M.A. / Small enterprise development is considered a priority in most developing countries and, South Africa’s not an exception. The rationale for prioritising SMMEs is premised on their potential ability to contribute to the alleviation of the socio-economic challenges facing most developing countries such as unemployment, poverty and low levels of economic development. For South Africa, SMME development is seen as an appropriate strategy that could assist government in its endeavours of bridging the gap that exists between the two economies (first and second economy). To date, the government has utilised various business models to facilitate the entry and development of small enterprises in the mainstream economy. These models include amongst others a close corporation, cooperative and private company. Whilst all three models have been effectively applied across all sectors of the economy such as agriculture, retail services, manufacturing and others, the cooperatives approach/model has not been successfully exploited for the development of small enterprises within the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Using international case studies, this study has been able to demonstrate the critical role that could be played by the cooperative model in facilitating an accelerated development of viable small enterprises within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in South Africa. Internationally, cooperatives have played a pivotal role in their contribution to economic development in both developed and developing countries. The model has the potential to promote economic growth at the community and regional level, building on the spirit of cooperation that is already prevalent in rural areas. In the ICT sector, the cooperatives approach has been applied as a model for the development of sustainable ICT small enterprises. In actual fact, the model has been instrumental in enhancing small enterprise development in countries such as Argentina, Poland, USA and Bolivia, just to mention a few. It therefore becomes critical for South Africa to consider lessons from these countries, so as to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the cooperative model. However, government needs to put in place appropriate ICT sector specific support structures that would assist people willing to start cooperative enterprises within the ICT sector. In the United States, government introduced a sector-specific bill to facilitate the establishment of the Rural Telephone Administration. The bill made it possible for long-term loans to be made to telephone cooperatives at low interest rates, thus accelerating the development and procurement of rural telephone systems. In Poland, government established a sector-specific Trust Fund referred to as “Balazs Social Trust Fund” solely to support the development of ICT cooperatives in rural areas. Thus, for South Africa to accelerate its pace of development it might need to adopt and customise this model. To ensure continuous monitoring and measurement of the impact of these interventions, government needs to put in place appropriate measurement tools.

The link between the setting of goals and the controls necessary to accomplish those goals is especially interesting in the area of small family businesses where multiple, conflicting goals are believed to interfere with business control. The actual nature of goal·setting and control in the small family firm are matters for debate because the area is not well researched. This study is an interdisciplinary effort, drawing upon existing work in accounting and business management, as well as kinship relations and group process (social psychology). It views the small family business owner-manager as a resource allocator who makes decisions within the field of family and business. Because field theory was developed to explain an individual's behavior in the context of surrounding groups, it is an especially appropriate research tool for investigating the behavior of the owner-manager in the small family business. Existing theories, specifically systems and contingency theories, are analyzed for possible strengths and weaknesses as theoretical frameworks for studying the problems that small family business owners encounter. Systems theory may be unsatisfactory as a research tool because it assumes that the business and family structures are separate and a control system can be fabricated in which the owner-manager will become a passive participant. This separation may be artificial for some small family business owners who feel a sense of responsibility to their families or to families that. assist the business. Contingency theory may be unsatisfactory as a research tool because it merely explains the obvious: The outcomes of the business are dependent upon activities related to family processes. The data were gathered by surveying approximately 900 members of the Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, and Roanoke, Virginia, Chambers of Commerce. The evidence suggests that for a majority of firms field- theory is the appropriate orientation because resources are flowing in noneconomic exchanges between the businesses and families that operate them. / Ph. D.

