Department Of Trade And Industry Research Articles

Department of Trade and Industry Livelihood Seeding Program- Negosyo Serbisyo Barangay: Insights to Sustainable Policy Directions

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated the Livelihood Seeding Program Negosyo Serbisyo Barangay (LSP-NSB) to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in disadvantaged areas of the Philippines. This study evaluated the program's progress and challenges faced by identified beneficiaries in Capiz province, aligning their experiences with the five strategic objectives of MSME Development Plan 2017-2022: improved business climate, access to finance, enhanced management and labor capacities, access to technology and innovation, and access to markets. The study offered evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance program efficiency and foster inclusive economic growth. This analyzed respondent and business profiles to recognize program implementation and challenges. It investigated if there is a significant link between implementation status and challenges faced by MSME beneficiaries. A descriptive-mixed method research design was employed, utilizing a validated and reliability-tested researcher-made survey questionnaire translated into the local dialect and conducted to 263 MSME beneficiaries, complemented by Focused Group Discussion, involving DTI implementers, beneficiaries, and barangay officials. Results showed that beneficiaries viewed the program as highly implemented overall, though facing moderate challenges, particularly in the business climate, access to finance, enhanced management and labor capacities, technology and innovation, and market access. Factors like educational attainment, number of dependents, business location, monthly income, and livelihood kit received affected the implementation. Similarly, number of dependents, industry sector, location of business, asset size, monthly income, and livelihood kit received impact challenges. A significant relationship was found between program status and challenges, notably in the business climate and market access.

Work Environment and Performance of Junior Business Counselors in DTI Region 02, Philippines

The study focused on evaluating the influence of the work environment on the performance of Junior Business Counselors (JBCs) in the LGU-based Negosyo Center of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 02. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) on “Decent Work and Economic Growth,” the research directly contributes to promoting inclusive economic growth, productive employment, and decent work, in line with the United Nations’ objectives. The study used a descriptive-correlational design with 49 purposively selected respondents. Survey questionnaires were employed to examine the physical work environment factors, encompassing size and layout, furnishings, equipment, and location of the workplace. Findings showed that respondents were comfortable in the presence of a working area and receiving space, however, in terms of the office space per se respondents showed discontentment. Moreover, findings also indicated a significant relationship between furnishings and the level of JBC performance, along with a slight but meaningful association between the physical work environment and performance. Thus, efforts should be directed towards optimizing the available space and providing additional amenities to better align with the needs and expectations of JBCs, fostering a positive work environment and potentially enhancing overall performance. Keywords: work environment, employee performance, descriptive-correlational design, LGU-based Negosyo Center

DTI Development Framework in Application to Business Operations among Selected Micro Small Medium Enterprises Towards an Enhanced Business Model

Ninety-nine percent of the establishments in the Philippines are constituted by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which hold a vital role in delivering consumer needs and wants. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported a decrease in export trade and business registration percentage for the last five years. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) introduced the 7Ms Development Framework to address this issue. In this study, 240 MSMEs participated in a survey to assess the following: 1) How do the assessed Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises depict the DTI’s business in relation to business climate, market access, technology accessibility, innovation, finance accessibility, as well as management and labor capacity; 2) The effectiveness of the DTI development framework, in relation to Mastery, Mind, Money, Mentoring, Market, Machine, and Model; 3) The prevalent issues and challenges encountered by selected MSMEs in coping with the development of the Department of Trade and Industry’s 7Ms development framework; 4) Identifying gaps based on the common issues and concerns raised by MSMEs; and 5) Proposing a business model to enhance the strategic and global competitiveness of MSMEs. The study’s findings indicated that the majority of the selected micro, small, and medium enterprises described the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) business focus area “access to the market” as the “most” moderately visible or adequately observed. Access to technology and innovation, on the other hand, was viewed as the “least” moderately visible. In terms of the DTI development framework’s effectiveness, participants perceived that money was the “most” moderately effective or adequately applicable to their business operations, while mastery was regarded as the “least” moderately effective. Results also show that the most challenges and issues that selected MSMEs encounter include difficulties in business licensing and permits, high cost of inputs, and access or finance. LGU’s non-uniformity of rules, high cost of inputs, and high standards/qualifications set for MSMEs to access finance are the gaps identified. The researcher used different statistical methods, such as weighted mean and standard deviation. The data analysis involved the use of a Windows-based program called the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study recommended a business model for how MSMEs become sustainable and globally competitive. Keywords: Effectiveness, Development Framework, business focus area, business model, issues and concerns, gaps

