Cultural clusters as a local economic development strategy in rural, small town areas: the Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Drummond, Fiona Jane
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Creative ability -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Arts -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Culture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71568 , vital:29879
- Description: It is increasingly recognized that the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) can play an important role in economic growth and development. Governments around the world, including South Africa, are implementing culture‐led economic growth and development strategies on national and regional scales. CCIs tend to cluster around large cities because of existing hard and soft infrastructure such as networking advantages and access to skilled labour, however, much less is known about the potential of the CCIs to drive rural development. This thesis thus investigates the potential of the CCIs to cluster in small towns and rural areas. Moreover, it examines the relationship between the CCIs and socio‐economic development. The CCIs have been touted as a catalyst for economic growth and development and so have often been used in urban regeneration schemes. The Sarah Baartman District (SBD) of South Africa’s Eastern Cape has identified culture as a potential new economic driver. Establishing a new development path is necessary as the former economic mainstay, agriculture, has declined in the region, creating poverty and unemployment problems. However, the SBD has only small towns which, according to the literature, are not suited to CCI clustering. Despite this, there is evidence of cultural clustering in some of the SBD’s small towns like Nieu Bethesda and Bathurst. This research therefore conducted an audit of the CCIs in the district and used geographic information systems (GIS) to map their locations by UNESCO Framework of Cultural Statistics (FCS) domains in order to determine the extent to which clustering has occurred in a small town setting. The audit identified 1 048 CCIs operating in the district and determined that clustering is possible within some small towns, depending on their demographic, economic, social, geographic and historic characteristics. For small towns where clusters exist or the potential for cluster formation is present, the domains in which the town holds a comparative advantage, based on domain proportions and location quotients, should be pursued for local economic development (LED). In this case, Visual Arts and Crafts and Cultural Heritage were prominent throughout the district while Design and Creative Services and Performance and Celebration had small regional concentrations. Theory suggests that the presence of CCIs is linked to higher levels of economic development as the creative class is more likely to be attracted to more highly developed areas, usually large cities. Furthermore, spillover effects from cultural activity promotes further development under the virtuous cycle. To investigate the relationship between CCI clusters and socio‐economic development, the locational data of municipal level CCI numbers is overlaid with a regional development indicator, a socio‐economic status index, which is based on census data and includes economic and social components. Results show that there is a general positive trend of CCIs locating in larger numbers (clustering) in areas with higher socio‐economic development performances.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Drummond, Fiona Jane
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Creative ability -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Arts -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Culture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71568 , vital:29879
- Description: It is increasingly recognized that the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) can play an important role in economic growth and development. Governments around the world, including South Africa, are implementing culture‐led economic growth and development strategies on national and regional scales. CCIs tend to cluster around large cities because of existing hard and soft infrastructure such as networking advantages and access to skilled labour, however, much less is known about the potential of the CCIs to drive rural development. This thesis thus investigates the potential of the CCIs to cluster in small towns and rural areas. Moreover, it examines the relationship between the CCIs and socio‐economic development. The CCIs have been touted as a catalyst for economic growth and development and so have often been used in urban regeneration schemes. The Sarah Baartman District (SBD) of South Africa’s Eastern Cape has identified culture as a potential new economic driver. Establishing a new development path is necessary as the former economic mainstay, agriculture, has declined in the region, creating poverty and unemployment problems. However, the SBD has only small towns which, according to the literature, are not suited to CCI clustering. Despite this, there is evidence of cultural clustering in some of the SBD’s small towns like Nieu Bethesda and Bathurst. This research therefore conducted an audit of the CCIs in the district and used geographic information systems (GIS) to map their locations by UNESCO Framework of Cultural Statistics (FCS) domains in order to determine the extent to which clustering has occurred in a small town setting. The audit identified 1 048 CCIs operating in the district and determined that clustering is possible within some small towns, depending on their demographic, economic, social, geographic and historic characteristics. For small towns where clusters exist or the potential for cluster formation is present, the domains in which the town holds a comparative advantage, based on domain proportions and location quotients, should be pursued for local economic development (LED). In this case, Visual Arts and Crafts and Cultural Heritage were prominent throughout the district while Design and Creative Services and Performance and Celebration had small regional concentrations. Theory suggests that the presence of CCIs is linked to higher levels of economic development as the creative class is more likely to be attracted to more highly developed areas, usually large cities. Furthermore, spillover effects from cultural activity promotes further development under the virtuous cycle. To investigate the relationship between CCI clusters and socio‐economic development, the locational data of municipal level CCI numbers is overlaid with a regional development indicator, a socio‐economic status index, which is based on census data and includes economic and social components. Results show that there is a general positive trend of CCIs locating in larger numbers (clustering) in areas with higher socio‐economic development performances.
