This thesis analyzes the estimation procedures and policy implications of an underground economy. In completing this task, we reviewed the techniques developed by Gutmann, Ferge, Tanzi, and others. Further attention was also given to the estimation processes, such as the survey approaches, used by various governments. / In analyzing the policy implications of an underground economy, we examined the effects of fiscal and monetary policy, the aggregate statistics, the exchange rate, and other equally important indicators. We concluded that the consequences of a large and growing submerged sector can be devastating to the economic variables. / Finally, this paper attempts to examine the Canadian underground economy. However, since the studies performed on the Canadian underground economy are limited, the task of both reviewing the literature, and determining the Canadian policy implications was perplexing. We concluded that there is a definite need for further study of the Canadian hidden sector.

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M.Com. / The informal sector in Southern Africa has in recent years became a subject of interest, debate and focus to academics, policy makers and business people alike. This mainly stems from the sector's job creation potential, its use as a distribution channel for consumer goods and its role as a first step in the promotion of entrepreneurship and free enterprise. Informal enterprises however are faced with a number of constraints and problems. These include legal constraints, a lack of management skills, a limited access to raw materials and suppliers as well as marketing limitations. begun to Notwithstanding the increasing number of that have stated problems, there has been an development agencies and organizations provide loan finance to informal enterprises evaluate the in recent years. However, little has been done to effectiveness of such loan finance. The objective informal of this study is to ascertain the extent to which enterprises effectively use loan finance to increase earnings and returns to owners. The study looks into various approaches of defining the informal sector and focuses on the dualistic model, its characteristics and shortcomings. A definition of the informal sector is then formulated from various other definitions. The study also defines financial leverage and looks into the constraints of informal enterprises to employ financial leverage due to their limited access to formal institutional finance. Informal sources of funding such as "stokvels", burial societies, "mashonisas" etc. are also discussed.

Thesis (Honors)--College of William and Mary, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-125). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (doctoral)--Freie Universität Berlin. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 323-340).

Thesis (M. Inst. Agrar.(Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--California State University, 1985. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-43).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Bremen, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 110-125).

Thesis (M.Inst.Agrar.)(Agricultural Economics)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Stokvels have been around in South Africa for many years and they are a way that people motivate each other to save. The study explored the operations of stokvels in order to identify features of stokvels that make them successful and why they remain popular in Black communities even with people who have access to formal financial institutions. The study further explored if there were gender preferences for stokvel groups and the reasons thereof. Exploratory research in the form of three focus groups was conducted with women stokvels in Venda in the Limpopo province, South Africa. All the groups have been in existence between seven and thirty years. The women were asked questions to determine why they choose to participate in stokvels and also what it takes to make the groups successful. The study found that the success of stokvels is that they are driven by a purpose which is beyond money, they exist to assist the members improve their lives. The members take the rules seriously because they do not want to disappoint each other. Trust and social capital were found to be critical in ensuring success. The women said that stokvels forced them to save through peer pressure, and they appreciated the relationships that they were able to foster in the stokvels. Those who had no access to formal financial institutions found that the stokvels gave them access to funds that they would not otherwise have thereby making it possible for them to achieve a higher standard of living. Women were found to prefer other women as members in their stokvels groups. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted