SMMEs contribute to socio-economic development, and play a critical role in reducing unemployment. Information and communication technology infrastructures (ICTs) impacts on the establishment, growth, and success of SMMEs and also on how enterprises manage their operational activities. This study was conducted in Pretoria, South Africa, in Gauteng province, with the objective to study SMMEs owned by women in order to identify the challenges they encounter in accessing and using ICT infrastructures. The researcher addressed issues related to ICTs in general, and then assessed the challenges preventing business owners from accessing and using ICT infrastructures in order to improve their operational capabilities. A qualitative research methodology which included explorative and descriptive approaches was used. The findings of the study revealed the following challenges which women experience in their businesses: entrepreneurial challenges, infrastructure, ICTs, family responsibilities, support from government and other relevant bodies, lack of mentoring, financial and gender inequality. / English Studies / M.A. (English)

The use of financial planning and control systems is one of the factors that influence the survival of small businesses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of financial planning and control systems contributes to the survival of manufacturing MSEs in the Tshwane metropolitan area. The development and use of financial planning and control systems in MSEs was investigated. Manufacturing MSEs were asked to disclose the financial planning and control systems being utilised. Respondents indicated that they use some form of financial planning and control, be it, on a formal or informal basis. Most of these firms had been operating for a number of years suggesting that the use of financial planning and control systems, inter alia, contributes to the survival of an entity. The more modern financial planning and control systems are not readily used by manufacturing MSEs, but could be beneficial to their survival. / Management Accounting / M. Com. (Accounting)

Thesis (M.Tech.: Entrepreneurship)-Dept. of Entrepreneurial Studies, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003 ix, 90 leaves / The South African economy is unable to support the employment needs of the growing number of graduates. In an attempt to address these needs, the proposed study focuses on the development of an incubator system to nurture young entrepreneurs (graduates), until they are able to survive independently – usually in two to three years.

Risks faced by South African offshore investors is a study that seeks to identify and rank in order of importance the risks that are faced by South African offshore investors. As a global player, South African investment institutions exchange trades with institutions in other countries. These trades are, however, not risk free. Trading in foreign markets can lead to institutions collapsing if their investment plans are not well formulated. There are many factors to consider when planning an offshore investment. For example, what products to invest in, which countries to invest in, why invest in such countries or institutions, how long is the investment going to be, and what are the expected returns, taking into account all the risks involved. All these questions and many others should be answered before investing offshore. South African investment brokers registered with the Financial Services Board and licensed to trade offshore were selected as the target population to respond to a questionnaire designed for this study. A web-based questionnaire using LimeSurvey was used to collate data from the respondents. The SPSS statistical methodology was used for the analysis from where recommendations and conclusions were drawn. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Thesis (MComm (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of almost all firms should be to maximise the wealth of shareholders. To achieve this goal, firms should use an optimal combination of debt and equity, which will consequently result in the lowest weighted average cost of capital. Firms therefore need to determine their target capital structure. This will require firms to be aware of the various factors that can influence their decision-making regarding capital structure. The effects of firm characteristics and economic factors on capital structures have been researched in many countries. Various South African studies have been conducted on this topic; however, limited research was found where both the firm characteristics and economic factors were included in the same study. The majority of South African studies furthermore either focused on a specific industry on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange Limited (JSE) or their focus was predominantly on the theory of capital structure applied by South African firms. Most of the