Assessing the competitiveness of small and medium sized retail business in South Africa
- Authors: Herholdt, Petrus Stephanus
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Competition -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa , Chain stores -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020279
- Description: The South African economy and especially its retail environment are continuously experiencing the impact of globalisation. The continuous expansions of large public retail businesses that consist of numerous chain stores are evident in both the local and international arena. South Africa has witnessed large amounts of foreign direct investment (FDI) invested into its retail sector. The above mentioned facts hold a serious challenge for small and medium retail businesses in South Africa (SMEs). In order for SME retail businesses to stay competitive against these global retail businesses, it needs to be able to withstand the competition in the environment it operates. This is not always an easy challenge given the limited access to resources that the majority of SME businesses have access to. This study presents how South African SME retail businesses can remain competent and profitable in spite of serious competition from large retail businesses of both local and international origin. In order to suggest recommendations for South African SME retail businesses to be more competent in relation to large retail businesses, the researcher identified some areas of improvement, which is perceived to be the most important for enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs. These variables include uniqueness, entrepreneurial leadership, cost effectiveness, technology and quality management. These variables were researched to understand how they affect SME retail businesses and where tested using quantitative analysis to ascertain if managers and owners of SME retail businesses believed that these variables would help them to improve the level of competitiveness in relation to large retail businesses. The results indicated that SME owners and managers felt that uniqueness, entrepreneurial leadership, cost effectiveness, technology and quality management all contributes to the competitiveness of their business. Empirical evidence shows that owners and managers of SME retail business felt that all of the above factors will result in their SME retail business being more competitive as compared to large retail businesses. The former will lead to better chances of success which again are most likely to lead to increased probability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Herholdt, Petrus Stephanus
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Competition -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa , Chain stores -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020279
- Description: The South African economy and especially its retail environment are continuously experiencing the impact of globalisation. The continuous expansions of large public retail businesses that consist of numerous chain stores are evident in both the local and international arena. South Africa has witnessed large amounts of foreign direct investment (FDI) invested into its retail sector. The above mentioned facts hold a serious challenge for small and medium retail businesses in South Africa (SMEs). In order for SME retail businesses to stay competitive against these global retail businesses, it needs to be able to withstand the competition in the environment it operates. This is not always an easy challenge given the limited access to resources that the majority of SME businesses have access to. This study presents how South African SME retail businesses can remain competent and profitable in spite of serious competition from large retail businesses of both local and international origin. In order to suggest recommendations for South African SME retail businesses to be more competent in relation to large retail businesses, the researcher identified some areas of improvement, which is perceived to be the most important for enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs. These variables include uniqueness, entrepreneurial leadership, cost effectiveness, technology and quality management. These variables were researched to understand how they affect SME retail businesses and where tested using quantitative analysis to ascertain if managers and owners of SME retail businesses believed that these variables would help them to improve the level of competitiveness in relation to large retail businesses. The results indicated that SME owners and managers felt that uniqueness, entrepreneurial leadership, cost effectiveness, technology and quality management all contributes to the competitiveness of their business. Empirical evidence shows that owners and managers of SME retail business felt that all of the above factors will result in their SME retail business being more competitive as compared to large retail businesses. The former will lead to better chances of success which again are most likely to lead to increased probability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Impact and implication of future mobility on the South African automotive industry
- Mnyaka, Mtutuzeli Bennett Basil
- Authors: Mnyaka, Mtutuzeli Bennett Basil
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Motor Industry Development Programme , Motor vehicle industry -- South Africa , Subsidies -- South Africa , Incentives in industry -- South Africa , Competition -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020891
- Description: The South African Automotive industry has been one that has enjoyed the subsidies schemes like the Motor Industry Development Program (MIDP), and in the near future the Automotive Production Development Program (APDP). There are however different schools of thought when it comes to subsidies for an industry. One is that there should be no incentives when others are for the schemes, which one is best for the growing economy of a young democratic and highly unemployed nation? Looking at the next planned incentive scheme to be introduced to replace the MIDP, the APDP is it better than the MIDP? How are these schemes going to benefit the country in the future and will they exist for as long as we have the Auto industry in South Africa? The objective is to prompt those in political power and positions capable of influencing infrastructure changes to think long term when making decisions today that will affect future generations. Future generations should be able to benefit from future technologies of the day and not be hindered by the lack of improved and capable infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mnyaka, Mtutuzeli Bennett Basil
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Motor Industry Development Programme , Motor vehicle industry -- South Africa , Subsidies -- South Africa , Incentives in industry -- South Africa , Competition -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020891
- Description: The South African Automotive industry has been one that has enjoyed the subsidies schemes like the Motor Industry Development Program (MIDP), and in the near future the Automotive Production Development Program (APDP). There are however different schools of thought when it comes to subsidies for an industry. One is that there should be no incentives when others are for the schemes, which one is best for the growing economy of a young democratic and highly unemployed nation? Looking at the next planned incentive scheme to be introduced to replace the MIDP, the APDP is it better than the MIDP? How are these schemes going to benefit the country in the future and will they exist for as long as we have the Auto industry in South Africa? The objective is to prompt those in political power and positions capable of influencing infrastructure changes to think long term when making decisions today that will affect future generations. Future generations should be able to benefit from future technologies of the day and not be hindered by the lack of improved and capable infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The influence of inbound and outbound logistics on the competitiveness of the South African automobile industry
- Authors: Fourie, Quinton
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa -- Costs , Competition -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020217
