SMME development in Johannesburg's Southern Metropolitan Local Council: An assessment

This article addresses the development, management and needs of small, micro‐ and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Johannesburg's Southern Metropolitan Local Council (SMLC), with particular focus on business development by previously disadvantaged South Africans. The article comprises an introductory section on the small‐business sector in South Africa and internationally, as well as the results of a field survey of a sample of 841 SMMEs in the SMLC. Many of the respondents were located in areas like Soweto, Orange Farm, Eldorado Park and Lenasia. Given the areas’ poverty and a history of neglect, the bulk of respondents were small, micro‐ or survivalist enterprises. In part, the survey confirmed some generally held notions about small businesses. Among these were funding difficulties, a strong desire for business‐related training and serious informational problems. The study revealed a shortage of management skills and poor record‐keeping. At the same time, some evidence emerged of business potential, including high survival rates and a determination to succeed. Key recommendations include training programmes in such areas as record‐keeping, marketing, customer relations, inventory control and tendering procedures. Mechanisms are also suggested for facilitating access to finance.     

应收账款周转率对中小企业融资约束影响的实证分析

中小企业融资约束因深受多种因素影响而成为一个较为复杂的问题,本文将中小企业应收账款周转率同中小企业现金流量所构建的交互项引入现金-现金流敏感性模型,着重讨论企业应收账款周转率同中小企业融资约束之间的关系。研究表明,周转速度较快的应收账款对中小企业的融资约束具有缓解作用。因此,本文提出了做好应收账款分类管理和回收管理的建议。     

专业化管理的家族企业——新加坡的华人企业

通过考察大量口述历史记录、个人访谈、文献研究及有关新加坡经济、社会的评论,研究了亚洲金融危机(以下简称危机)前后新加坡华人企业变化及其发展的持续性,表明危机前,这些大型企业由家族制管理变为专业化管理;危机后,其变化趋势有两种,一种由于面临着西方企业日益激烈的竞争,在政府密切关注下,同时也因缺乏有能力、有管理家族企业意愿的后代,家族制度已松散;另一种由于没有政府的直接管制,在危机后消极的市场形势下,为谋求生存,任用有能力的家族后代充分发挥优势,维持着传统的家族制.本文分别从市场、制度(包括文化和政府)及一些主要大公司的领导者行为分析,推导一个路径清晰、条脉分明的管理变化模式,同时提出进一步的研究方向--专业化管理家族企业的结构及政府的角色.     

专业化管理的家族企业——新加坡的华人企业

通过考察大量口迷历史记录、个人访谈、文献研究及有关新加坡经济、社会的评论，研究了亚洲金融危机（以下简称危机）前后新加坡华人企业变化及其发展的持续性，表明危机前，这些大型企业由家族制管理变为专业化管理；危机后，其变化趋势有两种，一种由于面临着西方企业日益激烈的竞争，在政府密切关注下，同时也因缺乏有能力、有管理家族企业意愿的后代，家族制度已松散；另一种由于没有政府的直接管制，在危机后消极的市场形势下，为谋求生存，任用有能力的家族后代充分发挥优势，维持着传统的家族制。本文分别从市场、制度（包括文化和政府）及一些主要大公司的领导者行为分析，推导一个路径清晰、条脉分明的管理变化模式，同时提出进一步的研究方向——专业化管理家族企业的结构及政府的角色。     

An Empirical Analysis of Health Shocks and Informal Risk Sharing Networks

Using panel household survey data from rural Ethiopia, we investigate informal risk sharing against health shocks in the presence of multiple risk sharing networks. We find that neither short‐term nor long‐term health shocks are insured through transfers from networks such as friends, neighbors, and members of informal associations. However, networks related along bloodline such as extended family members provide assistance when health shocks are long‐term such as disabilities. The results show that these networks strategically complement planned component of their transfers which are made on a regular basis such as remittance, entitlement, or chop money (small cash sums for household expenses). Moreover, we find significant history dependence in transfers from not only genetically distant networks but also extended family members as well as formal institutions, which seems to discourage dependency. Finally, the findings suggest significant heterogeneity in transfers.     

