An analysis of the impact of disruptive technology on the success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a developing nation. A case of King Williams Town, South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (36) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic B. Chishakwe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Disruptive Technology ◽  
Developing Nation ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The Relationship between Learning Orientation and the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3(J)) ◽  
pp. 232-240
Author(s):  
Evelyn Motsepe ◽  
Olawale Fatoki
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Learning Orientation ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are an important vehicle in income re-distribution, poverty alleviation, employment creation and contribute to the gross domestic product of South Africa. However, SMEs in South Africa suffer from a weak level of performance and a high failure rate. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of learning orientation on the performance of SMEs. A quantitative approach was used, while a self-administered questionnaire was also employed during data collection process. A three- section questionnaire covering demographic information, learning orientation variables and performance variables was prepared and distributed randomly to a selected sample of 390 SME owners in Msukaligwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. A total of 181 questionnaires were returned. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure reliability. The results of the study revealed a significant positive relationship between learning orientation and the performance of SMEs. Recommendations to improve the learning orientation of SMEs are suggested.

scholarly journals The Impact of Leadership Styles on the Entrepreneurial Orientation of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 104-113
Author(s):  
Obey Dzomonda ◽  
Olawale Fatoki ◽  
Olabanji Oni
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

The critical role Small and Medium Enterprises play in the economic prosperity of nations cannot be understated. SMEs actively contribute towards economic growth and development through their active role as innovators and agents for change. The authors of this paper believe that leadership styles exercised by SME owners have a bearing on the innovative ability of SMEs. Hence, this paper aimed at investigating the impact of leadership styles on the entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs in Polokwane Municipality. A quantitative research method was used and 103 SMEs participated in the survey. The random sampling technique was used. Self-administered questionnaires were utilised to collect data in a survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. Reliability of the data collection instruments was measured using the Cronbach’s alpha. The results indicated that the SMEs display average levels of entrepreneurial orientation. In addition, the results showed that SMEs display average levels of leadership styles inclined towards transformational leadership style. Furthermore, the results showed a significant positive relationship between the independent variables: leadership styles with the dependent variable (EO) of SMEs. SMEs were recommended to provide flexible leadership styles that will make EO to flourish in their businesses. Furthermore, the policy makers and relevant authorities were recommended to devise and implement a consortium of strategies and policies that can increase the level of entrepreneurial orientation among SMEs in South Africa.

scholarly journals Performance implications of financial capital availability on the financial literacy – performance nexus in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neneh Brownhilder Ngek
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Financial Capital ◽  
Financial Decisions ◽  
Literacy Performance ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

The need for making optimal financial decisions is very important in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) especially as most SMEs are always financially constrained. Consequently, there has been an increasing interest from researchers to determine how well financial literacy skills can enable entrepreneurs to make decisions that result in optimal financial outcomes and possible enhance the performance and growth of their businesses. This study had as objectives to find out the impact of financial literacy on firm performance, as well as to examine the moderating effect of financial capital availability on the financial literacy – performance relationship, amongst SME in the Free State province of South Africa. The results showed that on average SME have low levels of financial literacy and financial capital availability. It was also observed that financial literacy positively influenced SME performance, and that the relationship is positively moderated by financial capital availability. It is, therefore, necessary for SME owners to develop financial literacy skills as an essential part of entrepreneurial activities. Likewise, since businesses rely on financial capital to invest, develop and grow, policy makers should put in place measures on how to bridge the access to finance gap, and, thus, ensure that entrepreneurs are relieved from financing constraints

The impact of electricity crises on the consumption behaviour of small and medium enterprises

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Von Ketelholdt ◽  
A. Wöcke
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Social Strategies ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Consumption Behaviour ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will play a key role in future economic and social strategies in South Africa. However, we find that SMEs are par-ticularly vulnerable to shocks in their external envi-ronment due to a general lack of skills and resources. This is critical as the future demand for electricity in South Africa is likely to outstrip supply and electricity will become increasingly unreliable and expensive. We surveyed 250 SMEs in Cape Town and found that the prevailing policy methods of changing electricity consumption behaviour: information campaigns, increasing prices, and pro-viding rebates for energy savings, have had limited results and are unsustainable when applied to SMEs.

