scholarly journals The accounts payable management practices of small, medium and micro enterprises in the Cape Metropolis, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Tabot Enow ◽  
Peter Kamala
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Accounts Payable ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Government ◽  
Cash Basis ◽  
Micro Enterprises

The purpose of this article is to investigate the accounts payable management practices of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the Cape Metropolis. The study is motivated by a lack of research on payable management practices of SMMEs in South Africa. Data are collected from a sample of 200 SMMEs by means of a closed-ended questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The findings of the study indicate that 70% of the sampled SMMEs purchase only on cash basis. Of the sampled SMMEs, 22% purchase on both cash and credit, while 8% purchase only on credit basis. Of those that purchase on credit, 72% pay their creditors promptly to take advantage of discount facilities. To manage their accounts payable, 52% of the SMMEs use computers. Only 43% settled accounts payable on the last day that the payment is due. The results further indicate that a lack of personnel and time are the main factors that inhibit the SMMEs from managing their accounts payable effectively. The above results suggest that SMMEs are inclined towards purchasing on cash or paying promptly when they purchase on credit, which could indicate that they had a lower bargaining power relative to that of suppliers who may have viewed these entities as risky ventures to which they were reluctant to extend credit terms. Based on the above findings, this study recommends that the SMMEs decision-makers be educated on the competitive advantages gained by buying on credit, most important of which are improving cash flow and building supplier relationship. In addition, the decision-makers may be trained, perhaps through Government intervention, on how to overcome the factors that inhibit them from managing their accounts payable effectively, by using computers. The Government may also provide guarantees to SMMEs’ suppliers to relax the credit terms extended to these entities. This study makes several original contributions to literature. It is the first study to investigate the accounts payable management practices of SMMEs in the Cape Metropolis. Entities whose management of accounts payable had up till now been neglected appeared in the prior research to their peril. Secondly, this study provides a unique insight into SMMEs management of their liquidity by focusing on their management of most immediate obligations (accounts payable), which are critical for these entities’ survival given their limited access to finance. The proposed study thus fills the gap in research on the accounts payable management practices employed by SMMEs in South Africa. Although various studies have been published on the accounts payable management practices on SMMEs in other countries, no study was found within the South African context. This study therefore contributes to the debate on the accounts payable management practices of SMMEs in a unique context of South Africa and inspires other researchers to investigate the same in other Metropolis in the country

scholarly journals Exploring the Place Brand Factors Influencing Tourism to South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 167-182
Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Matiza ◽  
Elmarie Slabbert
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Place Branding ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Destination Branding ◽  
International Demand ◽  
African Context ◽  
Place Brand ◽  
Tourist Behaviour

Despite the proliferation of destination branding-related studies, there appears to be a limited academic inquiry into generic place brands and their potential influence on tourist behaviour towards destination countries. More-so within the African context. This paper explores whether there are place brand factors that potentially influence inward tourist’s perceptions of South Africa as a tourism destination country. Data generated from a survey of 233 inbound tourists to South Africa were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis. The findings establish that South Africa's place brand consisted of six distinct factors, two of which, namely, Socio-cultural and Competitive Advantages were new place brand factors within the South African context. Theoretically, the study complements the extent of the literature within the tourism discourse by providing an international demand-side perspective on place branding within an African tourism context. Practically, this study provides both South African and African tourism practitioners with insights into the potential utility of place branding as a heuristic cue in the decision-making process of international tourists, predominantly from the European and American markets.

South African corporate ethics codes: establishment and communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-396
Author(s):  
Mornay Roberts-Lombard ◽  
Mercy Mpinganjira ◽  
Greg Wood ◽  
Göran Svensson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Framework ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Corporate Ethics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this study is on the top 500 companies in South Africa (as per the TopCo, 2014 list) that have a code of ethics, to see the current state of development in this area after 20 years of focus by the government and business on making corporate South Africa a more ethical environment, in which to conduct business. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire survey method was used to gather the data and it was directed to the company secretaries of these top 500 companies. Findings Many companies in South Africa have a well-established set of protocols to enact the ethos of their code of ethics, indicating that they are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits to them of having a code. South African companies are, therefore, implementing both a code of ethics and strategies that contribute to creating an ethical corporate culture. Research limitations/implications This study provides an opportunity to further research assessing and comparing other companies in non-Western and emerging economies. Practical implications After 20 years of endeavours by business people and lawmakers to improve the ethical framework of South African business, there is still plenty of work to be done, as so many top companies do not appear to have a code of ethics. Originality/value There have been limited studies in the area of business ethics in South African companies. This study is the first of its kind in the South African context and establishes the current practice 20 years after the King I report.

