This thesis explores the practice of strategic planning and its effect on the performance of small engineering firms in Bangladesh. Small businesses play an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. Despite substantial efforts on the part of the government, such as provision of hardware and software support and many promotional incentives, the growth and performance of small industry in general and engineering industry in particular, appears to be unsatisfactory. Although the research findings are inconclusive the literature in the developed industrialised countries generally recommends that small firms need to use strategic planning as an essential tool for improving their performance. It was therefore hypothesised that the lack of strategic planning is one of the major factors responsible for under-performance of small engineering firms in Bangladesh. To address the research issues about strategic planning practice and its link with performance, a conceptual framework was developed incorporating certain characteristics of firms, the personal backgrounds of owner-managers and of the environment that could influence the relationship. Adopting both quantitative and qualitative approaches this study has examined the research issues based on the data collected through interviews with 141 owner-managers of small engineering firms in the Dhaka city, where most of the engineering firms are located. Overall, the findings of the study indicate that even though strategic planning in a formal sense is unlikely to exist in small firms, owner-managers of successful firms are well aware of opportunities and threats in their environment, their strengths and weaknesses as well as the implications (strategic awareness) of their project. Small firms can improve their performance through strategic planning, but only if it is based on an understanding of the opportunities and threats in the environment, and of their own strengths and weaknesses which enable them to assess both the short and long-term implications (strategic awareness) of the project. The present findings highlight the dangers of assuming that the process of strategic planning (normative/formalisation) will, by itself, lead to improvements in performance. Researchers who have concluded that strategic planning does not generally benefit the performance of small firms appear to have been incorrect. It can be said that conceptual and methodological differences across studies have been largely responsible for the debates concerning the value of strategic planning in small business. The present study thus highlights the importance of heightening the awareness of small firms about the environment, and of triggering their portfolio of ideas, and in doing so, seeking also to encourage effective exploitation of ideas by heightening the strategic awareness of the firms. This strategy emphasises the importance of 'software' support such as provision of information, counselling, training, and education. For providing such services the implications of the research are that this should be as proactive as possible, maximising personal contact with the owner-managers, possibly by setting up agencies on regional basis and manned by experienced staff, particularly in the provision of market and other environmental information.

M.Comm. / The growth and development of the small. medium and microenterprise (SMME) sector is acknowledged by most interest groups and policy makers as being of critical importance to South Africa's ability to address the serious problems of unemployment. However research that has been conducted recently shows that the major factor that impedes the establishment and success of businesses is the lack of capital. which is ascribed to a lack of own funds and a lack of assets, especially fixed assets. which could serve as security-to obtain loans and bank overdrafts. Further. current levels of investments in SMMEs are inadequate for achieving the growth levels anticipated in the GEAR strategy. This problem is even more prevalent mainly in the areas of the previously disadvantaged. The purpose of this dissertation is therefore to identify the role of commercial banks in financing SMMEs in the Greater Soweto. This purpose stems from the fact that SMMEs have a major role to play in the South African economy in terms of employment creation. income generation and output growth. SMMEs are also often a vehicle through which the lowest-income people in our society gain access to economic opportunities at a time that distribution of income and wealth in South Africa is amongst the most unequal in the world. Commercial banks are profit-seeking and risk-averse institutions. They need to satisfy themselves in respect of the financial stability of the SMMEs that seek funds from them. To this effect, management procedures of the SMMEs that seek funds have to be acceptable and recognised by the commercial banks from which funds are sought. In light of this. practices of planning. organising, directing and controlling of the SMMEs are some of the key features over which SMMEs have control. It can also indicate their risk profiles to the commercial banks.Over and above the management procedures. SMMEs have to keep proper financial statements that clearly reveal the SMMEs' financial position. financial performances. growth plans and resources required to achieve those plans. This information is also important not only to commercial banks but also to other non-banking institutions that help SMMEs financially to evaluate their risk profiles. These other non-banking institutions could be less concerned about the risk profiles of the SMMEs but rather be more concerned about their development. The findings of this study reveal that while most SMMEs use the services of the commercial banks in one or other respect, they still have difficulty in obtaining finance. The main reason for the lack of finance is considered to be discrimination on the part of the commercial banks. However, other factors contribute to the difficulty in obtaining finance. These are a lack of understanding by banks and the fact that other than banks, there are not many other alternative sources of finance available to SMMEs in Soweto. The fact that most SM-MEs have had low pastnet profits and low owner's contribution is another reason. It is recommended that managements of the SMMEs improve their managerial skills on aspects of financing, financial information preparation, calculation of capital requirements and related matters. It is also recommended that commercial banks study the reasons offered by the respondents as to why they perceive them to be discriminatory in allocating funds to the previously disadvantaged SMMEs. It is therefore recommended that commercial banks seek to liminate this perception by means of a substantial public relations campaign that will bring together the commercial banks and the SMMEs concerned to discuss possible solutions to the problems at hand.

