Boosting competitive advantages of small and medium manufactures in South Africa by applying continuous improvement and operational strategies

摘要

In a highly competitive global business environment, the goal of Manufacturing Enterprise must be willingness to make strategic adjustments consistent with the demands of its environment Many companies' especially small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMME's) face the biggest challenge of staving constant or even better to grow the profit. Competitive advantage based on operations is not a new phenomenon. However, the recent global economic recession has placed renewed emphasis on the importance of continuous improvement and strategic implementation to maximize profit. The vital role played by small businesses and entrepreneurship in stimulating economic activity, job creation, poverty alleviation and the general upliftment of living standards has been recognized both nationally and internationally. The SMME's have the following strategies to overcome the challenges; fair pricing, discounts and special offers, offering a variety of services and products, superior customer service and continuously improving quality of service delivery. Owing to the low economic growth, high unemployment and an unsatisfactory level of poverty in South Africa, start-up entrepreneurship emerge as a solution, therefore a committed support and development of this sector by the government or the society, becomes a critical solution to uplift the economic condition of the poor. The research concludes that business success is a consequence of embracing a mix of these strategies.