Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Financial sustainability'
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Jackson, Jessie Hyman. "Strategies Church Financial Leaders Use for Financial Sustainability during Economic Crises." Thesis, Walden University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=13422045.
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Church financial leaders were affected by the economic crisis after the 2008 recession. In a 2009 group study conducted nationwide with church financial leaders, 57% stated that the economy had a negative effect on their church budgets. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore successful strategies that some church financial leaders used to ensure financial sustainability during economic crises. Resource dependence theory was the conceptual framework. Data were collected from 6 church financial leaders at 4 churches in the northeastern region in the United States; church financial leaders were selected through purposeful sampling to participate in semistructured interviews. Data were also collected from church documents, such as financial records and budget statements. These data were analyzed to identify emerging themes using Yin’s 5-phase process: compiling, disassembling, reassembling (and arraying), interpreting, and concluding. The 3 themes that emerged from the data analysis were (a) provide strategies to acquire external resources, (b) specify plans to establish internal strategic factors, and (c) provide strategies to improve financial and strategic management. Findings and recommendations of the study could contribute to positive social change by providing church financial leaders with successful strategies to ensure financial sustainability during economic crises and by increasing church revenue and improving social programs, which help improve the needs of staff, members, and people in the community.
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Coetzee, Eduard. "Transformation in South African rugby: ensuring financial sustainability." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25100.
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This dissertation investigates the development of South African rugby franchises into inclusive and successful business models. An analysis of the current financial business models for rugby in South Africa, using the Sharks (Pty) Ltd as the case study for the research, compared with similar international professional rugby franchises in overseas countries, was conducted so as to formulate a sustainable business model. In order to do so, the research focused on three major areas: transformation in rugby, rugby as a business and player exodus. Inclusive innovation is regarded as the basis for developing these business and transformation strategies, as rugby has long been perceived as a sport that excludes people who were unfairly discriminated against during apartheid, whether in administrative structures or at the grassroots level. Research indicated what progress has been made in this regard and identified areas where transformation processes can be improved, by reviewing pertinent literature (including historical records, autobiographical accounts, journal articles, and statistical research reports), investigating the programs in place, and through conducting contact interviews with pertinent players, both on and off the field. Declining traditional revenue streams as indicated by, for example, lower match day revenue reinforced the need to propose a new business model to ensure sustainability. The increasing number of high profile rugby players currently playing professionally in Europe and Asia impacts negatively on the commercial product offered to the public, sponsors and broadcasters. The literature review examined the three areas mentioned above; however, while there was extensive information published on transformation, particularly in the media, a paucity of written reports on player exodus and rugby as a business was identified. The methodology combined deductive and inductive research strategies. Initially, the approach was primarily a deductive, quantitative research strategy to analyse the past and present state of rugby in relation to business, transformation and player retention. The second thrust of the research shifted to the development and testing of a hypothesis for a more inclusive and sustainable model than that tested above, utilising an inductive approach, underpinned by qualitative data derived from interviews, empirical observations and relevant textual material. The study is significant as it gives a deeper understanding of the relationship between professional and amateur rugby in South Africa, and an understanding of what is required to ensure that rugby becomes an inclusive sport. It provides a business model that creates a framework for necessary synergy between the professional and the amateur divisions to develop proactive policies which will foster inclusivity in South African rugby.
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Kapepula, Annie. "Communication and its impact on enterprise financial sustainability." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/29001.
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This study investigates the impact of value communication on financial sustainability of not for profits set up as small to medium scale enterprises. The major objective is to determine whether there is a significant impact on the financial sustainability if not for profits create a more aggressive approach and innovate way of communicating with financiers and donors on matters concerning their strategic plans and budgets. The four pillars of financial sustainability have been considered focusing mostly on Strategic and financial planning or budgeting. Measuring sustainability for a not for profit differs from that of a profit making enterprise in that measures such as return on capital employed would be meaningless since most not for profit have a low capital base and are not bottom-line focused. The independent variable has been identified as value communication of strategic and financial planning or budgeting with donors or potential funders while the dependent variable is financial sustainability defined as meeting current budgetary demands. Moderating and Intervening variables identified include ; global financial environment ,operating environment, policy position of donor funding states, donor funding policies, goals and objectives, structure of donor funding towards development programmes and projects and CEO charisma and communication attributes. The study followed a survey design, and employed Times Series as evaluative method for quantitative analysis. Analysis was based on primary data generated through a structured questionnaire administered on respondents. Respondents were employees in selected not for profit organizations working in the four key development services supporting the Millennium Development Goals and Sixth National Development Plan, namely Health, Education, Agriculture and Water and Sanitation in Zambia. Interviews were also conducted with various financiers and donors of the selected not for profit enterprises. Responses to research statements were scaled and converted to quantitative data via Likert scale developed for the study to enable segmentation of the data responses into dependent and independent variables based on communication and financial sustainability variables. This study will help not for profits create an innovative communication strategy so as not to risk losing funding to other competitors or new comers on the scene.
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Walthour, Renee. "Successful Strategies for Financial Sustainability in Nursing Homes." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4950.
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From 2014 to 2015, deficiency fines cost Pennsylvania nursing homes more than $2.5 million. Costs associated with adhering to increased health care regulations can reduce profit and affect the financial sustainability of the nursing home industry. Some nursing home administrators (NHAs) lack successful strategies to improve state and federal regulation compliance and promote financial sustainability. Drucker's management by objectives theory was the conceptual framework for this study. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore successful strategies NHAs use to improve state and federal regulation compliance to mitigate deficiencies and derivative fines to promote financial sustainability of nursing homes. NHAs who manage 5-star rated nursing homes within a 100-mile radius of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania use effective management strategies to mitigate deficiencies and derivative fines to earn a 5-star rating which, helps promote financial sustainability. Data were collected from semistructured face-to-face and telephone interviews with 4 NHAs and from Medicare's Nursing Home Compare website. The data on the website provided information on the 3 domains of health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, that made up the overall star rating of nursing homes. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-phase cycle. The findings revealed 3 major themes: develop knowledgeable staff, enhance communication with staff and residents, and promote innovation for continuous quality improvement. The implications for positive social change could include increased quality of patients' health care, creation of employment opportunities to promote prosperity in communities, and financial sustainability in the United States nursing home industry.
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Bradley-Swanson, Orna Tricia. "Stakeholder Engagement Strategies for Nonprofit Organization Financial Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7462.
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Stakeholders are important to the financial sustainability of a nonprofit organization; however, heavy reliance on 1 stakeholder over another can place a nonprofit organization at financial risk. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies used by 3 senior leaders of a nonprofit organization in New York who have experience with stakeholder engagements efforts. The conceptual framework used for this study comprised general systems theory and transformational leadership theory. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, and review of organizational documents and online databases. Using thematic analysis, the 4 key themes that emerged from process and results strengths were leadership involvement in engaging stakeholders, persistent promotion of the organization's mission and vision, connection with the community, and workforce engagement activities. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to increase nonprofit leaders' understanding of practical approaches that may facilitate stakeholder engagement for improving financial sustainability, improve nonprofit leaderâstakeholder relationships, and bolster philanthropic efforts to improve the economic stability of the nonprofit organization and the community.
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Goh, Kai Chen. "Developing financial decision support for highway infrastructure sustainability." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2011. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/48328/1/Kai_Goh_Thesis.pdf.
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The development of highway infrastructure typically requires major capital input over a long period. This often causes serious financial constraints for investors. The push for sustainability has added new dimensions to the complexity in the evaluation of highway projects, particularly on the cost front. This makes the determination of long-term viability even more a precarious exercise. Life-cycle costing analysis (LCCA) is generally recognised as a valuable tool for the assessment of financial decisions on construction works. However to date, existing LCCA models are deficient in dealing with sustainability factors, particularly for infrastructure projects due to their inherent focus on the economic issues alone.
This research probed into the major challenges of implementing sustainability in highway infrastructure development in terms of financial concerns and obligations. Using results of research through literature review, questionnaire survey of industry stakeholders and semi-structured interview of senior practitioners involved in highway infrastructure development, the research identified the relative importance of cost components relating to sustainability measures and on such basis, developed ways of improving existing LCCA models to incorporate sustainability commitments into long-term financial management. On such a platform, a decision support model incorporated Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process and LCCA for the evaluation of the specific cost components most concerned by infrastructure stakeholders. Two real highway infrastructure projects in Australia were then used for testing, application and validation, before the decision support model was finalised. Improved industry understanding and tools such as the developed model will lead to positive sustainability deliverables while ensuring financial viability over the lifecycle of highway infrastructure projects.
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Fang, Yiwen. "Sustainability information network (SIN) and corporate financial distress." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2021. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/211478/1/Yiwen_Fang_Thesis.pdf.
