Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: At present the population in South Africa continues to grow at a higher rate than the rate of job creation. Traditional sources of job creation, such as large enterprises and state departments, are unable to provide enough jobs to combat the increasing rate of unemployment. An important component of the government's effort to address the unemployment problem, should be the emphasis on the development of entrepreneurship. In a study done in Bulgaria by Bartlett and Rangelava the contribution of small business to job creation became clear. Bulgaria, like South Africa, is also plagued by a high rate of unemployment (1997: 330). As the small business is seen as the natural port of entry for the entrepreneur to the business world, it would only be logical if efforts to encourage entrepreneurship are focussed on small business development. In essence entrepreneurial activity can be regarded initially as a local phenomenon which then spreads to the larger economy. In this regard research suggested that a mega event in a local context might result in an increase in entrepreneurial activity. The development of the Saldanha Steel project could be seen as an example of such a mega event in the West Coast region. This event inevitably led to an increase in entrepreneurial activity, which manifested in the establishment of many formal and informal businesses. At the completion of the project, however, few businesses survived. This raises the question whether the opportunity perceived by the mega event rather than the market on the long term initiated the decision to start-up. In this study it will be argued that the businesses that survived the so-called mega event were started as a result of long-term market considerations characterized by the critical success factors underlying an entrepreneurial decision. The objective of this research is to prove that the critical factors for entrepreneurial success play a more important role in eventual success and survival of the enterprise than the opportunistic entrepreneurial behavior sparked by a mega event only. Consequently the critical success factors for entrepreneurial success of businesses established in anticipation of the mega event that survived and surviving businesses established in the ten year period prior to the mega event, will be compared in order to test the hypothesis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tans is die bevolkingsaanwas in Suid-Afrika hoër as wat die toename in die skepping van werksgeleenthede is. Tradisionele bronne vir werkskepping, soos groot sakeondernemings en staatsdepartemente, kan nie voldoende werksgeleenthede skep om die toename in werkloosheid teë te werk nie. 'n Belangrike komponent in die regering se poging om die werkloosheidprobleem aan te spreek, behoort 'n fokus op die ontwikkeling van entrepreneurskap te wees. 'n Studie wat deur Bartlett en Rangelova in Bulgarye gedoen is, toon duidelik dat klein- en mediumsakeondernemings 'n bydrae tot werkverskaffing lewer. Bulgarye, soos Suid-Afrika, is ook die prooi van 'n hoë werkloosheidsyfer (1997: 330). Kleinsakeondernemings word beskou as die natuurlike deurgang vir die entrepreneur tot die sakewêreld en dit sou net logies wees om pogings om entrepreneurskap aan te moedig, op die ontwikkeling van klein sakeondernemings te fokus. In wese kan entrepreneursaktiwiteite beskou word as 'n aanvanklike plaaslike verskynsel wat geleidelik uitbrei na die groter ekonomiese sektor. Navorsing suggereer, derhalwe, dat 'n grootskaalse gebeurtenis binne plaaslike konteks kan lei tot 'n toename in entrepreneursaktiwiteite. Die ontwikkeling van die Saldanha Staal-projek kan beskou word as sodanige gebeurtenis in die Weskusstreek. Hierdie projek het onvermydelik tot 'n toename in entrepreneursaktiwiteite gelei wat in die vestiging van verskeie formele en informele sakeondernemings gemanifesteer het. Na voltooiing van die projek het min van die ondernemings egter bly voortbestaan. Dit laat die vraag ontstaan of dit die potensiële geleentheid van hierdie grootskaalse gebeurtenis, eerder as die langtermyn mark is wat hierdie ondernemingsbesluite geïnisieer het. In hierdie studie sal daar van die standpunt uitgegaan word dat die ondernemings wat die grootskaalse gebeurtenis oorleef het, die is wat die resultaat van langtermyn markoorwegings was en gekenmerk is deur kritiese suksesfaktore onderliggend aan 'n entrepreneursbesluit. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te bewys dat die kritiese suksesfaktore vir entrepreneursukses 'n belangriker rol in die uiteindelike sukses en oorlewing van 'n onderneming speel as die opportunistiese entrepreneursgedrag wat slegs deur 'n grootskaalse gebeurtenis aangevuur is. Om die hipotese te toets sal daar 'n vergelyking getref word tussen die kritiese suksesfaktore vir entrepreneursukses van ondernemings wat in afwagting van die grootskaalse gebeurtenis begin is en nog bestaan, en dié van ondernemings wat in die tien jaar periode voor die verwagte gebeurtenis begin is en nog bestaan.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The purpose of the research report is to propose a model for an integrated rural entrepreneurial development agency in the Western Cape. In September 2010, it was reported that the economic development landscape in the Western Cape could expect significant changes in the coming months. Urban economic development has received a lot of attention in the past and probably will in the future as urban areas are densely populated with high incidences of poverty and unemployment. Rural areas on the other hand has not received the deserved attention and the work that are done somehow seem not to have the desired impact. The proposed model was developed from models available in literature and practical experience gained at Casidra (Pty) Ltd. Casidra is currently the implementing agent for the Western Cape Provincial Government with a focus on rural development. From the literature study, it is clear that entrepreneurial development in rural areas have some basic requirements such as community buy in into the process, a catalyst to start the process, skills and entrepreneurial training, access to markets and the establishment of a network of role players to drive the process of development. The proposed model explores possible opportunities and relationship that could assist in the process of rural entrepreneurial development. The proposed model could be standalone agency and function as such or it could be part of the proposed Economic Development Agency in the Western Cape driving rural development in the Province.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The lack of jobs in South Africa and eMalahleni has caused many young people to seek their own job opportunities in the form of setting up their own business. Despite this, many young business people fail in their ventures due to low capital. In response to this, organisations such as the National Youth Development Agency have created support structures to support young business owners in their local area. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which the structures and programmes to support youth development – as far as entrepreneurship is concerned – help to cultivate the creation of businesses among the black youth in eMalahleni. Thirty participants who are young entrepreneurs (under 35 years) participated in interviews that helped to elucidate qualitative information about the support structures. They were asked how the support structures had helped them if they participated, or the reasons why they chose not to use the support structure. They were also asked to identify potential bottlenecks or issues with the support structures that may be preventing them from being fully accessible. The results showed that a lack of trust in the support structures, particularly those created by the National Youth Development Agency, was a major reason for non-participation or choice not to use. Additionally, many felt that the hierarchy and unwelcoming atmosphere of the support structures prevented young people from applying. Other reasons given were the fact that the support structures may not always be geographically accessible and the fact that staff members were not fully trained to be as helpful as possible. There are several ways in which these support structures could be improved that are detailed in this research document. The most important recommendation relates to ensuring that the red tape is removed to make the support structures more helpful to a larger number of young black entrepreneurs. Creating a more local atmosphere may also help the support structures to reach their full potential.

