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

The research problem addressed in this study is to determine what affect current labour legislation has on small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMME’s), in particular with regard to the procuring of Government contracts. To achieve this objective a literature study was undertaken to ascertain what knowledgeable people believed was the affects of labour legislation on SMME’s. The literature study included all relevant labour legislation promulgated by the Government since 1994 The literature study was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which SMME’s, operating in the Municipal areas of East London and King Williams Town, abided by the relevant labour legislation. The empirical results, in general, indicated a strong adherence to labour legislation. Those organisations that had not strictly adhered to labour legislation were, in most instances, not successful in securing contracts offered by Government or parastatals. The results indicated that all the role-players, namely businesses, trade unions and knowledgeable people have valid arguments both for and against labour legislation. Each group, is however, still concerned and suspicious that in one way or another, they will be placed at a disadvantage with respect to the others positions, and this places a serious strain on the South African economy.

D.Ed. / It is an accepted fact that one of the school's duties is to prepare a pupil vocationally as well as to be economically literate. One of the reasons why this study is deemed to be of current interest is that pupils are being educated to be job seekers instead of -providers. The shortage of entrepreneurs is therefore reaching national proportions. At this moment in time education in South Africa does not aim to establish a culture of entrepreneurship and the pupils believe the only requirement is to complete their school careers successfully. After completion of his/her school career a pupil is geared to enter the labour market as an employee. Only in the minority of cases parents and schools educate their children to form any alternative ideas about themselves and life in general. This study looks at the responsibility of the school with regard to teaching entrepreneurship as it exists in the South African society at present. The aim of this study was to establish the following: what entrepreneurship is and which factors outside the school context play an influencing role, the ways in which the school plays a role in the forming of entrepreneurial skills and what the school's responsibility is with regard to educating entrepreneurship. The method of research which was followed was of a twofold nature and consisted of an in depth study of the literature and an empirical investigation. In the study of the literature the profile of an entrepreneur and the characteristics which play a role in the development of entrepreneurs in the family context as well as the environment and culture were investigated. Personal characteristics were also taken into account. The factors which may play a role in advancing and/or restraining entrepreneurial training in the school context were also investigated. The findings and conclusions with regard to these investigations were stipulated and recommendations were made. A questionnaire intended for businessmen/women and teachers was handed out to the relevant people in the Magisterial District of Springs. The validity and reliability of the said instrument were verified beforehand. The results were processed and interpreted by means of a computer. When two or more frequencies were compared the Two-Way Chi-Square was utilised. For the purposes of this study, contextualities and differences between the respondents were accepted as statistically significant on the 5% significance level as well as the 1cY0 significance level. Findings forthcoming from this study were that the school has an enormous educational task with regard to entrepreneurship and the creation of an entrepreneurial culture in South Africa. The curriculum at school should be directed to the development of young entrepreneurs and should also be practice based. Entrepreneurship and the value thereof should already be emphasized at primary school level. Certain recommendations are made which could be of directive assistance with regard to the establishment of a culture of entrepreneurship and aspects regarding the education of entrepreneurship at school. It is estimated that between 350 000 and 400 000 employees in South Africa are introduced to the labour market annually. Only 50 000 will be employed in the formal sector. It is further estimated that between 33% and 45% of the economically active population (approximately 11 million inhabitants at present) are unemployed. Something could be done about this gloomy picture by starting to look at the schools' involvement and/or task with regard to the education of entrepreneurship. The teaching of entrepreneurship with a view to the future of South Africa specifically and a change in the economic school of thought is primarily regarded to be an educational issue. It should be seen•as an investment in the people of South Africa. The above mentioned reasons underline the importance of an investigation of this nature into the schools' involvement and/or task with regard to the education of entrepreneurship.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The third King Report on Corporate Governance, commonly referred to as King III, was released during September 2009. This was the first of the three released King Reports that apply to all entities regardless of the manner and form of incorporation or establishment. The purpose of the King Reports is to promote the highest standards of corporate governance in South Africa. The King Code is not an enforceable set of rules, but rather guidelines to assist companies in implementing principles of good governance and ultimately best business practices. Statistics indicate that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) perform an indispensable role in a country’s economy. Given the significance of these enterprises it becomes fundamental to understand the role that corporate governance and corporate governance practices play within SMEs. The goal of this research report is to conduct an investigation into the applicability of King III, considered to be the leading authority on corporate governance within South Africa, to SMEs. The various principles of King III were extracted to determine to what extent they are applicable to the SME environment. It follows that the King III Report (including the Draft King III Report) is the primary source of literature used throughout the research report. The research report includes a brief review of the development of the King Reports from King I to King III and SMEs and corporate governance from a national and international perspective. The supposition is that most of the principles as outlined by King III would be applicable to all businesses and therefore all SMEs. The research report aims to marry the two concepts of corporate governance and SMEs as far as possible. The review of the various principles confirmed the supposition that the majority of principles of King III apply to SMEs. The study also confirmed that a number of principles only apply to so-called large SMEs and that smaller SMEs would simply not be able to justify the fulfilment thereof. A number of codes and principles only apply to businesses operating in ‘companies’ as legal entities and hence are not applicable to all SMEs. Various recommendations are made with reference to the adoption and customisation of specific principles by SMEs. The writer furthermore recommends that there may well be scope to compile a corporate governance code specifically addressed to SMEs in South Africa. Such a code may incorporate the unique dynamics of the SME environment and address the specific criteria and needs within SMEs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die derde King Verslag oor Korporatiewe Beheer wat algemeen bekend staan as King III, is tydens September 2009 vrygestel. Hierdie verslag was die eerste van die drie King Verslae wat van toepassing is op alle entiteite ongeag vorm van inkorporasie. Die doel van die King Verslae was en is steeds om die hoogste standaarde van korporatiewe beheer in Suid-Afrika te vestig. Die King Kode is nie ‘n afdwingbare stel reëls nie maar eerder riglyne wat hulp verleen aan besighede vir die implementering van beginsels van goeie korporatiewe beheer en besigheidsgedrag. Statistiek toon dat Klein en Medium Ondernemings (KMOs) ‘n onontbeerlike rol vervul in die ekonomieë van lande. Gegewe die belangrikheid van KMOs in die ekonomie is dit van fundamentele belang om te verstaan watter rol korporatiewe beheer en goeie korporatiewe beheer beginsels in KMOs speel. Die doel van hierdie navorsingsverslag is om te bepaal wat die toepaslikheid van King III, wat algemeen as die leier van korporatiewe beheer in Suid-Afrika aanvaar word, op KMOs is. Die onderskeie beginsels en riglyne van die King III Verslag word ontleed om te bepaal in watter mate hierdie riglyne en beginsels van toepassing is vir die KMO omgewing. Dit volg dat die King III Verslag (asook die Konsep King III Verslag) deurgaans as primêre bron gebruik word. Die navorsingsverslag sluit ‘n kort oorsig van die ontwikkeling van die King Verslae, vanaf King I tot en met King III, in. Verder word ‘n oorsig van KMOs en korporatiewe beheer op ‘n nasionale en internasionale grondslag bespreek. Die veronderstelling is dat die meeste van die riglyne en onderliggende beginsels, soos uiteengesit en beskryf in King III, van toepassing is op alle besighede, derhalwe ook KMOs. Die navorsingsprojek het ten doel om die konsepte van korporatiewe beheer en KMOs te vereenselwig so ver prakties moontlik. Die oorsig van die onderskeie riglyne en beginsels bevestig die vermoede dat die meerderheid van die riglyne en beginsels van King III van toepassing is op alle KMOs. Die studie bevestig ook dat ‘n aantal riglyne en beginsels slegs van toepassing is op sogenaamde groot KMOs en dat klein KMOs waarskynlik nie die toepassing daarvan sal kan regverdig nie. Sekere riglyne en beginsels is slegs van toepassing op KMOs wat as ‘n maatskappy as regsentiteit funksioneer en derhalwe nie van toepassing op alle KMOs nie. Verskeie aanbevelings word gemaak met betrekking tot die toepassing van spesifieke riglyne en beginsels deur KMOs. Die skrywer beveel verder aan dat daar ruimte is vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n korporatiewe beheer kode wat spesifiek gemik is op KMOs in Suid Afrika. Hierdie kode kan die unieke dinamika van die KMO omgewing inkorporeer en spesifieke kriteria en behoeftes van KMOs aanspreek.

