Informal markets are recognised as presenting lucrative business opportunities for the private sector. However, informal markets function by a different set of rules when compared to the formal sector, and so require a different paradigm altogether. The approach proposed in this report sees the convergence of conventional micro economics with development economics and the theories of sustainable development.A community is used as the unit of analysis for the informal market. A model is proposed that uses the sustainable livelihoods framework to describe the various elements of the community as a system, and how these interact to produce desired outcomes. This study was designed from the perspective of measuring the informal market. Measurement allows quantification and qualification of the phenomenon of the informal market and allows for more effective decision making. The conceptual model was therefore developed to gain a theoretical understanding of the phenomenon to be measured. A systems perspective is taken to develop a high-level framework for indicator selection. This is considered to be the first, in a series of steps, towards developing indicators for the informal market, and even a single composite indicator for the informal market.A small sample of experts was interviewed to explore the informal economy from their own observation and experience. The insights shared in the interviews pointed to the applicability of the proposed model to informal markets, and demonstrated the complexity of these markets. A number of further research opportunities can be explored to further develop this concept. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The study aims to alert policy makers and planners in the City of Johannesburg to the problems and coping mechanisms which undermines the business performance of female street vendors in the informal economy. The research made use of twelve in-depth interviews with male and female street vendors and alluded to the reality faced by females relative to males. In addition, five interviews were conducted with leaders of organisations representing the informal sector. The findings suggest that female traders are burdened with responsibilities of child and family care which can limit the extent of their trading. Furthermore they have little access to finance and capital to expand their businesses. More women were found to be victims of crime and they experienced a sense of helplessness at the hands of criminals. Other problems experienced by both male and female traders include: inadequate trading spaces, infrastructural challenges and harassment by the Metro Police. The research concludes that the formation of street vendor co-operatives (similar to those that have been successful elsewhere), education and training, and more balanced enforcement of municipal by-laws may alleviate some of the challenges. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

In spite of the fact that informal traders in the informal economy are viewed as having the greatest prospects for creating jobs and absorbing the unemployed in developing countries, informal traders in Limpopo Province in general, and the city of Polokwane in particular, face various constraints that negatively affect them on a daily basis. The aim of the study has been to explore the constraints and opportunities of informal traders, using the city of Polokwane as a case study. The study has attempted to identify and describe constraints that affect informal traders in the Polokwane city, as well as factors that can enhance their development and growth. The study is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative in nature. Semi-structured faceto-face interviews were conducted to gather data. Findings of the study suggest that the government should improve the effectiveness of its support mechanisms by initiating targeted support programmes specifically tailored for informal traders at the survivalist level.

Background The process of mainstreaming the informal sector into the formal sector in Kenya has been considered and evaluated from as early as the 1970 as a means of poverty reduction and job creation. Information available on mainstreaming from the formal sector and government in Kenya indicate that both these sectors appreciate the value of mainstreaming the informal sector, however both parties have been unable to successfully mainstream the informal sector into the formal sector more than 40 years on. The relationship between the three sectors has also been reviewed and both the formal and government sector are cognizant of the need to create an enabling environment that would foster the mainstreaming process through an appropriate legal and regulatory framework. Methods The study follows a case study approach underpinned by an interpretive foundation. An extensive published literature, secondary data on the informal sector and grey-literature search on mainstreaming was conducted between 2006 and 2010. Between 2007 and 2008 a survey was conducted a threepronged approach to allow independent surveys of the informal sector as represented by the three largest jua kali (Kiswahili words for 'hot sun' which signifies outdoor exposure characterising the informal sector trade) markets in Kenya, namely Gikomba, Kariobangi and Kawangware. The government institutions mandated with various responsibilities for the informal sector as represented by blue chip companies on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE), today known as The Nairobi Securities Exchange and the government sector represents the formal sector. Stringent criteria were applied to select the sample data where random sampling was used for the informal sector in the three named markets. Survey sample size for the informal sector was 539. The survey was conducted between 2007-2008. The survey for the selected blue chip companies was conducted in 2008. The findings from the survey precipitated the need to conduct a survey within the government sector, specifically with the government bodies and ministries with the mandate to facilitate the development of the jua kali sector. Face to face interviews using open-ended questionnaires was used to collect the data and identify opportunities for mainstreaming and integration amongst the three sectors. The effects of this association was interrogated and evaluated in order to identify opportunities that can establish a sustainable and long-term mainstreaming process for the informal sector in Kenya.

