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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
31

Los factores de éxito y la sostenibilidad de las pymes de elaboración de productos alimenticios y bebidas, Lima Metropolitana-2021 / Success and sustainability factors of food and beverage processing SMEs, Lima Metropolitana-2021

Cordova Salazar, José Miguel, Ganoza Melgarejo, Michael Richard 08 March 2022 (has links)
Según el INEI (2021), las bajas empresariales, en el I y II trimestre del año 2021, han sido de 16,180 empresas formales debido a distintos factores, entre ellos la pandemia producida por el SARS CoV - 2. Ante esto, en la presente investigación se tiene como objetivo determinar la relación que existe entre los factores de éxito y la sostenibilidad de las pymes de elaboración de productos alimenticios y bebidas en Lima Metropolitana en el año 2021, para lo cual se va a separar la investigación en cinco partes. En una primera y segunda parte, se va a detallar los objetivos, preguntas de investigación, hipótesis, el marco teórico y revisión de la literatura determinando que los factores de éxito tienen dimensiones llamadas factores internos, externos y del emprendedor, y la sostenibilidad tiene dimensiones llamadas sostenibilidad económica, social y ambiental. En una tercera parte, se va a realizar la metodología utilizando una investigación cuantitativa de alcance correlacional y con un diseño no experimental transversal. Además, se va a utilizar el instrumento llamado cuestionario para analizar las variables con una muestra de 334 pymes de elaboración de productos alimenticios y bebidas en Lima Metropolitana 2021 de la fundación gremial llamada Industria Alimentaria. En una cuarta y quinta parte, se va a mostrar los resultados y las conclusiones de la investigación determinando que existe una relación positiva entre los factores de éxito y la sostenibilidad de las pymes de elaboración de productos alimenticios y bebidas en Lima Metropolitana en el año 2021. / According to INEI (2021), in the first and second quarter of the year 2021, 16,180 formal companies were closed due to different factors, among them the pandemic caused by SARS CoV - 2. Given this, the objective of this research is to determine the relationship between the success factors and the sustainability of the SMEs that manufacture food and beverage products in Metropolitan Lima in the year 2021, for which the research is going to be separated into five parts. In the first and second parts, the objectives, research questions, hypotheses, theoretical framework and literature review will be detailed, determining that success factors have dimensions called internal, external and entrepreneur factors, and sustainability has dimensions called economic, social and environmental sustainability. In a third part, the methodology is going to be carried out using a quantitative research of correlational scope and with a cross-sectional non-experimental design. In addition, the instrument called questionnaire will be used to analyze the variables with a sample of 334 SMEs of food and beverage manufacturing in Metropolitan Lima 2021 of the guild foundation called Food Industry. The fourth and fifth part will show the results and conclusions of the research, determining that there is a positive relationship between the success factors and the sustainability of the SMEs that manufacture food and beverage products in Metropolitan Lima in the year 2021. / Tesis
32

Factores que influyen en el espíritu emprendedor de una empresa tradicional / The entrepreneur and traditional companies. The role of the entrepreneurial spirit in a traditional company

Niquen Carrasco, Fernanda Guadalupe, Quispe Gamboa, Juanalí Yúrica 25 January 2022 (has links)
Esta investigación permitió analizar el valor del espíritu emprendedor en las empresas tradicionales. Para ello, se compararon posturas de distintos autores, y se analizaron 30 papers seleccionados de las plataformas de prestigiosas revistas académicas, clasificados según factores tanto externos como internos y su relevancia en el desarrollo del espíritu emprendedor de los colaboradores en las empresas tradicionales. Así, se encontraron posturas opuestas y complementarias respecto a los factores externos (económicos, sociales y familiares) relevantes y no relevantes, y factores internos (liderazgo, mentalidad emprendedora e inteligencia cultural) relevantes en el desarrollo del espíritu emprendedor. Además, se compararon posturas respecto a otros factores, como la innovación como factor determinante para la sostenibilidad en una empresa tradicional. / This research offered the possibility of analyzing the role of the entrepreneurial spirit in traditional companies. For this, the positions of different authors were compared, and 30 articles selected from the platforms of prestigious academic journals were analyzed and classified regarding their contribution in relation to external and internal factors and their relevance in the development of the entrepreneurial spirit of collaborators in traditional companies. As a result, opposite and complementary positions about relevant and not relevant external factors (economic, social and family) were found, and relevant internal factors (leadership, entrepreneurial mentality and cultural intelligence) for a group of authors in the development of the entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, positions were compared with respect to other factors, such as innovation as a determining factor for sustainability in a traditional company. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional
33

