M.A. (Public Management and Governance) / This study focuses on the policy programme feasibility of the proposed OR Tambo Industrial Development Zone (ORTIAIDZ) programme to determine the viability of its implementation. This introductory chapter highlights the background and rationale in order to provide context to the problem statement and the chosen research approach. The research questions and research objectives are provided and the research investigation methodology (research approach, design, data collection and analysis methods) used in this study are clarified. The chapter also clarifies the explicit terminology used in the text. Finally, a synopsis of the chapters comprising the dissertation is provided.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / The aim of this study is to investigate and assess the effectiveness of Greater Tzaneen Municipality in implementing LED strategies in rural communities. Although the concept of Local Economic Development has been studied and widely debated in South Africa, the present study intends to determine the extent to which the implementation of LED strategy by Greater Tzaneen Municipality contributes towards improving the livelihood of communities for sustainable local economic development. In other words, the study purports to develop a more holistic understanding of the dynamics of local economic development efforts. This is a mixed method study in which elements of qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect, analyze, validate and interpret data were used. Quantitative design was used to profile respondents and do some statistical analysis of the population. The quantitative design used was in the form of a semi-structured survey questionnaire to acquire statistical data. Since the study is heterogeneous, stratified random sampling was used for the quantitative design whereby ward councillors, ward committees, project leaders and community stakeholders (n= 60) participated. For the qualitative aspect of the study face-to-face interviews schedule was used in order to construct the reality from the interviewees‟ world and to gain more in-depth dynamics and complexities by virtue of being the more natural form of interaction with respondents. Key municipal officials directly involved in LED and those who have more knowledge and information concerning LED implementation were identified by means of purposive sampling technique (n=10). The findings revealed that even though Greater Tzaneen Municipality on average is on the implementation side, there are some factors that hinder it from achieving the 100% LED strategy implementation. Even though policies are in place, it appears like LED strategies have produced very few success stories for various reasons country wide which among others includes lack of capacity within municipalities, financial constraints and poor and incorrect implementation. The other challenge is that communities regard LED as employment creation by municipalities and should not be viewed only as creating economic benefits, but as playing a vital role in poverty alleviation and therefore should have a strong social focus. As per the constitutional mandate Section 152 (1), (2) and Section 153 LED should be an integral part in the planning activities of municipalities across departments and not be afterthought. The process should clearly reflect participation by all wards and their respective communities, local economic growth, poverty alleviation and job creation as well as prioritizing human development initiatives.

Some small businesses have slower growth as they age and have limited strategies to maximize profit, productivity, and job creation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the strategies small business managers use to capitalize on growth opportunities. Area small business managers and support program stakeholders could gain new knowledge to develop effective support for mature small businesses. Twenty managers participated in this case study. These managers were from small businesses operating in the state of Florida for more than 5 years with less than 500 employees. The data collection approach included purposeful sampling and semistructured interviews with open-ended questions. In addition, literature on small business growth of policies and procedures was reviewed. The general systems theory conceptual framework was the guide for this study. The thematic approach was used to have the data analyzed using word frequency, text search, and coding. The themes emerging from this study were growth decisions and internal environment, growth decisions and external environment, using alternative growth strategies, heterogeneous growth strategy processes, consulting, researching, and planning growth, accessing support for growth strategies, and overcoming challenges with success attributes. These findings could assist area professional practitioners learn more about the decision making process used by small business managers including the indicators used to measure growth and identify growth opportunities. The findings could also contribute to continued job creation and economic growth of the local community.

<p>This study gives a brief introductory account of cooperatives with regard to their <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">history and existence, particularly in South Africa. The research report focuses on <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">two case studies, where the organisational structures and business operations will <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">be examined and compared. Finally the report will draw lessons to indicate the <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">possible social and economic viability of these cooperatives and their place in rural development. Based on the findings and conclusions, a number of r<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">ecommendations are made on cooperatives in the rural sector.</font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></p> <p>&nbsp / </p>

