MBA & MM Theses

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Micro enterprises

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    THE USE OF MOBILE CELLULAR PHONES IN MICROENTERPRISES
    (2011-06-23) Tsotetsi, Khopotso
    This report presents the findings of an applied research study designed to explore the use of mobile cellular phones in micro-enterprises based at Pretoria. In particular, the report, considers the core research question: Are informal, survivalist micro-enterprises based in Pretoria realising the full potential of cellular phones to support the growth, development and sustainability of their businesses? What measures must be taken to advance the effective use of mobile cellular phones in informal, survivalist micro-enterprises. The context of the study is the assertion expressed in literature that indicates that the survival changes of micro-enterprises in South Africa beyond a period of three years is poor, despite the potential of mobile cellular phones to support productivity and efficiency gains in business. Hence, the exploratory study was designed to contribute towards the formulation of appropriate polices, strategies and interventions to improve micro-enterprises’ use of mobile cellular phones as tools to support business development. The study is also informed by the stipulations of the United Nations World Summit on Information Society Declaration which was signed by a significant number of heads of state in 2003. The WSIS Declaration (2003) indicates that that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are an important enabler of small enterprises’ growth through efficiency gains and increased productivity. Moreover, productivity growth depends on using existing tools more effectively and efficiently to yield bigger results. A focus group methodology was employed to enable the realisation of the research aim and question. The methodology allowed for a detailed explanation on experiences, perceptions, and why particular use patterns of cellular phones are prevalent amongst informal, survivalist micro-enterprises. The methodology also enabled the participants to put the experiences in their own words, and express attitudes, feelings, experiences, meaning and rationale underpinning usage. Moreover, the report also outlined a wide range of relevant literature and research studies that shed light on the topic. The study did not seek to draw conclusions for generalisation, rather, it has endeavoured to encourage reflection, deepen existing research and inform further debate. ii The report revealed that in order to understand usage of mobile services, as a precursor, it is important to understand the micro-enterprise business needs, in terms of the form of business they own, characteristics thereof, their information needs and information sourcing practices. The study affirmed that a mobile cellular phone is an integral part of micro-enterprises, consistent with key arguments of numerous researchers and authors. Two statements of some of the focus group members capture the essence of the sentiments expressed about the significance of a mobile cellular phone in micro-enterprises, namely, “If I can stop to use a cell phone, my business would suffocate and die”. ”A cell phone for me is my office”. The report revealed that the micro-enterprises in Pretoria used the mobile cellular phone to communicate and interact with other businesses and customers. However, the micro-enterprise owners did not use a cellular phone effectively to attain support from Government and transact with public entities. It also emerged from the study that the most used functions or services of a cellular phone in micro-enterprises were a voice call and short text messages. A mobile TV, internet, video and camera functions were not widely and effectively utilised in the businesses. The report concludes that though the microenterprise owners from Pretoria which participated in the focus group had an access to mobile cellular phones, they did not fully utilise all the features, applications and services available to support business activities. A cellular phone had a potential to support micro-enterprise growth and development but the potential thereof was not fully realised in the micro-enterprises. It was also revealed that the model of a cellular phone, form of business activities engaged by the microenterprise, needs of the business, level of awareness and socio-economic factors such as age, skills of the owner and the cost of the technology influenced the mobile cellular phone usage pattern of micro-enterprise owners that participated in the focus group. The main recommendation of the report is that Government should package information and services to convey over the cellular phone for micro-enterprises to use and should intensify awareness programmes to educate the micro-enterprise owners about how the cellular phone applications can be used effectively in business
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    CONSTRAINTS FACING MICRO ENTERPRISES
    (2011-05-23) Morrison-Jones, Alan Roger
    South African townships are characterised by generally high levels of unemployment and poverty. Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are seen to be a fruitful source of jobs that generate income, which in turn relieve poverty. The purpose of this research was to obtain an understanding of the constraints facing micro enterprises in South African townships. It is envisaged that this understanding of the constraints facing the micro enterprises will assist government, business and other institutions to provide a favourable environment for SMMEs to operate in, and hence contribute to relieving unemployment and poverty. This research comprised case studies of six micro enterprises on the Vosloorus Industrial Estate, in the Vosloorus township. The micro enterprises selected ranged across a number of skill sets, including welders, auto mechanics, panel beaters and furniture makers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the micro enterprise owners. A semi-structured interview was also held with: Khula Enterprises, the owners of the industrial estate; Mr Nhlapo, the chairman of Gapipa (Gauteng Province Industrial Parks Association – refer to Section 2.6); and Patson Ngwevela, the councillor for the applicable ward in which the industrial estate is located. Several constraints to the growth of the micro enterprises were identified. Micro enterprises need to continuously adapt to environmental changes in order to survive and grow. In other words, the micro enterprises need to adapt their internal environments so that they are relevant to their external environment. As a result of this need, the key constraints identified were classified under the headings of external constraints, internal constraints and the constraints with the support structures. The key external constraints identified were the high levels of unemployment and poverty, and the competition from the backyard and street corner enterprises. The key internal constraints identified were the fact that the micro enterprises operated informally, the fact that the micro enterprise owner’s skills were unaccredited, and the fact that marketing was in essence passive. The key constraints identified with the support structures were the lack of awareness and the lack of trust in the support structures
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    BARRIERS TO GROWTH FOR RURAL WOMEN IN
    (2011-05-06) Kern, Judith Johanna
    This study explores the barriers that rural women, who run micro enterprises in rural South Africa, encounter in their work and how these affect the growth of their businesses. The research is based on a qualitative case study approach. Five business women living and working in the rural KwaZulu-Natal were interviewed and observed. The purposes of this study were to identify barriers to growth and to understand empowerment needs to overcome the barriers. The findings of this study show that rural women have to deal with 31 barriers in growing enterprises. They face not only financial barriers, but also bear the burden of living in isolation, on the periphery of development. The women are constrained and marginalised through weak infrastructure, low support from institutions, government and the legacy of the past. The findings show that the women are, however, able to overcome their problems. They are capacitating themselves through building networks, forming cooperatives, skilling themselves, acquiring access to cell phones and finding coping mechanisms to deal with their lives and businesses
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    SOCIAL CAPITAL IN WOMEN LED
    (2011-05-05) ZONGE, PATIENCE
    This study explores the implications of social capital for micro and small enterprises owned by women in the rural district of Chimanimani in Zimbabwe. With entrepreneurial activity being recognized as largely socially embedded, the aim of the study is to unravel the gender dimensions to social capital and how these manifest on rural women owned small businesses. A qualitative approach was taken in this study, the study site being Chimanimani, a rural district in the east of Zimbabwe. With social capital being associated with social networks, norms and values, the findings of this study suggest that there are gender dimensions to social capital which determine women’s access to, the level of and quality of their participation in social networks. This in turn influences the outcomes accruing to them as a result of their social capital. The existence of gendered norms and values in the community under study that largely constrain women’s choices and freedoms was concluded as confining women to smaller networks, which are dense and not diverse enough to be able to attract wider resources towards enhancing their enterprises. Women’s network activity was also seen to be limited with access to more powerful networks and positions of influence within networks largely seen to be the preserve of men. This again was seen as contributing to limited opportunity broadening for women led enterprises. Thus in as much as popular social capital literature widely acclaims the beneficial nature of social capital in enhancing economic activity; this study strongly suggest that social capital experiences and outcomes are amongst other things a function of gender with women’s participation in network activity not necessarily translating to the accrual of net benefits for their enterprises