A BUSINESS FRAMEWORK TO NETWORK SMALL SOUTH AFRICAN ENTERPRISES FOR SUSTAINABILITY

ENGLISH 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 for various reasons. A business framework is suggested that supports informal SMMEs through their initial stages of operation, and by doing so, improves 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 benchmarked by a small-scale fish farming project case study to validate the research hypothesis. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie artikel beskryf die toepassing van bedryfsingenieurswesebeginsels as 'n formele benadering tot die ontwikkeling van volhoubare netwerke van klein ondernemings in Suid-Afrika. Verskeie faktore dra by tot die sukkelende voortbestaan van “SMMEs” in die informele ekonomie van die land. As moontlike oplossing vir hierdie probleem word ‘n besigheidsraamwerk voorgestel wat informele “SMMEs” gedurende hul aanvangsfase ondersteun en daardeur volhoubare groei en werkskeppingsgeleenthede verbeter. Realisering van hierdie besigheidsraamwerk impliseer integrasie-aktiwiteite tussen die informele en formele ekonomie . Die besigheidsraamwerk is ontwikkel met behulp van Zachman se Besigheidsverwysingsargitektuur. ‘n Visboerderyprojek dien as gevallestudie vir validasie van hierdie navorsingshipotese.