An entrepreneurial framework for deciding on the implementation of large format digital printing internationally
- Authors: Adendorff, Christian Michael
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Success in business , Business -- Technological innovations , Digital printing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002785 , Entrepreneurship , Success in business , Business -- Technological innovations , Digital printing
- Description: This study focuses on entrepreneurs within the SME sector using large format digital printing (LFDP) because of the changes in technology that influences the decisionmaking processes of the entrepreneur in the purchasing of a new LFDP. These fast changes are likely to continue and can cause technologies to become obsolete overnight. The entrepreneurs within the LFDP industry find themselves in the midst of these fast changes and are faced with a dilemma. On the one hand, they need to make sure that the technology used produces consistent and quality products. On the other hand, the entrepreneur needs to ensure an optimal return on investments. From the literature and the findings of the study, the researcher recommends a change to an existing model on a consultant involvement purchase of high technology products, which is then adapted to integrate resource-forecasting areas together with timing and type of information required as well as external environment scanning. The existing model’s focus is on the individual’s ability to make decisions based on their own knowledge. However, by integrating technology forecasting components, and scanning the business environment and resource forecasting needed the decision-maker will be better equipped to make decisions that also takes into account the external environment. This will also allow them to plan and manage growth in a systematic way. Therefore the proposed model takes into account individual capabilities and technology forecasting components that can facilitate the decision-making process. The adapted model on decision-making clearly delineates that the combination of entrepreneurial qualities and technology forecasting techniques in the LFDP industry will ultimately assist the entrepreneur on various levels in deciding on a new LFDP.
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- Date Issued: 2003
The role of bank finance in small firm growth : a case study
- Authors: Musengi, Sandra
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- South Africa , Finance -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa -- Finance , Small business -- South Africa -- Growth -- Case studies , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , New business enterprises -- South Africa , Bank loans -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002793 , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Finance -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa -- Finance , Small business -- South Africa -- Growth -- Case studies , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , New business enterprises -- South Africa , Bank loans -- South Africa
- Description: The debate concerning small firm access to finance continues. The proliferation of research of the issue underlines the importance attached in promoting a strong entrepreneurial culture within a country. Small firms are significant to economic growth if they are growing. Central to this significance is ascertaining the role of finance and in particular bank finance in accelerating small growth potential. The case study, through its ontological, epistemological and methodological position, draws on a document review and interview material from small firm owners and key informants to explore the role of bank finance in small firm growth. Case study evidence reveals that small firm owners do not intend to finance firm growth with bank finance but prefer to finance growth with internally generated funds. The owners indicate that non-financial and behavioural factors, such as, maintaining decision-making control, experience accessing bank finance, the perception of the banking relationship and growth aspirations of owners may be more important in dertermining the finance structure for firm growth. From the bank's perspective, findings suggest that risk assessment, financial viability of the enterprise and provision of collateral are more important in the lending decisions; findings supported by an analysis of selected documents. The small sample of small firm owners, bank representatives, experts and documents makes it difficult to generalize the findings. However, the findings are significant because exploring the issue from different perspectives presents invaluable insights, which can be investigated further to assist small firm owners, to develop finance products geared for small firm operations, and in the development of the knowledge base on finance-related issues in the South African context.
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- Date Issued: 2003
An exploration of functional and numerical flexibility in South African organisations: a qualitative study in two textile factories in Cape Town
- Authors: Sela, Ronit
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3347 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006149 , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa
- Description: During this research, an attempt was made to gain an understanding of management and their employees' perceptions regarding functional and numerical flexibility practices within South African organisations. To achieve this, twenty-six people, comprising of a variability of positions within the organisation, were interviewed in the region of the Western Cape. It was found that, although extensive research on the two forms of flexibility have been globally conducted, South African literature, particularly on the part of numerical flexibility, is limited. It is thus believed that this study will present a valuable basis to pursue in further research. Literature that was consulted was found to be supportive of the theoretical notion that South African organisations, in order to be globally competitive, have had to restructure and redefine themselves by ensuring that they make the most efficient and effective use of their human resources. The study found that whilst functional flexibility practices benefit employees in that they experienced increased job satisfaction and job mobility, it was the area of numerical flexibility which raised many dissatisfactions, including those of immense job insecurity and remuneration, both financial and otherwise. The study findings suggest a need for a more comprehensive and employee integrated approach by combining organisational with individual oriented initiatives, and ensuring the trade union's involvement in all facets of functional and numerical flexibility initiatives. The thesis ends with recommendations of various strategies for addressing the concerns of management, employees and the trade union in order to ensure full and proper utilisation of human resources so that the end product, namely job satisfaction, leads to organisational success.
