This thesis deals with the business plan for expanding the business. The first part is theoretical and defines the basic concepts associated with the topic. The second part concerns the analysis of the current situation of the selected company. Based on this analysis suggested a possible solution for the expansion of the company.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. / Dissertation (MCom (Accounting Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Accounting / unrestricted

The thesis develops a business plan of investment project called “The Purchase of Equipment for Production of Elastic Textile Fabrics“. The first part of the thesis covers a theoretical introduction, key definitions and applied methods. The other part provides an analysis of the current conditions in the company and its environment, suggests financing options, evaluates feasibility of the project and provides solutions.

This diploma thesis deals with the development of the business plan that will serve the company's management as a basis for implement the introduction of an entirely unique service. The theoretical part deals with the problems of small and medium businesses, subjects of the national economy and the demands of the business plan. The practical part deals with the identification and analysis of the selected company, judging the possible options of implementation of the business plan, including a tipping point.

Abstract not available

Background: Sustainable development is considered to be one of today's most comprehensive challenges, which will require extensive changes, adaptations and innovation in all levels of the society worldwide. Simultaneously, the social and economic phenomenon of tourism has seen remarkable growth and development over the last decades, leading to become one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world, as well as a key component of the evolving socio-economic progress. However, the integration between these two requires extensive adjustments and further knowledge in the process of sustainable destination development, where this study takes an intermediary perspective.  Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate and explore how a tourism intermediary in Sweden is working with sustainable development and how they can utilize their position in the process of developing a geographical area as a sustainable destination.  Method: This thesis is a qualitative study with an exploratory nature, where in-depth phenomenologically based interviews build knowledge upon exploring the participant’s responses through a series of three separate interviews. Thematic analysis was used to find patterns and relationships in order to analyze and validate the raw data, which later was applied to frameworks and previous literature to strengthen and build a final analysis.  Conclusion: This study shows how sustainability efforts need to be enhanced and extended beyond internal processes to successfully strive towards sustainable destination development. By taking collective responsibility and putting more pressure on co-operations, creating strong networks to communicate and collaborate, incorporate internal education of sustainability and familiarize with frameworks and follow-up tools, the intermediary position can be utilized to its full potential.

This research is an exploration of the extent to which formal vocational education in the domestic trades (catering and dressmaking) for women in Ghana leads to sustainable self-employment in the urban informal sector (UIS) in Accra. The research adopts a qualitative methodological approach using interpretive analysis to gain an in-depth understanding of the primary data collected. A case study approach is adopted to articulate emerging themes in a manner that is comprehensive and intelligible. Two conceptual frameworks are employed: firstly, the research builds on the work of McCauley et al (1995), to ascertain the developmental dimensions of VE catering job roles that provide graduates with the capabilities and opportunities needed for sustainable self-employment. Secondly, the concept of Gender Role Socialization is drawn on to ascertain the gender-specific factors that influence women’s engagement in VE and constrain women’s MSE growth. The research identified three key factors which affect VE graduates gaining employment and prospects for sustainable self-employment. They are: 1) The VE programme pursued and the presence or absence of a transformative environment of skill utilization. 2) The attainment of post-graduation specialist training or advanced certification which provide VE graduates with enhanced prospects for employment. 3) Post-graduation quality workplace development experience (QWDE). Gender-specific factors include traditional Ghanaian expectations of “womanhood”, and the streaming of women towards occupational paths that maintain their gendered role obligations within the household and family. These include ‘domestic provisioning’; male prerogative as principal decision-maker in the household; weak inheritance rights and access to property.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an illustrious initiative that most companies take advantage of in order to position themselves for competitive advantage in the business world. Other companies view it as an opportunity to contribute towards the development of the society who they find themselves doing business with. Globally, CSR is viewed in different context and South Africa has its own unique way of approach. South Africa's historical problems are still prevalent. These include poverty, unemployment, housing and services backlog and economic inequality. The government is facing a challenge of alleviating most of these by channelling resources to social development. However, the magnitude of these challenges cannot be confronted by the government alone, somehow private sector must assist. Undoubtedly several companies within the private sector benefited from the legacy of the past. Thus, in a South African context, philanthropic gesture from the sector is not an option, but a responsibility. Government is obviously aware of social mandate and its promise, and of the economy's persistent sluggishness to employment creation. Of course, the economy is growing at acceptable rate, but its growth is not in synch with job creation. Through research and learning from developed countries, the government has set its sights on nurturing small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as the preferred method of fighting joblessness. Broadly, this strategy has shown positive results globally and multinationals have collaborated with governments to promote enterprise development. The idea gives a broader hindsight that entrepreneurial culture is the way to go to build a foundation of a robust sustainable enterprise development. A number of companies that value CSR have heeded to this call - corporate social investment to sustainable enterprise development - and one of them is South African Breweries Limited. SAB has various enterprise development programmes that contribute significantly towards socio-economic development. This report highlights the significance and relevance of the two entrepreneurial programmes from SAB, known as the KickStart and Mahlasedi. A main focus will be on the two programmes and how they are implemented, their rationale and how much has been invested so far to ensure their sustainability and success. The KickStart and Mahlasedi programmes have been in operation since 1995 and 2002 respectively. SAB Limited has invested more than R36 million for the KickStart and has helped make 3 200 people to become entrepreneurs. Mahlasedi taverner training programme has assisted licensed taverners to run businesses efficiently with reports of owners saving up to 30.53% in monthly liquor sales and being able to grow their investments to 40.54%. An in-depth research into the programmes reveals that the two programmes have made significant strides towards sustainable development, despite challenges of a few candidates receiving funds in the KickStart programme and provincial licensing hiccups on the part of Mahlasedi. This could be an example to other companies that are keen and have not yet gone the route, to transform on CSI strategies. A key success factor in the implementation phase of these programmes was mentoring of beneficiaries. Huge capital investment can be made into socially responsible initiatives, but without mentoring, sustainable development of benefiting enterprises may not materialise. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Korporatiewe sosiale verantwoordelikheid (KSV) is 'n inisiatief van die korporatiewe sektor wat al hoe meer uitkring vanwee ondernemings se oogmerk om hulle mededingendheid te verbreed. Ander beskou dit as 'n geleentheid om dienste aan die wyer gemeenskap te gee. Wereldwyd word KSV uiteenlopend vertolk en het ook Suid-Afrika sy besondere benadering. Suid-Afrika se onderliggende probleme, soos armoede, werkloosheid, behuisingsagterstande en ongelykheid, duur nog steeds voort en gee vir die regering groot uitdagings wat betref hulpbronkanalisering vir sosiale ontwikkeling. Dit is derhalwe nodig dat die privaatsektor ook tot die oplossings bydra. Waar baie ondernemings in die verlede van die bedeling voordele behaal het, is filantropiese aksies nou 'n vanselfsprekende verantwoordelikheid. Ten einde die gebrek aan werksgeleenthede aan te spreek, le die regering heelwat klem op die kleinsakesektor en sy vermoe om skeppend te wees. Dit het wereldwyd sukses en die korporatiewe sektor is bereid om die staat se pogings te ondersteun. Hierdie siening lei tot 'n beklemtoning van ondernemerskap en hoe dit aangehelp kan word. Verskeie korporasies het hierdie rigting ingeslaan, met Suid-Afrikaanse Brouery as een van hulle. SAB se KSV-projekte sluit verskeie van die projekte in. Hierdie studie fokus veral op twee sodanige programme, nl. KickStart en Mahlasedi, met die klem op hul oorsprong en ontplooing. KickStart is reeds sedert 1995 in werking, met 'n SAB belegging van R36 miljoen en die aktivenng van 3200 ondernemings. Die Mahlasedi program vir die opleiding van taverne-eienaars is vanaf 2002 in werking en het ook daar beduidende suksesse behaal. Lesse geleer uit hierdie twee programme mag ook relevant wees vir ander projekte, met besondere klem op die mentorskap-dimensie.

