Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of a Degree of Master of Technology: Business Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 2017. / Positive women entrepreneurial support can change the entrepreneurial spirit, attitude and perceptions among the women communities with specific references to rural women in the northern region of KwaZulu-Natal province. A lot of previous research survey about how SMMEs can improve women’s socio-economic challenges did not properly include those women living in the rural places such as KwaZulu-Natal. This study aims to analyse the use of SMMEs as a strategic tool for women’s socio-economic empowerment in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal. The study was conducted within the rural areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal using qualitative method. The sample for the study consisted of 250 respondents of rural women SMMEs. The respondents were selected using quota sampling. Respondents were asked to complete 2 page questionnaires with an interviewer present to assist. The data analysis was done by using SPSS version 24.0. The results were presented through tables and bar graphs. The main aim of the study was to investigate and describe the use of SMMEs as a strategic tool, to identify factors influencing the use and to examine to what extent they affect the use of SMMEs as a strategic tool for women empowerment. The findings of the study reveals that rural women SMMEs are mostly affected by external factors while on the other hand they also indicated that lack of proper training and entrepreneurial education have impact on the day- to -day running of their businesses. The study was limited by the exploratory nature and small sampling size. Therefore, generalisation of the findings should be done with care and further research is encouraged and should include other places in the area. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of part of the requirements for the Masters of Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / In South Africa, emphasis is being placed on the importance of establishing small and medium sized business enterprises. There is acknowledgement in the extant literature of the value of these enterprises as job creators and useful drivers for economic growth and innovation. Given the growth in small businesses, attention in this study is given on comparing the critical success factors between those businesses that are owned by foreigners and those owned by locals. Relationships between the two groups have not always been fruitful across the country, yet synergies can be generated to shed light into how both groups cannot only co-exist but operate optimally in managing their businesses. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore (comparatively) the critical success factors between foreign and locally owned small businesses. A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted using interviews with five (5) foreign owned and five (5) locally owned small business conducted within the Ndwedwe area of Kwazulu-Natal. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Upon analysis of the data, three themes emerged as critical success factors affecting local and foreign owned businesses: (1) the underlying motives of starting a business enterprise, (2) the nature of business environment and (3) the necessity of formal or/and informal education in running a business. Interestingly, these themes appeared common in both groups. Furthermore, each of these factors affecting the success of small business was accompanied by poor community infrastructure and the unavailability of support and funding from government, including reimbursement during occurrence of natural disasters. Existence of sufficiently a strong business enterprise motive based on research findings is vital in any research undertaking. Substantially, an empirical angle to map more than one overriding motive for a business enterprise provides an opportunity to evaluate business success or failure based on the grounded motives. These motives may progressively incorporate the analyses of business environments, use of indigenous business knowledge and consideration of business education (formal and informal). Findings from this study encourage knowledge-sharing and interaction of SMEs in order to improve business enterprise development in Ndwedwe. The findings of this study also magnify the factors that are deemed critical to the success of small businesses and may be useful in mapping out recommendations on strategies and frameworks that affect either foreign or locally owned business. Based on the findings of this study, a network hub that places emphasis more on interdependence rather than isolated working between foreign and local owned businesses is encouraged. Through collaboration and sharing of experiences, small businesses in South Africa may potentially thrive. Furthermore, the findings of this study stipulate that SMEs need to have long-term plans and grounded motives on starting businesses. This will not only encourage SMEs to plan but will also develop educational strategies where SMEs can work together and share aptitudes to engage in strategic planning related to entrepreneurial success. / M

Globally, inshore cetaceans are being threatened by a number of anthropogenic activities. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, is currently listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In order to be able to advise on management and conservation strategies, knowledge on the life history of the species is required. To date very little is known about the biology of humpback dolphins. The aim of the present study was to determine basic life history parameters, including age, growth and reproduction of humpback dolphins incidentally caught in shark nets. Age was estimated by counting the growth layer groups (GLGs) in the dentine and cementum of sectioned and stained teeth. Both a Von Bertalanffy and a Gompertz growth curve fitted well to the data, but for comparison with previous studies on Sousa, the Gompertz growth function was adopted to describe the relationship between length and age for KwaZulu-Natal populations. Length at birth was estimated between 104.33 and 111.57 cm for males and females, respectively. Asymptotic length was reached at 266.48 cm and 239.29 cm for males and females, respectively. This corresponds to the attainment of physical maturity at 24 GLGs in males and 16 GLGs in females. Asymptotic mass for males could not be determined, while for females it occurred around 160 kg. The maximum age estimates and recorded lengths were 24 GLGs and 279 cm for males and 17.7 GLGs and 249 cm for females. Differences in length-at-age and mass-at-age for S. chinensis suggest sexual dimorphism. The attainment of sexual maturity in males occurred between 9 and 10 GLGs, corresponding to 230 cm total body length and 140 kg. The maximum combined testis mass of mature males comprised 0.42% of total body mass, and a roving male mating system was proposed. In females, sexual maturity occurred around 7.6 GLG, between 220 and 222 cm and 104 - 140 kg. The ovulation rate is estimated at 0.2 ovulations per annum, suggesting a calving interval of five years. It is evident from the results obtained in the present study that geographical differences exist in the life history parameters of S. chinensis. As a result, regional conservation and management strategies are imperative. Results from this study can therefore assist in assessing the status of existing population structures in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal waters, and the implementation of regional mitigation strategies to ensure the continued survival of humpback dolphins in the region.

The overall aim of the study was to study the relevance of educational provision in KwaZulu-Natal. There have been no vocationally orientated alternatives available in the schools of this province. The poor performance of our matriculants results in wide-spread media coverage. A further consideration in the formulation of the aims of this study was the decline in the socio-economic development of this province. It was postulated that the problems of high youth unemployment were related to the perceived irrelevance of educational provision. A basic needs approach for human development was adopted as the theoretical foundation for the study. The aims included a comparative examination of a selection of international systems of education from high and low-income economies of the world. Primary analysis was vis-a-vis a historical, legal, socio-economic, and structure of education analytical framework .. The secondary analysis was visa- vis a framework that included trends, critical issues and anticipated future developments or reforms in education. The analytical framework was applied stringently through-out the study. Consequently the data reduction process was cyclical and on-going. Data gathering process was done by means of a process of document collection supplemented by interviews with stakeholders and educators. Two questionnaires were designed for implementation at a critical stage of the study .. These two surveys focused on critical areas of relevant education in the region. Data reduction took place systematically the context of Chapters 3, 4 and 5. The emerging themes were concluded in a final summarising chapter. The findings indicated that the problems of relevance in KwaZulu-Natal were linked to a fragmented historical past. The perpetuation of irrelevance in education was however, associated with neo-ideological considerations. The study suggested that the provincial education department did not have the capacity to provide relevant education. A decline has taken place in the standards of education in the public school sector. The strength of the private sector of this province was concluded to be a factor of relevance. Further research in human resources development was critical for the future development of the province. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Education, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / This thesis sets out to demonstrate the influences on the personality of a Black African Male Educator – specifically mine - as I enquire: ―Why do I do things the way I do?‖ and ―What has enabled me to meet, face and resolve the challenges that I have come across in life?‖ I have addressed these questions from a self-study perspective, using narrative enquiry, living theories methods and auto-ethnography. I have written this thesis aware that I lived the first thirty seven years of my life under the potentially personality deforming oppression of apartheid, and that I have conducted my study and written my thesis in the context of the HIV&AIDS pandemic. In creating my own ―living theory‖ philosophy, I look at my epistemology - How do I know what/that I know? - my ontology – Who am I? Who am I becoming? What do I believe? and my axiology – What do I value? In creating my own ―living theory‖ (Whitehead, 2008), I examine the influences which have informed my personality development and that of my research participants. The originality of the contribution of this thesis to the academy is to demonstrate the influence of one person‘s personal origin and naming, carers and family, childhood experiences and learning, sport and sport instructors on his personality development. In addition, the thesis highlights the usefulness of forms of knowledge - herding and induku - that have not been explicitly declared as useful and included formally in education. To this end, I demonstrate the connections that exist between, induku, herding, work, community involvement and education as influential in personality development. I use my personal beliefs and values – principally ubuntu and ukuhlonipha – and the Critical Cross Field Outcomes to demonstrate the relationship between these values and outcomes, my personal account and the development of my human personality. I look at the implications for education. I review the Republic of South Africa‘s National Curriculum Statement in Life Orientation Grades 10–12. I suggest ways in which the Beliefs and Values demonstrated and examined in this thesis, and Critical Cross Field Outcomes can be incorporated in Community Service Integrated Projects that can help learners to make their beliefs and values explicit in their learning, all to the end of influencing values-informed personal development. / National Research Foundation.