studies were also conducted for the period prior to the demise of apartheid in 1994. Six firm characteristics (profitability, asset structure, liquidity, business risk, growth and size) and three economic factors (interest rate, inflation and economic growth) were identified for this study. The primary objective was to determine the effect of firm characteristics and economic factors on the capital structure of South African listed industrial firms. External databases were used to obtain the data needed for statistical analysis. McGregor BFA (2008) was used to obtain the data required to calculate the measures for the firm characteristics. This database contains annual standardised financial statements for listed and delisted South African firms. INET-Bridge (2005), Statistica South Africa (2006) and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) website were used to obtain data for the economic factors. The study was conducted for a period of 14 years, from 1995 to 2008. Focusing only on those firms that are listed at the end of the selected period would have exposed the study to a survivorship bias. The census for this study, therefore, included all firms listed on the industrial sector of the JSE, as well as those firms that delisted during the selected period. Firms had to provide financial data for at least five years in order to be included in this study. This requirement was incorporated since the data set contains cross-sectional and time-series dimensions. The final census included a total of 280 firms (170 listed firms and 110 delisted firms), providing 2 684 complete observations for the firm characteristics and 14 complete observations for the economic factors. The results from this study indicated that the growth of firms and the interest rate may be the most important firm characteristic and economic factor, respectively, to consider in financing decisions. The study furthermore indicated that differences exist between the results obtained for book value leverage and those obtained for market value leverage. An important observation is that the results are stronger when the performance of the variables in the preceding year is included. Not only are the R² values higher, but the independent variables also reported to be more significant when one-year lag variables are included. This may indicate that capital structure takes time to adjust. Differences between listed firms and delisted firms are also evident from the results. Lastly, it appears that the firms included in the study overall, lean more towards the pecking order theory than towards the trade-off theory. Based on these results, it appears that firm characteristics and economic factors do have an effect on capital structures of listed industrial firms in South Africa. Firms should, therefore, take these factors into consideration when making their optimal capital structure decisions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit behoort die doelwit van byna alle firmas te wees om die welvaart van aandeelhouers maksimaal te verhoog. Om hierdie doelwit te bereik, moet firmas 'n optimale kombinasie van geleende kapitaal en ekwiteit gebruik, wat gevolglik sal lei tot die laagste geweegde gemiddelde koste van kapitaal. Firmas moet dus hulle beoogde kapitaalstruktuur bepaal. Dit sal van firmas vereis word om bewus te wees van die verskillende faktore wat 'n invloed op hul kapitaalstruktuur-besluite kan hê. Die uitwerking van 'n firma se eienskappe en ekonomiese faktore op kapitaalstruktuur is al in baie lande nagevors. Verskeie Suid-Afrikaanse studies is in dié verband gedoen, maar daar is beperkte navorsing waar beide firma eienskappe en ekonomiese faktore in dieselfde studie ingesluit is. Die meerderheid Suid- Afrikaanse studies het gefokus op 'n spesifieke nywerheid op die Johannesburg Sekuriteite-beurs Beperk (JSE) of die hooffokus was op die teorie van kapitaalstruktuur soos deur Suid-Afrikaanse firmas toegepas. Die meeste van die studies is ook gedoen vir die tydperk voor die afskaffing van apartheid in 1994. Ses eienskappe van firmas (winsgewendheid, batestruktuur, likiditeit, sakerisiko, groei en grootte) en drie ekonomiese faktore (rentekoers, inflasie en ekonomiese groei) is vir die studie geïdentifiseer. Die primêre doelwit was om die uitwerking van firmas se eienskappe en ekonomiese faktore op kapitaalstrukture van genoteerde nywerheidsfirmas in Suid-Afrika te bepaal. Eksterne databasisse is gebruik om die data wat vir statistiese ontleding nodig was, te bekom. McGregor BFA (2008) is gebruik om die nodige data vir die berekening van die maatstawwe vir die firma se eienskappe te bekom. Hierdie databasis bevat jaarlikse, gestandaardiseerde finansiële state vir genoteerde en gedenoteerde Suid- Afrikaanse firmas. INET-Bridge (2005), Statistica South Africa (2006) en die Suid- Afrikaanse Reserwebank (SARB) se webtuiste is gebruik om die data vir die ekonomiese faktore te bekom. Die studie