Enterprise risk management: a managing'partner'for business success

Research has shown that small, micro and medium enterprises (hereafter referred to as SMMEs) are crucial in promoting international economic growth and development; along with the overall reduction in current unemployment levels. In South Africa, this phenomenon is no exception as the concept of SMMEs was introduced to alleviate poverty and improve overall living conditions through job creation in the country. For SMMEs to be successful they have to survive all forms of risk, especially in their start-up phase. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent SMMEs engage in enterprise risk management (ERM) activities. In order to achieve the above empirical research was conducted on non-franchised retail SMMEs, operating in the Cape Town City Bowl. A questionnaire was used to glean data that was further quantitatively analysed using descriptive statistics. From the findings, relevant recommendations and conclusions were made