Impact of the Emerging Financial Holding Company Model on Small Business Borrowers' Financial Welfare: Contemporary Evidence from Nigeria Based on the Monti‐Klein Approach

This study exploits the adequacy of the Monti‐Klein model to analyse the banking firms' lending behaviour and uses the geometric lag analytic model to detect the lifespan of bank conglomeration impacts on small business financial welfare. We find that, although the impact of emerging conglomerate banks on lending to small businesses is significantly negative (δ = ?0.6897; p < 0.01), the effect reverses to a pre‐conglomerate positive status within one year. Hence, bank conglomeration does not negatively affect the financial welfare of small business borrowers in the long run. Contrary to the widespread belief and fear, the negative effects are not permanent. Large banks are feared to have no time for mid‐sized businesses. We find, however, that mere increases in size, as may be caused by economic or internal growth, do not pose a threat to small businesses. Large‐sized banking firms positively and significantly correlate with small and predictable risks (δ = 1.7935; p < 0.01). Hence, contrary to what regulators fear, there is no real issue surrounding the idea that building diversifying banks will influence small business loans negatively. What matters is the means through which large banks emerge. Therefore, regulators ought to exercise caution so that they do not discourage their emergence.     

LONG-RUN M3 DEMAND IN SOUTH AFRICA: A COINTEGRATED VAR MODEL

This paper presents a system cointegration analysis of a long‐run demand for money (measured in terms of M3) in South Africa. In particular, the paper estimates a cointegrated vector autoregression model, consisting of real money, income and the opportunity cost of holding money. Using a variety of theory consistent identification schemes, the money demand function is identified along with other two cointegrating relations, namely, an IS‐type relationship and a relationship relating inflation to the spread between long‐ and short‐term interest rates. The model shows that of the variables used, only income and real money are error‐correcting to the money demand relation. The money demand relation is found to be relatively stable over the sample period, when short‐run fluctuations are corrected for. The model further shows that the long‐run link between money and inflation is rather weak.     

Impact of Credit Accessibility on the Earnings of Self-employed Businesses in India

The study assesses the impact of credit accessibility on the earnings of self-employed small businesses in India. Using unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises survey data provided by National Survey Sample Organisation (NSSO) on the Indian economy for the year 2015-16, the paper shows that access to credit augments earnings of self-employed businesses. The paper also separately shows the impact of credit availed from formal and informal lending agencies on self-employment earnings. Interestingly, we observe that both these lending agencies have a positive impact, even though the terms and conditions are not favourable in the informal market. Based on our findings we suggest for creation of informal-formal credit linkage programme akin to that of SHG bank linkage programme in which enterprises that do not possess accessibility to formal sources due to absence of collateral can also get formal credits through informal lenders at favourable terms and conditions.     

Financing Alternatives for Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises： The Case for a Small and Medium Enterprise Stock Market

Financing alternatives for small and medium enterprises in China are discussed in the present study. In particular, we analyze the significant changes and developments in China s “second board” stock market. China s extensive network of regional assets and equity exchanges, which were set up to facilitate private equity transfer, and non‐performing loan transactions seem to partially fill the void for small and medium enterprises, which cannot easily obtain approval for listing on the stock exchanges. Foreign investors can identify investment opportunities in non‐listed domestic state‐owned and private businesses through these regional assets and equity exchanges. At the same time, foreign stock markets are now attracting the young Chinese enterprises to list their stocks on their exchanges. (Edited by Zhinan Zhang)     

Empirical analysis of urban youth unemployment in Ethiopia

Lack of adequate jobs and long unemployment duration becomes a challenge for urban youth in Ethiopia. This study empirically examines youth unemployment and its determinants in urban Ethiopia. It aims to examine the incidences and durations of youth unemployment and their determinant factors. In addition to logistic regression model, a nonparametric Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model are used. The results indicate that both the incidence and duration of youth unemployment is higher in urban Ethiopia. The hazards model shows that the hazard rate of leaving unemployment are significantly related to individual characteristics such as age and educational level of the youth, and labor market factors such as experience and job market information. Gender and regional disparities are observed. Young women exit unemployment much slower than men and the exit rate increases with age. Big and relatively more urbanized regions have a higher incidence and longer duration of unemployment spells than the small regions. Finally, based on the results, the study suggests that there is a need to adopt target policies that will promote skills and employment opportunities for the youth. Providing entrepreneurship training and startup capital to encourage youth to create rather than seek jobs is critical in this regard.     