is uitgevoer vir 'n tydperk van 14 jaar, van 1995 tot 2008. Deur slegs op daardie firmas wat aan die einde van die navorsingstydperk genoteer was, te fokus sou die studie aan 'n oorlewingsydigheid blootstel. Die sensus vir die studie het, dus, genoteerde firmas op die nywerheidsektor van die JSE asook daardie firmas wat gedurende die geselekteerde tydperk gedenoteer is, ingesluit. Firmas moes finansiële data vir ten minste vyf jaar verskaf om by die studie ingesluit te word. Hierdie vereiste is gestel aangesien die datastel beide deursnee- en tydreeksdimensies bevat het. Die finale sensus het 'n totaal van 280 firmas (170 genoteerde firmas en 110 gedenoteerde firmas) ingesluit, waaruit 2 684 volledige waarnemings vir die firma se eienskappe en 14 volledige waarnemings vir die ekonomiese faktore gemaak kon word. Die resultate van hierdie studie dui moontlik daarop dat die groei van firmas en die rentekoers, onderskeidelik die belangrikste eienskap van 'n firma en ekonomiese faktor is om te oorweeg by finansieringsbesluite. Die studie dui verder daarop dat die resultate, onderskeidelik verkry vir boekwaarde-hefboomwerking en markwaardehefboomwerking, verskil. 'n Belangrike opmerking is dat die resultate sterker is wanneer die prestasie van die veranderlikes in die voorafgaande jaar ingesluit word. Nie alleen is die R²-waardes hoër nie, maar die onafhanklike veranderlikes blyk ook om meer beduidend te wees wanneer een-jaar-vertraagde veranderlikes ingesluit word. Verskille tussen genoteerde firmas en gedenoteerde firmas is ook duidelik uit die resultate van die studie. Laastens wil dit blyk dat die firmas in die studie oor die algemeen meer leun na die pikorde-teorie ("pecking order theory") as na die kompromis-teorie ("trade-off theory"). Op grond van hierdie resultate wil dit voorkom asof 'n firma se eienskappe en die ekonomiese faktore wel 'n uitwerking het op die kapitaalstrukture van genoteerde nywerheidsfirmas in Suid-Afrika. Firmas moet dus hierdie faktore in ag neem wanneer hulle besluite neem rakende hul besluite oor optimale kapitaalstruktuur.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Venture capital is a major source of funding for the entrepreneurial community and usually focuses on the early stage, more risk orientated business endeavours. This study explores and identifies the investment criteria used by South African venture capitalists in their venture screening and evaluation process and compares these criteria with the results obtained in similar studies abroad. By identifying the criteria that are deemed as important, venture capitalists can enhance their decision-making process and entrepreneurs can adjust their preparation for venture capital application to maximise their success rate. By alerting entrepreneurs of these criteria, some potentially flawed proposals can be corrected beforehand, hence enhancing the venture capital process for both the venture capitalist and the entrepreneur. By making use of a questionnaire, data was gathered from a population of 16 identified South African venture capitalists, of which 75% replied. The most important criteria was identified by evaluating the mean ratings assigned to them and was found to be, the entrepreneurs honesty and integrity, a good expected market acceptance and a high IRR. The data was further analysed using the Friedman two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by ranks test, the Sign test and factor analysis. It was found that the South African venture capitalists, just like their overseas counterparts, rate the entrepreneur and management team, as the most important category of criteria when evaluating new projects for investment. In addition, two lists of factors were identified by using factor analysis to reduce the criteria obtained from the questionnaire. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Waagkapitaal is een van die belangrikste bronne van befondsing waarvan entrepreneurs gebruik kan maak. Dit fokus hoofsaaklik op besighede in 'n vroeë besigheid lewensiklus, waar hoër risiko aan die orde van die dag is. Hierdie studie identifiseer en analiseer die beleggings maatstawwe wat gebruik word vir waagkapitaal belegging besluitneming in Suid-Afrika en vergelyk die resultate met soortgelyke studies wat reeds in die buiteland uitgevoer is. Die besluitnemingsproses vir die waagkapitalis kan ook vergemaklik word deur die identifisering van die mees belangrikste maatstawwe en terselfdertyd kan entrepreneurs dit ook gebruik vir beter voorbereiding in hul aansoek om waagkapitaal. Deur entrepreneurs se aandag op die belangrike faktore te vestig kan potensiële swak voorleggings vroegtydig gekorrigeer word, wat 'n positiewe bydrae sal lewer tot die beleggingsproses vir beide die waagkapitalis en die entrepreneur. Daar is gebruik gemaak van 'n vraelys wat gestuur is aan 16 Suid-Afrikaanse waagkapitaal beleggers, 75% het die vraelys voltooi. Deur vergelyking van die gemiddelde waardes is vasgestel dat die belangrikste maatstawwe die entrepreneur se eerlikheid en integriteit, goeie verwagte aanvaarding en aanvraag na die produk en 'n hoë “IRR” is, daarna is die data geanaliseer deur middel van die “Friedman two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by ranks test”, die ”Sign test” en “factor analysis”. Daar is bevind dat die Suid-Afrikaanse waagkapitalis net soos sy oorsese eweknie, die entrepreneur en bestuurspan as die mees belangrikste afdeling van maatstawwe ag wanneer gekyk word na nuwe projekte vir beleggings. Daar is ook twee addisionele lyste van belangrike maatstawwe opgestel deur die aantal faktore te verminder deur faktor analise.