Submitted in fulfilment of part of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technology in the Faculty of Management Sciences at Durban University of Technology, 2007 / The South African small business sector, particularly the manufacturing industries, such as textile, clothing, and automotive industries, are not considered internationally competitive. This shortcoming is seen in the context of liberalizing and transforming the South African economy, and the threat of foreign competition such as China. This study takes a systems view of the problems that are facing small businesses in South Africa, drawing on historical, theoretical and empirical sources within a proposed framework for small business international learning. The various elements in the framework include international competitiveness challenges facing small businesses, which, the author argues, create tension for survival within small businesses; the limited role of the small business support regime in South Africa; and the role of Foreign Direct Investment through Transnational Corporations (TNCs). Therefore, this study investigates the international learning processes of small businesses and develops a new theoretical model to illustrate and elucidate interventions to strengthen international learning processes of these small businesses. Methodology The manufacturing sector was chosen as the ideal sector for this study since it contributes significantly to the GDP and levels of employment of a country, and is at the receiving end of new production methodologies and technologies and other competition dynamics. This sector, at a small business level, is currently experiencing international competitiveness challenges in South Africa. The methodology followed an initial exploratory, qualitative approach followed by a formal, empirical, quantitative approach. The research questionnaire met the quality criteria as established through content validity, criterion related validity, and reliability criteria. This questionnaire was administered to a sample of 300 out of a population of 800 manufacturing small firms in Durban, using an unrestricted random probability sampling method. A total of 255 completed questionnaires were returned, and the results were expressed at the 95% confidence level with a confidence interval of 0.05. Results and Discussions From the correlation analysis of the level of importance and extent of implementation of international learning processes, four international learning processes, whose implementation can be enhanced by an improvement in the importance of international competitiveness challenges and support, were extracted. These international learning processes include increased learning activities on management, sales and marketing, finance, and also the image of small businesses. Through the consolidation of the results of the correlation analysis, a theoretical model for the identification and development of international learning processes was created. Conclusion From the small business practice and policy point of view, this study s findings suggest that the international learning processes of small businesses confronted by international competitiveness challenges in transforming developing economies can be strengthened by applying the theoretical model developed in this study. From the government, TNCs, and small businesses perspective, this study s findings also suggest that the establishment of linkage programmes and enhancement of learning activities, which revolve around the identified international learning processes as established in the theoretical model, will enable the attainment of international competitiveness of small businesses. This study, therefore, proposes the implementation, in the short-term, of information and linkage support at sector level that addresses the enhancement of the identified international learning processes; and the implementation, in the longterm, of a grand-scale small businesses and TNCs linkage programme in line with the premise provided in the theoretical model.

p. 1-89 / Submitted by Santiago Fabio (fabio.ssantiago@hotmail.com) on 2013-03-25T17:32:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Capa dissertação.pdf: 113693 bytes, checksum: 11d2efe654adf5f22afbfa9df4d3d6ce (MD5) DISSERTAÇAO NOVISSIMA.pdf: 539428 bytes, checksum: 37fee9d8fdc5dd16c8d2c8a88081d037 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Tatiana Lima(tatianasl@ufba.br) on 2013-04-08T18:37:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Capa dissertação.pdf: 113693 bytes, checksum: 11d2efe654adf5f22afbfa9df4d3d6ce (MD5) DISSERTAÇAO NOVISSIMA.pdf: 539428 bytes, checksum: 37fee9d8fdc5dd16c8d2c8a88081d037 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-04-08T18:37:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Capa dissertação.pdf: 113693 bytes, checksum: 11d2efe654adf5f22afbfa9df4d3d6ce (MD5) DISSERTAÇAO NOVISSIMA.pdf: 539428 bytes, checksum: 37fee9d8fdc5dd16c8d2c8a88081d037 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003 / Esta investigação analisa a competitividade dos pequenos negócios através da concepção de um Tipo Ideal, com inspiração Weberiana, no segmento de produção industrial, centrado na capacidade empresarial e consubstanciado basicamente, em Michael Porter e Max Weber. A proposta foi validada por uma Amostra Intencional constituída por segmentos da comunidade, uma Representação Social. O modelo construído resultou da interseção dos aspectos econômico, social e político. A variável competência eco/empresarial refletiu-se através do poder de negociação dos fornecedores e compradores, proatividade na concorrência, preservação do meio ambiente, atenção aos novos entrantes, qualificação do trabalhador, investimentos em P&D e na utilização de recursos de terceiros. A variável Justiça Social objetivou-se na consciência da responsabilidade social, respeito aos direitos trabalhistas, pagamento do salário em dia e na manutenção do canal de comunicação aberto com os trabalhadores. A variável engajamento político traduziu-se na filiação à Associação Comercial de Itabuna (ACI), na contribuição às políticas de desenvolvimento regional, na filiação a cooperativas e à Associação de pequenas e micro empresas de Itabuna; na prática de trabalhos voluntários e na filiação a partido político. Desse modo construiu-se um conceito, um instrumento que materializa uma contribuição à tecnologia votada para o universo dos pequenos negócios acreditando na possibilidade de mudança através de melhores métodos organizacionais. Assim foi concebida uma contribuição que se traduziu como Para além da competitividade, subsídios para refletir os pequenos negócios na cidade de Itabuna-Ba. / Salvador

