Gentlemen's Magazine Proposal or Essay

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Improving sustainability through networked-enterprises R.P. Brand1, C Schutte, Prof. N.D. du Preez Department of Industrial Engineering University of Stellenbosch, South Africa riaan@indutech.co.za

KEYWORDS SMMEs, Business Framework, Enterprise Life Cycles, Zachman Framework, Informal Economy, South Africa ABSTRACT This paper describes the role and use of Enterprise Engineering concepts as a formal approach to the deployment of sustainable networks of small businesses in South Africa. Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in the informal South African economy struggle to survive as a result of various reasons. A Business Framework is suggested that support informal SMMEs through their initial stages of operation and, by doing so, improve sustainable growth and employment opportunities. This implies integration of informal business activities with the formal economy. The Business Framework is constructed using the Zachman Enterprise Reference Architecture and is evaluated through a Small-scale Fish Farming project case study.

OPSOMMING Hierdie artikel beskryf die toepassing van Bedryfsingenieurswese beginsels soos gebruik in ’n formele benadering tot die ontwikkeling van volhoubare netwerke van klein ondernemings in SuidAfrika. Verskeie faktore dra by tot die sukkelende voortbestaan van ‘SMMEs’ in die informele ekonomie van die land. As moontlike oplossing tot hierdie probleem word ’n Besigheidsraamwerk voorgestel wat informele ‘SMMEs’ ondersteun gedurende hul aanvangsfase, en daardeur volhoubare groei en werkskeppingsgeleenthede verbeter. Realisering van hierdie volhoubare mikpunt impliseer integrasie aktiwiteite met die formele ekonomie. Die Besigheidsraamwerk is onwikkel met behulp van Zachman se Besigheidsverwysings Argitektuur. ’n Kleinskaal Visboerdery Projek dien as gevalle studie vir evaluering van hierdie besigheidsmodel.

The author is enrolled for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering at the...