Research Publications (Management Sciences)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217
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Item The role of integrated promotional strategies in aiding the success of SMMEs in the retail sector in Durban(2024-03-05) Mahohoma, N.; Agbenyegah, A. T.The success of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Durban's retail sector is crucial for both the local economic vitality and community engagement. Despite this importance, these enterprises often struggle with maintaining visibility and competitiveness. However, there is a solution in the form of integrated promotional strategies, which bring together different marketing channels to deliver a coherent message to the target audience. To further understand the impact of these strategies, this study aims to delve into their role in the success of retail SMMEs in Durban. 217 owner-managers of retail SMMEs in Durban provided data using self-administered questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale, resulting in 88% response rate. Analysing the data using a variety of descriptive and inferential methods, we utilised the statistical software SPSS Version 29. The results displayed an overall agreement among respondents regarding the effectiveness of integrated promotional strategies such as sales promotion, branding, digital marketing, and social media. However, respondents had divided opinions on the effectiveness of public relations, email communication, and telemarketing. In conclusion, it was evident that integrated promotional strategies play a crucial role in the success of retail small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Durban by boosting visibility, strengthening brand recognition, and fostering customer engagement. Through the implementation of personalised and cohesive promotional strategies, SMMEs can better navigate the competitive market and ultimately attain long-term growth and success.Item 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, IsmailThe 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.Item Sustainable entrepreneurship strategies for SMME development in the fourth industrial revolution within KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa(Private Company Technology Center, 2022) Sheik, Ismail; Kader, AbdullaThe 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.Item Rural-urban comparison of manufacturing SMMEs performance in KwaZulu Natal province, South Africa(Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2021-03-01) Zhou, Helper; Gumbo, VictorThe paper investigated the role of location on the performance attributes of manufacturing Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa’s second-largest province of KwaZulu Natal (KZN). Panel data from 191 SMMEs covering three years between 2015 and 2017 were analysed using R software. The results utilising the Random Effects Within-Between (REWB) technique show that SMMEs in KZN have related characteristics but the extent to which they influence performance is moderated by location. The findings also indicate that the use of digital media and liability registration negatively affects the performance of urban-based, with no effect on rural-based enterprises. Based on the findings, it was recommended that SMMEs in KZN should focus on productivity, permanent employees, temporary employees and total assets to drive performance despite their locations. Based on this study, the government has an informed basis for the development of effective interventions for SMMEs in the province.