The purpose of the research was to investigate the proposition that current Microfinance solutions are not adequate for Microenterprises operating at the Base of the Pyramid. The research proposes Microfinance solutions for Microenterprises should provide all-inclusive solutions; encompassing both financial and business development services. While the government can lead the debate and deliver on some of the enabling requirements, the limited government resources cannot deliver fully on development requirements at the Base of the Pyramid. There is an increasing need for the private sector to participate in sustainable development initiatives. A key limiting factor is a lack of in-depth understanding of the needs of Microenterprises operating at the Base of the Pyramid. Quantitative research was conducted, using a survey-based method. The results show there is appetite amongst Microenterprise owners at the BOP for holistic Microfinance solutions that can deliver financial and business development services. The study also found business development services, focusing on developing business knowledge and business management skills, were rated the highest. BOP markets for Microenterprises are complex and require dedicated initiatives to understand them and deliver solutions tailored to their needs accordingly. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This cross-sectional study has investigated the relationship between how parents perceive retail stores that try to be more family friendly. It has also examined which factors parents value when it comes to stores being family friendly. Very little public research has been done on the subject of what parents’ value when it comes to store design, which is why the authors chose this topic.   The theoretical framework, as well as the questions used in the interviews, were based on theories the authors deemed connected to the subject in question. The main areas from which the authors have used theories range from competitive advantages, targeting and segmentation, consumer loyalty and the connection between stress and shopping.   Four themes were identified through the literature, and qualitative interviews were conducted over the phone based on the themes. Observations were also collected in retail stores to further explore the themes. Building on these themes, we suggest four propositions based on the data collected which can be further researched. Since the purpose of this paper was to allow respondents to freely discuss factors they value, a qualitative approach was used for the study. The interview subjects were approached while shopping with their children, and a phone interview was scheduled for later. The authors also collected observational data in three stores with different degrees of family friendliness, to further add further foundation to their themes. In addition, the authors present a theoretical model, based upon the four propositions presented.    The authors have found that the most common feeling parents associate with shopping while accompanied by their children is stress. Because of this, shopping becomes an unpleasant experience that parents try to finish as quickly as possible, often resulting in fewer items bought. It was also discovered that parents have more positive feelings towards stores that try to be more family friendly. Through the interviews and observations, a pattern was discovered. Families spent longer time and purchased more goods in stores with family friendly solutions installed.   Through interviews, many different elements that can reduce parents shopping stress were identified. The main thing the authors take away from the interviews is the fact that what parents value the most, is feeling welcome when they bring their children with them. Stores that implement even small solutions, contribute to parents feeling validated, which then reduces their stress levels.   Our conclusion is that store owners need to realize that it does not have to be hard to attract more families. Implementing elements in their stores that aid families in different ways will contribute to increased sales and happier customers. The authors also give suggestions on further research, namely on the relationship between pricing or location-elasticity versus family friendliness, as well as to which degree children in stores may have negative impacts on other shoppers.   Key concepts: Stress, Consumer Decision Making, Customer Loyalty, Shopping with Children, Competitive Advantage, Customer Segmentation, Targeting

Small businesses are regarded as economic growth engines with the potential to address the unemployment crisis in South Africa. The government has limited capacity to employ the majority of the unskilled and semi-skilled who are unemployed. Agencies and private organisations offering business development services (BDS) are required to assist small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) help government to address unemployment. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are recognised for the crucial role they play in activating and supporting economic growth. While much attention and hope has been placed on SMEs to provide the much-needed jobs, they are faced with enormous challenges and continue to fail. These challenges make it impractical for SMEs to realise their full potential and deliver to the government's and society's expectations. It is documented that SMEs face unique problems, which negatively affect their prospects and as a result, weaken their capacity to contribute to sustainable economic growth. Government and other private sector stakeholders have availed various types of business support in South Africa both as financial and non-financial support to assist SMEs overcome these problems. There has also been an emergence of business development service providers (BDSPs) that seek to extend support to SMEs, to ensure their sustainability, improve production techniques, market access and increase competitiveness but this has not yielded the desired results. Business development services refer to services that improve the performance of the enterprise, its access to markets, and its ability