Submitted in full compliance with the requirements of the degree of Master of Technology: Dental Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / This study investigated how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is understood within the KwaZulu-Natal dental technology industry, as an indication of the position of the industry nationally. The objectives of this study were to provide clarity regarding how the members of the dental technology industry in KwaZulu-Natal perceive CSR, to determine what is being practised in terms of CSR, and to provide possible insights into how the dental technology industry in KwaZulu-Natal might understand and consider CSR principles going into the future. This is a qualitative study conducted in the interpretive paradigm. The conceptual framework utilised for the study was Carroll’s CSR pyramid (1991) which was reviewed by Ferrell et al. (2010). For the purpose of this study CSR was understood to encompass the economic, legal and ethical aspects of running a business. It further extended into an understanding of philanthropy that goes beyond the primary purpose of a business. Simple random sampling was used to select participants for individual semi-structured interviews. The data collected was analysed using thematic content analysis. This study found that CSR is an unfamiliar term amongst dental laboratory owners and dental technicians. Dental laboratory owners and technicians failed to understand that CSR involves not only the basic aspects of running a business which are economic advancement but also compliance with legislation and ethics considerations. This study found that the poor understanding of CSR by dental laboratory owners and dental technicians stems from a poor understanding of basic business principles as was revealed in reported practices of the industry participants that lacked business ethical consideration. The perceived lack of participation in the industry by the South African Dental Technicians Council was seen to be a contributing factor to unethical behaviour within the industry. A degree of localised philanthropy was found to be practised by some in the industry. However, such practice was not generally accepted as a norm and that the industry should necessarily take cognisance of. The results generated by this study indicate that the dental technology industry’s lack of knowledge and understanding of CSR are such that industry should be informed and educated in CSR practices and that a coordinated approach to CSR practice by the industry is needed.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit, Durban University of Technology in the Faculty of Commerce, 2008 / Higher Education institutions have undergone and are still undergoing transformation in South Africa and this research focused on the merger of a higher education institution as a background to conduct empirical evidence to investigate the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the organization under study. In determining the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity, three hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis indicated that there exists a relationship between motivation and perceived productivity. Hypothesis two was that motivation remains constant through a merger and the last hypothesis was listed as perceived productivity remains constant through a merger. The concept of motivation was very broad, so the study narrowed the focus so that the factors that were examined were collectively labelled motivation resulting from contentment in the workplace and from rewards for good performance. The third aspect of motivation that forms part of the study is that of motivators. The primary data employed included a self administered survey and the secondary data include a literature framework that underpins the discussion of the variables motivation and productivity. The results reflect that there is a positive relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the specific organization under investigation indicating an increase or decrease in motivation is accompanied by a corresponding increase or decrease in perceived productivity.

