opportunities and trends affecting SMME’s in the sport business industry in South Africa. The SPSS program was utilized to descriptively and inferentially analyze the data. The sport SMME sector in South Africa was found to be relatively young. The small business entrepreneur demographic profile found entrepreneurs to be mainly male, middle-aged and well-educated. Owner-managers were found to have had completed business or entrepreneurship training with varying years experience in the sport business industry. Company properties revealed that based on the age of sport businesses, SMME’s were spread through the start-up, growth, and mature business stages. The vast majority of the sample was categorized as small enterprises. From a legal perspective, most businesses were registered as close corporations. About a third of all SMME’s were registered with a plethora of business associations and agencies thus giving effect to the inherent cross-cutting nature of the sport industry being prominently felt in various spheres of business and industry. SMME’s were also found to be complying to the principles of B-B BEE with encouraging signs of previously disadvantaged ownership.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mothilall, Kush
- Date: 2013-05-27
- Subjects: Small business , Sport business industry , Sports - Management , Small business management , Entrepreneurship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7553 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8411
- Description: M.Tech. (Sport Management) , This exploratory study was a situational analysis of the sport business industry with a specific focus on SMME’s and entrepreneurship. The study subsequently aimed to determine entrepreneurial opportunities in the sport domain. A survey questionnaire was administered to 250 small business entrepreneurs plying their trade in the broad South African sport industry. SMME’s were identified through CIPRO, online business databases, and snowballing. A stratified sample was selected through various non-probability sampling techniques. The survey was administered through a combination of post, email, and hand-delivery. A satisfactory yet representative response rate of 49% was realized. Although the geographic specificity of the electronic and postal surveys are not evenly spread through-out the country, it does lean towards SMME’s in the major urban and semi-urban metropolitan regions of the country. The hand-delivered survey was concentrated in the greater Durban region. Nonetheless, the researcher is of the opinion that the results obtained can provide an insightful and meaningful exposition into the opportunities and trends affecting SMME’s in the sport business industry in South Africa. The SPSS program was utilized to descriptively and inferentially analyze the data. The sport SMME sector in South Africa was found to be relatively young. The small business entrepreneur demographic profile found entrepreneurs to be mainly male, middle-aged and well-educated. Owner-managers were found to have had completed business or entrepreneurship training with varying years experience in the sport business industry. Company properties revealed that based on the age of sport businesses, SMME’s were spread through the start-up, growth, and mature business stages. The vast majority of the sample was categorized as small enterprises. From a legal perspective, most businesses were registered as close corporations. About a third of all SMME’s were registered with a plethora of business associations and agencies thus giving effect to the inherent cross-cutting nature of the sport industry being prominently felt in various spheres of business and industry. SMME’s were also found to be complying to the principles of B-B BEE with encouraging signs of previously disadvantaged ownership.
