Principales riesgos psicosociales

The DTI is majorly responsible for overseeing the management of policies and activities geared towards the implementation of support programmes, initiatives and infrastructure for the development of SMMEs to enhance their development and survival in the market. The research also focuses on the agencies tasked with the mandate to ensure that the SMME sector continues to grow and has the adequate assistance it needs in the form of access, not only to finance but also to support business initiatives. SMMES requires assistance in terms of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) use, access and acquisition of new technology in relation to their business process. In terms of developing and advancing the levels of ICT intake in small business enterprises, SEDA and the Small Enterprise Development Agency Technology Programme (STP), which operates within the purview of SEDA, are the two bodies directly responsible for ICT initiatives and support programmes for the small business enterprises sector. (Table 3 in Annexure E shows DTI performance information on SEDA and STP support goals and targets for 2012/2013).

2.5.1 Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) is an agency in the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which was established through the National Small Business Amendment Act 29 of 2004, in December of 2004. It was established by merging three other organisations together to form a single agency: Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency, National Manufacturing Advisory Centre (NAMAC) and the Community Public Partnership Programme (CPPP).

In April 2006, the GODISA Trust and the Technology Programmes were integrated into SEDA to become the SEDA Technology Programme (STP). The mandate given to SEDA by the government includes the following:

 Carry out the small enterprise business strategy of the government

 Design and implement a common and standard national delivery network for small enterprise development

 Help integrate government support agencies to assist small enterprises across all the tiers of government

SEDA‘s responsibility is geared towards the development and sustenance of a highly competitive environment where SMMEs can thrive and develop further to contribute to the

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economy. According to its annual 2013 report, SEDA‘s goals were primarily focused on ensuring client satisfaction, improving client business performance, increasing the reach of their clientele base, improving client retention, enhancing rural development, maintaining cost-sharing with delivery partners, fostering cooperation with delivery partners, improving the image of SEDA, improving cost efficiency, and achieving improved organisational staffing (SEDA, 2013). All these objectives were highlighted as successfully accomplished by various reports, and successful positive rates of return on targeted goals have extensively been documented in the SEDA Annual Report. These goals and targets were based on three main core objectives:

i) To enhance the competitiveness and capabilities of small business enterprises through delivering coordinated services, programmes and projects beneficial to SMMEs.

ii) To ensure equitable access for small business enterprises to adequate business support services through different partnerships.

iii) To strengthen the organisations in helping them deliver on their mission statements.

To aid SEDA in providing assistance and support to small businesses as articulated in its core objectives, there are some tools in place which are designed to render support and assistance to SMMEs. The following three packages are offered for support by SEDA to small business enterprises:

i) SEDA Business Start Package which provides tools and techniques for clients who are ready to start a business and require some form of assistance and guidance. The package focuses on the following aspects:

 Business planning

 Business counselling

 Access to finance

 Business support

ii) SEDA Business Build Package is designed to assist clients who want to acquire skills on how to strengthen and sustain their business. The package offers the following:

 Capacity building systems

 Mentorship

 Tender advice/procurement

 Export readiness

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iii) The third package is the SEDA Business Grow Package which offers entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses widely and expand national and internationally, the following assistance:

 Business systems development

 Cooperative support

 Growth strategies

2.5.1.1 Small Enterprise Development Agency Technology Programme

The Small Enterprise Development Agency Technology Programme (STP) was created by the DTI as a special programme housed within the purview of SEDA. STP was created as part of government‘s national strategy of consolidating and rationalisation of small business enterprise support schemes across all the different departments and government agencies, with the sole aim and objective of providing and improving the access and delivery of small business support interventions and services to small enterprises and entrepreneurs.

STP was established by incorporating the various programmes of existing agencies like GODISA Trust, which included the combined activities of:

 The National Technology Transfer Centre (NTTC)

 The Technology Advisory Centre (TAC)

 The technology transfer activities of the Technology for Women in Business Programme

 The SMME support activities of the South African Quality Institute (SAQI)

Working within the DTI‘s framework of National Industrial Policy, and the previous activities of the consolidated programmes, STP came up with a structured and streamlined approach targeted on some particularly important areas of focus which include:

 Increasing the accessibility, utility and management of technologies support for small business enterprises through the use of structured platforms such as technology business centres

 Facilitating acquisition and subsequent transfer of technology to small business enterprises, particularly those operating in the second economy

 Promoting standards and use of quality standards by small businesses

 Improving small business performance and productivity levels

 Improving the state of competitiveness among small businesses

 Promoting an increase in entrepreneurial activity and success rate of identified groups, in particular women and youth

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 Most important of all, reducing the failure rate prevalent among small business practices

According to SEDA, these seven particular focus areas are identified as the major reason behind the failure of technology-based small businesses during their first three years of operation. The STP is charged with addressing these areas with regard to technology transfer, providing needed business development and quality support services to the small business enterprises and entrepreneurs in specifically identified market sectors.