A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management specialising in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation Johannesburg, 2016 / The establishment and growth of informal traders in South Africa have been attributed with a considerable need and desire for these informal economies to achieve economic growth, create sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities, assist with employment opportunities, etc. A number of factors have an impact on how these informal traders can become competitive and formalised, and one of these enablers is the influence of ICT interventions by informal economies to improve business performance. The purpose of this research was to establish the perceived relationship between the influence of ICT usage by informal traders and the perceived impact on business performance. The intended objective was to assess whether the perception of ICT adoption by informal traders had a positive or negative business performance outcome. The research methodology adopted was a quantitative approach, which was guided by a positivist paradigm. The population targeted were informal traders in the Sandton region of Johannesburg, South Africa. A questionnaire was distributed to gather data. The influence of ICT and the perceived impact within informal traders in the Sandton region revealed some findings consistent with existing literature. It was the overall accepted perception that ICT adoption has a perceived positive impact on business performance, including but not limited to market share, products, and customer service, as measured in the research. A deeper analysis is required to understand why the respondents in the research overwhelmingly state that the influence of ICT adoption has a perceived positive impact on performance, market share, and product and customer service. / MT2016

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (ENVC) Johannesburg, 2016 / Entrepreneurial Leadership is a fledgling discourse within the entrepreneurial fraternity, yet its absence in enterprises contributes to most of the firms’ abrupt ending. Studies show the lifespan of SMEs in South Africa only lasting the first three years of existence. Entrepreneurial Leadership plays critical role in the business performance of the SME in Johannesburg. A sample of 123 respondents was drawn from mostly owners and managers of SMEs in Johannesburg. A multi-prong approach for data collection was administered in the study; this included calling the prospective respondents both on their landline telephones and mobiles and some were given hard copies of the questionnaire to complete. For the convenience of other prospective respondents, an e-link questionnaire was sent by email, and directly, to the mobile phones. The conclusion of the study showed a correlation between entrepreneurial leadership and business performance, correlation between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance and finally, the moderating effect of entrepreneurial leadership on entrepreneurial orientation and business performance in Johannesburg. Given the gap in the market for the practitioners in the sphere of SME, the application of findings of this report will be helpful to the prolonged tenure of the SME in Johannesburg. The theory amassed in the study will also contribute towards further studies in Entrepreneurial Leadership. / MT2017

A research submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Taxation), Johannesburg, 2017 / South Africa is young democratic country with just 22 years in democracy underpinned by the South African Constitution Act of 1996. Achievements and strides have been made to address the ills of the past but like any other emerging economy, major challenges remain. These challenges impact on business and the society at large. These challenges include lack of education, high rate of unemployment, high levels of inequality, lack of infrastructure and investment stimulate growth. This has been compounded by the slowdown in the world economy. The culmination of these issues has resulted in slow or very little economic growth. The South African Government remains instrumental in the development of the economy. Much is still required to ensure that there is prosperity for all that live in the country. The Government has come-up with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 as the economic growth strategy to address these major challenges. There are various programmes and plans set up by the Government to address these challenges. This research discusses some of the initiatives to address these challenges. As mentioned above, one of the critical issues facing South Africa is the lack of infrastructure and investment to boost the South African economy. The focus of this report is on tax incentives to support Small Medium Enterprises and industry at large with a view that development of Small Medium Enterprises will yield economic growth. Reputable institutions such as OECD share a view that development and growth of SMEs is quite critical to the economic growth, SMEs are equally important for South African economic growth. ‘SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) account for 60 to 70 per cent of jobs in most OECD countries, with a particularly large share in Italy and Japan, and a relatively smaller share in the United States. Throughout they also account for a disproportionately large share of new jobs, especially in those countries which have displayed a strong employment record, including the United States and the Netherlands.’ OECD publication, SMALL BUSINESSES, JOB CREATION AND GROWTH: FACTS, OBSTACLES AND BEST PRACTICE. One can argue that with 60 to 70 per cent of jobs for most OECD countries, Small Medium Enterprises are actually the economic drivers for these countries. / XL2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) March 2017 / The objective of this study is twofold: first to evaluate the magnitude of the effect of endogenous and exogenous risk factors in the success of South African (SA) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); second, to develop a framework for an integrated risk assessment model that can be used to assess SA SMEs holistically. Drawing from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, systems perspective, GEM framework and complex theory, an integrated risk assessment model framework that is person-centric, interdisciplinary, and multidimensional (individual, firm and environment) is formulated. This was a cross-sectional, quantitative study, which followed a post-positivist approach. Primary data, with a sample size of 286, was collected from SA SMEs through self-administered questionnaires. Data analysis included correlational analysis, backward elimination method, hierarchical multiple regression and mediation analysis. Financial capital, entrepreneurial self-efficacy on growth and risk perception emerged as significant predictors of SME success. However financial capital is by far the most influential predictor of financial performance. The results also confirmed the mediating effect of financial capital between entrepreneurial self-efficacy (finance and growth) and financial performance. Entrepreneurs who are confident can raise enough capital for their businesses, thus producing successful SMEs. Government policies and support programmes need to take a holistic view when supporting SMEs. While taking a holistic view, priority needs to be put on making capital available for entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses. Training programmes can focus on up-skilling entrepreneurs regarding entrepreneurial tasks that can improve their self-efficacy in management, financial understanding, and growth of their businesses. The study’s findings are important in that they help funders realise that business plans and financial projections are not the most important predictors of SME success, thus the need to review current risk assessment models. / MT 2017

