Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / SMMEs provide opportunities for employment and economic growth for South Africa. SMMEs need to be as prepared as their larger counterparts in the ever-changing local and global business environment. In order to become not only successful but also sustainable, the smaller enterprise must be aware of what is happening in both its external and internal business and operating environment. It is important for these smaller enterprises to take cognisance of changes in the political and legislative environments, as well as changes in customer expectations and competitor behaviour. Knowledge management tools such as competitive intelligence and particularly internal and external benchmarking are vital for the company’s survival. Concepts such as benchmarking for internal and external best practices, as well as competitive intelligence to gain important external decision-making knowledge, can be as beneficial to SMMEs as they are to the large corporate entities. However, knowledge management is largely ignored in the smaller company’s decision-making processes, due to financial and time constraints as well as a lack of the necessary skills to utilise knowledge management tools. Knowledge management can therefore be as important and beneficial to the smaller enterprise’s operations and decision-making mechanisms as it may be to corporations and large companies. The broad goal of this study is to review the literature on achieving best practice by implementing knowledge management in organisations. The examination of the literature and the subsequent description of the outcomes could be used to create awareness that, like larger companies, SMMEs need to process internal as well as external information in order to make strategic decisions. The utilisation of CI tools such as SWOT analysis, PEST analysis and benchmarking allow the company to systematically gather and interpret information. By using the Baldrige criteria, a systematic and continuous approach for learning and improvement is developed. This methodology (the literature review) provides a framework for gaining the knowledge that already exists (in books, journals and on the Internet). By disseminating this knowledge according to the methods described, it is hoped that the research will construct already existing knowledge into a new approach that might benefit the discipline as a whole. From the results of the study, it should become clear that certain aspects of enhancing CI in smaller enterprises require attention. Although there are organisations that assist SMMEs with relevant information, this information is scattered across various sources in different formats. Not much information and assistance is available to smaller enterprises that provides a clear framework of how to achieve internal CI practices by using the CI tools and business models such as benchmarking within the formal structure of the Baldrige criteria.

One of the greatest challenges facing South Africa and the "independent states" of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei over the next decade will be job creation and the development of the skills of the people. This is particularly true of Ciskei with its rapid population growth, unemployment, shortage of skilled manpower and over abundance of unskilled labour. Small business and, in particular, retailing with its relatively low entry requirements, can play a significant role in the creation of jobs. Small business, and small business retailing in particular, suffers, however, from a high failure rate resulting in a waste of financial and human resources which a developing nation like Ciskei can ill afford. The training of people involved in small business retailing is, therefore, of great importance. There is no unanimity of opinion, however, as to what training models or approaches are most appropriate. The purpose of this study was, thus, to design a training model, develop an andragogic training programme for Ciskeian small retailers based upon the model and test it. In accordance with the model developed, the nature of the retailers performance problem was established, the job of the small retailer was analysed, the training needs of retailers were identified, performance standards were set, the course curriculum was developed, training strategies and styles were selected, the necessary training resources were obtained and the training programme was implemented. A pilot training programme was run in 1987 and then the amended programme was run for two years. The results of the training were measured in terms of: -the delegates reaction to the training programme -what the delegates learnt -changes in the business as perceived by regular customers -reaction of the delegates to the training programme one year later -case studies and survival rates Statistically significant positive results were obtained in all aspects evaluated. It can, therefore, be concluded that the andragogic training model for Ciskeian retailers resulted in a positive reaction of delegates to the training, an improvement in the retailer's knowledge of retailing, positive changes in the businesses as perceived by regular customer and improved survival rates of these small retail businesses.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration)--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2003 / Unemployment has economic and social effects. The main social threat is the stability of the family as an economic and social unit as family relationships suffer should basic needs not be met. The most practical way to combat this problem is through entrepreneurship, where small medium and micro enterprises can address issues such as job creation and economic growth. These enterprises are of particular importance to government and donors resulting in numerous studies being done in especially urban environments. Rural areas have, however, been neglected, owing to the lack of knowledge, funds and initiatives on the part of local authorities. Rural development differs from urban development owing to smaller markets, seasonal fluctuations and slower growth rates, especially in coastal towns. This study was therefore undertaken to provide guidelines to local authorities and community leaders, specifically in Hermanus, to enable them to support local small businesses. As a first step, existing government policy and strategies were investigated (Chapter 2), after which available assistance, on government and non-government level, was discussed (Chapter 3). The Department of Trade and Industry is the main role player in terms of small business development There are also institutions providing financial assistance (for example Khula and the Industrial Development Corporation), institutions providing services (such as NEPA, SABS and CSIR), and finally, institutions providing indirect support (such as SACOB and DBSA). Hermanus as the basis of the study has certain poIicies in place, namely the Integrated Development Plan, Spatial Development Framework and two tourism-related studies (Chapter 4). Individual interviews were held with certain role players in the area (Chapter 5) which resulted in the following: • Role players are not aware of government initiatives in terms of small, medium and micro enterprises in the region. • Role players are unsure if hives/craft: markets could contribute to job creation. • Role players are concerned about job creation but not through small, medium and micro enterprises as a vehicle. Chapter 6 concludes with two success stories, namely Stutterheim and Melkhoutfontein, and provides broad guidelines in terms of small business development in Hermanus.

