Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) are considered a vital catalyst for economic growth and a source of job creation. In South Africa, with the high levels of unemployment, the contribution made by SMEs is of particular importance. However this sector of the economy is plagued by a high rate of business failure. In an effort to improve the current situation, this study sought to identify which business practices and entrepreneurial traits are present in SMEs in the Eastern Cape that may enhance business performance. The research was carried out amongst SMEs in the Eastern Cape however the results and recommendations of the study can be applied to SMEs in other parts of the country. The research methodology employed in this study was a quantitative approach. A web-based survey was distributed to potential respondents. The criteria used in identify potential respondents for the purpose of this study was that, the SME had to have less than 200 employees and been in business for more than three years. A combination of snowball and convenience sampling was used to select the sample. The researcher developed a conceptual framework using the literature as basis. The survey was distributed to 40 potential respondents. A total of 21 responses were received which translates to a 51 percent response rate. Data analysis was performed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics. The study confirmed the existence of a significant relationship between the independent variables being human resource management, accounting, technology, internal controls and entrepreneurial traits and the dependent variables being business performance. The study affirmed the notion that certain business practices and entrepreneurial traits should be prevalent in a SMEs business in order to enhance business performance. The findings of this study are such that these business practices should be present however the variables highlighted here are not absolute as there are other business practices that are of equal importance.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:26885 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Klaas, Matthew Thamsanqa |
| Publisher | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MBA |
| Format | viii, 85 leaves, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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