Knowledge Management (KM) Practıces of the Retaıl Industry in Camarınes Norte, Phılıppınes: A Descrıptıve Quantıtatıve Analysıs

This study was conducted to ascertain the Knowledge Management (KM) practices of the retail industry, utilizing the quantitative descriptive research design. Using survey within the Philippines border the findings revealed that the majority of the retail industries in the province were highly understand the concept of Knowledge Management. Among its four major components the retail industries have the highest level of awareness towards the component of people, whereas, on the level of application, it is on the component of the strategy. While on customers' needs and satisfaction, KM strongly contributed to the retail industry and help uplift business operation and performance as well as long-term sustainability. It is concluded that by embracing Knowledge Management in business operations, the status of retail industry would rise up. The formulation of a centralized Knowledge Management system and collaboration to the government agency like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will steadfast the growth of the retail industry in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines.

100 years of the Devine Teacher - Student relationship among the three Generations of Indian Geoscientists (1920s – 2020s): A remarkable Story of Knowledge transfer from T. N. Muthuswami Iyer “TNM” through A. Parthasarathy to G. Shanmugam and beyond

The divine teacher-student relationship that covers 100 years of knowledge transfer is the underpinning of this remarkable personal story. Importantly, this narrative is about an Indian genius and a geologic pioneer, Professor T. N. Muthuswami Iyer, known as TNM. The first generation (1920s-1960s) TNM began his teaching career as a crystallographer and a mineralogist at the University of Madras-Gundy Campus (Chennai) in 1924, and continued at the Presidency College (Madras), Sager University (Madhya Pradesh), and Annamalai University (Tamil Nadu). One of his early students at Presidency was A. Parthasarathy, who later studied at the Imperial College in London (UK) and earned his Ph.D. in Engineering Geology from the London University (UL) in 1954. The second generation (1940s-1980s) Prof. Parthasarathy became the Head of Applied Geology section in the Civil Engineering Department at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in 1964. The third generation (1960s-2020s) G. Shanmugam earned his B.Sc. in Geology and Chemistry from Annamalai University with a First Class (1965) and started teaching science in a local high school in his hometown of Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu. TNM, who was the Head of Geology at Annamalai University in 1965, motivated G. Shanmugam to quit his teaching job and pursue M.Sc. in Applied Geology at IIT Bombay. Shanmugam earned his M.Sc. in Applied Geology at IIT Bombay under the guidance of Prof. Parthasarathy. Education and training at IIT Bombay propelled Shanmugam to receive his second M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the USA. His Ph.D. research under the guidance of Prof. Kenneth R. Walker at University of Tennessee on Ordovician tectonics and sedimentation in the Southern Appalachians led to securing a research position with Mobil Oil Company in Dallas, Texas in 1978. Because of his global research on multiple domains while at Mobil and as post-retirement consultant since 2000 for oil companies in India and China, Shanmugam has to his credit 382 published works that include three Elsevier books on process sedimentology and petroleum geology, with the first two books were translated into Chinese language. He has authored 6 invited Encyclopedia Chapters for Elsevier and McGraw Hill Book Companies and has delivered 89 lectures worldwide during 1980-2021 period. He won the top "Special Prize" from Springer Journal of Palaeogeography in 2020 for "Excellent Papers" based on Science Citation Index (SCI) of five articles published during 2012-2018. Shanmugam's efforts in knowledge transfer during the COVID-19 global pandemic included giving virtual lectures on Zoom, Google Meet, and WebEx platforms to academia (e.g., Royal Holloway, University of London, IIT Bombay, and Ohio University). Shanmugam organized 23 onsite workshops on "Deep-water sandstone petroleum reservoirs" worldwide, which included (1) the UK Government Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Edinburgh, UK, (2) Reliance Industries Ltd., Kakinada, India, (3) Hardy Oil, Chennai, India, (4) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Mumbai and Kajuraho, India, (5) Petrobras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, (6) Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED) of PetroChina, Beijing, China, and (7) China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, China. The T. N. Muthuswami - A. Parthasarathy - G. Shanmugam lineage, spanning over 100 years, is unique and phenomenal in knowledge transfer among geoscientists. On the economic front, TNM and his lineages contributed directly to the petroleum, atomic mineral, cement, gemstone, and geothermal energy industries, among many others. The acronym "TNM" for T. N. Muthuswami Iyer is just perfect for a Transformational, Neoteric and a Motivating teacher and a noble soul!

