Internationally, in both developed and developing countries, it has been accepted that SMMEs are the backbone and the driving force of economic growth and job creation. In South Africa, SMMEs account for approximately 60 per cent of all employment in the economy and more than 35 per cent of South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Ntsika, 1999:38; Gumede, 2000:67 and Berry et ai, 2002 in Kongolo, 2010:235). SMMEs are often the vehicle by which the lowest income people in our society gain access to economic opportunities. The sector represents 97.5 per cent of the total number of business firms in South Africa and that it contributes 42 per cent of total remuneration. SMMEs account for some 3.5 million jobs and have between 500 000 and 700 000 businesses (Abor and Quartey, 2010:2337). Due to the above-mentioned contribution, the South African government initiated a number of SMME support programmes aimed at promoting, growing and developing the SMME sector. As a result, a number of national government agencies such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Khula Finance Limited, the National Development Agency (NDA), the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and many other national , provincial and local government organizations were established post 1994. However, despite the concerted efforts by government to develop the sector, SMMEs are, after 17 years of democracy, still faced with enormous challenges such as access to markets, information, appropriate technology, finance, to mention but a few. Of the above-mentioned challenges, access to finance is on top of the list of these. This study, therefore, is aimed at investigating external, institutional and internal constraints impacting on SMME access to finance in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipal area. The study is also aimed at ascertaining which of the abovementioned constraints have the greatest influence to SMME access to finance. In developing the framework of the study, recent empirical research conducted around the country and internationally on constraints influencing SMME access to finance (Bbenkele, 2007:18; Ganbold, 2008:45; Mahadea and Pillay, 2008:99; Chenesai, 2009:135; Zindiye, 2009:78; Fatoki and Garwe, 2010:2765; Pandula, 2011 :257) was drawn upon. In order to meet the objectives of the study, a simple random sample survey of 50 SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) jurisdiction was conducted. The profile of the SMMEs was very similar to that of other studies that focused on constraints to SMME access to finance. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from SMME owner-managers and a response rate of 60 percent was achieved . The results of the study indicated that the high cost of credit and interest rates and Value Added Tax (VAT) registration were the key external factors that impacted on SMME access to finance. Generally, SMMEs are viewed by lending institutions as high risk category. Therefore, even though interest rates have come down significantly, the cost of credit and interest rates still remain a constraint. The study also found that even though the South African Revenue Services (SARS) has increased the VAT threshold to R1 million (South African Revenue Service, 2007: 29), SMMEs still struggled to register for VAT. With regards to the institutional factors, the study revealed that ineffective support services provided by private and public SMME support agencies, the lack of communication of these services (access to information) and the lack of the subsequent follow-up services were the key constraints to SMME access to finance. The results of the study indicate that those firms with good track record, high annual turnover, sophistication and diverse skills, good credit record, good cash flow, proper financial records, bankable and viable business plans, collateral and registered for VAT were more likely to have access to finance than their counterparts. The main conclusion of the study is that the internal factors turned to have the greatest influence to SMME access to finance. However, there is more to be done by private and public SMME support agencies and lending institutions to address the above-mentioned institutional constraints which have a negative influence to SMME access to finance. It is recommended that more in-depth empirical research be conducted on the support services provided by private and public SMME support agencies in terms of the services that they offer the effectiveness of the services and how these are communicated to potential customers. It is also recommended that training workshops aimed at addressing the intemal constraints identified be conducted. Also recommended is the development and implementation of sector-specific mentoring programmes for the owner-managers. Strategies to improve the awareness of support services provided by SMME support agencies need to be developed. This would ensure the effective use of these services by SMMEs. It is also recommended that SMME support agencies and lending institutions staff be trained in order to better understand and be more responsive to the owner managers' needs. Linkages with tertiary institutions in planning and conducting the training needs to be made.

The research problem addressed in this study was to provide a planning guideline for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) to assist them to plan more effectively and be sustainable in their businesses. A guideline for planning is needed, as planning is one of the most difficult activities a business owner needs to undertake. Yet it is essential to do because, before taking action, you must know where you are going and how to get there. Well-developed plans can assist the business owner to interest banks and/or investors to invest in the business, guide the owner in operating the business, give direction to and motivate employees, and provide an environment to attract customers and prospective employees. To become an effective business owner, one must look ahead. Planning, which is the process of setting objectives and devising actions to achieve those objectives are imperative to be sustainable in business. The findings of the literature survey clearly highlights the reasons why a business owner needs to plan and provide a guideline how to plan. It was found in the empirical study that Standard Bank rate the SMME market as a very valuable part of their business. The SMME market has a benefit to various departments within the bank, not only the SMME business market. The empirical study also found that not every entrepreneur that holds a business plan is successful. Many reasons for this exist. One aspect that was identified, is that the wrong idea was implemented. The empirical study revealed that in all respondents agreed that planning forms an integral part of the entrepreneurs business. The empirical study found that a business plan will assist the entrepreneur to be sustainable in their business, only if a thorough feasibility study was conducted. The respondents agreed that the feasibility study, will either support or contradict the assumptions made in the business plan, this will assist the entrepreneur to decide to either continue or end the business activity. It was found that the entrepreneur, with especially a financial expert should be involved when a business planning is undertaken. Other experts in the various business arenas should also be requested to assist with the setting up of the business plan.

