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.

Most developing countries are faced with high levels of unemployment, poverty, underemployment and inadequate infrastructure. The causes of poverty and unemployment in South Africa are manifold and complex. South Africa is one of the developmental states which gained its independence in 1994. There is a high rate of unemployment, poverty, unskilled workforce, inequality and low quality service delivery in South Africa (SA). Communities across provinces are unhappy about the above mentioned issues and have, over the years, expressed their dissatisfaction through picketing, demonstrations and strikes. SA, as a developmental state, has to balance economic growth and social development. Post 1994, the African National Congress (ANC)-led government promised to address the triple challenges facing the SA economy, namely poverty, unemployment and inequality. The study pursues to identify and describe factors that necessitated the EPWP in SA. It further investigates the performance of provinces during the implementation of the EPWP inorder to understand the current implementation approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to obtain data. Published figures from the Department of Public Works (DPW) reports and on the websites of relevant organisations were analysed. The objective was to identify small-medium-micro enterprises (SMMEs) that were created, trainings supported, and work opportunities (WOs) as well as full time equivalents (FTEs) that were created. A questionnaire was disseminated to three officials per four sectors, totaling (twelve) across four provinces namely Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and North West. The officials were from the EPWP implementing bodies and coordinating departments. The questionnaire sought information on how EPWP projects were implemented and reported in the two phases. The implementing bodies were expected to specify their roles, targets and work opportunities that they hoped to create. The correct sampling method and size were chosen based on the approved research proposal and its intention. Challenges experienced by the coordinating bodies, implementing bodies and data managers during the implementation of the EPWP were tabulated. Recommendations and remedial actions to identified challenges were also highlighted. This study proposes interventions with regard to the coordination of the EPWP, training, improved monitoring of projects, political buy-in and allocation of budget that will improve the daily wage rate. / Public Administration / D. Admin. (Public Administration)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-07T14:27:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotal.pdf: 689715 bytes, checksum: 3ab2d072e90156ba42ba9d44cbe18bb5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work is concerned about the study of the proposed reduction in working hours without reducing wages as viable as the embodiment of the dignity of the worker, as well as a way of contributing to economic progress, this coupled with the social value of the work. For the development of this mostly qualitative research, it was used a dialectical method to approach the topic. As methods of procedure, were used historical and interpretive methods. It was undertaken as a research technique the indirect documentation, through bibliographic research. In a context of exploitation of the human labor by capital, where the question of labor time is a highlight, there is a necessity of labor relations humanization. In order to protect human dignity by achieving the fundamental rights of workers, it is important the request in reduction of the journey. It is claimed that the implementation of the measure promotes the worker life quality, allowing free time for leisure, family life, relax, professional qualification, and presents itself as an effective alternative to avoid unemployment. The topic is quite controversial, resulting in a true divergence between antagonistic forces of opposite social groups, with workers at one side, vindicating the right to a decent work with appropriate journey, that assure the protection of their physical and psychological integrity. On the other hand, there are the employers, who are against the implementation of the reduction, and allege negative economic impacts for their activities, and consequent loss of competitiveness due to increased social costs. Other countries experiences show that the implementation of the measure has not achieved the desired results as the creation of new jobs, but also did not cause economic backwardness. For the proposal to reduce the journey obtain succeed it is necessary that it be implemented by law and establishes limitations on work intensification and the overtime uses, because those mechanisms prevent the new signings and, consequently, undermine the advances in unemployment combat. The reduction of the working day is shown as an appropriate way to achieve human dignity, because the limited working hours, fair and reduced, provides the worker quality of life and enables its full development in the community in which he lives. This measure also provides positive results for the labor market and the economy, especially when it is implemented without salary reduction, which allows increasing the purchasing power of workers that are also consumers. The implementation of the measure is an important step towards the harmonization of economic and social values, revealing as an able way to put the economy on behalf of man. / O presente trabalho volta-se ao estudo da proposta de redução da jornada de trabalho sem redução de salários como medida viável à concretização da dignidade do trabalhador e meio de contribuir para o progresso econômico, este aliado à valorização social do trabalho. Para a realização da pesquisa, de natureza basicamente qualitativa, foi utilizado método dialético para abordagem do tema. Como métodos de procedimento foram utilizados os métodos histórico e interpretativo. Foi empreendida como técnica de pesquisa a documentação indireta, por meio da pesquisa bibliográfica. Em um contexto de exploração do trabalho humano pelo capital, onde a questão do tempo do trabalho ocupa lugar de destaque, surge a necessidade de humanização das relações de trabalho. No intuito de proteger a dignidade humana através da concretização dos direitos fundamentais dos trabalhadores, encontra-se a demanda pela redução da jornada de trabalho. Alega-se que a implantação da medida promove a qualidade de vida do trabalhador, proporcionando-lhe tempo livre para o lazer, convívio familiar, descanso, qualificação profissional e se apresenta como medida eficaz de combate ao desemprego. O tema é bastante polêmico, traduzindo-se num verdadeiro embate entre forças de grupos sociais antagônicos, estando de um lado os trabalhadores, reivindicando o direito a uma jornada decente de trabalho, que lhes assegure a proteção à sua integridade física e psíquica, e de outro, os empregadores, que contrários à implantação da medida alegam impactos econômicos negativos para suas atividades e consequente perda de competitividade, devido ao aumento de custos sociais. As experiências de alguns países revelam que a implementação da medida não alcançou os resultados pretendidos quanto à criação de postos de trabalho, mas também não provocou retrocesso econômico. Para a proposta de redução da jornada de trabalho ter êxito é necessário que seja implementada por lei e ainda que estabeleça limitações quanto à intensificação do trabalho e utilização de horas extras, pois tais mecanismos evitam as novas contratações e, consequentemente, comprometem os avanços no combate ao desemprego. A redução da jornada de trabalho se mostra como um meio adequado para concretização da dignidade humana, tendo em vista que a jornada de trabalho limitada, justa, reduzida proporciona ao trabalhador qualidade de vida e possibilita o seu desenvolvimento pleno na comunidade em que vive. Tal medida também proporciona resultados positivos para o mercado de trabalho e para a economia, sobretudo quando é implementada sem redução salarial, o que possibilita o aumento do poder aquisitivo dos trabalhadores que também são consumidores. A implantação da medida constitui um importante passo em direção à harmonização de valores econômicos e sociais, revelando-se como medida apta a colocar a economia em favor do homem.

