The inclusion of youth-owned business into enterprise development programmes
- Authors: Baloyi, Khazamola George
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa - Pretoria , Unemployed youth - South Africa - Pretoria , Job creation - South Africa - Pretoria , Young adult-owned business enterprises - South Africa - Pretoria , Small business - South Africa - Pretoria
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295730 , uj:32210
- Description: Abstract: South Africa has a severe problem concerning limited participation of the youth in the mainstream economy. This technical research project was undertaken to investigate the extent to which youth-owned businesses in Mabopane Township are supported by companies that are operating in the neighbouring Rosslyn Industrial Park. The objective was to determine the capacity-building options for the youth-owned businesses in Mabopane to be included in the Rosslyn Industrial Park’s local economy. This is the first study that covers the local area of Mabopane and Rosslyn Industrial Park, which is one of the biggest industrial hubs in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng province. Small businesses are a crucial component of any Local Economic Development (LED) initiative because they are locally-bound and dependent on local sources of raw materials, skills, niche markets, sub-contracted to large firms and have the ability to create jobs. Even though most small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are known for job creation, South Africa’s unemployment rate has reached 26.7 percent in the first quarter of 2018. More than 5.9 million citizens are currently unemployed; this crisis is prevalent among the youth of South Africa. The LED pillars and the emerging trends and challenges of youth empowerment initiatives are expounded in the literature. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods was used in this study. The survey included 46 youth-owned businesses from Mabopane, while 12 companies located at Rosslyn Industrial Park were interviewed. The quantitative results revealed that the significant challenges experienced by youth-owned businesses relate to access to start-up capital and markets, a dearth of entrepreneurial skills, and a lack of support from companies that are operating in the Rosslyn Industrial Park in terms of procuring services from them. The qualitative results revealed that participating companies in the industrial park have empowerment strategies in the form of enterprise development and support for... , M.Com. (Local Economic Development)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Baloyi, Khazamola George
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa - Pretoria , Unemployed youth - South Africa - Pretoria , Job creation - South Africa - Pretoria , Young adult-owned business enterprises - South Africa - Pretoria , Small business - South Africa - Pretoria
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295730 , uj:32210
- Description: Abstract: South Africa has a severe problem concerning limited participation of the youth in the mainstream economy. This technical research project was undertaken to investigate the extent to which youth-owned businesses in Mabopane Township are supported by companies that are operating in the neighbouring Rosslyn Industrial Park. The objective was to determine the capacity-building options for the youth-owned businesses in Mabopane to be included in the Rosslyn Industrial Park’s local economy. This is the first study that covers the local area of Mabopane and Rosslyn Industrial Park, which is one of the biggest industrial hubs in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng province. Small businesses are a crucial component of any Local Economic Development (LED) initiative because they are locally-bound and dependent on local sources of raw materials, skills, niche markets, sub-contracted to large firms and have the ability to create jobs. Even though most small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are known for job creation, South Africa’s unemployment rate has reached 26.7 percent in the first quarter of 2018. More than 5.9 million citizens are currently unemployed; this crisis is prevalent among the youth of South Africa. The LED pillars and the emerging trends and challenges of youth empowerment initiatives are expounded in the literature. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods was used in this study. The survey included 46 youth-owned businesses from Mabopane, while 12 companies located at Rosslyn Industrial Park were interviewed. The quantitative results revealed that the significant challenges experienced by youth-owned businesses relate to access to start-up capital and markets, a dearth of entrepreneurial skills, and a lack of support from companies that are operating in the Rosslyn Industrial Park in terms of procuring services from them. The qualitative results revealed that participating companies in the industrial park have empowerment strategies in the form of enterprise development and support for... , M.Com. (Local Economic Development)
- Full Text:
Local economic development interventions to commercialise livestock production by Mzongwana farmers
- Authors: Baqwa, Mthetheleli
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa - Eastern Cape , Livestock - South Africa - Eastern Cape , Cattle - South Africa - Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402672 , uj:33707