Thesis (MTech (Cost and Management Accounting))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Background: Research has shown that a high percentage of SMMEs in South Africa are not sustainable, most of them failing in their infancy stage. In order to make sound decisions and achieve desirable results, owners/managers need to make use of budgets in managing their businesses. Utilisation of budgets is the core of financial planning and decision-making in manufacturing enterprises. Lack of utilisation of budgets in managing businesses can lead to business failure. There is need to conduct a study on the utilisation of budgets by SMEs in the manufacturing industry. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which SMEs in the manufacturing industry in the Cape Metropolis use budgets for managing their businesses. This was achieved by determining whether the SMEs in the manufacturing industry used budgets or not, what types of budgets were used, the purposes for which the budgets were used and what challenges if any were faced by these SMEs when using budgets. Methodology: Data was collected from 108 respondents by means of a questionnaire comprising closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data in SPSS version 24. Frequency tables and pie charts were used to present the findings. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that most SMEs in the manufacturing industry in the Cape Metropolis use budgets for managing their businesses. The SMEs prepare budgets which are used for various purposes. The SMEs however face challenges when utilising budgets. Recommendations: Future interventions by Department of Small Business Development on financial planning should focus more on micro and very small enterprises. Other categories of enterprises may apply this information and emulate the utilisation of budgets from the SMEs in the manufacturing industry as they strive to survive and grow.

The tourism sector has been identified as an industry that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to job creation, economic growth, and redressing past imbalances in South Africa as it has been recognised as an underexploited sector with considerable potential for growth. The majority of tourism enterprises fall within the definition of small businesses, which have been identified as the most appropriate enterprises through which the economic challenges facing South Africa can be addressed. Small businesses differ from their larger counterparts not only in terms of size, but also in regard to access to resources and marketing expertise. Not surprisingly, one of the issues identified as preventing this sector from reaching its full potential is access to markets. The focus of this study is to identify the primary factors driving the success of the use of the Internet for marketing in small businesses operating in the tourism sector in South Africa. If these factors can be identified, this will allow existing and emerging small businesses to access markets and retain customers more easily leading to a proliferation of these enterprises. A theoretical model was formulated from the literature in which the factors influencing the success of Internet marketing were identified. These factors can broadly be divided into generic (marketing or management) factors and Internet specific factors. The technological aspects of the Internet were not ignored, but regarded as a resource to be managed rather than an autonomous source of competitive advantage. This model was tested by making use of a large-scale empirical study. Convenience sampling was used and the data was collected from small tourism businesses (that is businesses with fewer than 100 employees) in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were assessed to confirm the reliability of these scales. Structural equation modelling was used as the principal mode of statistical analysis to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the model proposed in this study. A correlation analysis was used to measure the impact of marketing objectives on the success of Internet marketing. The primary determinants of the success of Internet marketing in small businesses operating in the tow-ism sector in South Africa were identified by the empirical study as: Product champion Links Alliances Owner-manager knowledge Entrepreneurial orientation Owner-manager vision Customer orientation Marketing objectives Interestingly, one factor, Strategic planning, recorded a negative influence on the success of Internet marketing. This is possibly because the owner-manager felt that this was a redundant exercise given the dominant and pervasive influence of the owner-manager in all spheres of the business. Nevertheless, if small tourism firms consider the factors identified in this thesis as essential aspects in the use of the Internet for marketing, this will allow them to overcome one of the biggest hurdles to their prosperity, namely, the access to markets.