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The role of the informal business sector in local economic development with reference to Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
Author(s)
Hita, Lunga
Date Issued
2013
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
This study investigated the role of the informal business sector in local economic
development with reference to Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) as one
of the possible solutions to deal with socio-economic challenges in the region. This
study described the state of the informal business sector, the contributions thereof in
local economic development, and the level of responsiveness from local authorities in
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
A survey questionnaire was administered to informal business actors in BCMM and
semi-structured interviews were conducted with BCMM managers in the Business
Development and Local Economic Development Directorates who were purposively
selected because of the positions that they hold in the municipality.
This study found that the informal business sector is underdeveloped in BCMM, and
is imbued with development challenges, namely; support services such as
infrastructure (designated municipal trading stalls) and access to financial support
and the lack of strategy/policy dedicated to the prioritisation of the needs of the
informal business sector. The informal business sector in BCMM is dominated by
small and micro businesses. The municipality acknowledges the contributions of the
informal business sector in local economic development from a job creation (selfemployment)
and poverty alleviation perspective. However, the business environment
of the informal business actors requires urgent development and support to stimulate
and encourage the gains of this sector and the role that it plays on local economic
development.
development with reference to Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) as one
of the possible solutions to deal with socio-economic challenges in the region. This
study described the state of the informal business sector, the contributions thereof in
local economic development, and the level of responsiveness from local authorities in
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
A survey questionnaire was administered to informal business actors in BCMM and
semi-structured interviews were conducted with BCMM managers in the Business
Development and Local Economic Development Directorates who were purposively
selected because of the positions that they hold in the municipality.
This study found that the informal business sector is underdeveloped in BCMM, and
is imbued with development challenges, namely; support services such as
infrastructure (designated municipal trading stalls) and access to financial support
and the lack of strategy/policy dedicated to the prioritisation of the needs of the
informal business sector. The informal business sector in BCMM is dominated by
small and micro businesses. The municipality acknowledges the contributions of the
informal business sector in local economic development from a job creation (selfemployment)
and poverty alleviation perspective. However, the business environment
of the informal business actors requires urgent development and support to stimulate
and encourage the gains of this sector and the role that it plays on local economic
development.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013
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205060285_Hita_l_Mtech_public_bus_2013
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thesis
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