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- Date Issued: 2002
The relationship between the leadership, internal quality, and customer satisfaction levels of dealerships in a South African motor vehicle organisation
- Authors: Botha, Jennifer
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction , Automobile dealers -- South Africa , Industrial productivity , Customer services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1185 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002802 , Consumer satisfaction , Automobile dealers -- South Africa , Industrial productivity , Customer services
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between the leadership, internal quality, and customer satisfaction levels in the dealerships of a South African motor vehicle organisation. The Service Profit Chain provides the background theory to this relationship, by suggesting that various factors within the service delivery system of an organisation affect the level of customer satisfaction. From the Service Profit Chain, it is established that two of the prevalent factors affecting customer satisfaction, are leadership and internal quality. The Full Range Leadership Development Theory provides the backdrop for analysing the leadership style of each dealership by using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. The Competence Process forms the theoretical construct against which the internal quality of these dealerships is assessed using the Organisation Competence Analysis Questionnaire. Information was gathered, using these two instruments, from a sample of 85 motor vehicle dealerships within South Africa. The customer satisfaction levels at each of these dealerships, is measured by the motor vehicle organisation’s own instrument, known as the Customer Satisfaction Index. Data obtained from each instrument, for the respective dealerships, was then statistically analysed. However, due to the low reliability of the instruments used in this research, the results of this study indicate that there is no relationship between the leadership, internal quality, and customer satisfaction levels within a South African motor vehicle organisation. Therefore we can conclude that the null hypotheses can not be rejected.
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- Date Issued: 2002
Valuation of intellectual capital in South African companies: a comparative study of three valuation methods
- Authors: Maree, Kevin W
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:877 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001631
- Description: This study discusses three valuation methods for intellectual capital and considers two of these (Tobin’s “q” and CIV) as suitable valuation methods.
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- Date Issued: 2002
Clustering as a strategy for manufacturing performance in the Eastern Cape Automotive industry
- Authors: Makuwaza, Gwynneth Chandakaita
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Performance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002670 , Automobile industry and trade , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Performance
- Description: South Africa's current industrial policy focuses on the economy at two levels: a sectoral and spatial level. The former relates to the manner in which industrial policy is concentrating on particular sectors i.e. industrial clusters. This shift in industrial policy from targeting individual industries to an emphasis on industrial clusters, has complemented the change in focus to export promotion under trade policy. Furthermore, there has been increasing recognition of the need to improve industry performance and competitiveness in order to successfully implement export growth. Industry clusters are considered as having the potential to increase manufacturing performance and can provide the basis for sustainable competitive advantage for nations. Consequently the concept of industry clusters was introduced in South Africa in 1997. Because industry clusters are relatively new in South Africa, most of the cluster initiatives in various sectors of the economy are in their early stages of development. Nevertheless, some are already showing signs of potential success in increasing competitiveness in particular sectors. This thesis uses Porter's "diamond" framework apprdach to investigate whether clustering has improved the manufacturing performance of the motor industry in the Eastern Cape. International experience from both developed and developing countries will illustrate the potential of clustering as a powerful strategy in increasing manufacturing performance and consequently competitiveness. Ultimately this should lead to long-term economic development, especially if government adopts clusterbased economic development policies. Information from a survey conducted on both the motor vehicle assemblers and component suppliers is used in this study. The findings reveal that it is mainly the motor vehicle assemblers who have experienced some improvements in manufacturing performance. The components sector on the other hand has not experienced any such improvements. This thesis concludes with the recommendation that it is important to develop cluster policy as a broader and dynamic view of competition. The main emphasis under such policy would be a move from targeting particular industries and providing subsidies towards focusing attention to all clusters in the economy. To effectively apply such a policy requires the repositioning of national, local and provincial government in order to become more involved in regional development issues. Moreover, the various levels of government need to incorporate cluster policy into their competitive strategies.