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Management Sciences: Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) play a pivotal role in the economy of a country through job creation, development and dealing with the issue of unemployment, all of which affect the government and its citizens. Therefore, it is important that SMMEs operate efficiently and run their businesses effectively in order to grow within their respective sectors. The low rate of success amongst SMMEs in South Africa (SA) over the years indicates that there are factors hindering the efforts of the country’s SMMEs from operating efficiently (Turton and Herrington 2012: 48). One of the factors is poor operational performance which is frequently quoted as a leading cause of failure amongst SMMEs within the manufacturing sector (Urban and Naidoo 2012: 146). Furthermore, the Economic Development and Growth in eThekwini (EDGE) (2013: 37-38) reveals that SMMEs within the textile and clothing manufacturing sector in the eThekwini district generally do not innovate and suffer from a lack of access to financial services. The study population was 94 small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and clothing manufacturing sector in the eThekwini district. The researcher could not find a data on medium enterprises as prospective participants in the study and obtained only 80 SMEs. A quantitative approach was used in the context of a census study. The study was descriptive and conclusive in nature. The results of the study indicate that SMEs apply innovative processes in their businesses and work at a favourable physical environment within eThekwini district. However, SMEs do not have sufficient access to government financial incentive schemes (GFIS) which could be a factor inhibiting their growth and development. Furthermore, despite the fact that many of the SMEs in the study agreed that assistance from government schemes can enhance their operational performance, almost half of them were not aware of relevant schemes. Therefore, it is important that the government, that is, the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) and other relevant government agencies, reach out to as many of these SMEs as possible. This is an opportunity for the SA government to improve their efforts to create more jobs for SA citizens. / M

Abstracts in English, Zulu, Sesotho and Venda / This study focused on occupational health and safety in South African small businesses. The owners/managers of small businesses have a moral, legal and financial obligation to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Both an international and South African perspective on occupational health and safety in small businesses are included in the literature study. Twelve core occupational health and safety criteria, developed specifically with regard to small businesses, were identified and used as basis for this study, in conjunction with the aspects of the theory of planned behaviour. The research design of this study included a positivistic research philosophy and a deductive research approach. A questionnaire was developed and used to determine the knowledge, attitude, behavioural intent and actual behaviour of South African small business owners/managers with regard to occupational health and safety in their businesses. In addition, barriers to occupational health and safety compliance were determined and tested to determine the perceived strength of these barriers. South African small business owners/managers completed the questionnaire for this study. It was determined that the knowledge, attitude, behavioural intent and actual behaviour of South African small business owners/managers related to occupational health