The Small Businesses Loans Act was designed to increase the flow of funds for capital purposes from the banking system to small firms in the Canadian economy. This study examines the need for this legislation. The major sources of funds for small business are discussed and the question of the adequacy of these financing facilities is considered. This part of the study concludes that the 'MacMillan Gap' in Canada has been narrowed in the post-war period, but not yet closed. The study then examines the effectiveness of the Small Businesses Loans Act in bridging the remaining gap. The legislation, and the record of borrowing under the Act are reviewed. Particular attention is directed to the effects of monetary policy on the volume of lending under this Act. The study also includes an examination of the experience of a sample of borrowers, their characteristics, the purposes for which loans were obtained and banking practices with respect to this lending program. The conclusions of the study suggest that the Small Businesses Loans Act has fulfilled a useful role in improving the financial facilities available to small business despite a number of deficiencies in the legislation. It is also suggested however that the need for this legislation has largely been removed by recent amendments to the Bank Act. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

Submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Business Administration, Department of Entrepreneurial Studies and Management, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of customer-supplier relationships through facilitation of credit on the development of Micro enterprises in the Sobonakhona Makhanya Tribal Area of KZN. This study originates from the fact that there are many SMME‟s in South Africa, absorbing about 15 million people (DTI, 1995:7). Even though this sector is providing most of the employment in the country, they still find it difficult to arrange funds to start or expand their businesses. Lending institutions do not want to provide finance for them, and if they do, they do it with reluctance and reservations. As a result, SMME‟s are not able to grow and develop into big businesses. This is a quantitative and exploratory research study which was used to explore, for the first time in Sobonakhona Makhanya Tribal area, the relationship between customer-supplier relationships and accessibility of credit facilities. The study made use of questionnaires to obtain the respondents‟ perceptions on the research questions developed. A questionnaire that consisted of 35 questions was distributed to 50 SMME owners in Adams Mission, Madundube and Umbumbulu (AMU) villages. Cronbach‟s reliability analysis was not applied as it was not appropriate for use with this questionnaire. The research showed that a relationship between customers and suppliers assists SMME‟s to obtain access to credit facilities. Added to this, SMME owners, who had access to credit facilities, experienced positive changes in their businesses. This serves to prove that access to credit is essential for the development of SMME‟s. As a result, recommendations to train and educate SMME owners on how to manage their businesses, how to apply for credit and the requirements needed for applications have been set out.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 1994. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research attempts to give an alternative conceptual model according to which potential small business owners should construct market and financial viability studies for proposed new small enterprises. A study was made of the theoretical requirements prescribed for market and financial viability. This theoretical requirements were compared to the extent in which data is presented in practice to financial institutions to meet their own viability requirements. Primary data was collected from the subsidiary companies of ABSA Bank and small business owners in the Cape Peninsula. The final analysis suggests that very few small business owners conduct thorough market or financial viability studies during start up or during the different growth phases of their businesses. They rely mostly on banks and other financial institutions for guidance. A suggestion is made that financial institutions conduct their own research to determine whether their requirements for market and financial viability are still viewed as realistic by small business owners. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing poog om 'n alternatiewe konsepsuele model weer te gee waarvolgens potensiele kleinsake-eienaars mark- en finansiele lewensvatbaarheidstudies vir voorgenome nuwe klein ondememings behoort uit te voer. 'n Studie is van die voorgeskrewe teoretiese vereistes vir mark- en finansiele lewensvatbaarheid gedoen. Hierdie teoretiese vereistes is vergelyk met die mate waartoe sulke data wel deur kleinsakelui aan finansiele instansies aangebied word om aan hulle eie lewensvatbaarheidvereistes te voldoen. Primere data is versamel by die filiale van ABSA Bank en kleinsake-eienaars in die Kaapse Skiereiland. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat baie min kleinsake-eienaars wel deeglike mark- en finansiele lewensvatbaarheidstudies doen gedurende die aanvang van hul besighede of gedurende die onderskeie groeifases van hul ondernemings. Hulle steun meesal op banke en ander finansiele instellings om leiding te verskaf. Daar word voorgestel dat finansiele instellings ook navorsing doen of die vereistes wat hulle stel vir lewensvatbaarheid, nog steeds as realisties deur kleinsakelui beskou word.

