A county's level of development is measured by poverty, unemployment and inequality. Strategies and development plans must address these three elements. The informal sector is an important part of the economy, contributing to the social and economic development of countries. Despite its importance, the management of the informal sector has not taken central place in most countries, probably because there is still the subconscious belief that the sector will disappear if sufficient levels of growth are reached. The sector is still being viewed as temporary and transitional. Research has however shown that the sector is permanent, and that there are those who enter the sector by choice (voluntary informal employment) and those who participate in the sector involuntarily. Despite the reason for participation, the sector should be taken seriously as it continues to grow and is permanent. As a result of the permanent nature of the informal sector, debates have moved from focusing only on informal enterprises to include the workers themselves, thereby giving birth to the notion of informal economy. The most visible activity in the informal economy is street trading. Street trading is a source of livelihood for the majority of the urban poor, but if not properly managed, can be problematic. Actually, street trading is associated with various urban management problems such as crime, grime, dirtiness, and many other issues, in some instance badly affecting the ability of the formal sector to grow. Due to its direct effect on the formal economy and communities, as street traders use public space, the study focuses on the management of street vendors. The study argues that while it is true that street vendors are a contributing factor to most urban management challenges in urban areas, the main cause is lack of proper systems and processes designed to manage the sector. The study argues further that the problems associated with street vendors are a symptom of systematic problems in public institutions, especially municipalities that are mandated by the Constitution to manage street trading. It maintains that the majority of the problems associated with informal trading can be addressed by adopting relevant policies that would guide and delimit the actions and behaviours of both the public officials and the traders. Such policies should, however, not equate management to regulation as has been the case. The policies should instead be developmental in nature, thereby recognising and acknowledging that street trading is an important component of the economy. This is not an easy task. The most fundamental challenge is the conflicting objectives between the street vendors and the authorities. While the street vendors focus on their right to trade, the local authorities focus on the right to enforce safety and health regulations. It is therefore important for municipalities to adopt a balanced approach to street trading as a phenomenon. This fact is also exacerbated by local authorities' limited understanding of the size and the contribution of the informal sector generally, and street vendors in particular, to the economy. This results in the adoption of public policies, urban plans and other development plans that counter rather than support the informal economy. Another critical finding that emerged from the study is that street vendors are generally not organised, and therefore have limited bargaining power. Due to this fact, they are unable to participate in the decision-making processes of the authorities even when decisions that affect them are taken. Even in instances where there are trader's associations, it has been indicated that they are weak and unable to assert any influence. On the local authority's side, the lack of proper traders' organisational structures makes it difficult for the municipalities to engage them and jointly develop strategies that will enable the sector to grow and become sustainable. It is therefore important that the authorities play a critical advocacy role with regard to the issue of association. Although various organisations such as SEWA, StreetNet or WIEGO are present, this is at local level, and hence their effect has not been felt. Another element that has emerged is that street vendors are harassed and do not enjoy any benefits, even in areas where it is legal to engage in street trading. One contributing factor to this could be that the management of the sector is not properly institutionalised. The study argues that where proper institutional mechanisms are put in place, and roles clearly defined, the sector is better managed and supported. Singapore, for example, established a hawker's department to deal with issues of licensing, support, monitoring and personal hygiene. This approach enabled Singapore to manage the sector better. Analysis of the policies of various municipalities in South Africa indicated a shift in this regard. The municipalities analysed acknowledge the fact that management of the sector requires a multidisciplinary approach, and have attempted to clearly define the institutional model for managing the sector. The question, however, would be if the state of street vending in some of the cities continues as it is, whether the lack of effectiveness of the policies is due to lack of resources and capacity to implement such policies or whether the policies are not appropriate for the environments which exist. The conclusion arrived at indicates without any doubt that the informal economy is here to stay, and is a critical component of the economy. It is therefore important that like the formal economy that is regulated and protected, the informal economy, is managed in a way that can make it one of the levers to address poverty, unemployment and inequality. The study also concluded that the formal economy remains the backbone of the economy. As a result, the informal economy should not be regarded as a solution to the problems in the formal economy. Instead, the informal sector is complementary and supplementary to the formal economy. As a result, it is prudent to have proper polices and strategies that put the informal economy at the centre and not at the periphery of economic development. Indeed, such policies and strategies should not affect the formal economy negatively. The recommendations provided in the study indicate that when developing a policy for managing street trading, such a policy should be developed taking into account the various policy-making stages. The municipality should also conduct a thorough environmental analysis in order to determine the external and internal factors that will affect the policy in order to develop an implementable and effective policy. The study concludes that issues such as infrastructure provision, safety, organisation, proper institutional model and capacity-building are critical intervention mechanisms that can enable the municipality to manage street vending effectively. Once these issues are addressed, the municipality will be able to manage street trading effectively. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

This thesis examines the informal sector of the economy in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and the role the church can play in assisting those who are involved. In describing the nature of the informal economic sector the thesis investigates the reasons for the existence of the informal sector, namely the economic structural adjustment programme, unemployment, land and climatic conditions in Bulawayo, post independence political disturbances and easy entry into the industry; the types of the sector, namely, manufacturing and wholesaling, which has the clothing, steel and furniture manufacturing industries; the retail sector, which has the vegetable vending and the flea markets; and the service sector, which has the foreign currency traders and other activities such as television, radio and shoe repairs, prostitution, shebeens and pirate industries. The impact the informal sector has on established business has also been considered, and the role of the funders of the informal sector. Particular attention is drawn to the problems of the informal traders , which are identified as lack of legal protection and freedom of operation, lack of training, lack of access to business and marketing information, lack of credit facilities, lack of quality merchandise, the fact that it is considered illegal business, the problems of foreign currency, fuel shortage and high prices, lack of sanitary conditions, lack of adequate support from the city authorities, lack of equipment and lack of social security. The thesis then presents an argument for the church's involvement in assisting people engaged in the informal economic sector, with a reflection on the Biblical tradition and the concept of humanization. The projects of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa are discussed and attention is drawn to the background history of the activities and administration of the projects, the problems encountered and the way forward. Finally, the thesis proposes eight key strategic initiatives that the church can take. These are the change of attitude of the church in order to meet the needs of the church, advocacy to government, advocacy to banks and financial institutions, by establishing financial support for the informal industry, by supporting organizations such as BUTA and the formation of the National Association of the Informal Sector, by offering training and mentorship , by giving support and counselling and finally by giving of the church's own facilities where necessary and appropriate. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

The Theory of the Firm consists of a number of economic theories that attempt to describe the nature and the behaviour of the firm. One of the important assumptions of the theory is that of profit maximisation. In order to maximise profits, there are four factors of production that are required by the firm, i.e. land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. Although capital may relate to the acquisition of funds that are required by the business, it also relates to proper financial skills that are needed to manage these funds. Therefore, in order to successfully establish and manage a business, especially a small or medium sized enterprise, it is necessary to possess financial management and accounting skills. The SME sector has been identified as having the potential to contribute to economic growth of the country. In order to achieve this objective, is important that the sector is well managed and that there are sufficient accounting and financial management skills in the sector. The research has been undertaken in order to determine and evaluate accounting and financial management skills that are needed by the SME sector in KwaZulu-Natal. The literature review suggested that an absence of accounting and financial management and accounting skills contributes to the poor performance of the sector in South Africa and that the possession of some basic skills in these fields may enhance the growth and profitability of the sector. The research design was of a quantitative nature. A questionnaire was completed by a group of thirty industry experts and these findings were statistically analysed. The questionnaire allowed for further comments and opinions from the experts on selected accounting and financial management aspects in the SME sector. The empirical research indicated that: • there is a low level of accounting and financial management skills in the SME sector in KwaZulu-Natal; and, • there is a need to improve the accounting and financial management skills in the SME sector in KwaZulu-Natal. / Thesis (M.Comm.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Street trade within South Africa contributes to a significant portion of the informal sector and is now seen as something that contributes to the economy as well as the character of the city. It plays an active role incontributing to the livelihoods of many people ofthe informal sector. The informal sector has almost become synonymous with South Africa becoming a democratic entity as people that had struggled through exclusion from entering the cities, now had a platform towards citizenship to the city. Historically street trade has always been perceived as a nuisance in the city and as a result traders were marginalized to use spaces which did not present proper opportunity to support the needs of the traders. Urban public space has become one of the most valuable assets to people entering the informal sector, therefore it is important to understand the properties that play a role in the meaning of urban public space with for the users within the informal sector. The square, the street and the buildings make up the public face of towns and cities. The street has the opportunity to become a comfortable environment when the user is able to perceive it in such a way that they are able to orientate themselves with it. Further the street can be examined as a series of integrated spaces and when the physical elements of space are ordered a central point of relation to the user develops. The problem arises whereby urban public space in general has for some time been analyzed and interpreted from a first world viewpoint. One of the primary aims of this dissertation is to understand the various factors involved with third world developing countries, more specifically the informal sector and to understand how these factors may be supported and enhanced by the existing knowledge of place to aid in the design of meaningful architecture aiding in urban revitalization. The case studies outlined within this paper seek to demonstrate the importance of creating architecture that acknowledges that relationships between its, cultural, economic, and environmental, contexts of which can have the ability to sensitively and positively have an impact on its surrounding urban fabric. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The choice of the geographical location of the premises for the business is of extreme importance for all kinds of enterprises, although for some it may be more important than for others. Some of the most important location factors are : social environment, climate, existing business environment, the attitude, regulations and tariffs of local authorities. The main purpose of this research is to map, and create a document for the small businesses (formal and informal businesses) in northwest greater Mafikeng. In pursuit of objective there will be at least, new knowledge and understanding of a specific geographic phenomenon (formal and informal businesses). The study is subdivided into seven major chapters. Chapter one includes the small-scale business sector in the South African context, statement problems, and objectives of the study and research hypotheses. The literature review (chapter two) covers a number of subtopics related to both the topic and objectives, to name few: an overview of small businesses, location, and size and diversity of small business, important and laws governing small business, education and training for small business. Methods of study and the research area (chapter three) cover the approaches and techniques used in this study. The research area includes the background information of the northwest greater Mafikeng. Maps analysis : spatial distribution of small businesses (chapter four) covers the analysis of spatial distribution of small businesses (non tax registered and registered) in northwest greater Mafikeng. Consumer perception (chapter five) covers the discussion report of the questionnaires from the sampled residents of northwest greater Mafikeng. Traders surveys (chapter six) follows with the discussion report of the interviewed conducted in the small businesspeople (non tax registered and registered) in northwest greater Mafikeng. Summary, conclusion and recommendations, (chapter seven) includes the main summary of the study, major conclusion and recommendations to government and local authorities. / M.A. (Geography) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