INFLATION TARGETING AND THE FISHER EFFECT IN SOUTH AFRICA: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

The paper analyses the relationship between expected inflation and nominal interest rates during a period of inflation targeting in South Africa, i.e. from 2000 to 2005. Specifically, it investigates the Fisher hypothesis that nominal interest rates move one‐to‐one with expected inflation, leaving the real interest rate unaffected. The analysis distinguishes between a short‐run Fisher effect and a long‐run Fisher effect. Using cointegration and error correction models (for monthly data for the period April 2000 to July 2005), it was found that the short‐run Fisher hypothesis did not hold during the relevant period under the inflation targeting monetary policy framework in South Africa. This is attributed to a combination of the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) control over short‐term interest rates and the effects of the monetary transmission mechanism. The long‐run Fisher hypothesis could not be confirmed in its strictest form: while changes in inflation expectations move in the same direction as the nominal long‐term interest rate. This suggests that monetary policy has an influence on the real long‐term interest rate, which has positive implications for general economic activity, thus confirming the credibility of the inflation targeting framework.     

Mobile Payment and Informal Business: Evidence from China's Household Panel Data

This paper uses household panel data to explore the impact of mobile payments on China's household business activity. Using a difference‐in‐difference fixed effect specification, I find that mobile payment users are more likely to operate small‐scale and self‐employed informal businesses. The impact of using mobile payment primarily derives from the transition of agricultural families to business owners and the development of informal businesses. The paper illustrates an associated increase in employment and income for family members, with more pronounced effects on low‐income and rural households. It also provides prima facie evidence of the increase in fund transfers, which is important for risk sharing that informal businesses may encounter.     

THE FOOD SECURITY PROBLEM IN ETHIOPIA – A SUPPLY SIDE ANALYSIS

Since 1961 Ethiopia has been ruled by a Monarchy, a Marxist military dictatorship, and presently by a coalition of political parties that came to power in 1991after a protracted civil war. These three governments have pursued different ideologies in formulating policies to guide agricultural development. However, to date Ethiopia remains food insecure. Ethiopian agriculture is dominated by peasant farmers and 85 per cent of the population is rural. Rural poverty and, hence, food insecurity is intricately related to insufficient land and a lack of long‐term tenure security. The aggregate country level food security was assessed using various indicators for the periods of the three governments. The growth rates and the variability in the indicators suggest that Ethiopia is suffering from both chronic and transitory food insecurity.     

International perspectives on tourism‐led development: some lessons for the SDIs

The concept of tourism‐led socio‐economic development is neither new nor peculiar to South Africa. This study draws on the international experience of the Malindi‐Mombasa coastal development corridor in Kenya, the Goa Coast of India, the Kulu Valley and Bhutan in the Himalayas, the Gambia, Dominica, Belize and the Maldives. It assesses the results achieved in these tourism programmes against the strategic objectives of those South African SDIs that place a heavy emphasis on the country's tourism potential. The SDIs, as described elsewhere in this collection, represent a new paradigm adopted by the South African government, aimed at moving away from a protected and isolated approach to economic development, towards one in which international competitiveness, regional cooperation and a more diversified ownership base are paramount. The key objectives of the tourism‐led development corridors, including the Wild Coast and Lubombo SDIs, are to generate sustainable economic growth and development; generate sustainable long‐term employment creation; maximise the extent to which private sector investment and lending can be mobilised into the process; change the ownership base of the industry so that people previously excluded from the mainstream of the economy by discriminatory practices can play a meaningful role as workers, managers and owners of new tourism enterprises; and to exploit the opportunities that arise from new tourism and ecotourism developments for the creation of upstream and downstream business opportunities, especially small businesses owned by previously marginalised groups.     

促进小微企业发展的税收政策研究

小微企业在国民经济中占有重要地位,完善与改进税收政策对促进小微企业的发展有重要意义.对我国现行小微企业的界定标准和小微企业税收制度进行分析,指出相关税收政策存在的不足,并提出促进小微企业进一步发展的税收政策建议.     

The Poverty–Environment Nexus in Africa

Abstract: This paper provides a short review of the poverty‐environment nexus in Africa, which has emerged as a major development challenge for the continent. It looks specifically at issues related to deforestation and land degradation, low agricultural productivity, water scarcity, threats to Africa's biodiversity, and the impact of civil conflicts. It summarizes some of the main policy implications that arise based on the time inconsistency problem between short‐term survival strategies and longer‐term environmental concerns. The policy recommendations include sector‐specific interventions as well as cross‐cutting policy changes addressing gender imbalances and insufficient institutional reforms.     

黑龙江省中小企业融资困难的对策

中小企业融资困难,从内因看,主要在于我国中小企业的整体素质不高,从外因看,受我国当前政策体系、法律、投资环境、宏观管理等多种因素影响.解决黑龙江省中小企业融资难的问题,既要借鉴国际先进经验,又要从当地发展特性出发,深入分析,对症下药.政府要转变观念,把扶持促进中小企业作为经济发展的长期战略;要制定中小企业长期发展规划;要理顺中小企业的宏观管理制度;要突出重点,把服务型、科技型、外向型、专业特色型的中小企业作为发展的主攻方向;要加快大中小企业产业分工链建设,加快金融创新和创业投资发展.     

美、日中小企业技术创新比较研究

对于中小企业来说，技术创新是极其重要的。当经济全球化的趋势日益扩大、国际性竞争日趋激烈的时候，是技术创新给予了中小企业的存在和发展以最强有力的支持。在美国，由中小企业所开展的技术创新在很多领域已经超过了大企业，尤其是那些掌握尖端技术的中小企业已经成为技术创新的主导；日本中小企业的技术创新活动在近几年问也取得了长足的进步，促进了企业的发展。美国中小企业技术创新的构成和实际状况与日本的中小企业相比存在着差异，因此，对美、日中小企业技术创新的构成和实际状况进行详细的分析和比较具有一定的现实意义。     

PRODUCTIVITY IMPACT OF THE MODERN VARIETIES OF RICE IN INDIA

The present paper analyzed the long‐term yield growth and total factor productivity (TFP) growth by applying Tornqvist‐Theil index method for two periods, namely, 1970–85 (early Green Revolution) and 1986–2000 (late Green Revolution), for major rice‐growing states of India. The yield data shows an increasing long‐term growth trend throughout the Green Revolution period in irrigated states where modern variety (MV) adoption was nearly complete. However, yield advances started to slow down for intensive irrigated rice systems in the 1990s, whereas rainfed ecosystems have increased during the late Green Revolution period. The domestic spillovers of MV from irrigated to rainfed states is likely to be one of the contributing factors to increased TFP growth in ranifed areas after the 1980s. This implies that the MV of rice developed for irrigated ecosystems have also benefited substantially the rainfed‐dominant eastern Indian states in the long run where partial irrigation facilities such as shallow tube wells were created after the mid‐1980s.     

The Short‐Term Economic Impact of Levying E‐Tolls on Industries

TERM is used to analyse the short‐term regional economic impact of an increase in industries' transport costs when paying E‐Tolls. Market‐clearing and accounting equations allow regional economies to be represented as an integrated framework, labour adjusts to accommodate increasing transportation costs, and investments change to accommodate capital that is fixed. 1 1 TERM is a bottom‐up CGE model designed for highly disaggregated regional data. The Enormous Regional Model's originate from Horridge et al. ( 2005 ) and are better explained in Horridge ( 2011 ).
We concluded that costs from levying E‐Tolls on industries are small in comparison to total transport costs, and the impact on economic aggregates and most industries are marginal: investments (?0.404%), gross domestic product (GDP) (?0.01) and consumer price inflation (?0.10%). This is true even when considering costs and benefits on industries as well as consumers. Industries that experienced the greatest decline in output were transport, construction and gold. Provinces that are closer to Gauteng and have a greater share of severely impacted industries experienced larger GDP and real income reductions. Mpumalanga's decrease in GDP was 17% greater than Gauteng's.