Thesis (M.Com. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The primary objective of the study was to examine the effect of values (biospheric values, altruistic values, egoistic values and openness to change values) on voluntary pro-environmental behaviour of employees of SMMEs.In addition, the study investigated the moderating effect of demographic variables (gender, age and level of education) in the relationship between values and pro-environmental behaviour. The quantitative approach was utilised and the cross-sectional survey method was used to collect data from the respondents that were conveniently sampled. The Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure reliability and the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS SEM) was utilised to analyse data. The findings of the study indicated that biospheric values has a negative relationship with employees’ voluntary proenvironmental behaviour. Three values (altruistic, egoistic and openness to change values) have significant positive relationships with voluntary pro-environmental behaviour of employees. The moderating effects of gender, age and level of education are insignificant. Recommendations on how to use values to improve the voluntary pro-environmental behaviour of employees of SMMEs are outlined.

[pt] A resiliência reflete a capacidade de lidar com eventos adversos por meio da adaptação e flexibilidade. A crise do Covid-19 afetou a vida dos indivíduos, o que refletiu também na economia de diversos países. Em um contexto de pandemia diversos negócios precisaram interromper suas atividades presenciais, bem como se adaptar ao novo normal. Os pequenos negócios, em geral, são flexíveis, porém tendem a sofrer com falta de recursos, e os pequenos negócios de comunidades pobres carecem também de recursos institucionais, dentre eles recursos de saúde o que os torna mais vulneráveis numa pandemia. Em vista disso, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo investigar como os pequenos negócios de comunidades pobres foram impactados pela crise do Covid-19, quais foram suas respostas à crise e como ocorreu o processo de construção de resiliência nos empreendedores desses negócios. Com base em 38 entrevistas em profundidade, esta pesquisa qualitativa, que utilizou o método de estudo de múltiplos casos, explora o papel do capital humano, social e o contexto no processo de construção das capacidades de resiliência. Os resultados do estudo mostram que o contexto e o capital humano influenciam diretamente nas respostas dos pequenos negócios. Aqueles que mais desenvolveram respostas à crise foram os que mais sofreram com os impactos, principalmente em termos de faturamento. Contudo poucos desenvolveram capacidades de resiliência para se adaptar / aprender e se preparar para eventos futuros. Com base nos achados foram elaboradas contribuições acadêmicas, gerenciais e sugestões para pesquisas fututras. / [en] Resilience reflects the ability to deal with adverse events through adaptation and flexibility. The Covid-19 crisis affected the lives of individuals, which also reflected in the economy of several countries. In a pandemic context, several businesses had to interrupt their face-to-face activities, as well as adapt to the new normal. Small businesses, in general, are flexible, but tend to suffer from a lack of resources, and small businesses from poor communities also lack institutional resources, including health resources, which makes them more vulnerable in a pandemic. In view of this, this research aims to investigate how small businesses in poor communities were impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, what were their responses to the crisis and how the process of building resilience among entrepreneurs in these businesses occurred. Based on 38 in-depth interviews, this qualitative research, which used the multiple case study method, explores the role of human, social capital and the context in the process of building resilience capacities. The results of the study show that the context and human capital directly influence the responses of small businesses. Those who developed the most responses to the crisis were the ones who suffered most from the impacts, especially in terms of revenue. However few have developed resilience skills to adapt / learn and prepare for future events. Based on the findings, academic and managerial contributions and suggestions for future research were elaborated.