- Full Text:
Corporate strategy implementation among small and medium consulting businesses
- Authors: Mbombo, Kalamba Prisca
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business , Business planning , Small business - Management , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271903 , uj:28928
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: The success of corporate strategy implementation has become the focus of many organisations to sustain a competitive advantage. Strategic management helps organisations to set their vision, mission and objectives that will enable them to survive and operate within a competitive environment. However, many organisations have experienced little success in the implementation of corporate strategy. The majority do not have strategies in place, and strategy implementation fails because of poor implementation and not because of the strategy itself. Many factors may affect the implementation of corporate strategy within any organisation, such as lack of resources, poor communication and resistance to change. The main objective of this research was to determine how small and medium consulting businesses are implementing corporate strategies to ensure sustainability and growth. To achieve this objective, a qualitative approach was used with the aim of understanding, analysing and evaluating the success of corporate strategy implementation of small and medium consulting businesses. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with 13 small and medium consulting business owners/managers in the Randburg central business district. The empirical findings indicate that corporate strategy implementation with specific reference to the components of implementation has a significant contribution to small and medium consulting businesses’ sustainability, growth and performance. Owners/managers of these businesses should ensure that the strategy applied is communicated effectively to the staff members in order for them to embrace the implementation and to understand and adopt the strategy; however, the lack of a strategy can cause the failure of these businesses.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbombo, Kalamba Prisca
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business , Business planning , Small business - Management , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271903 , uj:28928
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: The success of corporate strategy implementation has become the focus of many organisations to sustain a competitive advantage. Strategic management helps organisations to set their vision, mission and objectives that will enable them to survive and operate within a competitive environment. However, many organisations have experienced little success in the implementation of corporate strategy. The majority do not have strategies in place, and strategy implementation fails because of poor implementation and not because of the strategy itself. Many factors may affect the implementation of corporate strategy within any organisation, such as lack of resources, poor communication and resistance to change. The main objective of this research was to determine how small and medium consulting businesses are implementing corporate strategies to ensure sustainability and growth. To achieve this objective, a qualitative approach was used with the aim of understanding, analysing and evaluating the success of corporate strategy implementation of small and medium consulting businesses. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with 13 small and medium consulting business owners/managers in the Randburg central business district. The empirical findings indicate that corporate strategy implementation with specific reference to the components of implementation has a significant contribution to small and medium consulting businesses’ sustainability, growth and performance. Owners/managers of these businesses should ensure that the strategy applied is communicated effectively to the staff members in order for them to embrace the implementation and to understand and adopt the strategy; however, the lack of a strategy can cause the failure of these businesses.
- Full Text:
The moderating effect of a firm's internal environment on the relationship between external environment and firm performance
- Authors: Mamabolo, M C
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Small business , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/456754 , uj:40473
- Description: Abstract: The Small Medium and Macro Enterprises (SMMEs) all over the world have proven to be the key to alleviating poverty, boosting economic growth and positively affecting sustainable job creation. The South African government adopted the various strategies in developing and promoting small businesses in order to accelerate SMMEs to be able to boost the socio-economic outlook of the country. Even with the more focused financial and non-financial support that SMMEs receive, the failure rate of SMMEs in South Africa is still regarded as the highest in world. SMMEs operate in both the internal and the rapidly changing external environment, which if not properly managed, can affect the sustainability of their enterprises. The study focused on exploring the dynamics between the firm’s external environment, internal environment and the firm performance. The researcher adopted a quantitative research approach and convenience sampling was used to identify the respondents who completed the structured self-administered questionnaires. The collected data was statistically analysed using the Descriptive Statistics and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Pearson’s Correlation was also adopted to determine the strength of the relationship between the External Environment (EE), Internal Environment (IE) and Firm Performance (FP). The literature findings of the study revealed that Factor Analysis on EE extracted two factors and that factor 1 (business acumen) indicated a significant strong positive relationship whilst factor 2 (macro-environment) indicated a weak positive relationship with FP. In addition, the IE results indicated a significant, strong and positive relationship with FP. , M.Phil. (Leadership in Emerging Countries)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mamabolo, M C
