Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-93).

Globally, the nature of competition is changing. Growing international prosperity, combined with the forces of globalisation, are creating a demand for greater product variety and quality. For producers this has meant the need to focus production on niche markets and to move from Fordist mass production to post-Fordist- flexible production systems that emphasise small batches of high quality customised products. Accompanying this shift is an increasing awareness within industry of the need to respond flexibly and rapidly to changing customer demands. In this increasingly cornpetitrve environment marketing and retailing arrangements are becoming critical to firm success. Close contact with customers has become increasingly important, promoting new forms of retailing arrangements, and a growing understanding of the role retail arrangements play' in satisfying consumer demand. At the same time, the growth in batch production for niche markets has created room for small enterprises to effectively compete with larger firms in producing for increasingly fragmented markets. Internationally, small firms have found that their competitive position can be strengthened through geographic clustering into what are sometimes called Industrial Districts. Clustered firms co-operate around a range of issues such as input purchasing, marketing and exporting. Finally , a shift to flexible production has been reflected in informalisation, the systematic shifting of production into the informal sector. These trends - the shifting basis of competition, the growth in flexible production, widening opportunities for small enterprises and growing informalisation - are particularly obvious in the clothing sector. They are especially relevant in South Africa where competition from low cost producers in Asia is forcing local clothing enterprises to concentrate production on high quality , high fashion garments for upper market segments in order to retain a share of the domestic market. This study attempts to determine to what extent the behaviour of a particular group of clothing enterprises - the small, mostly informal clothing enterprises operating at the Essenwood Craft Market - reflects these global trends. The activities of the Essenwood clothing enterprises were found to reflect the shift in the nature of competition, and particularly the growing importance of retailing and marketing arrangements for competitiveness. The enterprises were targeting niche markets , and emphasising product quality and design innovation. Retailing through the Craft Market allowed these small enterprises to benefit from an environment conducive to consumption, while facilitating close contact with customers. The firms were not, however, taking advantage of the clustering of retail arrangements to co-operate with one another on matters of mutual interest. The informal nature of these enterprises seemed to reflect a desire for economic independence, rather than the negative effects of economic restructuring, or a strategic shift of production from the formal to the informal sector. The study suggests that informal enterprises can be dynamic and growth-orientated, and questions whether the White Paper on Small Business recognises this. Useful support for dynamic, growth-orientated informal enterprises could include domestic and export marketing support, and the facilitation of co-operation between enterprises to encourage improved purchasing and lobbying power. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban,1998.

The informal sector in South Africa has experienced phenomenal growth since the end of Apartheid, and in Durban this has been no different. Due to the growth in unemployment, many have turned to the informal sector in order to find a way to survive and meet basic needs. Waste picking is one area of the informal economy where there is relative ease of entry, as limited start up capital is needed to go into business. This research sought to gain a better understanding of the waste pickers operating in Durban, their socio-economic characteristics, earnings, and their working conditions. The research also aimed to determine the linkages between informal recycling and the formal recycling industries, as well as the relationship between waste pickers and the local authorities. Three different buyback centres for recyclable material were chosen in order to gain access to waste pickers, and 20 questionnaires were conducted at each of these centres. Due to a lack of information as to the total population of waste pickers in Durban, this sample cannot be considered representative of all waste pickers in Durban. Rather, it presented a benchmark against which future larger studies can be measured. It was found that the waste pickers were fairly evenly divided according to gender, and that education levels were generally low with a large portion of the sample never having gone to school. Nearly all the waste pickers fell into the economically active population of 16-65, and most had migrated to Durban in search of a job. The majority of the waste pickers worked at least a standard working week, if not longer. Metal and cardboard were found to be the items of choice for collection. Nearly all the waste pickers transported their material by hand or by trolley. The study determined that waste picking cannot be considered a form of transitional employment. While the majority of the sample clearly expressed a wish to move to a different job, nearly all the respondents had been involved in waste picking for a year or longer. It is also an occupation entered into not by choice, but in order to survive. It is clearly a last resort for many of the individuals involved. The waste pickers in this study were found to earn, on average, very little. The differences in gender noted in this study were also startling. The men were found to have better means of transportation of materials (such as trolleys). Men were found to support smaller households, and earn more than the women, and more women were found to be living in very poor households than men. The relationship between the waste pickers and the local authorities was found to be a fairly indifferent one, and the waste pickers appeared to have limited contact with government officials. Considering the links between formal recycling and waste picking, this study supports the Marxist view of the informal economy, finding that the waste pickers in this study were clearly linked to the formal sector, and that their activities were subordinate to and dependent on the formal sector recycling companies. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2001.