Although the development of small businesses is generally considered important for income generation and job creation, there has been relatively little research in developing countries such as Ghana on understanding why some small firms succeed and grow rapidly while others do not in. This thesis investigates the influences on small firm growth rates in Ghana using data from a random sample of 252 manufacturing and services firms from the database of the Association of Ghana Industries. The general hypothesis is that, growth is a function of the characteristics of the entrepreneur; characteristics of the firm; strategic factors; environmental factors; and cultural factors. Consequently, the research tests 36 hypotheses drawn from the five main categories of variables using the turnover and the employment growth measures. It also uses logistic regression analysis to isolate significant factors differentiating rapid-growth firms from slow-growth firms. Overall, the research finds strong evidence which suggests that, perception of a market opportunity; university education; multiple founders; entrepreneurs with marketing skills; workforce training; new product development; presence of a clear vision and mission statement; majority non-family members in management and membership of professional or business associations were associated with rapid-growth firms. iv Factors which were significant in discriminating between rapid-growth and slow-growth firms but were more likely to be associated with slow-growth firms included threat of unemployment or actual unemployment as a motivation for starting a business; production skills; legal form (limited liability companies); access to external equity (post-formation); exporting; access to public or external aid; unionization and frequent management meetings.

The research is devoted to the review of practical and theoretical aspects of the international expansion marketing strategy development for the small healthcare setting. The development of international links among the companies of healthcare field and foreign enterprises and states is an important factor in receiving a recognition and taking the rightful place on the market. Increasingly greater number of the small and medium-size healthcare enterprises bethink of the breaking into external markets as it stands. However, here they face the challenges. On the one hand, Russian healthcare enterprises have the lack of business internationalization experience. On the other hand, the issue of international expansion is not explored enough theoretically and methodologically. The thesis determines the role of marketing strategy in business activities, its place in the company’s strategy structure. Besides, the study distinguishes the factors affecting decision-making process on company’s international expansion, elaborates an algorithm of a gradual marketing strategy development, makes guidelines on the strategy’s performance evaluation and particularly introduces the process of development and performance evaluation of company’s international expansion marketing strategy under current conditions evidence from Llc. «Stavko medical Centre». / В работе рассматриваются теоретические и практические аспекты разработки маркетинговой стратегии выхода на зарубежный рынок для малого медицинского предприятия. Для компаний, работающих в сфере медицинских услуг, развитие международных связей между предприятиями и странами является важным условием для получения признания и занятия достойного места на рынке. В современных условиях все большее число малых и средних частных медицинских фирм рассматривают возможность выхода на зарубежный рынок. Однако, с одной стороны, отсутствует опыт интернационализации бизнеса у российских медицинских организаций, с другой – данная проблема недостаточно теоретически и методологически разработана. В работе определена роль маркетинговой стратегии в предпринимательской деятельности, ее места в структуре стратегий предприятия, рассмотрены и классифицированы факторы, влияющие на процесс принятия решения о выходе предприятия на зарубежный рынок, разработан алгоритм поэтапного формирования маркетинговой стратегии предприятия, методические рекомендации по оценке ее эффективности, представлен процесс разработки и оценки эффективности маркетинговой стратегии выхода на зарубежный рынок в современных условиях на примере ООО «Клиника Ставко».

