scholarly journals An investigation into the personal values of small business owners in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 610-614
Author(s):  
Olawale Fatoki
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Personal Values ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

The study investigated the personal values of small business owners in South Africa. In addition, the study examined if male and female small business owners exhibit significant differences in their personal values. The study employed the descriptive research design. Data was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaire in a survey. The study used the Schwartz Portrait Value Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and the T-test were used for data analysis. The results indicated that self-direction, achievement, stimulation, power and security are the five most important personal values for small business owners. The results indicate that male small business owners give greater weight to self-direction, stimulation, achievement, hedonism and power. Female small business owners give greater weight to universalism, conformity, tradition, benevolence, and security

scholarly journals The perception of sponsorship usefulness among South African small business owners

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-488
Author(s):  
Catherine Mpolokeng Sephapo ◽  
Johannes Arnoldus Wiid ◽  
Michael Colin Cant
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
South African ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Marketing Tool ◽  
Marketing Budgets

Sponsorship is a powerful marketing tool that organisations in South Africa are embracing. From the evaluation of the sponsorship growth over the years, the industry in South Africa has developed from a R63 million industry in 1985 to the value of just under R7 billion in 2011 (City Press, 2012). Small businesses in South Africa are faced with the challenge of effectively reaching target segments. These small businesses are restricted in terms of limited marketing budgets and therefore need alternative ways of improving their brands in the eyes of the consumer. Theoretically, sponsorship is considered to improve the brand image of an organisation and ultimately improve sales. However, the question that this study aims to answer is whether small business owners perceive sponsorship to be a useful tool that even they can utilise. The study made use of a quantitative approach whereby a web-based questionnaire was distributed to small business owners. The findings indicated that the general attitude towards sponsorship as a marketing tool is positive. The correlation between sponsor sincerity and sponsorship usefulness was found positive; however, average in strength. Although sponsorship is seen as a useful tool, 15.4% of the respondents indicated that they would not consider using this marketing tool. This response may provide an opportunity for further research to be conducted which may shed some light on the strategies small business owners perceive to be most effective for their unique circumstances

scholarly journals A tax compliance risk profile of guesthouse owners in Soweto, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Bornman ◽  
Pusheletso Ramutumbu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Risk Profile ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Guest House ◽  
Compliance Behaviour

Background: A conceptual framework to assess the particular tax situation of small business owners identifies three key aspects that distinguish small business owners’ perceptions of their tax obligation. These aspects are: they are likely to perceive more opportunities not to comply than employed taxpayers; they are likely to lack meaningful taxation knowledge and they are likely to frame the paying of taxes as a loss.Aim: The aim of this article was to sketch a tax compliance risk profile of guest house owners in Soweto to suggest strategies to negate those factors that may negatively influence their compliance behaviour.Setting: Tax compliance is a priority for tax administrations, especially in developing countries such as South Africa where small businesses are a high compliance risk group. Small guest houses’ income is usually variable and/or cash-based and not easily verifiable against third-party data, which creates a high risk of non-compliance.Methods: A mixed methods research approach was followed. Empirical evidence in the form of semi-structured questionnaires administered face-to-face with 23 guest house owners in Soweto was statistically and thematically analysed to compile a profile of the tax compliance risk according to the framework for tax compliance behaviour of small business owners.Results: Factors such as age, gender and tax morale show favourable results for tax compliant behaviour. However, perceptions of fairness, perceived opportunity for non-compliance, knowledge deficits, decision frames, industry, business size and social norms embrace a high risk of non-compliance for this population.Conclusion: Information pointing out the factors that could negatively influence tax compliance behaviour in this population was obtained. Strategies for empowering small business owners to comply voluntarily with their tax obligations are suggested and include, for example, taxpayer education and improved communication efforts from the revenue authority.

scholarly journals Owners' Characteristics and the Financial Bootstrapping Strategies Used by Rural Small Businesses in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4(J)) ◽  
pp. 277-286
Author(s):  
Maurice Nchabeleng ◽  
Olawale Fatoki ◽  
Olabanji Oni
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
T Test ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Financial Bootstrapping

The purpose of this study was to examine if there are significant differences in the financial bootstrapping strategies of rural small businesses on the basis of owners' demographic characteristics (level of education and gender). The research followed a quantitative research method with descriptive research design. A sample of 104 rural small businesses participated in the survey. Data was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaires in a survey. The participants in the study were rural small business owners in Fetakgomo Municipality located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study utilised the convenience and snowball sampling techniques to select the study participants. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis and the T-test. The Cronbach alpha was used to measure reliability. The results of the T-test showed significant differences between gender and level of education and the financial bootstrapping methods used by rural small businesses. Recommendations are made to improve the awareness of bootstrapping by small business owners. 

scholarly journals Starting Ones Own Business What Motivates Entrepreneurs?

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-246
Author(s):  
Y. Hefer ◽  
M. C. Cant ◽  
J. A. Wiid
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The Government

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that motivate and challenge people when starting up their own small business. This paper includes the challenges that entrepreneurs encounter, advantages and disadvantages of owning ones own business, as well as highlighting the factors that are important to succeed in owning ones own business. The study was quantitative in nature and made use of an online survey questionnaire to collect data from entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The results indicated that the most motivational factors include the desire to pursue a business idea and that they want to be their own boss. The results further highlighted that the main challenges for small business owners are financial in nature as well as support from the government.

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.

scholarly journals The importance of human resources management for small businesses in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Hung ◽  
Michael C. Cant ◽  
Johannes A. Wiid
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Resources Management

The majority of SMEs fail in the first five years of operation (Cant and Ligthelm, 2003). Human resource management (HRM) has been identified as a crucial key success factor for SMEs in today’s world. This research study investigates small business owners’ perception of the importance of HRM. The objective of this paper is to determine the perceived importance of human resources (HR) among South African SMEs and the management of it. A questionnaire was constructed and judgement sampling was used to gather the responses of 88 small business owners. The research revealed that the majority of SMEs have HR practices of some sort in place, as well as areas to improve on HR practices. The challenge now is to further increase the adoption of HR management and practices among small businesses in South Africa to ensure their success, as they play a vital role in the South African economy. Keywords: South African SMEs, developing countries, human resource functions, human resources management, HR, HRM. JEL Classification: M19

scholarly journals Small business barriers to occupational health and safety compliance

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elriza Esterhuyzen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Small Business ◽  
South African ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners

Background: The Constitution of South Africa indicates that all people have the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being. This right is reiterated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 83 of 1993. However, small business owners and/or managers experience specific barriers to occupational health and safety (OHS) compliance. The study was conducted in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape provinces of South Africa, as these three provinces account for 82% of active businesses in South Africa.Objective: This article discusses barriers to OHS compliance as perceived by South African small business owners and/or managers.Method: A total of 350 small business owners and/or managers from the three above-mentioned provinces participated in a questionnaire survey, with one section focussing on barriers to OHS compliance. Participants rated 11 predetermined barriers to OHS compliance and could indicate and rate additional barriers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to report on these perceived barriers.Results: Results indicated that the perceived barriers to OHS compliance can be categorised as human and resource barriers.Conclusion: South African small business owners and/or managers experience barriers to compliance that prevent them from full compliance with OHS directives, which can be costly. Small business owners and/or managers need to take cognisance of applicable OHS directives as well as identified barriers to compliance. These barriers need to be addressed to allow small businesses to comply with OHS directives and to enhance the sustainability of small businesses. The question is not whether small businesses can afford OHS compliance, but if they can afford not to overcome barriers and comply.

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