to compete. This study sought to explore the nature of BDS offered to SMMEs with a view to help them remain sustainable. Further, the study explored the challenges faced by BDSP. The study used an inductive qualitative research approach and employed semi-structured interviews to collect data. The population of the study consisted of SME business development service providers in South Africa, with an eventual study sample size comprised of ten providers. The findings indicate that there is a range of services offered to SMEs, with training and technical assistance and market access being the focus areas. While providers offer these services to SMEs, they themselves experience various challenges such as internal challenges which include funding and resources; expertise and skills levels of providers; and design of services. In addition, there are external challenges such as payment inability of SMMEs; low market awareness; commitment to and from SMMEs; perceived value of BDS; finding the right clients; and the business operating environment, which hinder their service provision. iii The study concludes by providing recommendations on approaches that BDS providers can adopt to offer solutions to some of the identified challenges. These approaches include: developing sector-specific approaches in delivering business development service; attracting enterprise and supplier development funds as a possible strategy to solve the lack of resources in this sector; alignment of the Broad-Based Black Economic legislative framework to business development services strategies; introduction of professional standards and guidelines in the business development services sector and implementation of an impact assessment matrix.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc

The Local Business Service Centre (LBSC) programme launched by the government of the Republic of South Africa in 1995 to provide business development services to small business, moreso in the Black communities, did not live up to expectations. This is according to the responses of a sample of 400 small business owners who were researched regarding the effectiveness of the LBSC programme, with a usable questionnaire response rate of 37.8%. The purpose of this ex post facto research, conducted in 2006 and 2007, was to evaluate the impact of the LBSC programme on small businesses in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The results will assist in developing strategies for the delivery of business development services (BDSs) that would meet the expectations of all stakeholders. This is the challenge facing South Africa. The better-known service centres include the Small Business Development Centres in the United States of America and Business Link in the United Kingdom of Great Britain; and international brands like the Enterprise Development Centres sponsored by the International Labour Organisation. These centres provide business development services such as information, basic management training and referrals to more advanced services. The quantitative research was based on a questionnaire consisting of 42 variables and one open-ended question. The questionnaire was sent to 400 small business owners who had received counselling from the LBSCs. The questionnaire was developed from a literature review on service centres in the developed and developing world; the qualitative studies of Bloch&Daze in 2000 and Urban-Econ in 2002 which were conducted nationally, and structured qualitative interviews with former government officials and existing LBSC owners. The open-ended question solicited respondents to specify the type of service centre that would meet their requirements. According to the four-point Likert scale used, most respondents “disagree” that the LBSCs were effective, and the rating was just shy of the 2.5 median. Three factors emerged from the responses: “capacity and professionalism”; “productive relationship” and “empowering association”. According to a t-test and an analysis of variance (Anova), there was no statistical difference between the means and mid-points of the independent variables for the three factors which indicated “disagree”, except “capacity and professionalism” and “empowering association” in terms of turnover. The independent variables included the age of the SMME owner, the qualifications of the owner, the turnover, the number of employees and the age of the entity. The researcher has recommended an eight-point SMME development strategy as the basis to introduce a new generation of service centres to stimulate entrepreneurship and provide business development services. The recommended eight-point strategy will also assist to assess new business development services centres being introduced by various governments. / Thesis (DCom)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Business Management / unrestricted

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small business development and growth is for no one as important as to the entrepreneur at the helm of a small business. Small business is also by no means not a big priority when the South African government is concerned. Not only does the government talk about small business developments but has in fact within the recent past contributed and established many enabling initiatives towards small business developing. Within the scope of this research report it is empowering to know that the single entrepreneur is not alone in his or her battle to push their individual businesses to higher altitudes. This helping hand is even more extended when a small business adapts the form of a franchise. Within such an environment entrepreneurs can expect business support not only from their local government but also through much more personal and incisive interactions from the franchisor. Although this form of conducting a business might seem like the most logical and safest way to enter into a small business, a few potential pitfalls are highlighted as well as certain alternatives to the franchise concept. Within the franchise business concept, Postnet is introduced firstly on a national basis where after an individual Postnet franchise is exposed to financial growth therapy. This is mainly achieved by conducting a thorough industry and SWOT analysis. Finally it is suggested that cost reducing strategies, combined with brand development, avoiding growth hampering factors, marketing initiatives and the continued strive towards the recognition and early adoption of industry related opportunities can never be substituted for any amount of government or franchisor support in order to establish and maintain sustainable growth within a small business. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die groei en ontwikkeling van 'n klein sake onderneming is vir niemand meer belangrik as vir die individuele entrepeneur wat aan die stuur van so 'n klein sake onderneming sit nie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering gee ook veral baie aandag aan die ontwikkeling van klein sake ondernemings. Daar word nie net gepraat van klein sake ontwikkeling in regeringskringe nie, maar daadwerklike aksie is al geneem met verskeie inisiatiewe wat reeds die lig gesien het ter ondersteuning van klein sake ontwikkeling in Suid Afrika. Vanuit die fokus van hierdie verslag is dit bemoedigend om te weet dat die klein sake entrepreneur nie alleen hoef te veg om sy of haar individuele besigheid tot nuwe vlakke te dryf nie. Hierdie helpende hand word nog meer ondersteunend en persoonlik as 'n klein sake onderneming die vorm van 'n konsessie aanneem. Binne so 'n omgewing kan entrepreneurs meer as net ondersteuning van plaaslike owerhede verwag, maar persoonlike en interaktiewe insette vanaf die konsessie houer. Alhoewel hierdie tipe besigheidsformaat na die mees logieste en veiligste vorm van 'n klein sake onderneming mag lyk, word daar wel 'n paar potensiele lokvalle uitgelig sowel as alternatiewe strukture tot die konsessie besigheidsformaat. Binne die konsessie besigheidsformaat word Postnet bekendgestel, eerstens op 'n nasionale basis waarna daarvolgens die moontlikhede van finansiele groei ten opsigte van 'n individuele Postnet konsessie ondersoek word. Dit word hoofsaaklik bereik deur 'n industrie analiese en 'n "SWOT" analiese te doen. Laastens word bevestig dat koste verminderings analiese gekombineer met handelsmerk ontwikkeling, die venmelding van teenwerkende groei faktore, bemarkingsinisiatiewe en die volgehoue strewe na herkenning en vroegtydige aanneming van relevante industrie geleenthede, nooit vervang kan word vir enige hoeveelheid regerings of konsessie houer hulp ten einde volgehoue groei in 'n klein sake onderneming te handhaaf nie.

The increasing competition on today’s globalized markets creates drivers for new business models in order to create competitive advantage. By integrating services with the physical product, unique offers that aim at fulfilling customer needs rather than just providing physical goods can be created. This type of offers, in the literature often referred to as Product-Service Systems (PSS), are more difficult to imitate than pure products. Furthermore, the focus on fulfilling customer needs rather than just providing physical goods can reduce the use of resources, decreasing both costs and the environmental impact of the offer. From the customers’ point of view, PSS offers can bring increased flexibility and reduced risk. The development of successful PSS offers requires structured methods. Much of the research within the area, and consequently models and guidelines, has focused on large companies. However, since small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the foundation of economic growth in all developed countries, there is an important gap in the existing research within this area. One research initiative to fill this gap is the ongoing IPSE project (Integrated Product and Service Engineering), which aims at developing a methodology for efficient development of PSS offers in manufacturing SMEs. The methodology developed in the IPSE project is however at a conceptual level that is not applicable for the management in smaller companies. This thesis hence aims at developing a concrete and useful business development method applicable for the management in manufacturing SMEs, with the focus on generation of PSS offer concepts. Based on earlier research within the PSS area, with the emphasis on the IPSE methodology, a concrete business development method for the generation of PSS concepts was created, which was then tested on three SMEs in order to verify and improve the method. The method consists of the three steps internal analysis, external analysis and planning of the new PSS offer. Each step contains a number of tools to be used in order to analyze different aspects of the business context. After analyzing the studies of the three case studies a revised method was developed, which was then summarized in managerial guidelines to be used by managers in manufacturing SMEs. The revision of the method mainly regarded simplifications of some of the tools in order to ease the use and increase the applicability. The method proved to be useful and concepts could be generated for all the case companies. The method thoroughly examined the possibilities of creating PSS offers, even though it was found that it was also useful for the development of conventional business offers. Since the drivers for the case companies were specific threats or opportunities that would require changes in the offer, rather than a purpose in itself to integrate more services in the offer, this implies that the method can be useful as general business development method for manufacturing SMEs. An important learning from our studies is that the day-to-day business is strongly focused by the managers in manufacturing SMEs, leaving little time for long-term business development. As stated by a manager in the case companies: “It is like running beside the bicycle, but we do not have the time to get on it.” The developed method can work as a tool for structuring the information needed in the business development process and hence reducing the time needed. However, if the reduction in time needed for long-term business development is enough to get the managers on their bikes is a question assigned to further studies.

