M.A. (Politics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Com. (Economics) / The inability of the formal sector in South Africa to create a sufficient number of employment opportunities for the country's growing economically active population, causes an increase in the size of the informal sector. It is in the informal sector where the unemployed look for earning opportunities in an effort to ensure survival. Three main reasons given for this inability of the formal sector to create a sufficient number of employment opportunities include: high levels of growth in the annual number of new entrants to the labour market; a decrease in the economy's production elasticity of employment; and the high elasticity of substitution between capital and labour ...

Ph.D. (Economics) / The main objective of this study is to assess the role of the informal sector in the economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by assessing its linkage with the formal sector. An attempt to assess the linkage between the formal and informal sectors was carried out by using quantitative techniques that range from the construction of a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) to the building of a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to assess the impact of each of the sectors in the DRC economy. A new SAM that incorporates formal and informal sector is constructed whereby different techniques and methodologies are applied. The data sources and techniques used to build the SAM and CGE model are described. The DRC Formal Informal Sector Model (DRCFIM) is constructed based on ORANI model of the Australian economy. The generic edition of the model, ORANI-G, developed for CGE modellers was constructed by Horridge (1998). The model has a theoretical composition which is typical of a static Applied General Equilibrium (AGE) model. Nonetheless, one particularity of the DRCFIM is that it is a multi-sectoral CGE model that depicts the reflected structure of the DRC’s formal and informal sectors along with a diversity of linkages between various economic agents such as government, investors, traders and enterprises. DRCFIM is used to perform two policy simulations. The first policy simulation assessed the impact of land use on the DRC economy and the second is on trade liberalisation. In tracing the impact of the land use subsidy shock, output rises and domestic prices decline in most sectors, indicating considerable efficiency and lower costs per unit of output. Land use subsidy raises output in most sectors, stimulating the real GDP to rise by 0.34 and 0.26 percent in the short and long run respectively. Concerning the second policy simulation, we only allowed the import price to decrease by 5 percent in the model. As we would expect, gross domestic product, exports and employment rise when the import price on products is reduced by 5 percent in the short run.