Unemployment and/or slow economic growth nationally and in poorer regions are two problems which political decision-makers often refer to when they argue for the need to grant different producer subsidies to firms. Moreover, it is often asserted that the problems are due to different market failures. However, it is not certain that market failures exist and political attempts to correct "market-failures" might easily turn into government failures. In the thesis various industrial and regional policy subsidies are examined. The subsidies, which are studied, have become increasingly important in many countries, not least in the EU, over time.The thesis consists of four essays, which examine different aspects of interventionistic policy and political decision making from the perspective of market failure vs. government failure. The purpose of Essay 1 is to study whether Swedish regional policy, which was introduced around 1970, has significantly affected the process of growth of per capita income in Swedish counties. In Essay 2 characteristics of recipient firms are analysed from an interest-group perspective. In Essay 3, the subsidies effect on total factor productivity growth is studied. In the final essay employment effects are examined. / Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögsk.

This paper offers an empirical analysis of net job creation patterns at the firm level for the Austrian economy between 1993 and 2013 focusing on the impact of firm size and age. We propose a new estimation strategy based on a two-part model. This allows to identify the structural parameters of interest and to decompose behavioral differences between exiting and surviving firms. Our findings suggest that conditional on survival, young Austrian firms experience the largest net job creation rates. Differences in firm size are not able to explain variation in net job creation rates among the group of continuing enterprises. Job destruction induced by market exit, however, is largest among the young and small firms with this effect being even more pronounced during the times of the Great Recession. In order to formulate sensible policy recommendations, a separate treatment of continuing versus exiting firms as proposed by the new two-part model estimation approach seems crucial.(authors' abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

The focal point of the case study is based on the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) as one of the initiatives agreed to at the Growth and Development Summit (GDS) in June 2003. The goal of the EPWP is to bridge the gap between the growing economy and the large numbers of unskilled and unemployed people who have not yet enjoyed the benefits of economic development. Taking into consideration that most of the unemployed are unskilled, the importance is on relatively unskilled work opportunities. This case study sought to understand the conceptualisation and operation of the EPWP in the eThekwini Municipality. It attempted to establish the extent to which the beneficiaries of the EPWP have been able to sustain decent jobs after the implementation of the EPWP within the Municipality. Against this backdrop, this case study drew conclusions on the conceptualisation and implementation of EPWP and made recommendations on how best to implement the programme. The study was largely qualitative seeking to establish people’s views and perceptions on the programme. In addition however, the study was enriched with one-on-one interviews which were held with selected officials so as to gain deeper understanding of the situation. / Thesis (MPA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

<p>This study gives a brief introductory account of cooperatives with regard to their <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">history and existence, particularly in South Africa. The research report focuses on <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">two case studies, where the organisational structures and business operations will <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">be examined and compared. Finally the report will draw lessons to indicate the <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">possible social and economic viability of these cooperatives and their place in rural development. Based on the findings and conclusions, a number of r<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">ecommendations are made on cooperatives in the rural sector.</font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></p> <p>&nbsp / </p>

