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Theses and dissertations (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/14

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    Learning and adaptive management mechanisms in implementing development programs in Zaka district, Zimbabwe
    (2022) Mapfumo, Trust; Govender, Ivan Gunass
    The aim of the study was to investigate the application and importance of Learning and Adaptive Management by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MWACSMED) and beneficiaries when implementing development programs in Zaka district. The study investigated the objectives of the programs implemented by MWACSMED in Zaka district, the extent to which learning, risk management and adaptive management mechanisms are used by MWACSMED Zaka district are effective. The study also examined the challenges faced MWACSMED and beneficiaries with development programs in Zaka district. The study also aimed at developing a model for learning, risk management, adaptive management, monitoring, and evaluation for the efficient and effective implementation of development programs and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, Adaptive and Risk Management model (MELARM) was developed. The researcher chose to conduct his research in this area because Zaka district is one of the districts in the country that is heavily reliant on subsistence farming, with farmers lacking adequate rain and inputs. Furthermore, there is no other industry or activity in the district that contributes to people's well-being. According to Chingarande and Matondi (2020:3), Zaka district is in a province that is reliant on activities such as livestock production, irrigated farming, wildlife conservation and smallholder agricultural production to support its population. Zimbabwe, where Zaka district is in the province of Masvingo used to be one of Southern Africa’s most vibrant, productive, and resilient countries, but the country has been facing economic and political challenges for close to two decades linked to decades of poor governance and corruption. Approximately 63% of Zimbabwean households are living in poverty and 16% in extreme poverty (USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy 2016-2021:4). Given the above challenges in Zimbabwe, it is important to investigate whether decisionmakers are investing in long-term management approaches such as Adaptive Management. Decision-makers tend to be reluctant to invest in long-term management approaches which cover the concept of Adaptive Management and choose small-scale experiments instead. Moreover, they do not utilize opportunities to adjust and make improvements in their approach to management. Managers have often been making decisions based on funding opportunities that are short-term and political requests, rather than using the actual objectives of a program. The study used the quantitative approach in the form of a questionnaire that was designed using Google forms and shared through a link that was send to research participants through emails and WhatsApp. The sample population for the research questionnaire was 10 officials from MWACSMED and 7 beneficiaries of the programs managed by the Ministry in Zaka district. As shown by the study, the Ministry has not yet fully recognized the use of Learning and Adaptive Management to address the complexity and uncertainty of development programs. The Ministry has been managing programs through traditional monitoring and evaluation systems. The results of the study show that the Ministry was not using Adaptive Management approaches or learning thorough monitoring and evaluation systems, which may be because of socio-economic and political reasons. The introduction of adaptive programming and management calls for using information and learning to inform adjustments during implementation, which requires monitoring and evaluation systems that go beyond reporting on pre-specified indicators The study made recommendations for Learning and Adaptive Management mechanisms that are essential for development projects. The study also drafted a model known as the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, Adaptive and Risk Management Framework (MELARM). These recommendations are all based on the findings of the study. In general, government departments should avoid traditional thinking about program cycles, and they should merge program design, implementation, and evaluation through Learning and Adaptive Management. Government departments/agencies should also identify and document how procurement, contracting, work planning, reporting and risk management can foster adaptive programming and management to achieve intended development goals.
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    The influence of digital transformation on the growth of small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal
    (2021) Jeza, Sanele; Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele
    Digital transformation has become the driver of the current market in the world of business. Globally, the business environment has become highly dynamic, unpredictable, and competitive due to external forces that generate change, mostly “technology”. Existing data indicate that the arrival of digital transformation is forcing businesses to change the way they operate. Therefore, a warning to any enterprise to rethink the way they operate, to maintain their competitive advantage. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of digital transformation and assess its impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, the study aimed to explore the extent to which South African SMEs implement digital transformation using the case study of KwaZulu-Natal. Moreover, the investigation determined the factors that challenge digital transformation in SMEs. A qualitative design was used to collect data through semi-structured interviews, with eight interviews conducted in Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Eight SMEs representatives were interviewed and responded to the questions. In the analysis of data, various factors were identified that link SMEs and the arrival of digital technologies. In the effectiveness of digital transformation, the study identified that themes such as “gaining exposure” and “gaining effective sales figures” result from implementing digital transformation. In reference to its impact on SMEs, the analysed data illustrate that digital transformation has a huge impact in building customer relationships and ensuring easy accessibility of the business. As to the extent of implementation, the collected and analysed data indicate mainly online selling and digital marketing as the main digital platforms successfully implemented by most SMEs. Lastly, the study reveals that factors such as digital maintenance and rapid changes in technology are the main challenging factors of digital transformation in SMEs. In the final analysis of data, the study recommends that South African SMEs must improve digital transformation implementation by extending more digital marketing to gain more exposure. Every business desire competitive advantage in the business sector, therefore, every SME must adapt to the new ways of doing business by implementing effective digital transformation.