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- Date Issued: 2001
Geographically distributed requirements elicitation
- Authors: Vat, Nicholas
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Management information systems -- Management , Information resources management , System design , System analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002764 , Management information systems -- Management , Information resources management , System design , System analysis
- Description: The technology revolution has transformed the way in which many organisations do their business. The resultant information systems have increased the decision making powers of executives, leading to increased effectiveness and ultimately to improved product delivery. The process of information systems development is, however, complex. Furthermore, it has a poor track record in terms of on-time and within-budget delivery, but more significantly in terms of low user acceptance frequently attributable to poor user requirements specification. Consequently, much attention has been given to the process of requirements elicitation, with both researchers and businessmen seeking new, innovative and effective methods. These methods usually involve large numbers of participants who are drawn from within the client and developer organisations. This is a financially costly characteristic of the requirements elicitation process. Besides information systems, the technology revolution has also brought sophisticated communication technologies into the marketplace. These communication technologies allow people to communicate with one another in a variety of different time and space scenarios. An important spin-off of this is the ability for people located in significantly different geographical locations to work collaboratively on a project. It is claimed that this approach to work has significant cost and productivity advantages. This study draws the requirements elicitation process into the realm of collaborative work. Important project management, communication, and collaborative working principles are examined in detail, and a model is developed which represents these issues as they pertain to the requirements elicitation process. An empirical study (conducted in South Africa) is performed in order to examine the principles of the model and the relationships between its constituent elements. A model of geographically distributed requirements elicitation (GDRE) is developed on the basis of the findings of this investigation. The model of GDRE is presented as a 3-phased approach to requirements elicitation, namely planning, implementation, and termination. Significantly, the model suggests the use of interviews, structured workshops, and prototyping as the chief requirements elicitation methods to be adopted in appropriate conditions. Although a detailed study of communications technology was not performed, this thesis suggests that each individual GDRE implementation requires a different mix of communication technologies to support its implementation.
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- Date Issued: 2000
Organisational leaders' perceptions of the challenges and constraints of the leadership development of Blacks in South African private organisations
- Authors: Nyamuda, Paul Andrew
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Leadership , Black people -- South Africa , Black people -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002542 , Leadership , Black people -- South Africa , Black people -- Employment -- South Africa
- Description: In recent years, it has become clear that a lot of corporate collapse can be traced down to poor leadership. As more and more black executives are climbing the corporate ladder, it is becoming all the more necessary to explore how their effective leadership development can occur with private organisations in South Africa. There are many challenges and constraints associated with the leadership development of these executives. This can be expected as they are entering an environment which has been largely white-dominated. As a result they find themselves facing the challenges of succeeding amidst negative perceptions they have experienced from their superiors and subtle pressures from subordinates. Therefore, it can only be expected that if organisations are to maintain a competitive advantage they need to understand how to effectively develop this new breed of leaders. Hence, the researcher has used a qualitative approach to investigate the complexities of the experiences of black executives in private organisations. In terms of the theoretical framework, the research focuses on some of the new approaches to leadership. It was discovered that leadership development is essentially a process that goes beyond mere training sessions, and largely involves the relationships one has within the organisation. This involves relationships with superiors, peers, and subordinates. The research indicates that if these relationships are managed effectively, leadership development is enhanced. Whilst the role of formal training programs appeared somewhat downplayed, it was clear that these programs had a strong role in terms of their psychological impact on participants. They certainly affected their perception of the organisation and their own self-efficacy. The research, therefore illustrates how there are a variety of individual and organisational attributes that form a basis for effective leadership development of blacks in private organisations. The researcher argues that if these are implemented, organisational well-being is enhanced.
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- Date Issued: 2000
The experience of multi-cultural communication within a South African organization
- Authors: Lesch, Anthea M
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Intercultural communication -- South Africa , Communication in management -- South Africa , Communication in personnel management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002517 , Intercultural communication -- South Africa , Communication in management -- South Africa , Communication in personnel management -- South Africa
- Description: This research study was conducted in an attempt to explore the experience of multicultural communication within a South African organization. To this end employees, representing both Black and White culture, within a South African organization in the throes of transformation, were accessed. A model of managing diversity, focussing on the personal, interpersonal and organizational levels, was utilized in an attempt to uncover the nature of the experience of multi-cultural communication within Company X. A qualitative research design, and more specifically the case study method was employed in this study. Consistent with the case study approach a number of data sources were accessed. The primary data source consisted of a 3-stage interview process. Other data sources included documentary sources and company publications. By accessing multiple data sources, the researcher attempted to gain a holistic understanding of the experience of multi-cultural communication. It was found that the societal context of our post-Apartheid society exercises a profound influence on multi-cultural communication. Under Apartheid cultural separation was promoted. Diverse peoples thus have little common basis for interaction and view each other with skepticism and distrust. This exercises an effect on the personal and organizational levels of the managing diversity model. Influences at the personal level relate to the cultural paradigms of the individuals which provide the rules governing interactions and affect judgements of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. Issues at the organizational level relate to its structures and policies which are still based on the “white is right ideology”. These issues, in turn, affect the interpersonal level of managing diversity, i.e., where the interactions occur, causing “communication short circuits” within the process of multi-cultural communication. In order to deal with failed multi-cultural communication, the individuals have developed a number of coping strategies. The results of the study indicate that both the organization and its employees share a responsibility for creating an environment that will facilitate effective multi-cultural communication.
