This study examined marketing communications in South African microenterprises. Large organisations normally engaged in marketing activities to support their growth and success. With microenterprises, a type of small business, touted as having a critical role to play in the development of South Africa’s economy but failing to live up to that expectations the purpose of this study was to explore and gain a preliminary understanding of the perceptions and understanding of the importance and the use of marketing communications by microenterprises in South Africa.Micro-entrepreneurs around Gauteng were identified as the population to be studied and from that population, micro-entrepreneurs who work with MEDO were identified as a sample. Using a questionnaire, data was collected from owners of microenterprises and analysed to arrive to findings outlined below:An overwhelming majority of the owners of microenterprises have a positive perception towards marketing communications. They believe it can play a vital role in the growth and success of their businesses. However, it was interesting to note that again a majority of them did not understand the concept of marketing communications. What was also interesting was that they were prepared to learn more about the concept because they believe it can make a difference to their businesses. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

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Esse trabalho faz uma revisão generalizada dos tipos de sistemas de produção dentro das pequenas e microempresas, e referencia como eles ajudam ou diminuem as capacidades de inovação e geração de conhecimento tácito por quanto é um estudo comparativo de processos inovação de um grupo de empresários peruanos e brasileiros. Seguindo esse intuito; utilizou-se a metodologia de estudo de caso exploratório e descritivo para verificar, junto empresários do setor calçadista, o alinhamento da teoria com a práxis dos processos de aprendizagem e flexibilização dentro delas. Os resultados apresentam fortes ligações, vindicando a teoria, no entanto, se acharam novos eixos de discussão no que diz da especialização flexível dentro das pequenas e microempresas. Estes resultados indicam, por sua vez, que um dos fatores condicionantes de inovação nestas empresas através da criação de elos com fornecedores e distribuidores, e também através de criação de processos implícitos de empatia com o cliente. / This work makes a generalized revision of the types of production systems within small and microcompanies and refers how they help or diminish the innovation capabilities and generation of tacit knowledge because it is a comparative study of innovativeness processes from a group of Peruvian and Brazilian entrepreneurs. Following this intention; it was used a exploratory and descriptive case research methodology to verify, with entrepreneurs from footwear sector, the alignment of the theory with the practice of learning processes and flexibility inside them. The results present strong linkages vindicating the theory, however, were encountered new axles for discussion from the flexible specialization theme within small and microcompanies. These results also indicate that one of the determinant factors of innovation in these companies is through creation of links with suppliers and deliverers and also through creation of implicit processes of empathy with the customer.

Esse trabalho faz uma revisão generalizada dos tipos de sistemas de produção dentro das pequenas e microempresas, e referencia como eles ajudam ou diminuem as capacidades de inovação e geração de conhecimento tácito por quanto é um estudo comparativo de processos inovação de um grupo de empresários peruanos e brasileiros. Seguindo esse intuito; utilizou-se a metodologia de estudo de caso exploratório e descritivo para verificar, junto empresários do setor calçadista, o alinhamento da teoria com a práxis dos processos de aprendizagem e flexibilização dentro delas. Os resultados apresentam fortes ligações, vindicando a teoria, no entanto, se acharam novos eixos de discussão no que diz da especialização flexível dentro das pequenas e microempresas. Estes resultados indicam, por sua vez, que um dos fatores condicionantes de inovação nestas empresas através da criação de elos com fornecedores e distribuidores, e também através de criação de processos implícitos de empatia com o cliente. / This work makes a generalized revision of the types of production systems within small and microcompanies and refers how they help or diminish the innovation capabilities and generation of tacit knowledge because it is a comparative study of innovativeness processes from a group of Peruvian and Brazilian entrepreneurs. Following this intention; it was used a exploratory and descriptive case research methodology to verify, with entrepreneurs from footwear sector, the alignment of the theory with the practice of learning processes and flexibility inside them. The results present strong linkages vindicating the theory, however, were encountered new axles for discussion from the flexible specialization theme within small and microcompanies. These results also indicate that one of the determinant factors of innovation in these companies is through creation of links with suppliers and deliverers and also through creation of implicit processes of empathy with the customer.