Assessment of the Implemented Kapatid Mentor ME Program (KMME) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region VII, Philippines

The Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program is a 10-module mentorship and coaching program initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) - Go Negosyo to help the country's Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the program was transitioned from face-to-face to an online learning platform. The study aimed to assess the implementation of the program from the period 2016 to 2021 to streamline the future direction and craft a more holistic initiative for MSEs. The study used a descriptive research design. An online questionnaire was administered to the 257 respondents clustered by Region VII provinces. There were advantages and disadvantages identified for both learning approaches used. The respondents considered the advantages of face-to-face learning as hands-on learning, easy networking, and a conducive learning environment. Also, the advantages of the online learning approach were accessibility of time and place, comfort, and abundant online resources. It was discovered that 74.75% of the mentee graduates had improved their business status after joining the program. To ensure sustainability and scaling up of MSEs, strengthening the monitoring phase and maximizing the enterprise development track tool are recommended to address the gap of the 25.25% non-improving mentee graduates through concrete and specific intervention schemes recommended.

Challenges of adopting entrepreneurship education as a strategic approach to unemployed-youth in South Africa

Due to the level of unemployment rate in South African among the young, the paper seeks to assess the adoption of entrepreneurship education as a strategic approach to curb youth unemployment within a District Municipality public high schools in KwaZulu-Natal South Afrrica. The target population was 489 principals from high schools within the within the District Municipality. A mixed methods approach was used and a questionnaire was constructed and administered to participants via online platform. Also, an online one on one interviews were conducted with principals. All data was analysed using SPSS version 25 that generate data into table and bar graphs. The paper revealed that they are many challenges with the adoption of entrepreneurship and these challenges include financial challenge, lack of entrepreneurship education in public schools and lack of support. Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and National Empowerment Fund (NEF) should run more awareness campaigns on media platforms used by students and the youth to promote entrepreneurship.

Online Product Monitoring System (OPMS) of DTI

The paper examined the model of the data flow diagram in developing Online Product Monitoring (OPMS) for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It is based on the waterfall model in which descriptive research was applied to the existing product monitoring of DTI. Data from existing monitoring of DTI were interpreted and created system data flow diagram (DFD). The data flow diagram is applied in the analysis of software development and examined the top-down method that takes processes the input and output of data flows. Thus, the method developed based on the data flow diagram created will enhance the security and order of the developed online system.