No description available.

Zugl.: Siegen, Univ., Diss., 2008

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Political Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-151). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR51562

This study focuses on the situational analysis of the informal sector in the three major cities in Malawi. An extensive literature study was undertaken to understand the origin of the informal sector and how it has grown in the business environment to which it is exposed in Malawi. This understanding was essential because it formed the basis for conducting the whole research. A sample of four respondent groups, namely government officials, industry representatives, the shop owners and the informal sector participants themselves was drawn, and personal interviews conducted. The purpose of the interviews of the first three respondent groups was to discover their perception of the informal sector in Malawi. This perception was vital for it was clear that these groups influenced government policies much more than the populace. The informal sector participants themselves were interviewed to learn how the informal sector operated, its scope and benefits, why it was growing and how successful it was in the three major cities of Malawi. The results show that there were mixed feelings among the people in each of the four respondent groups. Although many of the government officials were positive, mainly because the President of Malawi and other politicians promote the informal sector publicly, they still believe there is a need to control the sector's operations. The industries and shops that benefit from the informal sector are positive while the others are not. More than 80 percent of the informal sector participants are making a comfortable livelihood through their activities. The lack of employment and the desire to survive were found to be the two issues that enhance the growth of the informal sector in Malawi. The participants could further expand their activities if suitable loans were made available. A coordinating organization within this sector has emerged and is controlling the sector's activities. However, further research is required into the size and contribution of this sector to Malawi's economy. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

Social and economic changes that happened in Brazil in the 1990s have changed the organization of female employment in the country. In this study, I examine the participation of women in the informal sector in Brazil in 1996 and 2005. Using micro-level data from the Brazilian Monthly Employment Survey, I find Brazilian female workers became older, more educated, and that female informal employment increased over the period studied. Although selfemployment was reduced, an increase in wage-employment in informal manufacturing was noticed, which indicates growth in subcontracting. Higher share of female headed households, lower income and higher poverty levels were predominantly found among informal sector female workers. Large share of female informal work in disadvantaged conditions indicates the existence of a dual labor market in Brazil. Globalization and the adoption of neoliberal practices in Brazil seem to have exacerbated the underprivileged condition of working women in the country.

M.Com. (Economics) / The motivation for this study has its origin in the observation that informal sector activities in South Africa had increased significantly since the nineteen-eighties. The initial interest was stimulated by the desire to discover more about the nature and extent of the informal sector, as well as the effects it is having on employment, income generation, policy making and general economic equilibrium. Investigating the occurrence of informal sector activities in the developed countries, the centrally directed economies and the Third World countries led to the conclusion that the different definitions for informal sector activities, the nature of such activities and the reasons why people become involved in such activities, differ from country to country. In South Africa it was observed that the formal sector's inability to create sufficient employment opportunities for all its citizens led to more and more people joining the informal sector. As far as the nature of the informal sector is concerned it was found that a variety of economic activities are being carried out, the most important being trade and hawking. The highest concentration of participants were found in the Natal/KwaZulu area. Marginally more male than female participants were involved in this sector. Most participants were younger than 40 years of age. Participants worked long hours and frequently have to provide a service for seven days a week. Most undertakings were operated solely by the participant or with the assistance of family members, employees are only employed in exceptional cases. participants experienced great problems in obtaining finance and appropriate accommodation. Little research had been done so far to identify and quantify the involvement of Whites in the informal sector...