Theses And Dissertations

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    An Investigation Into The Impact of Debt Financing on the Value of Small Manufacturing Firms (SMFs) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (University of Fort Hare, 2007-11) Matarirano, Obert
    The study focused on the impact of debt on the value of small manufacturing firms. The study based its arguments on Modigliani and Miller's theory of capital structure, postulated in 1958 and corrected in 1963. The primary aim of the study was to determine if there was any benefit gained by small manufacturing firms (SMFs) as a result of using debt as a source of funding. It also aimed at determining if size of the firm and the products it manufactured had a negative effect on the accessibility of debt to small firms. The study hypothesised that there was a negative relationship between debt and profitability. A negative relationship was also hypothesised between firm size, product manufactured and accessibility of debt.
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    Triggers and barriers to youth entrepreneurship in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
    (University of Fort Hare, 2011) Chindoga, Lynety
    To realise the dream of the African Renaissance and a better life for all South Africans, the entrepreneurial energies of all people, including children, should be harnessed to contribute towards economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation. Entrepreneurship creates wealth and results in economic prosperity for a country. However, in South Africa, entrepreneurship still remains a dream yet to be realised. This is supported by the findings of Maas and Herrington (2006), who identified entrepreneurial activity in South Africa to be very weak as evidenced by a low Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate. Youths are not engaging in entrepreneurial activity and are making the bulk of the unemployed in South Africa.
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    Drivers and barriers to immigrant Entrepreneurship in South Africa
    (University of Fort Hare, 2012) Patswawariri, Tilton Jamera
    The presence of immigrants in South Africa is surrounded with a great aura of controversy. Despite of huge unemployment and other development issues, there is the perception by South Africans that foreigners are competing for jobs, and other social facilities thus leading to xenophobia. Most South African citizens are puzzled by the increasingly great numbers of immigrants flocking to South Africa annually. However, most immigrants find it difficult to get paid employment. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the drivers of immigrant entrepreneurship. In addition, the_ study investigated the barriers to the performance of immigrant entrepreneurs in South Africa. A self-administered questionnaire was employed in the collection of primary data from African-immigrant entrepreneurs operating in selected cities (Alice, East London, Fort Beaufort, Grahamstown, King Williams Town and Port Elizabeth) of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The respondents were selected using simple random sampling method.
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    Factors influencing market orientation in SME computer retailers in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
    (University of Fort Hare, 2013-11) Moyo,Hazel Nobandile
    Despite the significant contribution to socio-economic development by SMEs (small and medium enterprises), their failure rate is very high in South Africa. Adoption and implementation of market orientation has been identified by various scholars as a means to mitigate SME failure in the highly competitive environments they operate in. This study ·investigated the factors influencing market orientation in SME computer retailers in King Williams Town and East London, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to investigate whether owner/manager involvement of had an influence on market orientation in SME computer retailers, to establish whether organisational systems and interdepartmental dynamics had an impact on the customer focused culture as well as investigate whether. competitive intensity influenced the SME computer retailers to be market focused. Both primary and secondary data sources were used in this study
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    The impact of managerial competencies on the performance of SMEs in the Buffalo City municipality
    (University of Fort Hare, 2015) Tarwirei, Madya Bryan
    This research study was undertaken to examine the impact of managerial competencies on performance OF SMEs in the Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were, to investigate the relationship between managerial competencies and performance of SMEs in the Eastern Cape; to explore the extent to which human skill impact on SME performance; to establish whether business skills posed by owner-managers promote high performance in SMEs ;and finally, to establish whether technical skills inherent in owner-mangers have an impact on SME performance. To achieve these objectives, the study hypothesised the set objectives. A total sample of 184 SMEs was used to obtain the relevant information .Stratified sampling was used to gather data using a self-administered questionnaire as the research instrument. Data obtained from this study was elicited from SME owner sand owner-managers only as there were the target elements. The t-test and chi-square were used for statistical analysis in order to derive research findings and conclusions .After the analysis of the empirical findings, the researcher discovered that, eighty percent of the SMEs are five years or shorter in existence of which forty-one per cent exist for less than two years. High performance of SMEs was found to be heavily linked to managers technical and business skill. The ability to outperform industry rivals and increase productivity was found dependant on human skill which supported the Human Capital and Resource Dependence theory. The majority of SMEs are hampered by resource shortfalls with the technical skill (networking and innovativeness) resource shortfall being the most critical. SMEs generally conduct financial statement and inventory analysis, but ratio analysis, however is largely neglected. Only forty-two percent of SMEs practice financial planning and appraisal.
