Suchergebnisse

Local economic development (LED) is seen as one of the prominent and emerging tools in the facilitation of development of on a local and regional level. On the local level, the partners in LED are government, business and communities. Business chambers are the core representative of local businesses and have to play an important role in the coordination of local economies. The primary objective of this study was to identify best practice management principles for business chambers to facilitate economic development. Three local business chambers from the Vaal Triangle region in South Africa were interviewed to gain an in-depth view on the roles and function of a business chamber. The results emanated in one main overall function namely the facilitation of the development of a local region and four secondary roles flowing from the main function. These roles include coordination and leadership, promotion and marketing, provision of information and business training and support. The result of the research is that economic development in a specific region is dependent on facilitation and coordination by local business chambers. In order to achieve this business chambers must be well managed and have the best interest of the local community as its primary goal.

Globally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to economic growth and development. Yet, various stumbling blocks exist that hinder SMEs growth and development. South Africa is no different and with the current level of economic and political instability, local SMEs are struggling to achieve their full potential. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the stumbling blocks preventing business success in a developing region in South Africa taking into account the local developmental environment and management factors. The study region selected is the Vaal-Triangle region, which is located south of Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. This study followed a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional research design using two scales namely the SME stumbling block scale and the Enabling Developmental Environment Scale (EDES). A non-probability convenience sample of 386 small business owners were included. Data analysis included descriptive frequencies, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results from the PCA returned five factors. Results indicated the three main stumbling blocks restricting business growth were recession and slow growth conditions, weak and volatile exchange rate and high inflation rates. The correlation results indicated several significant relationships between the various factors. For SME growth, an integrated multiple-sectoral approach is required.

Local economic development (LED) is seen as one of the prominent and emerging tools in the facilitation of development of on a local and regional level. On the local level, the partners in LED are government, business and communities. Business chambers are the core representative of local businesses and have to play an important role in the coordination of local economies. The primary objective of this study was to identify best practice management principles for business chambers to facilitate economic development. Three local business chambers from the Vaal Triangle region in South Africa were interviewed to gain an in-depth view on the roles and function of a business chamber. The results emanated in one main overall function namely the facilitation of the development of a local region and four secondary roles flowing from the main function. These roles include coordination and leadership, promotion and marketing, provision of information and business training and support. The result of the research is that economic development in a specific region is dependent on facilitation and coordination by local business chambers. In order to achieve this business chambers must be well managed and have the best interest of the local community as its primary goal.

Globally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to economic growth and development. Yet, various stumbling blocks exist that hinder SMEs growth and development. South Africa is no different and with the current level of economic and political instability, local SMEs are struggling to achieve their full potential. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the stumbling blocks preventing business success in a developing region in South Africa taking into account the local developmental environment and management factors. The study region selected is the Vaal-Triangle region, which is located south of Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. This study followed a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional research design using two scales namely the SME stumbling block scale and the Enabling Developmental Environment Scale (EDES). A non-probability convenience sample of 386 small business owners were included. Data analysis included descriptive frequencies, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results from the PCA returned five factors. Results indicated the three main stumbling blocks restricting business growth were recession and slow growth conditions, weak and volatile exchange rate and high inflation rates. The correlation results indicated several significant relationships between the various factors. For SME growth, an integrated multiple-sectoral approach is required.

With a foreword by Ilhan Omar, this breathtaking work of literary nonfiction reveals the power of solidarity for women facing the inadequacies of the US immigration system. Accidental Sisters follows five refugee women in Houston, Texas, as they navigate a program for single mothers overseen by Alia Altikrity, a former refugee from Iraq. Grounded in the words of these women--Mina from Iraq, Mendy from Sudan, Sara and Zara from Syria, and Elikya from the Democratic Republic of the Congo--this book recounts their lives in their mother countries, how they were forced to flee, and their struggles to find belonging in an epicenter of refugee resettlement. Readers join author Kimberly Meyer on a journey with each woman as they experience Alia's guiding philosophy: that small, direct, meaningful acts of mutual care are the foundation for a flourishing community. While celebrating the sanctuary the women eventually find, the book critiques the US refugee resettlement program for its insistence on rapid self-sufficiency and offers an alternative American Dream rooted in sisterhood and solidarity. Immersive and intimate, Accidental Sisters inspires hope for a way forward in the face of pandemics, political inaction, and climate change.