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Globalisering, tegnologiese vooruitgang, die Internet en veranderinge in Suid-Afrika vanaf 1994 het bygedra tot die huidige nuwe ekonomie. Indien organisasies wil oorleef in die nuwe ekonomie sal hulle moet aanvaar dat die nuwe ekonomie ‘n aantal nuwe uitdagings te weë gebring het tot die manier waarop besigheid gedoen word in Suid-Afrika en in die res van die wêreld. In die nuwe ekonomie moet organisasies takties te werk gaan om volgehoue sukses te verseker. Besluitnemers moet die impak wat die nuwe ekonomie op hulle besigheid en hul stand in die betrokke mark het analiseer en strategiese beplanning doen oor hoe die organisasie gaan aanpas in die nuwe ekonomie om oorlewing te verseker in ‘n mark wat aanhoudend verander. Verwantskappe met interne en eksterne belangegroepe en deelhebbers is van kardinale belang in die nuwe ekonomie. Organisasies moet hul fokus plaas op verwantskappe met belangegroepe wat deel is van die besigheidsproses en sodoende deelhebbers beïnvloed tot voordeel van die organisasie. ‘n Aantal nuwe toetreders tot die mark (klein tot medium ondernemings en internasionale organisasies wat investeer in Suid-Afrika) het ‘n beduidende toename in mededinging veroorsaak. Die toename in mededinging het op sy beurt gelei tot ‘n groter veskeidenheid aanbiedinge wat beskikbaar gestel word aan verbruikers en ander belangegroepe. Die reputasie van ‘n organisasie, sy produkte en sy werknemers speel ook ‘n baie belangrike rol in die nuwe ekonomie aangesien belangegroepe en deelhebbers verkies om geassosieer te word met geloofwaardige en suksesvolle organisasies, produkte en dienste. Dit is dus belangrik dat indien ‘n organisasie will oorleef in die nuwe ekonomie moet die organisasie homself onderskei van ander en seker maak dat hulle ‘n plek in die gedagtes van hulle belangegroepe en deelhebbers toe eien. Die enigste manier om ‘n mededingende voordeel binne die nuwe ekonomie te bewerkstellig is om die besigheid takties in die gedagtes van alle belangegroepe en deelhebbers te posisioneer. As gevolg van die uitdagings en veranderinge wat die nuwe ekonomie te weeg gebring het kan ‘n organisasie nie langer net staat maak op tradisionele bemarkingsbeginsels om hulle self te posisioneer nie. ‘n Posisionerings- (of plasings-) strategie moet ontwikkel en toegepas word deur ‘n stelsel benadering te volg waar die hele organisasie betrokke is in posisionering. Die navorser het hierdie studie aangepak omrede ‘n handleiding te ontwerp en daar te stel vir besluitnemers in organisasies wat hul betrokke organisasies takties wil posisioneer in die nuwe ekonomie. Om die konsepsionele model vir posisionering (of plasing) van ‘n organisasie in die nuwe ekonomie daar te stel het die navorser kwalitatiewe navorsing gedoen wat ‘n studie van gepaste vak-inhoud, teorieë, beskikbare studiemateriaal, opinies van deskundiges en ‘n inhouds-analise van steekproef onderhoude ingesluit het. Die resultaat van die studie is ‘n goed geformuleerde teoretiesie model vir posisionering van ‘n organisasie in die nuwe ekonomie wat enige organisaie wat dit toepas in sy geheel sal bevoordeel en sy posisionering sal versterk. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globalisation, technological enhancements, the Internet and changes in South Africa from 1994 led to the current new economy. If a company wants to survive in the new economy it will have to realise that the new economy brings a number of challenges to the way that business is conducted in South Africa and abroad. Companies need to work tactically in the new economy business environment to ensure sustainability. Decision-makers are to access the impact that the new economy has on the company and its position in the market and strategise how to adapt to the new economy in order to survive in an ever changing market. In the new economy relationships with internal and external stakeholders have become more important and companies need to focus on the relationships within its value chain in order to influence its stakeholders to the benefit of the company. Competition has increased due to a number of new entrants to the market (small to medium enterprises and international companies investing in South Africa) which