There has been an expansion of the informal economy globally, in both developed and developing countries. Among those joining the informal economy are Zimbabwean cross border traders coming to South Africa. This study explores the business environment within which the Zimbabwean cross border traders coming to South Africa operate. It gives an overview of the demographics of traders, the socioeconomic and political environment in which they operate and the nature of their supply relations. It also explores trader's experiences, the problems they face, the role of financial and social capital and the economic contribution of traders. The study made use of business tools, thus introducing new dimension of analysis into the field of informal economy studies. This study not only fills a gap in the literature on migration and informal activities but also concludes by making key policy recommendations. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

The study examines the woodcraft trade in the Hazyview area through the application of the value chain methodology as adapted from the works of writers such as Kaplinsky and Morris (2001), McCormick and Schmitz (2002) and Sturgeon (2001). Several methods of collecting data were employed (triangulation): value chain analysis, interviews, observation and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that the woodcraft value chain comprises several actors: the informal craft workers, assistant craft workers, retailers and consumers of crafts, located at the various levels of the chain. The informal craft workers, who are the main focus of this study, are mostly involved in the production and selling level of the value chain, while the formal traders (e.g. craft retailers, wholesalers, curio shop owners) are involved in selling, marketing and branding of the crafts. Although craft workers also sell and 'market' their crafts by the roadside, the findings show that these activities do not yield substantial profit for them, as they lack the necessary rents to make a sustainable income out of crafts. The lack of innovation (introduction of new products), product diversification, access to new markets, and other factors that characterize the informal wood craft trade have implications in terms of competitiveness and the sustainability of the woodcraft trade as a source of income of the informal traders. The findings show that the challenges facing the informal woodcraft traders are also aggravated by high levels of competition that has emerged in recent years due to globalization and democratization, which have seen the opening of South African borders to craft workers from other parts of the world, especially Africa. Of importance though is the fact that the informal traders lack crucial rents that are essential for them to remain competitive. These rents include: resource, marketing, infrastructure, financial and policy rents. The findings show that, unless traders acquire these rents their trade remains uncompetitive and unsustainable. There are also economic and environmental implications emanating from the findings as the analysis shows that wood for carving is no longer a free natural resource as it used to be in the past years, but a scarce economic resource. The analysis further shows that the problems that traders experience are both endogenous and exogenous in nature. It is clear that traders need to deal with endogenous issues such as innovation, upgrading of the value chains, diversification and other internal issues and processes. With the necessary support, traders could deal with these problems. Policy would, however, need to address exogenous issues such as controlling the flooding of the SA craft market with cheap crafts, mostly from the neighbouring states and other countries in Africa (not excluding countries outside the continent of Africa). Creating an 'enabling environment' for the woodcraft trade is important e.g. Financial, logistic, capital and other support measures. Indeed, what has emerged in the analysis of this study is that people's livelihoods (under the current and prevailing conditions) are under threat. In the context of poverty and high unemployment levels, something would have to be done to deal with the crisis facing the informal traders. This study concludes by making the necessary recommendations on what could be done to redress the situation. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

