scholarly journals The impact of service quality on the viability of start-up businesses

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeleke Worku
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

A 3-year long survey was conducted in the Tshwane geographical region of Gauteng Province in South Africa in order to identify and quantify key predictors of adequate municipal services that are routinely provided to customers who operate newly established small businesses in the City of Tshwane, Pretoria, South Africa. Data was collected by using a structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire of study from a stratified random sample of size 1, 058 small businesses. The key objective of study was to assess the relationship between viability in small businesses and the provision of quality municipal services by the City of Tshwane. The study was conducted against the background of a high failure rate among newly established small businesses in the City of Tshwane. The study was conducted over a 3-year period (2012 to 2014). Data was collected monthly during the three-year period of study on socioeconomic variables that are known to affect the perception of business operators on the quality of municipal services to business operators and the general public. Statistical procedures such as cross-tab analyses, panel data analysis, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms and Bayesian methods were used for estimating parameters. The study showed that there was a significant association between positive perception of business operators on the quality of municipal services provided to them and viability of businesses. The results showed that 87% of viable businesses were satisfied with the quality of routine municipal services that were provided to them by the City of Tshwane. The corresponding figure for non-viable businesses was only 14%. The viability of businesses was significantly influenced by 3 predictor variables. These predictor variables were: lack of capacity for fulfilling the business and entrepreneurial needs of newly established businesses [Hazard Ratio = 3.58; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.45, 5.46)], inappropriate policy [Hazard Ratio = 3.19; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.39, 5.28)], and lack of tailor made training programmes directed at newly established small businesses [Hazard Ratio = 2.89; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.24, 4.77)], in a decreasing order of strength. Similar findings were obtained from the analyses of in-depth interviews.

scholarly journals The impact of poor quality municipal services on small enterprises

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeleke Worku
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Quality Of Services ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Business Enterprises ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Viable Business

A survey was conducted (2012 to 2014) in the City of Tshwane in order to assess and evaluate determinants of adequate municipal services that are routinely provided to operators of start-up business enterprises. Data used in the report come from 1.058 small businesses. The aim of research is to assess and evaluate the relationship between the quality of services and sustained viability in small business enterprises. The study was conducted against the background of a high failure rate among newly established small businesses in the City of Tshwane. The study showed that there was a significant association between positive perception of business operators on the quality of municipal services provided to them and viability of businesses. The percentage of viable business enterprises that were satisfied with the quality of services provided to them was 87%. The percentage of non-viable business enterprises that were satisfied with the quality of services provided to them was only 13%. Profitability in business enterprises was significantly affected by lack of capacity for fulfilling the business and entrepreneurial needs of newly established businesses [hazard ratio = 3.58; P = 0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.45, 5.46)], inappropriate policy [hazard ratio = 3.19; P = 0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.39, 5.28)], and lack of tailor made training programs directed at newly established small businesses [hazard ratio = 2.89; P = 0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.24, 4.77)]. In-depth interviews conducted with business operators led to similar findings. Keywords: city of Tshwane, small businesses, municipal services, perception, hazard ratio. JEL Classification: L26, H7, L8

scholarly journals The impact of over-regulation on small enterprises

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Zeleke Worku
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

Khale (2015), Marivate (2014) and Asah, Fatoki & Rungani (2015) have highlighted key obstacles of sustained growth and development in start-up enterprises in South Africa. All authors have shown that lack of efficient services, too much bureaucracy, over-regulation, lack of entrepreneurial skills and lack of good governance constitute key obstacles to growth and development in start-up enterprises. This paper is a result of a 3-year long survey (2012 to 2014) that was conducted in the City of Tshwane in order to identify and quantify key predictors of adequate municipal services that are routinely provided to customers who operate newly established small businesses in the Tshwane region of Gauteng Province in South Africa. Data was collected by using a structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire of study from a stratified random sample of size 1, 058 small businesses. The aim of study was to assess the impact of over-regulation and bureaucracy on the long-term survival and viability in small enterprises. Data analyses were performed by using probit analysis and the Cox Proportional Hazards Model. Additional analyses were performed by using in-depth interviews. The study showed that there was a significant association between the perception of over-regulation and failure in small enterprises. The results showed that 74% of businesses that failed were operated by individuals who had the perception of over-regulation and too much bureaucracy. The corresponding figure for viable businesses was only 11%. The viability of businesses was significantly influenced by 3 predictor variables. These 3 influential predictor variables were: negative perception on the quality of municipal services provided to newly established businesses [Hazard Ratio = 3.58; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.45, 5.46)], inappropriate policy [Hazard Ratio = 3.19; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.39, 5.28)], and lack of tailor made training programmes directed at newly established small businesses [Hazard Ratio = 2.89; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.24, 4.77)], in a decreasing order of strength. Similar findings were obtained from the analyses of in-depth interviews.

scholarly journals Benefits of good corporate governance principles: A study of the city of Tshwane, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 961-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Khale ◽  
Zeleke Worku
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Good Corporate Governance ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Treat All ◽  
Audit Reports ◽  
The City