M.B.A. / Since the first democratic elections of April 1994, the government of South Africa has been grappling with a wide range of social and economic development issues. The development and promotion of small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) is one of these critical issues. This is seen as vital for job creation, income generation and the promotion of sustainable and equitable economic growth. It is the view of government that the SIVIME sector also deserves attention because it has been neglected in the past. It is also widely acknowledged that SMMEs play a vital role in absorbing labour, penetrating new markets and expanding the economy in creative and innovative ways. The stated general objective by the government was the need to create an enabling environment in which small businesses would flourish. There was an intensive process of consultations with key stakeholders on the SMME sector. This took the form of the 1994 White Paper (discussion paper) on Strategies for the Development of an Integrated Policy and Support Programme for Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises in South Africa, the President's Conference on Small Business in 1995 and the Second National Conference on Small Business in 1997. The highlight of these efforts was the enabling of the institutional support framework via the National Small Business Act of 1996 which aimed at providing a supportive environment for small business development. Several institutions were created under this act at national, provincial and local levels with the following aims and objectives: To coordinate the overall national policy on small business development. To mobilize the maximum involvement by all stakeholders. To facilitate the provision of financial and non-financial support services. In general, to represent the interests of the SMME sector. The aim of this study was to investigate how effective the government policy on the development and promotion of small business has been. The focus was the Northern Province, one of the nine provinces in South Africa. The researcher was specifically interested in looking at the establishment of the institutional framework at provincial and local government level, whether the products developed for small business support have been well-marketed to the SMME sector and whether the small business sector was benefiting from these products. There were three main aspects to the conduct of the study. Government officials in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Northern Province were interviewed. Institutions that have been set up to provide support services to small business were also visited and officials at these institutions were also interviewed. Further information was obtained from existing documentation at the DTI and from the institutions offering support services to small business. A survey of the SMME sector in the Northern Province was conducted. A designed questionnaire was presented to a representative sample of small businesses. The data obtained from interviews and existing documentation has been summarized descriptively. The data from the questionnaires has been analysed statistically. Graphical illustrations have been used to enhance the presentation. Conclusions, recommendations and some final reflections are also included.

Throughout the world, corporate or good governance has become such a dominating terminology in the ever -increasing business vocabulary. Its fast rise and strategic relevance to the global business communi ty is part ly due to the desi re by the business leaders wor ldwide to be seen to be doing something about the scourge of corporate failures resulting f rom poor governance. The objective of the research was to establish to what extent Smal l and Medium Enterpr ises (SMEs) comply with good governance principles and practices. The SMEs in the Port Elizabeth CBD were chosen as the representative population of the SME sector throughout the country. The research methodology included: A li terature study to determine, on the one hand the current good governance pract ices global ly, and on the other the role, relevance and the challenges of the SMEs in the South Af rican Economy. An empir ical study in order to obtain the empir ical evidence concerning SME compliance to good governance principles and pract ice. This was done through a survey of SME sector in the Port Elizabeth CBD. Lastly, the conclusion and recommendations. The conclusion was reached, inter alia, that the major ity of SMEs do not comply wi th good governance principles and pract ices for various reasons. Therefore the following recommendations were made: Recommended that the organisational accountants appointed in terms of the law should not confine themselves to the financial aspects of the business only, but also look at governance of these small businesses. Recommended that a sub-code for SMEs be developed. Recommended that the existing code of governance be amended to include a clause that requires large and establish businesses to insist on good governance in the SMEs they deal with at any level. Recommended that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should develop a qualification or unit standard on good governance to facilitate training on good governance. Since good governance knowledge is a key competence for every manager, especially senior management. It is recommended that institutions of higher learning should have good governance in their curriculum.

The research problem addressed in this study was concerned with the identification of factors that inhibit Small and Medium Enterprises from exporting their products to South Africa’s most important trading partners. To achieve this objective, a theoretical study was conducted to establish what literature reveals to be the most important trading partners, and the problems which businesses experience when they export their products to these destinations from the Eastern Cape. The information obtained in the literature study was analysed, and, in order to resolve the main problem, the research questionnaire was divided into four parts. • Part 1 consisted of biographical questions. • Part 2 consisted of questions aimed at establishing the reasons why organisations embarked on exporting. • Part 3 was concerned with what the respondents perceived as barriers to their export operations. • Part 4 was concerned with strategic decisions and the minimising of risk. The empirical results obtained indicate that, although inhibiting factors are a reality in exporting, these remain secondary to general market forces of supply and demand. It was shown that inhibiting factors do not play as big a role in the export process as the literature suggests.

The situation in South Africa throws up a trickier and more unconventional challenge. The country has symptoms of a spatial realm that is not fully connected with the urban systems (spatially, socially, or structurally) and is certainly disconnected from the rural economy. This is the realm of the country’s townships and informal settlements. Conceptually, they are relics of the country’s special past, but the policies of post-apartheid South Africa have inadvertently kept their contemporary reality alive. In many ways, the townships and especially the informal settlements are similar to the slums in much of the developing world, although never was a slum formed with as much central planning and purpose as were some of the larger South African townships. This paper undertakes to understand the growth strategies of black township entrepreneurs in South Africa. This paper also undertakes to investigate the perceived influence of education, government policies, access to funding, market constraints, crime and social norms on the development or perceived growth strategies for black township entrepreneurs. Propositions are made and tested through conducting interviews with individuals involved with the dynamics presented by this subject on a day to day basis. Evidence collected is interpreted into knowledge and finally recommendations are made.

Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) has evidently moved beyond the jurisdictions of academia and begun its ascension to the top of the corporate agenda. CSR is no longer considered a ‗by the way‘ but as a concept to be aligned to a company‘s strategy. The participation of businesses in CSR activities is especially vital in the developing world where the socio-economic needs of the communities are vast. Companies realise they cannot succeed in communities that fail, and CSR is seen as the most direct way to improve communities. With the immense importance of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in any economy, this study explores their limited participation in CSR, which will later be redefined as Communal Business Practices (CBP). An in-depth interview between the author and the manager/owner of a SMME was used to isolate four factors upon which the sub-problems were developed. These factors were Pressure from the Public, Resource Constraints, Scale of Activity, and Visibility. A questionnaire built on these factors was developed and distributed to various SMME managers /owners in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape provinces to explore their opinions on the participation of SMMEs in CBPs. Of the 97% of respondents who believed it was their responsibility to empower their communities, only 43% said they participated in CBPs. It was discovered that SMMEs do not feel pressure from the public to partake in CBPs like their larger counterparts. Instead resource constraints were identified as the most common barrier to SMME participation in CBPs. On the issue of visibility, most SMMEs felt they were not visible enough to benefit from improved legitimacy and reputational effects as larger companies do. On the problem of scale of activity, respondents felt it is proportional to the scale of CBP participation but not a barrier to participation The author concludes the study by putting forward some recommendations to increase the participation of SMMEs in social responsibility activities.

M.Com. (Business Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ing. / This research provides an assessment of export potential for a small South African Enterprise. An investigation will be conducted on export as a viable option for improving the small South African manufacturing enterprise's future outlook. Through the years following Apartheid, the manufacturing sector has diminished from once a protected self sufficient industry to an industry open to foreign competition due to the effects of globalization. The advent of reduced skilled workforce as a result of "brain drain" and lack of investment in education has also not helped any local enterprise in achieving growth easily, therefore the need to look at other growth mechanisms including export. Included is a brief overview of the export process procedure; the current and future social economic position of the country, and how the South African government's current policies aim to improve the local Small Medium Enterprises (SME) competitiveness. The export marketing plan, plus the necessary tools and plans for a business to initialize its first steps into export is also investigated and in the last chapters, a case study using a local business will be conducted using and adapting the export function for its own benefit.