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In this thesis I examine the relationship between corporate sustainability information networks (SIN) and financial distress. I propose that firms that are more central in the SIN have better access to key sustainability information which in turn results in lower financial distress. Using 5,521 in-network firms and their propensity scored matching (PSM) firms over the five-year period 2015-2019, I find strong support for my hypothesis. The findings suggest that SINs provide an important role in reducing financial distress.
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Hendrickse, Rozenda Frandeline. "Governance and financial sustainability of NGO's in South Africa." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2008. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_7995_1226569529.
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This study focused on governance and financial sustainability of NGO's in South Africa. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate existing governance and financial arrangements of NGO's, CBO's and CSO's with the view to developing alternative approaches to governance and financial arrangements with specific reference to lessons of experiences for South African NGO's. The secondary objectives of the study were to firstly develop a historical perspective on trends and tendencies of NGO funding in South Africa.
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Ek, Sara. "The implications of financial sustainability in the microfinance industry." Thesis, KTH, Industriell ekonomi och organisation (Inst.), 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-91363.
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Microfinance is a relatively young and somewhat ambiguous concept. The phenomenon has, however, proven to contribute to making the lives better for many poor people, thus the interest for the industry has grown substantially. The increased attention has stimulated the movement towards more financially sustainable organizations. Along with this transformation, concerns regarding how it affects the poor have been raised. This study aims to map the key characteristics of financially sustainable microfinance institutions (MFIs) and what features that separates them from their non-sustainable counterparts. By analyzing data from 1109 MFIs, some significant differences between sustainable and non-sustainable organizations have been found. The study shows that for-profit MFIs are self-sufficient to a greater extent than the non-sufficient ones, which might be caused by the pressure to deliver value to shareholders. Furthermore, there are indications that self-sufficient MFIs are more efficient, which can be assumed to be caused by technological advantages, or different lending methods. The findings on outreach are somewhat contradictory; sustainable MFIs are reaching more clients on average, which discards a mission drift. On the other hand, self-sufficient MFIs have larger average loan sizes and less female borrowers, two indications that a mission drift actual exists. Self-sufficient MFIs have also proven to have lower loan loss rates and lower yields on loan portfolio. Positive findings, as they indicate that the MFIs have sound loan portfolios and that they have managed to become self-sustainable not by exploiting the poor, but by reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Financial sustainability can therefore be assumed to be achieved without forsaking the poor, if the social aims of the organizations are consistent with the financial objectives.
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Nyamsogoro, Ganka Daniel. "Financial sustainability of rural microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Tanzania." Thesis, University of Greenwich, 2010. http://gala.gre.ac.uk/6366/.
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An enduring problem facing microfinance institutions is how to attain financial sustainability. Several studies have been conducted to determine the factors affecting financial sustainability of microfinance institutions using large and well developed MFIs in various countries. However, no such study has been conducted in rural Tanzania where majority of MFIs are small, most of which are member-based (cooperatives). Consequently, the factors affecting their financial sustainability are not known. This study, therefore, was set to bridge this knowledge gap. This study followed a quantitative research approach using panel data regression as the main data analysis technique. The study was based on four years primary and secondary data obtained from 98 sampled rural MFIs in Tanzania. We found that microfinance capital structure, interest rates charged, differences in lending type, cost per borrower, product type, MFI size, number of borrowers, yield on gross loan portfolio, level of portfolio at risk, liquidity level, staff productivity, and the operating efficiency affect the financial sustainability of rural microfinance institutions in Tanzania. The study makes the following key contributions to knowledge in addition to determining factors affecting financial sustainability of rural microfinance institutions in Tanzania: First, the study reveals that there exists simultaneous causality relationship between financial sustainability and breadth of outreach. When this relationship is not considered in determining factors affecting financial sustainability there may be inconsistent evidence on the existence of mission drift. Second, it unveils the trade-off between financial sustainability and breadth of outreach with regards to the minimum loan size when group lending is used. That is, larger loan size, while improves profitability, reduces the breadth of outreach. Third, the study provides empirical evidence that the impact of a particular lending type on microfinance institution‟s profitability will depend on the term to maturity and number of instalments reflected in its lending terms. Fourth, consistent with the institutionists‟ view, the study provides empirical evidence that financial sustainability of microfinance institutions improves their breadth of outreach. Lastly, the study documents the applicability and limitations of previous studies to rural microfinance institutions in Tanzania.
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Sitinjak, Ade. "Financial Perspective on Sustainability: Palm oil company in Indonesia." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-424969.
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This research is conducted to identify the integration of sustainability principles into the business model of Indonesia’s banks’ lending to the palm oil sector and the implementation by the banks’ employees to support the Indonesian government to achieve the sustainability of its palm oil sector. Three of Indonesia’s state-owned banks which are among the world’s largest creditors to the palm oil sector were evaluated using documentary research and semi-structured interviews. Firstly, these banks’ annual reports and sustainability reports from 2017 were evaluated using the business model canvas concept to identify their lending business model to the palm oil sector. Afterward, the sustainability level of each bank’s lending business model to the palm oil sector was assessed using the 4P (Principles, People, Planet, and Profit) framework of corporate sustainability. Moreover, fourteen employees of the banks’ lending department were interviewed to reveal the implementation of the sustainability principles that are integrated into each bank’s lending business model to the palm oil sector at the branch office level. The stakeholder groups that are involved in the banks’ lending to the palm oil sector were also identified using the stakeholder theory perspective on a business model in value creation for sustainability. From this research, it’s revealed that even though the palm oil sector has a significant contribution to these banks’ revenue, none of them has a designated business model in lending to the palm oil sector. These three banks’ lending business models only cover general lending and are not designated only to one particular sector. Nonetheless, these banks have been integrating sustainability principles into their lending regulations to the palm oil sector. However, these sustainability principles are only integrated into the banks’ lending regulations to palm oil companies who apply for specific loan nominals. In contrast, no sustainability principle has been integrated into the banks’ lending regulations to individual palm oil businesses. Furthermore, it’s revealed that the banks’ employees don’t strictly implement the sustainability principles that are integrated into the banks’ lending regulations to the palm oil companies because they prioritize their lending target achievement. The reason is that lending target achievement is one of the important factors for each bank’s head office to decide the annual financial bonus and career development of its employees. Moreover, these banks’ employees also argued that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documents are not reliable to represent the sustainability of the debtors’ palm oil businesses because the banks can order their partner-independent consultants to issue the EIA result according to the banks’requests.
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Gnonlonfoun, Raimi. "Restaurants Owner Strategies for Financial Sustainability Beyond 5 Years." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4725.
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The restaurant industry plays an essential role in the U.S. economy. Approximately 26% of small- and medium-sized enterprise restaurants fail during their first year of business operation and 60% cannot sustain beyond 3 years. The objective of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that small- and medium-sized restaurant owners used to financially sustain business beyond 5 years. The purposive sample consisted of 4 successful restaurant owners who have been in operation for at least 5 years in the southern region of the United States. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework of this study. The data were collected from semistructured interviews, cash flow statement, and profit and loss statements. Member checking and transcript review were used to strengthen the credibility and trustworthiness. The 3 themes that emerged from methodological triangulation after completing the Yin's 5 steps of data analysis were market research, great customer service, and having passion. The findings of this study might serve as a guide for current and future SME restaurant owners to financially sustain business beyond 5 years. The findings of the study may contribute to social change as successful small- and medium-sized enterprise restaurant owners would help address unemployment issues by generating additional jobs and building wealth for themselves, their employees, communities, and the local economy.
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Simionato, Enrico <1990>. "Sustainability Reporting and its Impact on Corporate Financial Performance." Master's Degree Thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/5339.
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Sustainability has been assuming a key role into companies’ and society’s development as a consequence of worldwide economic and market situation: there is instability, caused by market vitality and dynamism, in particular after the recent financial crisis. This overall situation has increased the asymmetry between corporate disclosed information and stakeholders’ informational needs, which cannot be satisfied through the traditional financial statement. For these reasons, especially over the last decade, sustainability reporting has been adopting by more and more companies, also thanks to international organisation work such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) that provides guidelines and standards for a common format of sustainability reporting. The practise to report the economic, social, environmental, and governance information can have a relation or impact on the corporate financial performance and enterprise value, perceived by stakeholders.
In this dissertation, there is an in-depth analysis of sustainability concept, sustainability reporting, in particular related to GRI Guidelines, and an empirical analysis about the relationship between GRI sustainability indices and corporate financial data, utilising a sample of about 45 companies listed in Fortune 500.
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Sinde, Hamis Mohamed. "Decentralisation and financial peformance : a comparative analysis of local governments' financial sustainability in Tanzania." Thesis, University of Central Lancashire, 2016. http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/16562/.
