Die oogmerk van hierdie studie is om die waarde van 'n klein maatskappy-oudit te bepaal en om daarvolgens 'n geskikte hervormingstrategie vir sodanige audits te bepaal. 'n Literatuurstudie is uitgevoer met betrekking tot die ontwikkeling en aard van klein maatskappy-oudits, die toepaslikheid van Suid-Afrikaanse ouditstandaarde op klein maatskappy-oudits en die verwagtings van die gebruikers van 'n klein maatskappy se finansiele state. Die voormelde aspekte is daarna empiries getoets ten einde 'n algemeen aanvaarde hervormingstrategie vir klein maatskappy-oudits te formuleer. Uit die literatuurstudie is verskeie kenmerke van 'n klein maatskappy ge"identifiseer. Daarvolgens is argumente aangevoer wat die waarde van 'n klein maatskappy-oudit bevraagteken, soos dat belanghebbendes nie die geouditeerde finansiele state vir besluitnemingsdoeleindes aanwend nie, en dat die tradisionele behoefte aan ouditering nie by klein maatskappye bestaan nie, omdat die aandeelhouers en bestuur (direkteure) gewoonlik dieselfde persona is. Die empiriese navorsing onder die vernaamste gebruikers van klein maatskappye se finansiele state, naamlik sodanige maatskappye se aandeelhouers en/of direkteure, die Suid-Afrikaanse lnkomstediens, bankinstellings en praktiserende ouditeure, het aan die lig gebring dat daar nie eenstemmigheid ocr 'n objektiewe definisie van 'n klein maatskappy bestaan nie. Die oorheersende kenmerk van 'n klein maatskappy is dat die eienaarskap van so 'n maatskappy in die bestuur (direkteure) gesetel is. As 'n algemene norm kan 'n maatskappy egter as klein geklassifiseer word indien dit nie twee van die volgende maatstawwe oorskry nie: Omset R12 miljoen; totale bates R6 miljoen; vyftig werknemers. Die empiriese ondersoek het verder getoon dat die primere gebruikers van klein maatskappye se finansiele state 'n positiewe houding oor so 'n maatskappy-oudit huldig en dat geouditeerde finansiele state van klein maatskappye wei gebruik word tydens bedrywighede en/of vir besluitnemingsdoeleindes en dat Suid-Afrikaanse ouditstandaarde redelik gepas is in 'n klein maatskappy-ouditomgewing. Die huidige openbaarmaking- en dokumentasievereistes van toepassing op aile maatskappye, word egter as te omvangryk beskou. Die slotsom van die studie is dat 'n klein maatskappy-oudit wei 'n bestaansreg geniet omdat dit waarde toevoeg. Gevolglik behoort die konvensionele statutere audit behou te word; die algemeen aanvaarde rekeningkundige-vereistes behoort egter vir klein maatskappye afgeskaal word. / The purpose of this study was to determine the value of a small company audit and then to establish a suitable reform strategy for such audits. A literature study was performed of the development and nature of small company audits, the applicability of South African auditing standards to small company audits and the expectations of the users of the financial statements of a small company. These aspects were then empirically tested to formulate a generally accepted reform strategy for small company audits. The literature study distinguished various characteristics of a small company. Arguments were raised which questioned the value of small company audits, for instance that the interested parties did not use the audited financial statements for decision-making and that the traditional need of auditing does not exist with small companies as the shareholders and management (directors) usually are the same people. The empirical research among the main users of the financial statements of small companies, namely its shareholders and/or directors, the South African Revenue Services, financial institutions and practising auditors revealed that there is no acceptable objective definition of a small company. The dominant characteristic of a small company is that the ownership of such a company vests in management. A company can, as a general norm, be classified as small if it does not exceed two of the following three measures: Turnover R12 million; total assets R6 million; fifty employees. The empirical investigation also showed that the primary users of the financial statements of small companies have a positive attitude towards a small company audit, that the audited financial statements of small companies are used in the performance of their activities and/or decision-making and that South African auditing standards are reasonably applicable to a small company audit environment. The current disclosure and documentation requirements applicable to all companies are, however, regarded as too comprehensive. This study led to the conclusion that a small company audit is justified because it adds value. The conventional statutory audit should therefore be retained but the generally accepted accounting requirements should be scaled down for small companies. / Auditing / D. Compt. (Toegepaste Rekenmeesterskap)

