The study was motivated by a concern for the high vulnerability of poor African women to HIV/AIDS in South Africa and an understanding of their role in the growing informal trade sector in Durban. As the institution responsible for managing informal trade development, this study examines the role of local government in addressing AIDS vulnerability and impact within this economic sector. Local government in South Africa is at the centre of potentially conflicting policy agendas: promoting citizen participation in social and economic development while creating an efficient and competitive local economy. The research outlines how the challenge of meeting these divergent goals has influenced policy approaches to informal trade and the extent to which these constrain or support women traders and their enterprises. The study examines how this in turn influences their economic vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The study also explores the institutional attitudes and current approaches to addressing HIV/AIDS in the informal trade sector and explores the potential for a targeted and integrated response. In-depth interviews with local government staff and external stakeholders were used to investigate institutional perspectives on the significance of HIV/AIDS and the importance of creating appropriate local level interventions within informal trade settings. Interviews also assessed current management and support strategies for informal trade and examined whether these create an enabling environment for women to protect themselves and their enterprises against the threat and impact of HIV/AIDS. Interviews were supported by an extensive review of gender and HIV/AIDS literature and analysis of relevant policy regarding informal economy and SMME development in South Africa. The study found that the multiple pressures on local government, as well as institutional restructuring and staff changes have inhibited progress towards implementing an effective management strategy for informal trade. A lack of regulation threatens the security and livelihoods of survivalist women traders, and high barriers to obtaining permits to trade impact negatively on women due to their multiple constraints and responsibilities. The study revealed that priority in providing holistic business support, including skills development and financial services, is skewed towards more profitable enterprises which has excluded most women traders. This has restricted women's productive capacity and enterprise development and heightened their economic vulnerability to HIV infection and impact. This is compounded by a lack of functional, representative organisations to convey the concerns of marginalised female traders to local government. It is likely that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in informal markets in Durban is high. However, stigma and discrimination has prevented widespread disclosure. The vulnerability of women and the impact of HIV/AIDS on their enterprises and local economic development is recognised by staff working at street level, but not by key decision makers. This, in conjunction with the marginalisation of the sector as a whole, has influenced the lack of progress in developing a co-ordinated multidisciplinary response to HIV/AIDS among informal workers. Few interventions which directly address HIV/AIDS have been put in place in the informal workplace, largely because of a lack of understanding of the crisis; its conceptualisation as a health issue only; and the fixed location of local government's response within the health department. Acknowledging the resource and capacity constraints within local government, the study concludes by outlining a series of realistic potential interventions which can be mainstreamed within the standard functions of local government. A shift in thinking is required to conceptualise AIDS as a workplace issue, and recognise the significance of its economic impact. Women traders need to be considered as valuable and vulnerable workers, as well as mothers and carers and therefore as an important group for targeted HIV/AIDS interventions. The study calls for gender-sensitive measures to be implemented, which recognise the specific needs and constraints of women in the informal trade sector. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Informal street trading is an aspect with which South Africa's ever growing cities need to cope. Since the earliest times, trade has played an important role in creating livelihoods for many people. In today's society - characterised by unemployment and underdevelopment - informal street traders have recognised that there is a gap in the market, and thus, by plying their trade they created a sustainable livelihood for themselves. It has to be admitted that town planning over the years neglected the role of the informal street trader, and not much was done by way of creating a city sphere to accommodate the street trader. In chapter two of this study the discussion addresses the historical role and activities of the informal street trader, and surveys aspects of legislation and racism that played a prominent role in previous times. Authorities did not regard informal trading in a positive light and many harsh steps were taken against street traders. This provides one of the reasons why no latitude was granted to informal street trading and why South Africa's existing efforts to accommodate informal street trade could at best be described as dismal. In chapter three the role and extent of informal trading in the economy is discussed. A study was made of the possible reasons why the informal street trade has emerged, and the contribution of the informal trade towards South Africa's Gross Domestic Product, is also dealt with. Today informal street trade is viewed as one of the ways by means of which to alleviate South Africa's existing employment crisis and accommodation of the informal street trade is seen as a top priority. When considering the phenomenon of informal street trading, it is impossible to ignore the people who are involved in this sector. They have created not only jobs for themselves, but a sustainable way of living. Chapter four attends to the characteristics of the informal street trader and also addresses the problems and challenges that these people have to face. Addressing these problems or challenges is not an easy task, and one of-the major problems in this respect has been the question of legislation. Informal street trading needs to be directed through laws and policies, aimed at addressing traders' needs and which are proactive in creating a positive trading environment. In chapters five and six the legislation and regulation of informal street trading in three of South Africa's major metropolitan cities - Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban - are reported. Chapter seven contains the conclusions of the study, followed by some policy recommendations. These are based on the findings made in the study on informal street trading, and could possibly enhance the proactive control and development of informal street trading. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Informele straathandel is 'n verskynsel wat volop in Suid-Afrikaanse stede voorkom. Handel is verantwoordelik vir die skep van werksgeleenthede en in vandag se samelewing, wat gekarakteriseer word deur armoede en werkloosheid, bied informele straathandel 'n uitweg aan menige persone om In bestaan te voer. Deur die jare het stadsbeplanning nie die nodige aandag aan die informele straathandelsektor gegee nie en meeste Suid-Afrikaanse stede kan nie hierdie tipe aktiwiteit suksesvol akkommodeer me. In hoofstuk twee van hierdie studie word daar ondersoek ingestel na die historiese agtergrond en aktiwiteite van die informele straathandelaar en word kwessies soos wetgewing en rasisme aangespreek. Owerhede het tydens die vorige bedeling nie die straathandel as 'n positiewe aspek van Suid-Afrika se groeiende stede beskou nie en sterk maatreels is teen straathandelaars gene em. Weens hierdie stappe en aksies, het dit gelei tot 'n stedelike omgewing wat nie straathandelaars vandag kan akkommodeer nie, en word dit ook as die rede beskou waarom huidige pogings tot die akkommodasie van straathandel nie as besonder suksesvol beskou kan word nie. In hoofstuk drie word die rol en mate waartoe informele straathandel tot die land se ekonomie bydra, bespreek. Die moontlike redes is ondersoek om die ontstaan van die informele straathandelsektor te identifiseer, en ook is gekyk na die bydraes wat die straathandel tot Suid-Afrika se Bruto Binnelandse Produk maak. Vandag word die informele straathandel as 'n moontlike oplossing vir armoede en werkloosheid in Suid- Afrika beskou en word die ontwikkeling van die sektor as 'n top prioriteit hanteer. Daar is ook ondersoek ingestel na die mense wat betrokke is in informele straathandel. Hierdie deel van die bevolking was in staat om op 'n volhoubare manier werk vir hulself te skep. Hoofstuk vier stel ondersoek in na die kenmerke van die informele straathandelaars en kyk ook na die daaglikse probleme en uitdagings wat hierdie mense beleef. Om hierdie probleme en uitdagings te bowe te kom, is nie eenvoudig nie, maar die grootste probleem vir straathandelaars spruit voort uit wetgewing oor die sektor. Informele straathandel benodig rigtinggewende w.etgewing en beleid wat die sektor se behoeftes en probleme aanspreek en ook 'n positiewe omgewing vir die straathandelaars skep om in te werk. Hoofstukke vyf en ses stel ondersoek in na die bestaande wetgewing oor informele straathandel, soos dit aangetref word in drie van Suid-Afrika se grootste stede, Kaapstad, Port Elizabeth en Durban. In hoofstuk sewe word die gevolgtrekking en beleidsvoorstelle rondom die bevindings van die studie gemaak. Dit sal dan moontlik lei tot die bevordering en skep van 'n gunstige en pro-aktiewe omgewing waarbinne informele straathandel kan floreer.