This study contributes to the body of knowledge on tax compliance costs to small businesses by pioneering research in South Africa on four fronts. Firstly, the study is the first to comprehensively quantify small business tax compliance costs – establishing a baseline against which future research can be benchmarked. Secondly, the study established that small businesses perceive tax compliance benefits to exist, but found that the respondents were generally unable to quantify them. Thirdly, it evaluated the perceived impact of the major small business tax concessions on the level of tax compliance costs incurred by small businesses. Finally, the study used regression analyses to evaluate the drivers or determinants of internal and external tax compliance costs. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretroia, 2013 / lk2014 / Taxation / unrestricted

This study had as its origin the questioning by the researcher of the statements made by local and national politicians that the increase in tourist numbers visiting the Southern Cape was resulting in the creation of many new business ventures and work opportunities. This result was, however, not visible. In an attempt to find an answer to the above problem no pertinent information regarding the tourism industry, or evidence that local or regional government was actually involved in planning for the development of such an eventuality, could be found. In 1996 the National Government identified tourism as a major industry sector which could contribute towards economic development. The industry was expected to make a substantial contribution to the alleviation of poverty and to black economic empowerment. The government issued a White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa (1996) in order to produce key policy foundations for the development of the tourism industry in South Africa. Notwithstanding the fact that the central government had, since 1996, implemented various incentive schemes aimed at the tourism industry in general and towards small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME's) that operate in the tourism sector specifically, evidence of these incentive schemes reaching grass-root potential entrepreneurs has not been apparent. Furthermore, although purported to spread the economic benefits equitably among all members of the population, the local previously disadvantaged community did not seem to be benefiting from these policies at all. The above perceptions have, in turn, led to a number of questions listed and noted in Chapter one, and culminated in the research problem that was identified as follows: Can a strategy be formulated to stimulate SMME development and concurrent job creation among SMME's operating in the tourism sector of the Southern Cape and can such a strategy be depicted within a framework of a development model? The aim of the study was, therefore, to find a practical solution to the developmental requirements of tourism-related SMME's in order to stimulate job creation. The study was conducted in three sections: Section 1 consisted of an extensive literature survey in which it was determined that: <ul> <li>Tourism-related SMME's could make a positive contribution to local economic development.</li> <li>Although operating under conditions of globalisation, SMME's still had a future if they followed international best practices.</li> <li>Certain practices were considered international best practices.</li> <li>In order for SMME's to be successful, it becomes necessary to plan for the growth.</li> <li>There is a definitive role to be played by Government in this planning exercise.</li> <li>Although much work has already been done in the field of SMME development, very little has been done that addressed the tourism industry.</li></ul> Section 2 comprised an empirical study designed to test the opinions of tourism-related SMME's operating in the Southern Cape region. Factors which were considered to be essential to stimulate the growth of job opportunities were identified and compared with the theoretical requirements established in the previous section. Finally, Section 3 combined the findings of the previous two sections in an attempt to construct a framework depicting a model and strategy for the development of SMME's operating in the tourism sector of the Southern Cape. / Thesis (PHD)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Tourism Management / unrestricted