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- Date Issued: 2000
The impact of exchange rate volatility on manufacturing production : a case study of South Africa
- Authors: Dube, Ziphozethu
- Date: 20
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa Manufacturing industries -- South Africa Industrial productivity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8294 , vital:32193
- Description: The study examined the impact of exchange rate volatility on manufacturing production for the period of 1994 - 2015 in South Africa. The study evaluated the literature on exchange rate volatility and manufacturing production which was conducted and resulted into specification of an empirical model. The Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) was employed towards deducing the relationship of exchange rate volatility and manufacturing production. This study made use of monthly data to examine the relationship of exchange rate volatility and manufacturing production. However, the data frequency selected, ensured an adequate number of observations and results revealed that exchange rate volatility has a negative relationship with manufacturing production in the long run, nonetheless considering South Africa as an export economy the results were consistent with Ayinde (2014) who found that this relationship is seen to exist. A positive relationship was noted within the short run period. The unstable business environment in South Africa has been worsened by the political climate and unstable policies that has a ripple effect. Due to this aspect the study recommended the need for stabilizer policies for monetary, fiscal, trade and exchange rate management. The government should properly manage the exchange rate and design suitable policies that will reduce the deviation of the exchange rate thereby encourage production. Exchange rate stability is viewed to be key for export-oriented manufacturing sectors in a macroeconomic environment. The South African economy has felt such heaviness of political unrest and polices that do not result in stability. It would be key for policymakers to be vigilant and implement such measures to get the economy ticking in the right direction.
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- Date Issued: 20
An economic analysis of eradicating alien vegetation as an alternative to conventional water supply schemes: a case study of the Krom and Kouga
- Authors: Carpenter, Robert Charles
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Alien plants -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Kouga River (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002735 , Alien plants -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa , Kouga River (South Africa)
- Description: South Africa is classified as an arid to semi-arid region and water scarcity in South Africa has been identified as a key factor limiting socioeconomic development in the next century. In the Algoa region, the total urban plus agricultural water demand is expected to exceed the supply by the year 2005. The Kouga Working for Water Project aims to increase the base flow to the existing dams which supply the Port Elizabeth metropolitan area through the eradication of invasive alien trees in the riparian areas of the Krom and Kouga catchments. This thesis analyses the economic efficiency of optimal catchment management as a water supply scheme. A cost-benefit analysis is conducted for the Kouga eradication programme, and its desirability is evaluated in terms of the net present value (NPV) and the internal rate of return (IRR) criteria. In order to compare the cost-e~i.ciency of the eradication programme to alternative water supply augmentation schemes the Unit Reference Value (URV) is calculated for the project. The NPV for the project is calculated using a discount rate of 7% and amounts to nearly R24 million. This positive NPV indicates that the project is economically desirable in that it results in the improvement of human welfare. The IRR decision rule supports this finding. The URV of the eradication scheme is found to be competitive to that generated by more conventional schemes. Considered in the evaluation of the project are a host of environmental benefits that accompany the eradication of alien vegetation. This is in contrast to alternative schemes which result in several detrimental impacts to the environment. The economic analysis concludes that the eradication of alien vegetation is an efficient and desirable alternative water supply augmentation scheme. The conclusions drawn from the analysis of the eradication programme in this catchment area can be extended to other catchment areas, with the aim of promoting the most efficient supply of water.