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / The ability of the South African Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme to promote economic growth and employment. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offers the Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme (SMEDP) incentive grant programme to qualifying manufacturers in South Africa. The status of the progress of this incentive grant programme is unknown. The DTI alluded to an impact study in the 2004 DTI Annual Report but no further reference or publication of results of the impact study has been made. The objectives of the study are to investigate the following three criteria of the SMEDP and to develop benchmarks and recommendations for future incentive grants offered by the DTI. • Rationale for implementation of SMEDP; • Exploration of SMEDP merits; and • Measure of SMEDP success. The study is a secondary analysis design with both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative component allows the researcher to reflect on the process by which the incentive programme under investigation came into being, whilst the quantitative component allows for comment on the result of the process as per the markers developed in the qualitative component of the design. There were 152 sample cases used in the study. The outcome measures are the output measures stated in the Medium Term Strategic Plan which are: • The number of jobs sustained. v i • The number of jobs created. • The number of Greenfield’s projects supported. • The fixed investment in Rand terms. • The improvement in employment levels. The DTI achieved certain of the stated objectives. The empirical data analysed confirms the achievement of these objectives. There is scope for further empirical investigation for the future development of incentive grants. The contribution of the SMEDP to economic growth and employment growth is evident and such government interventions should be continued. The recommendations from the study include further investigation into the following areas to improve the benefits provided by manufacturing incentive programmes: • Limit the incentive to a specified Rand value per job created; • Volume driven turnover growth not price driven turnover growth; • The continued inclusion of expansions in future programme; and • Specified sector programmes i.e. textile sector.

Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in small independently operated businesses with researchers expressing an interest in the manner in which the independent owner-operator is motivated to enter the market and their subsequent approach to business. Research into these small firms has shown that the owner/operators may create their businesses for a variety of reasons. However an emerging perspective is that not all individuals will actively pursue traditional objectives such as growth and profit maximisation, rather they are increasingly choosing their occupation to suit their ‘style of life’. Lifestyle motivations have thus been recognised in the literature as important stimuli to small business formation. Various research has been undertaken into the lifestyle construct and the impact on the motivations and behaviours of the individual towards the creation and development of smallscale enterprises. This study aims to build on recent work in this area to provide an enhanced understanding of lifestyle theory. This study adopts an interpretivist approach to understand the fundamental meanings attached to lifestyle entrepreneurship in the context of the small business. Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation operations are used as a frame through which to understand the motivations of the individual towards venture creation. This study develops the ideal typifications of Business Orientated Lifestylers, Lifestyle Focused Business Performers and Self Expressive Homemakers to help explain the complex and dynamic range of lifestyle motivations and objectives present, and proposes the model of a continuum to portray these lifestyle business owners as being between low intensity and high intensity lifestyle goals and objectives. It is suggested that the typologies and subsequent lifestyle continuum presented in this study can be used by researchers, policy makers and practitioners to better understand the lifestyle entrepreneur and the environment within which they operate, and further, to support these lifestyle entrepreneurs in the operation of their business.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

No description available.

No description available.

The research examines strategic marketing practices involved in knowledge development and innovation in Scotland’s rural hotels, as well as the business relations which potentially support this.  The research draws on regional development  literature – especially that concerned with innovation and flows of knowledge between small businesses.  Rural development, tourism and hotel industry literatures are used to ground the research within a rural and wider tourism industry context.  Referring to the critique of regional development literature, the role of different forms of proximity and the influence of competition in business relations are assessed.  In doing so, the wider applicability of regional development concepts is tested and considered.  Implications for public sector policy and support are assessed, with reference to tensions between rural development approaches and those adopted in Scottish tourism policy.  The research uses a multi-method approach involving quantitative postal survey data, supplemented by qualitative interview data.  Both marketing and relational activities were found to be limited in scope, focusing on short term, sales-oriented activities.  Attitudes to co-operation varied depending on competitive considerations and the stage of the marketing process involved: trust-based issues, sectoral characteristics and internal business factors being influential.  Geographical and organisational proximity were both found to be insufficient in supporting co-operation, geographical proximity even being detrimental in certain sets of relations.  Public sector policy does not sufficiently address the constraints and opportunities facing smaller tourism businesses in their marketing and innovation activities.  In both policy and theoretical terms there may be scope to avoid unnecessary polarisation between local and wider development, recognising a role for local or regional resources and development processes in achieving national objectives – simultaneously taking advantage of both competitive and co-operative approaches to relations and making use of local and extra-local inputs and networks.

This study identified and examined the nature and extent of external factors influencing growth and development of selected SMMEs in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The importance of the research lies in the contribution of its findings and recommendations to ensure the survival of SMMEs. The target population was identified as 300 owners of SMMEs in Durban, KwaZulu­ Natal, with a sample of 169 selected on a convenience basis, to which a questionnaire was distributed. Regardless of the problems experienced by SMMEs, it is vital to stimulate their growth and development, as this sector is likely to be the job creators of the future South Africa, as well as the providers of a continuation level of employment opportunities (Antonie, 2010). The rate at which SMMEs spring up is encouraging, considering that one of the cardinal goals of establishing SMMEs, is the eradication of unemployment and poverty. It was found that, not all of the respondents understand the potential of SMMEs to gain a competitive advantage; however, the majority agreed that Durban is an accessible and convenient location to do business, and that Government should partner with SMMEs in job creation and poverty alleviation. In addition, more than 80 percent of the respondents believe SMMEs will thrive with more access to loans and financial support. More than half of the respondents indicated that they often need to bribe government officials in the process of obtaining a business license and/or registration, while the findings also show that, when the process is fair, open and transparent, respondents believe it facilitates SMME growth and development. Recommendations on how factors identified can be better managed, so as to support, rather than negate, SMMEs' quest for growth and development, include government facilitation of workshops, and more visible training. / M