scholarly journals THE COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES OF SMALL, MEDIUM AND MICRO ENTERPRISES IN SOUTH AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-190
Author(s):  
Jeremiah Madzimure ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Interpretive Approach ◽  
Current Compliance ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Micro Enterprises

The Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) play a crucial role in the development of South African economy through job creation and improving the standard of living. Despite their importance, majority of these SMMEs are facing compliance challenges. The study seeks to identify compliance challenges of SMMEs in terms of the company act and the impact on their ability to conduct business while remaining competitive and legal in South Africa. This study was conducted in Gauteng province of South Africa. The study applied a qualitative, interpretive approach. The thematic analysis through inductive process was used to analyze the interview responses collected from the participants. The main findings reveal that the uneven business environment has rendered the prosperity and growth of small business impossible. That impossibility is attributed to the lack of capacity and skill to comply with the burden of the company act, given the uneven ground of competition on which large enterprises are more experienced and resourceful. The value of this study is the proposed solution to the current compliance challenges which most SMMEs face and impede their growth. The study recommends that the government offer tax rebates and incentives for SMMEs.

‘Limping, Yet Made to Climb a Mountain!’ Re-Reading the Vashti Character in the Hiv And Aids South African Context

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madipoane Masenya (Ngwan’A Mphahlele)
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
External Factor ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
African Women ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Land Grabbing ◽  
The Bible ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context

The history of the Christian Bible’s reception in South Africa was part of a package that included among others, the importation of European patriarchy, land grabbing and its impoverishment of Africans and challenged masculinities of African men. The preceding factors, together with the history of the marginalization of African women in bible and theology, and how the Bible was and continues to be used in our HIV and AIDS contexts, have only made the proverbial limping animal to climb a mountain. Wa re o e bona a e hlotša, wa e nametša thaba (while limping, you still let it climb a mountain) simply means that a certain situation is being aggravated (by an external factor). In this chapter the preceding Northern Sotho proverb is used as a hermeneutical lens to present an HIV and AIDS gender sensitive re-reading of the Vashti character in the Hebrew Bible within the South African context.

Reimagining Intersectionality and Social Exclusion in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khosi Kubeka ◽  
Sharmla Rama
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Social Division ◽  
Common Reference ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
African Context

Combining the theories of intersectionality and social exclusion holds the potential for structural and nuanced interpretations of the workings of power, taking systemic issues seriously but interpreting them though social relations that appear in local contexts. An intersectional analysis of social exclusion demonstrates to what extent multiple axes of social division—be they race, age, gender, class, disability or citizenship—intersect to result in unequal and disparate experiences for groups of youth spatially located in particular communities and neighborhoods. A common reference point is therefore power and how it manifests at the intersection of the local and global. A South African case study is used to explore the subjective measures and qualitative experiences of intersectionality and social exclusion further. The unique ways that language intersects with space, neighborhood, and race in the South African context, enables opportunities in education and the labor market, with profound implications for forms of social exclusion.

scholarly journals Kerk en owerheid binne ’n regstaat. Die profetiese roeping van die kerk met betrekking tot die Suid-Afrikaanse owerheid

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Vorster ◽  
J.H. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Theoretical Argument ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Constitutional State ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Government ◽  
Just Society ◽  
The Church

Church and government within a constitutional state. The prophetic calling of the church towards the South-African government With the transition to a new political dispensation in South Africa, a constitutional state has been established. A typical characteristic of this new dispensation is that the government remains neutral while the executive powers are subject to the Bill of Human Rights. The question of how the church can realize its prophetic task towards the government within the context of a constitutional state is highlighted in this article. The central theoretical argument is that a constitutional state that acknowledges fundamental rights provides an excellent opportunity for the church to fulfil its prophetic calling within the South African context. The church can contribute to a just society by prophetic testimony within the perspective of the kingdom of God.

scholarly journals Exploring the factors that influence the career decision of STEM students at a university in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethel Ndidiamaka Abe ◽  
Vitallis Chikoko
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
South African ◽  
Career Decisions ◽  
Career Decision ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Career Decision Making ◽  
Stem Students ◽  
African Context