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- Date Issued: 1999
Transformational leadership and organisational effectiveness in the administration of cricket in South Africa
- Authors: Ristow, Adrian
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Cricket--South Africa , Cricket -- South Africa -- Management , Sports administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002799 , Cricket--South Africa , Cricket -- South Africa -- Management , Sports administration -- South Africa
- Description: After years of isolation from the international sporting arena, South African sports teams have recently achieved much success. This study is concerned specifically with managing for organisational effectiveness in South African cricket. According to the theory of transformational leadership, there should be a positive relationship between this style of leadership and organisational effectiveness. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to collect information about leadership while data for organisational effectiveness, the dependent variable, was collected using the Effectiveness Survey for Cricket Administration. Most of the results regarding the relationship of the transformational leadership factors and organisational effectiveness were significant. On the other hand, most of the results regarding the relationship of the transactional leadership factors and organisational effectiveness were not significant. The overall results provide general support of the relevance of the transformational leadership theory in the context of cricket administration in South Africa. The results also support Bass's (1990b) argument of the universal application of the transformational leadership theory.
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- Date Issued: 1998
Corporate taxes and the taxation of dividends
- Authors: Williams, John Mark
- Date: 1997
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:890 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001644
- Description: The classical system of taxation, whereby companies are taxed without a deduction for dividends paid and shareholders are taxed on their dividend receipts, results in double taxation of dividends. Split rate and imputation systems have been developed in an attempt to mitigate the effects of double taxation of dividends. Double taxation of dividends and differences between corporate and maximum individual marginal tax rates result in corporate tax systems lacking neutrality. Distortions arise between organisational forms, between debt and equity financing and between the retention and distribution of profits. Various methods of integrating corporate and individual taxes have been advocated to overcome the lack of neutrality caused by corporate taxes. Following the introduction of the South African Income Tax Act in 1914, a number of taxes relating to dividends have existed. These have included a Dividend Tax, Non-resident Shareholder's Tax, Undistributed Profits Tax and Secondary Tax on Companies, hereafter referred to as STC. STC is a tax on net dividends declared and results in distributed income being taxed at higher rates than retained income. Despite the implementation of group relief provisions, STC results in an inhibition on the reinvestment of profits within the context of a group of companies. It is also a major cause of the lack of neutrality of the South African corporate tax system. As a result of the lack of neutrality and inhibition of group reinvestment caused by STC, a full imputation system is suggested as an alternative to replace STC.
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- Date Issued: 1997
Prosocial behaviour in South African students a qualitative enquiry
- Authors: Cholerton, Steven M
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Helping behavior , Interpersonal relations , Altruism , Social ethics , College students -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:2948 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002457 , Helping behavior , Interpersonal relations , Altruism , Social ethics , College students -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: The central aim of this study was to conduct a qualitative exploration of the prosocial inclinations possessed by young South African students. The literature review argues that traditional approaches to moral responding separate the individual from the social. An alternative approach that reinstates language and ideology is delineated. It is argued that such a paradigm is most appropriate to a study of prosocial responding during a period of social change. Hypothetical moral dilemmas were administered to twenty-nine students. Six students were selected and each was interviewed on two separate occasions. In this way six case studies were developed. The methodological traditions of phenomenology and hermeneutics were employed to analyze the protocols and subsequent interviews. Seven themes descriptive of a moral response were identified. These consisted of moral reasoning, empathy, mood, guilt, alienation, a sense of group-identity, and ambiguity regarding the relative interests of self versus other. These themes are fully discussed in terms of the literature. It is concluded that moral reasoning may be insufficient to motivate prosocial behaviour. Conventional moral narratives may be appropriated in order to make sense of conflicting emotions. Empathy was identified as a necessary but not sufficient condition for a prosocial response. Empathy might translate into either sympathy or personal distress. Mood was found to largely dictate attentional focus. Alienation was found to be a defensive formulation that inhibits the emergence of sympathy. Guilt might precipitate an alienated posture. It was found that guilt might be attributed to group-identity and thereby denied. Tension between a self- and other-oriented response, or between blame and sympathy, was common. It is suggested that this ambiguity reflects ideological contradictions that have been internalized. It is postulated that during periods of social change such contradictions are accentuated.