In general terms, this research project evolved in response to my desire to find out more about the planning issues faced by micro to small-sized enterprises (MSEs). In particular, how they plan for survival and growth.As such, the main objective of the action oriented research project is to assess the viability of developing a framework which will be capable of providing structured, useful and relevant guidance to micro to small-sized enterprises (MSEs) in terms of business survival and growth. In a practical sense, it is important that the framework is also flexible enough to deal with the complexity and fluidity of the real life business environment within which MSEs operate.A review of current growth theory and the current available data and tools aimed at assisting MSE in the area of growth planning is presented in chapter two. This review serves to highlight two important issues which, in turn, guide the research project.- Firstly, an attempted review of current statistical information regarding MSEs highlighted a serious lack of general planning data for this sector within Europe. (Statistics are only analysed and reported for companies with over 20 employees)- Secondly, extant literature regarding growth theories for MSEs, fails to provide one perfect solution. There is a general consensus that it is neither possible, nor desirable, to try to develop one single and fixed model to predict company growth.Chapter two also provides a review of associated disciplines which are closely related to MSE planning ie entrepreneurship, innovation, and complexity. This extended review shows that flexibility and adaptiveness have a great impact on business decisions regarding company survival and growth and further strengthen the case for a flexible solution. Through consideration of these related topics the following three concepts are brought to the fore and are subsequently integrated into the final response to the research questions: - inherent company leadership,- the influence of the external environment and the opportunities and threats it presents to a MSE, - the internal factors which impact MSE company operations and decisionsAs such, Chapter two highlights the need for a bespoke solution which is both reactive and conditional. In order to focus the project, several delimitations were introduced.- Geographically, the research was based upon the prevailing conditions for German and central European MSEs.- Furthermore, a single case study company was selected as it suited the participative requirements of the project. The company is a micro-sized offset printing house.- As the project advanced, it became clear that decisions regarding company survival and growth for MSEs varied greatly depending upon the stage of operations in which the company found itself. Thus, a more specific focus on mature MSEs was adopted as the project and research progressed. By placing these three restrictions on the research project it was possible to conduct meaningful action-oriented research, aimed at generating future action and change beyond the study, as well as identify and address a very specific set of research problems, namely:Main problem:How can managers of mature micro to small-sized offset printing plants in German/central Europe plan for survival and grow into the future?Sub problems:a. Can a management decision tool be developed to assist this decision and growth process in the mature company?b. How would such a tool be formulated to ensure both effectiveness and acceptance? (what factors should it consider)The key concepts introduced via the extant literature were then integrated into a soft systems review, supported by action-oriented research, in an effort to develop a flexible framework aimed at addressing the research problems.Several phases of research serve to support and build upon, or refine, one another to establish a more relevant and meaningful solution. A preliminary research phase comprising a Delphi study and convergent interviews was supported by group feedback sessions conducted with a small work group from the case study company – Werbedruck Petzold. The work group reviewed aspects of the developing framework at various stages throughout the project; each time participants were able to refine concepts and enhance the response to the main research problem. Chapters three, four and five present this conceptual development and testing/evaluation process. They also highlight the robustness of the data stemming from repetitive cycles and triangulation techniques integrated into the research design. The ultimate contribution to knowledge which evolved from the action-oriented research is presented in the form of a three-step framework which acknowledges - the overriding and inherent wishes of the MSE’s owner/manager - the opportunities and threats posed by the external environment, and- the mix of functions each MSE must develop to meet its own specific goals, given its own environmental situation. It is important to note that the response to the research problem is not a fixed model which can be systematically applied to all MSEs. But is rather a flexible framework which is intended to be actioned by MSEs, given their own situations and goals. The key to the proposed framework is that it must be continually reviewed to reflect the ‘current reality’ of a MSE. It is basically a framework which has been developed via action oriented research techniques and is intended for ongoing case-specific, action, review, and refinement. It represents a shift in growth theory for MSEs as it embraces and promotes contingency, thus better reflecting the reality of MSEs.