- Description: Abstract : Cattle farmers in Mzongwana are facing a scarcity of resources that prevent them from commercially operating their cattle and contributing to LED. The aim of this survey was to identify specific interventions for livestock farmers in Mzongwana that will enable them to operate commercially viable operations and contribute to LED. LED aims to eradicate poverty in rural localities and improve the quality of the lives of people. Rural areas are characterised by high levels of poverty, traditional agriculture and low-income levels. Recent studies (from Limpopo and the Eastern Cape provinces) revealed that a scarcity of resources, among other constraints, affecting livestock farmers jeopardises commercialisation and productivity. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire with a few embedded qualitative questions. The unit of analysis was cattle farmers in Mzongwana villages. A questionnaire was used for telephonic and face-to-face interviews with 34 cattle farmers, and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. The findings revealed that the major constraints affecting Mzongwana livestock farmers include stock theft, a dearth of bulls for breeding, and a dearth of water infrastructure. Other contributing factors include insufficient cattle equipment to perform various cattle functions, such as scaling, loading, separating, clamping and sorting. It emerged that a need exists for training and skills capacity building related to cattle breeding. It is recommended that when the local municipality annually revises its LED strategy, these major constraints affecting Mzongwana livestock farmers be addressed and an action plan be developed for the commercialisation of the livestock farmers. , M.Com. (Local Economic Development)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Baqwa, Mthetheleli
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa - Eastern Cape , Livestock - South Africa - Eastern Cape , Cattle - South Africa - Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402672 , uj:33707
- Description: Abstract : Cattle farmers in Mzongwana are facing a scarcity of resources that prevent them from commercially operating their cattle and contributing to LED. The aim of this survey was to identify specific interventions for livestock farmers in Mzongwana that will enable them to operate commercially viable operations and contribute to LED. LED aims to eradicate poverty in rural localities and improve the quality of the lives of people. Rural areas are characterised by high levels of poverty, traditional agriculture and low-income levels. Recent studies (from Limpopo and the Eastern Cape provinces) revealed that a scarcity of resources, among other constraints, affecting livestock farmers jeopardises commercialisation and productivity. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire with a few embedded qualitative questions. The unit of analysis was cattle farmers in Mzongwana villages. A questionnaire was used for telephonic and face-to-face interviews with 34 cattle farmers, and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. The findings revealed that the major constraints affecting Mzongwana livestock farmers include stock theft, a dearth of bulls for breeding, and a dearth of water infrastructure. Other contributing factors include insufficient cattle equipment to perform various cattle functions, such as scaling, loading, separating, clamping and sorting. It emerged that a need exists for training and skills capacity building related to cattle breeding. It is recommended that when the local municipality annually revises its LED strategy, these major constraints affecting Mzongwana livestock farmers be addressed and an action plan be developed for the commercialisation of the livestock farmers. , M.Com. (Local Economic Development)
- Full Text:
The effect of the National Credit Act on micro-lending financial institutions
- Authors: Dilotsotlhe, Nombulelo
- Date: 2014-06-19
- Subjects: South Africa. National Credit Act, 2005 , Microfinance - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11551 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11258
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , The aim of this research study is to investigate the effect of the National Credit Act on a micro-lending financial institution, namely Old Mutual Finance. The objective of the study is to gain insight from Old Mutual management staff on how their sales and operations have been affected since the inception of the Act and to reflect on their experiences and perception regarding the Act. The study also assesses Old Mutual Finance customers’ level of awareness and perceptions regarding the Act. The purpose of the National Credit Act is to promote and advance the social and economic welfare of South Africans, promote a fair, transparent, competitive, sustainable, responsible, efficient, effective and accessible credit market and industry, and to protect consumers. A mixed model research was used where both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques and analysis procedures were used and combined. For qualitative data collection, five senior management staff of Old Mutual Finance were interviewed. This entailed face-to-face interviews which were semi-structured, their responses were manually written and also digitally recorded. The quantitative method involved the use of a survey of two hundred and thirty two of their customers from four different Old Mutual Finance branches located in Johannesburg. The results of the study indicate that the National Credit Act is considered to be appropriate legislation with good intentions. However, some aspects of the legislation need to be addressed to ensure that credit providers are able to smoothly implement its rules and regulations in the lending market. Concerns pertaining to the lack of consumer knowledge or low financial literacy were also raised. Using the promax rotation and eigenvalues exceeding one, three factors namely, Knowledge of the Act, Attitudes towards the Act and Perception towards credit in general were identified which together explained the 47% of the variance for the entire set of variables. These three factors corresponded to the themes of the customer questionnaire.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dilotsotlhe, Nombulelo
- Date: 2014-06-19