led to a vast amount of offerings being available to consumers and other stakeholders. The reputation of a company, its products and its employees also play an important role in the new economy as stakeholders want to be associated with a credible and successful company, product or service. It is thus important that if a company wants to survive in the new economy it needs to differentiate themselves from others and make sure to own an area in the minds of their stakeholders. The only way to create a competitive advantage in the new economy is to position a company tactically in the minds of all stakeholders. Due to the challenges and changes that the new economy brought about a company can no longer only use traditional marketing principles to position themselves. A positioning strategy needs to be developed and implemented from a systems point of view where the whole company is involved in its positioning. The researcher embarked on this study to create a tool for companies that will assist decision-makers in the tactical positioning of their companies within the new economy. In order to create a conceptual model for positioning of a company in the new economy qualitative research was conducted, that included a study of content, theories, available material, views from experts as well as a content analysis from sample interviews. The outcome of the study was a well formulated theoretical model for positioning of a company in the new economy that will benefit and enhance the positioning of any company that applies it in its entirety.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in the economic growth and development of any economy. They contribute to the goals of growth, equity, job creation and poverty reduction in different ways. Given the importance of the SMME sector, governments throughout the world including the South African government, have focused their attention on the development of this sector to promote economic growth, income distribution and employment opportunities. Most SMMEs in South Africa fail due to a variety of reasons, including a lack of access to markets, which is one of the critical factors for the survival and growth of SMMEs. The government of South Africa has introduced the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act 5 of 2000) to address the challenge of market access for SMMEs. The Act is aimed at utilising the purchasing power of government as an instrument of SMME development. SMMEs, especially those owned by historically disadvantaged individuals, are afforded an opportunity to access markets they would otherwise find difficult to penetrate. Given the importance of access to markets to SMMES, the study seeks to analyse the role of preferential procurement in Local Government with specific reference to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), as an instrument of promoting the development of historically disadvantaged SMMEs in South Africa.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Why can some family businesses survive over several generations when others cannot even be successfully carried over to the second generation? Can it be connected to the creation and definition of wealth? To create wealth for future generations implies much more than just establishing a financially healthy family business. This report examines all the other elements that are crucial to creating wealth and prosperity. In his research Mr Jaffe found that the creation of wealth and prosperity consists out of six dimensions. These dimensions are spiritual capital, financial capital, human capital, family capital, structural capital and societal capital. All of these dimensions are examined and tested in this report and members of family businesses in the Western Cape were asked for personal contributions by completing a questionnaire. From the research it is clear that some of these farmers do not have the correct and necessary structures in place to make it possible for their family businesses to survive to the next generations. Some of these dimensions are being addressed while the farmers have no idea of how important they are to the survival of their family business. Communication is one of the most compelling requirements for success and members of family businesses will have to realise how important effective and healthy communication is. Family members have to be able to communicate their expectations of each other and have to know each other's positive and negative characteristics. This will help ensure that family members are applied in areas they are strong in. To reach its full potential a family business must utilise its members to the fullest. By following these guidelines lasting wealth and prosperity can be created. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoekom kan sommige familiebesighede vir gesla9te lank corleet en ander nie eers suksesvol oorgedra word na die tweede ge51a9 nie? Het dit moontlik iets te doen met die skepping en definisie van rykdom? Om rykdom te skep vir toekomstige geslagte behels baie meer as net die daarstelling van 'n finansieel gesonde familiebesigheid. Hierdie tesis ondersoek die ander elemente wat oak van kardinale belang is in die skepping van welvaart. Mnr Jaffe het uit sy navorsing bevind dat die skepping van welvaart ses dimensies behels. Die dimensies is geestelike-kapitaal, finansiele-kapitaal, menslike-kapitaal, familie-kapitaal, strukturele-kapitaal en gemeenskapskapitaal. In hierdie tesis word hierdie dimensies getoet5 en ontleed. Daar is aan lede van landbou-familiebesighede in die Wes-Kaap gevra om hul persoonlike ervaringe te deel deur middel van 'n vraelys. Uit die navorsing is dit duidelik dat sommige van die boere nie al die regte strukture in plek het wat dit moontlik sal maak vir hul familiebesighede om die volgende paar geslagte te aorleet nie. Party van die dimensies word weer aangespreek sonder dat die boere besef hoe belangrik dit regtig vir die toekoms van hul familiebesigheid is. Lede van familiebesighede sal moet besef dat goeie, gesonde kommunikasie baie belangrik vir sukses is. Die familielede moet vir mekaar kan se wat hul verwagtinge van mekaar is en moet ook weet wat die goeie en slegte punte van die ander lede van die familie is. Oit sal daartoe bydra dat familielede aangewend kan word in die areas waarin hulle sterk is. Om die volle potensiaal van 'n familiebesigheid te bereik moet al die familielede optimaal benut word. So kan blywende rykdom geskep word vir toekomstige geslagte.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African population involves huge numbers of young people. The majority of these young people are unemployed and unable to make a living as a result of the inability of the economy to absorb them into the labour market. Other young people attempt to make a living through entrepreneurship. However, the participation of young people in entrepreneurship is very low. Young people face many challenges associated with lack of funding and business development support services, technical skills and development. The problems facing the country substantially caused socio-economic challenges resulting in a shrinking economy. This translated into an inability of both the private sector and government to create and sustain jobs. The government of South Africa established the National Youth Development Agency (here called the Agency) with the mandate to reduce poverty by making sound investments. This facilitates opportunities for young people to acquire skills, promote creation of jobs or pursue meaningful self-employment opportunities through various enterprise development initiatives. The agency developed the Enterprise Development Finance Programme as an economic development approach. The agency provides access to financial and non-financial services to the previously disadvantaged youth in a sustainable manner that improves and promotes sustainable livelihoods for the low-income groups. The study evaluates the effectiveness of the EDFP. The public and private sector offers different programmes aiming at equipping aspiring and established entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, and motivation to enable business development and growth in the country. However, the challenge is that many do not have entrepreneurial minds. Those who have entrepreneurship knowledge do not know about the programmes, or the programmes are not easily accessible particularly to people in the rural areas. In addition, these programmes are not co-ordinated and as result we are not in a position to tell immediately as to who is doing what and where. This also makes it difficult to identify gaps and to maximise the impact of the programmes. There is a need to audit all programmes aimed at improving the economic development of the country. The government of South Africa must instil a culture of entrepreneurship at all levels to promote and nurture entrepreneurship skills. Vigorous entrepreneurial activity and innovation is needed to alleviate high unemployment levels through a combination of improved quality education and skills development. Promotion and support of entrepreneurship should form an important component of policy options considered to increase economic growth for the long term. The Economic Development Finance programme provides SME and microfinance funding which is seen as an important strategy for economic growth. Education and skills development is an important tool that supports the culture of entrepreneurship, as it contributes to the success of businesses. The private and public institutions should intensify their involvements and consider both financial and non-financial support for youth enterprises and entrepreneurs equally. The support for entrepreneurship should be holistic and cover funding, technical training, training in business and financial management, and business linkages.