This dissertation investigates how the upgrading of informal settlements impacts home-based enterprises (HBEs). De Soto’s ‘Mystery of Capital Theory’ suggests that the formalisation of tenure rights, through informal settlement upgrading, can result in poor households gaining access to capital using their houses as collateral against loans. Furthermore, these households can then use this capital to finance the operations of their HBEs. Rust’s conceptualisation of the ‘Housing Asset Triangle’ explains the importance of HBEs in the lives informal settlement households as an economic asset. Thus, the lack of support for HBEs in the implementation of informal settlement upgrading, by municipal officials, impacts negatively on HBEs, and demonstrates Huntington’s ‘Clash of Civilisations’ Theory. Huntington states that when state officials implement informal settlement upgrading, disagreements arise between the officials and the beneficiaries of upgrading, in terms of the objectives and the results of upgrading, stemming mainly from the fact that the state officials and the beneficiaries belong to different civilisations. The researcher uses Cato Crest located in eThekwini Municipality as the case study area, where interviews were conducted with the municipal housing officials that implemented the in-situ upgrade in Cato Crest, using the Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme (ISUP) of the Breaking New Ground (BNG): Housing Policy. Household surveys were also conducted with the Cato Crest households that operated HBEs in the upgraded settlement, who had also done so in the informal settlement prior to the upgrade. The researcher found that HBEs in Cato Crest informal settlements are heavily dependent foot paths, for customers, used by people walking through the settlement. However, the upgraded settlement has lower housing densities than the informal settlement and the foot paths are replaced by road-side pavements. Only the businesses trading from containers located on the road-side survive, as customers using the roads and pavements stop easily to purchase goods. As a result, HBEs suffer and are unable to attract customers anymore and re-establishing HBEs in the upgraded settlement becomes a useless task as only businesses trading from the roadside are successful in the Cato Crest upgraded settlement. Trading from the road-side requires moving the HBE out of the house and into a road-side container, where the latter needs to be purchased by the household in order to take advantage of customers using the roads and pavements. This process proved to be too expensive for poor households operating HBEs in Cato Crest. HBEs are an important income generation strategy for Cato Crest households, and the upgrading of their informal settlement creates a better living environment for these households. However, the inability to continue generating an income using the house in the upgraded settlement creates a harsh environment for households that depend on HBEs for survival. Based on the findings of this study, the recommendations for the future implementation of informal settlement upgrading are that there is a need for a more collaborative effort between municipal housing officials, the Business Support Unit of the eThekwini Municipality, the Local Economic Development Offices, as well as households operating HBEs. More research of the phenomenon of HBEs in informal settlements of any particular area to be upgraded should be conducted. Thereafter, the implementation of HBE accommodating and fitting upgrading plans to each settlement, needs to be carried out by the upgrading officials, so that the upgraded settlement does not only give people access to housing and infrastructure, but creates an environment where they can continue using their houses for income generation in the upgraded settlement. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The field of the social economy and of the work integration social enterprises (WISE) in particular, is for many a more or less unknown area. Unlike ordinary enterprises the WISE's are different due to their aim of integrating disadvantaged people through work. In comparison with other small enterprises earlier research has shown that the WISE's are dealing with challenges regarding recruitment, participation, leadership, sustainable business ideas but above all, the access to funding. The purpose of this essay has therefore been to examine and analyze the financial situation of eight WISE's located in the Stockholm County. The results indicate that half of the enterprises perceive their economic situation as very unstable and as an obstacle to their further development. This perception seems to be more common among the younger enterprises which have not differentiated their businesses activities enough, which results in a greater reliance of the purchases of the public sector. The studied WISE's express a desire to reduce their dependence on the revenues from the public sector by increasing the revenues from other business activities, but this is something that has been proven to be both difficult and time consuming. In line with e.g. age, business maturation, expanded areas of business activities and increased knowledge, more funding opportunities seems to occur. A vast majority of the enterprises have a negative attitude towards external funding in terms of external equity capital, due to its presumable intrusion on the determination of the company. The field which WISE's are operating in is undoubtedly an important socioeconomic area since they react to one of the society’s most prominent problems; people in exclusion and all the problems the exclusion causes. The analysis of the examined enterprise's funding opportunities and its consequences are the main contributions of this essay as well as the further suggestions on how the WISE's financial situation can be improved.