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This study focuses on analysing the financial sustainability of local government authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania with reference to decentralisation. In this context, the financial sustainability of LGAs is considered as an important aspect for decentralisation to succeed, especially in enhancing horizontal equity and public services in general. Specifically, the study attempts to: (i) assess and explain variations in financial sustainability across LGAs (ii) explore consequences of financial difficulties whenever they arise in the course of budget execution, and ways used to mitigate the difficulties. The study uses a quantitative approach, whereby financial indicators are used to analyse LGAs’ financial performance reports to achieve the first objective, and qualitative analysis of interview data from three case studies to achieve the second objective. The empirical findings suggest decentralisation in Tanzania influences financial sustainability of LGAs in different ways. First, councils with a large proportion of poor people not only have low financial sustainability, low expenditure per person and low own source revenue per person but also receive a lower average grant per person. This poses the danger of exaggerating the horizontal gap in service access. Secondly, council size and population size contribute negatively while the flow of government grants and poor financial management practices contribute positively to variations in financial sustainability. Thirdly, the findings suggest decentralisation may not discourage complacency in LGAs’ revenue mobilisation and financial management practices. On the other hand, observation from the case studies suggests financial difficulties are prevalent in LGAs. They adversely affect LGAs’ operations, especially in executing development projects in priority sectors: health, education, water and agriculture. To mitigate the difficulties, LGAs involve people in service provision, cuts or postponing activities as immediate options, and seeking alternative revenues sources for the long term. The study offers three main contributions. First, it bridges two interrelated but distinct research themes: financial sustainability and fiscal decentralisation studies. This broadens the scope of analysing both themes. Secondly, it offers insights into why decentralisation may or may not achieve its potential. This is in response to the observation from some studies, which report the outcome of decentralisation in developing countries to be limited. Lastly, it offers feedback on the way decentralisation is executed in a country that has long-standing initiatives on enhancing horizontal equity and improving provision of public services in general.
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Godwin-Opara, Margaret N. "A Resource-Based Perspective on Financial Resource Strategies for Small Business Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2819.
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Each year entrepreneurs start many new businesses, and some of these businesses will fail within the first 2 years. In addition, many owners will cite lack of adequate financial resources as a contributory factor to the failure. The purpose of this multiple case study was to identify the strategies that some small business owners used to obtain financial resources needed to operate a financially sustainable business. The population consisted of machine shops in South Central Kansas. A resource-based view theory served as the conceptual framework that grounded the study. The data collection process consisted of 9 interview questions. The data analysis process entailed using coding techniques to identify keywords, phrases, and concepts. Member checking ensured the credibility and trustworthiness of the data interpretation and analysis. The process led to the following 4 themes: (a) the role of access to financial resources in business success, (b) strategies used when external funding is not available or desirable, (c) strategies used to obtain external financing, and (d) challenges faced in obtaining external financing. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide new insights to support existing and prospective entrepreneurs in their efforts to obtain financial resources needed to operate a financially sustainable business. The findings from the study may contribute to the prosperity and benefit of the owners, their employees, the local community, and the U.S. economy.
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Faag, Daniel, and Vendela Sandstedt. "The Unpredictable Financial Environment of Sustainability : A Multiple Case Study Examining Risks Associated with Environmental Sustainability and Its Perceived Impact on Financial Performance." Thesis, Jönköping University, Internationella Handelshögskolan, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-53000.
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Global warming and environmental impact are topics that have received increased attention in recent years. Research suggests that companies should take more responsibility for this impact. Scholars have expressed contradicting opinions on whether these sustainability initiatives result in new risks and thereby lead to worse financial performance or will benefit the organization. This qualitative multiple case study uses an abductive approach to examine how risks associated with environmental sustainability initiatives are perceived to impact financial performance as well as how these risks can be managed in practice. Based on existing literature on environmental sustainability, risk management, and financial performance combined with interviews conducted with six representatives from three different companies in the Swedish manufacturing industry, a framework is developed. The framework presents a link from sustainability initiatives to risks, which can result in negative impacts on financial performance. The study further shows a positive relation between sustainability and financial performance, indicating that financial benefits can be gained from working with sustainability. Additionally, it is found that sustainability-related risks should be managed differently than business-related risks in organizations. The presented framework therefore indicates a necessity of establishing sustainability risk management strategies. The four main strategies identified were i) creating a shared mindset which allows for understanding of risks in the organization, ii) increasing communication and collaboration across departments, iii) actively working with risk identification to understand its behavior, and iv) establishing constant revision of risk management strategies.
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Basch, Richard. "Capitalization Strategies for Small Business Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4500.
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Over the past 15 years, privately held small businesses generated nearly two-thirds of the net job growth in the United States, yet much of what scholars know regarding the capitalization challenges faced by small businesses is limited to data from large corporations. In 2013 alone, business bankruptcies numbered 33,212, and each year approximately 10% to 12% of U.S. small businesses close. Ineffective capitalization strategies coupled with a limited understanding of funding options frequently results in unsustainable business practices. In this multiple case study, the capital budgeting theory was utilized to explore the capitalization strategies small business owners in the greater Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area employed to achieve sustainability beyond 5 years of business inception. Participants were purposefully selected based on their tenure in business, number of employees, and geographic location. Data were collected via in-person semistructured interviews with 4 small business owners, coupled with a review of financial archival documents. Data were analyzed using theme interpretation, data grouping, and word frequency tabulation. Three themes emerged: a preference for self-funded, personal capitalization; the leveraging of personal relationships as a primary educational strategy; and a general aversion to debt and high interest rates. Implementing sound capitalization strategies contributes to social change by improving the likelihood of long-term sustainability. Sustainable small businesses increase employment opportunities, wage growth, and community-based services while enhancing the overall quality of life for local families and the community.
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Roffia, Barbara. "The sustainability of government financial policies in overlapping-generations models." Thesis, University of Warwick, 1996. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/2828/.
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The objective of this thesis is to examine the implications of different government financial policies on the real sector of the economy. For this purpose we develop two overlapping-generations models. The first one allows us to evaluate the performance of the economy when debt is managed with different types of financial assets. A general result of the analysis is shown to be that an increase in the burden of debt leads to crowding out of the capital stock. A criterion for deriving endogenously the maximum sustainable level of debt within the model is also identified. The model turns out to be useful to provide an explanation of the poverty trap which is a very common phenomenon in some developing countries. The second model is developed to discuss the effects on the real economic variables of two different government deficit financing policies. The framework is an overlapping-generations monetary economy with population growth. Firstly, we analyse the effects of public deficit financing policy by injection of money into the economy at an exogenous constant rate and we emphasise the Mundell-Tobin (or non-superneutrality of money). Secondly, we extend the previous financing policy to include an endogenised money growth rate and we succeed in providing a powerful framework to explain the conditions under which dynamics of hyperinflation may arise. The novelty and importance of the findings are highlighted throughout the thesis.
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Mulusa, Lucky Mabenga. "The financial sustainability of South Africa's National Development Finance Institutions." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6096.
