This thesis reports on a study conducted to investigate the business information needs, seeking patterns and information services for small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Namibia. The survey methodology was used and questionnaires were distributed to 308 SMMEs and 60 business service providers in the Windhoek and Oshana districts of Namibia. An in-depth qualitative assessment of the business information services was also conducted in 15 business support organisations in the two districts. The data collected through questionnaires was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The study revealed that SMMEs have a range of business information needs and top among them are information on: finance, marketing, training and business information. The study also revealed that the information seeking patterns of SMMEs are largely informal with limited use of formal business information services provided by a range of business support services. There are several business support organisations in Namibia providing a range of services, including the provision of business information services. However, the study established that there is need for a coordinated approach towards the provision of business information services in the SMME sector in Namibia. The study showed that the utilisation of ICTs among SMMEs is very limited to basic computer operations like word processing, book-keeping packages, and spreadsheets. The use of Internet as a business tool and source of business information among SMMEs is also very limited. However, the study shows that the utilisation of ICTs among business support organisations is advanced and that this could be used as a platform to improve information delivery services to the SMMEs. The study proposes a strategic model that could be used in the deployment of business information services in the SMME sector. This strategy is based on a definition of business information services, components of business information services and the steps that must be followed in the development of the services. The proposed strategy also outlines the steps that should be taken in the impact assessment of business information services. The study concludes by making several recommendations concerning the improvement of business information delivery services to the SMME sector. Business support organisations and, in particular government and Chambers of Commerce and Industry need to consider various approaches in the design of sustainable business information services. / Thesis (DPhil (Information Science))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Information Science / unrestricted

A number of problems have served as motivators for this study: Environmental deterioration as a risk to economic facilitation; missed organisational green competitive opportunities; South Africa's need as a developing country for the growth of small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs); and information technologies as an aid for ecological and economical problems. Accordingly, this research has aimed to suggest environment-friendly information technology policies that can be implemented in South African SMMEs, engendering mutually beneficial sustainability for the three domains (or contextual study elements) ‘Environment’, ‘Organisation’ and ‘Information Technology’. The methodology used involves an interpretive research approach, a literature survey based on document analyses, and an empirical study based on green information technology expert interviews. In collecting the data, the theory of three of the five Multiple Perspectives Approach perspective types was applied; for the data analysis, the Hierarchical and Signed components constituting the Directed Graphing Method where applied. The output of this study includes an explanation of the relationships that exist between the study elements and that lead to mutually beneficial sustainability. It also includes the identification of Key Sustainability Factors for each of the research elements, as high level critical goals to be achieved by green information technology policy developers in pursuing mutually beneficial sustainability. Furthermore, the output contains contextually consolidated Key Sustainability Factor Enablers, to serve as policy recommendations for implementation by green information technology practitioners toward ensuring mutually beneficial sustainability; and, finally, a sample integration of these Key Sustainability Factor Enablers, now referred to as Conceptual Policy Views, such as may have been produced by typical green information technology policy developers in selecting and prioritising views for organisational utilisations. In answering the main research question of this study, as well as providing its key outcome, a conceptual framework has been produced which comprises information technology policies that are supported to be feasible for implementation as well as of mutual benefit in terms of sustainability for the ‘Environment’, South African SMME ‘Organisations’ and ‘Information Technology’ itself. This provides an ordered and related means of implementing information technology policies, while also relating these policies to their respective mutually beneficial Key Sustainability Factors. Strategic planning, toward incorporating the conceptual framework into organisational policy, is thus enabled. This study concludes with an evaluation of its findings and execution, together with future research recommendations. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Informatics / unrestricted