Magister Artium - MA / The micro-enterprise sector, although associated with mostly informal businesses, shows promise of potential and transitioning to more formal businesses. With this in mind, the South African government recognizes that prioritized sectorial development is needed to stimulate growth particularly in the micro-enterprise sector. Considering that evidence reveals growth and development in small business practices being closely related to the use of different forms of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), if and when strategically applied. Therefore recognizing the importance of ICTs the South African government has embarked on various technology related initiatives to facilitate needed growth and development. Despite this, entrepreneurs in the micro-enterprise sector demonstrate a low uptake of ICTs for their business operations, including the use of mobile technologies which are the most common form of ICTs available to micro- entrepreneurs. Many previous studies have investigated the adoption and use of mobile technologies in the microenterprise sector, but despite this a low uptake of mobile technologies still exists. For this reason, this study investigates and empirically determines the factors influencing the adoption and use of mobile applications for micro-enterprise operations in South Africa, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model as a lens. The research population comprised a group of micro-entrepreneurs who all are users of a common mobile application (mentorship-movement application). The main aim of the investigation was to determine (i) the factors influencing the adoption and use of mobile applications for micro- enterprise operation, (ii) if the experience gained and their satisfaction associated with using the mentorship-movement application will influence their behavioural intention to use other mobile applications for business. The study was conducted objectively and used hypothesis testing as the means of investigation. Data was collected through the use of a survey questionnaire. The findings of the study indicate that ii | P a g e performance expectancy and effort expectancy positively influences the micro-entrepreneurs behavioural intention to adopt and use mobile applications for micro-enterprise operations. The findings also observed that social influence has no impact on the micro- entrepreneurs’ behavioural intention to adopt and use mobile applications for business. Facilitating conditions and behavioural intention were found to positively influence the use behaviour of the micro-entrepreneurs when it comes to adoption and use of mobile applications for business. Moreover, the findings confirmed that experience and satisfaction in using one mobile application does not influence the behavioural intention of the micro-entrepreneurs to use other mobile applications for business. The factors which have been found to bear influence on the adoption and use of mobile applications amongst micro-entrepreneurs in South Africa have implications for both policy and practice. In particular, the findings of this study may be used to inform the design of the various programmatic interventions which seek to improve outcomes of the micro-entrepreneur sector. This includes interventions by the Department of Small Business Development and that of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).

Magister Commercii (Information Management) - MCom(IM) / The micro-enterprise sector, although associated with mostly informal businesses, shows promise of potential and transitioning to more formal businesses. With this in mind, the South African government recognizes that prioritized sectorial development is needed to stimulate growth particularly in the micro-enterprise sector. Considering that evidence reveals growth and development in small business practices being closely related to the use of different forms of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), if and when strategically applied. Therefore recognizing the importance of ICTs the South African government has embarked on various technology related initiatives to facilitate needed growth and development. Despite this, entrepreneurs in the micro-enterprise sector demonstrate a low uptake of ICTs for their business operations, including the use of mobile technologies which are the most common form of ICTs available to micro- entrepreneurs. Many previous studies have investigated the adoption and use of mobile technologies in the micro- enterprise sector, but despite this a low uptake of mobile technologies still exists. For this reason, this study investigates and empirically determines the factors influencing the adoption and use of mobile applications for micro-enterprise operations in South Africa, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model as a lens. The research population comprised a group of micro-entrepreneurs who all are users of a common mobile application (mentorship-movement application). The main aim of the investigation was to determine (i) the factors influencing the adoption and use of mobile applications for micro- enterprise operation, (ii) if the experience gained and their satisfaction associated with using the mentorship-movement application will influence their behavioural intention to use other mobile applications for business. The study was conducted objectively and used hypothesis testing as the means of investigation. Data was collected through the use of a survey questionnaire. The findings of the study indicate that performance expectancy and effort expectancy positively influences the micro-entrepreneurs behavioural intention to adopt and use mobile applications for micro-enterprise operations. The findings also observed that social influence has no impact on the micro-entrepreneurs’ behavioural intention to adopt and use mobile applications for business. Facilitating conditions and behavioural intention were found to positively influence the use behaviour of the micro-entrepreneurs when it comes to adoption and use of mobile applications for business. Moreover, the findings confirmed that experience and satisfaction in using one mobile application does not influence the behavioural intention of the micro-entrepreneurs to use other mobile applications for business. The factors which have been found to bear influence on the adoption and use of mobile applications amongst micro-entrepreneurs in South Africa have implications for both policy and practice. In particular, the findings of this study may be used to inform the design of the various programmatic interventions which seek to improve outcomes of the micro-entrepreneur sector. This includes interventions by the Department of Small Business Development and that of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).