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- Date Issued: 1995
The small business entrepreneur : a psychological profile
- Authors: Street, David Michael
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Businessmen -- Psychology , Businesswomen -- Psychology , Self-employed -- Psychology , Entrepreneurship -- Psychological aspects , Small business -- Psychological aspects , Businessmen , Businesswomen , Businesspeople
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3065 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002574 , Businessmen -- Psychology , Businesswomen -- Psychology , Self-employed -- Psychology , Entrepreneurship -- Psychological aspects , Small business -- Psychological aspects , Businessmen , Businesswomen , Businesspeople
- Description: With the growing importance being placed on the small business environment as having a positive influence on economic growth and vitality (Erwee, 1987: Burns & Dewhurst, 1989), there has been a corresponding increase in attention being paid to entrepreneurship and the characteristics of the entrepreneur. This increased attention is due to the fact that entrepreneurs have long been linked to small business creation and recognised as an important factor in the small business development process (Boyd & Gumpert, 1983). Despite the quantity of research on entrepreneurship, there appears to be an ongoing controversy oyer what characterises an entrepreneurial business. and the specific characteristics of the small business entrepreneur. It has been argued that although there is an overlap between entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial businesses. they are in fact different entities (Carland, Hoy, Boulton & Carland, 1984: Drucker, 1985), and that not every individual who starts a business is an entrepreneur (Drucker. 1985). Small business entrepreneurship has been found to be specifically related to the psychological characteristics of the owner-manager who controls the business (Miller. 1983). The purpose of this research was to identify and describe psychological characteristics displayed by a group of South African small business entrepreneurs, thereby compiling a psychological profile of the small business entrepreneur. Given the nature of entrepreneurial activities and processes, Hofer and Bygrave (1992) recommend that accurate, precise qualitative data that is rich in its descriptive characterisation of the situation and the phenomenon involved be collected. As a result the researcher used qualitative rather than quantitative methods of investigation. Innovative behaviour has long been linked to entrepreneurship (Schumpeter. 1934) and entrepreneurial businesses were distinguished from other small businesses by their use of innovative strategic practices. Two sample groups consisting of entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial businesses, were created and the data collected were analysed independently. The results, based on personal interviews with 32 small business owner-managers and the administration and interpretation of tihe Structured Objective Rorschach Test (SORT), indicate that small business entrepreneurship should not be used as a term synonymous with small business ownership and/or management. Despite similarities between small business entrepreneurs and other small business owner-managers. the results suggest that a distinction between the two groups is necessary for accurate future research on entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs differed from other small business owner-managers in terms of their psychological characteristics including their motives, their perception and attitude towards the external environment, and various sociological factors. The entrepreneurial businesses were also different in that they were more innovative and growth oriented than the non-entrepreneurial businesses. The research contributes towards a clarification of the concept of small business entrepreneurship and indicates a need for more precise sampling techniques to be used in entrepreneurial research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
Attitudes to affirmative action and the perceived impact of affirmative action programmes in the South African business environment : a comparative study based on race and gender
- Authors: Wright, Sarah-Ann L
- Date: 1994
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3250 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015715
- Description: Affirmative action is a sensitive and controversial topic evoking a host of emotional reactions regarding tokenism, reverse discrimination, lowering of standards, quota systems and a disregard for meritocracy (Gatherer & Erikson, 1992). It is also a topic receiving considerable attention in the context of a changing South Africa and will be one of the first steps taken in the labour arena under a new government (Charoux, 1991 ). The goals of the research were firstly, to detail and compare the attitudes of men and women, black and white to affirmative action and secondly, to examine the perceived impact of an affirmative action programme on beneficiaries as well as non-beneficiaries. The research was of a quantitative and qualitative nature, so as to provide the scope and depth desired in such an investigation. A survey was conducted using the data collection techniques of a mail questionnaire (quantitative focus) and individual in-depth interviews (qualitative focus). A pilot study was conducted. The majority of the questions in the questionnaire conformed to the conventions of the Likert Scale (Oppenheim, 1992) and data was analysed using percentile frequencies. Data from the interviews was analysed using the qualitative methods of noting themes and patterns, and clustering as proposed by Miles and Hubem1an (1984). The research was conducted in one large organisation in the infomation services industry, situated in the PWV area. Four key sample groups of white men, white women, black men and black women were used. The results of the research indicate that respondents perceive affirmative action as a policy to primarily address the educational disadvantages of black people in South Africa. Initial attitudes to affirmative action reflected a negative orientation amongst whites but a positive orientation amongst blacks. However, probing into the issues indicated that whilst there is an acceptance of the philosophy of and the need for affirmative action for black people, disagreement existed over which implementation methods of affirmative action (preferential treatment and quota systems) were acceptable and at what interfaces (hiring, training and development, promotion), implementation was acceptable. Attitudes on these various issues were often not divided along racial or gender lines and considerable divergence of attitudes also existed within the sample groups. Gender in affirmative action received less consideration by all four sample groups. Results also indicate that beneficiaries of affirmative action do not perceive affirmative action policies and programmes as stigmatising or negatively affecting their self-esteem. Nonbeneficiaries communicated that affirmative action could result in white resentment if blacks benefit at the expense of whites. Low levels of resentment were evident in the research. The organisation's affirmative action programme was seen to be ineffective due to the lack of communication about the programme, no evidence of its progress in terms of significant representation of blacks at senior levels in company XXX and the inequities that were seen to be still pervading the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