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p>The Internet is now facilitating the provision of an increasing number of services. Thus, technology has become a more integrated part of people‟s daily routine. Some of these technologies include electronic communication, online banking, and shopping as well as electronic learning - to name but a few. However, for various reasons, such as limited formal education (which is a key promoter of reading and writing skills), access and skills, not everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the use of these technologies. The unequal distribution of opportunities of such nature is often broadly referred to as the <i><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial"><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial">digital divide</font></font><font size="3">. That is the gap between those who have access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not. One noted challenge that influences the use of ICT consists of socio-economic conditions, which together elicit high levels of poverty. An identified strategy for uplifting these areas was (and still is) entrepreneurship, notably small businesses. These small businesses however, generally have very short and mostly unsuccessful lives. As a result the government at all levels (national, provincial and local) has endeavoured to provide support to these businesses. Some of this support is provided through mediums, such as the Internet (here named &quot / electronic support&quot / ) to assist these small businesses. This support, which comes from government, is however, not being fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries. Thus, the small businesses are not benefiting from the support provided. Consequently, many are still experiencing a short and unsuccessful existence. This research thus analyses the small businesses in areas of the greater Cape Town, which are characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment. <font size="3">Previous studies in these areas have reported the lack of ICT related skills, also known as electronic skills (e-skills), as one of the reasons for the low uptake of electronic support (e-support). This e-support is provided by various levels of government through selected agencies (service providers). In essence, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of e-skills in the access and use of the provided e-support by owners of small businesses. Considering that the lack of adequate e-skills has been identified as influencing the use of e-support, the study also aims to identify the e-skills needed to fully utilise the provided e-support. The approach to this investigation included a review of pertinent literature and devising a conceptual model. This model was then tested in the empirical setting of this study. This setting included: (i) Providers of e-support (various specialised government agencies) and (ii) the intended beneficiaries of this e-support, i.e. small businesses in the previously disadvantaged areas (PDAs) of the greater Cape Town. Through the use of case study methodology and face to face interviews, it was found that many small business owners were not able to appropriately use the provided e-support. This was due to their lack of e-skills, which resulted in their inability to use ICT. Additionally, some were unaware of the existence of the e-support or the service providers. During the review of pertinent literature done as part of the study, an e-skills framework was designed. The framework identified the e-skills considered necessary in order for small business owners to effectively utilise the provided e-support and other technologies. The e-skills framework suggested by this study could be used as a tool to assist: (i) The providers of e-support to understand the usage of their services and enable (ii) a more informed understanding of the need for appropriate e-skills among small business owners, in relation to their use of the provided e-support. Additionally, (iii) small business owners should be in a better position to recognise the benefits of using technology, especially the Internet. <font size="3">The contribution of this study is seen as twofold. Firstly, it should assist the providers and users of e-support. This is done by addressing the practical side of the provision and usage of these services. Secondly, the study contributes an informative e-skills framework related to the effective use of e-support. This study also furthers academic knowledge in the area of the investigation, and suggests further directions for research. Considering, the limited small business sample (only participants from three PDAs), the generalisation of this study is limited. This limitation does not however, influence the validity of this research, or the credibility of the findings. </font></font></font></i></p>

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p>The Internet is now facilitating the provision of an increasing number of services. Thus, technology has become a more integrated part of people‟s daily routine. Some of these technologies include electronic communication, online banking, and shopping as well as electronic learning - to name but a few. However, for various reasons, such as limited formal education (which is a key promoter of reading and writing skills), access and skills, not everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the use of these technologies. The unequal distribution of opportunities of such nature is often broadly referred to as the <i><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial"><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial">digital divide</font></font><font size="3">. That is the gap between those who have access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not. One noted challenge that influences the use of ICT consists of socio-economic conditions, which together elicit high levels of poverty. An identified strategy for uplifting these areas was (and still is) entrepreneurship, notably small businesses. These small businesses however, generally have very short and mostly unsuccessful lives. As a result the government at all levels (national, provincial and local) has endeavoured to provide support to these businesses. Some of this support is provided through mediums, such as the Internet (here named &quot / electronic support&quot / ) to assist these small businesses. This support, which comes from government, is however, not being fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries. Thus, the small businesses are not benefiting from the support provided. Consequently, many are still experiencing a short and unsuccessful existence. This research