The focus of this research is to investigate the how to improve the operation of MSMEs in Botswana. Although a high performing African country, Botswana is plagued by chronic unemployment particularly amongst its youth. The purpose of the integrated model is to provide a method for MSMEs to self evaluate and this identify areas within their operations which can be improved. The model is derived from four (4) key areas Finance and Capital, Teamwork, Business Environment and Productivity. Each of these factors are derived from development theories established in the second half of the 20th century.
The methodology involves a 3-stage mixed approach which targets MSMEs in Botswana and in the USA to establish the mechanisms of the model and to thus verify the operation of the model within Botswana. The model is based on extensive research into development models, economies which have recently emerged as tiger economies, business support strategies and substantial in-country research which identified societal norms and values which affect business. This research established each of the four (4) key areas of study provided society as the theme for integration. The concept of including society provides an opportunity to create a model unique to Botswana. As each country requires its own solutions, the integrated model avoids the “false paradigm” principal promoted by Todaro and Smith, (2015, p133) which accepts that what is successful in one country may not be successful in another.
The findings established that although all sectors have their own requirements within Botswana emphasis on support must be based on establishing better skills in Finance and Capital, creating better support business clusters and partnerships within the business environment and ensuring improved productivity through better commitment. All this within the context of a country which supports working together through teamwork.
The importance of an Integrated Model lies in its ability to identify areas of support. Traditional functional approaches rely on measuring discrete factors. model relies on rating the complex interactions that exist in business and society.
Key words used throughout the thesis include: economic factors/indicators which are derived from the study of economic development, business support strategies which will be determined through the developed model, MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) which are the main focus of the study and the concept of international transfer which is the false paradigm of taking ideas and concepts from the developed world and applying them in the developing world, also referred to as “Policy Borrowing”.