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced tax incentives for the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in 2001. These incentives were introduced to assist small business in stimulating economic activity, creating jobs and alleviating poverty. This policy decision is not unique to South Africa. Many other countries offer incentives to small businesses for a variety of reasons, which may differ from country to country. However, it is generally understood that small businesses often face challenges which require the State to intervene in the form of tax incentives. South Africa operates on a global economic platform. It is imperative that its efforts are comparable against those of its counterparts so that it can assess its situation and be able to channel resources in the right direction. This study uses a qualitative systematic literature review to compare the tax incentives offered to SMMEs in South Africa and Australia .Australia has been chosen because it is a developed country and also because it has a mature and simplified legislation. The findings of this study show that South Africa has provided good incentives, particularly in the area of attracting small businesses into the tax base but once these small businesses are in the base, there is nothing to ensure that they grow. On the other hand, Australia has not done much to bring small businesses into the tax base, but it provides good incentives, sufficient to enable business growth for those already in the system. One of the challenges faced by many small businesses is cash flow resources. This study has found that Australia’s tax incentives empower small businesses in the area of cash flow, as compared with the situation in South Africa. Future research studies should investigate the extent to which the respective small businesses are aware of the tax incentives available to them. That is, it must be established how far each country has gone in ensuring that small businesses are familiar with all the incentives at their disposal. / Die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstediens (SAID) het belastingaansporings skemas vir die klein, medium en makro-ondernemings (KMMOs) in 2001 ingestel. Hierdie aansporings is ingestel om die klein besighede te help om ekonomiese aktiwiteite te stimuleer, werk te skep, asook om armoede te verlig. Hierdie beleidsbesluit is nie uniek aan Suid-Afrika nie. Menige ander lande bied aansporings aan die klein ondernemings vir ‘n verskeidenheid van redes. Alhoewel hierdie redes kan verskil van land tot land, word dit algemeen verstaan dat klein ondernemings dikwels uitdagings ervaar wat vereis dat die staat ingryp in die vorm van belasting-aansporings. Suid-Afrika werk in ‘n wêreldwye ekonomiese platform. Dit is noodsaaklik dat Suid-Afrika se pogings met die van sy eweknieë vergelyk word om sodoende die huidige situasie te evalueer en in staat te wees om hulpbronne in die regte areas beskikbaar te stel. Hierdie studie maak gebruik van ‘n kwalitatiewe sistematiese literatuur oorsig om die belastingaansporings in beide Suid-Afrika en Australië vir KMMO’s te vergelyk. Australië is gekies weens die feit dat dit ‘n ontwikkelde land is en ook omdat dit oor goed ontwikkelde en eenvoudige wetgewing beskik. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie toon dat Suid-Afrika goeie belastingaansporings het, veral op die gebied om die klein ondernemings in die belastingbasis in te trek, maar wanneer hierdie klein ondernemings in die basis is, is daar niks in plek om te verseker dat hulle verder groei nie. Aan die ander kant, het Australië nie veel gedoen om klein besighede in die belastingbasis belastingbasis in te bring nie, maar Australië bied goeie voordele wat tot besigheidsgroei lei vir diegene wat reeds in die belastingsbasis ingeskakel is. Een van die uitdagings van baie klein besighede is kontantvloeibronne. Hierdie studie het bevind dat, Australië se belastingaansporings, die klein ondernemings se kontantvloei bevorder in teenstelling met die posisie in Suid-Afrika. Toekomstige Toekomstige navorsingstudies moet die mate waartoe die onderskeie klein ondernemings bewus is van die belastingaansporingsskemas wat beskikbaar is, ondersoek. Dit wil sê, daar moet vasgestel word hoe ver elke land gegaan het om te verseker dat kleinondernemings vertroud is met al die moontlikhede tot hulle beskikking. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Taxation / Unrestricted

yes / Cost reduction through the use of technology has become the competitive strength of companies. The benefits of computer integration are quite credible and have been effective in beating the competition. This paper describes a manufacturing strategy for the implementation of lean systems and the development of an integrated CADCAM system in a Small Medium Manufacturing Enterprise (SMME). Using an end-to-end CADCAM system, organisational change paradigm, and lean philosophy of “minimum effort maximum output”—a system with extensive and completely integrated suite of tools for concurrent engineering, product life cycle engineering, PDM collaboration, and manufacturing planning was developed with the objective of creating a more responsive and interactive manufacturing environment.

