Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference © 2011 IAABD
Corruption appears to be the root of unfair implementation of policies and programmes which are crafted
to benefit the poor. A key question is what can be done to regulate fair awarding of tenders? Although the
authors are not advocates of centralisation in government, some form of centralisation and regulations
may prove to be a solution to the scourge of corruptions in the awarding tenders. The author proposes that
in addition to database created and managed by the Department, there should be a central database of all
tenders awarded. A three year cycle in the awarding of tenders should be in place. This will ensure that
one person does not hold more than one tender at the same time with different government departments
and that one tender can be awarded within three year cycle. An exception can be made in scarce skills and
fewer suppliers.
Methodology
Data Collection
The method of data collection was based on structured interviews, in which data is collected by means of
personal responses. Primary research was conducted using a structured questionnaire personally
administered. Personal face to face and telephonic interviews were conducted to the targeted micro and
medium businesses. In small businesses women were randomly selected in the townships. Where the
respondent could not be reached, telephonic interviews were the source of data collection Questionnaires
were in a form of a series of written questions on a topic about which the respondent had to respond. Each
statement was linked to a 7-point Likert –type scale where a 7 was anchored by Strongly Agree and 1 by
Strongly Disagree. Each responded was asked to evaluate the government policy they used most often
when starting or growing their business
Sampling
The sample frame was based on a set of people that have a chance of being selected, given the sampling
approach that is chosen.
Determinant 1 - Black women entrepreneurs with growth potential
Determinant 2 - Black women entrepreneurs who want to establish businesses
Sample size
Three hundred black women entrepreneurs were selected, but a quota of 50 entrepreneurs were allocated
to each area and certain steps were taken to fill the quota. The sample included respondents from six
Tshwane townships, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa, Hammanskraal, Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, GA-Rankuwa
and the Inner City of the Tshwane Metropolitan Area of Gauteng Province, in South Africa.. The Gauteng
Province was selected because of its accessibility for the personal interviews and to limit costs. The
sampling procedure was based on the principle of random sampling and the selected women contained the
elements of the target population. 86% was the response rate.
Questionnaire Design
The aim of the questionnaire was to investigate whether black women entrepreneurs in Tshwane utilise
tender procurements programmes in starting or growing up their businesses.
To assess construct validity, the thirty-four opinion questions (on a four-point Likert-Scale) were
subjected to a Non-parametric Binominal test and Cross-Tabulation test analysis. A statistical technique
was used to compare variables between groups.
The types of questions were covered by following themes:
Section A of the questionnaire covered the demographic of the respondent;.
Section B, current nature of business;
Section C, Government support programme (Tenders); and
Section D, Information dissemination programmes on government tenders
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