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Theses and dissertations (Accounting and Informatics)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/4

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    Factors influencing innovative leadership in mobilising small and medium enterprises (SMEs) towards smart manufacturing in Pietermaritzburg
    (2023) Maphumulo, Sydney Dumisani; Nyide, Celani John
    Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are regarded as effective drivers of inclusive economic growth and expansion in South Africa and globally. After noting the significance of SMEs and their contribution to the economy, it is helpful to observe how their growth and sustainability is being maintained through the adoption and utilisation of smart manufacturing techniques and innovative leadership. Consequently, this study highlighted the significance of SME adoption of innovative leadership in smart manufacturing. The main aim was to critically examine factors influencing innovative leadership in mobilising SMEs towards smart manufacturing in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. A quantitative research approach was adopted with census sampling; 102 manufacturing SMEs registered in the Msunduzi Municipality database participated. The data was analysed using the latest version of SPSS V 29.0.1. The findings of this research indicate that the use of robotic technology among manufacturing SMEs is very limited. Moreover, the adoption of internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence technologies is still very low. Therefore, the general finding is that the utilisation of smart manufacturing processes by SMEs in the manufacturing sector in Pietermaritzburg is still in its infancy. This study also found that there is substantial evidence supporting the presence of innovative leadership practices in SMEs operating in the manufacturing sector. This provides an opportunity for these companies to advance the smart manufacturing agenda through effective leadership. The study found a number of factors that had an impact on the use of smart manufacturing processes and innovative leadership.
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    The influence of leadership styles on small medium enterprise survival in the manufacturing sector within Msunduzi Municipality
    (2019-08-21) Mchunu, Nelisiwe Mary-Anne; Nyide, Celani John; Dongwe, C. K.
    Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key contributors to the South African economy. In order to survive the current volatile economy, SME leaders need to implement leadership styles that are good for the survival of businesses in the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector in South Africa is growing at a slower pace in comparison to other sectors due to high labour and production costs. However, implementing a management system, such as, suitable leadership style creates the competitive advantage necessary for survival. The aim of the study was to identify the leadership styles used by SMEs in the manufacturing sector within Msunduzi Municipality and to determine the effectiveness of leadership styles on enterprise success and survival. Managers and other people in authority in organisations adopt certain leadership styles in order to communicate with their subordinates with regard to the execution of tasks. Adopting unsuitable leadership styles impacts negatively on business performance. The study was conducted at SMEs in the manufacturing sector within the Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal. This project emphasised the context of leaders of SMEs and the amount of influence or non-influence that leadership has on the survival of the business. A quantitative research design was adopted for the study; a structured closed-ended questionnaire based on the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) developed by Avolio, and Bass (2004) was used to collect data from the sample respondents. The target population comprised 686 SMEs. A random sampling technique was used and a sample size of 200 was drawn. A response rate of 68% was successfully achieved. The researcher used personal and email methods of data collection. The data collected from the sample respondents were captured on Microsoft Excel and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Several hypotheses were formulated and tested using the Pearson’s Chi-Square. Results revealed that applying a transformational leadership style in managing a business tends to increase the length of business survival. The opposite is true regarding the laissez-faire leadership style. The study further revealed that there is no evidence to suggest that a transactional leadership style has any effect on the survival length of SMEs in the manufacturing sector. Tentative recommendations suggest that leadership in SMEs should adopt a leadership style that is best for the survival of the business.