yes / Purpose – Cost reduction through the use of technology has become the competitive strength of companies. The benefits of technology integration are quite credible and have been effective in business competition. The purpose of this paper is to describe an integrated manufacturing strategy for the deployment of a CAD/CAM system in a small, medium manufacturing enterprise (SMME). Design/methodology/approach – A case study of a SMME is utilised in deploying an integrated CAD/CAM system for practical application of manufacturing technology for achieving sustainable growth through lean systems design (LSD). The paper presents a techno-economic and technology change management framework, with an application of a holistic set of lean deployment tools that include establishing a strategic and operational plan for implementing CAD/CAM systems as a means to achieving world-class performance. Findings – The paper shows that the CAD/CAM integration within the case company increased knowledge of CAD/CAM technology, productivity, and flexibility whilst reducing throughput times. Based on the literature review and the current case study, a framework for ideal CAD/CAM implementation has been proposed. The paper also shows that management and organisational structures are key inhibitors for successful implementation of technology integration. Research limitations/implications – The paper uses a single case study to validate deployment of the integrated manufacturing strategy in SMMEs. Hence there is a limitation to its generality. Practical implications – ThepaperprovidesanopportunitytofurtherunderstandCAD/CAMsystem implementation protocols within a well structured framework and its configuration within SMMEs. Social implications – The CAD/CAM implementation framework will allow the SMMEs to achieve Lean manufacturing (thereby minimising wastes) leading to improved growth and employment rates. Originality/value – The presentation of conceptualisation, development and implementation of an integrated CAD/CAM system in support of organisational wide Lean manufacturing initiative in SMMEs is an originality of this paper.

SMMEs play a crucial role in the economy of South Africa. They create employment, contribute significantly to the GDP and close the income gap. The growth and sustainability of SMMEs is important and government had put in place a number of policies, programs and strategies to address the plight of SMMEs. Institutions exist by public and private mandate to support the development of the SMME sector. However, internal constraints such as weak quality control hinder such growth and generally lead to low levels of entrepreneurial activity and high rates of business discontinuity. Generally, SMMEs are known for losing customers and resultantly discontinuing after establishment. Research needed to be conducted to establish the quality management practices of medium-sized enterprises. Available knowledge lacked practical orientation on quality management practices and rather focused more on development trends, problems and needs of SMMEs. Published research did not provide much knowledge on how medium-sized enterprises respond to the customers’ expectation of quality thereby pointing to a need for this study. The purpose of the study was therefore devised to determine whether medium-sized enterprises in the city of Mbombela are aware of and committed to quality management in order to satisfy their customers and to identify the quality management practices applied by the enterprises. The research was quantitative and was conducted using a non-experimental survey design. Participants were a group of 95 medium-sized enterprise owners or managers of which 47 returned the research instrument allowing the survey to obtain a response rate of 49.5%. The medium-sized enterprises were selected using probability based stratified random sampling. A standardised survey questionnaire was used to collect field data and a MoonStats program was used to perform statistical analysis and interpretation. The findings revealed that medium-sized enterprises in the city of Mbombela have a high level of quality awareness at the level of the owner or manager, are oriented towards customer and apply quality management practices in their operation. However, the level of quality awareness declines at the level of administrative, artisan or trade and general staff and the enterprises do not participate and compete in business excellence models and quality awards to assess their management practices, measure their growth and seek recognition. The study recommends that medium-sized enterprise owners and managers should raise the level of quality awareness amongst their staff and evaluate their management practices on a regular basis. Government, SMME development and support agencies should coherently promote business excellence models and quality award programs to medium-sized enterprises and provide incentive for participation in such programs as this will ensure that due diligence is paid to the development of the enterprises. / Business Management / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