In general terms, this research project evolved in response to my desire to find out more about the planning issues faced by micro to small-sized enterprises (MSEs). In particular, how they plan for survival and growth.As such, the main objective of the action oriented research project is to assess the viability of developing a framework which will be capable of providing structured, useful and relevant guidance to micro to small-sized enterprises (MSEs) in terms of business survival and growth. In a practical sense, it is important that the framework is also flexible enough to deal with the complexity and fluidity of the real life business environment within which MSEs operate.A review of current growth theory and the current available data and tools aimed at assisting MSE in the area of growth planning is presented in chapter two. This review serves to highlight two important issues which, in turn, guide the research project.- Firstly, an attempted review of current statistical information regarding MSEs highlighted a serious lack of general planning data for this sector within Europe. (Statistics are only analysed and reported for companies with over 20 employees)- Secondly, extant literature regarding growth theories for MSEs, fails to provide one perfect solution. There is a general consensus that it is neither possible, nor desirable, to try to develop one single and fixed model to predict company growth.Chapter two also provides a review of associated disciplines which are closely related to MSE planning ie entrepreneurship, innovation, and complexity. This extended review shows that flexibility and adaptiveness have a great impact on business decisions regarding company survival and growth and further strengthen the case for a flexible solution. Through consideration of these related topics the following three concepts are brought to the fore and are subsequently integrated into the final response to the research questions: - inherent company leadership,- the influence of the external environment and the opportunities and threats it presents to a MSE, - the internal factors which impact MSE company operations and decisionsAs such, Chapter two highlights the need for a bespoke solution which is both reactive and conditional. In order to focus the project, several delimitations were introduced.- Geographically, the research was based upon the prevailing conditions for German and central European MSEs.- Furthermore, a single case study company was selected as it suited the participative requirements of the project. The company is a micro-sized offset printing house.- As the project advanced, it became clear that decisions regarding company survival and growth for MSEs varied greatly depending upon the stage of operations in which the company found itself. Thus, a more specific focus on mature MSEs was adopted as the project and research progressed. By placing these three restrictions on the research project it was possible to conduct meaningful action-oriented research, aimed at generating future action and change beyond the study, as well as identify and address a very specific set of research problems, namely:Main problem:How can managers of mature micro to small-sized offset printing plants in German/central Europe plan for survival and grow into the future?Sub problems:a. Can a management decision tool be developed to assist this decision and growth process in the mature company?b. How would such a tool be formulated to ensure both effectiveness and acceptance? (what factors should it consider)The key concepts introduced via the extant literature were then integrated into a soft systems review, supported by action-oriented research, in an effort to develop a flexible framework aimed at addressing the research problems.Several phases of research serve to support and build upon, or refine, one another to establish a more relevant and meaningful solution. A preliminary research phase comprising a Delphi study and convergent interviews was supported by group feedback sessions conducted with a small work group from the case study company – Werbedruck Petzold. The work group reviewed aspects of the developing framework at various stages throughout the project; each time participants were able to refine concepts and enhance the response to the main research problem. Chapters three, four and five present this conceptual development and testing/evaluation process. They also highlight the robustness of the data stemming from repetitive cycles and triangulation techniques integrated into the research design. The ultimate contribution to knowledge which evolved from the action-oriented research is presented in the form of a three-step framework which acknowledges - the overriding and inherent wishes of the MSE’s owner/manager - the opportunities and threats posed by the external environment, and- the mix of functions each MSE must develop to meet its own specific goals, given its own environmental situation. It is important to note that the response to the research problem is not a fixed model which can be systematically applied to all MSEs. But is rather a flexible framework which is intended to be actioned by MSEs, given their own situations and goals. The key to the proposed framework is that it must be continually reviewed to reflect the ‘current reality’ of a MSE. It is basically a framework which has been developed via action oriented research techniques and is intended for ongoing case-specific, action, review, and refinement. It represents a shift in growth theory for MSEs as it embraces and promotes contingency, thus better reflecting the reality of MSEs.