[pt] Este trabalho fundamentou-se na teoria da visão baseada em recursos (RBV) e nas cinco forças competitivas de mercado para identificar e analisar os fatores determinantes para o desempenho operacional de pequenos negócios prestadores de serviços, evidenciando os facilitadores e barreiras para o desempenho dos mesmos. Utilizou-se como métodos de pesquisa a revisão sistemática da literatura (RSL) para identificar os principais determinantes e o estudo de caso para explorar como os pequenos negócios abordam esses determinantes em seu desempenho operacional. Neste contexto, este estudo foi realizado junto a quatro pequenos negócios prestadores de serviços do setor de petróleo e gás, parceiras do Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas no Estado do Rio de Janeiro (SEBRAE/RJ). Como resultados da RSL, identificou-se a inovação e a orientação ao mercado como os principais determinantes frequentemente relacionados ao desempenho de pequenos negócios em serviços. Os principais facilitadores identificados foram qualidade, capital humano e inovação de produto/serviço, enquanto que recursos limitados e funcionários desqualificados foram identificados como as principais barreiras. Assim, na análise dos resultados dos estudos de caso observou-se que a competitividade e o crescimento no mercado são as forças que direcionam as atividades de inovação, logo, a orientação ao mercado se torna necessária paras as empresas direcionarem suas ações de maneira estrategicamente assertiva e, com a inovação, as organizações visam melhorar seus desempenhos, gerando vantagens competitivas ao oferecer novos serviços. / [en] This work was grounded on the theory of the resource-based view (RBV) and the five competitive market forces to identify and analyze the determining factors for the operational performance of small service providers, showing the facilitators and barriers to an improved performance. The systematic literature review (SLR) was used as a research method to identify the main determinants and a case study to explore how small businesses address these determinants in their operational performance. In this context, this study was carried out with four small oil and gas service providers, which work in partnership with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service in the State of Rio de Janeiro (SEBRAE/RJ). As SLR results, innovation and market orientation were identified as the main determinants often related to the performance of small businesses in services. The key facilitators identified were quality, human capital, and product/service innovation while limited resources and disqualified employees were identified as the main barriers. Thus, in the analysis of the results of the case studies, it was observed that competitiveness and market growth are the driving forces for innovation activities, so market orientation becomes necessary for companies to target their actions in a strategically assertive way and, with innovation, organizations aim to improve their performance generating competitive advantages by offering new services.

För att upprätthålla en ekonomisk hållbarhet inom ett företag krävs ett ansvarsfullt företagande inom organisationer, vilket skapar behov av ett systematiskt arbetssätt med ekonomiska styrmedel. Olika styrmedel kan vara relevanta för olika syften, varför valet och användandet av dem är kritiskt att studera. Studien undersöker därför genom en komparativ fallstudie vilka faktorer som påverkar valet och användandet av styrmedel i småföretag i Sverige. Undersökningen resulterar i ett antal faktorer som enligt fallföretagen påverkar hur besluten om styrmedel tas. Dessa faktorer ligger som grund för den modell som skapats. Modellen visar att informationsbehovet hos ledaren är det som påverkar hur valet och användandet sker samt att behovet förändras beroende på företagets och omvärldens karaktär tillsammans med ledarens bakgrund. / Maintaining economic sustainability within a company requires a responsible business organization that creates the need for a systematic approach to economic instruments. Different instruments may be relevant for different purposes and therefor the choice and use of them is critical to study. The study examines, through a comparative case study which factors influence the choice and use of economic instruments in small businesses in Sweden. The survey results in a number of factors that, in the studied companies affects how decisions on financial instruments are made. These factors form the basis of the model created. The model shows that the informational needs of the leader is what influences how the selection and use takes place, and that need is changing depending on the company and the external characteristics along with the background of the leaders.

This research was geared towards the investigation of management strategies (factors) that affect the performance ofMSMEs in Kenya. Many developed countries record a time in history when entrepreneurial activities led to revival of economical growth after decline. This implies MSMEs is a very vital sector especially for a developing country like Kenya. MSMEs stagnate and their performance is uncertain according to writers such as Namusonge, Management inadequacies have been suggested in several studies. The objectives of this research was to, 1. To identifY the critical management factors affecting the performance of MSMEs in Kenya; ii. To establish the process through which managerial factors affect the performance of a MSMEs in Kenya ; m. To determine the integrative effect of various management factors in the MSMES in Kenya; IV. To establish the effect of demographics and management factors on performance, v. To establish effects of external environment on internal management factors A conceptual model was formulated from the literature review showing relationships of the management strategies and the environment they operate in. These relationships became the basis for the hypotheses which were later tested. In chapter 4, a mini research (pilot study) was conducted in May 2007,whose main aim was to test the reliability and validity of the research instruments. The 36 questionnaires returned were analysed through descriptive method. Results obtained indicated the instruments were reliable and the results valid. A few corrections suggested were made. The major correction was addition of question 35 to collect financial information. The data collection was done between mid August and mid October 2007.In chapter 5, the researcher analysesd the results of the survey after receiving 180 questionnaires. Time was a constraint. In chapter 6, the hypotheses and conceptual model were analysed and the results obtained suggested that, most strategies did not affect the profitability separately but severally. The integrated effect of the management strategies and the associated factors had a higher impact on performance of the MSMES than any individual strategies. In chapter 7, the conclusions, summaries and Recommendations are given. / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Management and Policy)