A great deal of taxpayers’ money has gone to a lot of SMME development initiatives. Despite this effort over the past 17 years, South Africa (SA) lags behind other developing countries, in promoting the growth and sustainability of SMMEs. The impact and achievements of government initiatives have fallen disappointingly short of aspiration (Business Development in South Africa. 2009. Occasional paper). Aims and Objectives: •To evaluate and reflect on the OR Tambo District Municipality SMME funding model and establish whether it has made the desired impact. •Determine if funds that have been channelled by the SA government to SMMEs for business expansion, start-ups, grants, and special industry development have yielded quantifiable results and •Assess the private funding institutions in assisting destitute entrepreneurs in the OR Tambo District municipality. Research methodology: The study was conducted using qualitative research and a questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The researcher was able to get valuable information on stakeholders in the SMME sector. The stakeholders (SMMEs and funders), formed the core research sample. Results: findings suggest that the OR Tambo Municipality has a funding gap and the current funding model both from public and private funders is not effective in developing SMMEs in the municipality. The overwhelming majority of SMMEs agreed that there is a funding gap between funders and enterprises that seek funding in the ORTDM. “Financing gap” terminology, Underhill Corporate Solutions (UCS) (2011:52) defines it as, ‘a sizeable share of economically significant SMEs cannot obtain financing from banks, capital markets or other finance suppliers.’ About 90 percent of the interviewed SMMEs agreed that there is huge funding gap and 10 percent disputed this and said that there is no funding gap; rather, it’s a funding mismatch between the funders and SMMEs which needs to be tackled by all SMMEs stakeholders. The funding model needs to be revamped so it can also be accessible to start-ups, the unemployed, people with less business management experience and limited skills, and to all sectors of the economy. Various recommendations and suggestions for further research are made based on the research findings. Conclusion: The study has shown that the current SMME funding model is not effective and does not assist in developing SMMEs in ORTDM. The research findings depict the funding plight of SMMEs in South Africa; the SMME plight in ORTDM is more real than imaginary. 70 percent of SMMEs expressed less confidence in government SMMEs agencies in terms of assistance. The bigger portion of SMMEs felt that the funds channelled to government agencies were not providing significant assistance in developing SMMEs in ORTDM. Recommendations: The conclusive response from the sample, reflect structural challenges in the current funding model. About 70 percent of funding institution`s officials said “yes”, the low yield on SMME growth is a matter of funding. The funds which were meant to fund SMMEs for one reason or the other do not reach SMMEs which are looking for funding. Hence the funds channelled in the sector in the last 17 years have not yielded the desired results. 40 percent interviewed government officials conceded that there is serious political meddling in funding SMMEs in the whole province and ORTDM could not be an exception to this rule. 80 percent of interviewed SMMEs in ORTDM said funding was their main problem, and the other 20 percent indicated that their problem was not a matter of funding. The public and the private sector must revise the current funding model or devise another funding model that will: •bridge the existing current funding gap, •distribute the SMME allocated budget and achieve maximum efficiency in budget allocation.

