scholarly journals The importance of branding for South African SMEs: an exploratory study

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 735-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Colin Cant ◽  
Johannes Arnoldus Wiid ◽  
Yu-Ting Hung
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Business Success ◽  
The South ◽  
Medium Enterprises

One of the most challenging micro-environmental variables that small and medium enterprises SMEs are faced with is marketing, and more particularly branding. The research study investigates the importance of branding to South African SMEs and determines whether SMEs comprehend the significance of branding in the business’ success. The objective of this paper is to determine how brand orientated SMEs are, their perceived brand distinctiveness and the barriers they are faced with. A questionnaire was conducted and judgement sampling was used to gather the responses of 43 SMEs. The research identified that SMEs are aware of the importance of branding; however some SMEs do not have to necessary resources available for it. The challenge now is to improve the skills and capabilities of SMEs to ensure effective branding, which ultimately influences their success, as they play a vital role in the South African economy

scholarly journals Internet-Based ICT Usage By South African SMEs: The Barriers Faced By SMEs

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1877-1888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Cant ◽  
Johannes A. Wiid
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
The South ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
African Context ◽  
World Information ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Previous research estimates that 8 out of 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do not operate for more three years (Mason 2015). According to OECD ([sa]), the major problems encountered by SMEs relate to financing and regulatory burdens. However, with information technology, SMEs are able to narrow the information gap, which leads to improved strategies and decision making (OECD [sa]). In today’s competitive world, information communication technology (ICT) is recognized as a crucial success factor for SMEs. ICT refers to the accessing and communication of information using various technologies such as the internet, wireless networks and cellphones (TechTerms 2010). This research study investigates SMEs’ perception of the barriers in adopting ICT in the South African context. The objective of this paper is to determine ICT adoption and the perceived barriers associated with it among South African SMEs. A review of ICT within an SME context is examined. Through judgement sampling, a questionnaire was distributed to gather the responses of 90 SMEs. The most important barriers that were highlighted by the results of the study are the high cost of ICT systems as well as the lack of knowledge to maintain and use ICT. The challenge is to ensure that South African SMEs continue to increase the adoption of ICT. It is envisaged that by determining the barriers they face and providing recommendations as to how they can overcome these barriers, this research will assist SMEs to become more successful, as they play a vital role in the South African economy.

Agro-processing Industries in the South AfricaN Economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 216-239
Author(s):  
Horman Chitonge
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Inclusive Growth ◽  
The South ◽  
Employment Creation ◽  
Business Opportunities ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This chapter provides an overview of the agro-processing sector in the South African economy, focusing on the sector’s potential to contribute to inclusive growth through high value-added activities. The chapter shows that agro-processing industries have been the largest subsector of the manufacturing sector in the country since the 1970s, accounting for the largest share of both manufacturing output and employment. Apart from being the largest segment of the manufacturing sector, agro-processing industries have the potential to contribute to the broader national objective of transforming the structure of the economy through the creation of jobs and business opportunities for new small and medium enterprises on both sides of the agro-processing value chains. Employment creation potential lies in the fact that most agro-processing industries are labour intensive. Agro-processing industries, on average, use 40 per cent more labour per unit of capital relative to the manufacturing sector as a whole. However, the challenge is that several of the most labour-intensive agro-processing industries are experiencing declining or stagnating value-added, investment, and, most importantly, employment levels. Consistent and coordinated implementation of strategies which revive dynamism in labour-intensive industries is required to overcome this challenge.

scholarly journals Establishing The Challenges Affecting South African SMEs

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Cant ◽  
Johannes A. Wiid
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
High Failure Rate ◽  
The South ◽  
Contributing Factors

Cant andLigthelm (2003) estimate that 70-80 percent of SMEs fail. A number of elements and challenges have beenidentified as contributing factors to the high failure rate of SMEs in SouthAfrica. The research investigates theextent to which the identified variables affect South African SMEs. The objective of this paper is to determine towhat extent SMEs experience selected challenges or issues that negativelyinfluence the success of the business. Challengesand issues include exogenous macro environmental variables and endogenousenvironmental variables, namely marketing. A questionnaire was constructed and judgementsampling was used to gather the responses of 81 SMEs. The research identified inflation and interestrates, crime and unemployment, low demand for products, the wrong pricing strategiesimplemented and the location of the business to be the major problemsexperienced by SMEs. The challenge nowis to improve the skills and capabilities of SMEs to ensure their success asthey play a vital role in the South African economy.

scholarly journals Factors affecting financial stability of small and medium enterprises: A case study of emerging markets

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-17
Author(s):  
Nonhlanhla Mbatha ◽  
Musawenkosi Ngibe
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
The South ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in the South African economy as they provide job opportunities to communities and contribute to the South African gross domestic product. However, the majority of small businesses lack financial skills, which results in the falsification of financial information and analysis and inaccurate financial reports leading to decline of confidence by investors and negative impact on stakeholders. Therefore, this study examines the critical factors that affect SME’s financial stability which in the long run result in the liquidation of SMEs. The study was descriptive and quantitative in nature, using questionnaires to collect data from a sample of one hundred and twenty (120) SMEs across the Durban area. The findings show that lack of understanding of financial reporting has a negative impact on the financial stability of the business. Also the lack of insufficient financial experience proved to have a negative impact on the financial stability of SMEs. The study recommends that a short accounting programme should be developed by government incubators to assist and provide owners and accounts staff of SMEs with practical experience in financial reporting in order to increase their level of understanding financial reporting processes.

Pengaruh Pengalaman Usaha Dan Penggunaan Informasi Akuntansi Pelaku Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah Terhadap Keberhasilan Usaha

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
Khoirunnisa Cahya Firdarini
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Business Experience ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Accounting information has an important role to achieve business success, as well as for small businesses.This research examines the effect of business experience and accounting information system used toward business success with age of business as control variable. The population of this research are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in creative industries sector operated in Yogyakarta district. Based on purposive sampling method, total sample of this research is 200 SMEs. Statistical tool utilized to test the hypothesis in this study is path analysis using structural equation modelling (SEM). The test result shows that business experience and accounting information have positive and significant effect to the success of SMEs.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Small and Medium Enterprises Success: An Exploratory Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Karim Kanaan Jebna ◽  
Ahmad Suhaimi Baharudin
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Competitor Orientation ◽  
Growing Economy ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the main contributor toward prospering the Malaysian economy [1]. Despite the fact that Malaysia is a fast growing economy in South-East Asia, death of SMEs is unavoidable. An exploratory study was conducted to investigate the factors that have an impact on business performance and success in Malaysia. Interviews with SMEs from different industries were conducted. Several factors were found to contribute to the success of business. The factors are classified into financial and non-financial determinants. These factors include customer satisfaction, service quality, experience, business expansion, competitor orientation, solving problems, cash flow, and the amount of sales and revenue. Building on these interviews, a discussion and conclusion have been provided.

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