- Full Text:
The impact of the cultural and creative industries on the economic growth and development of small cities and towns - guidelines for creating a regional cultural policy
- Authors: Ndhlovu, Raymond
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cultural industries -- South Africa , Cultural industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Cultural policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa. Department of Arts and Culture , Standard Bank National Arts Festival
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61524 , vital:28032
- Description: The arts and cultural sector has come under even more financial strain than it previously was, as it has to compete with other sectors of the economy for the very limited public funding that is available. It is in this context that the economic impact, and the role, of the arts and cultural sector towards advancing economic growth and development, needs be examined. This thesis investigates the potential for the positive impact of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) on growth and development of small cities and towns. Furthermore, it also provides guidelines for the development of regional cultural policy in small cities and towns. The CCIs have also been touted as a catalyst for economic growth and economic development, hence the global rise in their interest. For example, the CCIs have been used to redevelop and revive urban areas that have been rundown. CCIs, however, tend to develop in clusters, and additionally, they cluster around large cities. However, the lack of reliance of some CCIs on long supply chains or high-technology inputs may make them suitable candidates for investment in small cities and towns. Additionally, the link that small cities and towns have with rural and isolated areas makes them potential engines for driving growth, development, as well as employment creation for these areas, given their decline as a result of the transition from the traditional agricultural economy, to the knowledge economy. As CCIs have the propensity to drive government’s macroeconomic objectives such as efficiency, equity, economic growth and job creation, it is necessary to develop cultural policy that regards this. The tendency of CCIs to cluster and develop around large cities inevitably means that very little research into cultural policy directed towards regions without large cities and towns has been done. By the same token, very little research has also been conducted on how to craft cultural policy for such areas. In order then, for cultural policy for regions without large cities and towns to be developed, it is necessary to investigate, and provide, guidelines on, how to develop cultural policy for such regions. As a case study, the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in the Eastern Cape was chosen. The SBDM has no large cities and towns, but the District Municipality has identified the CCIs as a potential growth sector, and is in the process of developing a regional cultural policy. The area also includes Grahamstown, which not only hosts the National Arts Festival, which is the largest arts event of its type in Africa, but is also piloting the “Creative City” project in South Africa. An audit and mapping study was conducted on the CCIs in the SBDM; this was based on a national mapping study commissioned by the Department of Arts and Culture. Further internet searches, as well as consultations with the provincial and regional Department of Arts of Culture, coupled with snowball sampling, also aided in the identification of CCIs, and consequently, the “creative hotspots” within the SBDM. Two random samples of stakeholders were chosen; the CCI owners and practitioners, as well as key stakeholders such as government officials, and interviews conducted with both groups, in order to get a first-hand perspective on the operations, activities, challenges, and opportunities that are faced by the CCIs. The study found that there were at least 441 CCIs in the SBDM, with two local municipalities (Dr. Beyers Naude and Makana) hosting the largest share of these (145 and 113 CCIs in each local municipality respectively), which indicates some support for the ‘clustering’ theory. It was also found that the local municipalities that had the largest number of CCIs also experienced better socio-economic welfare. Furthermore, based on the UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics (FCS) domains, the Visual Arts and Crafts; Information, Books and Press; and, Cultural Heritage domains were the largest domains represented in the SBDM. It was concluded that cultural policy that is developed, ought to take advantage of, and build on, these existing clusters, as well as the domains that are most prevalent in the region. To demonstrate the impact of cultural festivals on growth and development, a socio-economic impact study was undertaken at the 2016 National Arts Festival (NAF) in Grahamstown. Face to interviews, as well as self-completion questionnaires were used, with respondents at different venues, attending a variety of shows, and across a range of demographics, being interviewed, in order to get a representative sample of Festival attendees. It was found that the economic impact of the 2016 NAF on the city of Grahamstown was R94.4 million. Over and above the economic value of the NAF, it was also found that there were nonmarket benefits (social and intrinsic values) of the NAF, that included audience development, education of the arts and culture, social cohesion, and community development. The inability to directly track and measure social and intrinsic values proved to be a challenge. The study concluded that in order for successful cultural policy to be developed in regions without large cities and towns, it is first necessary to carry out a study to identify what resources are present, and where they are. Locating resources enables cluster identification - as clusters encourage comparative and competitive advantage, it is worthwhile to invest in areas where there are clusters. Therefore, in the allocation of scarce public funds, cultural policy needs to guide investment in to areas where established clusters indicate existing comparative advantage. In terms of equity and transformation, it is also necessary to evaluate labour markets and ownership patterns when developing cultural policy. Beyond the analysis of physical and human resources, the study also found that a crucial step towards developing successful cultural policy is identification of opportunities and challenges faced by the practitioners themselves; the policy ought to capitalise on the opportunities, whilst attempting to correct the challenges faced. Also of importance is aligning the proposed policy and its objectives with regional, provincial and national aims and objectives. Finally, it is important to include a monitoring and evaluation tool that will evaluate the performance of the policy against its stated aims and objectives.