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Thesis (MDF (Development Finance))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in South Africa can enhance their role as prime vehicles for the Government to achieve the social objectives of meeting the millennium goals. This can be achieved by ensuring that higher ratios of resources available to the DFIs are applied to development lending and that such DFls stay financially sustainable. DFls have served as conduits for channelling credit to priority sectors, often at concession terms, and have directed their strategies towards achieving social and economic goals that are believed to be neglected by market forces. The absence of structured monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for both impact assessment and the application of resources make it impossible to ensure that these DFIs exist to achieve the mandates for which they were created. The perception of market failure, however, justifies the allocations of scarce public resources to DFIs. DFIs are expected to be catalysts in financial intermediation, extending long-term credit and contributing to economic development through the removal of bottlenecks associated with credit shortage within communities of the Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI). The application of scarce resources, however, calls for a financially sustainable DFI sector so that there may be a sustained provision of credit to the targeted sectors, in order to achieve optimum use and allocation of state resources. The government, through the ASGISA initiative, recognises the role the DFIs can play in halving poverty and unemployment by 2014, due to the labour intensive nature of the targeted priority sectors, such as agriculture. The performance of most of these DFIs, in terms of mandate achievement and financial sustainability, has not been well balanced, as evidenced by the past and present prevalence of the use of govemment guarantees including recapitalisation and future anticipated requests for such facilities. This study was initiated in response to the anticipated growth in the number of DFIs likely to seek either government guarantees or recapitalisation or both. At present, no mechanism is in place for the National Treasury (NT) to detect financial distress of any DFI long before it occurs, so that intervention measures can be put in place.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ontwikkelingsfinansiering Instellings (OFIs) in Suid Afrika kan hulle rolle versterk as primere voertuie om die sosiale doelwitte van die millennium te bereik. Hierdie doelwitte kan bereik word deur te verseker dat die hoer beskikbare verhouding en middele by die OFIs aangewend word vir ontwikkelingslenings en dat hierdie OFIs finansieel volhoubaar bly. "OFIs het as wee gedien vir die kanalisering van krediet aan prioriteit sektore, dikwels teen konsessionere terme, en het hulle strategies gerig om sosiale en ekonomiese doelwitte te bereik wat geglo is deur markkragte negelaar is. Die nie bestaan van gestruktureede monitering- en evaluasiemeganismes vir beide impak evaluasie en aanwending van hulpbronne maak dit onmoontlik om te verseker dat hierdie OFIs bestaan om die mandate waarvoor hulle geskep is te bereik. Die persepsie van mark versuim regverdig nietemin die allokasie van skaars openbare hulpbronne aan OFIs. Daar word van OFIs verwag om kataliste te wees van finansiele intermediasie, die verskaffing van langtermyn krediet en om by te dra tot ekonomise ontwikkeling deur van bottelnekke weg te neem wat geassosieer word met krediettekorte binne gemeenskappe van Voorheen Benadeelde Individue (VBI). Die aanwending van skaars hulpbronne vra nietemin vir 'n finansiele volhoubare OFI sektor, sodat die volgehoue voorsiening van krediet aan geteikende sektore plaasvind, om die optimum gebruik en allokasie en staatshulpbronne te verseker. Die regering, deur die ASGISA inisatief, erken die rol wat OFIs kan speel in die halvering van armoede en werkloosheid teen 2014, as gevolg van die arbeidsintensiewe aard van die geteikende sektore, soos byvoorbeeld landbou. Die prestasie van hierdie OFIs in terme van die bereiking van mandate en finansiele volhoubaarheid was nie goed gebalanseerd nie, soos bewys word deur die oorgewig van die gebruik in die verlede en huidiglik van regerings waarborge, insluitend herkapitalisasie en toekomstige versoeke vir sodanige fasiliteite. Die studie was geinisieer in reaksie tot die verwagte groei in die getal OFIs wat waarskynlike staastwaarborge of herkapitalisasie of beide gaan vra. Huidiglik is daar geen meganisme in plek vir die Nasionale Tesourie (NT) om die finansiele nood van enige OFI te identifiseer voordat dit plaasvind en om daardeur intervensie maatreels in plek te sit nie.
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Brussow, Marcel W. "Transformation in higher education and financial sustainability : the IFIE-concept." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 3, Issue 1: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/465.
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Published ArticleThe world today is in a period of transition. Traditional higher education institutions also seem to have lost whatever stability they may once have possessed. A failure to respond to exponential change in society affects the economic growth and the development of any enterprise. Higher educational institutions have had to make a paradigm shift; no longer can they merely systematize value (using, measuring, controlling and managing knowledge), they must now create value by formulating and producing market-driven niche products (economic value of knowledge) congruent with the existing or desired mission, vision, strategic imperatives and intrinsic nature of the institution. It is argued that the adaptive responsiveness towards the implementation of the forces arising from the synergistic effects embedded within the integration of financial and intellectual capital (entrepreneurial skills and creative ideas in the minds of people that do not form part and parcel of a service contract/job description) shaped by entrepreneurial activity (IFIE-concept) could revitalize processes and attitudes and prevent educational institutions from becoming poverty stricken academic communities - i.e., transform the institution into robust and independent academic bodies with identity, integrity and self esteem.
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Mnisi, Kuhle. "Efficiency and financial sustainability of sugarcane Farmer Cooperatives in Eswatini." Master's thesis, Faculty of Commerce, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/30461.
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The economy of Eswatini is heavily reliant on the production of sugarcane. However, the 2015 drought, as well as the decision by the European Union (EU) to end the quota system for sugar has had deleterious consequences for the local industry. In Eswatini, sugar imports decreased by 13.5% during the 2016/2017 financial year. Another problem is that a third of Eswatini’s sugar output originates from smallholder farmers who have experienced problems with sugarcane productivity in recent years. Therefore, to assist with future investment decisions, there is a need for continued assessment of the financial sustainability of the industry. This is imperative to enhance the productive efficiency of farmers and to improve their welfare. This study assessed the efficiency and operational sustainability of the 114 sugarcane Farmers Cooperatives (FCs) in The Kingdom of Eswatini from 2014 to 2017. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis technique, the Cobb-Douglas and the Translogarithm production functions were used to estimate technical efficiency scores. The results of the study showed that the sugarcane FCs are operationally self-sustainable, with an average technical efficiency of 83.69% (Translog) and 73.01% (Cobb-Douglas). The study identified operational sustainability, and access to grants and loans as significant contributors to improved technical efficiency. On the other hand, factors such as distance to mill, age and membership number were observed to have a negative effect on technical efficiency. Our recommendation is that government policy should focus on implementing caps on certain variables which have decreasing marginal benefit. Policy should also focus on how best to direct funding such that farmers’ operating expenses are minimised. This could be done through continual development of cost saving infrastructure to allow farmers to utilise inputs to increase efficiency.
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Kinhonhi, Isaac Vivian. "Financial sustainability of mini-grid electricity distribution companies in Uganda." Master's thesis, Faculty of Commerce, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/30576.
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This study investigated the financial sustainability of electricity Mini-grids in Uganda. The challenges of sustainability of Mini-grids were recognised by Tenenbaum Bernard, Greacen Chris, Siyambalapitiya Tilak (2014) as well as Payen, Bordeleau and Young (2016), with a focus on developing countries, particularly in Asia. There is, however, no literature that was found on similar challenges in Uganda. The specific objectives of this study were to examine the profitability, liquidity, efficiency and operational sustainability of Mini-grids in Uganda.
The study focused on four Mini-grids as case studies: Ferdsult Engineering Services Limited (FESL), Bundibugyo Energy Cooperative Society (BECS), Kilembe Investments Limited (KIL) and West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO). The research objective was addressed by analysing audited financial reports for the respective Mini-grids from 2010 to 2015 and other operational information published by the electricity regulator.
The study established that Mini-grids in Uganda were not financially sustainable despite having steady growth in sales revenue and customer numbers. The main factors that affected the sustainability of Mini-grids include a higher growth rate in operational and maintenance costs compared to the sales revenue. In addition, operational efficiency challenges were observed, including energy losses, imprudent financial management practices and poor liquidity. These shortfalls consequently showed that the Mini-grids are not financially sustainable.
Despite the fact that Mini-grids are not financially sustainable in Uganda, their benefits go beyond electricity provision. The other benefits of Mini-grids are socio-economic in nature, including support for health services and enhancement of economic activities and the livelihoods of the poor. The socio-economic benefits from access to electricity in these rural areas may far outweigh the financial limitations observed. It is therefore important that Mini-grids continue to get the necessary support until such a time as they become sustainable.
It is recommended that the Government of Uganda should provide financial and operational support through subsidies or other support systems to ensure continuity of the Mini-grids and, ultimately, their financial sustainability in the medium term in order to enhance access to electricity and the knock- on benefits that come with this access. In this regard, governance and technical skills enhancement remain key in order for these -grids to move forward. Further research should establish the optimal size and internal operational parameters that will ensure the sustainability of the Mini-grids, the amount of government subsidy required and the time it would prudently take to attain sustainability.
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Mohadeb, Praveen. "Higher education in Mauritius : an analysis of future financial sustainability." Thesis, Edinburgh Napier University, 2003. http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/3863.
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Quinto, Daniele <1992>. "Empirical study on the relation between Sustainability and Financial performance." Master's Degree Thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/9051.
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In the past years, the interest on corporate sustainability has grown rapidly and it has become very important topic; many companies are making efforts to become more and more sustainable. However, the impact of corporate sustainability on firm’s financial performance has been widely debated. This study investigates the effects of sustainability performance on financial performance, in particular on firm value, measured with Tobin’s Q ratio. We have tried to identify the source of market value by disaggregating the effects on the different components of Gordon’s formula: expected dividends, WACC cost of equity and growth rate. The empirical evidence shows that environmental and social dimensions of sustainability are positively and significant related with company’s value. Additional evidence suggests that environmental sustainability negatively affects expected dividends and that sustainability performance has no significant influence on WACC cost of equity and growth rate.
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Maitland, Roger. "Exploring emergence in corporate sustainability." Doctoral thesis, Faculty of Commerce, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/31139.
