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The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of the adoption of Social Media Marketing by small, micro and medium enterprises. The study integrated the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) Framework to develop a theoretical framework. This study had four objectives: (1) to evaluate the effects of TAM constructs (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) on the intention to adopt SMM by SMMEs; (2) to examine the effects of TOE constructs (relative advantage, customer pressure, competitive pressure and top management support) on the intention to adopt SMM by SMMEs; (3) to identify the moderating influences of demographic variables (age and gender) on the relationship between TAM and TOE constructs and intentions to adopt SMM by SMMEs; and (4) to find out whether the intention to adopt affects the actual adoption of SMM by SMMEs. The study made use of a quantitative research design. The study population is SMMEs in Capricorn and Waterberg District Municipalities of Limpopo Province. The sample size of the study was determined by using the ten-times rule and the non-probability sampling (convenience and snowballing) methods were used. The cross-sectional survey method was used to collect data. A sample of 360 was selected. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data from respondents. Data analysis was completed using the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability were employed to measure reliability. The results of the research study revealed that perceived usefulness; relative advantage; top management support and customer pressure produced direct positive relationships towards intention to adopt social media marketing. Whereas perceived ease of use and competitive pressure produced insignificant direct negative relationships towards intention to adopt social media marketing. The results of the moderating effects of

The primary objective of the study was to examine the effect of values (biospheric values, altruistic values, egoistic values and openness to change values) on voluntary pro-environmental behaviour of employees of SMMEs.In addition, the study investigated the moderating effect of demographic variables (gender, age and level of education) in the relationship between values and pro-environmental behaviour. The quantitative approach was utilised and the cross-sectional survey method was used to collect data from the respondents that were conveniently sampled. The Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure reliability and the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS SEM) was utilised to analyse data. The findings of the study indicated that biospheric values has a negative relationship with employees’ voluntary proenvironmental behaviour. Three values (altruistic, egoistic and openness to change values) have significant positive relationships with voluntary pro-environmental behaviour of employees. The moderating effects of gender, age and level of education are insignificant. Recommendations on how to use values to improve the voluntary pro-environmental behaviour of employees of SMMEs are outlined.

The current work assessed the link between environmental sustainability commitment and financial performance of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Broadly, the researcher aimed to establish whether environmental sustainability commitment as measured by energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste management, carbon emission reduction, material efficiency, green products and services innovation, environmental compliance and stakeholder engagement do affect financial performance. Furthermore, the study tested the moderation effect of industry type on the link between environmental sustainability commitment and financial performance. The study was quantitative in nature with a case study research design. The longitudinal design was adopted where the researcher collected panel data from 2011-2018. The population of the study included all firms listed on the JSE Responsible Investment Index in South Africa. The sample constituted of 32 firms listed on the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index in South Africa. The researcher employed panel regression analysis model to analyse the data. Specifically, the Feasible Generalised Least Squares regression model was utilised in this study. Financial performance was treated as the dependant variable and was measured using return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA), earnings per share (EPS), share price and Tobin’s q. The independent variables of the study included components of environmental sustainability; energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste management, carbon emission reduction, material efficiency, green products and services innovation, environmental compliance and stakeholder engagement. Control variables such as firm size and liquidity were used in the study. Mixed findings emerged from the statistical tests. The findings on the relationship between energy efficiency and financial performance suggested that energy efficiency has no significant effect on financial performance as measured by ROE, R

The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of strategic orientation and networking on the sustainable performance of SMEs. A quantitative approach was used, and a self-administered questionnaire was employed during the data collection process. A four-section questionnaire covering demographic information, strategic orientation variables, networking variables and sustainable performance variables was prepared and distributed randomly to a selected sample of 300 SME owners in Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo Province. A total of 140 questionnaires were returned. The software used to analyse information gathered and to ensure accuracy and reliability of the study results was Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between strategic orientation and sustainable performance, and the relationship between networking and sustainable performance. The Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. The results of the study revealed that both strategic orientation and networking positively impact on the performance of SMEs. Recommendations to improve the strategic orientation and networking of SMEs are suggested. These recommendations offered meaningful insights into SME owners, government, non-government organisations and other organisations for the improvement of their businesses while providing room for future research studies.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) and its impact in the economic, social and personal development has become an important object of scientific research in recent decades. Theoretical and empirical studies have demonstrated the necessity to gain and exploit positive outcomes such as productivity growth, organisation expansion, efficiency, effectiveness, competitiveness and so on of ICT adoption and implementation in various organisations. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the determinants of ICT adoption by SMEs for improved performance. The study utilised the quantitative research approach whereby a survey was conducted using convenience and snowball sampling methods. Data was tested for reliability using the Cronbach’ Alpha. Furthermore, descriptive analysis was conducted as well as correlation and regression tests. The questionnaire was developed from the empirical literature review. The determinants of ICT adoption were represented by perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial passion, personal factors, business characteristics and performance. Based on the results, SMEs should seek to adopt ICT using the determinants which were assessed as they show how effective a business can improve performance if these determinants are used to adopt ICT. Furthermore, more should be done by government to give support and awareness to SMEs on various aspects that can improve their businesses such as ICT. Keywords: ICT, SMEs, Determinants, Adoption, Performance

SMEs play an important role in the economy as they contribute to job creation, poverty alleviation, innovation, economic growth and development. However, they tend to fail due to business challenges such as poor performance. One of the solutions to business failure is entrepreneurs’ level of self-efficacy towards normal and challenging business activities, which consequently leads to sustainable performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and sustainable performance. A quantitative method was used and self-administered questionnaires were distributed for the purpose of data collection. The questionnaire covered three sections which are made of demographic information, entrepreneurial self-efficacy measures and sustainable performance. This study used non probability sampling where convenience sampling and snowball sampling methods were used to select the sample. Convenience and snowball sampling were used because a sample frame of SMEs in the study area does not exist. 320 questionnaires were issued to SME owners in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province. A total of 180 questionnaires were returned. Descriptive statistics was undertaken to evaluate respondents against ESE and sustainable performance. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse collected information for confirmation of accuracy and reliability of results. ANOVA and T-test samples were used to determine the significant difference between ESE and sustainable performance according to owners’ demographic characteristics. Correlation and regression were used to determine the relationship between ESE and sustainable performance. The Cronbach’s alpha was applied to measure reliability. Findings of the study revealed that ESE positively impacts the sustainable performance of SMEs. Recommendations were made for improvement on ESE and sustainable performance of SMEs.

This research focuses on the evaluation of the project management maturity at Eskom. The problem is that Eskom struggled with delivery of projects as planned. The main objective of this research was to identify an applicable PMMM to assess the project management maturity level of Eskom’s core business units, namely Transmission, Distribution and Generation, by assessing its capability to undertake projects effectively in order to provide electricity to the Southern Africa communities. A quantitative research methodology was selected. A survey was conducted with a closed-ended questionnaire made up of three parts (Applicable project management maturity model, project management culture and project management organisation strategy maturity). The population consisted of senior project managers, project managers, and related project management personnel from Eskom in MegaWatt Park Johannesburg. 200 questionnaires were distributed to the Eskom business units, namely Distribution, Generation and Transmission project management employees, selected purely on their experience and knowledge, hence purposive sampling was used. Surveys were emailed to the respective project management personnel with the help of the senior manager. 133 were returned. This is a response rate of 66 %, which was deemed acceptable. Descriptive statistics was utilised to assess the project management maturity level of Eskom business units. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24 (SPSS) was utilised for the purpose of data and reliability analysis. Correlation and linear regression analysis were undertaken to evaluate influence of maturity levels of organisational strategy and culture on the project management maturity level. A Cronbach’s Alpha was utilised to measure the reliability of the data. It was concluded there were project management process areas, not performing well. Namely: project time management, project cost management and project procurement management. The assessment of pro

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are an important vehicle in income redistribution, poverty alleviation, employment creation and contribute to the gross domestic product of South Africa. However, SMEs in South Africa suffer from weak performance and thus a high failure rate. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of learning and marketing orientation on the performance of SMEs. A quantitative approach was used, while a self-administered questionnaire was also employed during the data collection process. A four section questionnaire covering demographic information, learning orientation variables, marketing orientation variables and performance variables was prepared and distributed randomly to a selected sample of 390 SME owners in Msukaligwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga Province. A total of 181 questionnaires were returned. Descriptive statistics was undertaken to evaluate the respondents’ characteristics against the three research variables (learning orientation, marketing orientation and performance). The software used to analyse information gathered and to ensure accuracy and reliability of the study results was Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between learning orientation and performance, and the relationship between marketing orientation and performance. The Cronbach’s alpha was used as a measure of reliability. The results of the study revealed that both learning and marketing orientation positively impact on the performance of SMEs. Recommendations to improve the marketing and learning orientation of SMEs are suggested.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of e-business applications when used for the creation and delivering of value propositions that the target markets that businesses desire to achieve in the Limpopo Province. The study had three objectives. (1) To identify the e-business applications that can be used in the development of new value propositions for businesses (2) To identify the benefits that the use of e-business applications offers to businesses (3) To determine the relationship between the use of e-business applications and the operational performance of the value propositions. The study was quantitative in nature. Exploratory and descriptive research were utilised to the use of e-business applications by businesses. A sample size of 330 businesses was used. The questionnaire was based on a thorough theoretical basis and a pilot study was conducted to improve the validity. The Cronbach alpha test was conducted to ascertain the reliability of the research instrument. Data was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaires in a survey. SPSS was used for data analysis. The results indicate the e-business applications, the benefits of e-business and the relationship between the e-business applications and operational performance of value propositions. Recommendations to businesses utilise e-business applications so that they are able to create and deliver value propositions in an efficient and effective manner are made.