- Subjects: South Africa. National Credit Act, 2005 , Microfinance - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11551 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11258
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , The aim of this research study is to investigate the effect of the National Credit Act on a micro-lending financial institution, namely Old Mutual Finance. The objective of the study is to gain insight from Old Mutual management staff on how their sales and operations have been affected since the inception of the Act and to reflect on their experiences and perception regarding the Act. The study also assesses Old Mutual Finance customers’ level of awareness and perceptions regarding the Act. The purpose of the National Credit Act is to promote and advance the social and economic welfare of South Africans, promote a fair, transparent, competitive, sustainable, responsible, efficient, effective and accessible credit market and industry, and to protect consumers. A mixed model research was used where both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques and analysis procedures were used and combined. For qualitative data collection, five senior management staff of Old Mutual Finance were interviewed. This entailed face-to-face interviews which were semi-structured, their responses were manually written and also digitally recorded. The quantitative method involved the use of a survey of two hundred and thirty two of their customers from four different Old Mutual Finance branches located in Johannesburg. The results of the study indicate that the National Credit Act is considered to be appropriate legislation with good intentions. However, some aspects of the legislation need to be addressed to ensure that credit providers are able to smoothly implement its rules and regulations in the lending market. Concerns pertaining to the lack of consumer knowledge or low financial literacy were also raised. Using the promax rotation and eigenvalues exceeding one, three factors namely, Knowledge of the Act, Attitudes towards the Act and Perception towards credit in general were identified which together explained the 47% of the variance for the entire set of variables. These three factors corresponded to the themes of the customer questionnaire.
- Full Text:
Selection and ranking criteria for a third-party logistics (3PL) service provider’s index in South Africa
- Karrappan, Claudia, Sishange, Mndeni
- Authors: Karrappan, Claudia , Sishange, Mndeni
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Logistics - Contracting out , Business logistics
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225709 , uj:22802
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: There is a lack of comparative information on the major third party logistics (3PL) service providers in South Africa in terms of key outsourcing criteria. This may hinder the selection process for companies that intend to contract to 3PL service providers. The main objective of this research study was to determine the most important selection and ranking criteria for a 3PL service provider’s index in South Africa. This study used a quantitative research methodology, with deductive reasoning. The database used for sample selection was the report Top 500 Companies in Africa. A step in the sampling process included identifying, through interviews with existing 3PL service providers, the industries that mostly contract to 3PL service providers in South Africa. Only South African companies that formed part of the industry sectors identified by the 3PL service providers comprised the sample population. This was to ensure relevance of the sample population. Using probability sampling, a structured survey questionnaire was issued to 225 companies and 103 valid responses were received. The results indicated that respondents were mainly from the following industry sectors: mining (27.2%), wholesale and retail (24.3%), manufacturing (21.4%), diversified (19%), construction (15.5%), telecoms and communication (7.8%), technology (6.8%) and other (6.8%). In order to determine the most important selection criteria used when contracting to a 3PL service provider, respondents had to rate various selection criteria using a Likert scale. A factor and reliabilities analysis was conducted on the data collected. The three main factors identified in this study were Service Quality, Information Management and Compliance and Collaboration. Each factor contained the main selection criteria used when selecting a 3PL service provider, which is detailed in the study. The following selection criteria categories were ranked as the top three by users of 3PL service providers: Cost and Price Structure, Service Delivery and the Relationship with the 3PL Service Provider. Based on the response rate received in the survey results, 90 percent of the participants indicated that there was a need for a 3PL index in South Africa. The study contributed to the existing body of knowledge regarding logistics outsourcing as the results can be used as a guideline by companies when they evaluate 3PL service providers. The study also established that a 3PL service provider’s ranking index based on a set of key outsourcing selection criteria will be useful to South African companies when selecting service providers in the outsourcing of logistics activities. The implication of this is study is that a ranking index for 3PL service providers can be developed, based on the selection criteria identified and ranked in this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Karrappan, Claudia , Sishange, Mndeni
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Logistics - Contracting out , Business logistics
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225709 , uj:22802