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Small business , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/456754 , uj:40473
- Description: Abstract: The Small Medium and Macro Enterprises (SMMEs) all over the world have proven to be the key to alleviating poverty, boosting economic growth and positively affecting sustainable job creation. The South African government adopted the various strategies in developing and promoting small businesses in order to accelerate SMMEs to be able to boost the socio-economic outlook of the country. Even with the more focused financial and non-financial support that SMMEs receive, the failure rate of SMMEs in South Africa is still regarded as the highest in world. SMMEs operate in both the internal and the rapidly changing external environment, which if not properly managed, can affect the sustainability of their enterprises. The study focused on exploring the dynamics between the firm’s external environment, internal environment and the firm performance. The researcher adopted a quantitative research approach and convenience sampling was used to identify the respondents who completed the structured self-administered questionnaires. The collected data was statistically analysed using the Descriptive Statistics and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Pearson’s Correlation was also adopted to determine the strength of the relationship between the External Environment (EE), Internal Environment (IE) and Firm Performance (FP). The literature findings of the study revealed that Factor Analysis on EE extracted two factors and that factor 1 (business acumen) indicated a significant strong positive relationship whilst factor 2 (macro-environment) indicated a weak positive relationship with FP. In addition, the IE results indicated a significant, strong and positive relationship with FP. , M.Phil. (Leadership in Emerging Countries)
- Full Text:
The alignment of information technology (IT) with business strategies in small and medium-size enterprises
- Makhathini, Bongumusa Emmanuel
- Authors: Makhathini, Bongumusa Emmanuel
- Date: 2014-09-03
- Subjects: Small business , Information technology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/382731 , uj:12209 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11978
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , In the current economy, leveraging information technology (IT) is of vital importance to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. To accomplish this, companies must ensure the alignment of IT with business strategy. The fundamental goal of alignment should be for IT capabilities to support, enable, and, where appropriate, lead business strategy. Such alignment will maximize the effective use and value of IT in a strategic context. The alignment of IT and business strategy is not easily achieved and has always presented IT and business executives with numerous problems. One of many challenges facing small businesses is that IT strategy appears to take a parallel course to business strategy, maintaining a common direction with business strategy but at a distance. The objective of this research is to identify the impact of this separation of strategy, and understand how to enable enhanced alignment of IT and business strategy. The research scope focuses on the alignment of IT and business strategy in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Strategic Alignment Model will be used to analyse IT and business strategy alignment. The value that IT contributes to the organisation will be analysed in terms of three dimensions: systems, users and the wider business. The research will seek to establish whether a relationship exists between strategic alignment and the value of IT to the organisation. Data has been collected through structured interviews conducted with management executives from various SMEs. A concise introduction with each participant ensured a common understanding of key terms and concepts. Questionnaires were also mailed to willing participants where personal interviews were not possible. The findings of this study are expected to assist the alignment of IT and business strategy in SMEs in South Africa resulting in greater realisation of IT value and benefits
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makhathini, Bongumusa Emmanuel
- Date: 2014-09-03
- Subjects: Small business , Information technology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/382731 , uj:12209 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11978
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , In the current economy, leveraging information technology (IT) is of vital importance to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. To accomplish this, companies must ensure the alignment of IT with business strategy. The fundamental goal of alignment should be for IT capabilities to support, enable, and, where appropriate, lead business strategy. Such alignment will maximize the effective use and value of IT in a strategic context. The alignment of IT and business strategy is not easily achieved and has always presented IT and business executives with numerous problems. One of many challenges facing small businesses is that IT strategy appears to take a parallel course to business strategy, maintaining a common direction with business strategy but at a distance. The objective of this research is to identify the impact of this separation of strategy, and understand how to enable enhanced alignment of IT and business strategy. The research scope focuses on the alignment of IT and business strategy in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Strategic Alignment Model will be used to analyse IT and business strategy alignment. The value that IT contributes to the organisation will be analysed in terms of three dimensions: systems, users and the wider business. The research will seek to establish whether a relationship exists between strategic alignment and the value of IT to the organisation. Data has been collected through structured interviews conducted with management executives from various SMEs. A concise introduction with each participant ensured a common understanding of key terms and concepts. Questionnaires were also mailed to willing participants where personal interviews were not possible. The findings of this study are expected to assist the alignment of IT and business strategy in SMEs in South Africa resulting in greater realisation of IT value and benefits
