Bank finance in developing small and medium enterprise: an appraisal of relevent determinants in Rwanda
- Authors: Gatabazi , Emmanuel Thomas
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Economic assistance , Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25096 , vital:63974
- Description: This study examines the perceived non-availability of adequate bank financing to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with reference to Rwanda. Evidence from both developed and developing countries show that SMEs are more constrained in their operations and growth than large enterprises and access to finance features importantly among the constraints, with their proprietors typically perceiving finance as their most pressing input constraints. The problem is more severe in less developed countries like Rwanda. SMEs do not get adequate finance from financial systems despite their valuable contribution in the economic development of all nations across the globe. They are well recognized from their contribution to the socio-economic objectives of growth in employment generation, product output, export, and in their function as seed beds of entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate the causes of the problem and what could be done to mitigate the problem. The primary objective of the study is to determine how to improve the availability of bank financing to SMEs in Rwanda. The argument is that there are SMEs internal factors that cause unavailability of bank financing. Understanding the causes of this problem is important to determining how to improve availability of credit to SMEs. For this purpose, the questionnaire was administered to 122 respondents from four commercial banks and 26 respondents from one development bank. All together 148 questionnaires were administered and 120 questionnaires returned. The response rate was 81 percent. Six major SMEs internal factors which included; business information, collateral, managerial competency, internal funds, networking and ethical practices were investigated to find out their impact on the availability of bank financing to SMEs. Quantitative data were analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) with statistical tools including descriptive statistics, frequency distributions and chi-square test. The Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. While the data from the open-end question analysis involved classifying data, extracting themes, identifying patterns, tallying and quantifying responses and making generalization out of these patterns. This implies that the research methodology focused on the methods, tools and techniques used to assist in achieving the objectives of the study and answering the research questions that the research sought to address. To this end, the study sought the perceptions of bank staff on reasons why bank credit is not available to SMEs. The study focused on four research questions as outlined in chapter one and other relevant sections of the study. The major finding of this study is that there is a significant positive relationship between six SMEs internal factors (lack of business information, lack of collateral, lack of managerial competency, lack of internal funds, lack of networking and unethical practices) and non-availability of banks finance in Rwanda. On the basis of these findings, the study recommended that SMEs owners and staff should be trained in key strategic areas such as business management and financial management to effectively and efficiently manage their businesses and curb information asymmetry. The study also recommends that the government should introduce more practical guarantee facilities to enable banks access the funds as soon as the SME defaults. This will encourage bank to extend more credit to SMEs. Furthermore, the study suggests that the government should categorise SMEs as a priority sector and come up with a policy requiring banks to compulsorily ensure that a certain earmarked percentage of their overall lending is made to SMEs as a priority sector. Lastly, the study recommends that Rwanda Private Sector Federation should conduct trainings on ethical management to SMEs. Unethical behaviours such as deliberately not paying back loans should be heavily punished to limit occurrences of these behaviours among SMEs which may results in huge stock of non-performing loans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
- Authors: Gatabazi , Emmanuel Thomas
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Economic assistance , Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25096 , vital:63974
- Description: This study examines the perceived non-availability of adequate bank financing to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with reference to Rwanda. Evidence from both developed and developing countries show that SMEs are more constrained in their operations and growth than large enterprises and access to finance features importantly among the constraints, with their proprietors typically perceiving finance as their most pressing input constraints. The problem is more severe in less developed countries like Rwanda. SMEs do not get adequate finance from financial systems despite their valuable contribution in the economic development of all nations across the globe. They are well recognized from their contribution to the socio-economic objectives of growth in employment generation, product output, export, and in their function as seed beds of entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate the causes of the problem and what could be done to mitigate the problem. The primary objective of the study is to determine how to improve the availability of bank financing to SMEs in Rwanda. The argument is that there are SMEs internal factors that cause unavailability of bank financing. Understanding the causes of this problem is important to determining how to improve availability of credit to SMEs. For this purpose, the questionnaire was administered to 122 respondents from four commercial banks and 26 respondents from one development bank. All together 148 questionnaires were administered and 120 questionnaires returned. The response rate was 81 percent. Six major SMEs internal factors which included; business information, collateral, managerial competency, internal funds, networking and ethical practices were