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Faculty of Management Sciences

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    The influence of emerging technologies on small and medium manufacturing enterprises in eThekwini District Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal
    (2022-09) Ntuli, Lindokuhle Senamile; Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele
    Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa (SA) contribute meaningfully to economic growth, poverty reduction, social stability and job creation. Research on the influence emerging technologies have on SME has been conducted all over the world; however, few studies focused on the manufacturing sector, with specific reference to the eThekwini District Municipality. Therefore, this research study aims to explain and clearly define the factors that influence manufacturing SMEs in the eThekwini District Municipality towards adoption of emerging technologies, in order to enhance productivity and business processes which, in turn, result in improved customer satisfaction. Furthermore, this study examines how emerging technologies influence SMEs operating in the eThekwini District Municipality. The factors influencing adoption of emerging technologies among manufacturing SMEs in eThekwini remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the influence emerging technologies will have on the manufacturing SMEs operating in the eThekwini District Municipality. Data were collected from the sample of 300 manufacturing SME owners/managers in the eThekwini District Municipality, selected by means of non-probability stratified sampling, with respondents completing a questionnaire with the support of the researcher. The study used quantitative techniques. Results from the questionnaire survey reveal that most manufacturing SMEs in the eThekwini District Municipality who were respondents in the study are still at an infant stage with emerging technologies, due to financial constraints and lack of skills expertise associated with the cost of emerging technologies. However, these small enterprises do consider the use of emerging technologies such as computer devices, the cloud and emails to gain competitive advantage and improve production. Further research should aim to establish training programmes that will offer manufacturing SMEs emerging technologies skills and encourage the use of emerging technologies as the world is changing with technologies so they can be innovative.
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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.