Strategies for Success and Sustainability in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Beyond the First 5 years

Ndeisieh, Atem Emmanuel 01 January 2018 (has links)
According to the Cameroon Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employ over 70% of the active population and contribute significantly to economic growth and development, yet the failure rate of SMEs in the region within the first 5 years remains at 72%. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that SME owners used to sustain their businesses for longer than the first 5 years. With the resource-based view as the conceptual framework, purposive sampling was used to select 5 owners of small food-processing enterprises in Cameroon who demonstrated successful sustainability strategies. Data were collected using semistructured, open-ended interviews and review of business documents. Data were analyzed using member checking and methodological triangulation. Yin's 5- step process for data analysis revealed 9 themes including education, technical experience, and skills; entrepreneurial and business management skills; access to external support; bookkeeping and working capital management; human resource management; owners' dedication and commitment; research and development and marketing strategies; resource-based strategic planning; and owners' understanding of the business ecosystem, regulations, and taxation. The results may contribute to positive social change by increasing the survival rate for SMEs leading to job creation and improvement of the living standards in local communities.
34

The emperors clothes - corporate social responsibility creating shared value and sustainability

McIntosh, Bryan, Sheppy, B., Zuliani, J.D. January 2016 (has links)
Yes / Corporations in the 21st play a decisive role in the future of society. Their power and influence in world affairs often seems devoid of ethics and seems to exceed the reach and the means of many nations. As a result, the strategic positions they take towards value creation and ethics affects every individual on the planet. This paper explores strategic routes that organisations could apply to facilitate economic growth while ensuring their ecological integrity and ensuring social enhancement generating benefits to a wider scope of organisational stakeholders. By conducting a critical analysis and clarifying common misconceptions between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Creating Shared Value (CSV) and Sustainability, it is possible to determine how these interrelated strategic approaches have evolved. This article argues the importance of transforming the purpose of organisations to encapsulate stakeholder value creation as the main reason for their existence.
35

Energieffektivisering inom fordonsindustrin : Hur energianvändning inom fordonsindustrin kan bli mer hållbar / Energy management in the automotive industry : How energy use in the automotive industry can become more sustainable

Thoong, John, Belzacq, Johanna January 2022 (has links)
About a third of the energy in Sweden is used for production in industry, where a few energy-intensive industries account for a large proportion of the energy use. When energy efficiency takes place here, the positive environmental effects will be substantial. Therefore, there is often great potential to reduce energy use in these industries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the company's energy use in order to be able to present proposals for cost-effective improvement measures that lead to a reduction in the company's energy consumption, which in turn leads to a reduced environmental impact. The study has used sustainable development, total quality management and Kotter’s 8-step process for leading change as a theoretical background. The study is a qualitative and quantitative case study and the data collection was done using semi-structured and unstructured interviews, observations and document analysis. The study’s results show that the company uses unnecessary energy in three energy consumption areas: compressed air, heating and electricity. To reduce energy use, the company needs to put in place a shut-down management, appoint an energy coordinator, prioritize preventive work, repair broken equipment and introduce preventive maintenance, optimize the ovens, involve employees in continuous improvement and to have a committed leadership. By reducing energy consumption, the company can reduce its impact on the environment, and by implementing the improvement measures, the company can save several million SEK each year. / Ungefär en tredjedel av energin i Sverige används för produktion inom industrin, där ett fåtal energiintensiva branscher står för en stor andel av industrins energianvändning. När energieffektivisering sker här blir de positiva miljöeffekterna stora. Därför finns det ofta stor potential att minska energianvändningen i dessa branscher. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka företagets energianvändning för att sedan kunna presentera förslag på kostnadseffektiva förbättringsåtgärder som leder till en minskning av företagets energiförbrukning, vilket i sin tur leder till en minskad miljöpåverkan. Studien har använt sig av hållbar utveckling, hörnstensmodellen och Kotters 8-stegsmodell för förändringsledning som teoretisk bakgrund. Studien är en kvalitativ och kvantitativ fallstudie och datainsamlingen gjordes med hjälp av semistrukturerade och ostrukturerade intervjuer, observationer och dokumentstudier. Studiens resultat visar på att företaget använder energi i onödan inom tre energiförbrukningsområden: tryckluft, värme och el. För att minska energianvändningen behöver företaget införa avstängningsrutiner, utse en energikoordinator, prioritera förebyggande arbete, reparera trasig utrustning och införa förebyggande underhåll, optimera ugnarna, involvera medarbetarna i förbättringsarbetet och ha ett engagerat och delaktigt ledarskap. Genom att minska energiförbrukningen kan företaget minska sin påverkan på miljön och genom att implementera förbättringsåtgärder kan företaget spara flera miljoner kronor varje år.
36