Abstract Background Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educators and stakeholders in South Africa are interested in the ways STEM students make their career decisions because of the shortages in these critical skills. Although various factors including family, teachers, peers, and career interest have been reported as determinants of career decision-making, there is a scarcity of studies that have qualitatively explored the levels of influences of any of these factors in the South African context. The main aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence career decision-making among STEM student majors in a South African university. By better understanding students’ viewpoint on these factors, educators and policymakers can assist students in making career decisions that fit their experiences, personality, and expectations. Students in their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year of study respectively, were invited to respond to a semi-structured questionnaire about the factors that were influential in their decision to pursue a career in STEM. A total of 203 texts (response rate: 63%) were qualitatively analyzed utilising a hermeneutic phenomenology approach to traditional content analysis, whereby themes develop inductively from the data. Results We used a hermeneutic phenomenological method to traditional content analysis to examine the factors influencing participants’ career decision-making. Peer interrogation, modified member verification, compact description, code-recode tactics, and assessment trails were engaged to confirm quality and rigour. Three key results emerged, namely interpersonal, intrapersonal, and career outcomes expectancy. The perceptions of STEM students of their career decision-making in the South African context are more multifaceted than reported previously. The insights could inform policies to counter skills shortages in the STEM area. Conclusions In this exploratory study, we gave attention to describing the various ranges of students’ perceptions and experiences regarding their career decision-making. Several students reported, among other factors, that their families, personality, and expectations played influential roles in their career decision-making. Here, we discuss the meaning of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and outcome expectations with respect to career decision-making from the perspective of STEM students in a South African university.

Effective Planning for Rural Development in A Democratic South Africa: The Prospects of Rural Cooperatives

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
France Khutso Lavhelani Kgobe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Development ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Rural Cooperatives ◽  
The Government ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Effective Planning

This paper explores the potency of rural cooperatives for the effective planning and implementation of rural strategies to address poverty. Rural cooperatives function as a participatory approach that provides the potential to equip and empower people in rural areas with various skills. Hence, rural cooperatives represent the means and strategies to unshackle rural people from the vicious circle of poverty. The contestation about a deadlock of rural development has become pertinent in the recent and ongoing political transformation in South Africa. This paper is grounded on the social capital theory and its ideals. As such, it depends on a literature review for its premise, argument, crux and purpose, as well as drawing up results and conclusions. The paper gathers information in respect of various scholars’ notions on rural cooperatives and rural development from related articles, journals and books. The paper reveals that where the South African government is confronted and characterised by some form of upheaval and service delivery challenges, so rural cooperatives are fit to capacitate citizens to avoid depending on the government for scarce resources. The paper further reveals that rural cooperatives are deemed to ameliorate the long-standing patterns of developmental backlogs in almost all South African municipalities. The conclusion that can be made from this paper is that the authentic promotion of rural development in the formulation of a well-informed legislative framework, that is clear and unambiguous, can deal effectively with the challenges of rural cooperatives.

scholarly journals Measuring network competence in buyer-supplier relationships

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-447
Author(s):  
Gert Human
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
African Context ◽  
Network Competence ◽  
Business To Business

Managing multiple buyer-seller relationships in business-to-business networks demands an understanding of a firm’s competence to manage in an interconnected environment.  This paper reports on an attempt to measure network competence by using the NetCompTest scale in business-to-business markets in South Africa. Based on a pilot study refinement, the paper proposes an adjusted measurement scale and details the results of a second round of measurement conducted amongst 495 business-to-business managers in South Africa. The results established partial support for the use of the NetCompTest scale in a South African context, and analysis of variance indicated that some differences in the measurement based on firm and individual characteristics can be observed in the data. The paper assists in theory-building and provides managerial insights for managing buyer-supplier relationships in networks.

scholarly journals Allan Boesak, Black Theology and Apartheid: A theological-historical approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Fortein
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
South African ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Black Theology ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Historical Approach ◽  
African Context ◽  
American Black

In this article I will give specific attention to the reciprocal relationship between Black Theology and Allan Boesak based on his lived experience of apartheid from a theological-historical perspective. It is my presupposition that Boesak’s experience of apartheid made him prone to the influence of Black Theology and that he in turn adapted American Black Theology so that it could be made applicable to the South African context. Black Theology unlocked an entire new theological paradigm for Boesak which enabled him to speak prophetically to the challenges and injustices that occurred under apartheid in South Africa. Attention will be given to the emergence of Black Theology in South Africa, how Boesak was challenged by it and how Black Theology, through Boesak, impacted the theological landscape.

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