This study examined how financial management decisions are made by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study aimed at discovering SME awareness on financial management practices. The financial management practices address issues on capital budgeting, working capital management, capital structure, financial reporting and analysis. The study, therefore, hypothesised that SMEs were not aware of the sound financial management practices. It was also intended in this study to examine the relationship between employment of sound financial management practices and firm financial performance. Subsequently, the study hypothesised that the employment of sound financial management practices by SMEs did not significantly affect their financial performance. The results obtained in this study revealed that SMEs were aware of the sound financial management practices that could be employed to yield high financial performance. However, the results also revealed that most SMEs were not employing qualified personnel and this in turn had an effect on the effectiveness of the financial management practices that the SMEs utilised. The findings also indicated that the employment of sound financial management practices did significantly and positively affect the financial performance of SMEs. The study recommended that SMEs could increase their chances of financial survival if they employ sound financial management practices. The study also gave recommendations to the South African Government to provide effective facilities and services to SMEs and help sustain them because they are important in the economy. Lastly, the study recommended financial institutions to relax their credit granting policies so that SMEs could access funds.

Submitted in fulfillment oof part of the requirements for the Masters ooff Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Small businesses form the backbone of any nation’s economy, especially where unemployment is extremely high. South Africa is one of the many countries that struggle with low economic growth resulting in low employment. This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, business performance and competitive advantage. South Africa’s small business sector is under pressure as evidence exists that the failure rate is well above 70 percent, and to an extent, up to 90 percent depending on various conditions. This study was conducted in Durban, South Africa. The study sought to answer the two questions namely: a) Is there a significant relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance? and b) Is there a mediating role of competitive advantage in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance? These questions were targeted to small business owners or managers in Durban, South Africa. Therefore, 177 participants responded, and both questions were tested and yielded positive results. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire consisting of 24 items. Indeed, the finding was that there is a positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance, and that competitive advantage does mediate the relationship between business performance and entrepreneurial orientation. Finally, many studies examined in this study support the findings of this research pointing out that a strong positive relationship exists between business performance and entrepreneurial orientation. Similarly, there seems to be an agreement that there is some relationship between competitive advantage, entrepreneurial orientation and business performance. However, the literature reviewed did not clarify if competitive advantage does actually mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance whilst this study found that mediation does exist between the entrepreneurial orientation and business performance link. Hence, small businesses need to learn more about this relationship so to take advantage of possible synergies that may arise from it. Further, both the government of South Africa and the private sector should keep supporting small businesses by making use of research studies like this one and many more which are based on theory and practice. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Masters in Management Science (Business Administration), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / This study investigates the influence of the selected financial management fundamentals towards the financial stability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Durban. The SMEs play an important role in the South African economy, by developing new skills. The study was descriptive and quantitative in nature. The tool used in collecting data was a questionnaire, which was self-administered and distributed at the business location of the respondents, with a minimal number of respondents receiving the questionnaire after it was scanned and emailed to them. The respondents consist of following different sectors of SMEs in Durban; trading, manufacturing, industry and Accounting firms. The results obtained were based on the supporting objectives of the study. The findings achieved show that financial reporting contributes indirectly towards the financial stability of the business. The study found that the lack of understanding of financial reporting and insufficient financial experience would have an influence on the financial stability of SMEs. Factors that were found to affect the credibility of financial reporting include poor administrative control of resources, as well as a lack of accurate information and financial data, which results in incorrect financial reports. Other factors found, in establishing the contribution and relationship between financial reporting and financial stability, include: lack of knowledge, lack of financial control processes, and weak cooperation among staff, with training, education, and financial reports management, as well as upgrading and modification of the accounting system The majority of the respondents have experience in the finance sector, and while most have access to training, there are little or no follow-up programmes by internal or external users of financial reports, such as shareholders, banks or the government. As a result, recommendations are made to develop short accounting programmes that will allow owners and accounting staff to gain practical experience in the financial reporting background, which will enable an increase in the level of understanding of financial reporting processes and usability of allocating financial information correctly.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cross-sectoral collaborations between non-profit organisations (NPOs) and the business sector are on the rise. The success of the cross-sectoral collaboration is varied and based upon the value generated for both parties. Most literature around cross-sectoral collaboration has been written with a bias towards the corporate sector, not taking into account the challenges faced by NPOs. This research project focused upon the value generated from collaborations between NPOs and individuals from the corporate sector, within the NPO landscape. The University of Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development (USB-ED) presents a course to develop the skills of senior managers in the Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP). As part of the programme, participants (from the business sector) are required to complete a business driven action learning (BDAL) assignment where they engage NPOs in order to do a strategic analysis and develop a strategic plan for them. The BDAL assignment is not only designed to provide the SMDP participants with the opportunity to apply knowledge acquired in the course, but also aims to make a social contribution. Qualitative research methods were employed to study the engagement between the NPOs and the SMDP participants, the outcomes of the BDAL assignment and the perceived value created for the NPOs and SMDP participants. The research was not an evaluation of the BDAL assignment but drew on the information generated from the BDAL assignment to understand how value was generated through the process of business and NPOs working together. Value was generated for the NPOs through the relationship with the SMDP participants and the skills the SMDP participants employed during the collaboration. It was found, however, that the outcome was mostly generated on a strategic level for the NPO. But, as a result of a lack in capacity, the NPOs were not able to maximise the value from the BDAL assignment implementing it on an operational level. Where the SMDP participants were able to close the gap between the strategic and the operational level, through skills transfer and providing practical guidelines, the value increased significantly and operation efficiency increased. The findings on how value was generated through the BDAL assignment and the literature review formed the foundations for the guidelines that are provided for cross-sectoral collaboration, within the NPO landscape. Subsequently, the aim of the study is to enrich the cross-sectoral collaborations between NPOs and business, as well as the BDAL assignment and its outcomes.

