Thesis (M.COM. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Increasing consumer demand, customer expectations, and change in technology compel industrial corporations, governments and small medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt Enterprise Application Architecture (EAA). EAA is a system where the applications and software are connected to each other in such a way that new components can easily be integrated with existing components. This study focused on how internal and external factors impact the adoption of EAA for Supply Chain Management (SCM) in SMEs, located in the Capricorn District Municipality. Data is analysed through a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS version 25). A quantitative methodology with self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from SMEs (SMEs owners and managers). In total, 480 questionnaires were distributed and 310 useable were returned. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to measure reliability. Data validity is obtained through the use of Kolmogorov-Sminorv-Test to ensuring that the questionnaire was based on assumptions from accepted theories as set out in the literature review. From the research findings, it was concluded that the adoption of EAA for SCM in SMEs depends on internal factors, external factors and perceived attitudes towards the adoption of EAA. The managerial implications of the study is based on actual results such as; (a) Internal factors on owners’ characteristics were described as assessment of interior dynamics affecting the enterprise, of which the management have a full control over them, such as employees, business culture, norms and ethics, processes and overall functional activities, (b) The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) revealed that behavioural measures on Enterprise Resources that depends on speculations about the intensions towards the adoption of EAA for SCM, (c) Compatibility in Diffusion Theory of Innovation ascertains that Technology Acceptance Models need to be linked with relevant Information System Components to have a functional EAA for SCM, (d) The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) encourages apparent behaviour on control for supplementary forecaster on intentions of employees towards the adoption of EAA for SCM in SMEs, (e) The TPB encourages apparent behaviour on control for supplementary forecaster on intentions of employees towards the adoption of EAA for SCM in SMEs, (f) Consultations with government parastatals or legal representatives of the enterprise would save the SMEs against any unforeseen challenges such as product liabilities, legal costs on lawsuit, tax evasion or avoidance penalties so forth, (g) The Diffusion Theory of Innovation (DTI) proposes that the Perceived Attitudes towards the Adoption of EAA have is affected by behaviour challenges from employees’ personal conduct that affect SCM activities within the SMEs, and (h) The DTI on the intention towards the adoption of EAA for SCM provides the competence in limiting some negative thoughts about the integrative phases or steps limiting the adoption of EAA for SCM. Keywords: Enterprise Application Architecture; Supply Chain Management; Internal and External Factors Affecting Adoption; and Technology Acceptance Models

MSCAGR (Agricultural Economics) / Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (M. A. Commerce (Human Resource Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and organisational commitment of employees in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Capricorn District in Limpopo Province. A quantitative research design was used in which self-administered questionnaires were utilised to collect data from a convenience sample of 149 participants. The sample size constituted of 149 employees from 18 SMEs. The data was collected using three structured questionnaires (Demographic section), Human Resource Management Practices Questionnaire and Organisational Commitment Questionnaire, with closed questions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and regression analyses, were used to conduct analysis. The findings indicated that there is a positive relationship between HRM practices and Organisational Commitment. The results revealed that employees were not satisfied with the HRM practices in the workplace and had low organisational commitment. It was recommended that SMEs managers implement proper HRM practices for their employees to be committed to the organisation. The study recommends further research on other HRM practices that may have influence on employees’ organisational commitment.

Thesis (M. Com. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of strategic orientation and networking on the sustainable performance of SMEs. A quantitative approach was used, and a self-administered questionnaire was employed during the data collection process. A four-section questionnaire covering demographic information, strategic orientation variables, networking variables and sustainable performance variables was prepared and distributed randomly to a selected sample of 300 SME owners in Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo Province. A total of 140 questionnaires were returned. The software used to analyse information gathered and to ensure accuracy and reliability of the study results was Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between strategic orientation and sustainable performance, and the relationship between networking and sustainable performance. The Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. The results of the study revealed that both strategic orientation and networking positively impact on the performance of SMEs. Recommendations to improve the strategic orientation and networking of SMEs are suggested. These recommendations offered meaningful insights into SME owners, government, non-government organisations and other organisations for the improvement of their businesses while providing room for future research studies.