- Full Text:
The alignment of information technology (IT) with business strategies in small and medium-size enterprises
- Makhathini, Bongumusa Emmanuel
- Authors: Makhathini, Bongumusa Emmanuel
- Date: 2011-09-15T07:58:04Z
- Subjects: Information technology , Business strategy , Small business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7213 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3847
- Description: M.Comm. , In the current economy, leveraging information technology (“IT”) is of vital importance to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. To accomplish this, companies must ensure the alignment of IT with business strategy. The fundamental goal of alignment should be for IT capabilities to support, enable, and, where appropriate, lead business strategy. Such alignment will maximize the effective use and value of IT in a strategic context. The alignment of IT and business strategy is not easily achieved and has always presented IT and business executives with numerous problems. One of many challenges facing small businesses is that IT strategy appears to take a parallel course to business strategy, maintaining a common direction with business strategy but at a distance. The objective of this research is to identify the impact of this separation of strategy, and understand how to enable enhanced alignment of IT and business strategy. The research scope focuses on the alignment of IT and business strategy in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Strategic Alignment Model will be used to analyse IT and business strategy alignment. The value that IT contributes to the organisation will be analysed in terms of three dimensions: systems, users and the wider business. The research will seek to establish whether a relationship exists between strategic alignment and the value of IT to the organisation. Data has been collected through structured interviews conducted with management executives from various SMEs. A concise introduction with each participant ensured a common understanding of key terms and concepts. Questionnaires were also mailed to willing participants where personal interviews were not possible. The findings of this study are expected to assist the alignment of IT and business strategy in SMEs in South Africa resulting in greater realisation of IT value and benefits.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makhathini, Bongumusa Emmanuel
- Date: 2011-09-15T07:58:04Z
- Subjects: Information technology , Business strategy , Small business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7213 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3847
- Description: M.Comm. , In the current economy, leveraging information technology (“IT”) is of vital importance to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. To accomplish this, companies must ensure the alignment of IT with business strategy. The fundamental goal of alignment should be for IT capabilities to support, enable, and, where appropriate, lead business strategy. Such alignment will maximize the effective use and value of IT in a strategic context. The alignment of IT and business strategy is not easily achieved and has always presented IT and business executives with numerous problems. One of many challenges facing small businesses is that IT strategy appears to take a parallel course to business strategy, maintaining a common direction with business strategy but at a distance. The objective of this research is to identify the impact of this separation of strategy, and understand how to enable enhanced alignment of IT and business strategy. The research scope focuses on the alignment of IT and business strategy in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Strategic Alignment Model will be used to analyse IT and business strategy alignment. The value that IT contributes to the organisation will be analysed in terms of three dimensions: systems, users and the wider business. The research will seek to establish whether a relationship exists between strategic alignment and the value of IT to the organisation. Data has been collected through structured interviews conducted with management executives from various SMEs. A concise introduction with each participant ensured a common understanding of key terms and concepts. Questionnaires were also mailed to willing participants where personal interviews were not possible. The findings of this study are expected to assist the alignment of IT and business strategy in SMEs in South Africa resulting in greater realisation of IT value and benefits.
- Full Text:
The role of small, medium and micro-medium enterprises (SMMEs) in achieving sustainable development in the Limpopo Province
- Authors: Mahlase, Mamoneng Suzan
- Date: 2011-08-31T07:21:00Z
- Subjects: Small business , Sustainable development , Limpopo (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7178 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3789
- Description: M.Comm.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mahlase, Mamoneng Suzan
- Date: 2011-08-31T07:21:00Z
- Subjects: Small business , Sustainable development , Limpopo (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7178 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3789
- Description: M.Comm.