This dissertation consists of three chapters, which focus jointly on the effects of education policy on the functioning of labor markets.De-industrialization and technological progress have changed job markets fundamentally. The most fundamental change is that the concept of a worker as a unit of production relatively insensitive to inherent characteristics has been overthrown. Service sectors that have taken over from manufacturing as the engines of economic activity rely primarily on human capital for autonomous production. This is especially true for internationally tradable services. Their stark development was rendered possible by the informationcommunication revolution. Skills and talent, as well as their allocation to suitable tasks matter for production, now more than ever. We argue in this dissertation that the ability of education policy to facilitate optimal task allocation plays a role in maximizing aggregate production and in influencing education earnings premia, as well as employment volumes in various sectors of activity. / Doctorat en Sciences économiques et de gestion / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Preface: "The need for development as observed today is a problem peculiar to the 20th century. The current situation is characterised by the fact that there are no more empty places on the earth, while our use of dwindling resources is curbed by environmental constraint." (Mouly and Costa, 1974, 155). The need for development is not equally felt by all nations as disparities in income and standards of living on a national basis have dissected the world into developed and underdeveloped countries. Disparities also exist within nations. These divisions are not simply determined nor are the terms related to development clearly defined - a matter that will be discussed in Chapter Two. Impetus to developing underdeveloped countries may be provided by various means, such as a general injection of capital or by more specific development projects. The purpose of these projects is to initiate changes that are intended to promote rapid development of an area. An interest has been shown by Geographers in the ability of these projects to stimulate economic growth in surrounding areas (Silberfein, 1976). The resulting success of development projects is closely related, if not determined, in large measure, by the aims. In view of the need for the aims of development projects to be successfully fulfilled, research into what constitute constructive developmental aims would be beneficial. Previous studies have revealed problems encountered with conflicting aims and objectives (Mountjoy, 1971); poorly defined aims (de Wilde, 1967); and inadequate groundwork prior to initiating the project (Berry, 1976). It is the intention of the study to examine the impact made by a development project in an underdeveloped area, and thereby assess the extent to which the development aims have been carried out. In order to carry out an examination of a development project in an underdeveloped area, an area in need of development had to be selected; a project within the area chosen for study; and the particular aim of the project examined. The Ciskei, a Homeland in South Africa, was chosen as a suitable area for study. A number of factors contribute towards it being an area in need of development, particularly as the Ciskei is a small country and dependent on South Africa, which is explained in the overview of the Ciskei in Chapter One. Three characteristics of underdevelopment noted by Seers (1972) are poverty, inequality and underemployment. Of these three factors it was decided to focus on unemployment as the indication of the extent to which development has taken place. The reduction of unemployment was one of the aims of the Keiskammahoek Irrigation Scheme, the project chosen for study. The overview concludes with a presentation of the Keiskamma Irrigation Scheme.