Exploring Challenges of Piña Growers in the Province of Aklan

This study described the challenges experienced by pina growers in the province of Aklan in areas where pina growing, and production activities were declining covering the from 2003 to present. Specifically, this study explored the problems encountered by the pina growers in pina fiber production, their views on the problems encountered and their coping strategies. The study used qualitative research design where phenomenology was used as research method. Data analysis was done using the process developed by Colaizzi’s (1978) as cited by Shosha (2012) to provide assistance in extracting, organizing, and analyzing to explore and understand the challenges encountered by the pina growers. Findings revealed that the pina growers encountered problems such as difficulty in the maintenance and cultivation, longer gestation period, no sustained market and interference of middleman, lack of planting material, natural calamities, infestation, shifting to another variety and lack of support. These resulted to decreased motivation, financial instability, and feeling of neglect but still have the contentment. In order to cope with these challenges, the pina growers turned to problem and emotion-focused strategies where problems are addressed pragmatically. The researcher recommends information dissemination and technology transfer of packaged technologies such as sustainable/sufficient supply of planting material, proper way of cultivation, maintenance, intercropping the SR Pineapple with other crops, improve fruit size and quality, efficient post-harvest handling of pina leaves, develop and improve the present fiber extraction method. It is further recommended that information dissemination should be made among concerned agencies such as the Local Government Units (LGUs), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Agriculture (DA) for appropriate interventions in terms of market price of pina leaves, sustained market demands for pina leaves, and empowered pina growers, leaves processors, knotters and weavers through the formation of a cooperative. Future policies to address the dwindling pina growing activities and pina fiber production may use the proposed theoretical framework for relevant action.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) IV: A marketing assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises and its financial impact: Inputs to marketing plan

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) IV: A marketing assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises and its financial impact: Inputs to marketing plan

The influence of culture on the development of youth entrepreneurs in a selected suburb in Cape Town

Coloured people's entrepreneurial efforts in South Africa are mostly survivalist. Although most of the selected suburb's youth have high entrepreneurial intentions, most do not become successful entrepreneurs. We are hoping to understand why people think this. Indisputable are the inadequacy of entrepreneurial education and training, a heavily skewed distribution of resources, a lack of mentorship, minimal support from parents, and a cultural upbringing in opposition to entrepreneurship. This study's objective was to gain insight into the cultural and educational limitations on entrepreneurial development and the entrepreneurial intentions of the selected suburb's youth. This paper employed quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The quantitative data was collected from 470 youths through a survey questionnaire. Ten personal interviews were conducted within the qualitative ambit and served to validate the quantitative tool's results. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS software, and the qualitative data was analysed by identifying common themes in relation to the quantitative findings. The study revealed a low level of tertiary education, a family orientated culture and a high level of entrepreneurial intention. The findings further revealed that many parents do not run their businesses, which indicated that most of the youth do not stem from entrepreneurially oriented households. The researchers recommend that business incubators be established within the suburb and that schools within the community should partner with the private sector and governmental structures, such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) in order to expose youth to the practical application of entrepreneurship.

Unproductive Co-production: European Integration, the British Film Industry and the Franco-British Co-production Agreement of 1965

The negotiation of bilateral co-production agreements had a major impact on European film-making from the 1950s to the 1970s. These agreements also provided the basis for the closer integration of Europe's film industries within what was then the European Economic Community (EEC). However, the British government was slow to adopt co-production arrangements and British film-makers tended to be more reticent about using them once they were made available. This article examines the British experience of European co-production during this period, focusing on the negotiation and implementation of the Franco-British co-production agreement of 1965 in the context of broader debates about film production and policy within the EEC. Particular attention is given to Someone Behind the Door (1971), a proposed Franco-British film which was ultimately made as a collaboration between French and Italian production companies after delays on the British side caused the French producer to withdraw from the UK. The correspondence collected by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the proposal for Someone Behind the Door was processed – including input from film union and producer associations – provides a unique insight into the bureaucratic policies and procedures which encumbered European co-production in Britain. While continental film-makers established comfortable habits of cooperation, British co-production was stymied from the outset by a misalignment between the interests of Britain's government, its film unions and its producers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Value Chain Analysis of Pen Shell (Baloko) in the Province of Sorsogon, Philippines