M.Comm. / The study examines the impact of regulations on small businesses in the Republic of South Africa. It analyses the Small Business Development Policy of 1996 which categorised small businesses into micro, small, very small, and medium enterprises (SMMEs). This policy outlines the functions of the large number of small business support institutions such as Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency, Khula Finance, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) institutions and the Gauteng Provincial SMME desks. Ntsika was formed in 1996 to implement the small business strategy. The institution provides non-financial support to small businesses through a number of programmes. These programmes include Tender Advise Centres and Manufacturing Centres. Khula Enterprise Promotion Agency was established in 1996 to provide loans and guarantees to small businesses in order to increase their access to finance through commercial banks. Khula manages a large number of programmes, namely, business loan schemes, guarantee schemes, Khula star funds and equity funds. The DTI provides a number of incentive schemes for registered small businesses. The DTI incentive schemes provide the necessary infrastructure and contribute towards increasing the performance in the small businesses sector. Small businesses face a large number of challenges such as the lack of competent human capital, low profit margins, inadequate financing, stiff competition from large monopolistic and well established businesses, inadequate marketing strategies, unfavourable policy and legal environment, lack of information about government support initiatives, and cyclical sensitivity of their products. The study concludes that there is a need for mentorship programmes in the small business sector in order to increase the success rate. More research is needed in the small business sector to create awareness about potential benefits accruing to the financial sector and the economy as a whole. More players are required in the commercial banking sector in order to enhance competition. The state should reduce barriers to entry into the banking and the SMME sector. Furthermore, the state should level the playing field to facilitate access of women to financial resources. These institutions must publish all their results regularly so that the success of their financing can be evaluated. Transparency is needed and non-performing loans must be reported to judge the small business support institutions.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Entrepreneurship, Durban Institute of Technology, 2011. / This study focused on a feasibility analysis of establishing entrepreneurs in the Bangladesh area of Chatsworth. Ute purpose of the research was to investigate strategies that would enable the development and promotion of entrepreneurship in the area, The researcher has noted from experience, living in an area contiguous to Bangladesh, that there is a serious shortcoming with regard to-entrepreneurial skills among people in depressed communities. The researcher needed to consider strategies of empowering them to earn a decent living. This research project looked at the Bangladesh area, which is indeed a very poor region in Chatsworth. Moreover, -the statement of purpose was to examine theoretical constructs related to entrepreneurship which would enable and empower depressed communities to become economically self-sufficient. In addition, the key objective of the study was to undertake an empirical investigation in the area of Bangladesh to determine the needs of the community with respect to development of entrepreneurship and to make recommendations for the economic upliftment of the community. The findings suggest that the people in the Bangladesh area want to embrace entrepreneurship. However, their main concerns are accessto finance, education and training. The existing small businesses in the area need financial assistance to grow and the people who want to start businesses need to have access to affordable finance. The present Government policy is to encourage the development of entrepreneurship both at community level and in educational provision. / M