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: There is a lack of comparative information on the major third party logistics (3PL) service providers in South Africa in terms of key outsourcing criteria. This may hinder the selection process for companies that intend to contract to 3PL service providers. The main objective of this research study was to determine the most important selection and ranking criteria for a 3PL service provider’s index in South Africa. This study used a quantitative research methodology, with deductive reasoning. The database used for sample selection was the report Top 500 Companies in Africa. A step in the sampling process included identifying, through interviews with existing 3PL service providers, the industries that mostly contract to 3PL service providers in South Africa. Only South African companies that formed part of the industry sectors identified by the 3PL service providers comprised the sample population. This was to ensure relevance of the sample population. Using probability sampling, a structured survey questionnaire was issued to 225 companies and 103 valid responses were received. The results indicated that respondents were mainly from the following industry sectors: mining (27.2%), wholesale and retail (24.3%), manufacturing (21.4%), diversified (19%), construction (15.5%), telecoms and communication (7.8%), technology (6.8%) and other (6.8%). In order to determine the most important selection criteria used when contracting to a 3PL service provider, respondents had to rate various selection criteria using a Likert scale. A factor and reliabilities analysis was conducted on the data collected. The three main factors identified in this study were Service Quality, Information Management and Compliance and Collaboration. Each factor contained the main selection criteria used when selecting a 3PL service provider, which is detailed in the study. The following selection criteria categories were ranked as the top three by users of 3PL service providers: Cost and Price Structure, Service Delivery and the Relationship with the 3PL Service Provider. Based on the response rate received in the survey results, 90 percent of the participants indicated that there was a need for a 3PL index in South Africa. The study contributed to the existing body of knowledge regarding logistics outsourcing as the results can be used as a guideline by companies when they evaluate 3PL service providers. The study also established that a 3PL service provider’s ranking index based on a set of key outsourcing selection criteria will be useful to South African companies when selecting service providers in the outsourcing of logistics activities. The implication of this is study is that a ranking index for 3PL service providers can be developed, based on the selection criteria identified and ranked in this study.
- Full Text:
An analysis of the demand for business aircraft among the corporate sector in South Africa
- Mabotja, Mpo Joel, Mampana, Ngoasheng Jacob, Tavengwa, Bernard
- Authors: Mabotja, Mpo Joel , Mampana, Ngoasheng Jacob , Tavengwa, Bernard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Aeronautics, Commercial - South Africa , Demand (Economic theory)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/372154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/292232 , uj:31754
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: Purpose and research objectives: the purpose of this study was to provide an accurate and comprehensive market assessment for business aircraft in South Africa, in order to ascertain whether it was growing to its full potential or not. The primary research objective was to determine the extent of demand for business aircraft in South Africa, as well as the nature and characteristics of the users and non-users of business aircraft among the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Problem investigated: the market for business aircraft in Africa, and South Africa in particular lacks comprehensive information regarding the needs, nature and characteristics of existing and potential users. Where available, the information is limited, incomplete and contained in disparate sources. Methodology: A pragmatic research philosophy guided an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design which consisted of two phases. The first qualitative phase focused on the gathering of data through in-depth face-to-face interviews with business aviation experts. Findings from this qualitative research were then utilised to develop a structured research questionnaire which was distributed to the top 100 JSE listed companies as the second and quantitative phase of the research. To supplement questionnaire responses, telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted. An in-depth analysis of the responses was conducted, discussed and findings presented. Findings: The core finding of this study was that the potential future growth of the business aircraft market was most likely to come from existing users, with marginal growth from new entrants in the market. It was also found that costs factors were among the main deterrents to the utilisation of business aircraft. Originality/value: The research provided market intelligence necessary to guide business aviation companies to efficiently service or expand their market for business aircraft in South Africa and further contributed to the existing aviation body of knowledge. Conclusion: The study concluded that growth for the business aircraft market was likely to come from current users and that the need was based on the operational nature of the users. It was further discovered that costs were a major factor in deterring new users but that the deterrents were not always borne on facts but rather on perceptions. It was thus...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mabotja, Mpo Joel , Mampana, Ngoasheng Jacob , Tavengwa, Bernard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Aeronautics, Commercial - South Africa , Demand (Economic theory)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/372154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/292232 , uj:31754