D.Com.(Economics) / One of the current most topical aspects of economic activity in South Africa is the growth of the informal sector. In addition, with deregulation becoming a hallmark of government economic policy, local authorities have become increasingly aware of the growth of the informal sector. The aim of this study is to investigate the nature and extent of informal sector activities in the Johannesburg municipal area by means of a questionnaire method of research. After a study of the numerous definitions concerning the informal sector, it was decided that for the purpose of this thesis, the informal sector be defined as: Those businesses that do not conform to a diversity of legal requirements, while the market and price mechanisms determine the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. In Johannesburg, it was observed that the formal sector's inability to create sufficient employment opportunities for all its citizens led to increasing numbers of people becoming involved in the informal sector. As far as the nature of the informal sector is concerned, the survey carried out during August 1991 revealed that diverse types of economic activities are being carried out. The main activities of the informal sector in Johannesburg were found to be: (i) production (such as "furniture makers" and "knitters"); (ii) accommodation (such as sub-letting of land/property or premises); (iii) building construction (such as building contractors and plasterers); (rv) repair services (such as motor repairs, panel beaters and home appliance repairs); (v) retail distribution (such as food vendors and hawkers of fresh produce); (vi) transport (such as the transport of goods and passengers); and (vii) personal services (such as hairdressers and photographers). The most important activity was found to be retail distribution. Disproportionately more male than female entrepreneurs were involved in this sector. Most entrepreneurs were between the ages of 31 and 40 years. These entrepreneurs work long hours and frequently have to provide their services for seven days a week. Most of the undertakings were operated solely by the informal sector entrepreneur, and employees were only employed in exceptional cases. Informal sector entrepreneurs experienced great problems in obtaining finance and licences. Other problems included access to water and electricity. A unique method was developed in order to determine the extent of informal sector activities in Johannesburg. In applying this method it was found that 15,20 percent of the total number of unemployed households in Johannesburg participated in informal sector activities. Having taken account of the findings of the survey conducted in August 1991, the informal sector has an important role to play in the future, especially as an avenue for the employment of those who cannot be accommodated in the formal sector. The greatest challenge facing the Johannesburg City Council is to introduce development measures such as financial assistance, the provision of infrastructure, establishing a development fund, deregulation and training programmes in order to stimulate the expansion of informal sector activities without detrimentally affecting the formal sector activities. Africa is the growth of the informal sector. In addition, with deregulation becoming a hallmark of government economic policy, local authorities have become increasingly aware of the growth of the informal sector. The aim of this study is to investigate the nature and extent of informal sector activities in the Johannesburg municipal area by means of a questionnaire method of research. After a study of the numerous definitions concerning the informal sector, it was decided that for the purpose of this thesis, the informal sector be defined as: Those businesses that do not conform to a diversity of legal requirements, while the market and price mechanisms determine the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. In Johannesburg, it was observed that the formal sector's inability to create sufficient employment opportunities for all its citizens led to increasing numbers of people becoming involved in the informal sector. As far as the nature of the informal sector is concerned, the survey carried out during August 1991 revealed that diverse types of economic activities are being carried out. The main activities of the informal sector in Johannesburg were found to be: (i) production (such as "furniture makers" and "knitters"); (ii) accommodation (such as sub-letting of land/property or premises); (iii) building construction (such as building contractors and plasterers); (iv) repair services (such as motor repairs, panel beaters and home appliance repairs); (v) retail distribution (such as food vendors and hawkers of fresh produce); (vi) transport (such as the transport of goods and passengers); and (vii) personal services (such as hairdressers and photographers). The most important activity was found to be retail distribution. Disproportionately more male than female entrepreneurs were involved in this sector. Most entrepreneurs were between the ages of 31 and 40 years. These entrepreneurs work long hours and frequently have to provide their services for seven days a week. Most of the undertakings were operated solely by the informal sector entrepreneur, and employees were only employed in exceptional cases. Informal sector entrepreneurs experienced great problems in obtaining finance and licences. Other problems included access to water and electricity. A unique method was developed in order to determine the extent of informal sector activities in Johannesburg. In applying this method it was found that 15,20 percent of the total number of unemployed households in Johannesburg participated in informal sector activities. Having taken account of the findings of the survey conducted in August 1991, the informal sector has an important role to play in the future, especially as an avenue for the employment of those who cannot be accommodated in the formal sector. The greatest challenge facing the Johannesburg City Council is to introduce development measures such as financial assistance, the provision of infrastructure, establishing a development fund, deregulation and training programmes in order to stimulate the expansion of informal sector activities without detrimentally affecting the formal sector activities.

This thesis reviews theoretical and local understandings of sustainability and examines the contributions which the NGO, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), makes to achieving sustainability in the district of Toledo in Belize, Central America. The study focuses mainly on the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, which TIDE manages in cooperation with the Toledo Fisheries Department. Three sets of theories provide the context: theories of sustainability and sustainable development in general, theories on marine protected areas and fisheries management, and theories on NGOs. Findings show that TIDE has a vague understanding of sustainability and that there is a contradiction between the mission statement which promises a balance between environmental protection and stakeholders' economic needs, and TIDE' s actual strategies for encouraging protection for the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. In addition, TIDE's dysfunctional internal management style, such as lack of communication between the management and staff, spontaneous planning, and frequent staff turn-over prevent the organization from functioning effectively and realizing its goals. TIDE’s approach to sustainability is ineffective because it fails to integrate emic perspectives. TIDE does not take into account that local residents have an their own perspectives on sustainability, which include the fishermen's sense of stewardship for the marine environment. TIDE also does not successfully ensuring a steady income for the fishermen effectively. In light of the theories on sustainability, findings show that most theories are developed in a top-down manner that fail to integrate local understandings of sustainability. The only possible exception are holistic theories that emphasize bottom-up participation. The main recommendation for TIDE and similar NGOs is to develop a holistic approach to sustainability that includes emic perspectives. Consideration of the environment, the consideration of stakeholders' economic needs, the socio-cultural context, and an administrative political framework and a functional internal management style all need to be integrated into a successful approach to sustainability. / Graduation date: 2001 / Best scan available for figures 2-3.

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Major paper (M.U.R. Pl.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-63). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 60 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-59).

Thesis (J.S.D.)--Stanford University, 2010. / "March 2010." Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-173). Abstract and table of contents are available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Southern Illinois University, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [78]-85).