Even though many organizations invest in IT, the value that IT is expected to contribute is still not clearly understood. Researchers agree that IT has become a crucial element to business operations and business existence. However, while there is continued investment in new information technologies and systems, organizations are not certain whether significant value is derived from IT investments. The failure to realize good return on IT investments is ascribed to a lack of understanding of IT by organizations and also the failure by organizations to align IT strategies with business strategies. The lack of alignment leads to the failure to match the right IT to the correct task, which leads to the poor application of systems and poor allocation of human resources to tasks. Therefore, organizations such as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in particular Boutique Hotels, are noted for their failure to derive better IT value. Their unique characteristics are understood to be influential in the way IT is used and managed by affecting the delivery of value from technology. In order to enable Boutique Hotels to derive more value from IT, the IT governance frameworks, Val IT and CobiT (ITGI, 2007), were examined as these integrate good practices to ensure that an organization‘s IT supports the business objectives. In addition, the Task Technology Fit (TTF) (Goodhue and Thompson, 1995) and Gap Analysis (Heeks, 2001) theories were highlighted as these prescribe the platform ideal for more value to be derived from IT. The current status of Boutique Hotels in Buffalo City was assessed through the use of questionnaires and interviews. The collected data was analyzed and resulted in the development of a model that can be used by Boutique Hotels in order to derive more value from IT and to maximize the use of IT.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are very important to employment creation, poverty alleviation and the sustainable economic development of a nation. Encouraging SMEs, especially start-ups is crucial for sustainable economic growth. However, the failure rate of start-up SMEs in South Africa is one of the highest in the world. In reviewing the literature of the causes of the failure of start-up SMEs, access to finance emerged as a prime challenge. Start-up SMEs find it very difficult to obtain external finance from commercial banks and venture capitalists. The national and provincial governments in South Africa have realised that access to finance is a major constraint to the growth and survival of start-up SMEs and have put in place certain measures to improve access to finance by start-up SMEs. One of the primary measures put in place by government to improve access to finance by start-up SMEs is the provision of Business Development Service by some government agencies. This research investigates the role of Business Development Services Providers (BDSs) in improving access to finance for start-up SMEs. Questions arise as to why the failure rate of start-up SMEs is high in South Africa despite all these government measures aimed at assisting start-ups to access finance. Empirical research was conducted to investigate the role of BDS in improving access to finance by start-up SMEs. The instrument used for data collection was the self-administered questionnaire. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, T-test, ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis. The Cronbach‟s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. The results of the study revealed that: Access to finance is still a major problem hindering the survival of start-up SMEs. There is a lack of awareness of BDS providers and their services by the majority of start-up SMEs. There is a significant positive relationship between the use of BDS by start-up SMEs and success in accessing finance. Start-up SMEs that are aware of BDS do make use of the services. The results suggest that BDS are important to improving access to finance by start-up SMEs. However, there is a need to build awareness and encourage the use of BDS by start-up SMEs to improve their access to finance and ultimately increase their chances of survival.

Master’s Thesis describes analysis of the financial situation company S&K LABEL, spol. s.r.o. in the period 2004 - 2007 through the chosen methods. It diagnoses strong and weak sides of the company and proposes possible solutions, which will lead to improvement of the financial situation for this company in the future.

Thesis (M.M.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2016. / Alternative funding models for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are more often than not reviewed from the perspective of the entrepreneur, in line with the need for funding in each growth phase. This research addresses the problem of funding availability for SMEs by interrogating what funding models are viable from the supply side through the growth phases of a small business in South Africa. The variables employed are loan amount advanced to the small business sector, risk appetite structures and measures, such as size, product, lending rate and sector. Using individual firm data in a cross section regression framework, the results of the study indicate a positive relationship between the size of the firm and the loan amount advanced. Evidence is presented that suggests that macroeconomic factors, such as the interest rate, do not have significant influence on lending. Further, and in confirmation of previous literature, this study indicates that there is a general lack of knowledge on how to fund small businesses in South Africa, and this research contributes to the existing literature by providing insights on the alternative models used by lenders to supply funding to SMEs. / GR2018

