Current Research

SME Survey's research is based on a randomly selected sample of SMME decision-makers from companies with 1 to 200 staff. This year's survey will consist of 2,000 completed telephonic interviews with respondents across South Africa.

The definition of SMEs used for the Survey is based on the National Small Business Act 1996, as amended in 2004, which stipulates varying definitions for each industry sector, including number of employees, turnover, and value of assets. A small enterprise is defined as having up to 50 employees, and a medium enterprise from 51 to 200. Companies with up to 20 staff are defined as very small enterprises.

The research focus for 2012:

• The effect of the digital age on economic factors such as job creation, GDP growth, etc.
• How digital are SA SMEs: by region, industry, gender, age, etc.
• SME Internet usage and behavioural trends
• SME awareness of and use of advertising tools in general
• Broadband access and mobile access.

The SME Survey 2010 findings have been released. Download the 2010 executive summary.

For any research related queries, please contact Arthur Goldstuck