Since Namibia’s independence in 1990, various changes were introduced to the Namibian Income Tax Act. None of these changes were specifically targeting small and medium enterprises although the majority of entities in Namibia can be classified as small and medium enterprises. Recognising the contribution made by small and medium enterprises, Government recently indicated that tax reform for small and medium enterprises should be treated as a priority. Differentiated tax treatment is applied in the United Kingdom and South Africa and aims to reduce the tax burden. Although previous studies have been carried out on differentiated tax treatment for small and medium enterprises, none of these studies were done from a Namibian perspective. The aim of this study is to analyse literature on taxation for small and medium enterprises in the United Kingdom and South Africa to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of tax policies aimed at the small and medium enterprises sector. The study also compared tax policies for small and medium enterprises in the United Kingdom and South Africa to recommend possible implementation for the Namibian tax system. Namibia should learn from these countries and apply the best practices. The study reached the conclusion that tax reform in Namibia for the small and medium enterprises sector is desperately needed and recommends that tax policies aiming at reducing the tax compliance burden should receive preference over those reducing the tax rate burden. This research may serve as the starting point for revised tax policies and legislation specifically aiming at small and medium enterprises. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Taxation / unrestricted

The present study aims to analyse the marketing strategies of Swedish microbreweries and relate them to the entrepreneurial principles of effectuation and causation. The authors investigated eight microbreweries in Mälardalsregionen of Sweden, conducting interviews with members of the founding team or the management team at the microbreweries. The results of the study show that most breweries used effectual principles to describe their marketing efforts. Two effectual principles in particular, bird-in-hand and affordable loss, were shown to be present throughout the sample. Furthermore, most microbrewery founders did not give a lot of importance to marketing and considered it to be a part of everyday activities of the brewery rather than a separate organisational function. There was a direct correlation between the size of the microbrewery and its debts, and the marketing efforts of the microbrewery. Based on these results, the authors propose: (1) Microbrewery founders use effectual logics more than causational logics in their marketing efforts; and (2) Microbrewery founders with unawareness or lack of knowledge of the causational methods are more likely to go about their marketing activities using effectual logic.

Innovative high-technology SMEs have become a major influencing factor in the success of any modern economy and they increasingly compete in the globalised world with limited resources. Previous research on SMEs at firm level has always taken into consideration the constraints of the resources that an SME faces and the implications of this on their performance and business growth. SMEs have to develop their own unique skills and capabilities, allocating their limited resources appropriately to be able to respond to the changes in the external business environment that pose risks to the success of their innovation and its commercialisation. Having an innovation strategy is very important: to have a clear goal and a path to achieve the set goal. This helps high-technology SMEs to decide which factors can influence the success of their innovations, leading to business growth by developing dynamic capabilities to respond to the external changes by allocating their resources at their disposal. This thesis is an empirical analysis of innovation strategy and its role in the business growth of high-technology SMEs. This research study is carried out at firm level. It draws on Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capability theory to explore innovation strategy factors contributing to the better performance of the firm. Four hypotheses were proposed based on the theoretical framework developed through the literature review. They were tested using empirical data. The primary data were collected using quantitative methods through survey questionnaire. Data was collected from 106 high-technology SMEs in the UK. Technological factor, marketing factor, entrepreneurial factor and risk from the business environment were identified as four important factors which are part of an innovation strategy. The results of the study suggest three revised factors: technology, entrepreneurial and government-related risk factors. The initial risk related to business environment was amended to government-related risk factors based on the measurement variables which were loaded to the factor. However, one hypothesis based on the marketing factor failed to support the proposed positive influence on business growth and hence rejected. This calls for further research on the marketing factor in high-technology SMEs. This study recognises the reason behind this paradoxical result, which could be the nature of the high-technology firms participating in this study, which are more dependent on technology-push rather than marketing pull and they do not confirm with the established norms of marketing for the business growth of their firm. This study contributes to the development of knowledge and practice at multiple levels. The research developed a theoretical framework to establish the innovation strategy factors and its influence on business growth and this is validated through empirical data. At the practice level, the results of the study could be used by high-technology SMEs in the UK, and any other high-technology SMEs which are based in a similar economy and business environment, to have better information about innovation strategy. The study could also help policy makers, propose better policy to support innovation of high-technology SMEs in UK.