O objetivo principal deste trabalho se concentrou na análise do desempenho das empresas do setor elétrico no Brasil, com foco nas companhias de capital aberto. Como objetivo complementar, a análise dos efeitos da edição da Medida Provisória nº 579/2012 nas empresas do setor. Para isso, foi realizada revisão da literatura acerca do setor elétrico no Brasil, sua estrutura microeconômica e o modelo de regulação; avaliação do desempenho das empresas e estudos relacionados; contexto político e econômico das empresas do setor e a problemática da MP579. A análise quantitativa utilizou variáveis contábeis e de Governança, de mercado e econômicas de 24 empresas de energia elétrica listadas na BM&FBovespa, no período de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2015. Foram elaborados três estudos. O primeiro estudo foi realizado para avaliar desempenho. Foram utilizados dados trimestrais e foi realizada a aplicação do modelo de regressão com dados em painel, sendo dividido em três análises: a primeira realizada com ROE e variáveis contábeis e de Governança, que resultou nas variáveis margem líquida e liquidez corrente para avaliar o desempenho financeiro; a segunda com ROA e variáveis contábeis e de Governança e teve como variáveis significativas dívida bruta/ativo, margem líquida e liquidez corrente para desempenho operacional; e a terceira com a variável Retorno da Ação e variáveis de mercado tendo como resultantes o valor de mercado, enterprise value/ebitda e retorno do Ibovespa para explicar o desempenho de mercado. O segundo estudo utilizou dados anuais e realizou a aplicação de regressão de dados em painel utilizando as variáveis contábeis e de Governança, de mercado e econômicas, para avaliar os efeitos do contexto macroeconômico no conjunto das variáveis em duas análises separadas, a primeira com a variável ROE e a segunda, com ROA. Para a primeira análise, o resultado encontrado foi que dívida líquida/ebitda, margem líquida, capex/depreciação e amortização, enterprise value/ebitda, cotação de fechamento e o beta são significativas para explicar o desempenho financeiro. Para a segunda análise, dívida líquida/ebitda, investimento/patrimônio líquido, liquidez corrente, margem líquida, enterprise value/ebitda, dividendo pago por ação e o beta foram significativas para explicar o desempenho operacional. Não foram encontradas evidências para as variáveis econômicas. O terceiro estudo foi realizado para avaliar o efeito das mudanças produzidas pela edição da MP579 na rentabilidade das empresas do setor. Para isso, foram criadas duas janelas temporais, compreendendo três anos anteriores e três anos posteriores à edição do normativo e criada uma dummy para identificar as empresas que aderiram à Medida e as que não aderiram. Foi elaborado o teste differences-in-differences e realizadas duas regressões em painel com as variáveis ROE e ROA para compreender a consequência da adesão à Medida por parte das empresas. O resultado dos testes revelou que a Medida afetou negativamente a rentabilidade das empresas que aderiram à renovação das concessões / The main objective of this work was to analyze the performance of companies at the electric sector in Brazil, with a focus on listed companies. As a complementary objective, the analysis of the effects for the issue of Provisional Measure 579/2012 in the power utilities. For this, a review of the literature was made from the electric sector in Brazil, its microeconomic structure and the regulatory model; Business performance assessment and related studies; Political and economic context of the companies in the sector and the problem of MP579. The quantitative analysis used accounting and governance, market and economic variables of 24 electric companies listed on BM& FBovespa from January 2010 to December 2015. Three studies were prepared. The first one was conducted to evaluate performance. Quarterly data were used and the regression model with panel data was applied and divided into three analyzes: the first one performed with ROE and Accounting and Governance variables, which resulted in the variables net margin and current liquidity to evaluate financial performance; The second with ROA and accounting and governance variables had as significant variables gross/asset debt, net margin and current liquidity for operational performance; And the third with the variable Return on Stocks and market variables resulting in the market value, enterprise value/ebitda and Ibovespa return to explain the market performance. The second study used annual data and applied panel data regression using the accounting and governance variables, market and economic, to evaluate the effects of the macroeconomic context on the set of variables in two separate analyzes, the first with the variable ROE and the second with ROA. For the first analysis, net debt/ebitda, net margin, capex/depreciation and amortization, enterprise value/ebitda, closing quote and beta are significant to explain financial performance. For the second analysis, net debt/ebitda, investment/shareholders\' equity, current liquidity, net margin, enterprise value/ebitda, dividend paid per share and beta were significant to explain operational performance. No evidences were found for the economic variables. The third study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the changes produced by the MP579 on the profitability of the companies. For that, two time horizons were created, comprising three years before and three years after the issue of the normative and created a dummy to identify the companies that joined to the Measure and those that did not adhere. The differences-in-differences test was produced and two panel regressions were performed with the variables ROE and ROA to understand the consequence of adherence to the Measure by the companies. The result of the tests shown that the Measure affected negatively the profitability of the companies that adhered to the renewal of the concessions