Owners of small businesses who fail to implement adequate employee motivation and retention strategies may experience lost profit and high employee turnover. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the managerial strategies that owners of small businesses owners used to motivate and retain sales associates to increase profits. The population for the study included owners of 4 businesses in Texas who successfully implemented employee motivation and retention strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with business owners and from artifacts such as company websites and social media pages. Transformational leadership theory guided the study. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5 steps of data analysis including compiling data, disassembling data, reassembling data, interpreting data, and drawing conclusions. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: provide financial incentives, increase job satisfaction, and enhance job training. The findings of this study might contribute to positive social change by providing owners of small businesses with strategies to retain employees, which may build customer loyalty and increase business performance and longevity. Business leaders may benefit from these findings by strengthening relationships with employees and improving the overall performance of the organization. The results of this study could also contribute to positive social change by helping other small business owners implementing motivation and retention strategies, which might enhance business sustainability. Business sustainability supports both local and state economies and fosters an optimum distribution of resources in the community.

Workplace violence can produce adverse financial outcomes for organizational shareholders, harms employees, and might create long-lasting mental health issues for survivors. Leaders of small businesses might lack the tools available to larger organizations to effectively address the growing incidence of violence in the workplace. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies some leaders of small businesses used to prevent workplace violence. The targeted population consisted of 3 leaders of small businesses from 3 different organizations in the government consulting industry in northern Virginia who successfully implemented workplace violence prevention programs. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework for this research. Data were collected from applicable company documents and semistructured interviews. The data were analyzed through a 5-phase qualitative analysis cycle. Emergent themes included effective workplace violence prevention policies and procedures and leaders’ role in creating a positive working environment. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to reduce work-related stress so that employees are healthy members of society. Leaders of small business who promote a positive work environment and understand the importance of an effective workplace violence prevention policy might be able to increase the performance of their businesses, which could allow them to be more involved in their communities.

Despite the economic significance of entrepreneurship, relatively little is known about the entrepreneur, particularly how the entrepreneur differs from the corporate manager. This problem is both cause and symptom of the discord regarding definitions of the entrepreneur, rendering sampling, research replication and generalizations about entrepreneurs problematic. As a result, inquiry has failed to adequately establish how entrepreneurs differ from managers, a problem partially stemming from a dearth of methodologically rigorous comparisons of entrepreneurs with managers. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of psychological constructs to predict a proclivity for entrepreneurship. Moreover, differences in types of small business owner-managers were also investigated. Included in the research model were three common themes in the entrepreneurship literature: achievement motivation, risk taking propensity and preference for innovation. Also incorporated were the interactions of the psychological constructs, as well as individual and firm demographic variables.

No description available.

Small business owners contribute 39% of Canada's gross domestic product and account for 67% of new jobs created, but only 50% survive beyond the first 5 years of existence. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore what strategies some small business owners in Halifax, Nova Scotia used to sustain their business operations beyond the first 5 years. The study population consisted of 6 small business owners of professional firms located in Halifax, Nova Scotia who had succeeded in business beyond the first 5 years. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was the systems theory. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, a review of company documents, and archival records. Member checking of interview response data was used to strengthen the credibility of the findings. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data collected and the van Kaam process, themes that emerged after the data analysis were networking, product-advantage, business-centric approach, and human capital. The data and application of the findings from this study may contribute to social change by providing essential strategies for small business owners to ensure business success that could potentially lead to the prosperity of the community and Halifax economy.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / In today‟s post-modern era, the role of women-owned small businesses in economic development is inevitable. Women are willing to act in business and contribute to the nation‟s growth. However, most women in small businesses face a wide variety of challenges both in starting and in growing their business ventures. Some of the challenges relate to lack of skills and an environment that is not favourable to women small business owners. Thus, a study was conducted in Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality in Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by women-owned small businesses in the Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study used a qualitative research method to collect data. Fifteen (15) individuals participated in the study; twelve (12) of the participants were women who owned small businesses in the municipality and three (3) of the participants were officials working in the LED unit. Participants in the study were chosen purposively because of the knowledge that they possessed. Semistructured interviews were used in the qualitative study to collect data. The study discovered that some of the challenges included lack of skills and training, lack of access to finance, lack of marketing strategies and inadequate resources. Thus, the study recommended that the municipality should provide need-based training for small business owners.