Sorsogon Bay is home to the pen shell (Atrina pectinata), locally known as Baloko. This study was designed to assess the existing value chains of pen shell and identify areas for improvement. The sites covered were the municipalities along Sorsogon Bay in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. It employed the tracer methodology where only the processors and fisherfolks connected to the traders were selected as respondents of the study. Primary data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data were used to establish a good understanding of the pen shell industry in the areas of the study. Results show that the adductor muscle or tinga is a substitute for scallops, thus, an export product. The other parts of pen shell or rambit are also of high demand. The highest volume of pen shell catch occur during October to April during the northeast monsoon (amihan) and gradually decline from May to September during the southwest monsoon (habagat) months. The value chain maps reflect the whole meat and semi-processed value chains, the two distinct marketing practices traced in the pen shell industry. The actors in the two value chains are the fisherfolks, processors, traders, and exporters. The enablers are the fisherfolks’ organization, local government unit (LGU), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC), microfinance institutions, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Phil Export. There is uneven distribution of value added in both chains. More value is created and captured by the processors while the fisherfolks have negative gains. The value-added captured by the processors and traders are higher in semi-processed practice. There is the need to focus on the supply of pen shell, the effects of pollution of Sorsogon Bay, market information, technology to preserve the quality of products, industry association, and basic researches on pen shell under Sorsogon Bay condition.

Establishing a Sustainable Community-Based Enterprise: The Case of Lugait Mamingkahay Association in Lugait, Misamis Oriental

Lugait Mamingkahay Association located in Barangay Poblacion Lugait, Misamis Oriental, Philippines is known for its bibingka (rice cake). The association was organized by a group of women in year 2007 and was fully established as microenterprise in year 2011 supported by both public and private entities including the HOLCIM, LGU-MEDO, DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The association encounters external and internal problems such as the cleanliness of the area and sanitation on their operational activities, limited space area for production and irresponsible members of the association. Downstream waste specifically the desiccated coconut “sapal” is one of the problems on the industry. Thus, the study aims to document and formulate process standards for bibingka production and propose value adding product to utilize these downstream wastes. Key informant interview (KII) and facilitated focus group discussion (FGD) were used to gather necessary information. The study found out that there is a need to improve the manufacturing practices of the association in terms of their production and sanitation. Also, it is noted that the firm’s infrastructure, operational activities and services are the bottleneck of the microenterprise. Thus, ensuring the application of Good Manufacturing Practices especially in the production is highly recommended. Also, utilization of downstream wastes such as desiccated into coconut flour is feasible and highly suggested to the association which can generate additional income to the association.

A Mobile-based Monitoring System for Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with Offline Data Synchronization

Objectives: The use of technology has become ubiquitous in different areas of businesses and plays a significant role in gathering huge amount of data. In Philippines, for example, a government agency, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is entrusted with a project to assist and monitor the status of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), some of which are located in rural or remote places. There are number of approaches that are able to address registration and monitoring of clients or business establishments records through mobile-based application. However, there may be times that poor connectivity or no network connectivity is experienced with LTE or wi-fi network. Hence, one of the major challenges in dealing with mobile computing is on how to provide the clients with the same user experience even when there are some issues on connectivity. In this study, we developed a mobile-based application that may significantly improve the process whereby clients or users have the chance to access data that is stored in a stationary database or some other data repository at any time and any place. Methods: We introduce an innovative approach for efficient tracking and monitoring data leveraging the strength of data synchronization and replication. A mobile-based platform using a centralized database was designed and developed to facilitate quick registration of clients and easy portfolio monitoring of the business establishments. Application: The mobile-based system is an application that runs through android platform necessary for MSMEs’ efficient registration and monitoring purposes whereby users in remote areas are provided with the same user experience despite issues on connectivity (i.e. from “poor” to “no network” connectivity). We deployed the system in the Department of Industry (DTI) provincial office, which covers thousands of MSMEs. Findings: Experiments reveal that our approach provides effective results, which gains high acceptability of the users. Keywords: Agile Approach, Agile Software Development Method, Context Diagram, Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME), Mobile-based Application, Monitoring System, Offline Data Synchronization

