Repository logo
 

Theses and dissertations (Management Sciences)

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

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.SMMEs

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Service quality at Durban University of Technology, Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator
    (2023-06) Nyamurima, Solomon; Ramchander, Manduth
    Business incubators have emerged as crucial mechanisms for fostering entrepreneurship and propelling global economic growth. These programmes provide aspiring entrepreneurs with essential resources, mentoring, and support services in order to facilitate the creation and launch of successful businesses. As a consequence, business incubators have become essential components of government agencies, particularly those with a primary focus on entrepreneurship. The study aims to assess the quality of service provided by the Durban University of Technology Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (DUT CSERI). The SERVQUAL questionnaire was used to assess the expectations and perceptions of SMMEs in relation to five quality dimensions. Non-probability sampling and convenience sampling were utilised to select 330 SMMEs affiliated with the DUT CSERI. Inferential and descriptive statistical analyses were utilised to assess the quality provided by the DUT CSERI. This study revealed that the DUT CSERI provides SMMEs with exceptional service quality. This is evidenced by the fact that SMME’s perceptions of service quality exceeded their expectations. However, there is room for continuous improvement, as five out of twenty-two service quality gaps were successfully identified. It is recommended that CSERI improve its tangibility and reliability service quality dimensions
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The marketing strategies used by emerging building contractors in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo
    (2020-09) Selamolela, Mafeta David; Amisi, Baruti B.
    This study explores The Marketing strategies used by emerging building contractors in the Polokwane Municipality which falls under the Capricorn district of Limpopo province, South Africa. It was motivated by the high failure rate of emerging building contractors. The aim is to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing strategies employed by emerging building contractors. Every business needs a winning marketing strategy to strengthen both its market position and presence. The high failure rate of emerging building contractors is of great concern to government, beneficiaries and the owners themselves. Research has shown that businesses with no clear-cut marketing strategy are prone to collapse. A case in point is marketing in the construction industry. Emerging building contractors have failed to compete adequately among themselves due to a lack of marketing skills, little or no knowledge of how to develop a marketing plan or its importance, insufficient capital, and a lack of access to markets. The respondents in the study were drawn from four important bodies in the construction industry in the Polokwane municipality, namely the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and the South African Women in Construction (SAWIC). It is required by law that all building contractors be registered with the CIDB. A quantitative method of data collection and analysis was used namely simple, random sampling to supply 75 potential respondents (33 women and 42 men). Two thirds (22 women and 28 men) of the 75 individuals were found to have active status on the CIDB register, while the registration of the remaining 25 had expired. Thereafter, descriptive ad inferential statistics were used to aggregate and correlate data. The results of this study showed that we do not reject null hypothesis H0, since (t (48) = 0.122, p=0.903) while mean and standard deviation of the marketing strategies are M = 24.16%, SD = 3.51%. The data indicates that the emerging contractors did not have marketing strategies all together. The findings of the study may assist the emerging building contractors to develop marketing strategies in order to enhance the construction fraternity and lead to growth and future profitability.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An assessment of the impact of quality standards on the business performance of small, medium and micro-sized enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal : selected cases in the Durban Metropolitan area
    (2019-10) Mkhize, Phindile Buyile; Matsiliza, Noluthando S.; Nombela-Mseleku, N.
    The aim of this research is to assess the impact of quality standards on the business performance of SMMEs in KwaZulu-Natal, with specific reference to selected cases in the Durban Metropolitan Area. Over the years, organizations have been frequently criticised for failing to comply with the quality standards such as the SANS 9001 / ISO 9001 that are required for effective implementation of Quality Management Systems and SANS 342 which provides specifications for diesel fuel products. Quality standards are defined as a set of detailed specifications, requirements, various guidelines and characteristics to be adopted in order to provide assurance that the product, service or process is fit for purpose. The perception amongst organizations has often been that systems and products certification do not add value towards improved business processes, best practices and customer satisfaction. It is further argued that product certification is erroneously perceived by organizations as a marketing tool and strategy that is needed for business survival and larger market penetration. The focus of this study is to critically evaluate the correlation between quality standards and organizational performance. Whilst looking at the impact of quality standards, the study critically assesses the holistic approach used in the adoption of quality standards. In order to meet the objectives of this study, the research adopts a mixed method approach. However, the quantitative approach is predominant since data will be collected using completed questionnaires, which can be quantified. This study was restricted to a targeted population and therefore the sample size was limited to twenty SMMEs, comprising ten non-certified SMMEs and ten certified SMMEs. This study adopted a qualitative research approach to collect and analyse data. The research methodology involved the use of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The surveys used to collect data involved both certified and non-certified organizations regardless of the type and size of business. Hence the scope covered businesses that manufacture products as well as those rendering services. The hypotheses to be tested and the results emanating from the survey formed an integral part of the research conclusions, recommendations for intervention and contemplated areas for further research. The study established that there is a positive relationship between the adoption of quality standards and business excellence of SMMEs. Based on the findings, several recommendations have been made including the significant role of government in the mitigation of the challenges and barriers associated with the acquisition of statutory quality management systems and compliance of quality standards as experienced by SMMEs
