Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South Africa

The function and contribution of small and medium-sized firms in ensuring local economic growth are explored in this study. Previous studies show that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have many different definitions and metrics.  It was indicated that employment is the most popular metric f...

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Main Authors: Andrew Enaifoghe, Trisha Ramsuraj
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Research and Postgraduate Support Directorate 2023-08-01
Series:African Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.dut.ac.za/index.php/ajims/article/view/1172
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author Andrew Enaifoghe
Trisha Ramsuraj
author_facet Andrew Enaifoghe
Trisha Ramsuraj
author_sort Andrew Enaifoghe
collection DOAJ
description The function and contribution of small and medium-sized firms in ensuring local economic growth are explored in this study. Previous studies show that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have many different definitions and metrics.  It was indicated that employment is the most popular metric for measuring company size in many different nations in terms of job creation through Small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurship.  Although many nations, notably those in the European Union, adopt a lower cut-off point of 250 people, SMEs are typically classified as businesses with less than 500 employees. The goal of the research was to develop a better knowledge of the elements influencing the success of SMEs in South Africa. The study interrogates the question of what role entrepreneurship plays in inspiring the local economic growth of a country. Findings show that entrepreneurs and SMEs are key drivers of local development. The research calls for government investment in SMEs to help them overcome the problems they confront. The study indicated that the contribution and function of SMEs in local government is to stabilize the economy, especially in local communities with the perspective of empowering individuals. The study recommends that the government invest in SMEs to help them deal with socioeconomic issues including unemployment and poverty based on the obstacles encountered by SMEs.
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spelling doaj.art-61c22754c91b4d8789b9e0fa339c25242023-09-18T11:24:11ZengResearch and Postgraduate Support DirectorateAfrican Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies2663-45972663-45892023-08-0151Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South AfricaAndrew Enaifoghe0Trisha Ramsuraj1University of Zululand, South AfricaDurban University of Technology, South Africa The function and contribution of small and medium-sized firms in ensuring local economic growth are explored in this study. Previous studies show that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have many different definitions and metrics.  It was indicated that employment is the most popular metric for measuring company size in many different nations in terms of job creation through Small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurship.  Although many nations, notably those in the European Union, adopt a lower cut-off point of 250 people, SMEs are typically classified as businesses with less than 500 employees. The goal of the research was to develop a better knowledge of the elements influencing the success of SMEs in South Africa. The study interrogates the question of what role entrepreneurship plays in inspiring the local economic growth of a country. Findings show that entrepreneurs and SMEs are key drivers of local development. The research calls for government investment in SMEs to help them overcome the problems they confront. The study indicated that the contribution and function of SMEs in local government is to stabilize the economy, especially in local communities with the perspective of empowering individuals. The study recommends that the government invest in SMEs to help them deal with socioeconomic issues including unemployment and poverty based on the obstacles encountered by SMEs. https://journals.dut.ac.za/index.php/ajims/article/view/1172local economic developmentlocal governmentsmall and medium-sized businesses
spellingShingle Andrew Enaifoghe
Trisha Ramsuraj
Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South Africa
African Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies
local economic development
local government
small and medium-sized businesses
title Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South Africa
title_full Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South Africa
title_fullStr Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South Africa
title_short Examining the Function and Contribution of Entrepreneurship through Small and Medium Enterprises as Drivers of Local Economic Growth in South Africa
title_sort examining the function and contribution of entrepreneurship through small and medium enterprises as drivers of local economic growth in south africa
topic local economic development
local government
small and medium-sized businesses
url https://journals.dut.ac.za/index.php/ajims/article/view/1172
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