thus analyses the small businesses in areas of the greater Cape Town, which are characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment. <font size="3">Previous studies in these areas have reported the lack of ICT related skills, also known as electronic skills (e-skills), as one of the reasons for the low uptake of electronic support (e-support). This e-support is provided by various levels of government through selected agencies (service providers). In essence, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of e-skills in the access and use of the provided e-support by owners of small businesses. Considering that the lack of adequate e-skills has been identified as influencing the use of e-support, the study also aims to identify the e-skills needed to fully utilise the provided e-support. The approach to this investigation included a review of pertinent literature and devising a conceptual model. This model was then tested in the empirical setting of this study. This setting included: (i) Providers of e-support (various specialised government agencies) and (ii) the intended beneficiaries of this e-support, i.e. small businesses in the previously disadvantaged areas (PDAs) of the greater Cape Town. Through the use of case study methodology and face to face interviews, it was found that many small business owners were not able to appropriately use the provided e-support. This was due to their lack of e-skills, which resulted in their inability to use ICT. Additionally, some were unaware of the existence of the e-support or the service providers. During the review of pertinent literature done as part of the study, an e-skills framework was designed. The framework identified the e-skills considered necessary in order for small business owners to effectively utilise the provided e-support and other technologies. The e-skills framework suggested by this study could be used as a tool to assist: (i) The providers of e-support to understand the usage of their services and enable (ii) a more informed understanding of the need for appropriate e-skills among small business owners, in relation to their use of the provided e-support. Additionally, (iii) small business owners should be in a better position to recognise the benefits of using technology, especially the Internet. <font size="3">The contribution of this study is seen as twofold. Firstly, it should assist the providers and users of e-support. This is done by addressing the practical side of the provision and usage of these services. Secondly, the study contributes an informative e-skills framework related to the effective use of e-support. This study also furthers academic knowledge in the area of the investigation, and suggests further directions for research. Considering, the limited small business sample (only participants from three PDAs), the generalisation of this study is limited. This limitation does not however, influence the validity of this research, or the credibility of the findings. </font></font></font></i></p>

Bakgrund och problem Ett generellt problem är att forskning baserad på små och medelstora företag är mycket liten, med avseende på ekonomistyrning samt mätning av resultat. Syfte Syftet är att beskriva och analysera vilka mått som används i fyra små tillverkande företag. Hur måtten mäts, hur informationen kommuniceras kring dem, i vilket syfte de används och om måtten är kopplade till något mål i företaget, är frågor som studien vill besvara. Uppsatsen syftar till att skapa en ökad förståelse för hur små företag mäter sin verksamhet i avsikt att bedöma sitt resultat. Metod Med en abduktiv ansats och hermeneutiskt synsätt har den empiriska och teoretiska referensramen insamlats. Genom en kvalitativ studie och besöksintervjuer hos fyra små tillverkande företag har vi fått möjlighet att beskriva och analysera hur de använder sig av mätning i sin verksamhet. Teoriramen har sedan använts för att skapa en djupare förståelse för empirisk data. Slutsats De mått som används i små företag måste utformas utifrån varje företags specifika förutsättningar för att träffa rätt då många faktorer spelar in i valet av mått. Utifrån företagens mål får mätningen olika syften och måtten kopplar an till målen. Vi ser att behov för tydliga rutiner för mätning finns i små företag och att kommunikationen kring mätning i huvudsak sker formellt. Den kontrollerande funktionen tycks ha en övergripande roll och skapar förutsättningar för övriga syften för mätning vilka är lärande, belöning och mobilisering. Förslag till fortsatt forskning Då små företag är en mångfasetterad och icke-homogen grupp skulle det vara intressant om en studie gjordes på en större population via en kvantitativ studie vilket skulle ge en bredare bild inom ämnet mått och mätning i små företag. / Background and problem A general problem is that the research based on small and medium sized enterprises is very small, in terms of financial and performance measurements. Purpose The purpose is to describe and analyze which measurements of results are used in four small manufacturing corporations. We want to describe and analyze how the dimensions are measured, how the information is communicated about them, for what purpose they are used and if the dimensions are linked to a goal of the corporation. The essay aims to create a greater understanding of how small businesses measure their performance and achievements in their business. Method With an abductive and hermeneutic approach was empirical and theoretical data collected. Through a qualitative study and visiting interviews with four small manufacturing corporations we have been given the opportunity to describe how they use measurements in their business. The theory framework was then used to make a deeper understanding for the empirical data. Conclusion The measures that small businesses use have to be chosen according to the needs of each and every company in order to fit because a lot of elements have influence on the choice of measure. Depending on corporate goals the measuring get different purposes and in this way the measures connect to the goals. We do see that small businesses have needs for explicit routines when it comes to measuring, and the communication is mainly made through formal channels. The matter of control seems to be a general purpose in order to create prerequisites for the other purposes which are learning, rewarding and mobilization. Suggestions for future research Because small and medium sized enterprises are diverse and non- homogenous it would have been interesting if a study of a larger population was made. We believe that a quantitative study in the subject of measures and measurement in small businesses would provide a broader picture.