M. Tech. Business Administration / Financial distress and bankruptcy is one of the most significant threats to the going concern of many businesses, irrespective of their size and nature of operations. Research in corporate financial distress and corporate failure prediction dates back to the mid-sixties, and the bulk of the studies have been conducted within the context of highly developed market economies. Very little research has been conducted within the context of emerging markets, and using small and medium-sized firms. This therefore encouraged the author of this research report to conduct a study, applying a model specifically developed for emerging economies to predict financial distress of small and medium-sized South African listed firms. The main purpose of this study is to examine whether a model designed for financial distress prediction and credit scoring in emerging markets is reliable, and can be accurately applied in South Africa.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small businesses are the traditional source of local and national economic growth. Small businesses in South Africa absorb almost half the people formally employed in the private sector and contribute nearly thirty seven percent to the country's gross domestic product. Unfortunately small businesses also have the reputation of a high failure rate some literature quote figures as high as sixty six percent of all small businesses within the first six years of their existence. An Australian survey indicated that nearly sixty five percent of all business failures were caused by controllable factors, which implicates that the use of consultants, or simply better management of the small business, could have prevented the failure. This study explains why small business owners are so reluctant to make use of outside consultants and looks into the most common causes of small organisation failure. This research project is designed as an incremental development study, where an existing model is adjusted to focus on a smaller nische market. A consulting model, developed to use in large organisations, was evaluated by identifying the problem areas that most often cause small organisations to fail and then comparing them to the areas addressed in the existing model. The conclusion reached was that although this model will definitely help small business owners to improve their businesses, it doesn't address the mest common causes of small business failure and adjustments is needed to customise this product for the small organisation. Based on the available data on the most common causes of small organisational failure, a new model is developed, which addresses the specific causes of small organisation failure. The new model gives examples of what would be in place in an organisation where the relevant critical success factor is successfully implemented as well as examples of what the situation will be if the relvant factor is absent. The small business owners evaluate themselves on a scale of one to ten. The model has a dual purpose, firstly to create an awareness with the owner of the full spectrum of factors that need to receive attention in a small organisation, and secondly to give a benchmark against which progress on each of the critical success factors can be measured. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Klein besighede vorm die ruggraat van die Suid Afrikaanse ekonomie, met byna sewe-en-dertig persent van die Bruto Nasionale Produk (BNP), wat aan klein besighede toegeskryf kan word en as werkverskaffer aan bykans die helfte van alle werknemers wat formeel in diens is van die private sektor. Ongelukkig het klein besighede ook die reputasie van 'n groot mislukkingskoers met mislukkings so hoog as ses-en-sestig persent van alle klein besighede in die eerste ses jaar van die ondernemings se bestaan. 'n Australiese studie het getoon dat ongeveer vyf-en-sestig persent van die oorsake van klein besigheid mislukkings aan beheerbare faktore toegeskryf kan word. Met ander woorde hulp van konsultante, of bloot beter bestuur van die klein besigheid, kon die mislukking verhoed het. Hierdie werkstuk kyk na redes hoekom konsultante so min deur klein besighede gebruik word en na die mees algemene oorsake van klein besigheid mislukkings. Die werkstuk neem die vorm aan van 'n inkrementele ontwikkeling studie waar 'n reeds bestaande evaluasie model, aangepas word om te fokus op 'n kleiner nismark. 'n Konsultasie model, wat ontwikkel is vir gebruik in die diagnostiese fase van die konsultasieproses vir groot besighede, is ondersoek en daar is gekyk watter van die mees algemene faktore vir klein besigheid mislukking in hierdie model aangespreek is. Die gevolgtrekking was dat alhoewel die model definitief klein besigheids eienaars sal help om hul organisasies te verbeter, dit meeste van die oorsake vir mislukking in klein besighede nie direk aanspreek nie, en dat aanpassings van die model nodig is. Gebasseer op reeds bestaande navorsing oor die oorsake van klein besigheid mislukkings, is 'n nuwe model ontwikkel, wat spesifiek gerig is daarop om die mees algemene oorsake van mislukking aan te spreek. Die hersiene model gee voorbeelde van wat in plek sal wees in 'n organisasie waar die kritieke suksesfaktor suksesvol geimplementeer is asook voorbeelde van hoe die situasie daar sal uitsien indien die relevante faktor afwesig is. Klein besigheidseienaars evalueer hulself op 'n skaal van een tot tien. Die doel van die model is tweeledig, eerstens om die eienaar attent te maak op die volle omvang van faktore waaraan aandag gegee moet word, en tweedens om 'n riglyn te bied waarteen vordering op elkeen van die kritieke sukses faktore gemeet kan word.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Public and Development Management). / Many debates have been waged about the effect of the interest rate ceilings on the provision of financial services to small businesses. It has been considered as one of the major constraints in small business access to capital and it is also considered a major inhibitor of small business development. The present study attempted to determine whether interest rate ceilings should be undertaken or not, and how in a South African socio-political context this would help small business development. Concomitantly, it was considered how the interest rates affect small businesses according different purposes, size and terms of loans. A case study method was used to pursue this research. The case study of Mamelodi Township (Pretoria) and Kildare/Jonkllanqa village (Mhala District - Northern Province) were undertaken. Open-ended interviews with borrowers and financial institutions (providers) were conducted. The result of the interviews was analysed and reinforced with an analysis of national and international secondary literature. One of the main findings of the research was that interest rates ceiling are necessary and substantial in helping small business development. It was established that interest rate ceilings have to be considered in a flexible manner, accordlng specific conditions of small business activity. It was also concluded that interest rate ceilings have to be a consequence of a regulatory framework which enables small business access to capital, and, thus, development of their local community. The result of the research likewise, has indicated that for small, short term, working capital loans, the impact of interest rates on borrowers is smaller than for larger, longer term borrowers. The effect of the circulation of resources in a community in the case of a lower level interest rates deserves more investigation but there are primary indications of some positive impact on. / Andrew Chakane 2019

Submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Business Administration, Department of Entrepreneurial Studies and Management, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of customer-supplier relationships through facilitation of credit on the development of Micro enterprises in the Sobonakhona Makhanya Tribal Area of KZN. This study originates from the fact that there are many SMME‟s in South Africa, absorbing about 15 million people (DTI, 1995:7). Even though this sector is providing most of the employment in the country, they still find it difficult to arrange funds to start or expand their businesses. Lending institutions do not want to provide finance for them, and if they do, they do it with reluctance and reservations. As a result, SMME‟s are not able to grow and develop into big businesses. This is a quantitative and exploratory research study which was used to explore, for the first time in Sobonakhona Makhanya Tribal area, the relationship between customer-supplier relationships and accessibility of credit facilities. The study made use of questionnaires to obtain the respondents‟ perceptions on the research questions developed. A questionnaire that consisted of 35 questions was distributed to 50 SMME owners in Adams Mission, Madundube and Umbumbulu (AMU) villages. Cronbach‟s reliability analysis was not applied as it was not appropriate for use with this questionnaire. The research showed that a relationship between customers and suppliers assists SMME‟s to obtain access to credit facilities. Added to this, SMME owners, who had access to credit facilities, experienced positive changes in their businesses. This serves to prove that access to credit is essential for the development of SMME‟s. As a result, recommendations to train and educate SMME owners on how to manage their businesses, how to apply for credit and the requirements needed for applications have been set out.

The research study investigates some of the problems or challenges faced by SMMEs in the Mafikeng and Mmabatho area of the North West province. It strives to find out the extent to which these problems occur and the impact they have on these businesses. The research focuses on a number of major problems considered to be hindering the growth of SMMEs in this area, namely the lack of entrepreneurial management, financial skills, accessing finance and the role played by lack of financial and mentoring support on the success or failure of SMMEs. Some of the significant findings of this study are that the majority of the businesses fail because of lack of access to finance, lack of entrepreneurial skills and lack of mentoring support from the government. The government and banks should make it easier for SMMEs to access finance. The government should act as collateral for SMMEs to secure finance from commercial institutions. The government should involve the private sector in training SMMEs to acquire entrepreneurial skills. This will help SMMEs to run their businesses professionally and therefore become sustainable. This will impact positively to the economic growth, in terms of job creation to the entire province

The research study investigates some of the problems or challenges faced by SMMEs in the Mafikeng and Mmabatho area of the North West province. It strives to find out the extent to which these problems occur and the impact they have on these businesses. The research focuses on a number of major problems considered to be hindering the growth of SMMEs in this area, namely the lack of entrepreneurial management, financial skills, accessing finance and the role played by lack of financial and mentoring support on the success or failure of SMMEs. Some of the significant findings of this study are that the majority of the businesses fail because of lack of access to finance, lack of entrepreneurial skills and lack of mentoring support from the government. The government and banks should make it easer for SMMEs to access finance. The government should act as collateral for SMMEs to secure finance from commercial institutions. The government should involve the private sector in training SMMEs to acquire entrepreneurial skills. This will help SMMEs to run their businesses professionally and therefore become sustainable. This will impact positively to the economic growth, in terms of job creation to the entire province. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

Leaders within South African organisations and corporations are faced with challenges such as over-management and under-leadership. While management is about coping with complexity, leadership is about coping with change. In the actual business environment, foremost changes are progressively necessary for business survival and effective competition. In fact, the effective leadership is measured by organisational effectiveness. However, by displaying an effective leadership, leaders are called not only to influence subordinates but also enable them to achieve the organisational goals. Therefore, the effective leadership will not be focused on supremacy but on the organisational achievement. This requires an important and permanent participation and consultation of all team members. The present research study is focused on the analysis of the role of situational leadership in the context of small business management. The main purpose of this research is to examine and to critically evaluate the use of different situational leadership styles in the management of small businesses. This study has sought to review leader obligations and the evolution of these leadership styles in small business management. The study has intended to provide the fundamental empirical evaluation of the role played by situational leadership in small business management. The sample for the present research has been identified from within the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB). A random sample has been drawn from the SMEs within the membership, using standard sampling techniques and methodologies. The population was consisting of small businesses that are members of the PCB. The findings of this research have shown the positive impact that a situational leadership model has in small business management. In fact, small business owners and leaders will be inspired to understand the managerial role of the appropriateness behavioural style in the contextual business situations. Also, the study recommended that owners and leaders of small business should ameliorate leader sovereignty and follower skills, as these often interact in predicting poor follower performance and attitudinal responses. In addition, the present study has provided the tools necessary for small business owners, to guide the improvement and effectiveness of personal leadership. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.