Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The study investigates the impact of LED projects funded by the DHSD on poverty alleviation in the Bakenberg area of the Mogalakwena Municipality. The DHSD established more than ten different types of projects in the area to alleviate poverty in the local area. The Bakenberg area is part of the Mogalakwena Municipality and is characterized by high poverty rate and unemployment. It is also regarded as one of the rural areas of the Municipality. The study used a case study methodology and a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research designs. The stratified random sampling method with a sample size of sixty (60) was used to collect data from various projects in the six categories. Data were collected by using the unstructured face-to-face interview method. The data were then analysed using the Moonstats Windows 14.0 to describe frequency tables, plotted pie and bar graphs for the quantitative study and the thematic method of analysis for the qualitative study. The key findings of the study were based on core issues, such as the profiles of the respondents that indicated that the majority of the research participants were females. Most of the LED projects had a problem of marketing their products, and this needed urgent attention. LED projects make an impact on job creation, sustainable livelihoods and social capital among project members and their communities. The study recommends that committed individuals who take part in poverty alleviation should be considered for funding rather than to provide state grants only to groups of people. Resources such as transport should be provided to projects in local areas to access any type of market. LED projects should install palisade and electric security fences around projects to prevent theft within the projects. The study also recommends that a stipend of R500 should be paid to each youth who joins the LED projects to encourage the youth to participate in LED projects.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Literature has shown that tourism provides benefits such as revenue generation, employment, regional development and economic prosperity to destination communities. The tourism industry is a highly labour intensive industry; hence it is a valuable source of employment. It employs a large number of people and provides a wide range of jobs, which extend from the unskilled to the highly specialised. Tourism industry plays an important role in the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipal economy and it has the potential to address the socio-economic challenges facing the Ba-Phalaborwa municipal area. The study recommends, based on its findings, the importance of tourism development in building the economy of Ba-Phalaborwa. Firstly, the municipality should consider establishing a municipal entity as per the provisions of the Municipal Finance Management Act, which will be responsible for tourism in the area. Secondly, a clear marketing strategy for all special events, including the marula festival, in the area should be developed in consultation with all the stakeholders. Thirdly, the infrastructure, such as streets, electricity and sanitation, in the area should be upgraded to meet the future demand and expansion of the tourism industry.

Thesis (MBA) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Socio-economic development of the communities around the mines is enhanced through effective mining beneficiation. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of the perceptions of the Amandelbult mine and the community of Schilpadnest informal settlement, in relation to the mining beneficiation provided to this community by the mine. The study analysed the perceptions related to employment creation, corporate social investment, as well as the communication and collaboration of the mine with the local community and other sectors. This study used the census as a sampling method. A questionnaire, with a combination of closed and open ended questions, was used to collect data. The members of community structures within the Schilpadnest as well as the mine management were the target population for the study. The results indicated that the beneficiation role of the mine in terms of the socio-economic development of the community is perceived to be inadequate in terms of employing local people and supporting the local SMMEs. Lack of required skills and communication are perceived to be the possible hindrances to beneficiation opportunities. The study recommends that: · The mine should consider setting a particular target for employing people. · A communication strategy for interacting with the local community be developed by the mine. · A comprehensive needs analysis for the local community be developed by the mine. · The mine should consider developing a database for the local SMMEs for the purposes of procurement and skills development.

Thesis (M.A. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / This research study contends that co-operatives can play a pivotal role in the development of the local economy, if they are properly implemented. The central position of this document is that co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality have very little impact, if any, on its local economic development. The study reveals that, there are various challenges facing co-operatives development in the Aganang Local Municipality. According to the participants in the study, performance of co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality is, to a large extent, negatively influenced by the following constraints: Lack of viability studies before commencement, inadequate technical and entrepreneurial skills, Lack of finance, lack of access to affordable transport, suitable places of work, water, telecommunication services, electricity, quality raw materials and technology, lack of administration skills and mismanagement of funds. The literature reviewed reveals that throughout the developed and developing world, co-operatives have been a significant force in the local economic development. It is also reflected in this document that in many countries co-operatives are among the largest major enterprises. Examples of those countries are the United States of America, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Tanzania. It is common knowledge that, if enterprises/co-operatives have a number of organisational and resources constraints, they tend to fail. It is also vital to indicate that the extent to which co-operatives members are provided with knowledge and skills, determines their overall performance. On the contrary, and based on the findings of this study, co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality have been offered few training courses. For co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality to succeed, the following are recommended: viability study before establishment of co-operatives, capacitation in terms of technical and entrepreneurial skills and adequate financing

Over 80-percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas that occupy a mere 3-percent of the country's total area. Development problems and infrastructural stress caused by urban overpopulation can already be seen in the nation's largest cities. Scattered across North America are small towns that, at one time, were largely sustained by agriculture or industry, but have watched as farming and manufacturing operations leave them behind. Rooted in these economic conditions is the growing gap between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The high concentration of rural lands and high poverty rates in the South makes this region particularly vulnerable to the effects of rural economic distress, and put it in desperate need of solutions. For many small towns in Georgia, the last two decades have brought either rapid population growth, as seen in the areas surrounding Atlanta, or great population decline, most clearly depicted in the southeastern region of the state. Each condition produces a host of different challenges for these small communities, illustrating no simple solutions. It is the focus of this research to determine what proximities, economic assets, and formal characteristics are necessary for small towns in Georgia to successfully revitalize and grow. Furthermore, it is the aim of this research to present a means of analyzing the assets of small towns in order to determine where outside investment is most likely to make a difference, and how resources can best be utilized.

Arts and cultural activity may play an important role in regional economic development. But to what end and by what means? Traditional economic development theory identifies export expansion and import substitution as the means by which an industrial sector may add to a region’s economic base. Recorded and visual arts may produce exports in some regions, but live performing arts are incapable of exportation. Instead, they must generate tourism to capture extra-regional dollars. Contemporary research argues two additional means by which the arts may encourage growth. First, the presence of a great many artists and arts institutions may increase firm productivity and efficiency by reducing the cost of arts services, increasing the quality of and accessibility to arts services, and promoting innovation. Second, an abundance of arts and cultural activity may attract a highly skilled, competitive workforce, which then attracts firm relocation. This report presents original research designed to test this last hypothesis as applied to Austin, Texas. Results indicate that while the arts in Austin may not attract a competitive workforce, they do appear to have at least some significance in retaining creative professionals. / text

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Thesis (MAppSc (Project Management))--University of South Australia, 1995

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Title from PDF cover (viewed March 3, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 308-343)

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 165 p. : ill. (some col.), col. map. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-120).