M.Comm.

M.A. / The first part of the study is a literature review which indicate that small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) represent an important vehicle to address the challenges of job creation, economic growth and equity. Modern economy is driven by innovations and knowledge. Transforming information resources into knowledge and maximise the value of knowledge is the new challenge in achieving a sustainable competitive advantage. Information resources are needed by small businesses as much as their larger counter parts but small businesses are usually in a disadvantaged position in terms of finance and expertise. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer small businesses new opportunities in the information economy. Exciting ICT applications such as Web portals provide platforms for business communities to share information and communicate more efficiently than ever. Such information resources enable small businesses to react faster and adapt better to the changing global market. The stimulation of SMMEs must be seen as part of an integrated strategy to develop the society to a higher level. The research findings of this study provide all stakeholders in small business development in South Africa including government, industries and academics a better understanding and practical guideline for delivering information resources to small business owners and managers and the design of information portals that can address the information needs of small businesses in South Africa. The empirical components that follow the literature review comprised a questionnaire survey. The survey focused on non-franchised small businesses in the retail industry in the greater Johannesburg metropolitan. A total of 150 questionnaires completed by small business owners and managers were used for statistic analysis in this research. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: business biographic information, business information and agencies, information and communication technologies usage, and community and portal activities. The survey results revealed valuable insights and trends in the use of ICTs and attitudes towards information sharing amongst small business owners and managers. Textile, clothing, footwear and leather goods were the most popular trade for the small businesses use in the survey. Nearly all respondents prefer English for business communication and the businesses are typically owner manager with a small number of employees. Infrastructure for ICTs is in place for small businesses, but the usage level is still basic. Short message service (SMS) and e-mail are the most commonly used ICT tools. Traditional media such as television, radio, newspapers and magazines remain the most important source of information for these small business owners and managers. Younger businesses adapt better to ICTs than the older businesses. Despite a mixed attitude towards sharing business information, small business owners and managers showed a high level of interest in networking with other businesses, in particular with potential customers and suppliers. Most respondents do not belong to any professional or industrial organisation primarily because they were not aware of these organisations. Based on the literature review and the empirical research, the final conclusion that was made from this research is that Web community information portals can, to a great extent, promote the use of information resources for small businesses in South Africa. The results from this research give a better understanding and are useful guidelines to stakeholders in small business development in South Africa.

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. / PDF Full-text unavailable. Please refer to hard copy for Full-text / M

Mentoring is a crucial aspect of entrepreneurial training and education (Sullivan, 2000; Regis, Falk, & Dias, 2007) and it is entrepreneurial education that is perceived as the solution that will turn South Africans from job-seekers into job creators (North, 2002). It is also hoped that entrepreneurship education will contribute to the ideal of empowering as many people as possible in order to unleash the previously stifled human potential of all South Africans (Hanekom,1995). Unfortunately, South Africans suffer from a ‘dearth of entrepreneurial acumen’, and this has resulted in the frequent lack of growth and high failure rates of businesses (Nieman, 2006; van Aardt & van Aardt, 1997). In order to measure the relationship between mentoring and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, an online questionnaire was sent out to Jewish entrepreneurs who are clients of ORT JET, a non-profit organisation that offers mentoring to entrepreneurs of the South African Jewish community. This study found that while mentoring does not have a positive perceived effect on the entrepreneurial self-efficacy of entrepreneurs, other factors-such as GSE and a supportive community-may have more of a positive impact on entrepreneurial self-efficacy.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo descrever descrever e interpretar o trabalho do dirigente na preparação e avaliação do desempenho organizacional da pequena empresa. Como objetivos específicos buscou compreender a natureza do processo estratégico na pequena empresa; compreender como é feito o acompanhamento do desempenho organizacional; e compreender o trabalho do dirigente pela descrição dos papéis desempenhados. Na revisão de estado da arte foram encontradas diferentes perspectivas de estudo, no entanto, a perspectiva que trata especificamente do dirigente da pequena empresa e o desempenho organizacional, que pode sucintamente ser compreendida como uma orientação estratégica da empresa, foi a escolhida para tema desta pesquisa. Quanto aos métodos, a pesquisa pode ser caracterizada pelos seus fins em descritiva; pelos procedimentos de estudo multicasos; com abordagem qualitativa. Como técnicas de coleta de dados foram utilizadas a entrevista e a observação estruturada. Na análise dos dados foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. O resultado principal da pesquisa é uma descrição do trabalho do dirigente da pequena empresa a partir da abordagem dos papéis de Minztberg (1973) e a orientação no desempenho organizacional. Também se obteve como resultado uma análise comparativa da incidência dos papéis no estudo de Minztberg (1973) e nos dirigentes analisados neste estudo, bem como uma comparação dos resultados dessa pesquisa com outras pesquisas relevantes no tema trabalho do dirigente da pequena empresa. / This study aimed to describe describe and interpret the work of the small business manager and the preparation and evaluation of organizational performance of small company. The specific objectives sought to understand the nature of the strategic process in small business; understand how is the monitoring of organizational performance, and understand the job description in accordance with Mintzberg´s ten roles. In reviewing the state of the art found different perspectives of the study, however, the prospect that deals specifically with the manager of the small business and organizational performance, which can briefly be understood as a strategic orientation of the company, was the theme chosen for this research. Regarding methods, research can be characterized by its descriptive purposes in; procedures by multicase study, using a qualitative approach. As data collection techniques were used structured interviews and observation. In the data analysis we used the technique of content analysis. The main result of this research is a job description of the director of small business from the approach papers Minztberg (1973) and guidance on organizational performance. Also, as a result, was obtained a comparative analysis of the role´s incidence in the study of Minztberg (1973) with the role´s incidence of the managers examined in this study and other relevants studies which the main topic is the small business manager.