This study investigates the application of conventional marketing tactics of 93 hawkers in the East London Central Business District (CBD). Its focus is on what is being practiced in this informal trading environment from a marketing point of view. To this end the primary objective was to determine the extent of the use of generally accepted principles of common (conventional) marketing in primarily black owned or managed hawker businesses in the East London CBD area. Secondary objectives centred around the degree to which new or unknown marketing tactics were implemented and to identify any influencing factors and the relevance of these to marketing. An in-depth analysis of the marketing environment of the hawker and East London region is depicted and the literature review of the relevant theory relating to the marketing of small businesses is covered and debated thoroughly. A three section questionnaire covering demographic information (Section A), the extent of the use of researcher-identified generally accepted marketing tactics (Section B), and an open ended question identifying which marketing tactics and their ranking the hawkers used in order to achieve marketing success (Section C) was implemented through interviews with 93 hawkers in the East London CBD. Although many of the individual questions results produced interesting statistics, conclusions from analysis of the composite results indicate a fair application of the marketing concept (29%) a slightly higher percentage applying the societal marketing concept (51,6%) and 38,6% of hawkers in the East London CBD applying the marketing mix. The top 3 of 7 marketing tactics identified as being used to achieve good marketing performance were customer service, stall/product presentation and the offering of a discount or discounted pricing. No significant correlations existed between the demographic statistics and the application of any particular marketing tactic. The significant influencing factors noted were the hawkers zero tolerance for competition, the lack of any long term planning, no delayed gratification or building of capital and the strong need to belong to a group or association. It was concluded that much needs to be done to investigate methods of improving the application of marketing tactics but more importantly to analyse the reason for many of their actions. Special attention is recommended to be placed on obtaining further insight and support for the observed influencing factors in order to be able to state them as fact. / Business Management / M.Comm.

MAAS / Department of of Music

MAdmin / Department of Public and Development Administration / This study focused on The Integrated Development Plan as a strategy to empower informal traders using Thohoyandou as the case study. The study was conducted at Thulamela Municipality and at the informal markets of Thohoyandou. The researcher used two population groups; the municipal officials and the informal traders. The researcher made use of both qualitative and quantitative methods as the study was explorative in nature; 50 informal traders were sampled and took part in the study and on the other hand, 20 municipal officials were sampled and participated in the study. The researcher made use a pilot survey to two groups of population to test the efficacy of the interviews schedule as well the questionnaires as data collection instruments. SPSS and Microsoft excel were used as tools for data analysis. The results show that Thulamela Municipality’s IDP strategy is not doing enough for the informal markets in Thohoyandou. However, respondents indicated that shortcomings such as Limited Budget affect the success of IDP on informal trading. Initiatives such as the provision of loans, workshops, training and promotion of LED programmes were indicated as having been put in place in an effort to empower informal traders, although a number of informal traders in the Thohoyandou area are forever increasing, through urbanisation and migration which pose serious control challenges to the municipality. To manage informal trading in Thohoyandou, the researcher recommended that there could be: preferences on trading fee/levies; provision of services and infrastructures to informal traders; enhancing public participation; limiting overtrading, integrated management planning, policy formulations and that future researchers can be more specific on aspects such as: situation of foreign traders; constitutionality of by-laws and trading at intersections.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Introduction: Street food vending is a source of income for billions of people around the world. In most developing countries, including South Africa street food is popular. However, most street food has been linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness. The assessment was based on the general hygiene requirement stipulated in R962 of November 2012 framed under Foodstuff cosmetics and Disinfectant Act of 1972 Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess compliance of street food vendors with food and safety regulations in Thulamela Municipality. Method: The study used a quantitative, cross- sectional survey, descriptive design. A convenience sampling was used to sample 155 street food vendors. Data was collected using two instruments; namely, a self-administered questionnaire and an observation checklist. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.Validity and Reliability will be ensured and measures to ensure ethical considerations were adhered to. Results: A total of 155 street food vendors participated in the study. Most of the street food vendors were in the age group 25- 30 years. There were more females than males. Furthermore, the majority of street food vendors had experience of 5-10 years. The majority (n=61; 39.4%) of street food vendors were operating in Thohoyandou, while some (n=25.8%)operated in Sibasa and forty others (25.8%) operated in Shayandima. Forty-five (29%) of them were illiterate, fifty (32, 3%) did primary education, thirty two (20.6%) had secondary education, four (2.6%) had a matric certification and twenty- four (15.5%) had vocational training. More than half of the In regard to knowledge items on preventing foodborne vendors (n=100; 64.5%) did not attend food hygiene training while (n=55; 35.5%) did. Lastly about a third most (n=48; 31%) of the street food vendors were selling their food in the transport terminals. The survey results indicate that street food vendors exhibited high levels of knowledge regarding items pertaining to hand hygiene. Therefore street food vendors were highly knowledgeable with regard to how much time should be spent when washing hands with soap, the correct way of stopping bleeding while at work, important measures to keep germs away from the food, hand washing and methods of drying hands. However, the street food vendors displayed poor knowledge with regard to reasons why they should dry their hands. Regarding knowledge items on preventing foodborne illnesses, the street food vendors were knowledgeable about the symptoms that make a street food vendors stay away from the workplace, that the best way to destroy any harmful germs is to cook food to the right temperature, that a combination of washing hands, using gloves and keeping food at the right temperature are ways of preventing food borne illnesses. However, street food vendors displayed some knowledge gaps with regard to the correct detergents for washing vessels and why food handlers require some knowledge on food hygiene. A total of 155 vending stalls were observed. The results from the checklist indicated that three quarters (n=116; 75%) of the stalls were protected from the sun, wind and dust. In addition, about (n=136; 87.7%) of the stalls did not have direct access to potable water. Furthermore, about (115; 74.2 %) did not have adequate hand washing facilities and 141(91%) did not have waste disposal facilities. Animals, flies and insects were indeed evident around the stalls in 124(80%) of the 155 stalls. In addition the majority of street food handlers (136; 87.7%) did not wash their hands before preparing food. Regarding hand washing after using toilet, all of the vendors said that they washed their hands each time after visiting the toilet. This was not confirmed as the researcher did not follow the vendors into the toilets. More than three quarters (120; 77%) of the food handlers operated in clean clothes. However, only 39(25%) used an apron when handling food, while 124(80%) did not use gloves to handle food and only 24(15%) used disposable gloves. Although the street food vendors complied with wearing clean clothes, they did not consistently wear aprons and they also used bare hands to touch food. Conclusion: Although the street food vendors were knowledgeable about food hygiene and safety practices, the majority displayed poor hygienic practice and prepared food on unhygienic sites. / NRF

It is widely accepted that street trading is a survivalist activity that yields low profits. Few, if any, studies investigate how much profit is earned; intra-household allocation; and contribution of this income towards households needs. Therefore, a glaring omission in street trading literature is a critical evaluation of the contribution of street trading to household food and livelihood security. A major strength and original contribution of this study to the wider context is the analysis of street trading as a household food and livelihood security coping strategy. This study investigated whether street traders had sufficient food for household consumption; whether street trading reduced vulnerability to hunger; and determined how income from street trading was spent by households. Seven innovative participatory tools applied through a unique research design, were used to elicit business; household and demographic information. Five fruit and vegetable vendors; three clothing and cosmetics; two food; one telephone service; and one video vendor participated. Street traders were categorised into four food security groups according to increasing Coping Strategy Index scores. These were: two traders in a seemingly food secure group; five in the relatively food secure group; four in the relatively food insecure group; and one in the food insecure group. The use of innovative participatory research tools led to several findings. Types of goods sold did not determine profitability, but profitability determined household food security. As household income decreased, Coping Strategy Index scores increased. This finding implied sufficient access to food for household consumption was determined primarily by income levels ranging from R250 to R10 000 per month. Low income traders used severe coping strategies and were more food insecure than other traders. The middle income traders used intermediate coping strategies while the high income group used less severe strategies or did not apply food security coping strategies such as eating less preferred foods. This study found that child dependents and unemployed household members increased household food insecurity. Risk sharing networks among street traders played a key role in accessing cash for food and the sustainability of the micro-enterprises. Social grants reduced household food insecurity and provided a cash safety net for economic activity. Assets reduced hunger and provided crisis security. The study has shown that street trading supplemented low income levels for pensioners and low income earners. Street trading was a primary livelihood strategy for people who had no access to income from pensions or other/formal employment. The study concluded that income from street trading was vital to improve access to food for household consumption. Street traders