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SMEs - my PhD topic and African context

Written by: Dr. Rob Smorfitt

Article Overview: A brief overview of my PhD topic and its relevance to this blog.

Free Download - SMEs – SMEs struggling in South Africa. Why? By Dr. Rob Smorfitt
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SMEs - my PhD topic and African context

My PhD looked firstly at what the critical success factors for business are.

I then reviewed the interventions executed by both developing and developed countries around the world, as they applied to SMEs, in order to assess if patterns existed in their choices of interventions. I then assessed South African interventions to see how we compared to these other countries.

I then assessed the South African interventions and their success by interviewing SMEs in KZN South Africa, and statistically analysing their responses.

I then drew my findings from these statistical analyses.

Dr Rob Smorfitt

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Home > African-Accounts > Dr. Rob Smorfitt > SMEs my PhD topic and African context
Article Tags: entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, PhD, SME, SMME, Smorfitt

About the Author: Dr. Rob Smorfitt
RSS for Dr. Rob's articles - Visit Dr. Rob's website

Have an MBA and a PhD in entrepreneurship. Three key areas of ongoing research are entrepreneurship and innovation in large business strategy, the impact of legislation on SME development and SME finance. 


Run my own SME blog at http://sme-smb-smme.blogspot.com as well as an entrepreneurship and innovation for large businesses blog at http://innoveur.blogspot.com 


I have been self-employed since 1982. I have started or purchased in excess of 50 businesses since then. Most were sold again and a few were shut down because of a lack of profitability. Many were run by staff or family while I worked full time in my bigger businesses. 

Author of 6 books. Written articles for various magazines, newspapers and websites.  


Experienced in research within developing countries.

 



Click here to visit Dr. Rob's website Dashed Line

SME, SMB, SMME, all the debate and info
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Related Forum Posts
Re: In-House or Outsource? Re: In-House or Outsource? - Unfortunately, in the South African context, very few SMEs see outsourcing as an option. They believe it is too expensive, and they are paranoid that someone will "steal their ideas". I believe that the three main functions that cannot be outsourced are marketing, sales and strategy. These must be done in house I believe. If you do not have the marketing skills then get them. Hire a consultant or attend a course, but get the skills. Even if you use a consultant, you need to understand what marketing is about, as no one knows your market like you do. Marketing is made to seem difficult and complex, but everyone who really understands their markets, can easily learn to do their own marketing. In South Africa, labour legislation is extremely inflexibile, and consequently labour broking is a large industry. This is an ideal starting point for SMEs in South Africa, as it is a legally complex area, whih comes with severe penalties. I say do it! Rob Smorfitt
What do you do to give back? What do you do to give back? - I'm launching new section of the site for social entrepreneurship and our first category is going to be called African Accounts. The goal with the project is to raise awareness of African entrepreneurs and showcase that entrepreneurship can be the path to achieving sustainable development. This has always been a passion of mine and I have done a number of talks around the world on this subject so I'm excited to bring it online as well. We have recruited some of the top bloggers in the world who focus on African entrepreneurship and are preparing additional resources. I believe that a big part of running a business is being socially responsible and giving back - even if it's donating your time to an organization or small amounts of money or products. You don't have to be mega-successful to make a difference. What are some of the things you are doing to give back to the community around you?
Re: How will an african make money truely on the net? Re: How will an african make money truely on the net? - Is it possible for an African business to set up an "offshore" account in the US or England... or even Switzerland... where all monies are paid? And a trusted agent there, who gets a percentage of any money, can then take that money from paypal and wire it or mail it or whatever to an African bank? There are lots of countries in Africa, is this a problem in all of them? Seems like an internet entrepreneur who can set up a "Paypal" like company of their own might be able to make money on this... ? Course you'd need governmental contacts...
Re: How will an african make money truely on the net? Re: How will an african make money truely on the net? - [quote="OmnivoreInk":koqfopnc]Is it possible for an African business to set up an "offshore" account in the US or England... or even Switzerland... where all monies are paid? And a trusted agent there, who gets a percentage of any money, can then take that money from paypal and wire it or mail it or whatever to an African bank? There are lots of countries in Africa, is this a problem in all of them? Seems like an internet entrepreneur who can set up a "Paypal" like company of their own might be able to make money on this... ? Course you'd need governmental contacts...[/quote:koqfopnc] Hi Topeyinka I don't know what products you sell, but if they are digital how about selling them through Clickbank. They will handle the sale for you and will send you cheques on the money you have earned. MichelleJ
Re: How will an african make money truely on the net? Re: How will an african make money truely on the net? - [quote="MichelleJ":2a9hm5bq]Hi Topeyinka I am just wondering, with Paypal as long as they can get your credit card verification I don't think that they worry if you are an African or not. I also live in South Africa and there was no problem getting verified with them once they had checked my credit card details that proved the card belonged to me. Michellej[/quote:2a9hm5bq] Hi Michelle, You can use paypal to send money and buy as a South African, but you are limited to receive payment. So what is the use of spending money without making it. You cannot accept payment with your paypal. Any way South Africans can make use of 2CO to recieve payment on theie websites.


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