Abstract   Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify why the Tanzanian market for cement blocks have not adapted hollow blocks instead of solid ditto and, if possible, present recommendations for market activities.   Design/methodology/approach: Implemented by action research methodology, this minor field study financed by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency targets issues regarding the relatively poor housing standard in Tanzania through a business development perspective. Furthermore, the study covers what obstacles for new, more sustainable and price-efficient products are to identify in the Tanzanian market.   Findings: An implementation of hollow blocks in the concrete block market surrounding Dar es Salaam would be beneficial from several aspects (e.g. economical, environmental, societal), but there are also factors that hinder such an implementation. The market’s consumers tend to not get the information about new techniques and innovations; hence to this lack of knowledge and awareness of alternatives, they stick to more traditional ways that they know more of. The consumers that do know of the new materials often disbeliefs the producers’ ability to make the quantity or quality demanded. Unawareness and distrust results in that few ask for new alternatives. The producers who put their main focus on supplying what the customers specifically asks for will therefore not start to produce the new alternatives, in this case hollow blocks. Thus, new innovations and the knowledge of the production of it do not spread easily. To implement new innovations some actor(s) to bare the risk is needed - pioneers that either commence producing the material themselves or, at least, encourage/provide incitements for producers and consumers to gain knowledge of them. The ones who have the possibility to carry risks in the concrete market surrounding Dar es Salaam are the large cement producers and the governmental institutions. They are also stakeholders who will benefit the most from taking the pioneer approach.   Originality/value: The study offers insights into the Tanzanian market for cement blocks for building construction by focusing on adaption of a block innovation that can reduce the Co2 emissions due to less raw material use per block.   Keywords: Sustainable Business Development, Innovation, Housing standard, Tanzania.   Type of study: Bachelor Thesis in Enterprising and Business Development, Linnaeus University, Sweden. / Minor Field Study

Abstract Change process in the company nowadays is one of the main factors, for sustainable growth and development in the market. Moreover, a change process should be dynamic – the company should take into consideration many factors; not only the ones happening inside the organization, like education of the employees and their motivation, but also the processes outside the organization – change in the environment, new requirements from the state, and competition. In this thesis a company that faced a change process, due to a changing environment, is analyzed. Smaland Airport is a small airport located in southern Sweden, five kilometers outside Växjö city. Because of its geographical location it plays an important role not only in the city but in the whole region. The airport was used by 170 000 passengers in the 2005, and the situation is improving. But that is not even close to the 270 000 passengers in year 2000. [56., 14]. What happened? On the 11th of September, 2002, a lot of people all over the world saw on their TV screens the events in New York that changed the world forever. One of the industries that faced the most radical changes was the airline industry, along with the airports. If airlines could choose other routes, lower prices, or fly to different airports, then airports had a small, if any, possibility to change, so they had to adapt to the new situation and use the changes as an opportunity. Smaland Airport, previously known as Växjö Airport, felt these changes almost immediately. In 4 years they lost almost 50% of their customers. [56., 14]. Big airlines (like SAS) withdrew several flights immediately after 9/11. The future of the airport was very unclear. Everyone in the airport understood – if we are not going to change our strategy on how to earn money (airport taxes), then our future will be like the other airports in our region, which were already closed down (the airport is a state-owned company, which is financed by the state in case of financial losses). Jan Fors, the managing director of the airport, decided to change Växjö Airport into a well-known brand, which would offer clients more services. The name of the airport was changed to Smaland Airport (Småland – region in southern Sweden), therefore emphasizing the airport’s role in the whole region. Now negotiations have begun with Ryanair about further cooperation, which, unfortunately have been stopped because of the unclear situation regarding the Swedish government’s decision about extra environmental taxes for each ticket (approx. 