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Determinants of mobile marketing adoption among SMEs in South Africa
- Authors: Maduku, Daniel Kofi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Small business , Small business marketing , Internet marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/82925 , uj:19025
- Description: Abstract: SMEs are widely regarded as important building blocks for economic prosperity and broader social well-being for both developed and developing nations. However, SMEs face a number of challenges that impede their ability to fully provide the much-needed boost to the socio-economic development of countries. Besides financial constraints, the lack of marketing skills and capability is often cited as one of the key challenges of most SMEs. Mobile technology innovation has become the cutting edge for socio-economic development for most developing economies. Significant competitive advantage is exploited when businesses use mobile technology to streamline their operations and to initiate interactive communication with their target market through the use of mobile marketing. Thus, it is widely believed that mobile marketing applications hold a great deal of business value, particularly for SMEs that have limited financial resources to invest in costly traditional marketing practices to overcome their marketing challenges. However, SMEs have been slow to adjust and rebalance their marketing media mix to reflect the unprecedented mobile-centric world of consumers. It is therefore important to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of mobile marketing among SMEs. It is against this background that this study uses an integrated conceptual model that combines theories used to understand innovation adoption at the individual level of adoption (theory of planned behaviour) and the organisational level of adoption (Technology Organisation Environment framework). Considering that models of innovation adoption at the individual and organisational levels have been tested with samples drawn from large firms and in developed countries, this study tested the integrated conceptual model with SMEs in South Africa. This was important, because SMEs have peculiar characteristics that distinguish from large firms. More so, findings from developed countries cannot be generalised to a cultural, socio-economically diverse and developing country, such as South Africa. Following a quantitative approach, data were sourced randomly from 511 SMEs in the manufacturing, tourism, and wholesale/retail sectors of the South African economy. Structural equation modelling was the main statistical technique employed to analyse the data and test the hypotheses. , D.Phil. (Marketing Management)
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- Authors: Maduku, Daniel Kofi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Small business , Small business marketing , Internet marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/82925 , uj:19025
- Description: Abstract: SMEs are widely regarded as important building blocks for economic prosperity and broader social well-being for both developed and developing nations. However, SMEs face a number of challenges that impede their ability to fully provide the much-needed boost to the socio-economic development of countries. Besides financial constraints, the lack of marketing skills and capability is often cited as one of the key challenges of most SMEs. Mobile technology innovation has become the cutting edge for socio-economic development for most developing economies. Significant competitive advantage is exploited when businesses use mobile technology to streamline their operations and to initiate interactive communication with their target market through the use of mobile marketing. Thus, it is widely believed that mobile marketing applications hold a great deal of business value, particularly for SMEs that have limited financial resources to invest in costly traditional marketing practices to overcome their marketing challenges. However, SMEs have been slow to adjust and rebalance their marketing media mix to reflect the unprecedented mobile-centric world of consumers. It is therefore important to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of mobile marketing among SMEs. It is against this background that this study uses an integrated conceptual model that combines theories used to understand innovation adoption at the individual level of adoption (theory of planned behaviour) and the organisational level of adoption (Technology Organisation Environment framework). Considering that models of innovation adoption at the individual and organisational levels have been tested with samples drawn from large firms and in developed countries, this study tested the integrated conceptual model with SMEs in South Africa. This was important, because SMEs have peculiar characteristics that distinguish from large firms. More so, findings from developed countries cannot be generalised to a cultural, socio-economically diverse and developing country, such as South Africa. Following a quantitative approach, data were sourced randomly from 511 SMEs in the manufacturing, tourism, and wholesale/retail sectors of the South African economy. Structural equation modelling was the main statistical technique employed to analyse the data and test the hypotheses. , D.Phil. (Marketing Management)
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The cooperatives model as an approach to SMME development in South Africa with specific reference to the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector
- Authors: Mabuza, David Charles
- Date: 2009-05-07T07:22:47Z
- Subjects: Small business , Information technology , Small business research in South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2501