The UK Fashion Industry (FI) is both volatile and fast-changing. Notably, the clothing and jewellery industry contributes £16 billion annually to the UK’s revenues. However, small and medium-sized (SMEs) fashion companies are stressed to survive the harsh global competition. The companies have to manage their routine projects, thinking constantly about keeping their market position and how to develop further in their industry. Thus, the FI requires an in-depth understanding of the success factors to survive in this competitive marketplace. A detailed literature review has been conducted to discover the background of the FI and also to understand the basic requirements of daily operations and strategies used for development and growth. As there is not much empirical study available in the area of FI, a qualitative exploratory study has been chosen as the research methodology for this particular research. A multiple case studies approach was chosen to cover eight case studies located in Leicester, Luton and London. The study is interpretative and social constructionism is its philosophical approach; and hence, the context of the study has to be interpreted in its own ethnographical setting, why and how participants construct the meaning of project management (PM). This data triangulation provided the study qualitative credibility of the findings. The data analysis found four main themes, comprising fifteen sub-themes. ‘PM capabilities’ is the most important theme for completing the daily routine operations; these are also highly utilised in the UK FI SMEs. ‘Sensing new opportunities’ is the second important theme for advancing further; these are utilised by SMEs to remain up-to-date with the market environment. ‘Manufacturing capabilities’ is the third theme found helping SMEs with their routine manufacturing base in the UK: how they extended their trade through manufacturing. ‘Jewellery industry (JI) capabilities’ is the fourth theme helping the JI to outsource and deal with trust and relations in their trade. The study contributes to the UK FI SMEs by suggesting Dynamic Project Management (DPM) approaches specific to each industry, namely, the clothing, jewellery and designer industries. Research findings also suggest that new dynamic strategies need to be sensed, adopted and learned for the development and survival of these SMEs. The benchmarking tool, provided through status categories, will guide any company in the FI to compare its progress and take steps for further development. PM tools and techniques suggested for use by these FI SMEs will also help them with further improvement in project operations.

This research focuses on the degree of implementation of modularity and module supply by the automobile manufacturers in South Africa and the benefits they experience. Special attention was paid to the effect the modularity has on the local supplier base and the ability of small South African companies to support this supply concept. Lastly the factors influencing the car manufacturers’ outsourcing decision process was uncovered. The semi-structured face to face interviews with representatives of all light vehicle manufacturing companies operating in South Africa provided rich data for setting the background for further quantitative researches. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / It has been noticed that many countries around the world have started making the construction and development of industrial SMEs one of the critical driving forces for economic growth of their countries. The SMEs industry has shown growth and good performance in East and Southeast Asia (South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan). Many researchers have undertaken research on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, including the development of rural entrepreneurship. Despite numerous articles and numerous past research surveys conducted on SMEs in South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Ukraine, Tanzania, Botswana, China, Taiwan, UK, Australia, USA including many other developing countries, the understanding of the determinants of survival and growth of rural SMEs in rural areas, with specific reference to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the existence of a growth model remain largely unknown. Since rural businesses operate in different environments from those in urban areas, it is essential to have a broad understanding and knowledge of business characteristics of small and medium enterprises of rural entrepreneurs, including their personal attitudes, rural entrepreneurial orientation growth of business, external/internal environmental dynamics, as well as rural entrepreneurial resources. In recent times, rural entrepreneurship has had a huge impact on many issues, including economic development, employment, food supply and social safety. With more and more people moving from the rural areas to urban areas due to a lack of employment opportunities and the complexity of running their own business, the problem of potential social unrest and many other problems become more and more real. Thus, it is very important that researchers, especially in those countries with large numbers of people living in the rural areas to investigate this problem and provide ways of how to solve it. The assumptions and the confusion, surrounding rural SMEs owners/managers awareness, perceptions and the understanding of various determinants of survival and growth of rural SMEs in their areas, highlights a need and creates interest for academics to conduct more research in this particular area. There are a number of other important reasons, such as the failure rate of SMEs that also need to be investigated. This study was conducted within the rural areas of the southern region of KZN province, using quantitative research methods. The sample for the study consisted of 150 owners/managers of SMEs. The respondents were selected using quota sampling and required to complete a research questionnaire, with an interviewer present to assist. The research instrument consisted of a close–ended, questionnaire made up of a 5 point Likert scale with the questionnaires distributed to five selected areas in the rural southern region of KZN province. The research findings indicate that the size of the local market is very small for selling SMEs products; poor infrastructure has an impact on their business growth and lack of financial support as well as tough government regulations adversely affect SME growth. This study provides both theoretical and practical implications for rural entrepreneurs and policy-makers. The study presents a number of recommendations, including a conceptual growth model for rural SMEs.

