Summary in Chinese. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--The Chinese University of Hong Kong. / Bibliography: p. leaves 121-128.

Man Sik-Fai. / Summary in Chinese. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--The Chinese University of Hong Kong. / Bibliography: l. 94-96.

Thesis (MBA.) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / In a country with a high unemployment rate, such as South Africa, the role played by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) cannot be undermined in creating jobs. SMMEs are crucial in the labour market, as they aim to curb and stimulate economic growth and development in South Africa. The aim of this study is to revisit or establish challenges and opportunities for the growth of SMMEs. The study was based on data collected from SMME entrepreneurs in the Sekhukhune area of Fetakgomo Municipality in Limpopo Province. The population of this study consisted of 53 respondents. The researcher had previously administered the instruments to a pilot group to examine the user-friendliness, comprehensiveness and adequacy of the data collection procedures and instruments. In addition, the data were analysed to establish the adequacy of the data analysis plan of actionSampling refers to the procedure by which a given number of subjects from a population are selected to represent that population. According to Babbie et al. (2001:104), a sample representative of a population or universe is taken from any portion of that population or universe. In terms of sample size consideration, according to Maree (2007), larger samples are better in terms of representativeness, statistical analysis and accuracy. In the present study, 53 people were interviewed to thoroughly determine the challenges and opportunities of SMMEs in the area. Snowball and convenience sampling methods were utilised to interview the SMMEs.The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that to improve the growth of SMMEs, the government should actively hold campaigns to enlighten the public of their supportive service structures that they offer to encourage emerging SMMEs to partake in various local business chambers to access business support. Internally, the entrepreneurs and their staff should engage in business training to enhance their entrepreneurial skills. The study recommends that the government needs to realign the current policy on SMMEs to encompass the dynamic economic changes in supporting the role made by this sector in the business environment with a view to improve their growth. The study established the need for an increased awareness to emerging SMMEs on opportunities available to them to develop and grow their businesses. Furthermore, this development and growth can be improved by creating incentives for financiers to extend their credit and loan offers to SMMEs, coupled with tax incentives for that comply.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2006 / The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges facing Mpumalanga Economic Empowerment Corporation (MEEC) in its quest to funding the emerging small enterprises in Mpumalanga. The study was conducted in 2004-2005, in the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga. Interviews were conducted amongst the existing clients of MEEC and its predecessors. Senior Managers and Operational staff were also interviewed in order to solicit the effectiveness of the tools used to granting loans and guarantees. The findings have since shown that there are operational challenges facing MEEC, which are in nature similar to those faced by a number of Development Finance Corporations in this country and around the globe as the benchmarks showed in the study. It was therefore important to undertake this study considering the need to improve the role played by MEEC and the approaches to be adopted in improving the course in which parastatals do business.

Work-life balance is a concept that has attracted attention for several years. It is relevant as people attempt to apportion time to different demands they face from both work and life. The multiplicity of demands that individuals have can increase this challenge as people strive to incorporate many more activities into lives. The focus of current literature regarding work-life balance tends to focus on how employees can be provided with opportunities by their organisations for achieving this elusive balance. Research has been conducted into various strategies that organisations have implemented to facilitate their employees’ lifestyle options. Furthermore, studies have examined the role of organisational initiatives and staff retention. However, many of the organisations providing these opportunities for employees have substantial resources, thereby enabling the provision of these initiatives. Previous empirical research has examined work-life balance in depth. However, there are aspects that call for further attention. In particular, the management of this concept within small business requires further research. Australia has a large number of small businesses, which comprise a large proportion of the labour force and contribute significantly the national economy. The broad category of small business includes different business models, and two of these models are the independent and the franchised business. The success of these models has been demonstrated by their rapid growth in the Australian economy. As one of the reasons most commonly cited for entering into a small business is to regain the control over one’s life and work-life balance, the purpose of this research is to investigate work-life balance from the perspective of small business owners. Examination of different research issues considering the perception of work-life balance, the impact of control, of owning a small business, and the choice of business model on work-life balance is undertaken. The research considers how small business owners perceive the concept of work-life balance, and whether it is regarded as important to them. This research seeks to understand how work-life balance is viewed differently for small business owners. The concept of control requires examination to clarify how control and work-life balance relate to each other. Due to the popularity of franchising in the small business sector, a comparison of the concept of work-life balance by both franchised and independent small business owners is warranted...

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1984.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982.

The case of small medium and micro enterprises has been a major concern for the new government of South Africa. The subject is given attention from the president down wards. There are different programmes such as the Black Economic Empowerment and the Small Business Programme which the previously disadvantaged people benefit from. The government has made tremendous changes in the legal frame work of SMMEs. There are different agencies which provide comprehensive business support services to South African small businesses. Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency which was established by the Department of Trade and Industry{DTI) to provide an efficient and effective promotional and support services to SMME sector, the National Manufacturing Advisory Sector,(Namac)Trust which was established to implement the small enterprise support programme which include: the Manufacturing Advisory Center (MAC), the Business Referral and Information Network(BRAIN),the Franchise and Information Network(FRAIN) and the Community Public Private Partnership(CPPP) with the aim of supporting the integration of marginalized communities into the main stream economy. On Saturday 11 2004,when the President of South Africa signed the National Small Business Amendment Act, Act No.29 of2004 which brought the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) into being. There are also a number of loan schemes like Khula Enterprise Finance to increase access to finance to SMMEs. All these show how this sector is the buss word in the country. In spite of all the efforts done from the government, non- Governmental organisations and the private sector, there is still a problem on the sustainability of SMMEs. The purpose of this study is therefore to determine if the background characteristics of individuals contribute to the failure of SMMEs. Respondents had to provide information about their family background, educational level, experience, training, locus of control and motivation. The study revealed that the background characteristics of individuals affect the sustainability of SMMEs. Seventy five percent of respondents agreed to using external sources of funding to start their business while 25% do not agree on using external source of funding. This shows that 75% of the respondents are grant based SMMEs. Thirteen Percent of the respondents have been running their business for less than 6 months, 18% for more than 6 months but less than I year, 22% for more than one year but less than 2 years, 15% for more than 2 years but less than 3 years, and 31 % for more than 3 years. This is an indication that more than 53% of the SMMEs in the population tested have existed for a period of less than two years. This indicates that the majority of grant- based SMMEs are not sustainable in the Mafikeng geographical area. The study recommended that success/failure is not only a matter of money, rather it is mainly dependent on the personality /characteristic of those individuals which include education (subject matter and management skills), work experience, age, commitment, motivation, and locus of control. A combined effort from government, non- government organisations and the private sector in preparing the person through training, coaching and mentoring can enhance the sustainability of SMMEs. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Edith Cowan University, 2006. / Submitted to the Faculty of Law and Business. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Waikato, 2008. / Title from PDF cover (viewed December 19, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 399-434)