This thesis examines a typical Montreal housing type---the multiplex, a time-tested model to accommodate commercial activities. The focus of this research is on its physical characteristics, which facilitate small-scale commercial transformations of homes with specific needs for different businesses. / Chapter 1 introduces the theoretical background of this thesis, and places it in the context of previous research on the subject of small-scale transformations of dwellings. / Chapter 2 reviews the history of shophouses in Montreal from 1642, when the city was founded, through to the Industrial Age. / Chapter 3 begins with a general discussion of the multiplex dwelling---its basic forms, types, and architectural character. The second section of this chapter introduces the case studies. These trace the interior transformations of four multiplexes, all of which were built in the first decade of this century. / In Chapter 4 and 5, the spatial changes identified and collected in all four cases are closely examined. All existing changes have been photographed. These changes are associated with the specific needs of each shop; the four cases were tested, and proved the building's adaptable nature to different degrees. All changes are further regrouped and analyzed according to four important elements---bearing members, non-bearing members, service, and circulation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The study focus on child pornography on the Internet as a manifestation of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. The debate centres around the exacerbated effect of child pornography on victims and subsequent effects on the society. Ultimately, the study aims to highlight the various legal and non-legal responses specific to child pornography on the Internet with a view to proffer solutions to African states on how to deal with the problem. The study also lend an African voice to the ongoing debate on how to deal with the problem of child pornography on the Internet

Home-based work employing information and communications technologies (telework) is held up in contemporary academic literatures, policy formulations and the popular media as the cure to a panoply of contemporary problems, particularly the difficulties of combining caring responsibilities and careers. This thesis takes up the question of how teleworkers talk about and practise home-based business. It pivots on the exploration of the simultaneity of parenting, partnering and paid work for home-based business people. The 'teleworking tales' of eleven home-based entrepreneurs form the heart of the thesis, as they discuss their negotiation of 'home' and 'work' where the usual temporal and spatial boundaries between these arenas are removed. While previous studies assume that telework is 'family-friendly', most do not investigate the perspectives of other family members on the effect of home-based business on their households and relationships. This thesis speaks into this silence in the literature by contextualising telework within family relations, including as participants the partners, children and child care workers of the eleven home-based businesswomen and men, interviewing thirty people in all. Three strands of analysis regarding discourses of the organisation, domesticity and entrepreneurship were pursued in relation to these 'teleworking tales'. It was found that these 'tales' were told differently by teleworking women and men, the women focusing on the untenable nature of continued organisational employment as women and mothers, while the men established home-based businesses because of declining employment security and redundancy. In the midst of these constituting relations, the discursive injunction to be a 'fit worker' and a 'good parent' had different implications for the women and men; where as the women negotiated home-based entrepreneurship through domesticity, the men navigated their way around domesticity in order to maintain a singular focus on their businesses. The effect of the cross-cutting axes of domesticity and entrepreneurship significantly curtailed the opportunity for teleworking to represent a new crafting of the relationship between 'home' and 'work' as teleworkers negotiated the simultaneous demands their families and businesses made upon them. It was also the case that home-based businesses were a source of pleasure and of productive forms of power which encouraged home-based entrepreneurs to watch over and discipline themselves. The research unfolds as both a warning and a promise with regard to the 'choice' to telework, in terms of what is 'chosen' and how that is 'controlled'. It is particularly a contribution to current debates regarding the complex patterning of gendered and familial practices which continually fragment the freedoms promised by the discourse of entrepreneurship.