This thesis examines the informal recovery of recyclable beverage containers in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The socio-economic characteristics and structure of the informal recycling sector is explored using a case study of the United We Can bottle depot in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Results indicate that informal resource recovery, also known in local vernacular as “binning”, has the potential to make a significant contribution to poverty alleviation, social inclusion and waste management. Further, the informal recycling community is comprised of a highly diverse range of individuals. Society’s acceptance and integration of this sector could contribute positively to both the social economy and the environmental movement. In order to do so, however, a collaborative effort between government and community is required to build capacity and an adequate infrastructure.

The informal sector is described as groups of persons who act in parallel to official waste management systems without official authorisation. Such informal activities can result in risks as well as benefits both to the environment and involved stakeholders, which explains the continuing lively discussions in politics, science and society. Transhipments of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are increasingly focused in Germany. In addition to informal exports via the port of Hamburg to countries such as China, Ghana or Nigeria, informal transports to Eastern European countries have been recognised for decades. This paper describes investigations regarding the characteristics, transhipped amounts as well as the eco-efficiency of informal sector activities originating from Eastern European countries, while thereby highlighting transhipments of used appliances to destination countries and a corresponding sale for reuse. Investigations reveal that a majority of informal collectors originate from Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania and are recognised across Germany. A high WEEE specialisation was determined, whereby average annual transhipped amounts are estimated at 77,000 tons. Collected materials are transhipped and partially sold for reuse. A case study considers the example of Polish informal collectors. The ratio between economic and environmental performance reveal that informal sector reuse activities in Poland achieve a higher environmentally sound performance in comparison to further usage of appliances under consideration. The informal collection of a television in Germany (and subsequent reuse in Poland) causes 8.34 kg less specific CO2 emissions per spend-costs (€) than the production, usage and further use in Poland. Conversely, a further use of a television in Germany only results in 2.2 kg less CO2 emissions per spend-costs (€). These results demonstrate that reuse as a result of informal sector activities can have a positive effect. Future electrical and electronic products available for reuse will have lower energy consumptions. A positive contribution to resource protection is thereby achieved while extending already short life cycles. Taking into account a dependency on collections with respect to their income, a pure ban of informal sector activities would therefore be socially counterproductive. A structured and controlled accomplishment of informal collection processes would open up new opportunities to enlarge the (already existing) concept of reuse at an international level.

Univ., Diss.--Marburg, 2004. / Literaturverz. S. 241 - 253.

Tez (Yüksek Lisans) - Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Maliye Anabilim Dalı, 2007. / Bibliyografya var.