investigated to find out their impact on the availability of bank financing to SMEs. Quantitative data were analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) with statistical tools including descriptive statistics, frequency distributions and chi-square test. The Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. While the data from the open-end question analysis involved classifying data, extracting themes, identifying patterns, tallying and quantifying responses and making generalization out of these patterns. This implies that the research methodology focused on the methods, tools and techniques used to assist in achieving the objectives of the study and answering the research questions that the research sought to address. To this end, the study sought the perceptions of bank staff on reasons why bank credit is not available to SMEs. The study focused on four research questions as outlined in chapter one and other relevant sections of the study. The major finding of this study is that there is a significant positive relationship between six SMEs internal factors (lack of business information, lack of collateral, lack of managerial competency, lack of internal funds, lack of networking and unethical practices) and non-availability of banks finance in Rwanda. On the basis of these findings, the study recommended that SMEs owners and staff should be trained in key strategic areas such as business management and financial management to effectively and efficiently manage their businesses and curb information asymmetry. The study also recommends that the government should introduce more practical guarantee facilities to enable banks access the funds as soon as the SME defaults. This will encourage bank to extend more credit to SMEs. Furthermore, the study suggests that the government should categorise SMEs as a priority sector and come up with a policy requiring banks to compulsorily ensure that a certain earmarked percentage of their overall lending is made to SMEs as a priority sector. Lastly, the study recommends that Rwanda Private Sector Federation should conduct trainings on ethical management to SMEs. Unethical behaviours such as deliberately not paying back loans should be heavily punished to limit occurrences of these behaviours among SMEs which may results in huge stock of non-performing loans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
Market potential and profitability of improved maize open pollinated varieties in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Sibanda, Melusi
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Hybrid corn , Crops -- Effect of stress on
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24598 , vital:63211
- Description: Maize is one of the most important crops grown by smallholder farmers in Amatole and O.R. Tambo Districts of the Eastern Cape. For this study, there were 13 maize varieties that were evaluated extensively by on-farm trials in selected areas under dry land and irrigated conditions. Nine were newly introduced and improved Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs), while four were locally grown varieties. Among the locally grown varieties, one was a hybrid-check, while the remaining three were improved OPVs. The objectives of this study were: to investigate the potential marketability of newly introduced maize OPVs, identify factors influencing farmers‟ demand of improved maize OPVs and assess their profitability when compared with hybrids. One hundred and thirty seven sample households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margins and regression analyses. Data for computing gross margins was taken from the on-farm trials. Results showed that the actual production of improved maize OPVs constituted 0percent in Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) and 20percent of the farmers in the O.R. Tambo District. At Silwindlala Women‟s Project (SWP), the improved maize OPV (Sahara) was grown. The majority of the farmers in the study areas were growing competitor varieties (hybrids and/or in conjunction with landraces). Results show that, there is potential market for improved maize OPVs in the Eastern Cape. The majority of the farmers, 87percent and 92percent in Amatole (SWP and ZIS) and O.R. Tambo Districts respectively, indicated that they were willing to adopt the newly introduced maize OPVs. Results showed that the hybrid PAN 6479 variety in general performed better than improved maize OPVs whereas in some areas, the improved maize OPVs had better gross margins and gross profit margins than the hybrid variety. The indicated genotypes did not show specific adaptation to selected environments. The demand model that employed a multiple regression model was used and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) computer software. Results of the multiple regression model showed that household socio-economic factors (extension contact, access to credit, availability of household income, proportion of land area under cultivation, proportion of land area under (hybrids and landrace) and perceptions on seed color) and an input market factor (availability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops) were the most important factors influencing farmers' decisions to demanding the improved maize OPVs. Extension contact, access to credit, level of household income and proportion of land area under cultivation, positively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs whereas the unavailability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops, proportion of land area under hybrids and landraces and perceptions on seed color negatively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
- Authors: Sibanda, Melusi
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Hybrid corn , Crops -- Effect of stress on
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24598 , vital:63211