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    The effect of perceived service quality on client satisfaction on the retail banking sector in Baffalo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    (University of Fort Hare, 2015-11) Agholor, Ewere Deborah
    It has been established that clients are key stakeholders in the life of every enterprise whose support should not only be cultivated but carefully oiled to maintain an enduring patronage. Expectedly how to engender clients' satisfaction has become an overarching concern for enterprises and researchers alike. For banks and other financial services providers where product offerings are virtually similar and easy to imitate, the competition to maintain clients' satisfaction is a herculean task especially with the dynamics of rapidly changing tastes and plethora of choices. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of perceived service quality on client satisfaction in the retail banking sector in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study employed the five SERVQUAL · model dimensions (Reliability, Tangibility, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy) to measure the level of service quality clients receive from retail banks. The investigation covered five main retail banks in South Africa, namely; ABSA, First National Bank (FNB), Nedbank, Standard Bank (STD) and Capitec Bank.
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    An investigation into the relationship between strategic planning and business performance in small, micro and medium scale enterprises (SMMEs)
    (University of Fort Hare, 2016) Gomera, Shingirai Walter
    Orientation: The manner in which SMMES use the strategic planning process and practise strategy formalisation might affect their business performance and realisation of set goals and objectives. Research purpose: The objectives of this investigation were to determine whether the strategic planning process (formulation, implementation and control and evaluation) influence business performance in SMMEs. Secondly, to determine whether there is a significant relationship between strategy formalisation and business performance in SMMEs. Also, to investigate literature on SMME performance measures. Lastly, to investigate literature on the hindrances on strategic planning. Motivation for the study: Conflicting views still exist on the concept of strategic planning and it contribution or link to business performance. Hence, an investigation that looks into the relationship between the strategic planning process and business performance of SMMEs in South Africa can provide a better understanding and conclusion on the link between the two variables. Thus, evidence from the research could help in better preparing, guiding and advising SMME managers and owner on whether and how to use the strategic planning process. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and a questionnaire was self-administered to a sample of convenience consisting of 275 SMMEs in the Buffalo City Municipality drawn from a population 950 SMMEs available in the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) data base. Main findings: The results of this study showed a similarity with others obtained in prior studies. The reliability coefficients of all the other sub-scales were above 0.7 except for strategy implementation which was 0.662. The result drawn from the statistical analysis of this study showed that the strategic planning process had a positive effect on the performance of SMMEs. Furthermore, each section of the strategic planning process (formulation, implementation and evaluation and control) possessed a positive correlation with business performance of SMMEs. Lastly, strategy formalisations was found to have a significant relationship with business performance of SMMEs in the Buffalo City Municipality. Practical implications: The impact of strategic the strategic planning process is positive, it is a good predictor of organisational performance. Hence, organisations ought to put the strategic planning process to use. Furthermore, there is need to practise formal strategic planning since the results of the study showed that strategy formalisation had a significant relationship with business performance. Contribution: This study provided evidence on whether the strategic planning process influence business performance in SMMEs and further evidence on the significance of the relationship between strategy formalisation and the performance of SMMEs.
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    The impact of relationship quality and service quality on loyalty: A comparative study of German and South African Y consumers in the mobile phone market
    (University of Fort Hare, 2016-01) Chiuyu, Tracey
    Technology based industries have been an important driver of world commercial growth, in both developed and emerging economies. In particular the mobile phone market is an important technology-based industry but service providers can no longer rely on innovative technological developments alone as a way of building a sustainable business and are increasingly focusing on delivering quality services and building relationships as a way of attracting and retaining customers. However, given that most service providers are multi-nationals, implementing an effective and cohesive global marketing strategy is proving challenging.