Project objectives are no longer being determined in terms of time, cost and quality only. Other factors such as employment creation, transfer of skills, use of small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and community empowerment now play a role in determining project objectives and success. Is project management, applied with the traditional building procurement system the best method to achieve these unique project objectives ? Some have argued that construction management, as a building procurement system, could be the most suitable method to use in the South African situation considering the unique project objectives described above. This research proposed to determine whether the use of construction management, as a building procurement system, can improve the attainment of client objectives in the South African construction industry. Based on the problem statement, the following hypothesis was formulated: "The use of construction management as a building procurement system on construction projects with a strong focus on the empowerment of previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) and affirmable business enterprises (ABEs) leads to an improved attainment of project / client objectives." It was further broken down as follows: * The choice of building procurement system does influence project success or failure. * Construction management can improve the attainment of client objectives on certain projects. * Construction management in South Africa has not been widely used and understood hence may have failed in its use thus far. * Construction management can be applied successfully on certain projects by following international best practices. The problem was resolved firstly through a literature survey, followed by an empirical survey. Respondents targeted for the empirical survey were clients or developers and project managers based in the following provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape. Literature reviewed indicates that this procurement system leads to cost savings and shorter project duration, thereby resulting in improved client satisfaction levels. Furthermore, it can also be of benefit as it allows affirmative construction to take place. This may be of particular interest to public sector clients. Construction management has been widely used in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. In certain instances, it achieved good results, whereas in other instances the results were disastrous. Authors such as Kweku et al (1987) argue that this is due to poor implementation. In the light of this, it is important to note that this method has its shortcomings and can be poorly implemented resulting in unsuccessful projects. Ensuring that "recipes of success" identified herein are applied, can go a long way to ensuring that the system is properly applied and that favourable results are achieved. In theory, therefore, construction management can lead to more satisfied clients as it can achieve better results in terms of their objectives, when properly implemented. Based on literature reviewed and the empirical survey findings, it is concluded that the hypothesis is proven. Based on the literature review, empirical survey and conclusions reached, It is recommended that: q Private sector and public sector clients (such as the National Department of Public Works), consider the use of construction management as a building procurement system on some of their future projects, especially projects with a strong empowerment component. q Clients select suitably qualified and experienced individuals (such as construction project managers) and/or organisations (such as established building contractors) to perform construction management services on their projects. q Existing best construction management practices are applied on construction management projects. q Further research be undertaken on, inter alia, the role of the construction manager and the project manager on construction management projects, the development of emerging contractors on construction management projects and the development of guidelines for the implementation of construction management projects in South Africa. / Thesis (MSc (Project management))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Construction Economics / unrestricted

The positive role and fundamental contribution of entrepreneurship on a global and national level is an unconditional phenomenon pertaining to economic growth. There are though various perspectives and opinions on the format and context of contribution. One of these perspectives embraces the obstacles involved in the entrepreneurial process hindering contribution and economic catalisation. This study follows a focused approach towards investigating a critical obstacle and specifically the access to finance, within an indicated geographical area. The research intervention has obtained a large and reliable data set to examine the contention that there are obstacles faced by entrepreneurs in accessing small business finance in the Tshwane area. The findings of the study support this contention and also the fact that conventional financing mechanisms do not allow for cost-effective provision of finance to large numbers of entrepreneurs seeking small quantities of finance. Poverty and lack of assets mean that many people do not have the collateral needed to access formal financing. / Business Management / M. Comm. (Business Management)

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Business Administration in Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / Tourism is a fast growing industry and has the potential for poverty alleviation for rural persons. Butha-Buthe, being in a rural area of Lesotho, has magnificent scenery of mountains, attractions to be visited, and adventure activities to be done. However, tourism in Butha-Buthe is under-developed, and it is very important to identify tourism’s potential in this area and explore how SMMEs could contribute in the development of tourism. Therefore the objective of this study is to examine the economic role of small, medium and micro enterprises in the development of tourism in Butha-Buthe. Challenges faced by the SMMEs include lack of resources such as poor infrastructure poor roads, transportation, and a lack of network-communication. Other challenges would be poor business skills in regards to employment and management which leads to business failure. To accomplish the study objective, questionnaires were distributed to local entrepreneurs in Butha-Buthe, local communities, local government and other stake-holders in the district. In addition, a mixed method of research was carefully and logically planned and then implemented. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain the views of the different stakeholders. The questionnaires were collected and data analysed which allowed the researcher to draw conclusions and propose a range of recommendations based on the findings, to assist in the development of tourism in Butha-Buthe. The findings revealed that there is huge potential of tourism development in Butha-Buthe through the SMME sector, but that there are still challenges faced by SMMEs in this district, despite the economic contribution they make. However, through the support of the government and private sectors these challenges should be dealt with.

The positive role and fundamental contribution of entrepreneurship on a global and national level is an unconditional phenomenon pertaining to economic growth. There are though various perspectives and opinions on the format and context of contribution. One of these perspectives embraces the obstacles involved in the entrepreneurial process hindering contribution and economic catalisation. This study follows a focused approach towards investigating a critical obstacle and specifically the access to finance, within an indicated geographical area. The research intervention has obtained a large and reliable data set to examine the contention that there are obstacles faced by entrepreneurs in accessing small business finance in the Tshwane area. The findings of the study support this contention and also the fact that conventional financing mechanisms do not allow for cost-effective provision of finance to large numbers of entrepreneurs seeking small quantities of finance. Poverty and lack of assets mean that many people do not have the collateral needed to access formal financing. / Business Management / M. Comm. (Business Management)