Measures and determinants of productivity growth in the South African manufacturing sector
- Authors: Wright, Anthony John
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Industrial productivity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002754 , Industrial productivity -- South Africa
- Description: The neoclassical "sources-of-growth" approach is applied to derive total factor productivity (TFP) growth measures for manufacturing industries in South Africa. Although South Africa's recorded industrial TFP growth measures have been persistently low in absolute terms, this performance is not significantly worse than the industrial TFP growth performance of other developing countries. In some periods there is evidence of a significant variability in TFP performance across industries. The measures also indicate that TFP growth has worsened in the 1980s, particularly in the intermediate-capital intensive and labour intensive industries. However, there are various problems with interpreting neoclassical TFP growth measures as indicators of production efficiency. In fact, as TFP growth is derived as a residual, it may measure many factors besides production efficiency. Alternative growth theories are used to assess the fundamental determinants of productivity growth. These provide a more plausible conceptualisation of the process by which productivity growth is generated than the neoclassical growth theory does. However, this analysis also provides little empirical evidence of which underlying factors have had the most influence on productivity growth in South African manufacturing. Hence, the relative importance of possible candidates can only really be assessed qualitatively and on the basis of micro evidence. However, these assessments, and the assumptions underlying the postulated causal connections (between the identified factors and productivity growth), have a major impact on policy design. In this respect, on the basis of the framework provided by the evolutionary and other recent growth theories, various policy implications are drawn, and these are contrasted with the policy proposals of other South African analysts. This thesis concludes that policies need to be designed with the central objective of enhancing the technological capabilities of South African firms. Trade policies will not be sufficient for achieving this objective. Education and training policies, technology, competition and labour market policies are also crucial. However, since the fundamental causes of productivity growth remain somewhat of a mystery, there is a need to be sceptical of simple policy prescriptions. In this respect, this thesis is highly critical of the World Bank's position that productivity gains will be reaped from the exposure of firms to international competition that trade liberalisation policies entail.
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- Date Issued: 1994
A cost-benefit analysis of electricity supply in a developing country, with reference to Venda
- Authors: Themeli, Tshimangadzo Booi
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Venda , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Venda , Cost effectiveness , Electrification -- Cost effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1022 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002757 , Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Venda , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Venda , Cost effectiveness , Electrification -- Cost effectiveness
- Description: This study concentrates specificaUy on assessing those elements of private and external costs and benefits which need to be accounted for in analyzing the role of electricity supply in a developing region. To facilitate this aim, three interrelated questions are addressed. The first question examines the reasons why a critical need for electrification in developing areas exists. In this regard, a selective review of the literature on development economics is offered, illuminating the previous neglect of the rural dimension in development and the associated problems of poverty and inequality, a lack of infrastructure and the general inability to fulfill basic needs. The second question is devoted exclusively to an economic analysis of the supply of electricity in developing areas. A broad theoretical review on whether an unregulated or regulated (private or public) sector should be responsible for the provision of electrification is presented. This evaluation highlights the various welfare implications and efficiency considerations that appear to be relevant in the present context. The final question, which constitutes the central proposition of the thesis, establishes how electrification should be supplied in developing areas. To this end, the conditions specific to a region in Venda are discussed. An attempt is made to identify the private and external costs and benefits relating to electricity supply and the corresponding costs and benefits pertaining to alternative sources of energy. Since the incidence and nature of these costs and benefits could only be ascertained from individual households, it was deemed necessary to undertake a questionnaire study of residents in Makwarela township and its periurban settlement of Lufule-Tshisele. A number of basic trends were evident from the research results. As far as the various benefits are concerned, respondents tended to place a much higher value on both the private and external benefits associated with electricity than its alternatives. At the same time, the survey found that although the private (or monetary) cost of electricity far exceeded the corresponding cost of alternative energy sources, the external costs were significant in the case of alternative energy sources, but virtually non-existent in the case of electricity. On the whole, the Venda survey seems to suggest that an economic case can be made for involving the broader community in subsidising the supply of electricity in Makwarela, Lufule-Tshisele and other areas. While such a subsidy can perhaps be justified on distribution grounds alone, and more specifically in terms of the rapid and pronounced effect it is likely to have on the quality of life in the region, its real worth lies in the fact that it may confer certain external benefits on the community.