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An assessment of reporting tools used for corporate social responsibility in the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Sector in Kwazulu-Natal
    (2021-04) Buthelezi, Mthokozisi; Rampersad, Renitha; Gopaul, Roger
    Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are considered as the key role drivers in order to close the gap of inequality, particularly when it comes to investing in disadvantaged communities. In South Africa, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is proposed as a strategy to revive the competitiveness of SMMEs. As global competitiveness continues to be a momentous trend, the notion of CSR is proposed as an impressive strategy to invigorate the operations and competitiveness of SMMEs. The aim of this study was to assess the reporting tools used for CSR in the SMME sector in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). In so doing, this study utilised a qualitative research approach to assess the reporting tools used by the SMME sector. Nonprobability and judgmental sampling was used to obtain participants. The target population was selected from the three geographic areas in KZN, namely Pietermaritzburg, Durban and Richards Bay. The population centered on 15 CEO’s, and 15 general public representatives that had benefited from the CSR projects of the 15 selected enterprises. The participants were selected by the researcher based on their involvement on CSR. In-depth interviews, observation, and focus group discussions were conducted by the researcher to collect primary data from the SMME CEO’s and the beneficiaries from their companies. The study revealed that some SMMEs used platforms such as meetings and strategic sessions to report on their CSR engagements. The findings further outlined that social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were the most preferred reporting tools by SMME owners. The fact that these tools did not cost the company much was considered to be a major motivator for the adoption. Given that majority of SMMEs are actively engaged in CSR, most of them did not report their programmes at all to their stakeholders even though there are free tools that can be utilised. The study has provided additional contribution to the current literature on CSR and SMMEs. It further provided recommendations on how SMMEs can implement CSR programmes efficiently and use appropriate tools to communicate and report their CSR activities competently.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Sustainable business strategy for small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (2022-04) Bugwandin, Vinay; Bayat, Mohamed Saheed
    Business sustainability in today’s world is primarily arduous owing to global economic and financial crises. In the first quarter of 2019, according to Statistics South Africa the Gross Domestic Product deteriorated by 3.2%. Similarly in KwaZulu-Natal, the state of sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises were on the decline and the majority (75%) of small and medium enterprises failed after operating for three years. The purpose of this research was to formulate a business strategy to achieve sustainability for small and medium enterprises. Small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal do not sustain themselves for long term periods due to the underlying problem being strategy formulation. Hence, the need for a strategy to achieve sustainability. The mixed methodology approach was used in this empirical study using the survey and interview methods. The target population of 488 000, a confidence level of 95%, margin of error of 5% and a 50% response rate was used which indicated a sample size of 384 respondents. Upon completion of the data collection, a total of 200 responses were obtained within a capped period of 30 days, which accounted for >52% of the target sample size. Furthermore, the grounded theory was employed on a target of 20 individuals, whereby the participants were interviewed to investigate opinions towards strategy development and sustainability in KwaZulu-Natal. The core element of ‘Strategy’ and the sub-elements of ‘Change’, ‘Purpose’ and ‘Leadership’ were investigated. It was found that ‘Change’, ‘Purpose’ and ‘Leadership’ were the main contributors towards achieving sustainability. Furthermore, a Systems Thinking Model was used successfully to indicate the interdependencies to purport the goal of achieving sustainability. Ultimately it was found that ‘Strategy’, ‘Change’, ‘Purpose’, and ‘Leadership’ were required to achieve a ‘Sustainable Business Strategy’. Due cognisance should be taken by leaders, from the perspectives of ‘Change’, ‘Purpose’ and ‘Leadership’, to formulate a strategy which sustains the business. A conceptual framework was developed for small and medium enterprises to achieve a sustainable business strategy.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The influence of key risk drivers on the performance of SMMEs in the manufacturing sector in KwaZulu-Natal
    (2021-12) Zhou, Helper; Gumbo, Victor
    Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) have been shown to be key contributors to sustainable socio-economic development, constituting more than 90% of private sector enterprises around the world. Inevitably, many developing countries continue to explore means aimed at enhancing the performance of small enterprises. However, despite the implementation of various interventions the failure rate of SMMEs in South Africa particularly KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is disturbing, reaching up to 80% in the first year of operation. As such, to contribute to addressing this challenge, the study adopted a novel approach to establishing and modelling manufacturing SMMEs performance drivers. Utilising a unique three-year panel dataset, key risk drivers were established and modelled via R software version 3.6.3. To achieve the study objectives, a series of independent but related papers were carried out and these make up the main chapters of this thesis. The first chapter provided the background to the study. The second chapter explored the characteristics of manufacturing SMMEs based in KZN province. The findings showed the complexity of firm performance, indicating the heterogeneity between rural and urban based SMMEs. The next chapter, harnessing Stochastic theory aimed to establish whether SMMEs’ growth performance followed a random walk. The theoretical model was rejected, thus providing a basis for the claim that firm performance is a function of certain risk drivers. Armed with findings from the previous papers, the investigation of key drivers impacting the sales and growth performance of manufacturing SMMEs ensued. The fourth chapter, harnessing the Penrosian and strategic management theories established key drivers of SMMEs’ performance. The fifth chapter concerningly, revealed that SMME owners in the manufacturing sector are largely not aware of the impact of established drivers on their enterprises’ performance. In the next chapter, a total of five machine learning algorithms were evaluated of which Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Machines were identified as the best algorithms for SMME sales and growth predictive modelling, respectively. The two algorithms informed the development of a dedicated machine learning application for SMMEs that’s being commercialised through the DUT Technology Transfer and Innovation Directorate.