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Research Publications (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217

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Author: search.filters.author.Sheik, IsmailHas files: Yes

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    Navigating the digital divide : exploring the multifaceted 4IR challenges and technological disparities encountered by SMMEs within KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (Private Company Technology Center, 2023) Sheik, Ismail
    The dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been a harbinger of unparalleled technological innovations, reshaping industries and economies at an unprecedented pace. While these advancements promise a new frontier of opportunities, they also bring forth a myriad of challenges, particularly for Small, Micro, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMMEs). This research delves deep into the multifaceted challenges and technological disparities encountered by SMMEs in the wake of 4IR, with a concentrated lens on the enterprises operating within the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. At the heart of this exploration is the pronounced digital divide, which exacerbates the gulf between well-resourced corporations and SMMEs. The divide is not just technological but extends to areas like access to finance, digital literacy, infrastructure, and the agility to adapt to rapidly changing business environments. As these SMMEs grapple with the challenges of integrating into the digital economy, they face hurdles such as limited access to advanced technological tools, cybersecurity threats, the high cost of digital transformation, and a dearth of skilled manpower to navigate the complexities of 4IR. Furthermore, the research sheds light on the systemic and infrastructural challenges in the KwaZulu-Natal region, which further compound the difficulties faced by local SMMEs. From inconsistent internet access and electricity issues to the lack of tailored training programs and financial schemes, these enterprises find themselves in a precarious position, trying to bridge the chasm between traditional business models and the demands of the digital age. By offering an in-depth analysis of these challenges, this study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles that SMMEs face in the current 4IR-driven economic climate. It emphasizes the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, involving governments, industry leaders, educational institutions, and financial institutions, to collaboratively develop strategies, policies, and interventions that can empower SMMEs. Through targeted support, capacity-building initiatives, and fostering an ecosystem of innovation, there's potential to not only narrow the digital divide but to position these enterprises as key players in South Africa's 4IR journey. This research, thus, serves as both a clarion call and a foundational blueprint for ensuring that no enterprise, regardless of its size, is left behind in this transformative era.
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    Sustainable entrepreneurship strategies for SMME development in the fourth industrial revolution within KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (Private Company Technology Center, 2022) Sheik, Ismail; Kader, Abdulla
    The emergence of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) poses the risk of bringing about a new wave of disparities due to changed employment patterns and a global economic environment that is experiencing rapid transformation. Automation and so-called «thinking machines» are displacing humans in a variety of professions and functions, which in turn is causing businesses to reevaluate the competencies they seek in prospective workers. The main goal of sustainable economic participation in the 4IR is to harness the localized economic potential by promoting innovation to all its growth aspects. This is accomplished via a unified approach to development rather than a «one size fits all» solution. To that aim, small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) is one of the most crucial pillars that support the economy. As a result, sustainable entrepreneurship in the context of the 4IR was approached in this research as an outcome-based local initiative that that was addressed by key stakeholders. The fundamental purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that led to the successful identification and utilization of local resources, ideas, and skills by entrepreneurs in order to stimulate economic growth and development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the problems faced by company owners and the impact that provincial and national government aid had on their ability to continue operations. In this study, qualitative research technique and an exploratory research methodology were employed. The 12 SMMEs comprising the study's population are located in the eThekwini area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The participants in the study were not selected by chance, but rather on the basis of a predetermined criterion aimed at senior management. Semi-structured interviews constituted the entirety of the data collection. The data was analyzed via NVivo and thematic analysis. This research has contributed to the subject by presenting a business sustainability strategy for SMMEs, with the aim of enhancing the performance and growth of these firms in an uncertain digital realm.