Scania is a leading European developer and manufacturer of trucks, buses and engines, based in Södertälje in Sweden. From traditionally having been focused on offering their customer high quality products, Scania is now moving towards becoming a solution provider. This requires a combination of products and services and a deeper understanding of their customers’ business. Hauliers are one of Scania’s most important customer segments. In order to improve its solution offer, Scania wants to gain a deeper understanding about how hauliers develop. Recent studies at Scania have shown deficiencies in knowledge about haulier development. To fill this gap, this master’s thesis was initiated with the purpose of "gaining insight into haulier development and listing implications for Scania‟s business and service development". The aim of the study was to identify drivers, challenges and other important factors for growing hauliers. This result was then used to understand how Scania can contribute to its haulier customers’ growth by offering services. Seven hauliers were selected based on a number of criteria and studied closely. The results showed a gap between the services offered by Scania today and the services suggested after analyses. Particularly, it indicated that non vehicle related services could help hauliers make crucial steps in their development. Scania is advised to further deepen its understanding about haulier development. By doing this, Scania would take an important step into becoming the solution provider it aims to be.

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p>The Internet is now facilitating the provision of an increasing number of services. Thus, technology has become a more integrated part of people‟s daily routine. Some of these technologies include electronic communication, online banking, and shopping as well as electronic learning - to name but a few. However, for various reasons, such as limited formal education (which is a key promoter of reading and writing skills), access and skills, not everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the use of these technologies. The unequal distribution of opportunities of such nature is often broadly referred to as the <i><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial"><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial">digital divide</font></font><font size="3">. That is the gap between those who have access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not. One noted challenge that influences the use of ICT consists of socio-economic conditions, which together elicit high levels of poverty. An identified strategy for uplifting these areas was (and still is) entrepreneurship, notably small businesses. These small businesses however, generally have very short and mostly unsuccessful lives. As a result the government at all levels (national, provincial and local) has endeavoured to provide support to these businesses. Some of this support is provided through mediums, such as the Internet (here named &quot / electronic support&quot / ) to assist these small businesses. This support, which comes from government, is however, not being fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries. Thus, the small businesses are not benefiting from the support provided. Consequently, many are still experiencing a short and unsuccessful existence. This research thus analyses the small businesses in areas of the greater Cape Town, which are characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment. <font size="3">Previous studies in these areas have reported the lack of ICT related skills, also known as electronic skills (e-skills), as one of the reasons for the low uptake of electronic support (e-support). This e-support is provided by various levels of government through selected agencies (service providers). In essence, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of e-skills in the access and use of the provided e-support by owners of small businesses. Considering that the lack of adequate e-skills has been identified as influencing the use of e-support, the study also aims to identify the e-skills needed to fully utilise the provided e-support. The approach to this investigation included a review of pertinent literature and devising a conceptual model. This model was then tested in the empirical setting of this study. This setting included: (i) Providers of e-support (various specialised government agencies) and (ii) the intended beneficiaries of this e-support, i.e. small businesses in the previously disadvantaged areas (PDAs) of the greater Cape Town. Through the use of case study methodology and face to face interviews, it was found that many small business owners were not able to appropriately use the provided e-support. This was due to their lack of e-skills, which resulted in their inability to use ICT. Additionally, some were unaware of the existence of the e-support or the service providers. During the review of pertinent literature done as part of the study, an e-skills framework was designed. The framework identified the e-skills considered necessary in order for small business owners to effectively utilise the provided e-support and other technologies. The e-skills framework suggested by this study could be used as a tool to assist: (i) The providers of e-support to understand the usage of their services and enable (ii) a more informed understanding of the need for appropriate e-skills among small business owners, in relation to their use of the provided e-support. Additionally, (iii) small business owners should be in a better position to recognise the benefits of using technology, especially the Internet. <font size="3">The contribution of this study is seen as twofold. Firstly, it should assist the providers and users of e-support. This is done by addressing the practical side of the provision and usage of these services. Secondly, the study contributes an informative e-skills framework related to the effective use of e-support. This study also furthers academic knowledge in the area of the investigation, and suggests further directions for research. Considering, the limited small business sample (only participants from three PDAs), the generalisation of this study is limited. This limitation does not however, influence the validity of this research, or the credibility of the findings. </font></font></font></i></p>

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p>The Internet is now facilitating the provision of an increasing number of services. Thus, technology has become a more integrated part of people‟s daily routine. Some of these technologies include electronic communication, online banking, and shopping as well as electronic learning - to name but a few. However, for various reasons, such as limited formal education (which is a key promoter of reading and writing skills), access and skills, not everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the use of these technologies. The unequal distribution of opportunities of such nature is often broadly referred to as the <i><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial"><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial">digital divide</font></font><font size="3">. That is the gap between those who have access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not. One noted challenge that influences the use of ICT consists of socio-economic conditions, which together elicit high levels of poverty. An identified strategy for uplifting these areas was (and still is) entrepreneurship, notably small businesses. These small businesses however, generally have very short and mostly unsuccessful lives. As a result the government at all levels (national, provincial and local) has endeavoured to provide support to these businesses. Some of this support is provided through mediums, such as the Internet (here named &quot / electronic support&quot / ) to assist these small businesses. This support, which comes from government, is however, not being fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries. Thus, the small businesses are not benefiting from the support provided. Consequently, many are still experiencing a short and unsuccessful existence. This research thus analyses the small businesses in areas of the greater Cape Town, which are characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment. <font size="3">Previous studies in these areas have reported the lack of ICT related skills, also known as electronic skills (e-skills), as one of the reasons for the low uptake of electronic support (e-support). This e-support is provided by various levels of government through selected agencies (service providers). In essence, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of e-skills in the access and use of the provided e-support by owners of small businesses. Considering that the lack of adequate e-skills has been identified as influencing the use of e-support, the study also aims to identify the e-skills needed to fully utilise the provided e-support. The approach to this investigation included a review of pertinent literature and devising a conceptual model. This model was then tested in the empirical setting of this study. This setting included: (i) Providers of e-support (various specialised government agencies) and (ii) the intended beneficiaries of this e-support, i.e. small businesses in the previously disadvantaged areas (PDAs) of the greater Cape Town. Through the use of case study methodology and face to face interviews, it was found that many small business owners were not able to appropriately use the provided e-support. This was due to their lack of e-skills, which resulted in their inability to use ICT. Additionally, some were unaware of the existence of the e-support or the service providers. During the review of pertinent literature done as part of the study, an e-skills framework was designed. The framework identified the e-skills considered necessary in order for small business owners to effectively utilise the provided e-support and other technologies. The e-skills framework suggested by this study could be used as a tool to assist: (i) The providers of e-support to understand the usage of their services and enable (ii) a more informed understanding of the need for appropriate e-skills among small business owners, in relation to their use of the provided e-support. Additionally, (iii) small business owners should be in a better position to recognise the benefits of using technology, especially the Internet. <font size="3">The contribution of this study is seen as twofold. Firstly, it should assist the providers and users of e-support. This is done by addressing the practical side of the provision and usage of these services. Secondly, the study contributes an informative e-skills framework related to the effective use of e-support. This study also furthers academic knowledge in the area of the investigation, and suggests further directions for research. Considering, the limited small business sample (only participants from three PDAs), the generalisation of this study is limited. This limitation does not however, influence the validity of this research, or the credibility of the findings. </font></font></font></i></p>

Magister Educationis - MEd / Continuous learning has been identified as a key element for SMMEs to succeed in their drive to build productive capacity, to compete, to create jobs and to contribute to poverty alleviation in South Africa. Without the necessary business skills and insight, emerging entrepreneurs will not be able to run their business successfully. Therefore, emerging small business owners especially those in rural areas attend the general, basic, government-subsidized courses provided by non-profit organizations.To ensure that learning is being transferred to the workplace, the Western Cape Business Development Centre (WCBDC) applies the concept of mentoring as a follow-up programme. In layman’s term, a business mentor refers to someone who is experienced in business, trustworthy and professional, trained and up-to-date in their advice.The goal of the research was to evaluate the impact of the WCBDC’s mentoring program on the development of marketing skills of an established small business. I did a case study on one of the successful small businesses in Saldanha, The Marine and Industrial Coaters (MIC), whose owners have attended the Western Cape Business Development Center’s (WCBDC) entrepreneurial development program and then enrolled for its business mentoring programme.Since the mentoring programme commits a substantial amount of resources to mentoring and requires a lot of time from the WCBDC, it is of interest to see whether the expected goals of the mentoring programme – to enhance the entrepreneurs’ business skills and to lead entrepreneurs to business growth – are achieved. I have focused on the development of marketing skills and found that the entrepreneurs’ marketing knowledge and skills did developed as a result of the programme. More efforts need to continue to sustain the existing momentum. However, success in implementing the mentoring programme will depend on essential factors such as selfdirected learning, facilitative and multiple mentoring, application of both psychosocial and career mentoring functions, and shared accountability and responsibility of both mentee and mentor.

It is recommended that the City of Guadalupe prepare and implement a small-scale business expansion and retention program using existing service providers in the area. This type of program model seems to hold the most potential for Guadalupe. A mixed-methods approach including in-depth cases studies of existing economic development programs and an analysis of opportunities and constraints in Guadalupe informs a set recommendations for future economic development in the City. Data was collected in three phases: short interviews with a variety of economic development program staff, short interviews with Guadalupe business owners and City officials and in-depth interviews with staff from five selected case-study programs.

The study of the Clackamas Small Business Development Center's Small Business Management Programs (SBM) had three research objectives: to ascertain what information should be transferred to small business owners and how best to transfer that information; to ascertain what information is presently being transferred to clients and what methods are used in transferring the information; and to survey clients in order to develop a current demographic profile, measure their level of satisfaction with the assistance received, and ascertain what they perceived were the benefits of the program to their companies. Prior to the study, there had been little systematic research of what information should be transferred to SBDC clients and the most effective methods for transferring that information. The small business growth stage literature was used to develop the recommended body of information. The adult learning literature was used to develop the recommended methods for transferring that information to clients. The majority of respondents were women, well educated, middle-aged, and from companies in service related industries that employed few workers. The findings suggest that clients desire an increase in both the appropriateness of the program's informational content and the level of their involvement in tailoring the SBM program to the needs of their organizations. As suggested by the Small Business Growth Stage Models, a statistically significant decline in client satisfaction of the program's informational content was found to exist between stage two and stage three business owners. The study found that instructors did not utilize specific business factors (such as sales levels, numbers of employees, etc.) in developing the informational content of the SBM programs. Instructors also did not utilize client preferred learning styles, or formal client involvement in developing the instructional design of the SBM program. The study found that clients and center personnel appear to differ in their perceptions regarding the role of the instructor and the purpose of the SBM program. Clients appear to envision the role of the instructor as more of a consultant, while instructors view their role as preparing clients to solve their own problems.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism is mandated to focus on growing the provincial economy, empowering women and youth, on supporting small businesses and co-operatives and improving the lives of the people of the province for the better as indicated in the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Province Budget Vote (2015/16). Economic growth and social wellbeing are closely tied to the ability to protect the natural environment. Mining, electricity generation and agriculture are among the economic activities that have a direct impact on the environment and need to be carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner. Towards this vision, the assets which are furniture, transport, computer hardware and other machinery and equipment need to be managed efficiently and effectively in order to fulfil the needs of society and the departments. These assets represent an enormous value for the owner which is LEDET and for society at large. To grasp the full potential of these assets, a deep and thorough understanding of an asset’s complete lifetime is needed. However, the assets especially physical assets, public buildings and infrastructures are not managed properly and that results in numerous challenges and audit queries that are raised by the Auditor General. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges that are facing the asset management unit of Limpopo Department of Economic Development & Tourism (LEDET). Asset Management has been hailed as important in order to enable government to deliver proper services to the citizens of the country. This has encouraged the researcher to undertake the study in order to add more knowledge on the asset management process of the government, looking at the challenges and possible solutions. The need for this study was considered relevant and necessary as government departments and other private sectors face numerous challenges in implementing the asset management. Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, as a case study, faces challenges in fulfilling some of its mandate due to lack of support from asset management activities. In terms of its strategic plan, the department seeks to address issues relating to economic growth, the promotion and development of tourism and using environmental management to guide and monitor sustainable development in the province. These challenges have negative implications on the delivery of services to the communities it serves. In this study, the researcher investigated the following: demographic profile of respondents, challenges facing asset management, the impact of asset management on service delivery and lastly the best practice on the implementation of asset management. Data were analysed into themes and revealed communication, training, interpretation of relevant prescripts, limited resources, proper allocation of resources and effective participation of relevant stakeholders as, amongst others, challenges to the process. The study concluded by providing recommendations to management of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism on how to improve the asset management activities to achieve the strategic goals of the department. The recommendations proposed are improved communications with stakeholders, development of asset plan, skills capacity of asset management officials and sourcing the asset information system that integrates with the financial system to provide a reliable asset register. / LEDET (Limpopo Department of Economic Development & Tourism)

Die bestaande belastingaansporingsmaatreels in Suid-Afrika is nagevors. Belastingaansporingsmaatreels wat vroeer in gebruik was, is ook ondersoek. Aandag is gegee aan die kontantaansporingsmaatreels wat vir vervaardigingsondernemings beskikbaar is in Suid-Afrika. Programme wat deur onder andere die Nywerheid-Ontwikkelingskorporasie van Suid-Afrika Beperk en die Kleinsake-Ontwikkelingskorporasie aangebied word is ondersoek. Ondersoek is ingestel na die bevindings van die Margo kommissie Verslag wat in 1986 uitgereik is. Die verslag van die Katz-kommissie wat in 1994 uitgereik is, is ook nagevors. Aandag is gegee aan die 1994, 1995 en 1996 begrotings asook sommige van die aspekte van die Algemene Ooreenkoms op Tariewe en Handel. Die belastingkoerse en aansporingsmaatreelsprogramme wat deur die Verenigde State van Amerika, Verenigde Koninkryk en Kanada beskikbaar gestel word aan ondernemings is ondersoek. Moontlike oplossings vir die probleme wat tans ondervind word in SuidAfrika se aansporingsmaatreelstelsel is geformuleer. / The existing tax incentives in South Africa were researched. Tax incentives that were previously in use, were also investigated. Attention was given to the cash incentives available to manufacturing enterprises in South Africa. Amongst others the programmes offered by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited and the Small Business Development Corporation were investigated. The findings of the Margo Commission Report issued in 1986 were investigated. The Katz Report issued in 1994 was also researched. Attention was given to the 1994, 1995 and 1996 budgets as well as some of the aspects of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The taxation rates and incentive programmes available to enterprises in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada were investi gated. Possible solutions for the problems currently experienced in South Africa with regard to incentives have been formulated. / School of Computing / M.Sc (Computer Science)

This thesis is about the quest to build effective strategies to support the development of enterprise on the margins of the economy, to create jobs and reduce poverty. A core part of this challenge includes grappling with the role of markets in development, and of markets as a critical part of the context in which enterprise development in rural and peri-urban areas can either provide a path out of poverty – or instead serve to lock people into poverty. The thesis explores these issues by tracking the experience of the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA) as it attempted to grapple with this challenge. MDA is the development wing of South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) , and was set up to create jobs and support enterprise development for communities affected by the loss of jobs on the mines. The thesis covers a fourteen-year period in MDA’s history, from its inception in 1988 until 2002. It tracks the learning process across several phases in the development of MDA’s approach. These included the development of worker co-operatives, the establishment of business service centres, value-chain work in the craft sector, and the commercialization of a juice product from the indigenous marula berry. In the process, MDA engaged with an emergent paradigm in the development sector called ‘Making Markets Work for the Poor’. Can markets really be made to work for the poor? Or even just made to work ‘better’ for the poor? Or is the process of inclusion in markets inexorably and inevitably one of making the poor work for markets? The thesis explores these issues in the context of MDA’s experience, locating this within a wider set of theoretical concerns over the role of markets in society, and the ways in which societies have protected themselves from the negative impacts of the development of market economies. It draws on wider political economy approaches to argue that markets are institutions that are socially constructed, and explores what scope there might therefore be to construct them differently. While recognising the importance of social protection, the thesis argues that there is a need to go beyond defensive strategies aimed at protecting society from markets, to identify new terms of engagement within markets to shape markets, and to harness their wealth-creating potential in ways that have different distributional consequences, as part of a long-term agenda of eradicating poverty.

Die bestaande belastingaansporingsmaatreels in Suid-Afrika is nagevors. Belastingaansporingsmaatreels wat vroeer in gebruik was, is ook ondersoek. Aandag is gegee aan die kontantaansporingsmaatreels wat vir vervaardigingsondernemings beskikbaar is in Suid-Afrika. Programme wat deur onder andere die Nywerheid-Ontwikkelingskorporasie van Suid-Afrika Beperk en die Kleinsake-Ontwikkelingskorporasie aangebied word is ondersoek. Ondersoek is ingestel na die bevindings van die Margo kommissie Verslag wat in 1986 uitgereik is. Die verslag van die Katz-kommissie wat in 1994 uitgereik is, is ook nagevors. Aandag is gegee aan die 1994, 1995 en 1996 begrotings asook sommige van die aspekte van die Algemene Ooreenkoms op Tariewe en Handel. Die belastingkoerse en aansporingsmaatreelsprogramme wat deur die Verenigde State van Amerika, Verenigde Koninkryk en Kanada beskikbaar gestel word aan ondernemings is ondersoek. Moontlike oplossings vir die probleme wat tans ondervind word in SuidAfrika se aansporingsmaatreelstelsel is geformuleer. / The existing tax incentives in South Africa were researched. Tax incentives that were previously in use, were also investigated. Attention was given to the cash incentives available to manufacturing enterprises in South Africa. Amongst others the programmes offered by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited and the Small Business Development Corporation were investigated. The findings of the Margo Commission Report issued in 1986 were investigated. The Katz Report issued in 1994 was also researched. Attention was given to the 1994, 1995 and 1996 budgets as well as some of the aspects of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The taxation rates and incentive programmes available to enterprises in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada were investi gated. Possible solutions for the problems currently experienced in South Africa with regard to incentives have been formulated. / School of Computing / M.Sc (Computer Science)