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As the impacts of climate change intensify, businesses are increasingly committing to ambitious sustainable development goals, yet an enduring disconnect remains between corporate sustainability activities and declining global environment and society. This study adopts a complexity view that reductionism associated with Newtonian thinking has played a key role in creating many of the sustainability issues now faced by humanity. This dissertation departs from the premise that sustainability needs to be integrated into an organisation and uses a complexity view to argue that corporate sustainability is a co-evolutionary process of emergence. Whilst many studies have examined how sustainability can be integrated into a business, less is known about corporate sustainability as an emergent process. To address the knowledge gap, this research answered three questions: (1) How does sustainability emerge in financial institutions? (2) What is the role of coherence in the emergence of sustainability? and (3) What conditions enable the emergence of sustainability? A mixed method sequential design was used. In the initial quantitative strand of the research, a holistic business assessment survey based on integral theory was implemented in two financial services organisations in Southern Africa. The results were analysed using self-organising maps and explored in narrative interviews in the subsequent qualitative strand of the research. The study makes three contributions to our understanding of emergence in corporate sustainability. First, by proposing four modes by which corporate sustainability is enacted; these elucidate how integral domains are enacted in corporate sustainability. Second, by clarifying the process of emergence by articulating how zones of coherence emerge between embodied and embedded dimensions. Third, by explaining how the shift to corporate sustainability occurs by means of four conditions. These contributions serve to advance our understanding of corporate sustainability as a fundamental shift in the functioning of an organisation towards coevolutionary self-organisation. It is recommended that corporate sustainability is holistically cultivated to support emergence and self-organisation, rather than being integrated through a linear process of change.
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Kyomuhangi, Lennie SB. "Financial cost implications of an expanded free Antiretroviral therapy programme in Uganda and its financial sustainability." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9435.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-109).The purpose of this study has been to determine the costs of an expanded free ART programme in Uganda and its implications for financial sustainability. The annual and lifetime incremental costs of ART from one treatment centre in Uganda were analysed. The key results from this centre were used to estimate the incremental costs associated with the scaling up of ART services in Uganda from the provider's perspective. A key concern was that the financial costs involved might not be financially sustainable by the country.
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Kliushnyk, T., A. Drofa, Тетяна Володимирівна Щербина, Татьяна Владимировна Щербина, and Tetiana Volodymyrivna Shcherbyna. "The state financial security and sustainability of financial sector in Ukraine: their state and management peculiarities." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2019. https://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/77597.
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Constant increasing of financial system’s role and importance is becoming a
salient characteristic of the modern development of the domestic economy. It
provides uninterrupted process of national product formation and promotes economic
growth in the country. Given the undeniable importance of finance in the processes of
the state's economy functioning, the issues of financial security ensuring and effective
financial security management become especially relevant.
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Cumbi, Gonqalo M. T. "The sustainability of microfinance in Mozambique." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/14638.
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Thesis (MDF)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.In the microfinance discourse, sustainability can relate to organisational, managerial and financial aspects. However, what is in vogue in mainstream analysis is the financial sustainability of MFIs throughout the world, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. What has attracted controversial debate on the self financial viability of MFIs is the extent they have maintained the balance between achieving substantial levels of profitability (through employing the institutionalist approach), and being agents of poverty-alleviation (through the welfarist approach). Analysing the mixed fortunes of the five MFIs in Mozambique between 2005 and 2009, this study explores the scope and patterns of outreach programmes as an essay in service-delivery by the MFIs, the repayment capacity of the different stripes of clients, the cost-control regime adopted by the MFIs and the ultimate variegated levels of success realised, and the challenges faced by the MFIs in different provinces.
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O’Neill, Dean. "A retrospective long-term financial assessment of sustainability at Cape Agulhas Municipality." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4982.
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Magister Administrationis - MAdminThe future existence of municipalities is determined by their ability to remain financially sustainable. This study is significant as municipalities need to ensure that they are financially sustainable for the continued provision and maintenance of quality and affordable services to all the residents within their jurisdiction. The primary objective of the study was to assess the financial performance of the Cape Agulhas Municipality over a period of ten years. A secondary objective was to identify factors that constrain or facilitate improved financial management in municipalities and that may have an influence on their sustainability. The focus of the study was limited to financial management aspects of the Cape Agulhas Municipality from 2003 to 2014 and was conducted at a macro or strategic level. The research is a longitudinal qualitative study as this methodology was deemed as the best to undertake in a study of this nature. The data collection process comprised of open ended semi- structured interviews with senior politicians and officials in the municipality. Financial data from the annual financial statements and the Auditor General of South Africa over the period of study were evaluated and analysed so as to produce financial ratios and establish trends. The financial data was assessed against the financial health measures as identified by the National Treasury to determine the financial status of the municipality. Analysing the financial performance of the municipality produced information that can be used as an early warning system to mitigate further deterioration of the financial situation and inform future decisions in terms thereof. This study was useful as the findings may contribute towards effective municipal financial management and the financial sustainability of municipalities. The study makes the following findings and recommendations: The municipality experienced liquidity tensions from 2006. Although the payment ratio had been increasing over the last two years of the study, consumer debtors had been increasing and limited amounts were budgeted for the writing off of bad debt. Electricity tariff increases were significantly above the inflation rate, and salaries, wages and allowances were the largest expenditure item over the whole period of the study. In terms of provision for maintenance and repairs, these were less than half of the norm for most of the study period, and lastly the cash reserves were severely depleted from 2006 as they were used to fund long term capital projects. It is recommended that the municipality stabilises the decline in current assets and continues with the diligent implementation of its credit control policy, not only to maintain the positive collection rate but also to curb the increase in consumer debtors. In order to enhance the affordability of rates and tariffs the municipality must perform a cost analysis of all rates and tariffs to ensure that they are cost reflective. The organisational structure must be reviewed annually to verify that only critical and legislatively required posts are approved and budgeted for, as this is the largest expenditure item in the municipal budget. Furthermore, a comprehensive infrastructure maintenance plan must be developed to guide decisions when the budget for maintenance and repairs is considered, not only to ensure that this budget item is closer to the national norm but that it is spent on and tracked to infrastructure with the highest priority. The municipality needs to develop and approve a long term financial plan with its related policies to curb the further decline of its cash reserves and which includes a capital funding mix that is aligned to the useful life of the infrastructure to be financed.
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Larsson, Rebecca, and Linnea Månsson. "Understanding the Implications of Sustainability Inclusion : A Case Study of the Role of the Financial Advisor and Sustainability." Thesis, KTH, Industriell ekonomi och organisation (Inst.), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-300150.
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The role of the financial advisor is subject to fiduciary duty, which means that the advisor always should act in the best interest of the client and has traditionally referred to the financial aspects. Finance is now experiencing a revolution, where the concept of sustainable finance is on the agenda of many actors when the sustainability amendments to MiFID II entered into force, as part of the EU Action Plan on Sustainable Finance. The new regulations will add to the already intensified information load characterizing the financial advisory landscape. Moreover, this new dimension of sustainability is very different from the strictly financial one, which in itself is subject to both conceptually and operational complexity. This study aims to investigate what difficulties and complexities are arising from the growing amount of sustainability demands and information and how these affect the financial advisor and its role. This was done as a qualitative case study where nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with financial advisors working in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, together with two interviews with employees working with sustainability at a central level in a Nordic bank. The analysis is based on the interviews combined with current literature and together lays the foundation for the findings. The key findings of the study are that there are five identified difficulties stemming from different areas that are seen as important for understanding what the inclusion of sustainability preferences into financial advisory might mean going forward, and what effects that it will have on the financial advisor: (i) regulatory changes and compliance, (ii) sustainability preferences, (iii) the information-intensive landscape, (iv) advisors’ required awareness and knowledge, and (v) the perceived advisor’s role. When adding these identified difficulties together, the conclusion is that the concept of sustainable finance is not as uncomplicated as perhaps portrayed, and this holds extra true for the studied inclusion of sustainability in the advisory process.Den finansiella rådgivarens roll är föremål för fiduciary duty, vilket innebär att rådgivaren alltid ska agera i kundens bästa och traditionellt har hänvisat till de ekonomiska aspekterna. Finans upplever nu en revolution, där begreppet hållbar ekonomi står på dagordningen för många aktörer när hållbarhetsändringarna till MiFID II trädde i kraft, som en del av EU: s handlingsplan för finansiering av hållbar tillväxt. De nya reglerna kommer att öka den redan intensifierade informationsbelastningen som kännetecknar det finansiella rådgivande landskapet. Dessutom skiljer sig denna nya hållbarhetsdimension mycket från den strikt ekonomiska, som i sig är föremål för både konceptuell och operativ komplexitet. Studien syftar till att undersöka vilka svårigheter och komplexiteter som uppstår till följd av den ökande mängden hållbarhetskrav och information och hur dessa påverkar den finansiella rådgivaren och dess roll. Detta gjordes som en kvalitativ fallstudie där nio semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med finansiella rådgivare som arbetade i Danmark, Finland och Sverige, tillsammans med två intervjuer med anställda som arbetade med hållbarhet på en central nivå i en nordisk bank. Analysen baseras på intervjuerna i kombination med aktuell litteratur och lägger tillsammans grunden för resultaten. De viktigaste resultaten i studien är att det finns fem identifierade svårigheter som härrör från olika områden som ses som viktiga för att förstå vad införandet av hållbarhetspreferenser i finansiell rådgivning kan innebära framöver och vilka effekter det kommer att få för finansiella rådgivare: (i) regeländringar och efterlevnad, (ii) hållbarhetspreferenser, (iii) det informationsintensiva landskapet, (iv) rådgivarnas medvetenhet och kunskap och (v) den upplevda rådgivarens roll. När man sammanställer dessa identifierade svårigheter är slutsatsen att begreppet hållbar ekonomi inte är så okomplicerat som det kanske framställs, och detta gäller extra för den studerade inkluderingen av hållbarhet i rådgivningsprocessen.