Social enterprises are organisations which seek to meet social needs whilst generating their own financial returns. They are becoming increasingly important in South Africa as their approach is not dependent on philanthropy and is therefore largely self-sustainable. Meeting social needs can happen in many ways, but bottom up approaches, which are driven by the poor through providing access to satisifers for fundamental needs are becoming increasingly important. The impact which social enterprises have is not clearly understood and is seldom measured. There is a need to develop tools which are able to portray the social value of these impacts. This study seeks to explore the impact of three social enterprises in Cape Town. The study focuses on the social value of job creation, a pressing need across South Africa, and a social return common to all three enterprises. The study found that a primary concern for staff was job security and earning a decent wage, and without this as a starting point other social returns are minimised. Camaraderie and a sense pride are two important social returns which are also produced. The study also showed that producing social returns must be an intentional activity, and involves a process of negotiation and understanding the needs and values of different stakeholders.

The study aimed at analysis the South African government’s attempt to reduce poverty through alleviation and reduction of unemployment. The study analyses this using Ngqushwa Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The introduction of labour intensive projects of government in infrastructural development, under auspices of the Department of Public Works, has brought a relief in addressing unemployment and poverty in the country. While the provision of these short-term based jobs is life-saving, the question is whether or not these projects (EPWP) will provide a sustainable solution to unemployment and poverty with the skills and information they provide to the employees. To achieve this aim the study used both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. First, a literature review on the Expanded Public Works Programme was done. Secondly, policy review on poverty and conservation was done. A small sample size of sixteen people was selected using purposive sampling, targeting ten beneficiaries of EPWP, three Municipal managers and three Departmental managers that were involved in EPWP. Firstly, I wanted to know how many people participated in the EPWP initiatives in the Amathole District Municipality between 2008 and 2012. Secondly, what training was provided to people that were temporarily employed on the EPWP projects and what recruitment tools were used to recruit EPWP employees. Thirdly, to find out how many were able to find permanent employment after the EPWP projects in Amathole District Municipality communities were completed. Fourthly, has the EPWP benefited the poorest of the targeted areas and redressing racial imbalances? It is clear that EPWP is appreciated by some of the beneficiaries who do not have better school qualifications as they make significant, short-term contribution to their livelihoods and, than those who have better qualifications especially the youth, who claimed that this programme is partly wasting their time as they were looking for permanent jobs, and in South Africa age restriction is one of the problems that the people were facing when looking for a job. The study proposes that the government should make a physical relief on poverty and employment reduction by making this programme a permanent job.

The main objective of my diploma thesis is to reach the significance of small and medium-sized enterprises and make a statistical analysis of the specific program supporting small and medium-sized enterprises provided by the Czech Moravian Guarantee Bank with the emphasis on the labour market. The analysis indicated that small and medium-sized enterprises are significant players not only in the Czech economy, but also in other states in the world. Small and medium-sized enterprises make 99,23% of the whole business sector in the Czech Republic. They dominate in sectors such as trade, services, fishing, manufacturing and other labour-intensive industries. No less important role small and medium-sized enterprises play in providing jobs, for 59,9% of work force employed in the Czech Republic. Most of empirical studies claim that small and medium-sized enterprises are significant in job creation as well as in job destruction. The certain of jobs in small and medium-sized enterprises are really poor in comparison with the large companies. There are lots of supportive programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises which are concentrated on regional level as well as blanket character. Evaluation of the program supporting small and medium-sized enterprises provided by the Czech Moravian Guarantee Bank confirmed their significance role in job creation and also indicated their small part in job destruction.

The diploma thesis deals with the support analysis of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic. The aim of the thesis is to prove the importance of SMEs in the economics and to assess the influence of their support from the Operational Pogramme Enterprise and Innovations (OPEI) on the labour market. The main hypothesis represents the assertion that the SMEs support from the public sources is never effective. The statistical analysis proves that the SMEs in the Czech Republic on the international scale are economically significant. They participate from 99,8% on the total number of entrepreneur's subjects and from almost 60% on the country employment. The evaluation of the support program from the Operational Pogramme Enterprise and Innovations is based on the collected data from the questionnaire poll. The data analysis proved that the supports were important for the workplace production. The public source support analysis on an economical theory and empirical study base proved that the investments are not effective.

Community-based projects are established in most of the communities as a strategy to create jobs and alleviate poverty. In the area under investigation community-based projects were established by members of communities but some of them failed and others are not sustainable in economic terms. This study investigated the reasons for failure of community-based projects at Folovhodwe area. The objectives of the study were to determine the reasons for failure of community-based projects, to provide community development officials with a guideline of the role they must play in community projects and to provide strategies for the improvement and future development of community-based projects. The study was both qualitative and quantitative. Questionnaires and interviews were employed to collect information. The study revealed that lack of funds, poor project management, poor management of funds, lack of commitment and motivation, low level of education of project members, lack of youth involvement in community-based projects, lack of monitoring and evaluation by government officials and community leaders, lack of training and unavailability of workshops for project members and lack of government involvement in addressing project challenges were identified as the reasons for failure of community-based projects. / Business Management / M.Tech. (Business Administration)