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ndhlovu, Raymond
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cultural industries -- South Africa , Cultural industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Cultural policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa. Department of Arts and Culture , Standard Bank National Arts Festival
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61524 , vital:28032
- Description: The arts and cultural sector has come under even more financial strain than it previously was, as it has to compete with other sectors of the economy for the very limited public funding that is available. It is in this context that the economic impact, and the role, of the arts and cultural sector towards advancing economic growth and development, needs be examined. This thesis investigates the potential for the positive impact of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) on growth and development of small cities and towns. Furthermore, it also provides guidelines for the development of regional cultural policy in small cities and towns. The CCIs have also been touted as a catalyst for economic growth and economic development, hence the global rise in their interest. For example, the CCIs have been used to redevelop and revive urban areas that have been rundown. CCIs, however, tend to develop in clusters, and additionally, they cluster around large cities. However, the lack of reliance of some CCIs on long supply chains or high-technology inputs may make them suitable candidates for investment in small cities and towns. Additionally, the link that small cities and towns have with rural and isolated areas makes them potential engines for driving growth, development, as well as employment creation for these areas, given their decline as a result of the transition from the traditional agricultural economy, to the knowledge economy. As CCIs have the propensity to drive government’s macroeconomic objectives such as efficiency, equity, economic growth and job creation, it is necessary to develop cultural policy that regards this. The tendency of CCIs to cluster and develop around large cities inevitably means that very little research into cultural policy directed towards regions without large cities and towns has been done. By the same token, very little research has also been conducted on how to craft cultural policy for such areas. In order then, for cultural policy for regions without large cities and towns to be developed, it is necessary to investigate, and provide, guidelines on, how to develop cultural policy for such regions. As a case study, the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in the Eastern Cape was chosen. The SBDM has no large cities and towns, but the District Municipality has identified the CCIs as a potential growth sector, and is in the process of developing a regional cultural policy. The area also includes Grahamstown, which not only hosts the National Arts Festival, which is the largest arts event of its type in Africa, but is also piloting the “Creative City” project in South Africa. An audit and mapping study was conducted on the CCIs in the SBDM; this was based on a national mapping study commissioned by the Department of Arts and Culture. Further internet searches, as well as consultations with the provincial and regional Department of Arts of Culture, coupled with snowball sampling, also aided in the identification of CCIs, and consequently, the “creative hotspots” within the SBDM. Two random samples of stakeholders were chosen; the CCI owners and practitioners, as well as key stakeholders such as government officials, and interviews conducted with both groups, in order to get a first-hand perspective on the operations, activities, challenges, and opportunities that are faced by the CCIs. The study found that there were at least 441 CCIs in the SBDM, with two local municipalities (Dr. Beyers Naude and Makana) hosting the largest share of these (145 and 113 CCIs in each local municipality respectively), which indicates some support for the ‘clustering’ theory. It was also found that the local municipalities that had the largest number of CCIs also experienced better socio-economic welfare. Furthermore, based on the UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics (FCS) domains, the Visual Arts and Crafts; Information, Books and Press; and, Cultural Heritage domains were the largest domains represented in the SBDM. It was concluded that cultural policy that is developed, ought to take advantage of, and build on, these existing clusters, as well as the domains that are most prevalent in the region. To demonstrate the impact of cultural festivals on growth and development, a socio-economic impact study was undertaken at the 2016 National Arts Festival (NAF) in Grahamstown. Face to interviews, as well as self-completion questionnaires were used, with respondents at different venues, attending a variety of shows, and across a range of demographics, being interviewed, in order to get a representative sample of Festival attendees. It was found that the economic impact of the 2016 NAF on the city of Grahamstown was R94.4 million. Over and above the economic value of the NAF, it was also found that there were nonmarket