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Connell, Tamara, Melanie Dubin, and Magdalena Szpala. "Carbon Neutrality as Leverage in Transitioning a Financial Organisation Towards Sustainability." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Avdelningen för maskinteknik, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-2714.
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Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, as it threatens the survival of human civilisation. With the increasing number of initiatives trying to address climate change, it is important to examine how effective they are and what other roles these initiatives can serve in transitioning society towards sustainability. This thesis investigates the role of one such initiative, carbon neutrality, within a strategic approach to sustainable development, based on the case study of the North American Credit Union (NACU). A scientific understanding of climate change and sustainability provide a strict evaluation of the carbon neutrality concept with its benefits and challenges, including the role of carbon offsets. Within this context, recommendations are provided for roles and actions that a financial organisation such as NACU can take in order to set high standards in this new and still evolving market of voluntary carbon offsets, while striving for full sustainability and leadership within the community.
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Shipley, Kyle L. "Ethics in Accounting: Sustainability as a Predictor of Financial Statement Usefulness." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2011. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/283.
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This paper examines the impact of ethics on financial statement usefulness in 120 publicly traded companies. Because ethics are difficult, if not impossible, to quantify, Corporate Social Responsibility ratings are used as a proxy. The potential implications of this study are vast, though the main idea is that investors would be able to make better financial decisions should the hypothesis come to fruition. Contrarily, investors will also be able to avoid potentially bad investments if they can ascertain certain companies that lack ethical values. In this paper, I will discuss several facets of corporate ethics such as creative accounting in addition to delving deeper into what it means for firms to be sustainable. Using data from the Roberts Environmental Center at Claremont McKenna College in conjunction with financial data from Wharton Research Data Services and panel data techniques, I find that only within the food and beverages industry is there a correlation between ethics and financial statement usefulness. This finding lends distinct support for the hypothesis and also begs the question of how corporate ethics vary between industries.
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Ng, Joshua (Zi Jie Joshua), and Kendall Chow. "Environmental, operational and financial sustainability of packaging methods in delivery businesses." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/61184.
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Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-148).
In retail delivery companies, packaging is used to transport goods to customers while preventing damage, shrinkage and loss of the contents. With consumer preferences reflecting the growing concern for the environment, retail delivery businesses are at the crossroads of implementing a sustainable operational and financial business model of delivering packages to customers. In this thesis, we will address the issue of sustainable packaging in retail delivery companies by evaluating the financial, environmental and operational viability of such strategies. The thesis will be limited to the downstream order fulfillment cycle from the retail delivery company to the customer. We will focus on three areas applicable to sustainable packaging. The first area is materials innovation where we will analyze alternative materials suitable for retail delivery packaging. The second area involves waste elimination through reducing packaging material use and reusing of packaging materials through a returnable tote program. Lastly, we will understand the implementation challenges to increase the success rate of the strategies mentioned earlier.
by Joshua Ng and Kendall Chow.
M.Eng.in Logistics
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Saungweme, Maxwell. "Factors influencing financial sustainability of local NGOs : the case of Zimbabwe." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97293.
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Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Local non-governmental organisations play an important role in the development processes of Zimbabwe. However, they face an uncertain future, as they depend on volatile external donor funding which leaves them financially unsustainable. This research sought to determine whether local non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe were sustainable, and to analyse the main factors that influenced their financial sustainability. Through a mixed methods research design including literature review, secondary data analysis and a survey using a structured questionnaire, this research revealed that local non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe were financially unsustainable. A regression analysis was employed to determine the relationships between the different factors and financial sustainability. The research focused on four factors of financial sustainability of local non-governmental organisations: sound financial management practices, income diversification, own income generation, and good donor relationship management practices. Data used for the research was from 2009 to 2013. The survey of 52 local non-governmental organisations spread throughout Zimbabwe provided primary data for the research. The research confirmed findings of others that local non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe were not financially sustainable and depended on external donor funds. The research revealed that most local non-governmental organisations were funded entirely by external donors, had no reserve funds, were not generating own income, and depended on average on about three donors. This meant that if the external donors pulled out these organisations would cease operations. The research revealed that on average donor dependency ratios for Zimbabwean non-governmental organisations were above 93 percent, while survival ratios were very low with 22 days being the maximum. These results meant that if external donors completely pulled out their funding, local non-governmental organisations would operate for at most 22 days before closing down. The research also revealed that most local non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe were not leveraging their assets to generate income, and most were not engaged in own income generating activities while their funding sources were not diversified enough to be regarded sustainable. The government of Zimbabwe was not funding local non-governmental organisations and local donors were scant. The regression analysis ascertained that sound financial management practices had the largest influence on financial sustainability of local non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe, followed by income diversification, then own income generation and good donor relationship management. The research recommends that international donors should provide local non-governmental organisations with some unrestricted income to support start-up of social entrepreneurship activities and small businesses to ensure the financial sustainability of the programmes they fund. The government of Zimbabwe must view local non-governmental organisations as partners that complement its work and are therefore deserving of government funding. Non-governmental organisations need to change their mind-set, start social entrepreneurship and small business activities, and refrain from just seeing external donors as their main source of funding. Networks of non-governmental organisations must fundraise to train and enhance the capacity of their member organisations in running social enterprises and small businesses, and hire staff with expertise in running profit-making activities to complement their non-profit work.
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Al-Shueili, Ali Abdullah Mohamed. "Financial sustainability of the water sector in the Sultanate of Oman." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2014. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/16132.
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Many of the water sectors in developing countries are facing challenges and obstacles in providing potable water to their customers. These challenges resulted from many reasons such as; shortage of water, huge population, low water tariff, regulations, unplanned development, shortage of financing, absence of commercial orientation and others. Therefore, these sectors are requested to work innovatively to overcome these problems and find out proper solutions. One effective option to address these challenges is appropriate pricing of water. Setting up appropriate water price aims to recover service cost, reduce rate of subsidy and achieve financial sustainability. This research was carried out to determine how to achieve financial sustainability in the water sector in the Sultanate of Oman. The study is based on three main issues, improving the water tariff structure, the role of the customer and his expectation to increase the chance of financial sustainability. Two stages of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were adopted in order to answer the research question. 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with PAEW key staff and other relevant parties outside PAEW. 610 quantitative surveys were returned from a total of 1600 PAEW customers to get their views about the role of the customer and his expectations of PAEW in order to increase the chance of financial sustainability. Findings from qualitative data showed the appropriate water tariff is the cost reflective tariff which increases the chance of financial sustainability and cost recovery. The quantitative findings present the willingness of customers' participation and his expectation. Customer participation is expressed in three main roles: leakage and defect reporting, payment and conservation. In all of these, the research outcomes prove the role of the customer and the importance of these roles to increase the chance of financial sustainability. Customer expectations are expressed in customer service, billing system and water service. The outcomes reflect the customer expectations in terms of satisfaction and identify the gap that should be filled by PAEW to make the customer satisfied and loyal.
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Pokhil, V., Вікторія Олексіївна Щербаченко, Виктория Алексеевна Щербаченко, and Viktoriia Oleksiivna Shcherbachenko. "Prospects for Strengthening the Sustainability of the Financial System of Ukraine." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2021. https://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/87083.
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Автори дослідили сутність поняття стійкості фінансової системи, оцінили її індикатори для України. У роботі проаналізовано та оцінено актуальні комплексні ризики, пов’язані із глобальною кризою та необхідністю боротьби з поширенням COVID-19. Визначено чинники, що перешкоджають досягненню стабільності фінансової системи України.Авторы исследовали сущность понятия устойчивости финансовой системы, оценили ее индикаторы для Украины. В работе проанализированы и оценены актуальные комплексные риски, связанные с глобальным кризисом и необходимостью борьбы с распространением COVID-19. Определены факторы, препятствующие достижению стабильности финансовой системы Украины.
The authors explored the essence of the concept of financial system stability, assessed its indicators for Ukraine. The paper analyzes and assesses the current complex risks associated with the global crisis and the need to combat the spread of COVID-19. Factors hindering the achievement of stability of the financial system of Ukraine have been identified.
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Rochat, Ludovic. "Financial sustainability and business income generating in the non-profit sector." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20612.
