Business Development Service: Addressing The Gap In The Western Cape, South Africa

A survey was conducted to evaluate utilization of business development services by small businesses in the Western Cape. It was deduced that fairly established businesses do not seem to need or use consultancy /training services. This may be due to the lack of awareness on the owner’s part or perceived value of money. Emerging and stable businesses have a strong demand for financial support, business management advice and skills, market opportunities and technical skills. The new approach to business should entail identifying specific needs of business, considering its degree of sophistication and thereby providing services to meet those unmet need

Determinants of Share Prices: the Case of Listed Firms on Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Equity investments offer considerable returns to investors and is considered to be a major source of capital for most large firms. However, these returns are subject to movement in share prices. This study investigate the determinants of share prices using fourteen companies listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange from 2009-2013. Using a multiple regression analysis, the result reveals that dividend per share, earnings per share, and price-earnings ratio accounts for 57.8% of share prices movements. Furthermore, earnings per share and price earnings are significantly positively correlated to share prices although dividend per share was not. This finding implies that, managers can create value for their shareholders by increasing dividend per share, earnings per share and price-earnings

Understanding retail strategy and shopping behaviour: Perspectives from a developing country

This research indicates that in order for retailers to achieve their primary objective of increasing the amount of customer traffic into their stores, some powerful, highly effective and strategic tools that retailers possess need to be utilised in an effective manner in order to meet their objectives. This research has been developed to examine the strategies that retailers can utilise in order to influence the customers' preference to shop in their stores. From the multitude of strategic choices available for each decision, a retailer can choose any combination. A survey was conducted, in order to collect data on customer behaviour, recruiting, store design, retail marketing, Supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM) - as well as a few other criteria - in the South African retail sector. This descriptive study establishes whether a retailer who makes an initial choice about which strategy to implement, complies with the existing understanding on the customers' preferences. Patterns and trends were detected when studying the determinants of various strategic retail combinations for retailers. The data indicated asymmetric evaluations of choices, in combination with a few distinct patterns. Additionally, a few associations between store preferences and price were identified with specific locations for the customers. Some combinations are more alike than others; and a concern exists that the pricing strategy in isolation fails to portray a complete picture. The study reveals that retailers should be more customer-focused; while at the same time, providing the requisite skills to their employees, in order to retain their existing customers, and to attract new customers

A framework for combating insider trading on developing stock exchanges: Evidence from the Zimbabwean stock exchange

Stock exchanges play a vital role in any capitalist economy as they provide a secondary market where investors can buy and sell shares under orderly conditions at fair and competitive prices. This role requires stock exchange operations to be regulated in order to enhance the efficiency, transparency and full disclosure in their operations. This is particularly true with respect to the potential harm associated with insider trading. In Zimbabwe the trading of shares is conducted through Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and is regulated by the Zimbabwe Securities Commission. The Zimbabwean Stock Exchange is a typical emerging stock exchange whose performance has been noteworthy in the past two decades in terms of returns on investment in United States dollar terms and in terms of share price increases. In recent years however, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange has faced some challenges associated with insider trading. On the other hand principles of corporate governance, business ethics and morality have been emphasized as critical managerial attributes that result in fair trading and business practices. Based on literature review on the subject and responses to qualitative interviews with stakeholder groups on insider trading in Zimbabwe, this paper discussed the concept of insider trading and its causes and proposes a framework for combating insider trading in developing stock exchanges

Entrepreneurial perceptions and knowledge: A survey of final year university students

This paper investigated the perceptions and knowledge of final year university students towards entrepreneurship gaining insights regarding a gender, race and faculty perspectives. Students across all faculties believed that entrepreneurship education is important and less than half of the final year students showed interest in becoming entrepreneurs. More male students than female students indicated interest in starting a business. More African students indicated interest in starting a business compared to other race groups (Coloureds, Whites and Indians). There was a significant difference between the male and female students on the knowledge of entrepreneurship. The Economic and Management Science Faculty showed the best results on the knowledge of entrepreneurship. Indian and White students scored the highest in the knowledge of entrepreneurship. This study adds to the debates on the need for entrepreneurship education at tertiary institutions across the different faculties

Education and SMME Business Growth: A Gender Perspective from South Africa

Entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly important source of employment for women in many countries. Policymakers and other stakeholders typically fail to differentiate between the needs of different SMME sectors when designing support programmes. Using survey data obtained from SMME owner managers in the Western Cape, this article attempts to identify whether the level of education and gender has an impact on business growth. A survey instrument in the form of a questionnaire was utilized to capture the data from 369 face-to-face interviews. The findings from this research reveal a positive relationship between the level of education of business owners and their respective business abilities to increase business growth. There were no significant differences between men and women in relation to business growth. The research has implications for policymakers seeking to understand the factors that influence business growth.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Perceptions of adult aural rehabilitation services for a patient with an acquired hearing loss post multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment: a case study.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Background: There is a problem regarding the provision and accessibility of aural rehabilitation (AR) in South Africa (SA). Statistics suggest a discrepancy between number of audiologists in relation to nwnber of patients who present with an acquired hearing loss post multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment requiring AR services. Although there is evidence of patients receiving some form of AR, a gap in literature regarding the extent to which AR is provided post hearing aid fitting exists. Therefore, the objective of the study was to explore the perceptions of a single participant who had an acquired hearing loss post MDR-TB treatment towards adult AR services. Method: The participant, a 41-year-old female, was randomly selected from King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex (KDHC) based on the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria. As a result of MDR-TB treatment, she presented with a severe to profound hearing loss bilaterally and received hearing aids. A qualitative case study was adopted via a face to face semi-structured interview, using an interview schedule and audio recorder. Three interviews were conducted in total, with a duration of 8 hours 30 minutes. Data analysis was facilitated via thematic analysis. Results: The study's findings found that adult AR appears to be currently not facilitated at KDHC, especially for patients with hearing loss post MDR-TB treatment. The absence of intervention beyond hearing aid fittings contributed to the participant's lack of awareness regarding AR services. Although there was willingness to participate in AR, challenges were evident, such as transport constraints, communication partner non- attendance and health issues. Perceptions of adult AR services were established as helpful by the participant in assisting with better communication. Conclusion: There is a need for the provision of AR for patients with an acquired hearing loss post MDR-TB in SA. The lack of literature pertaining to AR service provision in SA is highlighted. It is hoped that by more audiologists being involved in providing AR services, more patients become aware of such services and therefore interested to participate. Study implications and recommendations are discussed

The state of entrepreneurship education at tertiary institutions in the Western Cape

This paper summarizes, analyses the offerings and gaps on entrepreneurship education at four tertiary institutions in the Western Cape. Most of the offerings were knowledge based. Some of the participants on the programmes were exposed to real businesses and hence had experiential learning. The individual as an entrepreneur seemed to be overlooked. As tertiary institutions’ culture changes it will become more important to understand students’ entrepreneurial needs in order that there is institutional “fit” between higher education offerings and the need for students. The various institutions should collaborate on a frequent basis to establish the needs and share resources. This can include services like consulting, mentoring, training and research by experts in the field and share their experiences with other lecturers and trainers

Business development service: Addressing the gap in the Western Cape, South Africa

A survey was conducted to evaluate utilization of business development services by small businesses in the Western Cape. It was deduced that fairly established businesses do not seem to need or use consultancy /training services. This may be due to the lack of awareness on the owner’s part or perceived value of money. Emerging and stable businesses have a strong demand for financial support, business management advice and skills, market opportunities and technical skills. The new approach to business should entail identifying specific needs of business, considering its degree of sophistication and thereby providing services to meet those unmet need