A Research Report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters of Management in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation / This research investigates perceptions of the SMME community in Johannesburg, Gauteng, on the impact of the Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) Framework Act (Act No. 5 of 2000) as a Supplier Diversity (SD) tool. The research questions discussed are: 1) Are SMMEs directly benefitting from government as a result of PPP? 2) Are SMMEs indirectly benefitting through the private sector as a result of PPP? 3) How can PPP be improved? and 4) What are the problems with the implementation of PPP? The Osiba Research (2011) found that there was minimal impact from government programs in supporting and improving the majority of black-owned SMMEs and integrating them into the mainstream economy. It was further found that the major shortcomings were not due to insufficient or inaccurate policy, but the government’s inability to implement and support the very programs they designed. Other factors that work against SD in South Africa are corruption and nepotism which have led to lack of transparency in the awarding of tenders (Lodge T, 1998). Weak policy coordination and implementation, funding constraints and the fact that policy benefits were leveraged almost exclusively by medium-sized enterprises, which were often white owned, meant that previously disadvantaged people continue to be economically marginalized (Rogerson, 2013). Another setback is that of set-asides. Government has not been practicing its own policy through public procurement and as a result the private sector has showed little commitment to these set-asides. This is partly because the National Treasury holds that set-asides will inflate the cost of procurement (Timm, 2011). This is a qualitative study and as such an interpretivist research approach was used. Enterprises included in the sample were selected using the City of Johannesburg’s Supplier Database, which is the City’s official database that contains the list of accredited prospective suppliers of different goods and services that are required by the City. The results of this research suggests that while there have been links to increased economic growth and rebalancing of socio-economic inequalities as a result of PPP, there are still major problems to overcome such as lack of transparency in awarding tenders, beneficiaries of government business employing non South African citizens/permanent residents, despondency on set-asides, fronting, lack of access to funding, lack of information and lack of commitment to PPP by large corporates. The study concludes with recommendations on policy, how the problem of rationalisation might be overcome, as well as how closer cooperation between SMMEs, government and large corporates can enhance PPP. Recommendations on potential future research are also made. / MT2016

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / South Africa for more than three decades has been described as the economic capital of Africa because of its level of industrialization, production, interactions and business transactions with other companies locally, nationally, regionally and globally. This situation goes hand in hand with the continual emergence in South Africa of business organizations, notably major international groups or their subsidiaries, other foreign or national large corporations, as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The SME sector has significantly emerged in industries such as retail and manufacturing that produce a wide variety of consumer goods and related services. They produce services and goods that are destined for both local and international consumption. Similarly, they are also sourcing goods and services from local or international suppliers. Consequently, SMEs are involved in a complex supply chain management challenges and are exposed to the chain’s intense logistics activities. The main objective of this study was to determine how outsourcing can improve effectively the logistics performance of wine producing SMEs in the manufacturing sector. The findings from the interviews conducted with 16 personnel responsible for logistics performance from selected small and medium wine producers in Constantia, Stellenbosch, and Paarl, offer support for the assumption that outsourcing is a key to logistics performance in SMEs. The general outcome of the study suggests that logistics performance of SMEs is dependent on their ability to manage outsourcing of logistics services. Thus, knowing beforehand the “what for” of outsourcing is very important determinant for driving logistics performance, especially defining, assessing and measuring the performance objectives the SMEs expect from outsourcing and choosing logistics partners that can meet these objectives.

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

Thesis (MBA) -- University of Limpopo (turfloop Campus), 2011 / This study investigates and analyses the situational analysis of SMMEs in the Maruleng Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province. It serves to identify the underlying factors that influence the sustainability of SMMEs in the municipality. In order to gain an understanding on what factors influences the sustainability of SMMEs, a literature study and site analysis was employed as research method. Data were collected using a literature review and empirical investigation. The literature review provided a conceptual framework which included the background of SMMEs, the policies and procedures available for SMME development and promotion, the government intervention for SMME development as well as private sector support available for SMMEs. The empirical investigation was used to determine the situation of SMMEs in the local municipality. Using a questionnaire designed according to a quantitative approach, a random sampling method was used to select a sample of 60 SMMEs out of a total of 331 SMMEs in Maruleng municipality. Respondents were requested to complete the questionnaires. The important findings were discussed at length to determine the research objectives that resulted in the conclusion of this research. Based on the analysis of data, conclusion and recommendations were formulated.

Thesis (MBA) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The leasing out of the shops to foreign owners in the rural areas in Greater Letaba Municipality by black businessmen is of concern to those involved in the economic development of the municipality. An exploratory business analysis approach was used to analyze this report. The previous local shop owners and foreign shop owners were interviewed to get the aspects that made the former fail to successfully run their business. The problem statement and objectives of the research are outlined by comparing the three shop owners through tables, and this paved the way for the researcher to understand different models used to run their businesses. Both local and foreign shop owners used the pricing strategy though their price differed. The foreign shop owners, present local shop owners and previous shop owners have, in terms of management been dealing with pricing, competition and system and equipment. The analyses of findings are presented also in the form of tables. The present local shop owners and foreign shop owners operate more or less the same. They network and buy more stock in order to sell it cheaper. The recommendation and conclusions will assist businesses not to fail in future.

Thesis (MBA) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / Governments worldwide have acknowledged the impact of Small, Micro and Medium (SMME) organisations on job creation, improvement of people’s standards of living and hence an overall impact on the economy. Women are playing an important role in contributing to countries’ economic development and better governance, and the well-being of their communities and households. In March 2007, about 45% of women were owning and managing a business. In a country like South Africa with a high unemployment rate a provision of better opportunities for women could lead to improvements in poverty reduction and accelerated economic growth. However in South Africa women involvement in entrepreneurship has remained constant despite a number of initiatives by the government. The existence of gender-related barriers thwarts the economic potential of women as entrepreneurs and workers. Such barriers have an adverse impact on enterprise development, productivity, and competitiveness in the economy. Consequently, addressing gender-specific barriers and other challenges to entrepreneurship and leveraging the full participation of women in the development of South Africa together represents a significant opportunity to unleash productive potential and to strengthen economic growth. It is therefore important to understand the environment in which these women operate and the challenges they face. The literature indicates that despite significant progress in creating an enabling environment for SMMEs, much work remains, with a majority of enterprises remaining in the nascent and 'baby business' phases (less than 3.5 years in existence). Research by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) suggests that the survival rate for start-ups in South Africa is low and that the opportunity forentrepreneurial activity is the lowest of all the reviewed developing countries (Allen et al, 2007:8; the DTI, 2008:48) A quantitative study design was employed for this project. A closed-ended questionnaire was sent out, focusing on women in small business in Capricorn District Municipality as a unit of analysis. Capricorn District Municipality has one thousand four hundred 1400 registered women business. One-hundred-and-fifty (150) questionnaires were sent out to the respondents and fifty two (52) questionnaires were returned. The research findings indicated that 29% of the women sought advice from business development services and from local business support centre respectively. While 23% of the women sought advice from business women association and 17% sought advice from other sources. 27% of the women indicated lack of business skills as the main stumbling block in the establishment of business while 23% indicated that they encountered inadequate access to finance and credit facility as the main problem of starting business. Most of the women consulted were from small and micro-enterprise, the writer could not get their views of the experiences in other sectors. The other challenges were that the sample was relatively small due to difficulties experienced in getting the number of women in small business in the Capricorn District Municipality.