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- Date Issued: 1992
A critical analysis of the marketing of mohair in South Africa with special reference to the period 1963 to 1989
- Authors: Norton, Eustace Herbert Fraser
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Mohair -- South Africa -- Marketing , Mohair industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002755 , Mohair -- South Africa -- Marketing , Mohair industry -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of the research was to determine the extent to which marketing in general, and the Mohair Scheme in particular, played a part in the re-emergence of South Africa as the world's leading mohair producer. The two major components of the Scheme, the 'voorskot', or initial payment, and reserve prices were analysed separately. In an adaptive expectations, distributed lag model of supply adjustment, only the weighted rainfall and the average real net price of mohair during the previous season, were found to be important determinants of mohair production. The significant negative correlation between the average real net 'voorskot' price and mohair production was contrary to expectations, and probably due to the 'voorskot' always having been set well below the market price. The 'voorskot' may nevertheless have played an important part in making the Scheme as a whole acceptable to producers. As no record is kept of the reserve price, its influence was tested indirectly in two stages. In the first, its influence on price stability was determined by a comparison of ranges, standard deviations and variances, and by several multiple linear demand regressions. Three of the four models showed clearly that price stability was increased by the Mohair Scheme. In the second stage, formulae and diagrammatic analyses were used to assess the welfare gains and losses resulting from the Mohair Scheme. There was a welfare gain to local producers and most of the welfare costs of the Scheme were borne by foreign consumers. With this gain to producers and the more stable price, it was concluded that the reserve price had stimulated mohair production. It was therefore established that the Mohair Scheme had played a major part in the re-emergence of South Africa as the world' s leading mohair producer. Nevertheless, in view of the massive stockpiling in recent seasons, because the reserve price was set too high, the result was a substantial loss to the Scheme; it was therefore recommended that the Mohair Scheme be discontinued or, at least, that the reserve price should be set at a much lower long-run, market clearing level.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Applicability of the SERVQUAL instrument under South African conditions : an assessment of four situations
- Authors: Pitt, Leyland Frederick
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: SERVQUAL instrument , Customer service , Measurement , Service quality , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001627
- Description: On-going research in recent years has shown quality of product and service, as perceived by customer, relative to competition, to be the single most important factor contributing to organizational well-being. Quality of product and service also presents one of the most significant opportunities for corporate differentiation. A major requirement for the successful management of quality is therefore effective measurement. In the case of physical goods, progress has been made over a long period. However, in the case of services, real advances have only occurred within the past decade. The importance of service quality is also highlighted by the fact that most businesses today are losing customers due to its inadequacy, rather than poor products. Indeed, from the customer's point of view, services and products probably do not exist in a dichotomy, but, rather, along a spectrum. Therefore, the measurement of service quality is critical, not only in traditional service organizations, but in manufacturing situations as well. The development of the SERVQUAL questionnaire in 1988, offered researchers, perhaps for the first time, an apparently reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of service quality. However, to date the instrument has not been subjected to rigorous testing for reliability and validity in South Africa, across a range of service organizations, within a typology. In this study, the SERVQUAL instrument was used to measure service quality across a range of firms within the Larsson-Bowen contingency framework, under South African conditions. Its main objectives were to assess its reliability and validity in these circumstances. It was found that SERVQUAL performed well across all organizations within the Larsson-Bowen framework, under South African conditions, with regard to reliability, convergent and nomological validity. Its construct validity proved to be less sound, and it was not found to possess discriminant validity. It is suggested that this is less attributable to South African circumstances than to the nature of the organizations. In cases of low diversity of demand, the instrument appears to capture the essence of service quality less effectively. Means of overcoming this in future studies are suggested, as well as other directions for research in the area of service quality measurement
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- Date Issued: 1992