- Description: M.A. , Small enterprise development is considered a priority in most developing countries and, South Africa’s not an exception. The rationale for prioritising SMMEs is premised on their potential ability to contribute to the alleviation of the socio-economic challenges facing most developing countries such as unemployment, poverty and low levels of economic development. For South Africa, SMME development is seen as an appropriate strategy that could assist government in its endeavours of bridging the gap that exists between the two economies (first and second economy). To date, the government has utilised various business models to facilitate the entry and development of small enterprises in the mainstream economy. These models include amongst others a close corporation, cooperative and private company. Whilst all three models have been effectively applied across all sectors of the economy such as agriculture, retail services, manufacturing and others, the cooperatives approach/model has not been successfully exploited for the development of small enterprises within the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Using international case studies, this study has been able to demonstrate the critical role that could be played by the cooperative model in facilitating an accelerated development of viable small enterprises within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in South Africa. Internationally, cooperatives have played a pivotal role in their contribution to economic development in both developed and developing countries. The model has the potential to promote economic growth at the community and regional level, building on the spirit of cooperation that is already prevalent in rural areas. In the ICT sector, the cooperatives approach has been applied as a model for the development of sustainable ICT small enterprises. In actual fact, the model has been instrumental in enhancing small enterprise development in countries such as Argentina, Poland, USA and Bolivia, just to mention a few. It therefore becomes critical for South Africa to consider lessons from these countries, so as to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the cooperative model. However, government needs to put in place appropriate ICT sector specific support structures that would assist people willing to start cooperative enterprises within the ICT sector. In the United States, government introduced a sector-specific bill to facilitate the establishment of the Rural Telephone Administration. The bill made it possible for long-term loans to be made to telephone cooperatives at low interest rates, thus accelerating the development and procurement of rural telephone systems. In Poland, government established a sector-specific Trust Fund referred to as “Balazs Social Trust Fund” solely to support the development of ICT cooperatives in rural areas. Thus, for South Africa to accelerate its pace of development it might need to adopt and customise this model. To ensure continuous monitoring and measurement of the impact of these interventions, government needs to put in place appropriate measurement tools.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mabuza, David Charles
- Date: 2009-05-07T07:22:47Z
- Subjects: Small business , Information technology , Small business research in South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2501
- Description: M.A. , Small enterprise development is considered a priority in most developing countries and, South Africa’s not an exception. The rationale for prioritising SMMEs is premised on their potential ability to contribute to the alleviation of the socio-economic challenges facing most developing countries such as unemployment, poverty and low levels of economic development. For South Africa, SMME development is seen as an appropriate strategy that could assist government in its endeavours of bridging the gap that exists between the two economies (first and second economy). To date, the government has utilised various business models to facilitate the entry and development of small enterprises in the mainstream economy. These models include amongst others a close corporation, cooperative and private company. Whilst all three models have been effectively applied across all sectors of the economy such as agriculture, retail services, manufacturing and others, the cooperatives approach/model has not been successfully exploited for the development of small enterprises within the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Using international case studies, this study has been able to demonstrate the critical role that could be played by the cooperative model in facilitating an accelerated development of viable small enterprises within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in South Africa. Internationally, cooperatives have played a pivotal role in their contribution to economic development in both developed and developing countries. The model has the potential to promote economic growth at the community and regional level, building on the spirit of cooperation that is already prevalent in rural areas. In the ICT sector, the cooperatives approach has been applied as a model for the development of sustainable ICT small enterprises. In actual fact, the model has been instrumental in enhancing small enterprise development in countries such as Argentina, Poland, USA and Bolivia, just to mention a few. It therefore becomes critical for South Africa to consider lessons from these countries, so as to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the cooperative model. However, government needs to put in place appropriate ICT sector specific support structures that would assist people willing to start cooperative enterprises within the ICT sector. In the United States, government introduced a sector-specific bill to facilitate the establishment of the Rural Telephone Administration. The bill made it possible for long-term loans to be made to telephone cooperatives at low interest rates, thus accelerating the development and procurement of rural telephone systems. In Poland, government established a sector-specific Trust Fund referred to as “Balazs Social Trust Fund” solely to support the development of ICT cooperatives in rural areas. Thus, for South Africa to accelerate its pace of development it might need to adopt and customise this model. To ensure continuous monitoring and measurement of the impact of these interventions, government needs to put in place appropriate measurement tools.
