This research identified the critical success factors in the growth of small businesses in South Africa against the theories of small business growth. The study applied both quantitative and qualitative research methodology to identify which factors contributed most to the growth of the sample of 131 small businesses in Gauteng province. This was done by (1) identifying the mean characteristics of small businesses that had experienced their first disruption to growth after establishment, (2) identifying the dominant reasons for the growth challenges, (3) identifying the tools and/or actions employed to transgress the first challenge to growth and (4) comparing these actions to small businesses that had not experienced challenges to their growth. Small businesses facing growth challenges were found to be between one and three years old, have 36 staff, have sales revenue of R13,5 million and sales growing at 25% per annum. The most common mitigation tools and/or actions were to hire more staff, hire competent professional management, source external professional assistance in the form of a mentor and restructure reporting lines. This research found that the focus of small business development should focus on these types of businesses because of their propensity to grow faster and employ more staff. This study also emphasised the growth aspirations of the owner/ manager. Lastly a management model for small businesses was presented. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This body of research investigates the capability and propensity of a selection of inks and coatings manufacturing micro-, small- and medium enterprises, based in and around Cape Town in the Western Cape, to export product Academic literature reviewed emphasised the fact that the size of the organisation and the level of education resident in the organisation was an important enabler for the business to be export- ready. The evidence- based research conducted in this study found that networks linking businesses to concerns already involved in exporting was the greatest enabler. Previous export experience amongst the management certainly influenced the alacrity with which the business took to exporting (a matter of knowing the pitfalls and being able to mitigate risk beforehand). However, this was not a deterrent to entering the export market. A champion was needed to keep the export process on track The size of the business in now way impeded that business from exploiting the opportunities when they were presented. The academic literature reviewed also alluded to the poor skills available in the labour poor. The study found that businesses were able to work around these hindrances (not obstacles). The professional qualifications tended to be resident within the senior management team, which pulled the company through the exporting process. This has worked well in the short term. However it could prove a disabling factor in the long term if suitable qualified candidates could not be found to absorb and take on the running of the business after the incumbent management team leaves or retires. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

MCom (Business Management) / Department of Business Management / The spaza-shop sector is an integral part of the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the South African economy. The industry is made up of more than 100 000 enterprises with a collective annual turnover of R7 billion. Spaza shops also contribute about 4% (about 100 000 jobs) of employment in the informal sector. Spaza shops usually have a short lifespan and rarely grow; the failure rate of spaza shops, including those owned by immigrants is very high in South Africa. It is estimated that the failure rate of small businesses (including spaza shops) in South Africa is between 70% and 80%. It is also noted that about 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years of commencement of business, irrespective of the country. Despite severe competitive pressures faced by SMMEs, immigrants (especially Somalis and Ethiopians) have established a strong foothold in the spaza-shop sector. The main objective of the study was to investigate the success factors of immigrant-owned spaza shops in Thulamela Local Municipality. To address the research question, which focuses on the lived experiences and perceptions of participants, the interpretivist paradigm was used. A qualitative approach was adopted with a sample of 25 participants; purposive sampling was used to select participants with the required characteristics. Structured interview questions administered through face-to-face interviews were used to collect data and content analysis was used to analyse data. The data collected revealed that there are a plethora of success factors that are enhancing the continuance and sustenance of immigrant spaza shops in Thulamela Local Municipality. Of these, the most frequently given ones include - human capital, networks, culture, superior customer service, long operating hours and business location. The researcher recommended that immigrant spaza-shop entrepreneurs should establish a mentorship program that will assist in training other local spaza-owners to successfully manage their enterprises, in a bid to create harmony within the sector and to promote job creation. / NRF

South Africa‘s education system is in dire straits with few people having access to tertiary education. This has resulted in a skills shortage across all industries. Private companies as well as public companies are experiencing problems due to this skills shortage. This paper investigated whether private companies feel they have a duty to assist in resolving this problem, considering Milton Friedman‘s assertion that the sole purpose of a company is to make money for the shareholders compared with the notion of conscious capitalism. A literature review was followed by a qualitative study where CEOs of private companies were interviewed. These companies included unlisted companies, partnerships and sole proprietors. During the interview process, they were asked whether in their opinion they have a duty to be involved in solving the problem of lack of access to tertiary education, whether they are currently involved and the reasons why they are involved or not. The question was asked whether in their opinion the theory of Friedman or conscious capitalism is more applicable to their environment through investment in education. It was found that the small business owner does experience a sense of duty and responsibility towards solving problems in tertiary education. In some cases, this was due to legislation promulgated by government. This sense of duty is limited to their immediate environment. It was shown how legislation has interfered with the theory of conscious capitalism in terms of the four constructs on which it is built and how various other factors need to be taken into account when considering whether conscious capitalism is relevant in the business environment. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lmgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2005 / Refer to document

Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Magister Legum - LLM / This thesis explored the impact that Sectoral Determination 1: Contract Cleaning Sector, South Africa had on the growth of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the sector. It critically examined the prevailing perception in industry, that labour legislation has a negative impact on the growth of SMMEs, and, evaluates the South African government's response to this perception. / South Africa

The role and impact of information and communications technologies (ICTs) towards enabling socio-economic development in small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) has received attention from various scholars. South Africa as a lower middle-income developing country has a number of development priorities which include the urgent need to expand the economy and ultimately to eradicate poverty and unemployment. Based on evidence from more advanced economies, expanded access and usage of ICTs in SMMEs is considered an imperative to enable the acceleration of development goals. This study sets out to advance understanding of the role and impact of ICT usage by SMMEs on poverty reduction from a South African perspective. A systematic literature review methodology was applied to analyse previous theoretical and empirical studies conducted on the interplay between ICTs, SMMEs and poverty reduction. Empirical data was gathered from SMMEs through semi structured interviews and observations. A purposively selected case study was also carried out serving to enhance contextual insight into the role of ICTs in an SMME context. The thematic analysis method, Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and Sustainable Livelihood framework (SL) were applied as the data analysis methods. The combination of ANT and the SL framework for expanded analysis has not been applied before by similar studies that examine the interplay between ICT, SMMEs and poverty reduction. The process of triangulation was applied on the empirical findings in order to reduce bias and to construct a conceptual model. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by proposing a conceptual model that frames the role and impact of ICT usage by SMMEs towards improving their livelihoods and reducing poverty. Methodologically it offers an example of how method pluralism can be applied to gain a better understanding of the research phenomena. From a practical perspective, this study addresses real life challenges resulting in the suggestion of practical guidelines to ensure that the use of ICTs by SMMEs results in improvements in their financial and non-financial well-being. The findings of this study indicate that the relationship between ICT usage and poverty reduction is neither simple nor linear. Effective use of ICTs could result in SMMEs leveraging more benefits and thus improving their human capabilities as well as social and economic well-being resulting in poverty reduction. / Thesis (PhD) University of Pretoria, 2017. / Informatics / PhD / Unrestricted