100 Swedish crown or 11 Euros). The airport has also opened direct charter flights to several European destinations, and has signed an agreement with SAS for about 5 flights per day to Stockholm, which is an impressive number for a small city like Växjö. The airport is also attracting new companies, like car rental companies, tourist agencies, and advertising agencies. A lot of changes have also happened inside the company – the number of employees has been reduced, but extra employees have been hired for the marketing department. Some employees had problems understanding the necessity of change. They also had trouble with having more freedom to put their ideas into action while keeping in mind that it should bring profit for the whole company. This thesis will mainly analyze the internal changes at the Smaland Airport, and will concentrate on finding the problems which are stopping the development of the company. Of course, external factors also will be taken into consideration. This thesis has been written using the qualitative approach, comparing the existing situation with theory and then drawing the appropriate conclusions. Finally, the current situation is compared to that of the year 2002. To get a whole picture about the change process in Smaland Airport, interviews were used as the main source of information; the reader can get acquainted with the whole text of them in the appendix. Interviews were made with the people working in the airport (like the managing director and managers), people working for the airport (security, cafeteria), as well as the owners of the airport (city council). Therefore the author has tried to obtain the information about the issue and people’s perception about change from as many points as view as possible. In addition to the interviews, information is also obtained from the airport’s internal materials (intranet, presentations, statistics as well as yearly overviews), as well as materials about the airport (internet, information in the newspapers). In this thesis there are 103 pages, 15 figures and 2 attachments.

<p>The increasing competition on today’s globalized markets creates drivers for new business models in order to create competitive advantage. By integrating services with the physical product, unique offers that aim at fulfilling customer needs rather than just providing physical goods can be created. This type of offers, in the literature often referred to as Product-Service Systems (PSS), are more difficult to imitate than pure products. Furthermore, the focus on fulfilling customer needs rather than just providing physical goods can reduce the use of resources, decreasing both costs and the environmental impact of the offer. From the customers’ point of view, PSS offers can bring increased flexibility and reduced risk. The development of successful PSS offers requires structured methods. Much of the research within the area, and consequently models and guidelines, has focused on large companies. However, since small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the foundation of economic growth in all developed countries, there is an important gap in the existing research within this area. One research initiative to fill this gap is the ongoing IPSE project (Integrated Product and Service Engineering), which aims at developing a methodology for efficient development of PSS offers in manufacturing SMEs. The methodology developed in the IPSE project is however at a conceptual level that is not applicable for the management in smaller companies. This thesis hence aims at <em>developing a concrete and useful business development method applicable for the management in manufacturing SMEs, with the focus on generation of PSS offer concepts</em>.</p><p>Based on earlier research within the PSS area, with the emphasis on the IPSE methodology, a concrete business development method for the generation of PSS concepts was created, which was then tested on three SMEs in order to verify and improve the method. The method consists of the three steps <em>internal analysis</em>, <em>external analysis </em>and <em>planning of the new PSS offer. </em>Each step contains a number of tools to be used in order to analyze different aspects of the business context. After analyzing the studies of the three case studies a revised method was developed, which was then summarized in managerial guidelines to be used by managers in manufacturing SMEs. The revision of the method mainly regarded simplifications of some of the tools in order to ease the use and increase the applicability.</p><p>The method proved to be useful and concepts could be generated for all the case companies. The method thoroughly examined the possibilities of creating PSS offers, even though it was found that it was also useful for the development of conventional business offers. Since the drivers for the case companies were specific threats or opportunities that would require changes in the offer, rather than a purpose in itself to integrate more services in the offer, this implies that the method can be useful as general business development method for manufacturing SMEs.</p><p>An important learning from our studies is that the day-to-day business is strongly focused by the managers in manufacturing SMEs, leaving little time for long-term business development. As stated by a manager in the case companies:</p><p><em>“It is like running beside the bicycle, but we do not have the time to get on it.”</em></p><p><em></em>The developed method can work as a tool for structuring the information needed in the business development process and hence reducing the time needed. However, if the reduction in time needed for long-term business development is enough to get the managers on their bikes is a question assigned to further studies.</p><p> </p>