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    The influence of customer-supplier relationships through the facilitation of credit on the development of micro enterprises in the Sobonakhona Makhanya tribal area of KwaZulu-Natal
    (2009) Maome, Itumeleng Judith; De Beer, Marie
    The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of customer-supplier relationships through facilitation of credit on the development of Micro enterprises in the Sobonakhona Makhanya Tribal Area of KZN. This study originates from the fact that there are many SMME‟s in South Africa, absorbing about 15 million people (DTI, 1995:7). Even though this sector is providing most of the employment in the country, they still find it difficult to arrange funds to start or expand their businesses. Lending institutions do not want to provide finance for them, and if they do, they do it with reluctance and reservations. As a result, SMME‟s are not able to grow and develop into big businesses. This is a quantitative and exploratory research study which was used to explore, for the first time in Sobonakhona Makhanya Tribal area, the relationship between customer-supplier relationships and accessibility of credit facilities. The study made use of questionnaires to obtain the respondents‟ perceptions on the research questions developed. A questionnaire that consisted of 35 questions was distributed to 50 SMME owners in Adams Mission, Madundube and Umbumbulu (AMU) villages. Cronbach‟s reliability analysis was not applied as it was not appropriate for use with this questionnaire. The research showed that a relationship between customers and suppliers assists SMME‟s to obtain access to credit facilities. Added to this, SMME owners, who had access to credit facilities, experienced positive changes in their businesses. This serves to prove that access to credit is essential for the development of SMME‟s. As a result, recommendations to train and educate SMME owners on how to manage their businesses, how to apply for credit and the requirements needed for applications have been set out.
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    The ability of the South African Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme to promote economic growth and employment
    (2008) Jessup, Dylan; Myburgh, Cornelius; Raap, Peter John
    The ability of the South African Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme to promote economic growth and employment. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offers the Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme (SMEDP) incentive grant programme to qualifying manufacturers in South Africa. The status of the progress of this incentive grant programme is unknown. The DTI alluded to an impact study in the 2004 DTI Annual Report but no further reference or publication of results of the impact study has been made. The objectives of the study are to investigate the following three criteria of the SMEDP and to develop benchmarks and recommendations for future incentive grants offered by the DTI. • Rationale for implementation of SMEDP; • Exploration of SMEDP merits; and • Measure of SMEDP success. The study is a secondary analysis design with both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative component allows the researcher to reflect on the process by which the incentive programme under investigation came into being, whilst the quantitative component allows for comment on the result of the process as per the markers developed in the qualitative component of the design. There were 152 sample cases used in the study. The outcome measures are the output measures stated in the Medium Term Strategic Plan which are: • The number of jobs sustained. v i • The number of jobs created. • The number of Greenfield’s projects supported. • The fixed investment in Rand terms. • The improvement in employment levels. The DTI achieved certain of the stated objectives. The empirical data analysed confirms the achievement of these objectives. There is scope for further empirical investigation for the future development of incentive grants. The contribution of the SMEDP to economic growth and employment growth is evident and such government interventions should be continued. The recommendations from the study include further investigation into the following areas to improve the benefits provided by manufacturing incentive programmes: • Limit the incentive to a specified Rand value per job created; • Volume driven turnover growth not price driven turnover growth; • The continued inclusion of expansions in future programme; and • Specified sector programmes i.e. textile sector.