Measuring the Success of New Business Models with an Environmental Perspective: from the Circular Economy to Servitisation

Sánchez Planelles, Joaquín 21 March 2022 (has links)
Tesis por compendio / [ES] La sostenibilidad es un concepto que se está haciendo extensible a cada vez más ámbitos de nuestra sociedad, estando muy presente en la esfera empresarial a través de la denominada sostenibilidad corporativa. Sin embargo, la capacidad de determinar qué prácticas sostenibles aplicar para poder generar el mayor rendimiento para las compañías todavía se antoja complicado. Esto es debido a que intervienen diferentes variables, como, por ejemplo, el tipo de sector en el que operen las organizaciones y el nivel de desarrollo de prácticas sostenibles aplicadas por los competidores. Es por ello, que, el propósito de esta tesis consiste en el desarrollo de las primeras fases de una teoría que permita a los responsables de las compañías conocer qué tipo de prácticas sostenibles aplicar en función de su organización interna y su posición competitiva. Para ello, inicialmente de desarrolló un análisis de la literatura para identificar las metodologías creadas para ayudar a las organizaciones a integrar la sostenibilidad en su modelo de negocio. Además, se valoró el nivel de aceptación y de uso de dichas metodologías por parte de consultores y directivos de compañías. Posteriormente, se llevó a cabo un detallado estudio del estado del arte sobre la sostenibilidad corporativa que identificó cinco líneas de investigación que se están produciendo actualmente. Estas cinco líneas fueron clasificadas en cinco conceptos que han permitido conocer diferentes tipos de prácticas sostenibles aplicadas por las empresas y, además, contribuyó al desarrollo del protocolo de estudio de casos. El primer concepto es la 'sostenibilidad holística', el cual engloba toda la literatura relativa a cómo la sostenibilidad se debe gestionar desde un punto de vista global incorporándola en la estrategia de la organización. El segundo concepto se denomina 'metodologías sostenibles', concepto que trata de las diferentes metodologías o modelos desarrollados por académicos para ayudar a los responsables de las compañías a determinar qué prácticas ambientales aplicar. El tercer concepto trata de los 'modelos de negocio sostenibles', es decir, las características de aquellas compañías que deciden situar la sostenibilidad en el centro de su negocio y de su propuesta de valor. El cuarto concepto, denominado 'operaciones sostenibles' recoge todas las actividades que se circunscriben a un área concreta de la compañía para reducir el impacto ambiental (p.e. aplicación de tecnología que permita el consumo de energía renovable). Y, finalmente, el quinto concepto, titulado 'innovación orientada a la sostenibilidad', este último concepto abarca el campo de análisis sobre cómo la interacción entre diferentes prácticas en una misma empresa mejoran su rendimiento. El protocolo de estudio de casos se empleó para analizar a una serie de empresas conocidas por la aplicación de prácticas sostenibles, de manera que, usando dicho protocolo se pudo determinar qué tipo de prácticas sostenibles implantadas por estas empresas han sido capaces de generarles un incremento de su rendimiento. Los resultados obtenidos permiten clasificar a las compañías en cinco fases en función de nivel de integración de la sostenibilidad que han desarrollado. Estas fases pasan por el aprovechamiento del cumplimiento legal como una oportunidad, pasando por el desarrollo de una cadena de valor eco-innovadora hasta convertirse en modelos de negocio sostenibles. Para facilitar que la sostenibilidad se convierta en un factor transversal a toda la compañía se requiere de un sistema de gestión ambiental (SGA). De manera que, este tipo de sistemas protocoliza la sostenibilidad incorporándola en los diferentes procesos de toma de decisiones. Finalmente, esta tesis ofrece una serie de prácticas sostenibles que pueden ser desarrolladas por las compañías en función de la fase de integración de la sostenibilidad en la que se encuentren y en la estrategia que siga la compañía. / [CA] La sostenibilitat és un concepte que s'està estenent cada vegada a més àmbits de la nostra societat, estant molt present en l'esfera empresarial mitjançant de la denominada sostenibilitat corporativa. No obstant, la capacitat de determinar quines pràctiques sostenibles s'han d'aplicar per poder generar el major rendiment per a les companyies encara és una qüestió complicada. Això es degut a que intervenen diferents variables, com, per exemple, el tipus de sector en el que operen les organitzacions i el nivell de desenvolupament de pràctiques sostenibles aplicades pels competidors. Per tant, el propòsit d'esta tesi consisteix en el desenvolupament de les primeres fases d'una teoria que puga permetre als responsables de les companyies conèixer quin tipus de pràctiques sostenibles aplicar en funció de la seua organització interna i la seua posició competitiva. Per aconseguir-ho, inicialment es va desenvolupar un anàlisi de la literatura per identificar les metodologies creades per ajudar a les organitzacions a integrar la sostenibilitat en el seu model de negoci. A més, es va valorar el nivell d'acceptació i d'ús d'estes metodologies per part de consultors i directius de companyies. Posteriorment, es va portar a terme un detallat estudi de l'art sobre la sostenibilitat corporativa que va identificar zinc línies de recerca que s'estan produint en l'actualitat. Estes zinc línies van ser classificades en zinc conceptes que han permès conèixer diferents tipus de pràctiques sostenibles aplicades per les empreses i, a més, van contribuir al desenvolupament del protocol d'estudi de casos. El primer concepte és la 'sostenibilitat holística', el qual engloba tota la literatura relativa a com la sostenibilitat s'ha de gestionar des d'un punt de vista global incorporant-la en la estratègia de la organització. El segon concepte es denomina 'metodologies sostenibles', concepte que tracta de les diferents metodologies o models desenvolupats per