This thesis investigates the process of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in South Africa with specific focus on New Africa Investment Limited (Nail), a company that had a firm foothold in the media industry, between 1993 and 2003. Black Economic Empowerment has become the cornerstone of South Africa's transformation process. The initiative is a form of regulation through which the economic imbalances of apartheid can be corrected by economically empowering previously disadvantaged communities1• Over the years the concept of Black Economic Empowerment has become a heavily contested and debatable one, both in the economic and political realms. This study explores how and why these contestations arise. In doing it analyses the various positions advocated by government, black empowerment groups, social movements and other empowerment groups in South Africa. In addition, it examines the impact these conflicts have had on the economic equality the Black Economic Empowerment aims to achieve. New Africa Investment Limited has also been at the centre of ·controversy with the company's empowerment status being called into question by both the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and other empowerment groups. The nature and structure of NAIL is examined with a particular focus on the history from which the company emerged in order to assess whether NAIL fits into the model of a black empowerment company. The failure of BEE to reach its desired goals during the first years of its implementation has lead to some people calling for the withdrawal of the initiative completely. It is argued within this dissertation that one cannot dismiss the good intentions, with which the initiative was implemented, i.e. the empowerment of the historically disadvantaged people in South Africa. At the same time it is acknowledged that in practice the initiative did not achieve this goal. The BEE strategy needs to be integrated into the wider developmental strategy of South Africa. It needs to be broad-based, able to reach and change the lives of the poor black man on the street. Improving education, health care, and job creation should be placed first and foremost on the BEE agenda. The study is located within Vincent Mosco's (1996) political economy approach, which looks at the market as influenced, by the larger society and government. In addition it adopts a media economics approach, which deals with the economic relationships between media, producers, advertisers and society. This approach is useful because it explores issues pertaining to the markets and competition within which BEE is expected to occur. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The evolution of policy regarding the black bourgeoisie -- Issues in the struggle for black capitalism -- The roles and effects of NAFCOC (National African Federation Chamber of Commerce) and FABCOS (Foundation of Business and Consumer Service) -- The development of black capitalists in the urban areas -- Constraints on, and the performances of black entrepreneurs -- 'Normalisation' of the economic playing field.

M.Phil. / The Social Plan is an alternative retrenchment process to section 189 of the Labour Relations Act No. 66 of 1995 as amended. When the now defunct Mpumalanga Development Corporation was dismantled in 1997, following the speech of the then Premier of the Province, of the 5 th December 1996, South Africa saw the Social Plan route being followed for the first time in its short democratic history. While the Social plan is the better of the two routes, it still looks good on paper, but has been let down by the trade unions, the employers, the development corporations and the individual beneficiaries themselves in this case. The sad part of this is that the Government departments and the development corporations are the custodians of the objectives sought and enshrined in the Social plan. Their failure to observe this fact and live up to the expectations it genders is itself an indictment on these stakeholders. The dissertation deals with the deeper analysis and findings of the events and the omissions that took place in pursuit of the implementation of this novel concept in a real life situation. Definite recommendations are made within the text that contributes to how the effort can be rescued for the benefit of the retrenchees and the economy as a whole. The approach in this work has taken the form of a literature review as well as a field survey. The field survey did not yield a very high sample, but 20 respondents, who are former employees who were retrenched following the Social Plan route, were interviewed. These respondents had been located in the former KwaNdebele and former KaNgwane regions of the Mpumalanga Province. The main problem that resulted in this research was that the country as a whole is suffering a very high rate of unemployed at 37.5% (according to the 2001 Census Report) in the Mpumalanga Province. While that needs some attention, there is an increase in the retrenchments coming as a result of various global and domestic factors. These collectively impact the employment situation more adversely than positively. The social plan being one tool chosen to alleviate the problems identified in its own self contained rationale for being, has failed to live up to the expectations of all the stakeholders affected by it. The experience of the stakeholders in the first attempt to implement the social plan, have defeated the very objectives of the social plan, which include, inter alia, the following: a ...to avoid job losses and employment decline wherever possible. In cases where large job losses are unavoidable, it would seek to actively manage retrenchments and ameliorate their effects on individuals and local economies". The findings in this study revealed that the social plan rather deepened the problem and exacerbated rather than alleviated it. This adversity is not due to the nature of the social plan as an approach and a route to meeting the aims of its creation. It is rather reflective of the way and attitude with which parties to the social plan failed to apply their best abilities and efforts in its application. The dissertation also touches on entrepreneurships, Post employment and the currently raging broad based black economic empowerment drive that has taken the country by storm in various sectors. The attempt by this drive is to address the possible acceleration of the integration of black people into business at all levels and not just at SMMEs or post employment. One could say the whole BBBEE drive seeks to address even the pre-employment era in the life of a black South African.