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Institutional development as a tool to facilitate economic access for South Africa’s SMEs: the case of the Development Bank of Southern Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Zeph Nhleko

    (University of South Africa, South Africa.)

  • Watson Ladzani

    (University of South Africa, South Africa.)

  • Solly Seeletse

    (University of South Africa, South Africa.)

Abstract

The lack of economic access is one of the main challenges facing small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It contributes to the elevated levels of unemployment and slows the resolution of high inequality and poverty in South Africa. Economic access is the ability of historically disadvantaged individuals and entities to participate in the economy. This study aimed to explore how institutional development can support economic access for SMEs. The study explored how setting up new or improving existing socio-economic structures or legal entities could support economic access for SMEs. The support received by SMEs in South Africa from three institutions, the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO), the Infrastructure Delivery Division (IDD) and the Development Laboratories (DLabs), set up by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) was assessed. Quantitative data from the DBSA and IPPO, as well as qualitative views from informants, were used to assess the economic access of SMEs. The study shows that the IPPO, IDD and DLabs added value by achieving the objectives for which they were created. Furthermore, the results show that institutional development supports economic access for SMEs, and that this support is scalable. The study showed that institutional development could be a tool to support SMEs to participate in the economy. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on ways to support SMEs to grow and contribute to reducing unemployment, inequality and poverty. Key Words: institutional development;, economic access, SMEs, historically disadvantaged, DBSA

Suggested Citation

  • Zeph Nhleko & Watson Ladzani & Solly Seeletse, 2023. "Institutional development as a tool to facilitate economic access for South Africa’s SMEs: the case of the Development Bank of Southern Africa," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 12(7), pages 271-282, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:rbs:ijbrss:v:12:y:2023:i:7:p:271-282
    DOI: 10.20525/ijrbs.v12i7.2727
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karla Hoff, 2003. "Paths of Institutional Development: A View from Economic History," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 18(2), pages 205-226.
    2. Andrew Ngawenja Mzembe & Ko Koens & Licia Calvi, 2023. "The institutional antecedents of sustainable development in cultural heritage tourism," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2196-2211, August.
    3. Geoffrey M. Hodgson, 2006. "What Are Institutions?," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(1), pages 1-25, March.
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