This thesis is about the quest to build effective strategies to support the development of enterprise on the margins of the economy, to create jobs and reduce poverty. A core part of this challenge includes grappling with the role of markets in development, and of markets as a critical part of the context in which enterprise development in rural and peri-urban areas can either provide a path out of poverty – or instead serve to lock people into poverty. The thesis explores these issues by tracking the experience of the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA) as it attempted to grapple with this challenge. MDA is the development wing of South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) , and was set up to create jobs and support enterprise development for communities affected by the loss of jobs on the mines. The thesis covers a fourteen-year period in MDA’s history, from its inception in 1988 until 2002. It tracks the learning process across several phases in the development of MDA’s approach. These included the development of worker co-operatives, the establishment of business service centres, value-chain work in the craft sector, and the commercialization of a juice product from the indigenous marula berry. In the process, MDA engaged with an emergent paradigm in the development sector called ‘Making Markets Work for the Poor’. Can markets really be made to work for the poor? Or even just made to work ‘better’ for the poor? Or is the process of inclusion in markets inexorably and inevitably one of making the poor work for markets? The thesis explores these issues in the context of MDA’s experience, locating this within a wider set of theoretical concerns over the role of markets in society, and the ways in which societies have protected themselves from the negative impacts of the development of market economies. It draws on wider political economy approaches to argue that markets are institutions that are socially constructed, and explores what scope there might therefore be to construct them differently. While recognising the importance of social protection, the thesis argues that there is a need to go beyond defensive strategies aimed at protecting society from markets, to identify new terms of engagement within markets to shape markets, and to harness their wealth-creating potential in ways that have different distributional consequences, as part of a long-term agenda of eradicating poverty.

Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

This dissertation studies the role of clothing manufacturing co-operatives in job creation and poverty alleviation in Sharpeville. Ttie study focuses on three areas, namely, the theories of unemployment, poverty and clothing manufacturing, the state of unemployment and poverty in Sharpeville and clothing manufacturing co-operatives as one of the contributors to the solution to unemployment and poverty. Unemployment is identified, among others, as a major determinant of poverty; therefore, the main component of any policy aimed at eradicating poverty should focus on employment creation. The clothing industry being the most labour-intensive industry in South Africa with low capital entry requirement creates opportunities for entrepreneurially driven employment creation in Sharpeville. The approach in the dissertation was to define and measure unemployment and poverty and determine the profile of the poor in Sharpeville. This is done by employing household-level indicators. For measuring poverty the following tools are used: the Household Subsistence Level (HSL) as poverty line, the, headcount index, the poverty gap and the dependency ratio. Unemployment is also used to determine poverty levels. The dissertation shows that Sharpeville experiences high unemployment rates and low levels of poverty based on the indicators employed. Compared to Bophelong, most indicators (except for unemployment) show that Sharpeville is better off. Comparing the operations of clothing businesses in Sharpeville and Mitchell's Plain, the dissertation shows that clothing manufacturing has the potential to create job opportunities in Sharpeville if assistance could be offered. Assuming that assistance is offered to form clothing manufacturing cooperatives. The dissertation shows that 374 jobs could be created and that the unemployment rate could decrease from 59.2 percent to 52.9 percent. The expenditure of the whole population of Sharpeville on clothing (also considering nearby communities) shows a potential big market for clothing manufacturing co-operatives in the township. At an average income of R600 per month the impact will be that the poverty rate will be reduced from 43.1 percent to 40.8 percent and at an average income of R1 500 the impact will be that the poverty rate decrease from 43.1 percent to 39.1 percent. Finally, the dissertation concludes that clothing manufacturing co-operatives can indeed create job opportunities and alleviate poverty, but assistance from different structures is needed. The dissertation suggests major support systems like involvement by industry and training institutions, the formation of associations working directly with operators, the addressing of the problem of geographic location of service providers and government involvement. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

This dissertation studies the role of clothing manufacturing co-operatives in job creation and poverty alleviation in Sharpeville. Ttie study focuses on three areas, namely, the theories of unemployment, poverty and clothing manufacturing, the state of unemployment and poverty in Sharpeville and clothing manufacturing co-operatives as one of the contributors to the solution to unemployment and poverty. Unemployment is identified, among others, as a major determinant of poverty; therefore, the main component of any policy aimed at eradicating poverty should focus on employment creation. The clothing industry being the most labour-intensive industry in South Africa with low capital entry requirement creates opportunities for entrepreneurially driven employment creation in Sharpeville. The approach in the dissertation was to define and measure unemployment and poverty and determine the profile of the poor in Sharpeville. This is done by employing household-level indicators. For measuring poverty the following tools are used: the Household Subsistence Level (HSL) as poverty line, the, headcount index, the poverty gap and the dependency ratio. Unemployment is also used to determine poverty levels. The dissertation shows that Sharpeville experiences high unemployment rates and low levels of poverty based on the indicators employed. Compared to Bophelong, most indicators (except for unemployment) show that Sharpeville is better off. Comparing the operations of clothing businesses in Sharpeville and Mitchell's Plain, the dissertation shows that clothing manufacturing has the potential to create job opportunities in Sharpeville if assistance could be offered. Assuming that assistance is offered to form clothing manufacturing cooperatives. The dissertation shows that 374 jobs could be created and that the unemployment rate could decrease from 59.2 percent to 52.9 percent. The expenditure of the whole population of Sharpeville on clothing (also considering nearby communities) shows a potential big market for clothing manufacturing co-operatives in the township. At an average income of R600 per month the impact will be that the poverty rate will be reduced from 43.1 percent to 40.8 percent and at an average income of R1 500 the impact will be that the poverty rate decrease from 43.1 percent to 39.1 percent. Finally, the dissertation concludes that clothing manufacturing co-operatives can indeed create job opportunities and alleviate poverty, but assistance from different structures is needed. The dissertation suggests major support systems like involvement by industry and training institutions, the formation of associations working directly with operators, the addressing of the problem of geographic location of service providers and government involvement. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

