Browsing Research articles (Dept of Management) by Subject "Developing countries"

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A decision tree approach for integrating small business assistance schemes

Temtime, Z.T.; Chinyoka, S.V.; Shunda, J.P.W. (Journal of Management Development; Emerald Group Publishing Limited; www.emeraldinsight.com/0262-1711.htm, NaN, 2004)

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Abstract:

There is a general consensus among public policy makers, academics and researchers that entrepreneurship is a vital route to economic advancement for both developed and developing economies. As a result, a host of small business assistance programs are conducted by public, private and nonprofit organizations. Although the need for integrating these programs has always been a high priority on the national agenda for public policy and research in entrepreneurship, their implementation particularly in developing economies is characterized by fragmentation and lack of coordination. Small business assistance will be meaningful if they are designed in a holistic and systematic way and implemented with a view to achieve long term sustainable development. This paper offers a conceptual framework for designing an integrated model of small business assistance. The paper identifies the major characteristics of small firms and potential small business assistance programs, and presents a decision tree model that matches the characteristics of firms with appropriate assistance program(s). A case study of small business assistance programs in the Republic of Botswana was conducted to provide an empirical evidence of the need for an integrated design or model. Finally, conclusions, discussions and the implications of the model for policy makers, practitioners and further research are presented.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/12

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license.txt (1.998Kb)

temtime_decision_tree.pdf (5.483Mb)

Exploring Managerial Fit and Flexibility: Towards a Project Management Approach

Temtime, Z.T. (Science Publications / ANSI Journals; http://www.ansijournals.com/3/c4p.php?id=1&theme=3&jid=jas, October NaN, 2001)

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This paper reviews the usefulness of the project management approach in promoting organisational and managerial flexibility in traditional organisations in developing countries. Three aspects of project management, viz. organisational structure, organisational behaviour, and planning and control tools, that have immense potential to alleviate these problems are reviewed. The need for indigenous managerial approaches in developing countries, and addressing some of the problems that hinder organisations from exploiting the potential benefits of the project management scheme are discussed.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/186

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license.txt (1.998Kb)

temtime_pjas_Oct2001pdf.pdf (611.1Kb)

Linking environmental scanning to total quality management through business planning

Temtime, Z.T. (Journal of Management Development; Emerald Group Publishing Ltd; www.emeraldinsight.com/0262-1711.htm, NaN, 2004)

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This paper investigates the relationship between scanning and planning, planning and TQM practices, and scanning and TQM practices by collecting primary data from 54 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through questionnaire in the Republic of Botswana. Being explanatory in nature, the study used only descriptive statistics to analyze the data and indicate the nature and direction of the relationship. The study found a statistically significant relationship between scanning and planning; and between planning and TQM practices. However, scanning is indirectly related to TQM and has a moderating impact on TQM practices. Important implications of the findings for practitioners, future research and SME support agencies are also provided.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/48

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license.txt (1.998Kb)

temtime_environmental_scanning.pdf (2.214Mb)

The moderating impacts of business planning and firm size on total quality management practices

Temtime, Z.T. (Emerald; http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0954-478x.htm, NaN, 2003)

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Total quality management (TQM) research has concentrated on large firms. Little has been done on the TQM practices of small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in developing countries. This paper investigates the relationship between TQM, planning behaviour and firm size by reviewing existing literature and collection of primary data from 54 SMEs in the Republic of Botswana. The findings indicated that the majority of SMEs understand the importance of both TQM and planning activities for their survival and growth. However, their approach to both is unsystematic, non-formal and short-term orientated. Both firm size and planning behaviour are found to have statistically significant relationships with TQM practices. As firm size increases from small to medium, and as SMEs move from operational to strategic planning, they attach greater degree of importance to TQM practices. However, the planning behaviour of SMEs is more strongly related to TQM practices as a prerequisite to the adoption of formalised TQM practices. Some implications for SMEs are also forwarded.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/193

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temtime_TQM_2003.pdf (2.598Mb)

Monitoring environmental complexities and changes:some lessons from small firms

Temtime, Z.T. (International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business; Inderscience Enterprises Ltd; http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalCODE=ijgsb, NaN, 2006)

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Abstract:

The process of gathering and interpreting pertinent information from the environment and introducing the results into the business planning process is referred to as environmental scanning. This paper investigates the practices and perceptions of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in monitoring environmental complexities and changes through the use of different scanning sources and frequency. Data were collected from 44 SMEs in Botswana through questionnaire and analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that SMEs in Botswana do monitor their environment and use all the major scanning sources with different degrees of frequency. Though more importance is attached to the customer/market, competition and economic sectors, owner-managers in Botswana tend to rely more on impersonal (written) and internal sources as opposed to personal (informal) and external sources to analyse an increasingly uncertain sector. This is in contrast to previous findings, since information from these sources is less reliable for analysing unstable, turbulent and hard-to-measure sectors than personal and external sources. The use of inappropriate scanning sources could be partially attributed to the fact that most SMEs in Botswana do not have an integrated management information system designed to capture, store and analyse environmental data for use in strategic decision-making processes. Further implications for SMEs and future research are highlighted.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/49

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license.txt (1.998Kb)

temtime_ijgsb_2006.pdf (157.1Kb)

Total quality management and the planning behavior of SMEs in developing economies

Temtime, Z.T.; Solomon, G.H. (Emerald; http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0954-478x.htm, NaN, 2002)

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Examines the relationship between TQM perceptions, planning behaviour, and firm size in SMEs in Ethiopia. Primary data were collected from 57 SMEs through a questionnaire. However, as the study is a preliminary investigation, uses only simple descriptive statistics to analyse the sample data. The results are not significantly different from those of previous studies in SMEs. TQM perceptions vary with firm size and planning behaviour. The findings also indicated that excessive emphasis on short-term profitability, lack of resources, business planning and vision, and misperception of TQM practices are among the main obstacles to the adoption of a formal TQM program. Suggests some lessons and implications for future research.

URI:

http://hdl.handle.net/10311/192

Files in this item: 2

license.txt (1.998Kb)

temtime_TQM_2002_formated.pdf (2.044Mb)

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Browsing Research articles (Dept of Management) by Subject "Developing countries"

Browsing Research articles (Dept of Management) by Subject "Developing countries"

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