Browsing by Author "Meyer, Isabel A."

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    The dynamics of regional economic integration: a system dynamics analysis of pathways to the development of value chains in the Southern African Customs Union
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2017) Grobbelaar, Sara S.; Meyer, Isabel A.
    Despite progress towards improved cooperation within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), it can be argued that real economic integration is still lacking. Cross-border value chain (VC) development has been proposed as a potential enabler of regional economic integration. This article draws on a systems thinking process to explore the dynamic process of regional economic integration and value chain development. Through an inductive approach, we consider pathways for value chain development using the agro-processing and automotive sectors within SACU as case studies. The outcome of the dynamic hypothesis is to inform a framework for strategic decision-making to support policy action towards developing cross-border value chains in SACU.
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    A framework of key growth factors for small enterprises operating at the base of the pyramid
    (MDPI, 2020-11-10) Van der Merwe, Michael D.; Grobbelaar, Sara S.; Meyer, Isabel A.; Schutte, Cornelius S. L.; Von Leipzig, Konrad H.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Enterprises operating at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) find it difficult to simultaneously achieve economic (profitable growth) and social (poverty alleviation) outcomes. This study builds on a previously published systematic literature review that identified the key growth-promoting factors of the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in this space. A Grounded Theory Approach was followed to identify six core focus areas, which form the basis of a practical framework to evaluate SMMEs at the BoP, namely: Business modelling; business strategy; innovation; marketing; strategic alliances; and sustainable development. Expert screening interviews were conducted to evaluate the framework for credibility and confirmability. Thereafter, 57 for-profit South African enterprises were surveyed to empirically explore how SMMEs view and implement these framework components. The outcome of the study is a validated high growth-promoting BoP portfolio framework against which SMME owners can evaluate their enterprises to identify areas of growth and development.
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    Pro-poor value chains for small scale farming innovation : sustainability improvements through ICT
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2019-12-12) Matsenjwa, Bongekile; Grobbelaar, Sara; Meyer, Isabel A.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The success of small-scale farmers in pro-poor value chains is constrained by aspects related to government policies, research and training, community issues, and the quality of existing information and communication technology (ICT) tools. This article discusses effective strategies to increase the access to and adoption of ICT by small-scale farmers. Based on a literature review and an expert opinion survey, it identifies and assesses the key factors that facilitate increased ICT access and adoption. Investment in the development of ICT for rural small-scale farmer development is needed, to customise farming ICT to be user-friendly, and to conduct research on the use of simpler but more appropriate technologies to facilitate ICT adoption and use for value chain development.