The agricultural sector plays an important role in the South African economy through job creation and earning foreign exchange. The role of agricultural co-operatives increased substantially over the last few decades. The research focuses firstly on the identification of derivative instruments in the market and their applicability to mitigate financial risks co-operatives experience. Secondly, research is conducted about the extent to which co-operatives use these derivatives to hedge financial risks. The research shows that most co-operatives are exposed to financial risks through different activities. It is, however, evident that although the derivative instruments are available, not all co-operatives make use of these instruments. Recommendations for further research include the development of a risk management framework and determining the different economic factors that have an influence on the use of derivatives by South African agricultural co-operatives. / Business Management / M.Comm.

The North End is one of the most colourful areas in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Plagued by urban decay, the North End is a melting pot of cultures and catch basin for many marginalized people. In the face of adversity, people unite under similar ideals and principles to work towards common goals. This unity is exemplified in co-operatives, which has been in the North End for decades. Co-ops exhibited outstanding camaraderie with the goal of alleviating adverse social conditions. Today, the co-op sector, exemplified by Pollock’s Hardware and Urban Eatin’ Landscapes, continue to operate in the area like conventional business, while practicing social and environmental responsibility under a common set of principles. Due to their ideologies and principles, their impact on neighbourhood and community revitalization is more profound than expected. Through case studies, this research found that co-ops offer urban planners and government officials a complimentary method to conventional urban revitalization methods. Co-operative Urban Revitalization starts by uniting marginalized people and empowering them to devise solutions to social and economic problems. / February 2017

The agricultural sector plays an important role in the South African economy through job creation and earning foreign exchange. The role of agricultural co-operatives increased substantially over the last few decades. The research focuses firstly on the identification of derivative instruments in the market and their applicability to mitigate financial risks co-operatives experience. Secondly, research is conducted about the extent to which co-operatives use these derivatives to hedge financial risks. The research shows that most co-operatives are exposed to financial risks through different activities. It is, however, evident that although the derivative instruments are available, not all co-operatives make use of these instruments. Recommendations for further research include the development of a risk management framework and determining the different economic factors that have an influence on the use of derivatives by South African agricultural co-operatives. / Business Management / M.Comm.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O aumento da participação do setor privado no campo dos serviços de saúde vem ganhado destaque desde a década de 1980. O governo brasileiro, a partir da segunda metade da década de 1990, redesenhou o seu papel ao romper o monopólio estatal e permitir a expansão da atividade privada em diversos campos da economia, passando a ser mediador e regulador. Nesse contexto, a instituição da Agência Nacional de Saúde (ANS), em janeiro de 2000, marcou uma etapa da regulação do setor, que passou por diversas transformações que ocasionaram o aumento dos custos e diminuição do número de Operadoras de Planos de Saúde (OPS) em atividade. A interesse em ações que visam manter a saúde financeira dessas empresas é, portanto, o ponto de partida deste estudo. Trata-se de um estudo de caso que tem por objetivo investigar a influência de fatores organizacionais e ambientais, a partir da visão dos gestores de uma pequena cooperativa de trabalho médico (chamada de OPX), que contribuíram para a construção de desempenho organizacional superior, evidênciado em um estudo anterior. A investigação se faz a partir de quatro categorias analíticas que estão relacionadas ao desempenho organizacional: cultura organizacional, estrutura organizacional, gestão estratégica e ambiente externo. Os dados foram coletados a partir de três fontes de evidências: documentos, observação direta e entrevistas semi-estruturadas com a participação de gestores-chave da organização. Os dados foram analisados a partir do método de análise de conteúdo. Foram identificados elementos que caracterizam a cultura organizacional da cooperativa. Quanto ao tipo de estrutura, trata-se de burocracia profissional especializada. Os processos formais de gestão estratégica não são efetivamente utilizadas, mas as ferramentas operacionais de controle se mostraram rígidas. E a respeito do ambiente externo, mostraramse relevantes a concorrência, a regulação, o judiciário e a economia. Todos eles, em alguma medida, influenciaram o desempenho da organização. Não foi constatada nenhuma outra característica para a definição de nova categoria que pudesse ajudar a responder a pergunta de pesquisa. / The increased participation of the private sector in the field of health services has gained prominence since the 1980s. The Brazilian government, from the second half of the 1990s, has redesigned its role in breaking the state monopoly and allowed the expansion of private activity in various fields of economy, becoming a mediator and regulator. In this context, the establishment of the National Health Agency (ANS), in January 2000, marked a stage of sector regulation, which went through several transformations that led to the increase in costs and decrease in the number of Health Plans Operators (OPS) in activity. The concern with actions aimed at maintaining the financial health of these companies is therefore the starting point of this study. This is a case study that aims to investigate the influence of organizational and environmental factors, from the perspective of the managers of a small cooperative medical work (called OPX), which contributed to the construction of higher organizational performance, shown in a previous study. The investigation is based on four analytical categories that are related to organizational performance: organizational culture, organizational structure, strategic management and external environment. Data were collected from three sources of evidence: documents, direct observation and semi-structured interviews with the participation of key managers of the organization. Data were analyzed using Content Analysis method. Elements that characterize the organizational culture of the cooperative were identified. Regarding the type of structure, it is specialized professional bureaucracy. The formal process of strategic management are not effectively used, but operational control tools proved rigid . And about the external environment were relevant competition, regulation, the judiciary and the economy. All of them, to some extent, influenced the organization's performance. It was not found any other feature for defining new category that could help answer the research question. / Dissertação (Mestrado)