In general terms, this research project evolved in response to my desire to find out more about the planning issues faced by micro to small-sized enterprises (MSEs). In particular, how they plan for survival and growth.As such, the main objective of the action oriented research project is to assess the viability of developing a framework which will be capable of providing structured, useful and relevant guidance to micro to small-sized enterprises (MSEs) in terms of business survival and growth. In a practical sense, it is important that the framework is also flexible enough to deal with the complexity and fluidity of the real life business environment within which MSEs operate.A review of current growth theory and the current available data and tools aimed at assisting MSE in the area of growth planning is presented in chapter two. This review serves to highlight two important issues which, in turn, guide the research project.- Firstly, an attempted review of current statistical information regarding MSEs highlighted a serious lack of general planning data for this sector within Europe. (Statistics are only analysed and reported for companies with over 20 employees)- Secondly, extant literature regarding growth theories for MSEs, fails to provide one perfect solution. There is a general consensus that it is neither possible, nor desirable, to try to develop one single and fixed model to predict company growth.Chapter two also provides a review of associated disciplines which are closely related to MSE planning ie entrepreneurship, innovation, and complexity. This extended review shows that flexibility and adaptiveness have a great impact on business decisions regarding company survival and growth and further strengthen the case for a flexible solution. Through consideration of these related topics the following three concepts are brought to the fore and are subsequently integrated into the final response to the research questions: - inherent company leadership,- the influence of the external environment and the opportunities and threats it presents to a MSE, - the internal factors which impact MSE company operations and decisionsAs such, Chapter two highlights the need for a bespoke solution which is both reactive and conditional. In order to focus the project, several delimitations were introduced.- Geographically, the research was based upon the prevailing conditions for German and central European MSEs.- Furthermore, a single case study company was selected as it suited the participative requirements of the project. The company is a micro-sized offset printing house.- As the project advanced, it became clear that decisions regarding company survival and growth for MSEs varied greatly depending upon the stage of operations in which the company found itself. Thus, a more specific focus on mature MSEs was adopted as the project and research progressed. By placing these three restrictions on the research project it was possible to conduct meaningful action-oriented research, aimed at generating future action and change beyond the study, as well as identify and address a very specific set of research problems, namely:Main problem:How can managers of mature micro to small-sized offset printing plants in German/central Europe plan for survival and grow into the future?Sub problems:a. Can a management decision tool be developed to assist this decision and growth process in the mature company?b. How would such a tool be formulated to ensure both effectiveness and acceptance? (what factors should it consider)The key concepts introduced via the extant literature were then integrated into a soft systems review, supported by action-oriented research, in an effort to develop a flexible framework aimed at addressing the research problems.Several phases of research serve to support and build upon, or refine, one another to establish a more relevant and meaningful solution. A preliminary research phase comprising a Delphi study and convergent interviews was supported by group feedback sessions conducted with a small work group from the case study company – Werbedruck Petzold. The work group reviewed aspects of the developing framework at various stages throughout the project; each time participants were able to refine concepts and enhance the response to the main research problem. Chapters three, four and five present this conceptual development and testing/evaluation process. They also highlight the robustness of the data stemming from repetitive cycles and triangulation techniques integrated into the research design. The ultimate contribution to knowledge which evolved from the action-oriented research is presented in the form of a three-step framework which acknowledges - the overriding and inherent wishes of the MSE’s owner/manager - the opportunities and threats posed by the external environment, and- the mix of functions each MSE must develop to meet its own specific goals, given its own environmental situation. It is important to note that the response to the research problem is not a fixed model which can be systematically applied to all MSEs. But is rather a flexible framework which is intended to be actioned by MSEs, given their own situations and goals. The key to the proposed framework is that it must be continually reviewed to reflect the ‘current reality’ of a MSE. It is basically a framework which has been developed via action oriented research techniques and is intended for ongoing case-specific, action, review, and refinement. It represents a shift in growth theory for MSEs as it embraces and promotes contingency, thus better reflecting the reality of MSEs.

Family businesses make up a large number of businesses in South Africa, although they are not often researched. Many of these family businesses are SME (Small and Medium Enterprises), however they contribute substantially to the local economy, as well as job creation. Despite their extensive presence there is a very poor success rate of family businesses. One of the reasons for their low success rate could be the seemingly increased conservative nature of family businesses over time. Thus, a look into entrepreneurial processes, which promote adaptation, innovation and learning, may give family businesses a competitive advantage. An Abbreviated Grounded Theory approach was used to explore the presence, if any, of entrepreneurial processes within established family businesses in Grahamstown. Two generations of family owners as well as a non-family employee across four local businesses were interviewed. The results show that all four business show signs of entrepreneurship within their business, these include: risk taking, creativity, active competition, opportunity grasping and change. Previous generations within the business also showed signs of learning new technology, in turn the new generations learnt from the experience that their parents have had in the businesses. The results show that family businesses are capable of change, adaptation and learning, thus it may enable consultants and future researchers to strengthen family businesses across generations.

M.Comm. / There has been renewed focus recently on the small business sector, particularly from the South African government. However, there are many and serious questions in the media with regard to the effectiveness of efforts made to stimulate this sector, especially from governement. This study attempts to determine effective and efficient ways of stimulating small business in South Africa and recommend changes in current strategies.