Submitted in fulfilment for the requirements of the degree of Master of Technology: Business Administration in the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Competition is increasing as trading borders continue to widen in this global marketplace. As a result, South African organisations need to improve their efficiencies. The primary objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the Lean Enterprise Strategy (LES) at improving business efficiency, in the electrical pre-payment industry in KZN. Several underlying objectives which support the primary objective were examined and realtionships established. Two forms of empirical studies, observation and questionaire based, were used. These studies provided substantive findings which were analysed and interpreted. A positive relationship between the LES and business efficiency were established and the various underlying objectives addressed. Communication was found to be inadequate and highlighted. It was also found that there is a substantial delay in return on investments; therefore, sustainability should be targeted and the LES should have a continual re-cycling mechanism, which allows it not only to be sustainable, but also renewable.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Marketing, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Many researchers undertook research about small, medium and micro enterprise in South Africa. Although there are numerous articles and a lot of previous research surveys about SMMEs in South Africa, USA, UK, Taiwan, China, Australia and many other countries, no research has been done in South Africa with regard to the use of marketing strategies by SMMEs in rural areas with specific reference to KwaZulu-Natal rural areas. Therefore, the assumptions and the confusion that surrounds rural owners‘/managers‘ awareness, perceptions and the use of marketing strategies in their areas highlight the need and create interest for marketers to conduct more research on this particular area. There were number of other important reasons such as the failure rate of SMMEs, high rate of unemployment and the large numbers of people moving from South African rural to urban areas due to unemployment and poverty. The study was conducted within the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal province, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The sample for the study consisted of 374 respondents of owners/managers of SMMEs. The respondents were selected using quota sampling. Respondents were required to complete a 10 page questionnaire with an interviewer present to assist. The overall aim of the study was to investigate and describe the use of marketing by SMMEs, in order to identify factors influencing the possible insufficient use of marketing, so as to improve rural SMME marketing, and thus reduce SMME failure. The results of the research revealed that there was a lack of marketing knowledge and expertise and limited use of marketing strategies by the owners/managers of the rural SMMEs. There were also some external and internal factors contributing to the use of marketing strategies by the rural SMMEs. This means that marketers in South Africa cannot simply apply the marketing strategies and marketing theories in this situation. It is also important for marketers to conduct more specific research studies to determine the suitable marketing strategies for the rural businesses, as the rural situation is different from the urban situation. / Durban University of Technology.

Submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Durban University of Technology. Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Insolvency may be broadly defined as an inability of business entity to meet pending financial commitments. For a construction firm, such a situation creates conditions whereby a business entity is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations with regard to work in progress or creditors owing. There are indications to suggest that during periods of adverse conditions the occurrences of insolvencies are mutually exclusive and remain a subject of debate. The occurrence of these financial failures adversely affect business concerns operating within the civil engineering construction industry. In South Africa, figures released by the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) in 1992 suggested an expected general decline in workload handled by this sector. This was a result of scaling down of heavy infrastructure projects because of government shifting focus to housing and other related projects mainly towards meeting the needs of the previously disadvantaged communities. During that period large contractors suffered financially and some went through insolvency. The government had also put emphasis on transformation of the sector to allow participation of emerging and small contractors, but this was not properly regulated, so most of these contractors did not have the experience and skills to operate sustainable construction firms. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) was established in 2000 as a statutory body to provide leadership to stakeholders and to stimulate sustainable growth, reform and improvement of the construction public sector for effective delivery and the industry’s enhanced role in the country’s economy. The CIDB’s regulations were implemented after 2003 and are continuously improving the construction public sector’s growth. This research study investigated and evaluated the factors associated with insolvencies amongst civil engineering contractors in KwaZulu-Natal. The study investigated the hypotheses that “the prominent factors associated with civil engineering contractors insolvencies are related to managerial/operational issues”, the prominent factors associated with civil engineering contractors insolvencies are related to financial issues”, “South African government initiatives create an environment for small to medium contractors to develop through their implementation”, and good management and operation of small to medium construction companies reduce insolvency in construction”. Operational management and strategic factors were found to be amongst the leading causes of companies failures. The study also made some recommendations from the research findings. The findings are relevant to the South African government infrastructure service delivery programs and the general issue of affordable infrastructure services. / M