Cette thèse aborde la thématique de l’internationalisation des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) globalisées dès leur naissance ou peu de temps après, et nommées dans la littérature anglosaxonne « Born Globals ». Plus spécifiquement, notre recherche est focalisée sur l’approche décrivant les relations des « Born Globals » avec le réseau d'influence développé sur le territoire d’implantation des entreprises. Au delà des formes multiples de réseaux accompagnant les entreprises dans leur démarche d’internationalisation (relationnels, informels, personnels et territoriaux), nous pensons que le réseau d'influence joue un rôle dans l’internationalisation de ces PME. « Quel est le rôle du réseau d’influence dans l’internationalisation des « Born Globals » ?» Pour répondre à cette question, nous avons réalisé une étude auprès des « Born Globals » implantées dans la région de Kalouga en Russie.Les résultats de notre recherche nous permettent de définir les principales caractéristiques du réseau d’influence (les acteurs, les liens entre eux et les ressources qu’ils partagent avec les entreprises) dans l'internationalisation des « Born Globals », de cartographier ce réseau afin d'apprécier le rôle de chacun et de définir les étapes de l'intégration des « Born Globals » par le prisme de ce réseau sur un territoire donné. Ces éléments peuvent être exploités aussi bien par les théoriciens du point de vue des différentes étapes mises en évidence, que par les dirigeants des « Born Globals » lors de leur internationalisation dans d'autres pays et enfin par les pouvoirs publics qui cherchent à attirer des investisseurs étrangers et améliorer leurs prestations. / The main topic of this thesis is the small and medium entreprises (SMEs) that go international from their inception or shortly after. These business organizations were named in the Anglo-Saxon literature "Born Globals". More specifically, our research is focused on the approach describing the relationships of the "Born Globals" with the influence network developed in the area of their currrent location. Beyond the multiple forms of networks supporting companies in their internationalization process (relational, informal, personal and territorial), we think that the influence network plays the most important role in the internationalization of SMEs. "What is the role of the influence network in the internationalization of "Born Globals"?" To answer this question, we conducted a survey about "Born Globals" located in the Kaluga region in Russia.The results of our research allow us to describe the main characteristics of the influence network (players, links between themselves and the resources they share with companies) in the internationalization of "Born Globals" and to elaborate the network map and to define the different integration phases of "Born Globals" in the local network. Our results can be used by academic researchers, managers and leaders of "Born Globals" in their internationalization process and finally by the government seeking to attract foreign investments and improve their performances.

The main aim of my thesis is to characterize and quantify the importance of SMEs to the economy and foreign trade of Slovak Republic. The thesis is divided into four chapters. The first chapter describes SMEs sector and its main features.The second chapter focuses on the analysis of the position of SMEs in the economy of Slovakia.The third chapter analyzes the significance of SMEs for Slovakia's foreign trade. The aim of the last chapter is to characterize the various support options available for Slovak SMEs.

This study uses the absorptive capacity perspective and adds the firm's commitment to enhance the internationalization process of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It is proposed that each of the dimensions of absorptive capacity should be considered a separate capability that exists prior to internationalization and that enhances and reinforces the firm's ability to take advantage of its resources to advance international expansion and that internationalization has an effect on firm performance. Based on the absorptive capacity perspective, it is further proposed that an SME's organizational learning, which is gained from international expansion, will influence the relationship between internationalization and the firm's performance. The central theme of the proposed model is, therefore, that understanding the relationships among an SME's absorptive capacity, its abilities, and its commitments to internationalization can improve understanding of the relationship between internationalization and performance. The conceptual framework presented in this study indicates that the process of absorptive capacity which flows across SMEs is complex and it involves multiple levels of analysis. I argued that the moderating effect of absorptive capacity needs to be explicitly transferred to SMEs if it is to have a sustained effect on firm performance through internationalization. Adapting absorptive capacity perspective, my model derives key determinants that influence SMEs' performance, through internationalization, and examines how absorptive capacity leads to the creation of internationalization of SMEs. The perspective advanced here describes how all four facets of absorptive capacity -acquiring, assimilating, transforming, and exploiting -are geared toward internationalization of SMEs and produced competitive advantage for SMEs.