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: Purpose and research objectives: the purpose of this study was to provide an accurate and comprehensive market assessment for business aircraft in South Africa, in order to ascertain whether it was growing to its full potential or not. The primary research objective was to determine the extent of demand for business aircraft in South Africa, as well as the nature and characteristics of the users and non-users of business aircraft among the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Problem investigated: the market for business aircraft in Africa, and South Africa in particular lacks comprehensive information regarding the needs, nature and characteristics of existing and potential users. Where available, the information is limited, incomplete and contained in disparate sources. Methodology: A pragmatic research philosophy guided an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design which consisted of two phases. The first qualitative phase focused on the gathering of data through in-depth face-to-face interviews with business aviation experts. Findings from this qualitative research were then utilised to develop a structured research questionnaire which was distributed to the top 100 JSE listed companies as the second and quantitative phase of the research. To supplement questionnaire responses, telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted. An in-depth analysis of the responses was conducted, discussed and findings presented. Findings: The core finding of this study was that the potential future growth of the business aircraft market was most likely to come from existing users, with marginal growth from new entrants in the market. It was also found that costs factors were among the main deterrents to the utilisation of business aircraft. Originality/value: The research provided market intelligence necessary to guide business aviation companies to efficiently service or expand their market for business aircraft in South Africa and further contributed to the existing aviation body of knowledge. Conclusion: The study concluded that growth for the business aircraft market was likely to come from current users and that the need was based on the operational nature of the users. It was further discovered that costs were a major factor in deterring new users but that the deterrents were not always borne on facts but rather on perceptions. It was thus...
- Full Text:
Supply chain responsiveness as a means to a sustainable competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector
- Authors: Mailula, Onicca
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Business logistics - Management , Customer services , Consumer satisfaction , Production management , Just-in-time systems
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225753 , uj:22809
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine if supply chain responsiveness, or the ability for an organisation to respond to customer needs or market signals, has an impact on competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector. The case study is conducted at company GSC which is a supplier with market dominance in the carbohydrate sector. A survey was distributed to the employees to gauge their perception of responsiveness in the organisation. A different survey was distributed among customers to gauge their perceptions about the responsiveness of company GSC. The study also investigates drivers and attributes that enable responsiveness in the organisation. Improved production reliability is an important driver for supply chain responsiveness at company GSC according to the findings of the study. Production reliability impacts product availability which in turn influences the ability of the organisation to meet customer needs. The major source of competitive advantage for company GSC is local market presence and the ability to meet customer needs, which defines supply chain responsiveness and will provide a barrier for competition. The study also indicates that if customer needs are met in all dimensions of quality, quantity and timeliness, supply chain responsiveness criteria is achieved.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mailula, Onicca
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Business logistics - Management , Customer services , Consumer satisfaction , Production management , Just-in-time systems
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225753 , uj:22809
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine if supply chain responsiveness, or the ability for an organisation to respond to customer needs or market signals, has an impact on competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector. The case study is conducted at company GSC which is a supplier with market dominance in the carbohydrate sector. A survey was distributed to the employees to gauge their perception of responsiveness in the organisation. A different survey was distributed among customers to gauge their perceptions about the responsiveness of company GSC. The study also investigates drivers and attributes that enable responsiveness in the organisation. Improved production reliability is an important driver for supply chain responsiveness at company GSC according to the findings of the study. Production reliability impacts product availability which in turn influences the ability of the organisation to meet customer needs. The major source of competitive advantage for company GSC is local market presence and the ability to meet customer needs, which defines supply chain responsiveness and will provide a barrier for competition. The study also indicates that if customer needs are met in all dimensions of quality, quantity and timeliness, supply chain responsiveness criteria is achieved.