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This study aimed to assess the perceptions of funding practices and level of financial sustainability amongst non-profit organisations in selected parts of the world. Furthermore, the study looked at the degree to which NPOs employ trading activity to help fund and improve financial sustainability. Utilising a quantitative method, the study used an online survey tool to gather financial information from 72 NPOs in six different countries - Australia, Canada, India, Nigeria, South Africa and the UK. This sample was derived from an international database called Idealist.org. Data was analysed using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and presented thematically to reflect the major findings of the research. It was found that NPOs around the world are crucially in need of extra income and may not survive if new income-generating alternatives are not found. This is largely due to NPOs being overly reliant on a donor-dependency model to raise funds, which is creating more and more financial insecurity. This model has limited financial sustainability, as the competition for funding has dramatically increased in recent years. All of these facts have made NPOs realise that it is necessary to diversify their income sources and become more financially self-reliant. This study explored one self-financing method, trading activity, which has the potential to help NPOs to become more financially stable. The research found that most NPOs do not perceive trading as negatively as it was once perceived and would consider using it if more support were given to them. In order to move in this direction, this study has formulated some recommendations that NPOs can use to start their own commercial activity, attain a more prosperous financial situation and fund their social mission.
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Kambole, Christopher Ngolwe. "Interest rate ceiling and financial sustainability of microfinance institutions in Zambia." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/29087.
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Interest rate ceilings are often considered as an effective way of preventing lenders from charging extortionate interest rates. However, setting the rates too low may cause institutions to fail to raise enough revenue to cover their costs. Low rates may pressure MFIs to reduce costs, increase loan sizes, withdraw services from areas where it is expensive to operate, or exit from the market altogether. A 42% interest rate ceiling was introduced in Zambia on the effective annual lending interest rate of MFIs in January 2013, which was later removed in November 2015. This research was aimed at investigating the effect of interest rate ceiling and microfinance direct costs on the financial sustainability of microfinance institutions in Zambia. The study used time series data from consolidated quarterly financial statements from March 2006 to September 2016 and employed Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) approach to analyse the effect of Yield on Gross Portfolio, Cost of Funds, Operating Expenses and Loan Loss provisions on Operational Self Sufficiency (OSS). OSS was used as a proxy for financial sustainability (dependent variable). Results of the time series analyses showed a positive and significant effect of Yield on Gross Portfolio and Cost of Funds on OSS in the long run. On the other hand, Operating Expenses and Loan Loss provisions had a negative relationship with OSS, albeit statistically insignificant. Trend analysis of the Yield on Gross Portfolio showed a downward trend and consequently the OSS also trended downwards, with the lowest OSS being recorded during the period interest rate ceilings were introduced. However, the trend showed that the microfinance sector was generally sustainable during the study period. The reduction in OSS following the introduction of the ceiling confirmed findings from prior studies regarding the negative impact of interest rate ceilings on the financial sustainability of MFIs. Although the study results showed that the MFIs were generally sustainable during the study period, it was evident that they were negatively impacted by the interest rate ceiling. Therefore the recommendation from this study is that interest rates must be set at levels where costs can be adequately covered. Furthermore, managing costs and loan delinquency should be core priorities among Zambian MFIs to ensure financial sustainability.
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Atkins, Richard N. "Assessing environmental, social and financial sustainability in the existing built environment." Thesis, Glasgow Caledonian University, 2017. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.743896.
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Adebola-Wilson, Francis Adetokunboh. "Diversifying Funds to Enhance Financial Sustainability of a County Library System." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3270.
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Existing research has focused on the financial challenges affecting public libraries and how to improve library efficiency and funding. However, it is unknown how financial diversification could improve the economic fortunes of public libraries. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the unique structural, legal, and operational dynamics associated with adopting a financial diversification strategy in the Clayton County Library System (CCLS), Georgia, and to explore what would support or hinder the implementation of such a strategy. Using modern portfolio theory, the research explored how the CCLS could diversify its funding sources. A qualitative single-case study was conducted to gather information from a sample of library personnel: 2 library directors, 7 assistant directors, 6 branch managers, and 3 grant writers. Budget documents and meeting minutes over a 3-year period were also reviewed. The data were analyzed using a content analysis method, and were coded inductively. Interview data were triangulated with the results of a review of budget documents, meeting minutes, and related literature. Study findings revealed that financial diversification was an effective strategy for the participants in this study, but such diversification would be complex for the broader CCLS because of stakeholders' concerns about CCLS's organizational characteristics, legal frameworks, and management attitudes. The study findings may be used as a basis for further empirical investigations on adoption of financial diversification plans in public libraries. Positive social change is expected to result from this study because it provides useful data to policymakers, library administrators, and other stakeholders seeking ways to sustain public library funding.
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Williams, Anne S. "Evaluating a Strategic Initiative's Efficiency to Enhance Community College Financial Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1426.
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During the first decade of the 21st Century, U.S. college enrollment rates increased, public funding fell by 30%, oversight structures changed, and funding algorithms switched to outcome-based metrics such as retention, progression, and graduation rates. Drawing from Vroom's expectancy theory, the purpose of this correlational study was to provide decision makers with information about the factors associated with an implemented strategic initiative at a Connecticut community college. The research question addressed the correlation between the strategic initiative, retention, and organizational financial sustainability using hierarchical, binary regression analysis of archival data for 2,558 first-time full-time students at a Connecticut community college. Hosmer and Lemeshow testing [Ï?2HL(8, N = 2558) = 2.964, p = 0.937] indicated that a relationship existed between completion of the initiative, grades, and retention while controlling for student demographic variables. Overlapping 95% CIs for participant and nonparticipant retention probabilities demonstrated that the participants and nonparticipants might have similar retention behavior. Educational business leaders may benefit from these findings by reevaluating the design, implementation, and assessment of the strategic initiative, eliminating conflicting initiative goals, and researching additional student attributes or environmental factors that correlate with student retention leading to improved institutional financial sustainability. The implications for social change include growing students' human capital to enhance the community's social welfare.
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Шкодкіна, Юлія Михайлівна, Юлия Михайловна Шкодкина, and Yuliia Mykhailivna Shkodkina. "Alternative mechanisms of funding sustainability." Thesis, Сумський державний університет, 2013. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/31714.
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Financing of sustainable development has become a major concern for both developed and developing countries. Different global financing mechanisms have been invented so far, among which are Official Development Assistance (ODA), funds of multilateral development banks, Global environmental facility, International Emission Trading System (IETS), debt relief programmes for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), various bilateral programmes etc. However, many of the latter are criticized for different reasons.
When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/31714
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Smit, Nicol. "Sustainability of commercial microfinance institutions in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97443.
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Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The approach to offering financial services to the poor has evolved over the past decades. The microfinance schism between the two paradigms, institutionist and welfarist, has yet to be narrowed by evidence of greater success of the one over the other. The drive for commercialisation of microfinance institutions has spurred many crises across the globe and the validity of the argument that commercial microfinance is more sustainable has come under scrutiny. This research report dissects the sustainability of African Bank and Capitec, two commercial microfinance institutions. Accounting ratios are applied to the audited financial data of both microfinance institutions to measure their sustainability from 2007 up to their most recent audited results. The research has found that both microfinance institutions experienced rapid growth since 2007, primarily driven by larger average loan sizes over longer terms. The research shows that Capitec has more diverse sources of revenue and depends less on its loan portfolio to generate income than African Bank. It also shows that Capitec has a more conservative approach with regard to provisioning for loans, and is consequently better prepared for loan write-offs than African Bank. Overall, Capitec is found to be more sustainable in each period measured.
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Mustapha, Nazar S. "Banking and Microfinance Performance: Market Power, Efficiency, Performance, Outreach and Sustainability Perspectives." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2017. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2347.
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This dissertation consists of two empirical papers that explore recent phenomena in Banking and Microfinance Performance. Chapter 1, “Market Power and Bank Performance in MENA Countries,” examines the determinants of market power in 12 Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), specifically within six Gulf Cooperation Countries and six non-Gulf countries. We examine the dynamics of bank competition in MENA countries, provide an up-to-date assessment of market power, investigate the factors impacting bank competition, and explore the evolution of market power during the financial crisis. Our results show an overall increase in market power following the GFC for both regions. We find that bank size, capitalization, and diversification affect market power differently in the pre-crisis and post-crisis years. Larger banks enjoy cost advantages and the diversification impact on market power has decreased in the post-crisis years and the impact of capitalization on market power increased during the GFC. Overall, banks with higher capitalization can better weather the crisis. Chapter 2, “The impact of firm-level characteristic and county-specific attributes on the performance and efficiency of the Microfinance institutions,” estimates the impact of country-specific macro-variables and firm-specific attributes on the financial performance and the efficiency of microfinance institutions (MFIs). We use a large international up-to-date database consisting of over 10,000 firm-years for MFIs over 89 countries during the period 2008-2015. Several interesting findings emerge: a) regulation and outreach are negatively correlated. b) There is a negative and highly statistically significant correlation between the percentage of female borrowers and loan size, which is evidence of “mission drift”. c) An increase in the percentage of female board member has positive and statistically significant effect on MFIs profitability and ROA; which emphasizes the importance of female participation in leading position in MFIs.