and safety were not at optimum levels. Barriers to compliance should be reduced. Legal compliance issues comprise one of the main reasons why South African small businesses fail. Therefore, this study proposes a compliance management framework, based on applicable occupational health and safety legislation that encompasses moral, legal and financial contentions. The identified core occupational health and safety criteria were used as sections in the compliance management framework. This proposed compliance management framework aims to reduce the complexity of occupational health and safety legislation for South African small business owners/managers. / Ngudo heyi yo sedza kha tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni kha mabindu maṱuku Afrika Tshipembe. Vhalanguli/vhaṋe vha mabindu maṱuku vha na pfanelo ya vhuḓilisi, mulayo na masheleni u khwaṱhisedza tsireledzo na mutakalo kha vhashumi vhavho. Vhuvhili hazwo mbonalo ya lushaka na ya dzitshaka nga ha tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni kha mabindu maṱuku zwo katelwa kha ngudo dza maṅwalwa. Nḓila khulwane dza fumimbili dza tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni, dzo bveledzwaho nga maanḓa hu tshi itelwa mabindu maṱuku, dzo topolwa na u shumiswa sa mutheo kha ngudo heyi, zwo ṱanganyiswa na zwiteṅwa zwa thiori ya vhuḓifari ho dzudzanywaho. Nyolo ya kuitele kwa ṱhoḓisiso heyi i katela fiḽosofi ya ṱhoḓisiso ine ya khwaṱhisedza nga u sedza hu tshi shumiswa kuitele kwa ṱhoḓisiso kwa u ṋea zwiitisi. Mbudzisambekanywa yo bveledziswa na u shumiswa u ta nḓivho, vhuvha, vhuḓifari vhune ha khou lavhelelwa na vhuḓifari ha vhukuma ha vhaṋe/vhalanguli vha mabindu maṱuku Afrika Tshipembe zwi tshi ḓa kha tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni mabinduni avho. U ḓadzisa kha zwenezwo, zwithivheli kha u tevhedza tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni zwo tiwa na u lingwa u ta maanḓa o vhonwaho kha zwithivheli izwi. Vhaṋe/vhalanguli vha mabindu maṱuku Afrika Tshipembe vho fhindula mbudzisambekanywa kha ngudo heyi. Ho waniwa uri nḓivho, vhuvha, vhuḓifari vhune ha khou lavhelela na vhuḓifari ha vhukuma ha vhaṋe/vhalanguli vha mabindu maṱuku Afrika Tshipembe zwi tshi ḓa kha tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni zwo vha zwi si kha ḽeveḽe dza nṱhesa. Mafhungo a u tevhedza lwa mulayo tsho vha tshiṅwe tsha zwiitisi zwihulwane uri ndingani mabindu maṱuku a Afrika Tshipembe a tshi khou kundelwa. Nga zwenezwo, ngudo heyi yo dzinginya furemiweke ya ndangulo ya u tevhedza, zwo ḓi sendeka kha mulayo wo teaho wa tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni une wa katela therisano dza vhuḓilisi, mulayo na masheleni. Nḓila khulwane dzo topolwaho dza tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni dzo shumiswa sa khethekanyo kha u tevhedza furemiweke ya ndangulo. Heyi furemiweke ya ndangulo ya u tevhedza yo dzinginywaho yo livhiswa kha u fhungudza vhukonḓi ha mulayo wa tsireledzo na mutakalo mushumoni kha vhaṋe/vhalanguli vha mabindu maṱuku Afrika Tshipembe. / Lolu cwaningo lugxile kwezempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini emabhizinisini amancane aseNingizimu Afrika. Abanikazi / abaphathi bamabhizinisi amancane banesibopho sokuziphatha, sezomthetho kanye nezezezimali sokuqinisekisa impilo nokuphepha kwabasebenzi babo. Kokubili umbono wamazwe omhlaba nowaseNingizimu Afrika ngempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini emabhizinisini amancane kufakiwe esifundweni semibhalo. Izimiso eziyishumi nambili eziyisisekelo zezempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini, ezithuthukisiwe ngokukhethekile maqondana namabhizinisi amancane, zahlonzwa futhi zasetshenziswa njengesisekelo salolu cwaningo, ngokuhlangana nezici zomqondo wokuziphatha okuhleliwe. Ukwakheka kocwaningo kwalesi sifundo kubandakanye isimo esiyisisekelo solwazi, iqiniso nokuba khona (ifilosofi) kokucwaninga okuhle kanye nendlela yocwaningo yokuthuthukisa umbono ngokuya komqondo osukhona. Kwenziwa uhlu lwemibuzo futhi lwasetshenziswa ukuthola ulwazi, isimo sengqondo, inhloso yokuziphatha nokuziphatha kwangempela kwabaninimabhizinisi / abaphathi bamabhizinisi amancane aseNingizimu Afrika maqondana nempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini emabhizinisini abo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, izithiyo ekuthobeleni ezempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini zanqunywa futhi zahlolwa ukuthola amandla abonwayo alezi zithiyo. Abanikazi bamabhizinisi amancane / abaphathi baseNingizimu Afrika bagcwalise uhlu lwemibuzo kulolu cwaningo. Kwanqunywa ukuthi ulwazi, isimo sengqondo, inhloso yokuziphatha nokuziphatha kwangempela kwabaninimabhizinisi / abaphathi bamabhizinisi amancane aseNingizimu Afrika ahlobene nempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini bekungekho ezingeni elifanele. Izithiyo ekuthobeleni kufanele zinciphiswe. Izinkinga zokuthobela komthetho ziqukethe esinye sezizathu ezisemqoka zokuthi kungani amabhizinisi amancane aseNingizimu Afrika ehluleka. Ngakho-ke, lolu cwaningo luphakamisa uhlaka lokuthobela kokuphathwa, olususelwa kumthetho osebenzayo wezempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini obandakanya imibango yokuziphatha, yezomthetho neyezezimali. Izimiso ezisemqoka ezikhonjiwe kwezempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini zisetshenziswe njengezigaba zohlaka lokuthobela kokuphathwa. Lolu hlaka oluhlongozwayo lokuthobela kokuphathwa luhlose ukunciphisa ubunzima bemithetho yezempilo nokuphepha emsebenzini yabaninimabhizinisi / abaphathi bamabhizinisi amancane aseNingizimu Afrika. / Boithuto bona bo ne bo shebane le polokeho le bophelo bo botle dikgwebong tse nyane Afrika Borwa. Beng ba/baokamedi ba dikgwebo tse nyane ba na le boikarabello ba boitshwaro, molao le ditjhelete ba ho netefatsa polokeho le bophelo bo botle ba basebeletsi ba bona. Boithuto ba dingolwa bo kenyelleditswe bobedi tjhebo ya matjhaba le ya Afrika Borwa mabapi le polokeho le bophelo bo botle mosebetsing ho dikgwebo tse nyane. Ho hlwailwe le ho sebediswa ditlhophiso tse leshome le metso e mmedi tsa motheo tsa polokeho le bophelo bo botle mosebetsing, tse thehilweng ka ho qolleha bakeng sa dikgwebo tse nyane jwalo ka motheo wa boithuto bona, hammoho le dikarolo tsa thiori ya boitshwaro bo rerilweng. Moralo wa patlisiso wa boithuto bona o ne o akarelletsa filosofi ya dipatlisiso tse senang leeme le katamelo ya dipatlisiso e etsang diteko ho fumana na thiori e itseng ke nnete kapa tjhe maemong a itseng. Ho ile ha hlahiswa le ho sebediswa letoto la dipotso ho fumana tsebo, maikutlo le maikemisetso a boitshwaro le boitshwaro ba nnete ba beng ba/baokamedi ba dikgwebo tse nyane ba maAfrika Borwa mabapi le polokeho le bophelo bo botle dikgwebong tsa bona. Ho feta moo, dithibedi tsa tatello ya melawana ya polokeho le bophelo bo botle mosebetsing di ile tsa fumanwa le ho etswa diteko ho bona matla ao ho dumelwang hore dithebedi tsena di na le ona. Beng ba/baokamedi ba dikgwebo tse nyane ba maAfrika Borwa ba ile ba tlatsa letoto la dipotso bakeng sa boithuto bona. Ho ile ha fumanwa hore tsebo, maikutlo le maikemisetso a boitshwaro le boitshwaro ba nnete ba beng ba/baokamedi ba dikgwebo tse nyane ba maAfrika Borwa mabapi le polokeho le bophelo bo botle mosebetsing ha di maemong a matle. Dithibedi tsa tatelo di lokela ho fokotswa. Mathata a tatelo ya semolao ke a mang a mabaka a sehlooho ao ka ona dikgwebo tse nyane tsa Afrika Borwa di hlolehang. Kahoo, boithuto bona bo sisinya boteng ba moralo wa tsamaiso ya tatelo, o thehilweng hodima melao e amehang ya polokeho le bophelo bo botle mosebetsing o kenyelletsang mehopolo ya boitshwaro, molao le ditjhelete. Ditlhophiso tse hlwailweng tsa motheo tsa polokeho le bophelo bo botle mosebetsing di sebedisitswe jwalo ka dikarolo moralong wa tsamaiso ya tatelo. Moralo ona o sisintsweng wa tsamaiso ya tatelo o ikemiseditse ho nolofatsa molao wa polokeho le bophelo bo botle mosebetsing bakeng sa beng ba/baokamedi ba dikgwebo tse nyane ba maAfrika Borwa. / Business Management / D. Phil. (Management Studies)

