M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School. / Literature suggests that there are three main theories that explore the rate of entrepreneurialism amongst immigrants: the middleman minority, the ethnic market niche and the ethnic enclave economy. Immigrant entrepreneurs tend to target markets that are abandoned or neglected by local entrepreneurs and large chain stores. As a result, immigrant entrepreneurs often occupy business premises that would otherwise have been left vacant, thus providing the owners of the premises with a return on their asset and other benefits to the local community in which these businesses operate. However, there are few studies that have considered the extent to which immigrants contribute to the local economy of Brits in particular and South Africa in general. The study drew parallels between what is deemed as Foreign Direct Investment by multinational enterprises, and the actions of immigrant entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses in a host country. However, there are other characteristics that are associated with immigrant entrepreneurship that are not synonymous with multinational cooperatives, such as contribution to the informal economy and unregulated business practices. The study evaluated the impact of this form of Foreign Direct Investment on the economy of Madibeng Municipality, specifically the town of Brits. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of small businesses owned by immigrant entrepreneurs on the local community of Brits. This impact was analysed by assessing the impact of these businesses on employment creation, revenue to the municipality and investment in real estate, and called micro Foreign Direct Investment by small owned by immigrant entrepreneurs.

M. Tech. Business Administration. / This study was conducted in order to identify and quantify factors that are responsible for the high rate of failure in SMMEs in the Vaal Triangle region. The study was based on a stratified random sample of size n=133. Stratified random sampling was used for collecting data by using a structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire of study. Five strata were used (central, east, west, north and west) for conducting the study in the Vaal Triangle. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analyses were used in the study. The variables used for quantitative analysis were socioeconomic variables that were associated with the viability of SMMEs operating in the Vaal Triangle region of Gauteng Province.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Marketing)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / Determines buyer's satisfaction with regards to the delivery of service by real estate agents in the Tshwane metropolitan area of the Gauteng province, South Africa.

The case of small medium and micro enterprises has been a major concern for the new government of South Africa. The subject is given attention from the president down wards. There are different programmes such as the Black Economic Empowerment and the Small Business Programme which the previously disadvantaged people benefit from. The government has made tremendous changes in the legal frame work of SMMEs. There are different agencies which provide comprehensive business support services to South African small businesses. Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency which was established by the Department of Trade and Industry{DTI) to provide an efficient and effective promotional and support services to SMME sector, the National Manufacturing Advisory Sector,(Namac)Trust which was established to implement the small enterprise support programme which include: the Manufacturing Advisory Center (MAC), the Business Referral and Information Network(BRAIN),the Franchise and Information Network(FRAIN) and the Community Public Private Partnership(CPPP) with the aim of supporting the integration of marginalized communities into the main stream economy. On Saturday 11 2004,when the President of South Africa signed the National Small Business Amendment Act, Act No.29 of2004 which brought the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) into being. There are also a number of loan schemes like Khula Enterprise Finance to increase access to finance to SMMEs. All these show how this sector is the buss word in the country. In spite of all the efforts done from the government, non- Governmental organisations and the private sector, there is still a problem on the sustainability of SMMEs. The purpose of this study is therefore to determine if the background characteristics of individuals contribute to the failure of SMMEs. Respondents had to provide information about their family background, educational level, experience, training, locus of control and motivation. The study revealed that the background characteristics of individuals affect the sustainability of SMMEs. Seventy five percent of respondents agreed to using external sources of funding to start their business while 25% do not agree on using external source of funding. This shows that 75% of the respondents are grant based SMMEs. Thirteen Percent of the respondents have been running their business for less than 6 months, 18% for more than 6 months but less than I year, 22% for more than one year but less than 2 years, 15% for more than 2 years but less than 3 years, and 31 % for more than 3 years. This is an indication that more than 53% of the SMMEs in the population tested have existed for a period of less than two years. This indicates that the majority of grant- based SMMEs are not sustainable in the Mafikeng geographical area. The study recommended that success/failure is not only a matter of money, rather it is mainly dependent on the personality /characteristic of those individuals which include education (subject matter and management skills), work experience, age, commitment, motivation, and locus of control. A combined effort from government, non- government organisations and the private sector in preparing the person through training, coaching and mentoring can enhance the sustainability of SMMEs. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

Thesis (Ph. D. (Political Studies))--Rhodes University, 1999.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / SMMEs provide opportunities for employment and economic growth for South Africa. SMMEs need to be as prepared as their larger counterparts in the ever-changing local and global business environment. In order to become not only successful but also sustainable, the smaller enterprise must be aware of what is happening in both its external and internal business and operating environment. It is important for these smaller enterprises to take cognisance of changes in the political and legislative environments, as well as changes in customer expectations and competitor behaviour. Knowledge management tools such as competitive intelligence and particularly internal and external benchmarking are vital for the company’s survival. Concepts such as benchmarking for internal and external best practices, as well as competitive intelligence to gain important external decision-making knowledge, can be as beneficial to SMMEs as they are to the large corporate entities. However, knowledge management is largely ignored in the smaller company’s decision-making processes, due to financial and time constraints as well as a lack of the necessary skills to utilise knowledge management tools. Knowledge management can therefore be as important and beneficial to the smaller enterprise’s operations and decision-making mechanisms as it may be to corporations and large companies. The broad goal of this study is to review the literature on achieving best practice by implementing knowledge management in organisations. The examination of the literature and the subsequent description of the outcomes could be used to create awareness that, like larger companies, SMMEs need to process internal as well as external information in order to make strategic decisions. The utilisation of CI tools such as SWOT analysis, PEST analysis and benchmarking allow the company to systematically gather and interpret information. By using the Baldrige criteria, a systematic and continuous approach for learning and improvement is developed. This methodology (the literature review) provides a framework for gaining the knowledge that already exists (in books, journals and on the Internet). By disseminating this knowledge according to the methods described, it is hoped that the research will construct already existing knowledge into a new approach that might benefit the discipline as a whole. From the results of the study, it should become clear that certain aspects of enhancing CI in smaller enterprises require attention. Although there are organisations that assist SMMEs with relevant information, this information is scattered across various sources in different formats. Not much information and assistance is available to smaller enterprises that provides a clear framework of how to achieve internal CI practices by using the CI tools and business models such as benchmarking within the formal structure of the Baldrige criteria.