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The use of consultants versus independent strategy formation for small and medium enterprises in Gauteng
- Authors: Kennedy, Corrinne
- Date: 2012-06-05
- Subjects: Strategic planning , Business consultants , Small enterprises , Small business , Medium enterprises
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4888
- Description: M.Comm. , Small and medium enterprises are recognised as key drivers of the South African economy. Up to 90 percent of formal businesses in South Africa are classified as small and medium sized enterprises. Therefore, the success of these enterprises is of significance to the South African economy. The formation of strategy is mostly associated with large corporate enterprises, which have the required resources in respect of finance, time and skills, to expend in forming and implementing strategies that are aimed at long term success. These resources are typically not easily accessible to small and medium enterprises, whose focus is mostly on the day to day operation (or even survival) of the enterprise. This qualitative study explores the views, experiences, knowledge and perceptions of 12 small and medium enterprise research participants in respect of important aspects relating to strategy. These aspects include the role-players in strategy formation, forecasting and planning practices, the type of competitive intelligence gathered, the use of consultants and the link between strategy and the performance of small and medium enterprises. These aspects are all considered, in order to obtain an understanding of the main theme of the study, which focuses on determining the extent to which small and medium enterprise use consultants for the formation of strategy. Consultants are viewed in both a positive and negative light by small and medium enterprises, yet somehow are never considered for the purpose of strategy formation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kennedy, Corrinne
- Date: 2012-06-05
- Subjects: Strategic planning , Business consultants , Small enterprises , Small business , Medium enterprises
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4888
- Description: M.Comm. , Small and medium enterprises are recognised as key drivers of the South African economy. Up to 90 percent of formal businesses in South Africa are classified as small and medium sized enterprises. Therefore, the success of these enterprises is of significance to the South African economy. The formation of strategy is mostly associated with large corporate enterprises, which have the required resources in respect of finance, time and skills, to expend in forming and implementing strategies that are aimed at long term success. These resources are typically not easily accessible to small and medium enterprises, whose focus is mostly on the day to day operation (or even survival) of the enterprise. This qualitative study explores the views, experiences, knowledge and perceptions of 12 small and medium enterprise research participants in respect of important aspects relating to strategy. These aspects include the role-players in strategy formation, forecasting and planning practices, the type of competitive intelligence gathered, the use of consultants and the link between strategy and the performance of small and medium enterprises. These aspects are all considered, in order to obtain an understanding of the main theme of the study, which focuses on determining the extent to which small and medium enterprise use consultants for the formation of strategy. Consultants are viewed in both a positive and negative light by small and medium enterprises, yet somehow are never considered for the purpose of strategy formation.
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An investigation into the success factors amongst small businesses in Gauteng
- Keil, Maria Clara Mauricio Pereira
- Authors: Keil, Maria Clara Mauricio Pereira
- Date: 2009-03-31T09:19:53Z
- Subjects: Small business , Success in business , Gauteng (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2342
- Description: M.B.A. , Gauteng, the smallest of the nine South African provinces, but the largest in terms of its contribution to national GDP (33.9%), generates 10% of Africa’s GDP (Gauteng Enterprise Propeller Overview, 2007) and is therefore a very important geo-economical zone. As South Africa latest unemployment rate is 25.5% (StatsSA, 2006), Government is geared towards promoting small businesses in an effort to grow the economy and reduce unemployment. It is therefore very important to the economy that small businesses succeed, grow and provide employment. Due to the fact that at present, very little research into the success factors amongst small businesses in South Africa has been conducted in South Africa, it seems appropriate at this time to investigate the success factors of small businesses in Gauteng. The problem statement in this research is that there is insufficient knowledge relating to the factors contributing to the failure or success of small businesses in South Africa, Gauteng. To conduct this research, a qualitative and exploratory approach was decided upon. A literature survey on the subject was conducted in order to ground the current research in existing theory and research. A questionnaire was sent out by e-mail to 3776 businesses in Gauteng, to