scholarly journals A roadmap for smart city services to address challenges faced by small businesses in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haydn Du Plessis ◽  
Annlize L. Marnewick
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Business Support ◽  
Skills Shortages ◽  
The Impact

Background: Small businesses are an important part of the South African economy, yet they have high rates of failure. Several contributing factors have previously been identified through literature, including regulatory compliance, skills shortages and lack of government support. Globally, there has been an increased interest in smart cities and the variety of services they offer. These technologies were investigated to establish what role, if any, they could play in alleviating the challenges that small businesses face.Aim: Identify the relative impact of each of these challenges on the small-business and the relative value of each of the smart city services in order to determine which services would have the largest impact in addressing the challenges.Method: This research used these factors and identified which challenges had the largest time and financial impact on small businesses and investigated ways in which a variety of smart city services could be leveraged to address these challenges. Using a multi-criteria decision analysis technique, 44 small-business owners participated in the research. Weighted results for the impact of each of the challenges and the value of each of the services were obtained.Results: Through the subsequent analysis of the results, it was found that small businesses face many challenges because of lack of government and entrepreneurial support, as well as widespread corruption. Similarly, the small-business owners identified that educational material, small-business support portals and eGovernment systems would be the most valuable services that a smart city could offer them. Various sources of literature were used to identify these smart city services and link them to the business challenges that they may be able to mitigate. The infrastructural prerequisites for each of the services were also investigated to identify dependencies and potential problems in their deployment.Conclusion: The various aspects of this study were integrated, and a smart city roadmap for small-business support was subsequently developed. This roadmap will assist cities in planning their smart city deployment, so that they may better support small businesses in the role that they play in the country’s economy.

Introduction

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Courtney Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Structural Adjustment ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Economic Stability ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Justice Movements ◽  
The Impact

This introduction describes how encouraging a diversity of small businesses can help support a Native Nation’s long-term economic stability, but goes further to demonstrate this uniquely through the eyes of the small-business owners themselves along with an in-depth examination of their local, national, and international contexts. In doing so, it describes how this book also addresses the ways in which Native Nations, by supporting small business resilience, are responding in politically and socioeconomically meaningful ways to settler-colonial economic subjugations. This introduction further describes how the book unpacks the layers of small-business complications specific to Native Nations and American Indian business owners while speaking to larger theoretical questions regarding the impact of small businesses in a global indigenous context. Debates regarding economic sovereignty versus economic power, measures of autonomy, land status, economic identity, fluctuating relationships with settler-colonial society, and the growth of neoliberalism (along with its accompanying “structural adjustment” policies) meet with specific practices, such as the implementation of guaranteed annual incomes, cultural revitalization actions, environmental justice movements, and the potentially precarious choices of economic development—issues that are exacerbated during times of economic precarity, such as the Great Recession.

scholarly journals Are international small business owners really that different?

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-117
Author(s):  
Sarah Gundlach ◽  
Andre Sammartino
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Traits ◽  
Tolerance For Ambiguity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Do So

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of individual traits and attributes on the entrepreneurial and internationalization actions of Australian businesswomen, many of whom run small businesses. Design/methodology/approach This study is exploratory and quantitative, based on a questionnaire survey of 323 Australian businesswomen. Drawing upon the extant literature on internationalization, gender and entrepreneurship, the study explores two micro-foundational relationships of interest – personality and capability assessment differences between female business owners and their employed counterparts, and the impact of such traits and assessments on their internationalization. A further question is explored in terms of any differentials in perceptions of barriers in internationalization. Findings The findings show key personality dimensions do not differ dramatically between Australian businesswomen working in their own businesses (i.e. entrepreneurs) or as employees in organizations, while there are surprisingly few differences between women who are engaged internationally and those yet to do so. When comparing the female entrepreneurs and employees, in particular, the findings around tolerance for ambiguity and management efficacy are notably counterintuitive. This leads to the development of testable propositions to refine the causal claims in this domain. Practical implications The study calls into question the distinctiveness of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial endeavors, at least for female businesswomen. Originality/value By including entrepreneurs and employees, women who have engaged internationally and those that are yet to do so, the study avoids some of the potential self-selection and confirmation biases inherent in studies of only entrepreneurs or small business owners. The investigation of individual traits, attributes and experiences as micro-foundations for internationalization motivations challenges existing theories of small business expansion.

scholarly journals Impact of Social Media Applications on Small Business Entrepreneurs

2016 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malik Shahzad Shabbir ◽  
Muhammad Saarim Ghazi ◽  
Atta Rasool Mehmood ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Media Applications ◽  
The Impact

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs. It also examines how small business owners are motivated to use social media applications. Social media has completely transformed the way businesses are done. Social media applications in the present time have become the most efficient and effective tool for small business entrepreneurs, and normally all small businesses use social media platforms for the advertising and publicity of their products and services. They make fan pages for their followers, and they warmly welcome their suggestions and opinions, which help in improving their businesses. However, based on literature review, we conclude that there is a positive impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs as well as they are highly motivated to use these platforms.

scholarly journals Economic Policy Uncertainty and Small Business Expansion

2011 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Mark E. Schweitzer ◽  
Scott Shane
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Housing Prices ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Policy Uncertainty ◽  
Home Equity ◽  
Economic Policy Uncertainty ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Real Constraint