Annual reports issued by the City of Tshwane (2015) for the financial years 2010 to 2014 show that the City of Tshwane has received qualified audit reports from the South African Auditor General (2015). The two key causes of underperformance were lack of adherence to norms and standards that are applicable to municipal service delivery and lack of adherence to the fundamental principles of good corporate governance (King, 2009). A study was conducted in the City of Tshwane, South Africa in order to assess and evaluate the degree of adherence to good corporate governance principles stipulated by Mervin King (King, 2009) in the form of the King III report. Data was collected from a stratified random sample of size 1, 012 residents of the City of Tshwane. Stratification was done by geographical zone. Data was collected from respondents by using a structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire of study consisting of 22 indicators of service quality. The study found that 84.37% of respondents who took part in the study were satisfied with the overall quality of municipal services that were provided to them by the City of Tshwane. Only 15.63% of respondents were not satisfied with the overall quality of services provided to them. The study showed that most of the respondents had a positive perception on the quality of routine municipal services such as water and lights and waste removal by employees of the City of Tshwane. The study showed that the degree of satisfaction of residents, ratepayers and stakeholders with the quality of municipal services that were provided to them was significantly influenced by the degree of motivation of employees of the City of Tshwane at work, the ability of employees of the City of Tshwane to treat all customers with respect, the ability of employees of the City of Tshwane to provide adequate answers promptly to queries raised by customers, and the degree to which employees of the City of Tshwane were skilled on technical issues, in a decreasing order of strength.

scholarly journals Analysis Of The Perception Of Small Businesses On The Quality Of Routine Municipal Services InThe City Of Tshwane, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-256
Author(s):  
Zeleke Worku
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Quality Of Services ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Business Enterprises ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The City ◽  
Viable Business

A survey was conducted (2012 to 2014) in the City of Tshwane in order to assess and evaluate determinants of adequate municipal services that are routinely provided to operators of start-up business enterprises. Data used in the report come from 1, 058 small businesses. The aim of research was to assess and evaluate the relationship between the quality of services and sustained viability in small business enterprises. The study was conducted against the background of a high failure rate among newly established small businesses in the City of Tshwane. The study found that about 40% of the 1, 058 businesses in the study failed or were not profitable at the end of the 3-year study period. The study showed that there was a significant association between positive perception of business operators on the quality of municipal services provided to them and viability of businesses. The percentage of viable business enterprises that were satisfied with the quality of services provided to them was 87%. The percentage of non-viable business enterprises that were satisfied with the quality of services provided to them was only 13%. Profitability in business enterprises was significantly affected by lack of capacity for fulfilling the business and entrepreneurial needs of newly established businesses [Hazard Ratio = 3.58; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.45, 5.46)], inappropriate policy [Hazard Ratio = 3.19; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.39, 5.28)], and lack of tailor made training programmes directed at newly established small businesses [Hazard Ratio = 2.89; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.24, 4.77)]. In-depth interviews conducted with business operators led to similar findings.   

scholarly journals Assessment of the quality of municipal services in the city of Tshwane, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 678-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Khale
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Services ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Ordinal Scale ◽  
Logit Analysis ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Positive Perception ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
The City

The purpose of the study was to identify and quantify differential factors that undermine the quality of municipal services that are provided to residents of the City of Tshwane. Data was collected from a stratified random sample of size 1, 012 residents of the City of Tshwane. Stratification was done by geographical zone. Data was collected from respondents by using a structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire of study consisting of 22 indicators of service quality. The questionnaire of study consisted of 5 dimensions of expectation and perception (reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy and responsiveness). Each of the 1, 012 respondents in the study had to provide answers to 22 questions related to expectations plus 22 questions related to perceptions. As such, each of the 1, 012 respondents had to provide answers to 44 questions (22 questions on expectation + 22 questions on perception). Measurements of expectations and perceptions were done by using a 5-point ordinal scale. Face validity was used for ensuring validity. The Cronbach Alpha test was used for ensuring reliability and internal consistency. The expected and perceived quality of emergency services provided to the general public by employees of the City of Tshwane was analyzed by using SERVQUAL analysis. This was done by estimating gap scores (the average difference between expected and perceived scores). The study found that 84.37% of respondents who took part in the study were satisfied with the overall quality of municipal services that were provided to them by the City of Tshwane. Only 15.63% of respondents were not satisfied with the overall quality of services provided to them. The study showed that most of the respondents had a positive perception on the quality of routine municipal services such as water and lights and waste removal by employees of the City of Tshwane. The study found that as many as 87.13% of respondents had a positive perception about the degree of commitment shown to them by employees of the City of Tshwane. Based on results obtained from SERVQUAL analysis, 20 of the 22 gap scores were found to be significant at the 5% level of significance. There were only 2 items (out of a total of 22 items) that did not produce significant gap scores. These 2 items were items 2 and 3 of the dimension on responsiveness. Item 2 of the dimension on responsiveness was an assessment on the degree of suitability of the equipment used by municipal employees for carrying out routine services. Item 3 of the dimension on responsiveness was an assessment on the degree of physical fitness of employees of the City of Tshwane for carrying out routine municipal services effectively. With the expectation of the 2 gap scores corresponding to these 2 items, all other gap scores (20 out of 22) were statistically significant at the 5% level of significance. Based on results obtained from factor analysis, the perception and expectation of respondents on the quality of municipal services that were provided to them were significantly influenced by 4 key predictors of perception. These 4 predictor variables were the degree of motivation of employees of the City of Tshwane at work, the ability of employees of the City of Tshwane to treat all customers with respect, the ability of employees of the City of Tshwane to provide adequate answers promptly to queries raised by customers, and the degree to which employees of the City of Tshwane were skilled on technical issues, in a decreasing order of strength. Similar results were obtained from logit analysis. The results showed that the perception and expectation of respondents were influenced by similar variables of study.