Submitted by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-01-18T11:47:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 1421814.pdf: 2970927 bytes, checksum: d68729be09b5b5a9e6a879a96156b6bb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-01-18T11:47:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1421814.pdf: 2970927 bytes, checksum: d68729be09b5b5a9e6a879a96156b6bb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-01-18T11:47:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1421814.pdf: 2970927 bytes, checksum: d68729be09b5b5a9e6a879a96156b6bb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-01-18T11:47:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1421814.pdf: 2970927 bytes, checksum: d68729be09b5b5a9e6a879a96156b6bb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Esta pesquisa objetivou analisar o impacto do microcrédito junto aos microempreendedores beneficiados pela Instituição de Microcrédito ICC-Blusol de Blumenau, Santa Catarina. De um total de 5.451 clientes foram selecionados e analisados 94, os quais obtiveram microcrédito durante os 10 últimos anos. Para testar a veracidade da afirmação, utilizou-se modelo econométrico utilizando a técnica de dados em painel, através da estimação das variáveis no modelo de efeitos fixos e efeitos aleatórios. Como variável independente utilizou-se a premissa 'Valor do Empréstimo' e como variáveis dependentes 'Vendas', 'Resultado Operacional', 'Garantia Real', 'Garantia Aval', 'Recursos Humanos', 'Custos Fixos' e 'Custos Variáveis'. Conclui -se que somente as variáveis 'Vendas' e 'Resultado Operacional' validam a afirmação de que o acesso ao microcrédito resulta em incremento de Faturamento e Renda. A criação e manutenção de empregos, embora não tenha sido comprovada na análise estatística, ficou evidente, pois a simples sobrevivência da empresa já pressupõe isto. / This study aimed at assessing the impact ofmicrocredit given to micro entrepreneurs by ICCBlusol Microfinance Institution in Blumenau, Santa Catarina. Out of a total of 5.451, 94 clients who have been given microcredit for the past 10 years were selected and analyzed. An econometric model was used in order to verify the truth of this statement. It included a panel data technique through a variables assessment in the fixed effects and random effects model. The 'Loan Amount' premi se was used as an independent variable. The dependent variables were 'Sales', 'Operational Results', 'Collateral,' 'Assurance Guarantee', 'Human Resources', 'Fixed Costs' and 'Variable Costs'. We concluded that the only variables which validate the assertion that access to microcredit results in an increase of Revenue and Income were 'Sales' and 'Operational Results'. Although not proven in the statistical analysis, creating and maintaining jobs was evident because that element alone already presupposes a company's survival.

Submitted by Tatiana Lima (tatianasl@ufba.br) on 2016-04-26T18:26:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rebouças, Osório Sampaio Rocha.pdf: 6286886 bytes, checksum: 73a1601447c7470e1b8e40d63718d8d6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Tatiana Lima (tatianasl@ufba.br) on 2016-04-26T18:30:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Rebouças, Osório Sampaio Rocha.pdf: 6286886 bytes, checksum: 73a1601447c7470e1b8e40d63718d8d6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T18:30:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rebouças, Osório Sampaio Rocha.pdf: 6286886 bytes, checksum: 73a1601447c7470e1b8e40d63718d8d6 (MD5) / A categoria empresarial conhecida como Microemprendedor iniciou com a sanção da Lei Geral da Micro e Pequena Empresa. Esta lei oportuniza ao pequeno empreendedor a obtenção de tratamento diferenciado no que diz respeito a tributos, benefícios e direitos até então nunca disponibilizados aos micro e pequenos negócios. Nesta categoria empresarial, o empreendedor tem direito aos benefícios do INSS, emissão de nota fiscal, acesso a crédito, vantagens na participação de licitações e contratos públicos, dentre outras possibilidades. Nesse sentido, para que ele desfrute e usufrua desses benefícios é necessário estar em dias com suas obrigações. Para que o Microempreendedor Individual obtenha esses benefícios é preciso ter foco na criação de uma gestão eficiente e eficaz para que os resultados sejam satisfatórios. Com o objetivo de analisar os desafios da formalização enfrentados pelos Microempreendedores, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo com um grupo de empresárias do setor de serviços (Cabeleireiras) enquadradas como Microempreendedoras. O intuito principal da pesquisa é compreender o cenário mundial, nacional e local onde estão inseridos estes empreendimentos, suas práticas diárias, suas táticas operacionais e as estratégias de gestão utilizadas em seus negócios para posteriormente sugerir uma Tecnologia de Gestão Social (TGS) capaz de contribuir com a redução da inadimplência e consequentemente proporcionar uma gestão “madura” condizente com as necessidades do negócio e do mercado. A avaliação desses fatores foi realizadas através dos resultados das entrevistas com essas empresárias e também por meio de visitas a órgãos como INSS, Receita Federal, Secretaria da Micro e Pequena Empresa e SEBRAE/NA realizadas no DF durante a Residência Social. Com os resultados dessa pesquisa foi possível entender, compreender e sugerir mudanças que contribuam para obtenção de resultados econômicos e sociais benéficos não só ao empresário, mas também a sociedade como um todo. The business category known as Microemprendedor was initiated with the sanction of the General Law of Micro and Small Enterprise. This law gives opportunity to small entrepreneurs to obtain differential treatment with regard to taxes, benefits and rights hitherto available to micro and small businesses. In this business category, the entrepreneur is entitled to benefits from social security, issue invoices, access to credit, benefits of participation in tenders and procurement, among other possibilities. However, to enjoy it and enjoy these benefits you must be on days with their obligations. For the Individual Microentrepreneur get these benefits you need to be focused on creating an efficient and effective management so that the results are satisfactory. In order to analyze the challenges faced by the formalization Micro-entrepreneurs was conducted field research with a group of entrepreneurs in the service sector (Hairdressers) classified in this business category. The main research goal is to understand the world stage, national and local where they live these developments, their daily practices, its operating tactics and management strategies used in their business to later suggest a TGS able to contribute to the reduction of default and consequently for a management "mature" consistent with business and market needs. The evaluation of these factors were performed using the results of interviews with these entrepreneurs and also through visits to organizations such as Social Security, IRS, Department of Micro and Small Enterprise and SEBRAE / NA held in Mexico City during the Social Housing. With the results of this research it was possible to understand, comprehend and suggest changes that contribute to achieving economic and social outcomes beneficial not only to the entrepreneur, but also for society as a whole.