- Description: The South African automotive industry has been identified as an important influence on the economy of South Africa. In particular, it plays a role in job creation in a country with high unemployment rates. However, being linked to a global industry, its competitive position and future relevance have come into question on numerous occasions. After a period of isolation and protection, the local industry had to enter global competition. The competitive playing field had suddenly widened from companies competing locally amongst each other for local market share, to competing globally for international sales. In addition it was found that competition was not only limited to opposing brands but also existed within the subsidiaries of the same brand. The reason for this was the existence of overcapacity in the manufacturing facilities internationally. Coupled with this, most of the dominant vehicle manufacturers were creating more capacity in developing markets to support demand as well as to benefit from cheaper resources. There are of course many influencing factors on the competitive position of such an important industry. The value chain has been identified as a tool to analyse and compare the activities within rival businesses or industry role players. Two primary activities within the value chain are inbound logistics and outbound logistics. The objective of the research was to investigate the influence of inbound and outbound logistics on the competitiveness of the South African automotive industry. A literature review created the conceptual framework for the research. It was necessary to discuss the automotive industry in a global sense to understand the history and trends of the development within the industry. It was also necessary to understand the South African automotive industry within this context to identify its place and relevance in global terms. It was found that, although important to the local economy, the local industry was not a dominant force to be reckoned with and was in fact being over taken by many of its competitors. Part of this investigation was spent on the development of the local industry in a protected environment and what it meant for the growth of local content and exports. This was also important as the component manufacturers based in South Africa need critical mass to create an efficient platform to be globally competitive. It was found that historic development programmes did not do much to improve this aspect but there is optimism about the latest programme which promotes an increase in production volumes. The state of logistics in South Africa was critically analysed to understand the influence it has on the automotive industry. It was found that although the logistics infrastructure within South Africa is the best in Africa, it is behind the standards of its competitors. This is influencing the automotive industry as a result of inadequate rail infrastructure. The reason for this was that most of the freight which was being transported by road would be more efficiently transported by rail. The cost of logistics was also found to be high in South Africa and skills were also a concern to improve the current situation. A research questionnaire was created from the findings of the literature review. The questionnaire formed the primary research tool for this study. The sample was identified as respondents from vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers who would have sufficient knowledge of this topic. It was found that inbound and outbound logistics costs formed a relatively large component of total costs. The high levels of imported parts being used as well as export levels added to the logistics costs. This also caused uneconomical inventory levels as stock needed to be kept for longer periods before being replenished. The respondents were also aware of the fact that rail would improve the situation if the infrastructure was sufficient. The respondents seemed to be of the opinion that the skills of the employees responsible for logistics were not a major influencing factor and that logistics service providers were in addition, not creating an overwhelming cost improvement. The incentive programmes were also not seen to be doing much to address the influence of logistics on the automotive industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Fourie, Quinton
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa -- Costs , Competition -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020217
- Description: The South African automotive industry has been identified as an important influence on the economy of South Africa. In particular, it plays a role in job creation in a country with high unemployment rates. However, being linked to a global industry, its competitive position and future relevance have come into question on numerous occasions. After a period of isolation and protection, the local industry had to enter global competition. The competitive playing field had suddenly widened from companies competing locally amongst each other for local market share, to competing globally for international sales. In addition it was found that competition was not only limited to opposing brands but also existed within the subsidiaries of the same brand. The reason for this was the existence of overcapacity in the manufacturing facilities internationally. Coupled with this, most of the dominant vehicle manufacturers were creating more capacity in developing markets to support demand as well as to benefit from cheaper resources. There are of course many influencing factors on the competitive position of such an important industry. The value chain has been identified as a tool to analyse and compare the activities within rival businesses or industry role players. Two primary activities within the value chain are inbound logistics and outbound logistics. The objective of the research was to investigate the influence of inbound and outbound logistics on the competitiveness of the South African automotive industry. A literature review created the conceptual framework for the research. It was necessary to discuss the automotive industry in a global sense to understand the history and trends of the development within the industry. It was also necessary to understand the South African automotive industry within this context to identify its place and relevance in global terms. It was found that, although important to the local economy, the local industry was not a dominant force to be reckoned with and was in fact being over taken by many of its competitors. Part of this investigation was spent on the development of the local industry in a protected environment and what it meant for the growth of local content and exports. This was also important as the component manufacturers based in South Africa need critical mass to create an efficient platform to be globally competitive. It was found that historic development programmes did not do much to improve this aspect but there is optimism about the latest programme which promotes an increase in production volumes. The state of logistics in South Africa was critically analysed to understand the influence it has on the automotive industry. It was found that although the logistics infrastructure within South Africa is the best in Africa, it is behind the standards of its competitors. This is influencing the automotive industry as a result of inadequate rail infrastructure. The reason for this was that most of the freight which was being transported by road would be more efficiently transported by rail. The cost of logistics was also found to be high in South Africa and skills were also a concern to improve the current situation. A research questionnaire was created from the findings of the literature review. The questionnaire formed the primary research tool for this study. The sample was identified as respondents from vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers who would have sufficient knowledge of this topic. It was found that inbound and outbound logistics costs formed a relatively large component of total costs. The high levels of imported parts being used as well as export levels added to the logistics costs. This also caused uneconomical inventory levels as stock needed to be kept for longer periods before being replenished. The respondents were also aware of the fact that rail would improve the situation if the infrastructure was sufficient. The respondents seemed to be of the opinion that the skills of the employees responsible for logistics were not a major influencing factor and that logistics service providers were in addition, not creating an overwhelming cost improvement. The incentive programmes were also not seen to be doing much to address the influence of logistics on the automotive industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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