TABLA 58ESTUDIO DE LOS MITOS

Since the investigation involved two separate groups (SMEs and service providers), there were two target populations with two separate sampling processes.

4.4.4.1 Sample Process for SMEs

The population figure for SMEs is not known in Swaziland because there is no comprehensive and/or up-to-date register of firms. Even though companies are required by law to register, many small enterprises remain unregistered (McPherson and Liedholm, 1 996). The problem is compounded by the fact that the functions of registration and licensing of companies are carried out by separate government departments, located under different ministries, and, the records are not computerised at the time when this research was undertaken. So the population was compiled based on lists obtained from the various private sector 5MB services providers - which included: the Association of Swazi Business Community (ASBC), Business Women Association (BW AS), FSE and SCC. The lists obtained from these institutions were then complemented with company lists obtained from several public organisations which included the Employment Statistics Department at the Ministry of Enterprise and Employment, the Customs and Excise Department, the Balance of Payments Department at the Central Bank of Swaziland and the Trade Promotion Unit. Generally, it was comparatively easier to obtain basic information (e.g., telephone, fax, physical and postal address, products, contact person, etc.) about the exporting firms than for non-exporting ones. From the lists obtained, it was only possible to tell, before hand, which companies exported in 1 999, but for non-exporters, it was not always possible to tell if the company still existed in 1 999. Information on employment was generally incomplete (either missing or not up-to date). In many cases it was necessary to make telephone calls, where possible, to get the employment figures. Due to the inaccuracy and inadequacy of employment data, a decision was made to involve as many exporting firms as possible. Although not intended initially this had the potential advantage of providing export information about the different group sizes of firms, and therefore gaining more insight and understanding on export

activities and export behaviour of firms in Swaziland. The identified populations for the exporting and non-exporting firms, and the sample number of firms included in the survey are presented in Table 4. 1 .

Initially the questionnaire was sent out to 236 firms categorised as follows: all firms who exported in 1 999 as listed in the Customs and Excise Department records (134 in

total); plus the 1 02 firms identified as non-exporting SMEs. It should be noted that the initial exporters' group included all firms irrespective of size, however later a sample was selected from SMEs only. Owing to the poor response rate from the mail survey various measures were adopted in order to improve the response rate. The various service providers were contacted and requested to cooperate in encouraging their membership to participate in the study. Consequently the questionnaire was re­ circulated (with the assistance of the ASBC secretariat) to all members of the ASBC.

Table 4.1 Sampling Procedures

Non- Total

Total identifiable population* 1 34** 1 02 236

Questionnaires sent out 1 34 1 02 236

Non-deliverable (Returned) 7 2 1 28

Interviews conducted 20 26 46

Final usable questionnaires 20 20 40

Notes on Table 4. 1 :

* The total identifiable population was complied after harmonising the lists obtained from the various service providers. The final list excluded firms engaged in 'transport services' and 'retail and trade' .

* * 1 34 represented all exporting firms. Of these 80 had an employment size of 100 or below.

After two months the response rate was still not satisfactory and the information in some of the returned questionnaires was incomplete and in some instances unusable. In order to improve on the response rates, it became necessary to change the data c?llection strategy and adopt a more persuasive technique. Hence, a decision was made to use personal interviews with a smaller number of firms in the sample. For exporting firms, a 25 percent sample was selected using the stratified random sample

method. The sample size for non-exporting firms was influenced by the experience from sampling the exporters, given that the main interest of the study was on the export behaviour of firms. In addition assistance was sought from SEDCO with regard to the selection of participants for the non-exporting group. Consequently 26 non-exporting 5MBs (representing a 25 percent sample) were selected. Overall, 46

interviews were conducted. However from the non-exporters group, SIX

questionnaires had incomplete data and therefore were categorised as unusable and eliminated from the sample. The final sample constituted of 40 firms, representing a 22 percent of the identifiable 5MB population.

4.4.4.2 Sample Process for Service Providers

The target population for the service providers was as follows:

i) Government officials in departments that deal with SMEs - Ministry of Enterprise and Employment; and the Trade Promotion Unit at the Ministry of Trade and Employment.

ii) ManagerslDirectors of Employers' Federations and Chambers of

Commerce - Federation of Swaziland Employers Swaziland Employers (FSE); and the Swaziland Chamber of Commerce.

iii) Managers/Officials of SMEs' Assistance Programmes - Small-scale

Enterprise Loan Guarantee Scheme; Export Credit Guarantee Scheme; LULOTE; and the Enterprise Trust Fund.

iv) Managers of SME Associations and Groups - Association of Swazi

Business Community; Business Women's Association of Swaziland; and IMBITA.

The sample for the service providers' group was selected purposively based on the researcher's knowledge of the local environment and also guided by information gathered during consultations with SEDCO and the Ministry of Enterprise and Employment. Overall, interviews were held with 1 3 service providers - with at least one official interviewed from each of the above groups.