Thesis (MDF (Development Finance))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.

Thesis (MDF (Development Finance))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The need for Small, Micro and Medium Enterprise (SMME) growth in South Africa is beyond question. Government sees SMMEs as an important vehicle to boost the economy of the country because of the contribution they make to job creation. According to recent estimates by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), small businesses represent 98% of the total number of registered firms, employ 55% of the country’s labour force and account for 35% of GDP. Unfortunately South Africa has a low survival rate among start-up businesses compared to other developing economies. Some believe that the reason for the failure of government programmes to support small businesses is due to poor delivery. This is one of the key issues to be addressed by all business support players. The key to success is to pursue a private sector led approach where experienced business advisors and mentors can add value to the businesses of customers. The research focuses solely on support organisations within the Siyanda region. The findings support the notion that Seda, as government’s small business support vehicle, will have to utilise support organisations more in order to make a success of its mandate. The investigation has identified some recommendations that may lead to an improvement in the current environment. The first approach is to ensure that people who render small business support have business experience and understand small enterprises. Secondly, to ensure that sector programmes are focused on a particular objective and that the overall strategy remains integrated and focused. In order to achieve this, the private sector should participate and share the costs. In recommending measures to improve the promotion of small business support at a local level, it is important to focus on what works best and that is ultimately privatesector organisations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die behoefte aan groei van Klein, Mikro en Medium Ondernemings (SMMEs) in Suid-Afrika word nie debateer nie. Die regering sien SMMEs as ‘n belangrike medium om die land se ekonomie ‘n hupstoot te gee vanweë die bydrae wat hulle tot werkskeppping maak. Volgens onlangse skattings van die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid, verteenwoordig kleinsake-ondernemings 98% van die totale aantal geregistreerde ondernemings en verskaf hulle werk aan 55% van die land se arbeidsmag, en dra hulle by tot 35% van die bruto binnelandse produk. Ongelukkig het Suid-Afrika ‘n lae oorlewingsyfer onder nuwe besighede in vergelyking met ander ontwikkelende ekonomieë. Sommige mense glo die rede vir die mislukkig van regeringsprogramme wat kleinsake-ondernemings ondersteun, is swak dienslewering. Hierdie is een van die sleutelkwessies wat aangespreek behoort te word deur alle sake-ondersteuningspartye. Die sleutel tot sukses is om ‘n privaatsektor-gedrewe aanslag te volg waar ervare sake-adviseurs en -mentors waarde kan toevoeg tot kliënte se besighede. Die ondersoek het sekere aanbevelings geidentifiseer wat mag lei tot ‘n verbetering van die huidige omstandighede. Die eerste stap is om te verseker dat mense wat kleinsake-ondersteuning bied wel sake-ondervinding het en die kleinsakebedryf verstaan. Tweedens, om te verseker dat die sektor se programme wel gefokus is op ‘n spesifieke doelwit en dat die oorkoepelende strategieë geïntegreerd en gefokus bly. Ten einde dit te bereik, moet die privaatsektor deelneem en die kostes deel. By die soeke na stappe om die bevordering van kleinsake op plaaslike vlak te verbeter, is dit belangrik om te kyk wat (elders) reeds geslaag het. Dit is alte dikwels stappe wat deur die privaatsektor onderneem word.