which the response rate was 3.15% (119 questionnaires were returned). The questionnaire was divided into sections and covered the definition of success, entrepreneurial personality characteristics of owner/manager, use of management tools, resource availability and the classification of respondents and their businesses. Due to the small size of the sample this research is not able to conclusively achieve the primary research objective of identifying the success factors of small businesses in Gauteng, but it has nevertheless contributed to the body of research on the matter, since it established that there is a correlation between: • Entrepreneurial personality and the success of small businesses • The use of management tools and the success of small businesses • The availability of resources and the success of small businesses. In addition the following can be reported: • The owner/managers surveyed attributed their success to: - persistence and determination - experience - entrepreneurial personality - business knowledge - a great team - education • The existence and or use of the business plan and its relationship to success remains inconclusive • Financial resources do not feature prominently as a success factor, but business skills do seem to correlate with success. Further research is necessary to pinpoint conclusively which traits and behaviours are conducive to success, by comparing successful and unsuccessful business owners. Other recommendations that arose from this research were: • Research should be conducted into the assumption that economic growth is driven by the proliferation of small businesses • Research into the weight of internal factors ((personality, experience, attitude, knowledge) versus that of external factors (start-up capital, business plans, skill availability, economic and legal conditions) would contribute to the body of knowledge and could trigger a shift in approach.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Keil, Maria Clara Mauricio Pereira
- Date: 2009-03-31T09:19:53Z
- Subjects: Small business , Success in business , Gauteng (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2342
- Description: M.B.A. , Gauteng, the smallest of the nine South African provinces, but the largest in terms of its contribution to national GDP (33.9%), generates 10% of Africa’s GDP (Gauteng Enterprise Propeller Overview, 2007) and is therefore a very important geo-economical zone. As South Africa latest unemployment rate is 25.5% (StatsSA, 2006), Government is geared towards promoting small businesses in an effort to grow the economy and reduce unemployment. It is therefore very important to the economy that small businesses succeed, grow and provide employment. Due to the fact that at present, very little research into the success factors amongst small businesses in South Africa has been conducted in South Africa, it seems appropriate at this time to investigate the success factors of small businesses in Gauteng. The problem statement in this research is that there is insufficient knowledge relating to the factors contributing to the failure or success of small businesses in South Africa, Gauteng. To conduct this research, a qualitative and exploratory approach was decided upon. A literature survey on the subject was conducted in order to ground the current research in existing theory and research. A questionnaire was sent out by e-mail to 3776 businesses in Gauteng, to which the response rate was 3.15% (119 questionnaires were returned). The questionnaire was divided into sections and covered the definition of success, entrepreneurial personality characteristics of owner/manager, use of management tools, resource availability and the classification of respondents and their businesses. Due to the small size of the sample this research is not able to conclusively achieve the primary research objective of identifying the success factors of small businesses in Gauteng, but it has nevertheless contributed to the body of research on the matter, since it established that there is a correlation between: • Entrepreneurial personality and the success of small businesses • The use of management tools and the success of small businesses • The availability of resources and the success of small businesses. In addition the following can be reported: • The owner/managers surveyed attributed their success to: - persistence and determination - experience - entrepreneurial personality - business knowledge - a great team - education • The existence and or use of the business plan and its relationship to success remains inconclusive • Financial resources do not feature prominently as a success factor, but business skills do seem to correlate with success. Further research is necessary to pinpoint conclusively which traits and behaviours are conducive to success, by comparing successful and unsuccessful business owners. Other recommendations that arose from this research were: • Research should be conducted into the assumption that economic growth is driven by the proliferation of small businesses • Research into the weight of internal factors ((personality, experience, attitude, knowledge) versus that of external factors (start-up capital, business plans, skill availability, economic and legal conditions) would contribute to the body of knowledge and could trigger a shift in approach.
- Full Text: