Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2006. / Ph.D. thesis submitted to the School of Business and Management, University of Glasgow, 2006. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

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 (MMENVC) Johannesburg, February 2016 / This paper aims to look at the barriers of ICT adoption amongst Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, specifically in the high growth-manufacturing sector. The population of the study is comprised of manufacturing SME owners and managers in Gauteng, South Africa. The objectives of this study are threefold. Firstly, it aims to establish which ICTs SMEs are currently making use of in South Africa. Secondly, it will analyse the perceived value added to SMEs through ICT adoption. And thirdly, the study endeavours to unearth the various barriers faced by SMEs when adopting ICTs. The research consists of data collection from 81 SMEs in the manufacturing sector in Gauteng, South Africa, by means of an online questionnaire. The data was analysed through a variety of statistical techniques covering both descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis. The following conclusions were reached:  Three barriers examined are significantly important to the adoption of ICTs, namely lack of existing hardware, immediate return on investment (ROI), and lack of infrastructure.  The perceived value of ICT has a positive, significant relationship to ICT adoption.  The majority of SMEs still predominantly make use of general ICTs, with more advanced ICT use lagging behind significantly. The majority of respondents have Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services (69%), Internet access and e-mail (90%), as well as telephone (89%) and fax (82%) services as ICTs that have already been implemented.  The education level of the owner/manager has a significant, positive relationship with the level of ICT adoption, particularly amongst general-use ICT and production- integrating ICT. / MB2016

Mémoire (M.P.M.O.)-- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1994. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Micro-enterprises play a vital role towards the South Africa’s economic growth by contributing towards job creation. Despite the importance of the role of micro-enterprises, micro-enterprises face several challenges such as lack of finance, lack of skilled workers and lack of technological resources. Previous studies indicate that Information Technology has a distinct role in assisting micro-enterprises overcome several challenges. It is further evidenced in the extant literature that cloud computing, provides a low cost entry for enterprises to support several facets of their business operations. In the current era cloud computing requires a constant as well as fast internet connection and the South African government has various interventions to address the infrastructure divide. However, we have a scant understanding of the adoption challenges amongst micro-enterprises to adopt cloud solutions, which to date feature more prominently amongst larger organisations. This research investigated the factors that influence cloud computing adoption in the micro-enterprise sector in Cape Town. This is a city that promotes the contribution of micro-enterprises to their economic activity, and was such an ideal location to investigate cloud computing adoption amongst the micro-enterprise sector. This research provides a rich understanding of the factors that influence micro-enterprises in Cape Town to adopt cloud computing services and proposes guidelines to encourage micro-enterprises in Cape Town to use cloud services to improve their productivity. The researcher uses the UTAUT model as a framework and a qualitative research methodology to investigate the research question. Data for this research study was collected via face to face interviews with semi-structured questions of ten micro-enterprises and an IT expert. The findings showed that the factors influencing the adoption of cloud computing services are performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, lack of training, cost efficiency and reduction of working hours.

Abstract not available

D.Ing. / During the last pre-millennium decade South African engineers were involved mainly in military product development. The downscaling of development within the military arena, forced the engineering as well as other industries to refocus on commercial product development and marketing (the engineers in the military environment were not the only ones influenced by the change in the economic climate. Many others were also affected, but for the sake of explanation, the military environment was used). This stage led to the creation of various small- to-medium enterprises (SMEs), which were set up by creative, determined engineers and entrepreneurs. However, by the latter part of the last decade, these initiatives ended sadly in the liquidation of quite a number of companies. These ongoing liquidations are a result of various aspects, such as cash flow restrictions, growing currency value and a low national- growth figure. The research done in fulfilment of this thesis, addresses some of the events of the last decade and offers general, practical suggestions on how to overcome some of these hurdles within the current economic climate. It illustrates that experience enables an entrepreneur to develop methods and provide suggestions on how to create, establish, survive and grow within a high-technology driven SME. Shortfalls, methods and products are discussed by means of case studies. The products discussed in the thesis, are all classified among the field of mobile, portable and static electronic power-conversion. Thirty high-technology companies participated in a survey in support of the research statements. As a summary, it is shown that various aspects often restrict new product development (NPD) for SMEs. Optimum and effective usage of knowledge and experience in areas of technology, marketing, human resources, organisational, operational, manufacturing and financial management is required to achieve goals successfully and to survive in today’s industry. An investigation was done to determine the relationship between these interdivisions of an SME. In conclusion, methods and models are presented to optimise the techniques that are currently used within SMEs. These techniques are then further expanded on and presented as guidelines for business discussions. Practical examples are presented in support of the actual models.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that without the ability to innovate, an organisation will not be able to survive the demands of an ever-changing operating environment. This raises the question: How can organisations ensure that they are able to innovate? Organisational culture has been identified as a critical variable in answering this question. The culture of the organisation determines to a large extent the degree of innovation in that organisation. Business leaders have made attempts to nurture a culture of creativity and innovation in their organisations through the recruitment of dynamic individuals with innovative traits. However, most of their attempts seemed insufficient in achieving their goals. The primary purpose of this research is to develop a framework for organisational culture that characterises an innovative organisation in small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The secondary objective is to identify the enablers and inhibitors of innovation. Research method: The research approach starts with a review of existing literature. This is followed by the development of the theory and empirical research. Data collection was also carried out in the form of semi-structured interviews with senior and middle management in innovative SMMEs. Main findings: The analysis of the findings indicates that an organisation cannot focus on any single aspect of organisational culture. Innovation is a system in the organisation that is strongly guided by the culture of the organisation. Recommendations: Future research on this subject will benefit from the selection of a larger sample of data. Given the dynamic nature of innovation and organisational culture, it is recommended to repeat this research over time in order to explore whether the same dimensions in determining innovative organisational culture still apply. The current research can also be followed up by a study on the sources of innovation in an organisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Sonder die vermoë om te kan innoveer, sal ’n organisasie nie kan oorleef in ’n bedryfsomgewing wat voortdurend verander nie. Dit laat die vraag ontstaan: Hoe kan organisasies seker maak hulle die vermoë het om te innoveer? Organisasiekultuur is geïdentifiseer as ’n kritiese veranderlike in die beantwoording van hierdie vraag. Die kultuur van ’n organisasie bepaal grootliks die mate van innovering in daardie organisasie. Sakeleiers probeer om ’n kultuur van kreatiwiteit en innovering in hul organisasies te koester deur dinamiese individue met innoverende karaktereienskappe te werf. Dit blyk egter dat die meeste van hul pogings nie daarin kan slaag om hul doelwitte te bereik nie. Die primêre doel van hierdie navorsing is om ’n raamwerk vir organisatoriese kultuur te ontwikkel wat ’n innoverende organisasie in klein, medium-grootte en mikro ondernemings (KMMO’s) kenmerk. Die sekondêre doelwit is om die moontlikmakers en inhibeerders van innovering te identifiseer. Navorsingsmetode: Die navorsingsbenadering begin met ’n oorsig van bestaande literatuur. Dit word gevolg deur die ontwikkeling van die teorie en empiriese navorsing. Data-insameling is uitgevoer in die vorm van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met senior en middelvlakbestuurders van innoverende KMMO’s. Vernaamste bevindinge: Die ontleding van die bevindinge dui daarop dat ’n organisasie nie op een enkele aspek van organisasiekultuur kan fokus nie. Innovering is ’n stelsel in die organisasie wat baie sterk deur die kultuur van die organisasie beïnvloed word. Aanbevelings: Toekomstige navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp sal baat vind by die seleksie van ’n groter steekproef van data. Gegewe die dinamiese aard van innovering en organisatoriese kultuur, word daar aanbeveel dat hierdie navorsing mettertyd herhaal word om uit te vind of dieselfde dimensies vir die bepaling van innoverende organisatoriese kultuur steeds van toepassing is. Die huidige navorsing kan ook opgevolg word deur ’n studie oor die bronne van innovering in ’n organisasie.

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Carleton University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-87). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Este estudo teve como objetivo propor uma metodologia para a classificação de alternativas de abertura da inovação em Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PMEs). A estruturação da metodologia passou por duas etapas, a primeira relacionada à base teórica e a segunda à base matemática. Na base teórica foi elaborado um portfólio bibliográfico sobre o tema que forneceu base às análises bibliométricas e sistemática. Os resultados da análise bibliométrica revelaram que a literatura sobre o tema Inovação Aberta (IA) em PMEs, apesar de crescente, ainda não está consolidada. Por meio da análise sistemática do conteúdo dos artigos foram identificadas 18 alternativas e 29 variáveis, que foram agrupadas em 4 critérios, relacionados ao processo de abertura de inovação nas PMEs. Na base matemática, segunda etapa, foi estruturada a metodologia por meio das etapas previstas pelo método ELECTRE TRI. A metodologia conta com oito etapas que possibilitam uma classificação das alternativas de forma estruturada, de acordo com as classes pré-definidas. Posteriormente, a metodologia foi implementada, para teste, em 3 empresas de diferentes setores da economia. Os resultados apontaram diferentes níveis de desempenho nos critérios relacionados às capacidades de cada empresa, sendo: 2,57; 2,37 e; 1,74 para as empresas 1; 2 e; 3, respectivamente, em uma escala de 0 a 4. O resultado da classificação das alternativas de abertura da inovação alocou na classe “A”, considerada a classe mais favorável às empresas, 50% das alternativas para a Empresa 1, 28% para a Empresa 2 e 11% para a Empresa 3. Ao se considerar um cenário de melhoria, foi implementado um aumento de 10% no peso do critério crítico de cada empresa. Com esta variação foram alocadas 72% das alternativas na classe “A” para a Empresa 1, e 22% para a Empresa 3. Para a Empresa 2 não houve reclassificação. Com estes resultados, pôde-se verificar que o aumento no nível de capacidade das empresas pode levar a um aumento significativo de alternativas realocadas em classes superiores. / This study aimed to propose a methodology for the classification of alternatives for opening innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The structuring of the methodology went through two phases, a first relation to the theoretical basis and a second mathematical basis. On the theoretical basis a bibliographic portfolio was elaborated on the subject that serves as the basis for bibliometric and systematic analyzes. The results of the bibliographic analysis reveal that the literature on topic AI in SMEs, although increasing, is not yet consolidated. Through the systematic analysis of the content of the identified articles 18 alternatives and 29 variables were grouped into 4 criteria related to the process of opening innovation in SMEs. In the mathematical base, second stage, a methodology was structured through the ELECTRE TRI method steps. The methodology has the steps that allow a classification of the alternatives in a structured way, according to the predefined classes. Subsequently, the methodology was implemented, for testing, in 3 companies from different sectors of the economy. The results indicate the different levels of performance in the following criteria: 2.57; 2.37 e; 1.74 for enterprises 1; 2 e; 3, respectively, on a scale of 0 to 4. The result of the classification of alternatives to open innovation in class "A", considered a class more favorable to the company, 50% of the alternatives for the company 1, 28% for the Company 2 and 11% for Company 3. When considering a scenario of improvement, a 10% increase in the weight of the companies' critical criteria was implemented. With this variation 72% of the alternatives for class "A" were adopted for company 1, and 22% for company 3. With this, it can be verified that the increase there is no level of capacity of the companies can lead to an increase Significant reallocated alternatives in upper classes.

A presente pesquisa visa identificar os fatores que influenciam a inovação tecnológica em micro e pequenas empresas brasileiras, por meio da análise dos dados secundários da Pesquisa de Inovação Tecnológica (PINTEC 2008), conduzida pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) junto a 16.371 empresas de ramos industriais e de serviços selecionados. Para tanto, foi feita a modelagem estatística dos microdados relativos à sub-amostra formada pelas 3.092 micro e pequenas empresas inquiridas pela PINTEC 2008. A análise das correlações entre as variáveis que influenciam as inovações e quatro variáveis que caracterizam o tipo e a abrangência das inovações tecnológicas – inovação em produto para o mercado nacional, inovação em produto para o mercado mundial, inovação em processo para o mercado nacional, inovação em processo para o mercado mundial – permitiu selecionar as variáveis independentes mais significativas em termos de influência sobre a ocorrência de inovação em micro e pequenas empresas. Com base nessas mesmas correlações, foram elaboradas regressões logísticas (logit), nas quais as variáveis dependentes escolhidas foram as quatro variáveis caracterizadoras do tipo e da abrangência da inovação acima mencionadas, e as variáveis independentes foram selecionadas dentre aquelas com maior poder explicativo sobre a ocorrência de inovação. Foram tomadas as devidas precauções para evitar a ocorrência de multicolinearidade nas regressões. Os resultados das regressões, analisados à luz da revisão bibliográfica, revelam a importância das variáveis independentes para a ocorrência de inovação em micro e pequenas empresas, e ajudam nas reflexões sobre possíveis melhorias nas políticas de estímulo à inovação tecnológica em micro e pequenas empresas. / This research aims to identify which factors influence the technological innovation in micro and small businesses in Brazil, through the analysis of secondary data from the Survey of Technological Innovation (PINTEC 2008), conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) at 16,371 companies in selected industries and services. To that end, we made statistical modeling of micro-data on the sub-sample formed by the 3,092 micro and small businesses surveyed by PINTEC 2008. The analysis of correlations between the variables that influence innovation and four variables that characterize the type and scope of technological innovation – product innovation for the domestic market, product innovation to the world market, process innovation for the domestic market, process innovation for the global market – allowed to select the most significant independent variables in terms of influence on the occurrence of innovation in micro and small enterprises. Based on these same correlations were developed logistic regressions (logit), in which the dependent variables chosen were the four variables characterizing the type and the scope of innovation mentioned above, and the independent variables were selected from those with greater explanatory power on the occurrence of innovation. Precautions have been taken to prevent occurrence of multicollinearity in the regressions. The results of the regressions, examined under the light of the literature review, reveal the importance of the independent variables for the occurrence of innovation in micro and small enterprises, and help in discussions about possible improvements in policies to stimulate technological innovation in micro and small enterprises. / Dissertação (mestrado) - Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2011. / Bibliografia: p. 255-273 / Inclui notas de rodapé