The role of government in the implementation of sustainable development initiatives by adventure tourism SMMEs in South Africa : an exploratory inquiry
- Authors: Chiliya, Norman , Nieuwenhuizen, Cecile , Groenewald, Darelle
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development , Small business , Business performance
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/240462 , uj:24736 , Citation: Chiliya, N., Nieuwenhuizen, C. & Groenewald, D. 2017. The role of government in the implementation of sustainable development initiatives by adventure tourism SMMEs in South Africa : an exploratory inquiry.
- Description: Abstract: Sustainable development suggests that there are restrictions to the obtainability of ecological resources and the planet to engage human activities. Limited South African research exists in the field of sustainable development in adventure tourism SMMEs especially the role of Government in terms of implementation of sustainable development initiatives. A structured questionnaire was administered via email and hard copies. A total of 105 usable responses were received. Government, business associations and certification bodies have unrelated methods for evaluating sustainability issues. The tourism sector is overwhelmed with initiatives and certifications intended at facilitation and adoption of sustainable development practices. This adds to the confusion that entrepreneurs face when it comes to choosing an appropriate tool. There is consensus that entrepreneurs want to develop their sustainability knowledge base. It is recommended that the different institutions or actors in the arena of sustainable development should make information on sustainable development easily available. The SMMEs also indicated that the legislative framework affecting small businesses should be improved. The government, should award rebates to SMMEs for implementing sustainable development initiatives. Alternative funding for implementing sustainable development initiatives should also be established.
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Towards sustainable development in small, micro and medium adventure tourism enterprises
- Authors: Chiliya, Norman
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Adventure travel , Small business
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/237567 , uj:24342
- Description: D.Phil. (Business Management) , Abstract: Sustainable development suggests that there are restrictions to the obtainability of ecological resources and the planet to engage human activities. Accordingly, sustainable development must bring about a process of transformation, in which utilisation of resources, the direction of investments, the direction of technological developments, and institutional change are all made compatible with future and current needs. Limited South African research exists in the field of sustainable development in adventure tourism SMMEs. Given the brief background on sustainability and the low levels of implementation in South Africa, this study sought to determine the level of impact of environmental, social, political and economic variables on the implementation of sustainable development in adventure tourism SMMEs in South Africa. The study also investigated whether the adoption of the concept of sustainable development by SMMEs would contribute to enhanced business performance in SMMEs in South Africa. The drivers of and barriers to implementation of the concept of sustainable development in adventure tourism SMMEs in South Africa were also identified. Based on secondary sources, a hypothetical model was constructed and then subjected to empirical testing. A structured questionnaire was administered via email and hard copies, and 105 usable responses were received. The validity of the measuring instrument was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis, while Cronbach’s alpha coefficients confirmed the inter-item reliability of the identified variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) confirmatory statistical techniques were used to analyse the model fit and to determine statistically significant relationships. Two methods were used to collect data: structured questionnaires were emailed to businesses that were deemed to be potential respondents, and self-administered questionnaires were physical distributed to respondents that were within reach of the researcher. The data collected from 105 usable questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. Using SPSS Version 22 and the Amos 22 software programme, structural equation modelling (SEM) was performed to analyse the data set. It was evident from the statistical analysis (the Cronbach’s alpha values, and confirmatory factor analysis) that the variables and items (statements) in the hypothetical model can be regarded as reliable and valid. A hypothetical...
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