O objetivo principal deste trabalho se concentrou na análise do desempenho das empresas do setor elétrico no Brasil, com foco nas companhias de capital aberto. Como objetivo complementar, a análise dos efeitos da edição da Medida Provisória nº 579/2012 nas empresas do setor. Para isso, foi realizada revisão da literatura acerca do setor elétrico no Brasil, sua estrutura microeconômica e o modelo de regulação; avaliação do desempenho das empresas e estudos relacionados; contexto político e econômico das empresas do setor e a problemática da MP579. A análise quantitativa utilizou variáveis contábeis e de Governança, de mercado e econômicas de 24 empresas de energia elétrica listadas na BM&FBovespa, no período de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2015. Foram elaborados três estudos. O primeiro estudo foi realizado para avaliar desempenho. Foram utilizados dados trimestrais e foi realizada a aplicação do modelo de regressão com dados em painel, sendo dividido em três análises: a primeira realizada com ROE e variáveis contábeis e de Governança, que resultou nas variáveis margem líquida e liquidez corrente para avaliar o desempenho financeiro; a segunda com ROA e variáveis contábeis e de Governança e teve como variáveis significativas dívida bruta/ativo, margem líquida e liquidez corrente para desempenho operacional; e a terceira com a variável Retorno da Ação e variáveis de mercado tendo como resultantes o valor de mercado, enterprise value/ebitda e retorno do Ibovespa para explicar o desempenho de mercado. O segundo estudo utilizou dados anuais e realizou a aplicação de regressão de dados em painel utilizando as variáveis contábeis e de Governança, de mercado e econômicas, para avaliar os efeitos do contexto macroeconômico no conjunto das variáveis em duas análises separadas, a primeira com a variável ROE e a segunda, com ROA. Para a primeira análise, o resultado encontrado foi que dívida líquida/ebitda, margem líquida, capex/depreciação e amortização, enterprise value/ebitda, cotação de fechamento e o beta são significativas para explicar o desempenho financeiro. Para a segunda análise, dívida líquida/ebitda, investimento/patrimônio líquido, liquidez corrente, margem líquida, enterprise value/ebitda, dividendo pago por ação e o beta foram significativas para explicar o desempenho operacional. Não foram encontradas evidências para as variáveis econômicas. O terceiro estudo foi realizado para avaliar o efeito das mudanças produzidas pela edição da MP579 na rentabilidade das empresas do setor. Para isso, foram criadas duas janelas temporais, compreendendo três anos anteriores e três anos posteriores à edição do normativo e criada uma dummy para identificar as empresas que aderiram à Medida e as que não aderiram. Foi elaborado o teste differences-in-differences e realizadas duas regressões em painel com as variáveis ROE e ROA para compreender a consequência da adesão à Medida por parte das empresas. O resultado dos testes revelou que a Medida afetou negativamente a rentabilidade das empresas que aderiram à renovação das concessões / The main objective of this work was to analyze the performance of companies at the electric sector in Brazil, with a focus on listed companies. As a complementary objective, the analysis of the effects for the issue of Provisional Measure 579/2012 in the power utilities. For this, a review of the literature was made from the electric sector in Brazil, its microeconomic structure and the regulatory model; Business performance assessment and related studies; Political and economic context of the companies in the sector and the problem of MP579. The quantitative analysis used accounting and governance, market and economic variables of 24 electric companies listed on BM& FBovespa from January 2010 to December 2015. Three studies were prepared. The first one was conducted to evaluate performance. Quarterly data were used and the regression model with panel data was applied and divided into three analyzes: the first one performed with ROE and Accounting and Governance variables, which resulted in the variables net margin and current liquidity to evaluate financial performance; The second with ROA and accounting and governance variables had as significant variables gross/asset debt, net margin and current liquidity for operational performance; And the third with the variable Return on Stocks and market variables resulting in the market value, enterprise value/ebitda and Ibovespa return to explain the market performance. The second study used annual data and applied panel data regression using the accounting and governance variables, market and economic, to evaluate the effects of the macroeconomic context on the set of variables in two separate analyzes, the first with the variable ROE and the second with ROA. For the first analysis, net debt/ebitda, net margin, capex/depreciation and amortization, enterprise value/ebitda, closing quote and beta are significant to explain financial performance. For the second analysis, net debt/ebitda, investment/shareholders\' equity, current liquidity, net margin, enterprise value/ebitda, dividend paid per share and beta were significant to explain operational performance. No evidences were found for the economic variables. The third study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the changes produced by the MP579 on the profitability of the companies. For that, two time horizons were created, comprising three years before and three years after the issue of the normative and created a dummy to identify the companies that joined to the Measure and those that did not adhere. The differences-in-differences test was produced and two panel regressions were performed with the variables ROE and ROA to understand the consequence of adherence to the Measure by the companies. The result of the tests shown that the Measure affected negatively the profitability of the companies that adhered to the renewal of the concessions

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for 96% of businesses in Nigeria are often forced to close because they lack access to funds. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the sources of funds available for the development and growth of SMEs in Nigeria. The conceptual framework guiding this study was the pecking order theory. Data were gathered from company documents and through semistructured interviews of a target population of 3 leaders of 3 SMEs from the oil and gas industry in Abuja, Kano, and Lagos in Nigeria, with a capitalization of between N5 million to N500 million. Data were compiled and organized, disassembled into fragments, reassembled into a sequence of groups, and interpreted for meaning. Member checking and triangulation of sources between the interviews and company documents added to the trustworthiness of the findings. Two themes morphed from the study: sources of business finance for SMEs and constraints of sourcing of finance for business. The implications for positive social change include the potential to create employment opportunities for youths in the communities by enabling SMEs in Nigeria to succeed and expand through the identification of sources of funding.