PhD (Business Management) / Department of Business Management / Microfranchising’ is one of the new innovative entrepreneurial concepts that has gained traction in the past few years and potentially can provide a livelihood to the three billion people that live at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoPInnovationCenter, 2020) on less than US$2 a day. While microfranchising is a strategy meant to rapidly scale-up entrepreneurship behaviour, very little is known about the microfranchising processes as well as its ability to enhance entrepreneurship in South Africa. Resultantly, the latter is ignored from entrepreneurship discussion and discourse at both academic and policy levels. To address this gap the study assessed microfranchising practices in South Africa, with the aim of proposing a microfranchising framework that will enhance entrepreneurship development. The study used the interpretivism research paradigm to achieve the study objectives. Primary and secondary data were employed to collect data on the microfranchising practices in South Africa. The study sampled five microfranchise entrepreneurs (four microfranchisee and one microfranchisor using the in-depth structured interview format while secondary data (microfranchisees and microfranchisors success stories) and was employed to collect data on the former and current practices of microfranchising in South Africa. The collected data was analysed using the ATLAS.ti. The study results show that microfranchisees exhibit traits of successful entrepreneurs. As a result, the study concludes that microfranchising can be used as a tool for entrepreneurship development using the proposed microfranchising framework developed in Chapter 6 of this study. The value of this work is among the first in seeking to propose a framework for developing entrepreneurship through microfranchising. The implication of the study is that it potentially provides policymakers with valuable tools to understand microfranchising practices and its efficacy in stimulating entrepreneurship development in South Africa. The study recorded and established microfranchising practices in South Africa to enhance the extinct academic literature on microfranchising and entrepreneurship ventures operating at the BoP. / NRF

This essay explores the early experiences of Bangladeshi blue-collar service workers in digitalising their livelihoods. It is a qualitative study that surveys and interviews service-providers in Dhaka who use the business aggregator platform Sheba.xyz, an online service marketplace, and seeks to understand what brought these self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, previously outside the digital economy, to adopt an ICT-enabled solution. The study is guided by Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, one of the historically dominant paradigms in the field of communication for development (C4D). The overarching research question is, “Why did blue-collar service-providers in Dhaka adopt and use a digital business aggregator platform?” The aim is to explore what motivated/discouraged and enabled/hindered innovation adoption among a group of users previously marginalised from digital and financial inclusion. The findings suggest that adoption of Sheba.xyz among service-providers was not driven so much by a desire to digitalise one’s business per se, and as a means of mitigating a previous inability to do so. Rather, the factors that emerge from the qualitative data are other perceived relative advantages of the solution – of increase in customers, income, and opportunity. Survey respondents and interviewees also displayed strong affiliation with, and trust in, the platform provider; an alertness for fair treatment; and a drive to prosper, suggesting that they embraced a comprehensive concept and altered life situation where belonging, respect, and self-fulfilment matters, rather than narrowly adopted a new mobile application.