acadèmics per ajudar als responsables de les companyies a determinar quines pràctiques ambientals aplicar. El tercer concepte tracta dels 'models de negoci sostenibles', és a dir, les característiques d'aquelles companyies que decideixen situar la sostenibilitat en el centre del seu negoci i de la seua proposta de valor. El quart concepte, denominat, 'operacions sostenibles' recull totes les activitats que es circumscriuen a un àrea concreta de la companyia per reduir l'impacte ambiental (p.e. l'aplicació de tecnologia que permet el consum d'energia renovable). I, finalment, el quint concepte, titulat 'innovació orientada a la sostenibilitat', este últim concepte abasta el camp d'anàlisi sobre com la interacció entre diferents pràctiques en una mateixa empresa milloren el seu rendiment. El protocol d'estudi de casos es va emprar per analitzar una sèrie d'empreses conegudes per l'aplicació de pràctiques sostenibles, de manera que, usant el protocol es va determinar quin tipus de pràctiques sostenibles implantades per estes empreses han sigut capaces de fer que generen un increment del seu rendiment. El resultats obtinguts permeten classificar a les companyies en zinc fases en funció del nivell d'integració de la sostenibilitat que han desenvolupat. Estes fases passen per l'aprofitament del compliment legal com una oportunitat, passant pel desenvolupament d'una cadena de valor eco-innovadora fins convertir-se en models de negoci sostenibles. Per facilitar que la sostenibilitat es converteixi en un factor transversal a tota la companyia, es requereix d'un sistema de gestió ambiental (SGA). De manera que, este tipus de sistemes protocol·litzen la sostenibilitat incorporant-la en els diferents processos de presa de decisions. Finalment, esta tesi ofereix una sèries de pràctiques sostenibles que poden ser desenvolupades per les companyies en funció de la fase d'integració de la sostenibilitat en la que es troben i en la estratègia que segueix la companyia. / [EN] Sustainability is a concept that is being extended to more and more areas of our society, being very present in the business sphere through the so-called corporate sustainability. However, the ability to determine which sustainable practices to apply in order to generate the best returns for companies is still challenging. This is due to the fact that different variables intervene, such as, for example, the type of sector in which organizations operate and the level of development of sustainable practices applied by competitors. That is why, the purpose of this thesis consists in the development of the first phases of a theory that allows company managers to know what type of sustainable practices to apply based on their internal organization and their competitive position. To do this, an analysis of the literature was initially developed to identify the methodologies that have been created to help organizations to integrate sustainability into their business model. In addition, the level of acceptance and use of said methodologies by consultants and company executives was analysed. Subsequently, a detailed study of the state of the art on corporate sustainability was carried out, which identified five lines of research that are currently being deployed. These five lines were classified into five concepts that have allowed us to know different types of sustainable practices applied by companies. In addition, these concepts has contributed to the development of the case study protocol. The first concept is 'holistic sustainability', which encompasses all the literature on how sustainability should be managed from a global point of view, incorporating it into the organization's strategy. The second concept is called 'sustainable methodologies', a concept that deals with the different methodologies or models developed by academics to help company managers determine which environmental practices to apply. The third concept deals with 'sustainable business models', that is, the characteristics of those companies that decide to place sustainability at the center of their business and their value proposition. The fourth concept, called 'sustainable operations', includes all the activities that are limited to a specific area of the company to reduce the environmental impact (e.g. application of technology that allows the consumption of renewable energy). And, finally, the fifth concept, entitled 'innovation oriented to sustainability', covers the field of analysis on how the interaction between different practices in the same company improves its performance. The case study protocol was used to analyze a series of companies known for the application of sustainable practices. Using this protocol, it was possible to determine what type of sustainable practices implemented by these companies have been able to generate an increase in their performance. The results obtained allow companies to be classified into five phases according to the level of integration of sustainability they have developed. These phases go through the use of legal compliance as an opportunity, through the development of an eco-innovative value chain to become sustainable business models. In order to make sustainability a cross-cutting factor throughout the company, an environmental management system (EMS) is required. Thus, this type of system protocolizes sustainability by incorporating it into the different decision-making processes, from the hiring of suppliers to the recruitment processes. Finally, this thesis offers a series of sustainable practices that can be developed by companies depending on the phase of integration of sustainability in which they are, and on the strategy followed by the company. / The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Innovation for its financial support through the research Project (PID2019-105497GB-100) / Sánchez Planelles, J. (2022). Measuring the Success of New Business Models with an Environmental Perspective: from the Circular Economy to Servitisation [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/181474 / TESIS / Compendio
37

