D.Com. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Comm. / The study examines the impact of regulations on small businesses in the Republic of South Africa. It analyses the Small Business Development Policy of 1996 which categorised small businesses into micro, small, very small, and medium enterprises (SMMEs). This policy outlines the functions of the large number of small business support institutions such as Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency, Khula Finance, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) institutions and the Gauteng Provincial SMME desks. Ntsika was formed in 1996 to implement the small business strategy. The institution provides non-financial support to small businesses through a number of programmes. These programmes include Tender Advise Centres and Manufacturing Centres. Khula Enterprise Promotion Agency was established in 1996 to provide loans and guarantees to small businesses in order to increase their access to finance through commercial banks. Khula manages a large number of programmes, namely, business loan schemes, guarantee schemes, Khula star funds and equity funds. The DTI provides a number of incentive schemes for registered small businesses. The DTI incentive schemes provide the necessary infrastructure and contribute towards increasing the performance in the small businesses sector. Small businesses face a large number of challenges such as the lack of competent human capital, low profit margins, inadequate financing, stiff competition from large monopolistic and well established businesses, inadequate marketing strategies, unfavourable policy and legal environment, lack of information about government support initiatives, and cyclical sensitivity of their products. The study concludes that there is a need for mentorship programmes in the small business sector in order to increase the success rate. More research is needed in the small business sector to create awareness about potential benefits accruing to the financial sector and the economy as a whole. More players are required in the commercial banking sector in order to enhance competition. The state should reduce barriers to entry into the banking and the SMME sector. Furthermore, the state should level the playing field to facilitate access of women to financial resources. These institutions must publish all their results regularly so that the success of their financing can be evaluated. Transparency is needed and non-performing loans must be reported to judge the small business support institutions.

LL.M. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This thesis attempts to argue that a post-apartheid foreign policy will no longer be based on seeking legitimacy for the South African Government. Instead, it argues that if South Africa wants to grow, both domestically and nternationally, it will be imperative for it (South Africa) to move from an import substitution trade policy to an export-oriented trade policy. It is further suggested that the export-led strategy will be an important component for the promotion of South African international trade in the post-Cold War era. South Africa cannot improve the status of its trade regime by its own doing. It will require the support and assistance of international organizations and hence, the international community. Following the principles, rules and procedures of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); it is argued, will help South Africa reconstruct its trade policies on the basis that they are free, fair and above all competitive. Furthermore, maintaining a constantly favourable relationship with the international community will allow easy access to international markets for South African goods and services, and eventually the smooth integration of the South African economy in the international political economy. This study, noting the importance of trade with a dedicated commitment to exports, concludes that although exports would flourish, there will be an immediate need for diplomats to be conversant with contemporary international trade developments. This would require diplomats to be innovative, steadfast and disciplined in their day-to-day negotiations. In the final instance, the role of trade in South Africa's future will ultimately be determined by its trade postures and the type of diplomacy to be used by its diplomats.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Economics))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic & Business Sciences. / This thesis investigates the impact of tariff liberalisation on South African trade flows and product quality. The thesis addresses four objectives. First, various measures of trade margins (extensive and intensive) are discussed and calculated for exports and imports. Second, focusing on the European Union-South African Free Trade Agreement, the study investigates the impact of tariff liberalisation on South Africa’s export intensive and extensive trade margins. Third, the impact of tariff liberalisation on the intensive and extensive import margins is investigated focusing on South Africa major trading partners. Lastly, the study examines the impact of tariff liberalisation on product quality of South African exports. In addressing these objectives, the study uses panel data exploiting variations across product, time and countries. The results (in Chapter 2) show that South Africa generally exports more varieties to developed countries and trade more at the intensive margin with China. For imports, the results show that South Africa imported more varieties from developed than developing countries. These results are consistent across different measures of trade margins. In general, the results shows that trade agreements have been important in shaping South Africa’s trade patterns. The study also finds differential impacts of tariff reduction across product groups exported (Chapter 3). Disaggregated results largely confirm that tariff reductions are associated with an increase in the number of destinations of South African exports, except for consumer goods. Homogenous products show a weaker relationship with tariff reduction suggesting that homogeneous products are not easily traded even if there is tariff reduction. This implies the need for South African exporters to differentiate their products to increase trade with the European Union. The results also show differential impacts of tariff reduction across different product groups imported (Chapter 4). Capital, intermediate and consumer products show greater responsiveness to changes in tariffs suggesting that trade policy should be targeted, especially to those sectors that aid production. Finally, results show a positive relationship between tariff changes and product quality (Chapter 5). The results suggest that tariff declines are associated with a decline in quality upgrading.