- Description: Maize is one of the most important crops grown by smallholder farmers in Amatole and O.R. Tambo Districts of the Eastern Cape. For this study, there were 13 maize varieties that were evaluated extensively by on-farm trials in selected areas under dry land and irrigated conditions. Nine were newly introduced and improved Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs), while four were locally grown varieties. Among the locally grown varieties, one was a hybrid-check, while the remaining three were improved OPVs. The objectives of this study were: to investigate the potential marketability of newly introduced maize OPVs, identify factors influencing farmers‟ demand of improved maize OPVs and assess their profitability when compared with hybrids. One hundred and thirty seven sample households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margins and regression analyses. Data for computing gross margins was taken from the on-farm trials. Results showed that the actual production of improved maize OPVs constituted 0percent in Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) and 20percent of the farmers in the O.R. Tambo District. At Silwindlala Women‟s Project (SWP), the improved maize OPV (Sahara) was grown. The majority of the farmers in the study areas were growing competitor varieties (hybrids and/or in conjunction with landraces). Results show that, there is potential market for improved maize OPVs in the Eastern Cape. The majority of the farmers, 87percent and 92percent in Amatole (SWP and ZIS) and O.R. Tambo Districts respectively, indicated that they were willing to adopt the newly introduced maize OPVs. Results showed that the hybrid PAN 6479 variety in general performed better than improved maize OPVs whereas in some areas, the improved maize OPVs had better gross margins and gross profit margins than the hybrid variety. The indicated genotypes did not show specific adaptation to selected environments. The demand model that employed a multiple regression model was used and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) computer software. Results of the multiple regression model showed that household socio-economic factors (extension contact, access to credit, availability of household income, proportion of land area under cultivation, proportion of land area under (hybrids and landrace) and perceptions on seed color) and an input market factor (availability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops) were the most important factors influencing farmers' decisions to demanding the improved maize OPVs. Extension contact, access to credit, level of household income and proportion of land area under cultivation, positively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs whereas the unavailability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops, proportion of land area under hybrids and landraces and perceptions on seed color negatively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
Performance monitoring and evaluation for sustainable public service delivery: the case for the South African police service
- Authors: Reddy, Michael
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Performance -- Evaluation , Civil service -- Labor productivity
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24399 , vital:62767
- Description: The public service which is the delivery arm of government, has to rise constantly to the massive challenge of service delivery to ensure that government achieves its ideal of creating a better life for all in accordance with the people’s contract. The research analyzed the question: To what extent can monitoring and evaluation of performance provide sustainable public service delivery by the public sector? Against this milieu, the study examined the monitoring and evaluation approaches adopted by the governments of Mexico and Spain (international) and South Africa (local). Further, an analogous of both the international and local experiences was conducted in the study. The state of service delivery was examined by studying the South African Police Service. It was evidenced in the study that sustainable service delivery in the SAPS is influenced by various factors, such as performance monitoring and evaluation. Although the SAPS reported the successful achievement of certain performance targets relating to its planned activities and financial performance, it became clear that the performance monitoring and evaluation framework is not adequate to effectively address the service delivery expectations in the South African context. This thesis presents an inclusive and comprehensive approach towards performance monitoring and evaluation, which seeks to shape the South African Police Service’s current framework positively towards promoting sustainable service delivery. The features of this new proposed approach include the involvement and/ or meaningful consultation with the broad South African community, effective communication; promotion of accountability; professional and ethical standards; and expansion and development of the current and future leadership at all levels in the organization. Further, a call for greater regional and international cohesion is made, to benchmark best practices relating to performance monitoring and evaluation; this was found necessary, as a global effort is required to successfully prevent and realize a significant reduction in crime levels. The study finally presents an alternative In year Monitoring Model (IYMM) to manage the budget performance against the predetermined plan. It links the key performance areas, as contained in the cost centre’s business plan to the allocated budget; produces unique projected spending patterns (PSP) for each cost centre; thereby propelling departments from old paradigms of monitoring financial performance. The IYMM provides management with an excellent tool to monitor and evaluate performance during the year. The performance monitoring and evaluation approach and the IYMM developed in this study are flexible and adaptable, as it can be applied successfully in other government departments locally, regionally and internationally. The thesis thus proposes a pragmatic approach towards performance monitoring and evaluation that promotes sustainable service delivery in South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
- Authors: Reddy, Michael
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Performance -- Evaluation , Civil service -- Labor productivity
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24399 , vital:62767