How to increase revenue in Free-to-Play mobile games

Skobeltcyn, Aleksandr, SHEN, XIN January 2018 (has links)
The Free-to-play (F2P) model is the primary business model applied in indie mobile games nowadays. However, the fact that less than 5% of players are paying is still a big problem for developers. There is a theoretical gap in understandings of how to increase revenue without lowering the quality of the game and deliver more valuable and better gaming experience for players. Some assumptions and empirical methods need to be verified. The aim of this research is to understand a series of specific design and development questions of F2P games, including game inner mechanics, game structures, and monetization strategies. We attempted to find consensus between developers and players. In addition, this research also sought to find out how F2P mobile game can provide as a comprehensive service in order. It sought to find a sustainable and profitable business model for each game by integrating monetization organically inside of the game without sacrificing players’ enjoyment. We used a mixed methods research approach, including both interviews and surveys, to examine the opinions and behavior of developers and players based on the Acquisition-Retention-Monetization funnel.
38

Identificação e análise dos fatores críticos de sucesso dos projetos de uma empresa do terceiro setor do ramo da saúde especializada em oncologia: caso Fundação XPTO

Salomão, Nizi 30 November 2015 (has links)
Submitted by Nizi Salomão (nizisalomao@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-12-16T09:47:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Final _ Nizi Salomão.pdf: 2748688 bytes, checksum: f90306532d7509cc30409d7aa29d2dcc (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ÁUREA CORRÊA DA FONSECA CORRÊA DA FONSECA (aurea.fonseca@fgv.br) on 2015-12-18T19:39:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Final _ Nizi Salomão.pdf: 2748688 bytes, checksum: f90306532d7509cc30409d7aa29d2dcc (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2015-12-21T18:47:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Final _ Nizi Salomão.pdf: 2748688 bytes, checksum: f90306532d7509cc30409d7aa29d2dcc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-21T18:47:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Final _ Nizi Salomão.pdf: 2748688 bytes, checksum: f90306532d7509cc30409d7aa29d2dcc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-30 / On the current business scenario, due to the speed of changes and information dynamism of contemporary world, it has been widely discussed how organizations can respond swiftly to these movements and thereby build a competitive advantage to ensure business sustainability. Despite the social and non-profit character of the Third Sector companies, this segment also looks for best management practices focused on results. From this perspective, thinking about how management by projects can promote positive change by leveraging actions and resources, this work aims to explore, through a case study, what are the success factors of the projects in a Third Sector Company, on health sector, specialized in oncology, in a time frame of twenty two (22) months. Multiple evidence sources were used: analysis of historical documentation of four (04) projects of avarage and high complexity, observation and accompaniment of five (05) professionals at the implementation stage of a highly complex project, verification of qualitative research maturity’s results in projects and research of project’s portfolio, through the report of twenty (20) health and administrative professionals. In the academic area, several studies had as its study object the critical success factors of the projects. However, is still needed to explore the subject on health sector. / No atual cenário empresarial, em consequência da velocidade das mudanças e do dinamismo das informações no mundo contemporâneo, vem sendo amplamente