benefits (social and intrinsic values) of the NAF, that included audience development, education of the arts and culture, social cohesion, and community development. The inability to directly track and measure social and intrinsic values proved to be a challenge. The study concluded that in order for successful cultural policy to be developed in regions without large cities and towns, it is first necessary to carry out a study to identify what resources are present, and where they are. Locating resources enables cluster identification - as clusters encourage comparative and competitive advantage, it is worthwhile to invest in areas where there are clusters. Therefore, in the allocation of scarce public funds, cultural policy needs to guide investment in to areas where established clusters indicate existing comparative advantage. In terms of equity and transformation, it is also necessary to evaluate labour markets and ownership patterns when developing cultural policy. Beyond the analysis of physical and human resources, the study also found that a crucial step towards developing successful cultural policy is identification of opportunities and challenges faced by the practitioners themselves; the policy ought to capitalise on the opportunities, whilst attempting to correct the challenges faced. Also of importance is aligning the proposed policy and its objectives with regional, provincial and national aims and objectives. Finally, it is important to include a monitoring and evaluation tool that will evaluate the performance of the policy against its stated aims and objectives.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of the Nelson Mandela Metropole as a location to attract investment
- Authors: Nonxuba, Philile Zipho
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Investments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002707 , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Investments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Nelson Mandela Metropole is the largest contributor to the Eastern Cape Province’s economy and its share of the production of the Eastern Cape is about 41, 3 % per annum. This requires that the competitiveness of the Metropole be improved in order to enable it to meet the challenges of the Province. The objective of the GEAR policy strategy places a focus on the leading coastal industrial locations of South Africa. Furthermore, the national government has shifted the responsibility of service delivery to local governments in an effort to reinforce the integrated development planning process in municipalities. To meet those challenges, the Metropole has focused its attention on improving local resources. To enhance the performance of the manufacturing industry of the Metropole, it is necessary to ensure that the Metropole has locational attributes to attract new investment. Such attributes include creation of closely located industries. This will help the firms to engage in competition as well as engage in co-operative activities among themselves. The study employs a variety of theories to highlight the need to enhance productivity of industries in order to attract new investment. These theories include the new (endogenous) growth theory that argues that productivity growth is determined by introduction of new technologies. Such technologies accrue because ideas that contribute to their development are nonrival, and thus their creation has a fixed cost and zero marginal cost. The property of fixed cost in the creation of ideas results in the emergence of increasing returns to scale. The Porter’s Diamond framework is used in the study to take the issue of productivity growth further. Its thrust is that in particular nations some industries experience high productivity growth rates. It further argues that the locational attributes are responsible for these industries in registering high productivity growth levels. These attributes include the creation of advanced resources such as a skilled labour force. The data obtained from the survey of the research on the manufacturing industries forms part of this study. The findings of the survey reveal that although the manufacturing sector of the South African region has registered some significant success, there is still some room for improving its competitiveness. It revealed that development of the local markets through competition and cooperation among the industries would help to render these industries internationally competitive. This study concludes with some recommendations. These recommendations place emphasis on improvement of infrastructure, quality of labour force, and development of the region’s market. In order to carry out the recommendations effectively, government policy has to be repositioned so as to enhance its visibility among the stakeholders in the economy. Of importance is to ensure the promotion of policy that supports geographically concentrated businesses.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nonxuba, Philile Zipho
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Investments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002707 , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Investments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Nelson Mandela Metropole is the largest contributor to the Eastern Cape Province’s economy and its share of the production of the Eastern Cape is about 41, 3 % per annum. This requires that the competitiveness of the Metropole be improved in order to enable it to meet the challenges of the Province. The objective of the GEAR policy strategy places a focus on the leading coastal industrial locations of South Africa. Furthermore, the national government has shifted the responsibility of service delivery to local governments in an effort to reinforce the integrated development planning process in municipalities. To meet those challenges, the Metropole has focused its attention on improving local resources. To enhance the performance of the manufacturing industry of the Metropole, it is necessary to ensure that the Metropole has locational attributes to attract new investment. Such