- Description: The public service which is the delivery arm of government, has to rise constantly to the massive challenge of service delivery to ensure that government achieves its ideal of creating a better life for all in accordance with the people’s contract. The research analyzed the question: To what extent can monitoring and evaluation of performance provide sustainable public service delivery by the public sector? Against this milieu, the study examined the monitoring and evaluation approaches adopted by the governments of Mexico and Spain (international) and South Africa (local). Further, an analogous of both the international and local experiences was conducted in the study. The state of service delivery was examined by studying the South African Police Service. It was evidenced in the study that sustainable service delivery in the SAPS is influenced by various factors, such as performance monitoring and evaluation. Although the SAPS reported the successful achievement of certain performance targets relating to its planned activities and financial performance, it became clear that the performance monitoring and evaluation framework is not adequate to effectively address the service delivery expectations in the South African context. This thesis presents an inclusive and comprehensive approach towards performance monitoring and evaluation, which seeks to shape the South African Police Service’s current framework positively towards promoting sustainable service delivery. The features of this new proposed approach include the involvement and/ or meaningful consultation with the broad South African community, effective communication; promotion of accountability; professional and ethical standards; and expansion and development of the current and future leadership at all levels in the organization. Further, a call for greater regional and international cohesion is made, to benchmark best practices relating to performance monitoring and evaluation; this was found necessary, as a global effort is required to successfully prevent and realize a significant reduction in crime levels. The study finally presents an alternative In year Monitoring Model (IYMM) to manage the budget performance against the predetermined plan. It links the key performance areas, as contained in the cost centre’s business plan to the allocated budget; produces unique projected spending patterns (PSP) for each cost centre; thereby propelling departments from old paradigms of monitoring financial performance. The IYMM provides management with an excellent tool to monitor and evaluate performance during the year. The performance monitoring and evaluation approach and the IYMM developed in this study are flexible and adaptable, as it can be applied successfully in other government departments locally, regionally and internationally. The thesis thus proposes a pragmatic approach towards performance monitoring and evaluation that promotes sustainable service delivery in South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
The impact of women in the ward development committees: a case study of Nkonkobe Municipality Alice, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Maama, T A
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Leadership in women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29119 , vital:76644
- Description: Customarily, men have always been regarded as superior to women and they were accorded more opportunities than women. This imbalance placed women at the receiving end and it impacted negatively on their socio-economic rights such as education. Women were also not allowed to be in decision-making nor hold any positions in both public and private sphere. However, a number of international instruments call for the inclusion of women in decision-making bodies and most countries have many women in decision-making now. This study revealed that women in leadership positions are agents of change nationally, regionally and internationally. In Nkonkobe Municipality, the study concealed that the impact of women in decision-making is remarkably significant, as women have not only brought about social changes and addressed the needs of other women and children in the society but they have also worked hard in fighting poverty in the communities. However, patriarchy, culture, lack of education and lack of funds are the major obstacles to women‟s visibility in the ward committees and in decision-making. The study recommends that men should support women as their equal counterparts instead of opposing them. Further, women must have confidence in themselves and they should also support one another instead of supporting men. In addition, Municipalities should have women friendly policies and they should implement them to empower women. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Law, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
- Authors: Maama, T A
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Leadership in women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29119 , vital:76644
- Description: Customarily, men have always been regarded as superior to women and they were accorded more opportunities than women. This imbalance placed women at the receiving end and it impacted negatively on their socio-economic rights such as education. Women were also not allowed to be in decision-making nor hold any positions in both public and private sphere. However, a number of international instruments call for the inclusion of women in decision-making bodies and most countries have many women in decision-making now. This study revealed that women in leadership positions are agents of change nationally, regionally and internationally. In Nkonkobe Municipality, the study concealed that the impact of women in decision-making is remarkably significant, as women have not only brought about social changes and addressed the needs of other women and children in the society but they have also worked hard in fighting poverty in the communities. However, patriarchy, culture, lack of education and lack of funds are the major obstacles to women‟s visibility in the ward committees and in decision-making. The study recommends that men should support women as their equal counterparts instead of opposing them. Further, women must have confidence in themselves and they should also support one another instead of supporting men. In addition, Municipalities should have women friendly policies and they should implement them to empower women. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Law, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
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