Trade and efficiency of manufacturing industries in South Africa

ABSTRACTThis paper advances and empirically tests the hypothesis that trade raises input-oriented technical efficiency through cost saving practices that reduce cost inefficiencies. Using a primal and dual True-Fixed-Effects (TFE) stochastic frontier approach on a panel dataset comprising 28 manufacturing industries in South Africa between 1970 and 2016 at 3-digit level, it found average technical and cost efficiency values of 0.83 and 0.33 respectively indicating that the industries operated 33% above their cost minimising level and could have reduced their input usage by 17% without compromising their output level. Empirical findings then confirmed a significant positive effect of import penetration and export intensity on technical efficiency that operates through reduction of cost inefficiencies. These findings do not only support our proposed hypothesis; they also corroborate the idea that competition from global trade forces local industries to rationalise their operations and give up production practices that are not consistent with the cost minimisation objective. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) might find these results useful as they suggest that a less restrictive trade policy that promotes exports and imports has the potential to improve resource utilisation within the manufacturing sector through downward cost adjustments.

An Exploratory Study into the Understandings and Awareness of Leadership Ethos and Its Inherent Critical Success Factors by Public Sector Officials in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Ministry of the National Economy (ECONAT)

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to examine the understandings of public sector leaders about Leadership Ethos (LE) and its inherent Critical Success Factors(CSFs) looking at their application in the public policy implementation process. The study applied an adapted theoretical paradigm on leadership that borrows from the Western and African contexts. In the light of the aim and objective of the study, both the interview schedule and survey questionnaires were used to gather information with regard to LE and its inherent CSFs. In this view, a semi-structured interview schedule was used to guide both interviews with senior public officials - one in the DTI and one in the ECONAT. A survey questionnaire was administered to public officials at middle and lower management levels working and reporting directly to the interviewed senior public officials. The purpose of the questionnaire was to reduce personal biases inherent in the responses of the senior officials, which appear to be a challenge emerging from self-perception assessments. Research findings suggest that leaders at the DTI and the ECONAT do not sufficiently demonstrate an awareness of LE and its inherent CSFs in the practice of leadership. LE enables leaders garner followers’ trust and obtain their consent; encourage followers’ commitment to organisational goals; and introduce and encourage participatory decision making processes as key factors to successful public policy implementation.

Usability of Online Business Registration Improvisation as Congo‐Brazzaville Re‐Branding Tool

AbstractThere is growing concern that Congolese business' inability to compete in a fiercely competitive international economy spells ruin. Thus, the study uses bricolage and information systems (IS) improvisation as a lens to explore the use of online business registration as a means to rebrand government services. Building and achieving brand status is challenging, however; public service organisations and country of any size with a name can become high status brands. The research problem is that if sufficient attention is not given to reconcile IS improvisation with other organisational dimensions such as expertise, team work, culture, communication and training in the business registration process, it is a foregone conclusion that the automatic assumption that improvisation alone creates brand image and identify might not yield desired results. The main objective of this study was to determine the role of online business registration in service branding. The overarching research question is (a) how does the DTI Congo‐Brazzaville intend to improvise business registration process using e‐commerce technology as branding tool? The study is significant in the way that it boosts DTI Congo's brand image; with potentials to improve the country's ranking in terms of ease of doing business; and extends previous research by examining the usability of online business registration system as branding tool in developing countries. The study focused less on merely identifying IS improvisation benefits; or in solving DTI Congo problems. However, the focal point was creating awareness for DTI Congo to weight current study outcomes, available resource and contemporary e‐commerce technologies in order to make informed decision in terms of technology adoption.The investigation was done at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Congo‐Brazzaville using a mixed methodology. A survey questionnaire on a sample size of N = 260 from a total of 800 DTI full‐time employees was used to elicit information by requiring respondents to answer objective questions. A focus group comprising of five full‐time employees selected according to their level of IT awareness and position were invited for discussions to gain a broader understanding of the research problem. Observation in the form field work was also done to experience what it is like when there is no other alternative to register a business but to follow the only lengthy and bureaucratic process of traditional business registration. It was evident from the data that 74.2% of respondents agreed that an online business registration system adoption can re‐brand the organisation for innovative public service delivery.

Challenges to planted forest health in developing economies

Members of the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of South Africa.