The South African Clay Brick Industry has experienced major change in the last 9 years. Industry driving forces such as globalization, low industry growth rates and government policy changes have affected the local industry as have the bank interest rates and the relative weakness of the SA currency. These industry-driving forces have resulted in a number of local producers undertaking exports of products. The research underlying this report had a threefold objective: a) To identify the key factors affecting the sustainable export of clay products by SA producers. b) To evaluate the key factors affecting the sustainable exports of products by SA producers. c) To utilize the information gathered to identify the critical success factors that support or discourage export development in the Clay brick Industry. The key factors were also used to develop a export success model and assist the aspiring exporter through the process. In order to research the key success factors, it was necessary to firstly analyze modern business strategy and evaluate the chosen strategy. Thereafter, an industry analysis was carried out and the present situation within the industry evaluated. Research was conducted by means of a questionnaire and selected interviews with the industry. The results from the research make it possible to reach conclusions regarding critical success factors and specific factors that will assist the industry in its export drive. The research also identified a host of government -sponsored export incentives that will support the industry in growing exports. Finally, a number of recommendations were made that will go a long way in addressing industry challenges. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Thesis (M.B.A. (Investec Business School))--Rhodes University, 2006. / A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Masters of Business Administration.

From the 1990s onwards, significant developments have occurred in the international telecommunications sector that have affected the South African telecommunications industry and peoples’ access to the network. Rapid developments in Information and Communication Technologies and the reorganisation of telecommunications operators through commercialisation, privatisation and the effects of market liberalisation have resulted in monopoly operators moving away from their public service mandates. Globalisation and adherence to World Trade Organisation rules are causing operators to rebalance their tariffs closer to cost. Long-distance rates are decreasing while the cost of local calls is increasing. High-end users of telecommunications services are benefiting while low-end, largely residential users are being priced off the network. The end result is a negative effect on universal access to telecommunications services. This study examines the extent to which commercialisation, privatisation and liberalization are affecting the provision of telecommunications services and the government’s goal of achieving universal access in South Africa. Qualitative research methods were utilised to establish that the state owned operator, Telkom, has transformed itself from a public service operator to one that is fully commercialised and prepared for an Initial Public Offering and competition. Telkom no longer attempts to ensure that its tariffs are affordable for all people. However, positive developments presented themselves in the form of an increasingly competent regulator, a reorganised and dedicated Universal Service Agency, and the popularity of cellular telephony. The primary discovery of this study is that the liberalisation of the South African telecommunications sector cannot be assumed to have a negative effect on the provision of service. This study finds that liberalisation will most likely benefit the country through the role out of new infrastructure, the provision of new services and ultimately the reduction of those services themselves. In order for universal access to be achieved in this country the study recommends that the resources of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa be enhanced to enable the regulator oversee the industry effectively. Secondly, the Universal Service Agency must provide clear definitions of universal access and universal service as well as manage the Universal Service Fund with greater efficiency. Lastly, the two bodies mentioned above must ensure that services are affordable for all people of this country.

This research paper looks at the issues that arise when implementing the regulatory regime governing street trading in the city of Durban. It does three things. First, it provides a comprehensive overview of the context of the street trading policy environment, in an attempt to set out the various discourses surrounding street trading regulation in the eThekwini municipal area from colonial times till the present. Second, the paper looks at the institutional profile of street trading and related issues within the operations of the city bureaucracy as part of the argument that its structural location determines, the attention and support that the sector gets. Consideration of related institutional variables such as location, budgeting, management strategy, and human resources revealed that the paradigm shift proposed by informal economy policy has occurred to some extent. However there are views that the organizational logic and culture of the municipality undermines speedy problem-solving mechanisms. Third, the paper explores issues that have to do with the impact of the changing regulation and institutional environment on the operations and livelihoods of street traders. Regulation is operationalised as registration, spatial allocation, enforcement and system capacity. The related experience of the regulatory regime suggests that implementation remains a problem in transforming a progressive policy intention. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The new South Africa has an amazing economic growth that creates a significant opportunity for international companies to start their businesses in South Africa. For those companies which are interested in the South African market, it is very important for them to understand the factors that influence their entry-mode selection. The objective of this study is to determine the main factors that have an impact on the decision of a foreign business to enter South Africa. To achieve this objective, the researcher used an integrated study method, as follows: {u10007A} A systematic review of the popular entry-modes and the main factors influencing the entry-mode selection, sourced from the relevant literature. In addition, South African business was also introduced. {u10007A} Based on the factors related in the literature, an empirical survey was completed by those foreign companies who had already successfully entered into South Africa, in order to figure out the rank importance of these factors. With an integrated study of literature and empirical research, the rank importance of factors that have an impact on the foreign business entry-mode selection in South Africa is as follows: 1. Firm’s product 2. Control level of entry-mode 3. Ownership of entry 4. Resource commitment of entry-mode 5. Political factor 6. Firm’s objective 7. Technological factors 8. Economic factors 9. Firm’s experience in international marketing 10. Firm’s size 11. Dissemination risk of entry-mode 12. Socio-cultural factors 13. Flexibility of entry-mode Key terms: International market entry-mode South African business environment.