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management specialising in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, Johannesburg 2016 / Social entrepreneurship has the potential to address and solve social problems and challenges, poverty and inequality among others, which are rife across subSaharan Africa. This academic field holds great potential, is surprisingly under researched and lagging behind in practise. A study of the influence of perceptions within the institutional environment on the decision to become a social entrepreneur is therefore critical in developing an understanding of social entrepreneurial intentions in the context of a developing and emerging economy. This study proposed to use the theory of entrepreneurial event and the institutional theory to investigate the influence of the external environment on the development of social entrepreneurial intentions and its antecedents among tertiary level students in Gauteng, South Africa. This study was quantitative and cross sectional in nature; a structured and closed-ended questionnaire was distributed electronically to the target population. 193 students participated in this study, with the final sample consisting of 128 responses. In order to analyse the data, linear multiple regression was employed. The key findings indicated that the regulatory environment has a positive and significant influence on perceived feasibility and social entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, the findings indicated that the normative and cognitive environment have a positive but insignificant relationship with social entrepreneurship intention and its antecedents – perceived feasibility and perceived desirability. There is a negative relationship between the regulatory environment and perceived desirability, normative environment and social entrepreneurship intention, cognitive environment, perceived desirability and social entrepreneurship intention. The implications of this research for policy makers and educators is to focus on shaping the perceptions of the institutional environment as well social entrepreneurship, and the attitudes of students and society at large towards positive perceptions to influence social entrepreneurial intentions. / GR2018

Thesis (M.Com.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, 2016. / Annually R3.9 billion is lost due to illness and absenteeism in South Africa. Fewer than half of the top 100 companies in South Africa offer employee wellness programmes. The objective of this study was to research and test two theories namely Porter’s shared value and Friedman’s profits maximisation argument. These two opposing academic theories postulate that small business managers should and should not respectively spend profits on employee well-being programmes. The research problem addressed by this research study was the lack of knowledge of the impact of well-being programmes on well-being cost to company in SMME in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality area. The aim of the study was to shed light on small businesses and employee well-being in terms of well-being cost to company and if it is considered a priority in today’s competitive economy. This study made use of a mixed-methods approach, and the population consisted of small businesses in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality area. The sampling technique made use of a non-random sampling method called quota sampling to obtain 30 interviews for the qualitative portion of Part One and 507 completed questionnaires for Part Two. The research instruments therefore included interviews for Part One and questionnaires for Part Two. This study’s findings supported literature that argues that most small business do not implement, or offer employee well-being programmes. The findings showed that a mere 13% of small business in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipalities offered any form of employee well-being program at work. Although formal employee well-being programmes were not a priority, management style and intervention was shown to decrease wellness cost to company. Factors such as assisting female staff with their multi-role commitments, increasing educational opportunities for unskilled staff and reducing the amount of overtime for employees was found to significantly reduce the hidden expense of well-being cost to company. This study finds in favour of literature that argues that the negative impact to the business that does not address concerns such as absenteeism, high staff turnover, lowered productivity and lowered staff satisfaction is very high. SMME are vital to South Africa because of their economic contributions which range from their ability to create jobs and contribute to GDP. Increasing awareness of hidden costs to the small business, such as wellness cost to company will go a long way to assist SMME in surviving tough economic conditions in the global economy. / MT2017

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2006 / The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges facing Mpumalanga Economic Empowerment Corporation (MEEC) in its quest to funding the emerging small enterprises in Mpumalanga. The study was conducted in 2004-2005, in the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga. Interviews were conducted amongst the existing clients of MEEC and its predecessors. Senior Managers and Operational staff were also interviewed in order to solicit the effectiveness of the tools used to granting loans and guarantees. The findings have since shown that there are operational challenges facing MEEC, which are in nature similar to those faced by a number of Development Finance Corporations in this country and around the globe as the benchmarks showed in the study. It was therefore important to undertake this study considering the need to improve the role played by MEEC and the approaches to be adopted in improving the course in which parastatals do business.

M. Tech. Entrepreneurship / Investigates the small and micro enterprises (SME) sector in Greater Giyani municipality, which is perceived as having no entrepreneurship support and limited economic activities. Furthermore, the study reported entrepreneurial support and the Small and Micro-enterprise (SME) developmental system which needs to be developed to address problems that hamper performance and development of the SME sector. These include: distance to market, a shortage of skills, poor infrastructure, and mostly a lack financial resource for small businesses.