- Full Text:
Enterprise development effectiveness of government funded incubators in Gauteng
- Authors: Nkwinika, L.S.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business incubators - South Africa - Gauteng , Small business - South Africa - Gauteng , Business enterprises - South Africa - Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283079 , uj:30516
- Description: M.Com. , Abstract: Business incubators have been seen as strategic tools for helping to grow a country’s entrepreneurial base while reducing the high failure rate of enterprises. Incubators across the globe have been recognised as instruments for urban renewal and community development. . The South African government has also identified business incubation as a viable tool to help grow Small micro and medium enterprises to become successful and globally competitive, hence the high level of policy commitment to elevate the establishment of incubators. The research was justified by the high failure of SMMEs in South Africa. Current research that exists within Gauteng indicates that incubators fail. A research question that arises is why Gauteng incubators fail. The study was aimed at determining the reasons for the failure of incubators from the perspective of incubatees and incubator managers in the government owned incubators in the 5 regions of Gauteng: that is the Southern Region (Sedibeng District), Northern Region (City of Tshwane), Central Region (City of Johannesburg), Western Region (West Rand District) and the Eastern Region (Ekurhuleni Metro). Data was collected by interviewing incubatees and incubator managers’ incubator in the five regions of Gauteng Province. The findings revealed that business incubation faces a number of challenges, like; lack of financial and non- financial support from government, lack of selection criteria from the incubators, government incubatees not having knowledge of government services, incubators operating without operational plans and the lack of partnerships among the three spheres of government.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nkwinika, L.S.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business incubators - South Africa - Gauteng , Small business - South Africa - Gauteng , Business enterprises - South Africa - Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283079 , uj:30516
- Description: M.Com. , Abstract: Business incubators have been seen as strategic tools for helping to grow a country’s entrepreneurial base while reducing the high failure rate of enterprises. Incubators across the globe have been recognised as instruments for urban renewal and community development. . The South African government has also identified business incubation as a viable tool to help grow Small micro and medium enterprises to become successful and globally competitive, hence the high level of policy commitment to elevate the establishment of incubators. The research was justified by the high failure of SMMEs in South Africa. Current research that exists within Gauteng indicates that incubators fail. A research question that arises is why Gauteng incubators fail. The study was aimed at determining the reasons for the failure of incubators from the perspective of incubatees and incubator managers in the government owned incubators in the 5 regions of Gauteng: that is the Southern Region (Sedibeng District), Northern Region (City of Tshwane), Central Region (City of Johannesburg), Western Region (West Rand District) and the Eastern Region (Ekurhuleni Metro). Data was collected by interviewing incubatees and incubator managers’ incubator in the five regions of Gauteng Province. The findings revealed that business incubation faces a number of challenges, like; lack of financial and non- financial support from government, lack of selection criteria from the incubators, government incubatees not having knowledge of government services, incubators operating without operational plans and the lack of partnerships among the three spheres of government.
- Full Text:
Developing a positioning plan for a multinational service organisation operating in Nigeria
- Authors: Nouse, Xola
- Date: 2014-06-21
- Subjects: Multinational work teams - Nigeria - Management , Investments, Foreign - Nigeria , Ernst & Young , Service industries - Nigeria - Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11576 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11287
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , South Africa has for a long time been considered as the gateway into Africa. With the potential Nigeria is showing, it appears that the privilege of this opportunity may soon be diminishing. Nigeria is considered an exciting emerging market because it provides investors with a ready and established market not only because of the huge population size, but also because oil and other natural resources in Nigeria remain critical resources that are a compelling drawcard for foreign investors. It is no coincidence that Nigeria has attracted the most foreign direct investment in Africa, amounting to US$8.9 billion (Ernst & Young, 2012). In undertaking global strategies for global expansion, multinational organisations need to have a firm understanding of the macro, market and micro environment in which they will be entering and operating. These multinationals also need to plan how they will adapt their home country strategy to their host country strategy. Market challenges and positioning the firm in an emerging market are key aspects that need to be investigated, understood and to a certain extent, perfected. The research question posed in this paper addressed the inherent challenges posed to multinational service firms, in particular Ernst & Young (EY), when conducting business operations in Nigeria. The research adopted a qualitative research methodology which allowed the collection of the opinions of senior executives in EY, both in South Africa and in Nigeria, as well as clients of EY in Nigeria. The data collection method employed included digital-recorded in-depth interviews after which the data was analysed through content analysis and from which codes and categories were extracted. The research results pointed to pertinent macro, market and micro challenges facing a professional services firm such as, but not limited to infrastructure support, bureaucracy and the importance of relationships. This case study research provides key information about potential challenges and opportunities facing a professional services firm and links these challenges and opportunities of Nigeria’s macro, market and micro environment with strategic marketing concepts, in particular positioning strategies that an organisation can implement when attempting to position the business for market growth.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nouse, Xola