Business management / M. Com. (Business management)

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This study examines the effects of acquisition reform on Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) who contracted with DOD during the 1990s through 2002 timeframe. Review and analysis of DOD data for fiscal years 1992 through 2002, an analysis of websites and acquisition literature, and interviews with DOD contracting and small business specialists provided the basis for this study. It identifies acquisition reform legislation enacted in the 1990s that has had a direct impact on WOSBs and SDBs and examines the charge that the practice of contract bundling has negatively impacted the ability of small businesses to win DOD contracts. An analysis of contract bundling data from the Small Business Office of Advocacy, Congress and DOD demonstrates that the data is insufficient and inconsistent to prove or disprove that contract bundling is negatively impacting small businesses. However, DOD data for fiscal years 1992 through 2002 indicates that DOD contracting with WOSBs improved consistently, particularly after enactment of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) of 1994 which mandated that the federal government, inclusive of DOD, award five percent of total yearly procurement dollars to WOSBs. / Civilian, United States Army

Cette thèse vise à identifier les contraintes institutionnelles et réglementaires qui limitent le développement des unités informelles à Djibouti en faisant à la fois une analyse microéconomique et macroéconomique. L’examen des institutions montre que des habitudes (corruption, passe droit) en matière de règlement de l’administration créent des coûts de transaction et obligent les micro-entreprises à se réfugier dans le secteur informel. Un modèle de régression montre que la qualité de la justice (mesurée par l’indicateur de Rule of Law de la Banque mondiale) est une variable déterminante pour expliquer le poids de l’économie non observée et donc celui du secteur informel, dans le PIB officiel. La dynamique des micro-entreprises est appréhendée à partir de 2 enquêtes (2001 et 2005) portant sur le même échantillon. L’analyse de la mobilité à l’aide de matrices de transition révèle l’existence non pas d’un seul seuil infranchissable, mais plutôt de trois (1 actif, 2-5 actifs, 6-9 actifs et 10 actifs et plus) et confirme la thèse du «missing-middle». L’analyse factorielle discriminante indique que la légalité est une variable déterminante pour expliquer le blocage apparent des micro-entreprises au-delà de 6 à 9 actifs. Enfin, l’enquête 2007 sur les activités de transfert d’argents (hawalas) montre leur impact important sur le plan macroéconomique ; elle suggère la prise en compte de la spécificité et de l’utilité de ces institutions comme un dispositif complémentaire aux banques dont l’intégration dans le système financier formel devrait être facilitée. / This research seeks to detect the institutional and regulatory constraints that limit the development of informal units in Djibouti by both the macroeconomic and microeconomic analysis. The review shows that institutional habits (corruption, going right) in regulation created transaction costs and force small businesses to take refuge in the informal sector. A regression model shows that the quality of justice (as measured by this indicator of Rule of Law of the World Bank) is a determining variable in explaining the weight of the non-observed economy and hence the informal sector in GDP official. The dynamics of micro-enterprises is approached from 2 surveys (2001 and 2005) on the same sample. The analysis of mobility through transition matrices reveals the existence of three thresholds (1 employee, 2-5 employees, 6-9 employees and 10 employees and more) and not only one single threshold, albeit it confirms the thesis of «missing-middle». The discriminating factor analysis indicates that the law is a crucial variable that explains the apparent blocking of micro-enterprises beyond 6 to 9 employees. Finally, the 2007 survey on the money transfer activities (hawalas) shows that these institutions have a significant impact on the macroeconomic level and suggests that their usefulness and specificity should be taken into account in order to integrate this banking device within the formal financial system.