Despite policy rhetoric of the importance of digital access and associated Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for businesses, many rural businesses remain underserved by their broadband service. Next Generation Broadband, sometimes referred to as Superfast Broadband, through commercial investment, predominantly reaches those in high population density areas. The BDUK NGB programme seeks to readdress this digital divide. This publicly funded technology project seeks to upgrade existing fixed telecommunication networks with NGB technology, thus improving rural digital connectivity for community and businesses alike. The value of small and micro businesses to the rural economy goes without saying, yet many remain underserved, or digitally excluded, from modern day business due to inadequate digital access. This doctoral thesis has followed the deployment of the NGB fixed telecommunication upgrades in the North East of Scotland, seeking to observe the changes in the technology as 'it happened' and the implications for Rural Small and Micro Business practices. The case study area included areas of accessible and remote rural classifications to establish how digital inclusion was developed. The research has specifically sought to observe businesses prior to the NGB deployment, track changes over the duration of this project, and ascertain the impact post deployment on business digital capabilities. The key findings established that the NGB deployment programme, due to a post code led approach, has significant gaps in meeting the digital needs of these rural businesses. It established that being geographically remote, does not always constitute being digitally remote, and as result of the tracking of broadband capabilities in the businesses, identified five new typologies and associated scenario outcomes which describes the current rural digital landscape and the ramifications of this on these rural businesses.

by Lau Tak Yun, Ma Kai Sun. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves 79-80. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLES OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.v / LISTS OF TABLES AND GRAPHS --- p.vii / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Focus of study --- p.4 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.7 / Jung's Theory of Psychological Types --- p.7 / Heller's Model of Leadership Style --- p.12 / Chapter III. --- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK --- p.17 / Size of the Firm and the Decision´ؤmaking Style --- p.17 / Individual Endogenous Factors of the Entrepreneur --- p.20 / Jung's Psychological Types --- p.20 / Motivations --- p.21 / Time Horizon --- p.22 / Risk Attitude --- p.24 / Demograghic Variables --- p.25 / The Overall Theoretical Framework --- p.27 / Chapter IV. --- RESEARCH DESIGN --- p.29 / Objective --- p.29 / Sampling --- p.29 / Mailing Questionaire --- p.30 / Screening Criteria --- p.31 / Variables and their measurement --- p.32 / Analysis --- p.35 / Endogenous Factors --- p.35 / Decision-making Style --- p.39 / "Correlation between the Demographic and Individual Endogenous factors, and Decision-making Style" --- p.39 / Correlation between Decision-making Style and Company size (growth) --- p.41 / Chapter V. --- FINDINGS --- p.42 / Size of the Company --- p.42 / Demograghic Profile --- p.42 / Sex --- p.42 / Education --- p.44 / Age --- p.47 / Endogenous Factor --- p.47 / Jung's Psychological Types --- p.47 / Time Horizon --- p.50 / Motivation --- p.52 / Decision-making Style in the Seven Decision-making Areas --- p.55 / Decision-making Style and the Size of the Staff --- p.57 / "Correlation between Endogenous and Demograhic Factors, and Decision- making Style" --- p.60 / Chapter VI. --- SUMMARY Of THE STUDY --- p.69 / Chapter VII. --- DISCUSSION --- p.71 / Chapter APPENDIX I. --- SPSSPC PROGRAMS --- p.73 / Chapter APPENDIX II. --- DATA FILE --- p.77 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.79

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