- Date: 2014-06-21
- Subjects: Multinational work teams - Nigeria - Management , Investments, Foreign - Nigeria , Ernst & Young , Service industries - Nigeria - Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11576 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11287
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , South Africa has for a long time been considered as the gateway into Africa. With the potential Nigeria is showing, it appears that the privilege of this opportunity may soon be diminishing. Nigeria is considered an exciting emerging market because it provides investors with a ready and established market not only because of the huge population size, but also because oil and other natural resources in Nigeria remain critical resources that are a compelling drawcard for foreign investors. It is no coincidence that Nigeria has attracted the most foreign direct investment in Africa, amounting to US$8.9 billion (Ernst & Young, 2012). In undertaking global strategies for global expansion, multinational organisations need to have a firm understanding of the macro, market and micro environment in which they will be entering and operating. These multinationals also need to plan how they will adapt their home country strategy to their host country strategy. Market challenges and positioning the firm in an emerging market are key aspects that need to be investigated, understood and to a certain extent, perfected. The research question posed in this paper addressed the inherent challenges posed to multinational service firms, in particular Ernst & Young (EY), when conducting business operations in Nigeria. The research adopted a qualitative research methodology which allowed the collection of the opinions of senior executives in EY, both in South Africa and in Nigeria, as well as clients of EY in Nigeria. The data collection method employed included digital-recorded in-depth interviews after which the data was analysed through content analysis and from which codes and categories were extracted. The research results pointed to pertinent macro, market and micro challenges facing a professional services firm such as, but not limited to infrastructure support, bureaucracy and the importance of relationships. This case study research provides key information about potential challenges and opportunities facing a professional services firm and links these challenges and opportunities of Nigeria’s macro, market and micro environment with strategic marketing concepts, in particular positioning strategies that an organisation can implement when attempting to position the business for market growth.
- Full Text:
Enterprise development through business social responsibility : the case of mines in the Sol Plaatje Municipality
- Authors: Sithole, Phetole
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business - South Africa - Finance , Social responsibility of business , Mineral industries|zSouth Africa , Sol Plaatje Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374889 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283328 , uj:30554
- Description: M.Com. (Local Economic Development) , Abstract: The research explored enterprise development through business social responsibility, focusing on opportunities for the mining sector to contribute positively in growing the local economy of the hosting communities. Enterprise development and promotion are presently proceeding at a very slow pace, even though there are guidelines as to what should be done to accelerate development in the mining communities. A Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment model is available to assist local government, the mining industry and communities to pursue this initiative. Presently, local governments are faced with challenges as regulators. The Department of Mineral Resources often does not want to avail the social and labour plans submitted by mines, as these reports are still treated as very confidential documents, thus it makes it difficult for municipalities to engage with mines. Therefore, the municipalities have to depend on mines to provide them with a copy of the social and labour plans and sometimes some information is edited or removed by the mines with the municipality knowing about the changes. This research has shown a need for the development of a model that will assist in the acceleration of enterprise development in the local hosting communities. The research seeks to address the issues necessary for successful development of local small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) or suppliers through business social responsibility.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sithole, Phetole
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business - South Africa - Finance , Social responsibility of business , Mineral industries|zSouth Africa , Sol Plaatje Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374889 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283328 , uj:30554
- Description: M.Com. (Local Economic Development) , Abstract: The research explored enterprise development through business social responsibility, focusing on opportunities for the mining sector to contribute positively in growing the local economy of the hosting communities. Enterprise development and promotion are presently proceeding at a very slow pace, even though there are guidelines as to what should be done to accelerate development in the mining communities. A Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment model is available to assist local government, the mining industry and communities to pursue this initiative. Presently, local governments are faced with challenges as regulators. The Department of Mineral Resources often does not want to avail the social and labour plans submitted by mines, as these reports are still treated as very confidential documents, thus it makes it difficult for municipalities to engage with mines. Therefore, the municipalities have to depend on mines to provide them with a copy of the social and labour plans and sometimes some information is edited or removed by the mines with the municipality knowing about the changes. This research has shown a need for the development of a model that will assist in the acceleration of enterprise development in the local hosting communities. The research seeks to address the issues necessary for successful development of local small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) or suppliers through business social responsibility.
- Full Text:
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »