Impact of enterprise development training on the performance of small retail businesses in Gauteng

Abstract

Context - Small, Medium, Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), which include small retail businesses, are considered as how South Africa's national development plan (NDP) will achieve its socio-economic goals. The NDP aims to ensure growth and sustainability in the country by having 90% of jobs created by SMMEs by 2030. Motivation of the study – Many other research studies have investigated how enterprise development training affects small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa, but few, if any, have zoomed into how it affects small retail enterprises' performance, particularly in the region of Gauteng. It has, however, been argued that SMME owners who possess the right skill set will be able to obtain a significant advantage over their rivals who have not received skill training. Research purpose – This research study, therefore, sought to investigate the impact of enterprise development training on the performance of small retail businesses in the Gauteng province. Methodology – The study was quantitative and comprised 34 closed-ended questions which were designed to draw primary data from the sample population using an electronic interview survey questionnaire. Data from 132 respondents was received, cleaned out and then analysed using various mathematical modelling tools such as the Little MCAR test, regression analysis and multiple linear regression. Main findings – This research study finds that enterprise development training has an impact on the performance of small retail businesses in the Gauteng province. Contributions / Value Add – This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by showing that enterprise training development has an impact on small retail businesses in Gauteng. It also inspires SMME owners of small retail businesses to embrace enterprise training as it has huge potential to unleash them in the South ii African economy. Policy makers have also been challenged to consider making internet connectivity affordable among small retail businesses.