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Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs

Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2024.

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Other Authors: Mathibe, Tshidi
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2025
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Mathibe, Tshidi
author_browse Mathibe, Tshidi
author_facet Mathibe, Tshidi
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:40:08.409Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher University of Pretoria
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spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/101873 Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs Mathibe, Tshidi ichelp@gibs.co.za Madibo, Lebogang Kingsley UCTD AI Adoption Access to Finance Financial Literacy SME Funding Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2024. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to any economy and South Africa is no exception. These SMEs drive productivity, innovation, and job creation. However, there remains a high rate of failure of SMEs, particularly amongst Black-owned SMEs which form the majority of SMEs in South Africa. The purpose of the study is to explore how Black-owned SMEs can leverage AI to enhance financial sustainability and productivity. A qualitative approach was undertaken for the study with primary data being gathered from 15 participants through semi-structured interviews. The interviews aimed to gain insights their financial literacy levels, their ability to access to finance, the adoption of AI in their operations and the extent to which BBBEE ESD objectives could be advanced through AI. The study found low financial literacy levels amongst the Black-owned SMEs, which impedes their financial reporting capabilities and potential to raise funds for growth prospects. Whilst AI provides potential benefits for SMEs, only a handful of participants have fully adopted AI, therefore there is limited number of Black-owned SMEs that derive benefits and competitive advantage through AI. The study recommends that financial literacy platforms be developed for SME owners. In addition, BBBEE ESD Codes should be strengthened to drive AI adoption by making funding accessible. Future studies should focus on AI adoption strategies among Black-owned SMEs and focus on the extent to which financial literacy enables SMEs to raise. The study was limited to small participant group, this presents an opportunity for a wider study to be undertaken. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MBA Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-08:Decent work and economic growth SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure 2025-04-08T07:40:09Z 2025-04-08T07:40:09Z 2025-05-05 2024-11 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/101873 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
AI Adoption
Access to Finance
Financial Literacy
SME Funding
Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs
title Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs
title_full Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs
title_fullStr Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs
title_full_unstemmed Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs
title_short Leveraging AI to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black-owned SMEs
title_sort leveraging ai to enhance productivity and financial sustainability of black owned smes
topic UCTD
AI Adoption
Access to Finance
Financial Literacy
SME Funding
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/101873