Biofuels have been used as an energy source for heating and cooking since the beginning of time. However, recent changes in the demand for energy, and in particular, renewable energy, have spurred the growth of liquid biofuel industries in developed countries. Many developing countries, including South Africa have the potential to produce biofuels with benefits extending into the economic and social spheres. Despite government commitments and targets, the South African biodiesel and bio-ethanol industries have stalled in the starting blocks. This research aims to assess the reasons why. South Africa does not have the climate to compete with Brazil in bio-ethanol production and the scope for bioethanol is limited by environmental factors. However our neighbours show significantly more promise in this area. Biodiesel production is more likely to be commercially viable due to the country’s ability to grow oil crops and the need for the by-products. Despite the availability of land for cultivation of energy crops, the required technology and suitable infrastructure, progress has been slow. Uncertainty, high risk and misdirected government interventions have hampered investment in the sector and those involved in biofuel projects are very negative about the government’s ability to stimulate the industry. Consequently, they are looking towards importing feedstock material and exporting the biofuel. This will create a limited number of jobs, but will be energy and carbon negative, and will not aid rural development. Currently there is no medium or large scale virgin oil to biofuel producer operating in the country and the start-up dates for projects are beyond 2013. The WVO biodiesel industry has grown rapidly in the last five years but is limited to small scale operators with limited benefit potential. With the exception of Brazil, other world leaders in biofuels are facing heavy criticism and the mechanisms used to initially boost the industry have very limited application in South Africa. The benefits of biofuel production in South Africa are plentiful and align well with social need and development goals. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Rural areas, globally, are characterized as poor regions, with two-thirds of the world’s poor people residing in rural areas. In South Africa, 70 percent of the poor population or 3.6 million households, live in rural areas. In the last three State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) in South Africa by President Zuma since 2011, rural development has been placed high on government’s developmental agenda. The formulation of a comprehensive rural development policy, with coordinated implementation by all spheres of government is however still lacking. This research project was undertaken to explore solutions for the revival and development of rural areas in South Africa. The northern Free State region was selected as the geographical focus area and “testing ground” for the research. Rural South Africa has been deteriorating over the last few decades mainly due to globalization and urbanization. Two specific tools to achieve accelerated rural development were identified and analysed namely, local economic development (LED) and spatial planning. The research has shown that rural development is a complicated and difficult process. It is not only about agriculture and economic development, but also about other aspects such as spatial planning, social development, the environment, politics and public management aspects. For the purpose of the research, the theoretical statement was stated as “the chronic state of underdevelopment, poverty and unemployment, especially in rural South Africa, with a specific focus on the northern Free State, can be turned around by means of the implementation of revitalization strategies, which include innovative policies and programmes of LED and spatial planning”. Rural development requires strong committed local leaders and “champions”, skills, patience and funding. The research methodology included a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the concepts relating to rural development, as well as global and local case studies. Local rural development policies were also analysed as currently being implemented by government. Primary research included a community socio-economic survey in the study area to determine levels of rural poverty, unemployment, services delivered by local government and skills. In this survey of poor rural areas and the socio-economic analysis of the northern Free State, it was found that: • close to 50% of all households were living in poverty, • 50.7% of all households lack employment, • 40% of households have an income of less than R 1 500 per month, • The average annual household income in the area relates to just less than R20 000, • The ratio between formal and informal jobs is 1: 0.25, which indicates a low level of informal job opportunities, • Most job opportunities are found in agriculture, manufacturing, community services and households. • The tourism sector only provides in 3.1% of the regional GDP. Local business chambers were also visited in order to determine their perceptions of rural development and local government as well as the level of partnerships with the various local authorities in the area. It was found that partnership formation and cooperation between local business chambers and local authorities in the region were limited, although business chambers are willing to cooperate and assist. Rural development needs a coordinated effort and partnerships between government, business and communities. The focus of the research was on the finding of possible solutions for rural development. Solutions such as a rapid rural assessment (RRA) and a strategy for the study area, which has been provided to the specific local government for implementation, have been formulated. Globally and locally no universally accepted definition of rural concepts such as rural development and rural regions exist. Definitions and classifications of rural areas were formulated for South African conditions. A major component of the research is the proposed rural development model known as the “Feza iSimangaliso” model. Pillars for rural development and best practice aspects for rural development were also formulated. Some of the main findings of the research regarding general rural development aspects are listed below: • Rural regions are slowly but surely becoming in “fashion” as popular regions again due to a number of reasons such as quality environments, the need for a sense of community and belonging and food security. • Well formulated strategic rural development strategies, which are implementable in a coordinated way, can make a positive impact. Rural areas could be seen as a viable alternative, but requires strong governance, especially at the local sphere. • The integration of spatial planning and LED could lead to accelerate rural development, especially when national policy exists and are implemented in a coordinated manner. • The creation of jobs will lead to improved quality of life. Labour intensive sectors of the economy such as tourism, agriculture including agro-processing, manufacturing and retail should be the focus of an economic strategy. • Rural development is dependent on hard and soft infrastructure provision and strong local government. • Rural development must be people centred, with the utilization of local indigenous knowledge. • Rural towns are critical for rural regional development and creation of rural-urban linkages. • The “pull factors” to rural areas include quality of life and environment, sense of belonging, unique culture and history, and a positive economic environment. Future research projects could include more detailed research on the study area and provision of assistance to the relevant local municipalities. A possible rural development matrix will be developed for the evaluation of the level of development and gaps in the development of a rural region. In conclusion, successful rural development planning must be based on strategic planning principles for implementation in order to prevent ad hoc implementation of isolated projects with limited impacts. / PhD (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013