who had established customers; and access to material and social assets consumed a greater variety of foods than street traders who were fairly new, lacked access to loans (through family and friends) and owned few or no material assets. All participating street traders began trading as a coping strategy to increase household cash. Their trading evolved into an adaptive or permanent livelihood strategy. Households used a mix of food related coping strategies and street trading was an adaptive strategy, rather than a coping strategy to access sufficient food for household consumption. Participating street traders were survivalists as street trading provided a daily net for subsistence. Although street trading income was barely sufficient to sustain households, it provided much needed income to pay school fees; rent; water and electricity. Street trading is therefore critical to household welfare for participating street traders; but infrastructure and resource constraints trapped street traders in survivalist enterprises and exacerbated their vulnerability to food and livelihood security. This study fills a gap in understanding of street trading behaviour in Raisethorpe. This is the first study to apply participatory research methods to comprehensively explore street trader coping strategies and the first study to attempt to link street trading, livelihood security and food security. It is recommended that municipalities adopt a developmental approach to street trading that includes trading sites with secure tenure and infrastructure such as shelter; tables; water and sanitation. Policy reform in terms of issuing trading permits and developing regulations for renting trading sites is imperative. Since this study found that profitability determined household food security, business advice and skills training should be provided for all street traders to promote business sustainability and profitability. A final recommendation is that street trading be recognised as a survivalist strategy that requires further investigation and policy measures to improve income and ensure food security for vulnerable groups. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

In many countries, the authorities face extreme difficulties in monitoring and ensuring that food sold on the street is safe, that is, fit for human consumption. This is particularly the case in urban areas, where people buy food on the street because it is readily available and relatively inexpensive. The objective of this study was to determine the food safety knowledge and microbial hazard awareness of street food consumers, and to assess the bacteriological quality of selected ready-to-eat foods sold by street vendors in the Johannesburg municipality. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted and a total of 402 respondents who buy and consume street-vended foods were randomly selected at various street food vending locations. A total of 315 various street-vended samples were purchased from randomly selected street food vendors at different vending locations in Johannesburg metropolis, in order to investigate the bacteriological quality of street-vended foods. Results of the bacteriological analysis revealed that total aerobic counts ranged from 0.3*102 - 0.4*105 cfu/g in cereals and grain-based foods; 0.4*102 - 0.5*105 cfu/g in meat-, dairy- and fish-based foods and 0.7*102 - 0.9*104 cfu/g in fruit- and vegetable-based foods. None of the food samples tested positive for Salmonella spp and Staphylococcus aureus. Results of the survey showed that the majority of respondents were black males younger than 35 years. Individuals of different gender, race, level of education and monthly income groups significantly (p<0.05) differed in their responses regarding the frequency of purchasing and confidence in the safety of street-vended food. Better taste followed closely by affordability and accessibility were the most cited reasons for purchasing street-vended food / Life and Consumer Sciences / M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development / Throughout the world, small-scale food vending forms an integral part of society, serving as a poverty buffer and a local based economy generation strategy to optimize livelihoods. However, untrustworthiness and safety concerns have been raised regarding the food handling practices and hygiene that tend to compromise the quality of the food sold in this sector. Thus, this study was conducted in order to propose the pillars of a safety management system for small-scale vended foods in Thulamela Municipality in South Africa. The pillars were proposed after assessing the level of small-scale food vendors’ knowledge, attitude and handling practices. Complementary, the microbiological quality of the commonly consumed small-scale vended foods was determined. A survey-underpinned exploratory sequentially integrated mixed methods research design was adopted. Fifty-four respondents participated in a qualitative study via administering a semistructured interview guide to key informants and focus groups. Correspondingly, quantitative data were collected through a 5-point Likert questionnaire, administered to 136 small-scale food vendors and 272 customers. An observation checklist was used to collect data on 124 food stalls focusing on food handling practices. Microbial loads were determined through analysing 28 food samples collected from seven informal food markets. Qualitative data were analysed using ATLAS. ti version 8.0. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 was used to analyse quantitative data. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate frequencies and mean scores. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the degree of correlation among variables. Principal Component Analysis was used to isolate and deepen understanding of the main factors determining the knowledge and attitude towards food safety. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis was used to identify two cluster solutions for food handling practices. Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to determine the relative stability of the generated two cluster solutions. Ordinal Least Square regression analysis was conducted to identify the variables which were critical in defining the state of food handling practices dynamics in the study area and their relationship with other variables. Data on the microbial counts were subjected to the Analysis of Variance. Duncan’s multiple range test was used to separate means while T-test was conducted to establish if there was any difference between organisms isolated for each food type from Thohoyandou and Sibasa markets. In general, food vendors were knowledgeable about personal (x̄ = 1.77) and food (x̄ = 1.75) hygiene respectively. However, they rarely considered knowledge of foodborne diseases and rules and regulations as crucial in defining the quality and safety of small-scale vended foods. Respondents reflected positive attitude towards personal hygiene (x̄ = 3.21), food hygiene (x̄ = 3.55) and utensils management (x̄ = 3.43). The highest correlation relations between variables of roadside vendors’ knowledge of food safety were observed to be between “Staphylococcus as a germ that causes foodborne diseases” and “Hepatitis A virus that can cause foodborne disease” (P < 0.01). From thirty-six factors that determined the knowledge and attitude towards food safety, the Principal Component Analysis isolated eight components that accounted for 50 % of the variability. Similarly, customers were knowledgeable about food hygiene (x̄ = 1.88) personal hygiene (x̄ = 1.86). They also showed positive attitude towards personal (x̄ = 3.66) hygiene, food (x̄ = 3.72) hygiene and utensils management (x̄ = 3.56). From thirty-six factors that determined the knowledge and attitude towards food safety, the Principal Component Analysis isolated ten components that accounted for 60. % of the variability. The results revealed the six major determinants of the state of handling practices in Thulamela Municipality. These were stalls conditions, personal hygiene, environmental and waste management, hygiene-related behaviour, food storage and utensils management. The most significant variables defining the state of food handling practices were protective clothing (P < 0.05) and stalls conditions (P < 0.05). The microbial counts (log10 cfu/g) of food samples ranged from 2.0 ± 2.08 to numerous to count for total plate count, 2.0 ± 1.00 to 6.6 ± 7.57 for Salmonella spp, 2.0 ± 2.64 to 3.9 ± 6.03 for S. aureus, 2.1 ± 1.73 to numerous to count for yeast, 2.0 ± 0.00 to 3.8 ± 10.00 for coliform bacteria and 2.0 ± 1.15 to 4.9 ± 21.66 for B. aureus. Coliform bacteria and B. cereus were not found in foods sold at Thohoyandou markets while mould was not detected in foods collected at both locations. Total plate count differed significantly (P < 0.05) between salads and chicken stews. Salmonella spp, significantly differed (P < 0.05) between salads and beef stews. For S. aureus, a significant difference was found in salads (P < 0.05). For yeast, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between salads and beef stews. The main objective of this study was to propose the pillars of a safety management for small-scale vended foods. Thus, the major components of pillars proposed were encored on hygiene (personal, food and handling practices), training programme, environmental management, infrastructure development and law enforcement. The training programme was scored as number one by the majority of food vendors (x̄ = 4.7) whilst personal hygiene was ranked first by the customers (x̄ = 4.8). The results of the study revealed the urgent need for basic training in food and personal hygiene throughout the value chain. Infrastructure development such as a decent food stalls with adequate working space, proper washing and storage facilities to improve food safety and hygienic practices was highlighted. Adequate access to waste-water and food disposal facilities aligned to vending spaces was also considered crucial. Thus, it is recommended that Thulamela Municipality should provide extensive training programme to ensure that proper hygiene practices are in place. Suitable regulations must be crafted to ensure that safe and secure foods are sold. Lastly, Thulamela Municipality should consider providing all vending stalls with basic infrastructure to close the gap between knowledge and practices of safe small-scale food vending. / NRF

In the academic field the informal economy is vaguely represented and most of the research is focused on developing countries with many socio-economic issues. The informal economy in the developed world, mainly the European Union and the United States of America, has a minor share in the world's informal economy, as such it is not commonly discussed among academics. Some countries around the world are actively trying to battle this sector to minimalize it and thus minimalize its impact on the state economy and on the individual communities. To implement more effective policies it is important to know which factors are most conducive to the prevalence of the informal economy. Finding those factors became the aim of this paper. Owing to the fact that there is a lack of research conducted in the developed countries about the informal economy the main focus of the thesis is the geographical area of San Diego County, predominantly for its diverse demographics. The factors are identified and analyzed in detail in chapter 4. In "Discussion" the factors are evaluated to reveal the most conducive ones. It has been determined that the most conducive factors are "burdensome regulation" and "individual preferences". Additionally factors that influence the informal economy in San Diego County are "low...