This study is concerned with the start-up of small business ventures and the ultimate success of these small businesses. Research was carried out in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, which is mainly a very rural, under-developed province. Unemployment is high and much of the population is faced with the challenge of earning income from means other than in formal employment. However, the failure rate of the small business start-ups is extremely high. The study addresses the question whether or not there are leading indicators that will help to predict future success in business, specifically whether the personal profile can indicate the probability of future success. In summary the research found that no significant correlation existed between business growth and personality profile when measured with the established business group, when using the DISCUSTM personality profile test. This could be due to either one or both the following reasons: • No correlation exists between personality profile, success and growth, or • the DISCUSTM personality profile test's entrepreneurial category job match is not valid and reliable, and an alternative personality profile for this particular job match category needs to be developed. Secondly, a significant relationship was found to exist between level of literacy and start-up success according to the longitudinal study of a student group. No correlation was found to exist between level of numeracy and start-up success. Although there was a correlation between personality profile test results and start-up success with the student group, it can not be stated at this stage that this is a leading indicator for future business growth and sustainability, as success was only measured at start-up. These start-up businesses need to be monitored at least over the next three years in order to measure the internal growth of the businesses as compared to those achieved by the established business group. This is an area for further research. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Rutherford's research demonstrates that "the poor can save, do save, and want to save money" (Rutherford, 1999: 7). Furthermore, if given a formal bank account this correlates with the poor being more likely to save (Porteous and Hazelhurst, 2004: 63). But in 2004, the unbanked made up 54.5% of the South African adult population (FinScope, 2006: 18). In the same year, to draw more people into the realm of the banked the Mzansi account was launched. The account is a first order transactional product and a saving service which targets poor clients from LSM 1-5. Mzansi account holders are found to be significantly more likely to be informally employed or unemployed (Porteous, 2007: 10). Yet there is a research gap about the financial behaviour of those working informally. This study draws on the experiences of women working in the informal economy who utilise the Mzansi account. It aims to determine the limitations and benefits of the account. It also seeks to learn what role the Mzansi account plays in the savings habits of the women and how it influences their livelihood strategies. This is with a view to recommending how the services of the Mzansi account can be improved so as to maximise its support of informal workers. The research suggests that the intrinsic benefits of the Mzansi account are that the account's bank charges are lower compared to other bank accounts, a small initial deposit is needed to open the Mzansi account and a proper address is not required to open the account. The interviewees highlight five day-to-day limitations on the Mzansi account. First, interviewees identify the lack of a bank book to view the transactional activities occurring in the account as a problem. Second, the cap on the account where a maximum of Rl5 000 is only permitted hinders the potential to save money in the account and receIve insurance pay outs. Third, the cost and frequency of bank charges are still expensive. Fourth, the distance to access banks or ATMs for the women in semi-rural areas makes it difficult and costly for them to access their bank account. Lastly the issue of crime is a problem when utilising ATMs. Savings from the Mzansi account influence livelihood outcomes by enabling investment in funeral insurance through debit orders. This investment helps mitigate future vulnerability. In terms of livelihoods and the women's businesses, the savings from the Mzansi account are used for the purchasing of stock. This may not improve livelihood outcomes by generating further income but it maintains the women's business stability. money" (Rutherford, 1999: 7). Furthermore, if given a formal bank account this correlates with the poor being more likely to save (Porteous and Hazelhurst, 2004: 63). But in 2004, the unbanked made up 54.5% of the South African adult population (FinScope, 2006: 18). In the same year, to draw more people into the realm of the banked the Mzansi account was launched. The account is a first order transactional product and a saving service which targets poor clients from LSM 1-5. Mzansi account holders are found to be significantly more likely to be informally employed or unemployed (Porteous, 2007: 10). Yet there is a research gap about the financial behaviour of those working informally. This study draws on the experiences of women working in the informal economy who utilise the Mzansi account. It aims to determine the limitations and benefits of the account. It also seeks to learn what role the Mzansi account plays in the savings habits of the women and how it influences their livelihood strategies. This is with a view to recommending how the services of the Mzansi account can be improved so as to maximise its support of informal workers. The research suggests that the intrinsic benefits of the Mzansi account are that the account's bank charges are lower compared to other bank accounts, a small initial deposit is needed to open the Mzansi account and a proper address is not required to open the account. The interviewees highlight five day-to-day limitations on the Mzansi account. First, interviewees identify the lack of a bank book to view the transactional activities occurring in the account as a problem. Second, the cap on the account where a maximum of Rl5 000 is only permitted hinders the potential to save money in the account and receIve insurance pay outs. Third, the cost and frequency of bank charges are still expensive. Fourth, the distance to access banks or ATMs for the women in semi-rural areas makes it difficult and costly for them to access their bank account. Lastly the issue of crime is a problem when utilising ATMs. Savings from the Mzansi account influence livelihood outcomes by enabling investment in funeral insurance through debit orders. This investment helps mitigate future vulnerability. In terms of livelihoods and the women's businesses, the savings from the Mzansi account are used for the purchasing of stock. This may not improve livelihood outcomes by generating further income but it maintains the women's business stability. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.