An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Government Support Structures Established to Assist SMMEs Amidst Pandemic | Chapter 12 | Contemporary Issues of Business and Management: The Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics (ICBMD), Edition 1

This research paper investigates the effectiveness of government support structures for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in eThekwini Municipality, employing a positivist philosophy and a quantitative research approach. Data were collected from 201 SMME owners and managers through a structured questionnaire, analyzed using SPSS version 28.0, reveals significant challenges faced by SMMEs, including supply chain disruptions, inventory shortages, cash flow issues, reduced income, difficulties accessing government support, exclusion of informal traders, insufficient innovative training, inadequate economic policies, and limited awareness of government initiatives. Despite these challenges, positive results from government support structures included financial relief programs, training and advisory services, and platforms promoting SMMEs, though their effectiveness was constrained by communication and implementation gaps. To address these issues, it is recommended that government support structures expand funding accessibility, develop tailored training programs, provide clear feedback on funding applications, and enhance the visibility of initiatives while encouraging SMMEs to proactively seek funding opportunities. These measures would help identify gaps, provide targeted support, and better inform SMMEs, mitigating challenges and fostering growth. The study concludes that inadequate communication and understanding of government initiatives hindered many SMMEs from accessing available resources, highlighting the need for improved outreach and support mechanisms.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Lungelo Mcunu
Department of Information and Corporate Management, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Durban University of Technology, 7 Ritson Road, Durban, South Africa.

 

Musawenkosi Ngibe
Department of Information and Corporate Management, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Durban University of Technology, 7 Ritson Road, Durban, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49238-29-9/CH12

Service Quality of Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator at Durban University of Technology | Chapter 8 | Economics and Entrepreneurship: The Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics (ICBMD), Edition 1

Business incubators have emerged as crucial mechanisms for promoting entrepreneurship and boosting global economic growth. These programmes provide aspiring entrepreneurs with essential resources, mentoring, and support services to make it easier to create and launch successful businesses. Consequently, business incubators have become essential components of government agencies, particularly those with a primary focus on entrepreneurship. The study aimed to assess the quality of service provided by the Durban University of Technology Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (DUT CSERI). The SERVQUAL questionnaire was used to assess the expectations and perceptions of SMMEs in relation to five quality dimensions. Non-probability sampling and convenience sampling were used to select 330 SMMEs affiliated with the DUT CSERI. Inferential and descriptive statistical analyses were used to evaluate the quality provided by the DUT CSERI. This study revealed that the DUT CSERI offers SMMEs an exceptional quality of service. This is evidenced by the fact that SMME perceptions of service quality exceeded their expectations. However, there is room for continued improvement, as five of the twenty-two service quality gaps were successfully identified. It is recommended that DUT CSERI improve its tangibility and reliability service quality dimensions.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Manduth Ramchander
Department of Operations and Quality Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, South Africa.

 

Solomon Nyamurima
Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Innovation and Engagement, Durban University of Technology, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49238-53-4/CH8

 

Re-engineering Business Processes in the New Normal - The Business and Economic Development Post COVID-19 and the Restructuring of the Global Economy Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics | Book Publisher International

 The examined the effect of social capital on the accomplishment of SMMEs. The book discussed the impact of existent government policy on entrepreneurial endeavors in a Province in South Africa. Also, the book discloses the perceptions and knowledge of small and medium activity owners from the touristry sector towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Furthermore, procedure investigated by what method social hearing tools, in the way that EARS, can contribute to global strength during an infodemic utilizing South Africa as the context of the study to debate the EARS tool. The book likewise determined the undergraduate perceptions of having to readjust to online knowledge in the Department of Accounting at a traditional academy. The contribution concerning this book extends to the test of the negative effects of workplace domineering as a stressor on members'psychological well-being and how the chance of social support can reduce the negative belongings of bullying. It further survey how processes maybe enhanced by making use of member participation and laborer involvement structures in organisations. Finally, procedure explores ideas of possible predecessors in family of effective allied governance inside Eastern Cape Public Entities of South Africa. Social sciences research methodology framework to a degree structured and subsequent research process where each stage augmenting into the other have determined an all-inclusive base for the whole social sciences research practice in this book. Some of the studies in this place book also secondhand quantitative research approach and explanatory research design in order to decide influences and practices associated with the phenomena being studies.

The Expanded Public Works Programme’s Entrepreneurial Support Model in South Africa | Chapter 05 | New Innovations in Economics, Business and Management Vol. 4

 Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have been the driving force behind job creation and economic development all across the world. The government of South Africa developed many efforts to promote and support small enterprises in order to alleviate the country's high rate of unemployment, poverty, and inequality, one of which is the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). One of the EPWP's delivery strategies is the enterprise development strategy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the EPWP's training and support initiatives for small companies. The study used a quantitative research method, and because of the study's scale and availability of participants, the complete EPWP-supported population was sampled and a questionnaire-based survey was undertaken. The EPWP-provided training intervention had a positive impact and accomplished its intended goals of improving participants' business management skills, according to the study. It also showed an unusual finding: the majority of the program's participants were women. However, the analysis found several flaws in the programme, leading to the recommendation that long-term support mechanisms be implemented to ensure the long-term viability of emerging businesses.

Author(S) Details

Lungisani Dladla
Graduate School of Business & Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal, GSB Building, Westville Campus, University Road, Westville, 3600, Durban, South Africa.

Emmanuel Mutambara
Graduate School of Business & Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal, GSB Building, Westville Campus, University Road, Westville, 3600, Durban, South Africa.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/NIEBM-V4/article/view/5332