attributes include creation of closely located industries. This will help the firms to engage in competition as well as engage in co-operative activities among themselves. The study employs a variety of theories to highlight the need to enhance productivity of industries in order to attract new investment. These theories include the new (endogenous) growth theory that argues that productivity growth is determined by introduction of new technologies. Such technologies accrue because ideas that contribute to their development are nonrival, and thus their creation has a fixed cost and zero marginal cost. The property of fixed cost in the creation of ideas results in the emergence of increasing returns to scale. The Porter’s Diamond framework is used in the study to take the issue of productivity growth further. Its thrust is that in particular nations some industries experience high productivity growth rates. It further argues that the locational attributes are responsible for these industries in registering high productivity growth levels. These attributes include the creation of advanced resources such as a skilled labour force. The data obtained from the survey of the research on the manufacturing industries forms part of this study. The findings of the survey reveal that although the manufacturing sector of the South African region has registered some significant success, there is still some room for improving its competitiveness. It revealed that development of the local markets through competition and cooperation among the industries would help to render these industries internationally competitive. This study concludes with some recommendations. These recommendations place emphasis on improvement of infrastructure, quality of labour force, and development of the region’s market. In order to carry out the recommendations effectively, government policy has to be repositioned so as to enhance its visibility among the stakeholders in the economy. Of importance is to ensure the promotion of policy that supports geographically concentrated businesses.
- Full Text:
An investigation into problems facing small-to-medium sized enterprises in achieving growth in the Eastern Cape : enhancing the strategy for developing small 'growth potential' firms in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sha, Shafeek
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Small business -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Business enterprises -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1173 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002789 , Small business -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Business enterprises -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: As the world economy continues to move towards increased integration, some of the greatest opportunities for Small-to-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) will derive from their ability to participate in the global marketplace. It is generally accepted that SMEs are becoming increasingly important in terms of employment, wealth creation, and the development of innovation. However, there are considerable doubts about the quality of management in this sector with policy-makers suggesting that there are particular weaknesses in innovation, a lack of financial acumen, marketing, entrepreneurial flair, practical knowledge, and human resource management. As a result, many firms do not reach their full potential and fail to grow. According to organisational life cycle models, the introductory phase is particularly important since it is generally known and accepted that there is a high mortality rate of SMEs within the first two years. Given this high failure rate, it becomes vital to research the factors/characteristics/management abilities that are required to enable the SME to survive and indeed progress to the growth phase of the organizational life cycle. This research seeks to investigate the internal and external factors that are consistent in the success of SMEs who have reached the growth phase. A significant contribution to the enhancement of the growth potential of a firm will be made through the understanding of these factors.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sha, Shafeek
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Small business -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Business enterprises -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1173 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002789 , Small business -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Business enterprises -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: As the world economy continues to move towards increased integration, some of the greatest opportunities for Small-to-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) will derive from their ability to participate in the global marketplace. It is generally accepted that SMEs are becoming increasingly important in terms of employment, wealth creation, and the development of innovation. However, there are considerable doubts about the quality of management in this sector with policy-makers suggesting that there are particular weaknesses in innovation, a lack of financial acumen, marketing, entrepreneurial flair, practical knowledge, and human resource management. As a result, many firms do not reach their full potential and fail to grow. According to organisational life cycle models, the introductory phase is particularly important since it is generally known and accepted that there is a high mortality rate of SMEs within the first two years. Given this high failure rate, it becomes vital to research the factors/characteristics/management abilities that are required to enable the SME to survive and indeed progress to the growth phase of the organizational life cycle. This research seeks to investigate the internal and external factors that are consistent in the success of SMEs who have reached the growth phase. A significant contribution to the enhancement of the growth potential of a firm will be made through the understanding of these factors.
- Full Text:
A case study of the strategic nature of DaimlerChrysler South Africa's corporate social investment programmes in the local communities of the Border-Kei region in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mak'ochieng, Alice Atieno
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: DaimlerChrysler , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industries -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1165 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002781 , DaimlerChrysler , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industries -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Corporate social responsibility has become the business issue of the 21st century. Heightened expectations of the business sector, globalisation and increased media attention on the role of business in society are casting an intense spotlight on this issue. As a result, pressure has built on business to play a larger role in bringing about socio-economic development to many local communities where they operate. While for a long time companies have been involved in the community on a philanthropy basis, many companies today are reassessing the manner in which they conduct their corporate social responsibility programmes. Many companies are including corporate social responsibility issues into their strategic planning process and overall corporate strategy. Emphasis is given to certain strategic indicators that must be present in order for a company to be said to have taken a strategic approach to corporate social responsibility. This study adopted a critical-realist approach using a case study method to evaluate DaimlerChrysler South Africa’s corporate social investment programmes in the local community of the Border-Kei region against these strategic indicators. This new form of engagement is even challenging for a multinational corporation, which may feel that it is only obliged to assist the local community where its corporate headquarters is located. But as companies derive an everlarger share of revenue and profits from international operations, multinational companies are being called upon to redefine “community”, by looking beyond local, domestic and geographical communities to include those in regions where they have factories or factories operated by key suppliers. This study found that DCSA was strategically involved and had a good relationship with its local community. However, the company needs to be more connected with the rural communities to make local projects more successful especially after handover.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mak'ochieng, Alice Atieno
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: DaimlerChrysler , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industries -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1165 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002781 , DaimlerChrysler , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industries -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Corporate social responsibility has become the business issue of the 21st century. Heightened expectations of the business sector, globalisation and increased media attention on the role of business in society are casting an intense spotlight on this issue. As a result, pressure has built on business to play a larger role in bringing about socio-economic development to many local communities where they operate. While for a long time companies have been involved in the community on a philanthropy basis, many companies today are reassessing the manner in which they conduct their corporate social responsibility programmes. Many companies are including corporate social responsibility issues into their strategic planning process and overall corporate strategy. Emphasis is given to certain strategic indicators that must be present in order for a company to be said to have taken a strategic approach to corporate social responsibility. This study adopted a critical-realist approach using a case study method to evaluate DaimlerChrysler South Africa’s corporate social investment programmes in the local community of the Border-Kei region against these strategic indicators. This new form of engagement is even challenging for a multinational corporation, which may feel that it is only obliged to assist the local community where its corporate headquarters is located. But as companies derive an everlarger share of revenue and profits from international operations, multinational companies are being called upon to redefine “community”, by looking beyond local, domestic and geographical communities to include those in regions where they have factories or factories operated by key suppliers. This study found that DCSA was strategically involved and had a good relationship with its local community. However, the company needs to be more connected with the rural communities to make local projects more successful especially after handover.
- Full Text:
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