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Who is not truthful? Discrepancies between SMMEs and their support programmes in responding to the same question

Author

Listed:
  • Gosiame Eulenda Molope

    (UNISA)

  • Solomon Seeletse
  • Mmboswobeni Watson Ladzani

    (University of South Africa)

Abstract

The small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa were found to be failing at exceedingly high rates. Some government support programmes were established in certain institutions of government to improve the SMME situation. Discrepancies seemed to show that while support programmes offered aid to the SMMEs, SMMEs showed no significant improvement. The support structures claimed that their aid was effective, and the SMMEs were saying they were not being enhanced. The aim of this paper was to analyze and understand the reasons behind any differences in responses or actions between SMMEs and the support programmes meant to aid them. A qualitative study was conducted, where both parties were interviewed, and their results compared. The study showed that the support programmes were not empowered to extend their services beyond offering aid, so they could not even monitor and evaluate their programmes’ effectiveness. When they said they were effective, it meant up to their scope. On the other hand, SMMEs expected the support institutions to visit and support them. Hence, the problem was mainly a misunderstanding. For the success of the support programmes, however, the study recommended that policies of the support structures should be extended, and activities extended to satisfy the SMMEs. Key Words: Customization, Government support agency, One-size-fits-all, Training

Suggested Citation

  • Gosiame Eulenda Molope & Solomon Seeletse & Mmboswobeni Watson Ladzani, 2025. "Who is not truthful? Discrepancies between SMMEs and their support programmes in responding to the same question," International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 7(1), pages 57-66, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:adi:ijbess:v:7:y:2025:i:1:p:57-66
    DOI: 10.36096/ijbes.v7i1.541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Asem Alkahtani & Norfarah Nordin & Rizwan Ullah Khan, 2020. "Does government support enhance the relation between networking structure and sustainable competitive performance among SMEs?," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Steinert, Janina I. & Zenker, Juliane & Filipiak, Ute & Movsisyan, Ani & Cluver, Lucie D. & Shenderovich, Yulia, 2018. "Do saving promotion interventions increase household savings, consumption, and investments in Sub-Saharan Africa? A systematic review and meta-analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 238-256.
    3. Falk Daviter, 2017. "Coping, taming or solving: alternative approaches to the governance of wicked problems," Policy Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(6), pages 571-588, November.
    4. Timothy Alukom & Innocent Bayai & Prince Enwereji, 2023. "Effects of Government Intervention on SMMEs: A Review of Empirical Evidence," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 19(5), pages 264-289, October.
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