As a resource based economy international engagement plays a critical role for the growth and development of New Zealand. One of the most notable trends over the past 15 years has been the rise of some of the largest markets around the world, that have led to a rapid and substantial increase in international trade and investment flows. The liberalisation and consequently the rise of emerging markets has today changed the economic geography for the business world, with companies entering these markets with the hope of getting superior returns arising from rapid economic growth and related market opportunities. Amongst other emerging markets, the economic resurgence of the Indian market in the recent years has been widely noticed and in many senses has influenced and changed the structure and operations of businesses around the world. The prospects offered by India have allowed firms to substantially expand their activities beyond their domestic borders and access new growth opportunities generating significant productive growth. The benefits that markets like India today generate are likely to be particularly significance for New Zealand, given the small size of the domestic market. Indeed, increasing New Zealand’s exporting and international investing activity is vital to raising New Zealand’s growth rate. The rapid rise and deregulation of the Indian market has seen a rise in the number of New Zealand businesses keen to tap into the vast prospects across different sectors over the recent years. Nevertheless, New Zealand businesses have not been participating to nearly the same extent as most businesses from other small developed countries currently operating in the Indian market. Reasons for this limited interaction are unclear and not well documented in the current literature that examines the economic activities amongst the two markets. Given the importance of international engagement New Zealand businesses cannot afford to isolate themselves from the opportunities provided by the Indian market. Considering this, the main aim of this research is to focus on the opportunities that India provides and the benefits that New Zealand businesses stand to gain from those. On identifying, this may help devise actions that might lead to substantially increased levels of international investments by New Zealand firms, given the challenges of entering the Indian base from a small remote country. Drawing on insights gained from existing literature and case studies of companies operating in India, the research will identify appropriate strategies and policies that might help New Zealand businesses to succeed and better direct operations in India.

Frågeställning och syfte Syftet med studien är att synliggöra hur företag arbetar för att främja intraprenörskapet hos sina medarbetare, med två tillhörande problemformuleringar. Vilka faktorer är avgörande för att främja intraprenörskapet inom IT-branschen? Hur påverkar idégenerering, ledarskap och kultur intraprenörskap?   Teori Det teoretiska kapitlet är uppbyggt efter intraprenörskap, idégenerering, ledarskap och kultur vilket utgör grunden för studien.   Metod Denna studie har inriktat sig mot en kvalitativ metod med ett deduktivt synsätt, som inneburit semi-strukturerade intervjuer med fem ledande befattningshavare inom IT-branschen.   Resultat Det som framkommit av studien är att vissa aspekter har en avgörande roll för intraprenörskapet. Medarbetarna måste först och främst vara förändringsbenägna, dessutom ska det finnas möjlighet för medarbetarna att framföra kreativa idéer som hanteras internt på företaget. Detta ska med fördel genomföras med ett delegerande ledarskap. Slutligen ska företagskulturen vara öppen och det ska föras en kontinuerlig diskussion kring förändringar och möjligheter mellan medarbetare och ledare. / Purpose and problem formulations The purpose of this study has been to demonstrate the way in which companies work to promote intrapreneurship amongst their employees. We focused on two related problem formulations to conduct this study. The first being factors that are crucial for promoting intrapreneurship in the IT-Industry, and the second being how idea generation, leadership, and culture affect intrapreneurship.   Theory The purpose, and basis, for this study is idea generation, leadership, and culture, which formed the theoretical chapter.   Method This study focused on qualitative research with a deductive approach. Included in the study are five semi-structured interviews with various senior executives in the IT-industry.   Result The result of the study found that certain aspects play a crucial role for the intrapreneur. Employees must first and foremost be change-oriented. In addition there should be opportunities for employees to come up with creative ideas that are managed internally at the company. This should be done with delegated leadership. Finally, the corporate culture must be open, as this will harbor an environment for discussion in both change and opportunity between employees and their leaders.