South Africa - Constraints to Growth and Employment : Evidence of the Small, Medium andMicro Enterprise Firm Survey

[摘要] This report identifies several themesthat cover both macroeconomic constraints as well asstructural factors affecting small, medium, and microenterprises (SMME) in South Africa. After the introduction,Chapter 2 continues to discuss firm demographics for the 800SMME firms surveyed. Characteristics such as age, race,size, and legal status of the firm are presented along witha brief description of the entrepreneurs' motivationsfor starting their SMME. Chapter 3 provides information onthe degree to which firms in this survey have been expandingor contracting employment and investment levels, followed bya discussion of factors limiting further expansion. Thissection of the report also contains ratings indicating thepolicies SMME firms would like local and nationalgovernments to implement or improve. The remaining chapterscontain more detailed analyses of each of the mainconstraints identified. Chapter 4 discusses the skillsshortage as well as the degree to which SMME firms arehindered by inflexible labor arrangements. Chapter 5analyzes the capital constraints, but with regard to accessand cost. Chapter 6 illustrates the insufficient progressmade by government promotion and procurement programs.Chapter 7 discusses the business environment within whichSMME firms must operate, paying particular attention tolocation ratings and crime. Finally Chapter 8 evaluates theextent to which the SMME tier is linked to the international economy.

[发布日期] 2000-08-31 [发布机构] Washington, DC

[学科分类] 社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

[关键词] GROWTH-REDUCING POLICIES;GROWTH PATTERNS;SMALL & MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES;MICROENTERPRISES;DEMOGRAPHY