Submitted to Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Community Work in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2002. / The aim of this research was to examine the problems related to the utilisation of household and community resources for enterprise development at Lower Umfolozi, and to assess the extent to which women that are involved in income-generating projects utilise community resources. It was found that community resources used by projects in the Lower Umfolozi produce a surplus that can generate income. It was noted that while women involved in income-generating projects are interested in generating income they experience many problems, the most fundamental being lack of capital and access to land. Since the land used for generating income is small and fragmented, under the control of Inkosi, landholders do not have a choice of size of land. The low literacy rate among women in enterprise development organisations has not only contributed to their low income but has also led to the development of negative attitudes towards income-generating projects. The combined effect of all the problems cited above has resulted in low standards in enterprise development organisations in the Lower Umfolozi region. It is argued that the availability of community resources to these projects can increase production, alleviate poverty and can create job opportunities for all. / National Research Fund

M. Tech. (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Apart from the contribution and success of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through job creation, poverty alleviation and economic growth, there are still organisational factors such as organisational politics and job stress, which hamper the success of these enterprises. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of organisational politics on job stress among SME employees in Matlosana Local District. The target population concentrated on SME employees within Matlosana Local District in North West province, with the population size of N=431 respondents. A quantitative approach was applied, with the use of a cross sectional survey (questionnaire) to gather information on general political behaviour (GB), get ahead (GA), pay and promotion policies (PP), time stress (TS) and anxiety (AX). Data analysis was conducted with the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 25.0. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied in examining and testing the relationships between observed constructs and their causal latent constructs while Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesised relationships between constructs. The findings of the study revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between organisational politics and job stress. The findings also emphasised that organisational politics is considered as a hindrance-related stressor that hampers the proper functioning of individual employees. This study concludes that organisational politics are the social ills of every organisation, it is upon the management of the SMEs to apply good human resource management policies to curb the politics. Contrary, if the organisational politics are not managed well, it will result in impacting the job outcomes such as job stress.

No keywords provided in thesis / The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the immense benefits they present to organisations have made ICT innovations prominent. However, there is a constant contention between ICTs that already exist in organisations and emerging digital technologies (DTs). The exponential rate at which these DTs evolve often overwhelms decision-makers. This study focused on the decisions of small medium enterprises (SMEs) whether to adopt emerging DTs or to continue using their existing ICTs: SME owners need to evaluate existing ICTs to gauge their usefulness before adopting emerging DTs. Existing decision tools are often insufficient, being based only on either financial evaluation models or ICT usage/adoption models. This study therefore reviewed ICT use, acceptance and adoption theories, as well as financial models, in identifying both the non-financial and financial factors relevant to the evaluation of existing ICTs. Using the Updated Information Systems Success Model as the base model, the study developed an integrated conceptual framework for the evaluation of existing ICTs. The conceptual framework was tested per the positivist philosophical paradigm using data collected from SME owners. Structural equation modeling was used to test and validate the framework. The key findings from the study are that the psychological views and personal experiences of SME owners play the most important role in the evaluation of existing ICTs; and are primarily driven by the social environment surrounding them. The thesis recommends that SME owners should not base their decisions to continue using the existing ICTs on their psychological views and personal experiences only. Such owners may be deceived into believing that emerging DTs are better than the existing ICTs, or vice versa. Rather, SME owners should also consider the performance of software and hardware; and the quality of the information from the existing ICTs. Some features of the existing ICTs, such as database, network, and cloud computing, do not seem to matter to the SME owners; nevertheless these factors are important to consider. The study contributed to Information Systems theory by scoping a body of literature specific to the evaluation of existing ICTs within SMEs in South Africa. The study also contributes to practice, in creating a framework that could assist SME owners to objectively evaluate existing ICTs before adopting emerging DTs. Future research, however, should consider qualitative methods to elicit other factors which may be relevant to the evaluation of existing ICTs / School of Computing / Ph. D (Information Systems)

