Abstract

NJIRO, E  and  COMPAGNONI, M. Institutions providing services to small micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. JCMAN [online]. 2010, vol.7, n.1, pp.146-166. ISSN 1815-7440.

This research sought to identify the institutions that provide services to Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) then determine their accessibility to micro and very small enterprises in South Africa's townships. The study sought the nature of services provided and extents to which township entrepreneurs were satisfied with the services. Lack of comprehensive and coordinated information about institutions that provide services to SMMEs in South Africa instigated this study. SMMEs In South Africa require services that address: (i) management constraints that hinder the growth of SMMEs form survivalist stage to higher levels, (ii) incapacity to cope with the rapidly changing global competitiveness and (iii) inability to leverage policy interventions that government has provides. Effective service would make SMMEs sustainable, able to address unemployment, redress inequality and make the South Africa's Gross Domestic product. A review of documents and literature available in websites identified seventeen service providers to SMMEs. A structured interview was conducted and four different categories of institutions were identified. Researchers posed as SMME owners wishing to access services by browsing websites, using telephone and face to face enquiry. A representative sample of support institutions was identified and four categories namely: State Agencies, NGOs, Not-for-Profit Organisations, For-Profit Organisations and Corporate found Businesses. Educational initiatives and social entrepreneurs were identified as being relevant as resources to the SMMEs.

Keywords : Service providers Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMES).

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