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management specialising in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation March 2016 / The purpose of this research is to investigate how organisational factors such as management support, reward/reinforcement and work discretion fosters corporate entrepreneurship at State Owned Entities (SOE) in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Several studies have been conducted on corporate entrepreneurship in the private sector with limited research on the same factors in the public sector, especially in Africa. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) was used in measuring managers’ perception on management support, reward and reinforcement and work discretion. Four hundred on-line questionnaires were distributed, with a response rate of 169 managers from South African and Zimbabwean state owned entities. An hierarchical multiple regression model was used to analyse the results, which showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between management support, reward/reinforcement and work discretion with innovation, confirming results from previous studies. Occupational level was found to moderate the relationship between management support and innovation and the relationship was found to be strongest at junior management level. No moderation effect was found when reward/reinforcement and work discretion was tested with innovation. Further evidence from the survey results also indicated that Zimbabwean SOEs had higher levels of reward /reinforcement and work discretion than South Africa, but both countries had the same level for management support and innovation. However Zimbabwe had implemented more projects than South Africa, indicating that its SOEs were more entrepreneurial. Finally, when occupational levels were considered, Zimbabwe had higher scores for all the three independent variables, except for innovation, which South Africa was leading at junior management levels. However, the levels at middle and senior management was the same for both countries / GR2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Management: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation Johannesburg, 2015 (March 2015) / The purpose of this research is to investigate human capital and social capital as determinants to access to finance for women SMME owners in South Africa. The study focuses on Human capital which encompasses social capital and looks at access to finance within the South African context. It does not include all other factors discussed in entrepreneurship theory. The major theories underlying this research are Social Network theory and Human capital theory. Human capital theory is viewed as formal education, skills attained and knowledge gained through informal knowledge such as prior work experience, industry experience and apprenticeship opportunities. These variables are assessed to see if they determine access to finance; which is a barrier to entrepreneurship in South Africa for SMME owners. This constraint is stressed in all The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) reports from 2009 to 2014. This paper focuses on a single gender; females and assesses these capital factors as determinants to access finance for their entrepreneurial activity. Social capital as a factor is studied as a component of Human capital and two variables are assessed: strong ties and weak ties. Access to finance is evaluated as both debt and equity for entrepreneurs. Bivariate analysis was used to test the theories for results. The results showed an importance of human and social capital for entrepreneurs in running their businesses however not all human and social capital factors were confirmed to entirely determine access to finance for the women entrepreneurs. This study can potentially assist SMME owners within South Africa, financial institutions, policy makers and support organisations for women-owned businesses with insight into what determines accessing finance for business. / MT2016

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The ANC government relaxed a great many restrictions enforced by the apartheid regime. The restrictions included the illegal status of the spaza shops which operated in the townships. Faced with the challenge of unemployment, the present government crafted policies and programmes to support and promote the creation of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises or SMMEs. However, despite all of these initiatives, the small grocery shops which are commonly known as spaza shops, and particularly those owned by South Africans, are faced with a number of obstacles with respect to the establishment, operation and growth. This study was undertaken in order to determine the factors which affect the startup and growth of locally owned spaza shops in the Gugulethu and Nyanga townships in Cape Town, and to identify the support strategies necessary to assist these shops to grow into sustainable businesses. The study was motivated by the growing informal economy which, if it is effectively taken advantage of and made use of, can, to some extent, create employment opportunities, particularly for the previously disadvantaged people in both the Gugulethu and the Nyanga townships. The study employed an exploratory and descriptive research design, and a quantitative empirical research approach, through the use of a self-administered questionnaire. The findings of the research study revealed that there are significant challenges which adversely affect South African-owned spaza shops, and that obstacles are encountered during the startup and growth phases. Although the factors which affect the spaza shops adversely are many, it is important to single out the most significant ones. The significant factors evidence from the study were a lack of startup and expansion capital, load shedding, the lack of a network to buy cheaply in bulk, competition from non-South African entrepreneurs, crime, costs incurred by transportation of stock, a lack of collateral security to obtain finance from lenders, inadequate ability to handle financial records, a lack of management skills and a lack of information concerning government services.

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.