Small businesses continue to report problems obtaining the financing they need. Because small business owners may rely heavily on the value of their homes to finance their businesses (through mortgages or home equity lines), the fall in housing prices might be one of the causes of their difficulty. We analyze information from a variety of sources and find that homes do constitute a significant source of capital for small business owners and that the impact of the recent decline in housing prices is significant enough to be a real constraint on small business finances.

scholarly journals The Perceptions of Small Businesses in the Implementation of Cash Management Techniques

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83
Author(s):  
Avika Mungal
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Cash Management ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive ◽  
Cash Inflow ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the perceptions of small business owners on the implementation of cash management techniques in their businesses. This paper also highlights the importance of managing cash inflow and outflow in the business and examines the impact on business profitability and sustainability. The study focused on small businesses in the Tongaat area, South Africa. This research was quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional in nature. The instrument used to extract the relevant data from respondents was a Likert type questionnaire. The findings of this research identified the perceptions of small business cash management techniques. A short course on cash management could be offered by the Durban University of Technology to small business owners and managers to enhance their basic cash management knowledge in the implementation of cash management techniques.

Changing the Environmental Behaviour of Small Business Owners: The Business Case

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Walker ◽  
Janice Redmond
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe importance of the environment is something of a cracked record to many small business owners, as historically any calls to business to change or improve their practices or behaviours were from the ‘environmental’ or ‘green’ perspective, rather than from a business perspective. As a consequence, many small businesses have simply tuned out. This research sought to identify the impact of an education intervention program that encouraged better environmental management practices and provided practical assistance to the businesses. The research was designed to test the effectiveness of the program and record any changes that occurred in the businesses over the duration of the project. To measure changes, it included a pre- and post-intervention survey. Overall, there was an increased awareness in most of the businesses in regard to environmental issues. Participants from many of the businesses also expressed positive changes to both behaviours and attitudes to environmental issues. This demonstrated the value of the program, and also highlighted the challenge to engage small business, even when a business case is apparent, given the cost of implementing this type of intensive and personalised assistance.

scholarly journals Impact of Social Media Applications on Small Business Entrepreneurs

2016 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malik Shahzad Shabbir ◽  
Muhammad Saarim Ghazi ◽  
Atta Rasool Mehmood ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Media Applications ◽  
The Impact

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs. It also examines how small business owners are motivated to use social media applications. Social media has completely transformed the way businesses are done. Social media applications in the present time have become the most efficient and effective tool for small business entrepreneurs, and normally all small businesses use social media platforms for the advertising and publicity of their products and services. They make fan pages for their followers, and they warmly welcome their suggestions and opinions, which help in improving their businesses. However, based on literature review, we conclude that there is a positive impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs as well as they are highly motivated to use these platforms.

The Impact of Attitudes and Experience on Small Business Computer Use

1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary S. Nickell ◽  
Paul C. Seado
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Word Processing ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Computer Applications ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Mailing Lists ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates the attitudes of small business owners/managers toward computers and how computers are used in small businesses. A survey of 236 firms revealed that a majority of the respondents are currently using computers. In general, owners/managers have a positive attitude toward computers. Respondents who have taken a computer class, own a microcomputer, or whose businesses are using computers have a more positive attitude toward computers. The most frequent business computer applications were accounting, mailing lists, and storing information. The most frequently reported personal applications were word processing, accounting, and budgeting. Implications for further computerization of small businesses are discussed.

EVIDENCE FROM THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SMALL BUSINESS

2021 ◽  
Vol 14(63) (1) ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Gianina BOSTAN MOTOAŞCĂ
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Impact

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected both individuals and the business environment in a profound and unexpected way. The restrictions imposed and the economic crises caused by them have led to the closure of some businesses, especially small businesses. The present research aims to study the opinions, perceptions, behaviour, and attitude of administrators, of small-business owners towards the impact of the pandemic in order to outline their emotional state and the sample of future needs. The qualitative study illustrates the combined analysis of the results of the answers of sixteen structured interviews, in-depth phone interviews. This research could represent the starting point of a more extensive research in this field

Measuring Success in Family Businesses: The Concept of Configurational Fit

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Hienerth ◽  
Alexander Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Comparable Data ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Success Measurement ◽  
Success Evaluation ◽  
As Effects

The problems associated with measuring success in small businesses are primarily caused by a lack of comparable data due to the ambiguity of “success” and by subjective biases. Success evaluation is dominated by the estimates of business owners, who tend to overestimate overall success and internal strengths. However, reliable success measurement instruments would be useful for small business owners/managers as well as small business policymakers. The main purposes of this article are to compare various measures of success, to explore the differences in their outcomes, and to analyze whether a model of success measurement using configurational fit can be used to overcome subjective biases. The study is based on a recent survey of 103 small family-owned businesses in the eastern Austrian border region. Our analysis of the data confirmed the existence of the measurement problems mentioned above. Although some individual indicators show significant biases as well as effects due to company age, size, and industry, the aggregated indicator based on the concept of configurational fit seems to be an appropriate means of overcoming most of these drawbacks.

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