discutido como as organizações podem responder de forma célere a esses movimentos e, assim, construir uma vantagem competitiva para assegurar a sustentabilidade dos negócios. Não obstante o caráter social e não-lucrativo das empresas do Terceiro Setor, esse segmento também caminha na busca de práticas de gestão baseadas em resultados. Nessa perspectiva, pensando em como a gestão por projetos pode promover mudanças positivas pela potencialização de ações e recursos, este trabalho tem como objetivo explorar, por meio de um estudo de caso, os fatores críticos de sucesso dos projetos em uma empresa do Terceiro Setor do ramo da saúde, especializada em oncologia, em um horizonte temporal de vinte e dois (22) meses. Foram utilizadas múltiplas fontes de evidências: análise da documentação histórica de quatro (04) projetos de média e alta complexidades, observação e acompanhamento de cinco (05) profissionais na fase de execução de um projeto de alta complexidade, verificação dos resultados da pesquisa qualitativa de maturidade em projetos e investigação do portfólio de projetos, através do relato de vinte (20) profissionais de saúde e administrativos. Na área acadêmica, diversos estudos tiveram como objeto os fatores críticos de sucesso dos projetos. No entanto, existe a necessidade de exploração do tema no ramo da saúde.
39

Applying the business model canvas to develop business models for SMEs in Namibia : a case of the Khomas Region

Charamba, Millicent Patience 12 1900 (has links)
There have been tremendous economic developments in all parts of the world including developing nations. One of the major drivers of these developments has been from the Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). These businesses have enabled many nations to create employment, resulting in an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In as much as SMEs have well documented benefits, they also require many support, capital and business skills. This has led to the establishment of SME incubation centres where start-ups are hosted and trained to have the business skills. However, despite the incubation initiatives, SMEs still fail to grow and always have challenges. At times, the challenges are not finance related but lack of proper business strategies. This could be addressed by considering business models. This dissertation considers the initiatives that have been taking place on SMEs. A case study of SMEs in Namibia within the Khomas region is used. A mixed research approach was adopted. Specific research methods used were interviews and observations with questionnaires being used as the instruments to gather the required information. SMEs from the Bokamoso Entrepreneurial Centre in Windhoek were selected for the research population. One of the popular Business Model Canvas tools was used as a sample of a guide in data collection, where SMEs engaged were to indicate how they apply certain categories of the canvas. Results show that SMEs engaged do not have specific business models they are applying. However, there were many elements and understanding of the categories from the business model canvas. At the same time, SMEs mentioned incorporating technologies in their businesses and using ICTs to reach customers and make an effort to cut on the cost of bringing in stock. It was also clear that SMEs work independently and have long working hours when they are to meet specific orders. It was concluded that SMEs’ needs are different and that it may be difficult to use one business model. However, a mixture of a few business models could be combined to cater for the changing environment and address business needs. The Business Model Canvas could be applied for the Namibian SMEs but there is need to consider some other business models such as cutting out the middleman, business partnership models and bricks and clicks models. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

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