M.Tech. / Activities in the manufacturing sector are the bedrock of an economy and the driver of development. Within the manufacturing sector, production operations skills are deficient in a number of contexts and many times are the cause of failures in entrepreneurship development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of production and operational skills and SMME [Small Medium and Micro Enterprises] sustainability. The gap that has been identified abides in productions operations skills development of SMME entrepreneurs. Building on previously established literature on entrepreneurial skills development, production operations management and empirical findings, a framework was then proposed. Within this framework an instrument was developed and tested for the sole purpose of assessing the level of production operations skills amongst SMME entrepreneurs. Principal literature reviews indicate that, despite South Africa’s [SA] favourable regulatory environment, a high failure rate amongst SMME’s still persists. The analysis of the data indicates that entrepreneurs with no or poor production and operation skills are most likely to be unsuccessful whilst entrepreneurs with production and operation skills are most likely to be successful. The study was limited to the manufacturing SMME’s in the Vaal Triangle Region [VTR] and the sample frame was supplied by the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller [GEP] – Vaal Branch. The implications for policymakers encouraging the development of sustainable entrepreneurs in SA, is that due consideration should be given to factors that would enhance production operations skills and, in so doing, contribute to sustainability. Entrepreneurs, educators and service providers will benefit from a better understanding of how various factors merge into the intent of creating a successful production operation environment. Training entrepreneurs to be aware of the multiple influencing factors will raise the level of skills and the ability to correctly gauge and manage opportunities. Since, thus far, a very limited study has been executed in the field of production operation management, the synthesis of the variables proposed in this framework offers an introductory roadmap to guide future research in this field.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:8402 |
| Date | 20 May 2009 |
| Creators | Naidoo, Reginald Abraham |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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