scholarly journals Social Perception and Urbanscape Identity of Flagship Cultural Developments in Szczecin (in the Re-Urbanization Context)

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 398
Author(s):  
Eliza Sochacka ◽  
Magdalena Rzeszotarska-Pałka
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Perception ◽  
Local Identity ◽  
Functional Complexity ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Urban Strategy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Cultural Developments

A growing number of urban interventions, such as culture-led regeneration strategies, has emerged alongside growing awareness of the concept of re-urbanization. These interventions evolve to create a holistic urban vision, with aims to promote social cohesion and strengthen local identity as opposed to traditional goals of measuring the economic impact of new cultural developments. Szczecin’s, Poland urban strategy is focused on the expansion of culture—a condition for improving the quality of life and increasing the city’s attractiveness. This article assesses the potential for re-urbanization of Szczecin’s flagship cultural developments. Questionnaire surveys and qualitative research methods were used to assess the characteristics that distinguish cultural projects in the formal, location-related, functional, and symbolic layers, as well as examining their social perception. The results show that the strength of these indicators of urbanscape identity affects how the cultural developments are assessed by the society. Semiotic coherence and functional complexity of the structures have a significant impact on the sense of identification, while their monumentality and exposure contribute to the assessment of the impact on their surroundings. A development with a firm identity, embedded in the city’s tradition not only preserves the cultural heritage of the city but also makes inhabitants feel association with the new project.

The war against the homeless: Frank Jordan, broken windows, and anti-homeless politics in San Francisco

2019 ◽  
pp. 63-81
Author(s):  
Sean Parson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Public Space ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Broken Windows ◽  
The Public ◽  
Matrix Quality ◽  
Physical Spaces ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Chapter 4 discusses Mayor Frank Jordan’s (1992–1995) revanchist Matrix Quality of Life Program, which sought to enforce a broken-windows policing system in San Francisco. The impact of the policy was felt largely by the visible homeless in downtown San Francisco, who were regularly harassed and arrested by the police and forced out of the city. Because quality-of-life policing desires to sanitize the public space of disruptive and asocial behaviour, the public meals of Food Not Bombs near City Hall resisted the city’s attempt to criminalize homelessness. This chapter argues that the city attempted to construct the homeless as anti-citizens and exclude them from the political and physical spaces of the city.

scholarly journals Impacts of Physical Environment Perception on the Frailty Condition in Older People

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Mena ◽  
Yony Ormazabal ◽  
Eduardo Fuentes ◽  
Iván Palomo
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Spatial Clustering ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
Geographic Clustering ◽  
Environment Perception ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Frailty increases the vulnerability of older people who commonly develop a syndrome leading to growing dependence and finally often death. Physical environment conditions may affect the severity of the syndrome positive or negatively. The main objective of this study was to analyse the conditions of different urban physical environments and their relationship with the frailty syndrome in older people. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses were performed to detect global and local geographic clustering. Investigating 284 adults with ages from 60 to 74 years old from Talca City, Chile, we found spatial clustering of frailty conditions registered for older people, with hotspots of high and low values associated with areas of different urban infrastructures and socioeconomic levels into the city. The spatial identifications found should facilitate exploring the impact of mental health programmes in communities exposed to disasters like earthquakes, thereby improving their quality of life as well as reducing overall costs. Spatial correlation has a great potential for studying frailty conditions in older people with regard to better understanding the impact of environmental conditions on health.

scholarly journals El impacto de la valoración de la importancia en la evaluación de la calidad de vida en adolescentes chilenos

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 723
Author(s):  
Alfonso Urzúa ◽  
Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ◽  
María Fernanda Bravo ◽  
Karen Carvajal ◽  
Claudio Vera
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Self Report ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
The North ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

While self-report of overall quality of life has been widely examined, there are no studies that explore the impact of the relative importance people give to the various categories of their quality of life. Therefore, with a quantitative methodology and a co-relational transverse design, we analyze differences in the assessment when the importance given to each category is evaluated. Participants were 530 students from the city of Antofagasta in the North of Chile, aged between 15 and 18 years. They were from subsidized, public secondary schools and private and state universities in the city who were assessed using the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire. Results: Differences were found in the assessment of categories when results were analyzed based on gender and age and when incorporating an assessment of importance. Even when the results were not conclusive, there was evidence of a need to incorporate an importance variable when assessing quality of life.

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