One of the greatest challenges facing South Africa and the "independent states" of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei over the next decade will be job creation and the development of the skills of the people. This is particularly true of Ciskei with its rapid population growth, unemployment, shortage of skilled manpower and over abundance of unskilled labour. Small business and, in particular, retailing with its relatively low entry requirements, can play a significant role in the creation of jobs. Small business, and small business retailing in particular, suffers, however, from a high failure rate resulting in a waste of financial and human resources which a developing nation like Ciskei can ill afford. The training of people involved in small business retailing is, therefore, of great importance. There is no unanimity of opinion, however, as to what training models or approaches are most appropriate. The purpose of this study was, thus, to design a training model, develop an andragogic training programme for Ciskeian small retailers based upon the model and test it. In accordance with the model developed, the nature of the retailers performance problem was established, the job of the small retailer was analysed, the training needs of retailers were identified, performance standards were set, the course curriculum was developed, training strategies and styles were selected, the necessary training resources were obtained and the training programme was implemented. A pilot training programme was run in 1987 and then the amended programme was run for two years. The results of the training were measured in terms of: -the delegates reaction to the training programme -what the delegates learnt -changes in the business as perceived by regular customers -reaction of the delegates to the training programme one year later -case studies and survival rates Statistically significant positive results were obtained in all aspects evaluated. It can, therefore, be concluded that the andragogic training model for Ciskeian retailers resulted in a positive reaction of delegates to the training, an improvement in the retailer's knowledge of retailing, positive changes in the businesses as perceived by regular customer and improved survival rates of these small retail businesses.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration)--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2003 / Unemployment has economic and social effects. The main social threat is the stability of the family as an economic and social unit as family relationships suffer should basic needs not be met. The most practical way to combat this problem is through entrepreneurship, where small medium and micro enterprises can address issues such as job creation and economic growth. These enterprises are of particular importance to government and donors resulting in numerous studies being done in especially urban environments. Rural areas have, however, been neglected, owing to the lack of knowledge, funds and initiatives on the part of local authorities. Rural development differs from urban development owing to smaller markets, seasonal fluctuations and slower growth rates, especially in coastal towns. This study was therefore undertaken to provide guidelines to local authorities and community leaders, specifically in Hermanus, to enable them to support local small businesses. As a first step, existing government policy and strategies were investigated (Chapter 2), after which available assistance, on government and non-government level, was discussed (Chapter 3). The Department of Trade and Industry is the main role player in terms of small business development There are also institutions providing financial assistance (for example Khula and the Industrial Development Corporation), institutions providing services (such as NEPA, SABS and CSIR), and finally, institutions providing indirect support (such as SACOB and DBSA). Hermanus as the basis of the study has certain poIicies in place, namely the Integrated Development Plan, Spatial Development Framework and two tourism-related studies (Chapter 4). Individual interviews were held with certain role players in the area (Chapter 5) which resulted in the following: • Role players are not aware of government initiatives in terms of small, medium and micro enterprises in the region. • Role players are unsure if hives/craft: markets could contribute to job creation. • Role players are concerned about job creation but not through small, medium and micro enterprises as a vehicle. Chapter 6 concludes with two success stories, namely Stutterheim and Melkhoutfontein, and provides broad guidelines in terms of small business development in Hermanus.

M.B.A. / Different types of mentoring were investigated to determine this state. Individuals as well as organisations were approached to investigate mentoring from both aspects (Organisations mentoring programmes and individual mentoring experiences). This study was conducted by using secondary data from the literature study and primary data from questionnaires. This was done by approaching HR departments to distribute questionnaires to employees within their organisation and consultants who distributed questionnaires to employees within the organisations they were consulting to. The literature study reviewed previous research within this subject and was useful in preparing the questionnaires as well as comparing against the answers received. By using the HR departments and consultants the researcher felt that the intended persons would be reached. Also the thought behind this methodology was that if a person of authority were to distribute the questionnaires there would be an increase in the response rate and limit the amount of spoilt papers. The downside to this method was the possibility of respondents doctoring their answers to make their superiors look better than they were. Hopefully this was overcome by the option of anonymity. HR consultant organisations were also contacted to ascertain how many actually conducted formal mentoring programmes for other organisations. Finally the research highlights that although mentoring does take place in organisations today, the vast majority are informal and left up to the individuals to foster themselves, whereas there is a vast shortage of formal mentoring programmes initiated by organisations themselves. Also, of organisations in the workplace that are HR orientated, very few provide dedicated mentoring programmes as part of their services.

M.Com. (SA & International Taxation) / South Africa is currently undergoing a political, economic and social transformation. Business organisations are being called upon to playa role in national reconstruction and development in South Africa. The African National Congress ("ANC") has made it clear that they will be far more prescriptive than the previous government on issues such as affirmative action and social upliftment practices required from employers. Business contributes towards socio-economic reconstruction through so-called 'Corporate Social Responsibility' ("CSR") programmes. A recent Business Marketing Intelligence ("BMI tI ) survey estimated that South African companies spend R840 million per annum on social upliftment programmes (Consultative Business Movement 1993:82)...