Thesis (D. Tech. (Business Administration )) - Central University of Technology, Free State / The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which certain selected factors serve as drivers of innovation in small accommodation businesses (SABs) in two developing economies in Southern Africa namely South Africa and Zimbabwe with the ultimate aim of assisting policy makers and support agencies in formulating innovation oriented strategies for the sector. Two samples were randomly selected from SABs in Zimbabwe and South Africa- two neighbouring Southern African countries. Parametric tests which include t-tests and one-way ANOVAs as well as Bonferonni tests as post-hoc measures were used to test whether SAB propensity to engage in different dimensions of innovation differs by gender; firm size, owner-managers’ years of experience and level of education respectively. Pearson Product Moment Correlations were employed to assess the relationships between market orientation, learning orientation and innovation while Chi-square tests were performed to establish the inter-relationships between independent demographic variables, namely age, gender, education and work experience. In order to investigate whether there are any significant interaction effects between the age of the respondents and their experience in the accommodation sector on each of the five innovation measures, a series of two-way ANOVA tests were performed. Lastly, regression analysis was used to determine the relative efficacy of market orientation (MO), learning orientation (LO) and country in predicting innovation in a business. The results demonstrate that unlike firm size, gender and level of education, which have no association with innovation, there is a strong association between market orientation, learning orientation, owner/managers age and experience and innovation in the two countries. This positive association implies that SABs that are committed to, listen attentively to and learn proactively about their customers’ needs and expectations are better inclined to engage in all the different dimensions of innovation (product/service, process, marketing and organisational) than their counterparts who do not engage in these activities. Among other drivers of innovation, market orientation emerged as the main predictor implying that SABs that invest more in marketing tend to be better innovators than those that invest in learning irrespective of their country of operation. The study also revealed that younger owner/managers of SABs tend to be more innovative than their older, experienced counterparts. The study makes an important contribution to literature on the drivers of innovation in small accommodation businesses in developing economies by dispelling firm size, gender and level of education which were regarded as drivers of innovation across industries previously. Practice and policy wise, the study led to the development of a conceptual framework for investigating how best to drive innovation in local SABs in order to make them more competitive, survive and grow in the face of competition from large accommodation businesses that often happen to be multinational.

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Masters Degree of Technology: Quality, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Quality management has not been developed and marketed well in South African based small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME‟s). The focus of SMME‟s has been on product price. In order to improve small business initiatives a culture or the behaviour towards quality needs also to be embraced by SMME‟s. Debenham (2008) finds that focussing on price alone indicates that SMME‟s do not grow and become sustainable. Support from both government and the private sector has focussed primarily on providing financial aid to SMME‟s. Ninety percent of South African small businesses largely remain in the survival stage because of a lack of skills and resources. It has become clear that financial support alone is not enough to grow and sustain SMME‟s. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect that the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) has on SMME‟s in the Greater Durban Area with the view to determine the contribution it has made in terms of growth and survival of those SMME‟s. This was a qualitative study investigating SMME‟s in the Greater Durban Metropolitan Area. The sampling frame was made up of two groups of SMME‟s. Unstructured interviews were conducted at 40 SMME‟s, comprising of 20 SMME‟s who have implemented ISO 9001 QMS(have the control/case) and 20 SMME‟s who have not implemented ISO 9001. The raw data was coded into categories and themes. Descriptive statistics, using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), was used to analyse the data. The study indicates that the majority of respondents from both groups had a positive perception towards the ISO 9001 QMS contributing to their growth and survival.