Repository logo
 

Research Publications (Management Sciences)

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

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Growth

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Financial bootstrapping as a sustainable livelihood alternative for agricultural co-operatives in an emerging economy
    (Virtus Interpress, 2024) Zwane, Bonginkosi Keith; Nyide, Celani John; Sikwela, Misery; Mantzaris, Evangelos; Fuyane, Nkululeko
    There is a scarcity of scholarly literature relating to financial bootstrapping in emerging economies, especially the use by co operatives in general and agricultural co-operatives in particular. As such, the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co operatives in South Africa, an emerging economy, remain unknown (Rwekaza, 2021; Zantsi, 2021). The aim of this study is to determine the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co-operatives. This study was undergirded by pragmatism, which allowed and guided the adoption of mixed-methods research. The qualitative aspect was given more priority or weight in answering the research questions, making it a quan → QUAL design. The study consisted of 52 agricultural co-operatives located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was found that agricultural co-operatives practised some of the bootstrapping methods, especially those related to owner-related financing. However, there is little or no evidence of bootstrapping practices related to sharing resources and minimising capital invested in stock and accounts receivable. The co-operatives stifled their growth as they employed counter-bootstrapping activities caused mainly by their unsubstantiated beliefs. This research furnishes rural cooperatives with operational capital-enhancing guidelines that promote success
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Rural entrepreneurship : an insight into impeding factors influencing micro-entrepreneurial growth
    (The Clute Institute, 2016) Babalola, Sunday Samson; Agbenyegah, Albert Tchey
    The call for the growth of successful entrepreneurial activities across the globe raised the need to determine the influencing factors affecting micro-entrepreneurial growth. Hence, this study adopted a cross-sectional survey design to examine determinants of micro-entrepreneurial growth among micro-entrepreneurs. Two hundred and eighty-two micro-entrepreneurs were sampled through snowball and convenience techniques. The findings showed that stepwise multiple regression analysis identified four models in the prediction of micro-entrepreneurial growth. Specifically, operational challenge (β = -.35, p < .001), lack of support, β = -.17, p < .001), workforce challenge (β = .22, p < .001), and personal factors (β = -.21, p < .01) are significant predictors of micro-entrepreneurial growth. The findings were discussed in line with the literature while recommendations in terms of decision-making applications, and provision of developmental programs in assisting rural entrepreneurship for enhancement of growth were suggested.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The role of integrated marketing communications in enhancement of SMEs growth in South Africa
    (IFRD, 2014-04) Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele
    The intention of this paper is to discover and empirically test the knowledge gap exist with regard to the role that integrated marketing communication (IMC) plays in the enhancement of SMEs growth. A quantitative approach is followed in this paper, with a questionnaire as the research instrument and questionnaire items established through a literature review. A sample of 374 SMEs owners/managers agreed to complete the questionnaire. In order to give a descriptive overview of variables relevant to the objectives of the study, a Cronbach test was performed. Certain ability in marketing communication by SMEs was evident from the sample. However, very few marketing communication tools are fully applied in order to enhance SMEs growth. A significant starting point, in attaching importance to the role of IMC enhancement of SMEs growth, is constituted by this paper’s sample, even though it is restrictively small. Practitioners may, from this paper, understand where intervention guidelines are needed, in order to improve an IMC plan needed for SMEs. Compared to previous research done on large company practices, this paper represents an original trial to empirically apply the marketing communication approach within SMEs.