Thesis (M.Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Unemployment in South Africa has prompted the government to shift focus in terms of employment creation resulting in encouraging citizens to become entrepreneurs. This took effect after 1994 and small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have since been the important drivers of the economy. They have provided jobs to many unemployed people and reduced poverty in many communities. Despite their importance, these enterprises encounter challenges that threaten their sustainability and growth. The purpose of the study was to investigate the internal and external factors affecting SMMEs. To get a clear understanding of the challenges confronting managers of SMMEs in Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality (LNM), a comprehensive investigation of this problem was conducted through a literature review. The study adopted a mixed method approach, where the researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to elicit information from the participants. The study also adopted the interpretivism and positivism paradigms. Data were collected through the usage of structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from the respondents who were selected purposively. Analysis of quantitative data was done through SPSS and presented in tables, graphs, and pie charts. For qualitative data, thematic analysis was used. The findings confirmed what was reviewed in the literature, namely, that managers of SMMEs encounter operational difficulties; and inaccessibility of funding is a major challenge. The study revealed that 78% of the respondents used personal savings and some borrowed from friends and family, whilst only 22% received funding as a form of government grants and bank loans. To confront the challenges of funding, government and parastatals should ensure that SMMEs receive funding in an impartial manner; and government should also serve as collateral for SMMEs with financial institutions in cases where government could not offer funding since lack of collateral proved to be a blockade for SMMEs. Chapter 5 of this research report provides a conclusion and recommendations arising from the data collection on the improvement and accelerated support to ensure the sustainability and growth of SMMEs.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / In today‟s post-modern era, the role of women-owned small businesses in economic development is inevitable. Women are willing to act in business and contribute to the nation‟s growth. However, most women in small businesses face a wide variety of challenges both in starting and in growing their business ventures. Some of the challenges relate to lack of skills and an environment that is not favourable to women small business owners. Thus, a study was conducted in Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality in Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by women-owned small businesses in the Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study used a qualitative research method to collect data. Fifteen (15) individuals participated in the study; twelve (12) of the participants were women who owned small businesses in the municipality and three (3) of the participants were officials working in the LED unit. Participants in the study were chosen purposively because of the knowledge that they possessed. Semistructured interviews were used in the qualitative study to collect data. The study discovered that some of the challenges included lack of skills and training, lack of access to finance, lack of marketing strategies and inadequate resources. Thus, the study recommended that the municipality should provide need-based training for small business owners.

M. Tech. (Department of Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / The alignment of Information Systems (IS) with business processes in organisations is a dynamic state whereby an organisation uses Information Technology in order to achieve business objectives. The alignment of IT exists when goals, activities and processes of a business are in harmony with the Information Systems which are supporting them. The lack of IT strategic alignment in organisations lead to poor IT Return on Investment (ROI), inefficient operations due to poor performance that impact the organization’s competitive advantage. Studies on Information Systems Alignment have merely focused on the alignment between Business and Information System Strategy. Very few studies have studied this alignment in Small and Medium Enterprises to investigate what impact the alignment has with the business performance. The purpose of this study is to measure the alignment between Information system and the business strategy in Small and Medium Enterprises and to investigate the impact of this alignment on the business performance. A model was used to measure the alignment between Business and Information System Strategy and its impact on the business performance. Data was collected through the use of a questionnaire. A sample of ninety-nine (99) individuals from a variety of SMEs was used. SPSS was used to analyse the data. The results showed the variables of the model were all positively correlated to one another. Therefore, alignment of Information Systems (IS) and Business Strategy was confirmed. The influence of the alignment was found to have a positive influence (0.459) on the overall performance of the business. In conclusion, it is imperative for SMEs to align Information Systems (IS) and Business Strategy in order to increase the overall performance of their businesses.