scholarly journals The Impact of Leadership Styles on the Entrepreneurial Orientation of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Obey Dzomonda ◽  
Olawale Fatoki ◽  
Olabanji Oni
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

The critical role Small and Medium Enterprises play in the economic prosperity of nations cannot be understated. SMEs actively contribute towards economic growth and development through their active role as innovators and agents for change. The authors of this paper believe that leadership styles exercised by SME owners have a bearing on the innovative ability of SMEs. Hence, this paper aimed at investigating the impact of leadership styles on the entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs in Polokwane Municipality. A quantitative research method was used and 103 SMEs participated in the survey. The random sampling technique was used. Self-administered questionnaires were utilised to collect data in a survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. Reliability of the data collection instruments was measured using the Cronbach’s alpha. The results indicated that the SMEs display average levels of entrepreneurial orientation. In addition, the results showed that SMEs display average levels of leadership styles inclined towards transformational leadership style. Furthermore, the results showed a significant positive relationship between the independent variables: leadership styles with the dependent variable (EO) of SMEs. SMEs were recommended to provide flexible leadership styles that will make EO to flourish in their businesses. Furthermore, the policy makers and relevant authorities were recommended to devise and implement a consortium of strategies and policies that can increase the level of entrepreneurial orientation among SMEs in South Africa.

scholarly journals The impact of corporate governance on firm competitiveness and performance of small and medium enterprises in South Africa: A case of small and medium enterprises in Vanderbijlpark

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Progress Hove-Sibanda ◽  
Kin Sibanda ◽  
David Pooe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Value Added ◽  
The Body ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: Corporate governance adoption and compliance are an issue augmenting in importance recently and have been extended to business enterprises of any size including small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Research purpose: This study seeks to examine the impact of corporate governance adoption on the firm competitiveness and performance of SMEs in Vanderbijlpark.Research design, approach and method: The study employs a cross-sectional research design, which employed quantitative methods. One hundred fifty-two SME owners or managers were selected from Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, South Africa. The collected data were analysed using a structural equation modelling system by using Smart PLS software.Main findings: The principal findings of this study revealed that the implementation of corporate governance by SMEs significantly and positively affected their competitiveness and performance.Practical and managerial implications: The paper provided practical implications and made some recommendations.Contribution or value-added: This article bridges the gap between theory and practice because it has both an economic and commercial impact in practice. It can be used in influencing public policy, teaching and research (because it contributes to the body of knowledge, particularly regarding SME corporate governance in emerging markets). An important aspect of this article is that it gives a framework for additional similar studies in other locations within emerging markets to test the generalisability of the findings. For teaching purposes, it provides a template for how to assess the link that exists between corporate governance and SME performance. Lastly, the article gives a unique empirical analysis of the relationship that exists between corporate governance compliance and performance of firms in South Africa, and thereby giving a valid contribution to corporate governance literature.

scholarly journals The Impact of Entrepreneurial Resilience on the Success of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olawale Fatoki
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have a significant role to play in a country’s sustainable development. The measures of a country’s sustainable development include economic and social factors. The sustainability of small and medium enterprises is vital to job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. The high failure rate of SMEs negatively impacts on South Africa’s sustainable development. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and the success of SMEs in South Africa. Success was measured using both organisational and individual criteria. The Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale 10 (CD-RISC 10) was used to measure entrepreneurial resilience. Data was collected from 170 small business owners through the survey method. The self-administered questionnaire method was used to collect data from the participants. Convenience and snowball methods were used for sampling. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation, and regression analysis were used for data analysis. Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. The results indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and individual and organisational success. Ways to enhance the resilience of small business owners in order to ensure the sustainability of SMEs are suggested.

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