Achievement motivation and small business success in Transkei

The success of small firms is crucial for the creation and expansion of employment opportunities. Success in business often relies on entrepreneurial skills and attributes. This article examines the effect of one of these attributes, need achievement (n‐Ach), on entrepreneurial success as measured by asset, sales and labour growth. N‐Ach was found to be a significant predictor of success for indigenous entrepreneurs in Transkei Subjects with high and above‐average n‐Ach level tended to engage in more sophisticated business ventures than their counterparts low on n‐Ach. Male entrepreneurs were found to have a higher mean score on n‐Ach than their female counterparts. A one‐unit enhancement in n‐Ach level of the entrepreneur could induce a more than proportionate rise in the labour growth rate of the small entrepreneurial firm.     

Similarities and differences between male and female entrepreneurial attributes in manufacturing firms in the informal sector in the Transkei

Although South Africa has consistently registered positive economic growth rates since the democratic government took office in 1994, there has been no surge in new formal sector jobs. The public and private sectors have been shedding labour in response to economic imperatives of the domestic and global circumstances. Accordingly, more and more people are taking the route to informal sector entrepreneurship. Traditionally more men than women ventured into business; currently an increasing number of females are turning to self-employment. However, much that is known about business individuals is based on studies of male entrepreneurs. This article presents a comparative assessment of selected entrepreneurial attributes of male and female individuals engaged in informal sector manufacturing activities in the Transkei. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to a sample of 80 micro-entrepreneurs in four urban centres. This study shows that the general entrepreneurial tendencies of the surveyed male and female micro-entrepreneurs are more similar than they are different. However, differences exist in value adding and job creation between the two groups.     

Returning the State's assets to the private sector: A review of the case for privatisation

Privatisation is currently a globally topical and controversial issue. There are various approaches to privatisation all of which aim to shrink the extent of the public sector's activities, a sector whose performance has generally been unimpressive. The disillusionment with public sector enterprises has prompted many countries, including South Africa, to embark on a reform programme of selling off much of their state assets to the private sector. The underlying rationale is that scarce resources can more efficiently be allocated and accordingly goods and services more efficiently produced by the private sector than the public sector. Admittedly, privatisation can bring certain efficiency benefits, but it should not be considered as a panacea.

This paper seeks firstly to clarify the concept of privatisation: secondly, to analyse the benefits, drawbacks, implications and mechanics of privatisation; thirdly, to consider the case for privatisation in South Africa, and finally to examine certain policy guidelines.