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Oppong, Robert. "Successful Strategies Used by Small Business Owners for Company Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4668.
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According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, African Americans are the fastest growing entrepreneurial minority group in the United States. However, they suffer the highest business failure rates. The research design for this study was a multiple case study to explore the strategies small business owners used to succeed in business beyond 5 years. The conceptual framework for this study was the systems theory. The population was small business owners in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolis, Texas. Data collection sources included semistructured interviews, company documents, company websites, and site visit observations. The data analysis process included data cleaning, uploading transcribed interviews into qualitative data analysis software, organizing and coding, and conducting methodological triangulation against company documents. The thematic analysis led to the identification of 6 major themes contributing to company sustainability. The predominate themes included entrepreneur qualities, adequacy or lack of collateral, financial planning, and market qualities. The consensus among participants denoted that in a business environment characterized by market differentiation, effective financial planning and unique entrepreneurial characteristics contributed to company sustainability. The findings revealed several features of the successful business owners such as education, professional background, motivation, creativity, negotiation skills, networking, risk-taking, and self-efficacy were critical for company sustainability. The positive social change includes increasing the rate of small business success, supporting the U.S. economy, and improving financial security for African American entrepreneurs, their families, employees, and the community.
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Chester, Ronan, and Jennifer Woofter. "Non-Financial Disclosure and Strategic Planning : Sustainability Reporting for Good Corporate Governance." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Avdelningen för maskinteknik, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-2252.
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A sustainability report is a tool to help organizations monitor and communicate economic, environmental, and social performance. A corporate strategic planning model is a tool that guides businesses through decision-making processes for sustainable competitive advantage and long-term economic success. While both tools can be used to move a company towards sustainability, the processes are usually not closely integrated. This project explores a closer integration of sustainability reporting and strategic planning for improved corporate governance and strategic sustainable development. We scrutinize the 2002 Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Guidelines against a scientific principle definition of sustainability, pointing out current shortcomings and suggesting opportunities for improvement. An enhanced sustainability reporting model is proposed followed by an exploration of how this reporting model can bring value to the corporate strategic planning process.
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Campbell, Carolyn M. "Corporate Sustainability and the Recession: Firms' Strategy Response in a Financial Crisis." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2010. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/17.
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As the modern world deals with an increasing number of environmental and social crises, corporate sustainability is becoming ever more imperative for business. There is broad agreement that profit maximization can no longer be the exclusive goal of a company, with firms working to align environmental, social, and financial performance. Companies have demonstrated a wide variety of experiences in regards to the financial crisis and its effects on corporate sustainability. While some firms experienced serious setbacks in achieving environmental and social goals others firms claimed to have been ramping up sustainability efforts during the recession. However, most firms report that their corporate sustainability strategies have not been significantly affected by the recession.
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Bartkus, Algirdas. "The analysis of financial sustainability of old-age pensions and sickness benefits." Doctoral thesis, Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT), 2009. http://vddb.library.lt/obj/LT-eLABa-0001:E.02~2009~D_20090312_091029-84342.
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Purpose of this study is to identify and to evaluate the main trends in the development of old-age pensions and sickness benefits schemes (by designing social insurance system models) and to determine the possible ways how to increase the efficiency in consumption smoothing policy and how to increase the financial sustainability of the old-age and sickness insurance schemes.
This study searches for answers to the questions: how to maintain the consumption opportunities of beneficiaries, how to maintain a balance between the contributions paid and benefits received (the balance between the price paid and goods received), how to reduce the risk of budget deficit explosion and how to maintain the consumption opportunities of beneficiaries and insured. Consumption smoothing analysis focuses on the identity between the contributions paid and benefits received, on the analysis of replacement rates, on the analysis of pensioners to insured ratio (and on the possibilities of interpretation the analysis provide).
The study determined the cycles of Lithuanian social insurance system development, examined and evaluated three different pensions' indexation policies, examined and evaluated the utility and performance of second pillar pension funds and carried out the study of possibilities of raising the efficiency in Lithuanian sickness benefits scheme. This study helps to deeper the understanding of how population aging affects the economy and provides the materials for future... [to full text]Disertacijos tikslas – sudarant socialinio draudimo sistemos modelius, nustatyti ir išanalizuoti svarbiausias senatvės pensijų ir laikinojo nedarbingumo išmokų raidos tendencijas, atsižvelgiant į jas, pagrįsti efektyvumo ir tvarumo didinimo galimybes senatvės ir laikinojo nedarbingumo socialinio draudimo išmokų programose (srityse). Disertacijoje ieškoma atsakymų į klausimus: kaip palaikyti išmokų gavėjų vartojimo galimybes, kaip išlaikyti pusiausvyrą tarp sumokėtų įmokų ir gautų išmokų (pusiausvyra tarp sumokėtos kainos ir gautos prekių apimties), kaip sumažinti socialinio draudimo biudžeto deficito atsiradimo riziką ir palaikyti dirbančių asmenų ir išmokų gavėjų vartojimo galimybes. Vartojimo galimybių palaikymo efektyvumo įvertinimas apima tapatumo tarp sumokėtų įmokų ir gautų išmokų analizę, pakeitimo normos analizę, išmokų gavėjų ir dirbančių asmenų santykio analizę, šių rodiklių ir sąryšių interpretacijos atskleidžiamas galimybes. Disertacijoje nustatyti Lietuvos socialinio draudimo sistemos raidos ciklai, išnagrinėti ir įvertinti trys išmokų indeksavimo variantai, įvertintos antros pakopos kaupiamųjų pensijų fondų sistemos galimybės ir veiklos rezultatai, atliktas laikinojo nedarbingumo išmokų sistemos efektyvumo didinimo tyrimas. Šis darbas padeda geriau suprasti visuomenės senėjimo padarinius ir numatyti priemones būsimų procesų reguliavimui.
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Hansén, Andreas, and Dawud Suleiman. "Influence of Sustainability Reporting Regulation on Swedish Financial Companies : – An Institutional Perspective." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-355534.
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The field of sustainability reporting has been studied for a number of decades but how companies respond to sustainability reporting regulations is still understudied. To lessen the gap, this thesis uses an institutional perspective to analyze how Swedish financial companies respond to the new regulation demanding all larger companies to disclose a sustainability report. The thesis takes a qualitative approach by conducting interviews at seven companies to investigate how institutional elements influences their sustainability disclosure processes. Findings show that the content of the reports is not largely affected due to normative elements providing a higher standard than the regulation demands. The reason for this can to a large extent be explained by the use of accepted frameworks which acts as the norm. The thesis also finds that though the content is not largely affected, the regulation affects the internal processes, requiring companies to examine and evaluate their existing sustainability agendas. The findings provide a complement to existing research that to a large degree consists of quantitative research as it illuminates how companies view their sustainability report and the reasoning for disclosing it. The influence of regulation on sustainability reporting is still an understudied subject and more research is needed to address this gap.
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Manzere, Bogadi Patricia. "Financial sustainability mechanisms for local NGOs in the Gauteng province, South Africa." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18562.
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The role of NGOs has been widely recognised in eradicating poverty and creating sustainable development in communities. Governments and private corporations view them as complementary partners in enhancing the livelihoods of people. In order to survive, NGOs need to be financially sustainable to carry out their missions. Their existence is, however, threatened by the current economic and political climate. In South Africa, the recent global economic recession and the country’s recovery from the apartheid system since 1994 have both had a negative impact in funding financial flow to NGOs. Compounded by the growing demand for new NGOs, evidence shows that there is fierce competition between NGOs for the same funding and, since NGOs by nature do not produce commercial outputs, they are limited to pursue funding opportunities made available through donations. This study explored the issues of financial sustainability within local NGOs in the Gauteng Province. The aim was to build mechanisms that could be put in place to monitor organisational financial sustainability over time. The study used a qualitative methodology and the researcher adopted an exploratory design to gain insight and meaning into the issues faced by NGOs. A sample of ten members from local NGOs in the Gauteng Province was identified and data was collected through key informant interviews and questionnaires. The study found that the majority of NGOs face difficulties in achieving financial sustainability over the long-term. The results indicated that funding in the sector is shrinking, with very few NGOs surviving through endowments. Their major challenges in raising funds are due to area limitations, competition within the sector, lack of skills, staff shortage and visibility. They optimise available opportunities but also acknowledge that they are not implementing other fundraising strategies that could be effective in raising funds. Evidence also showed that these NGOs are meeting the requirements of good financial management practices, which could improve their likelihood to achieve financial sustainability. The research recommends that NGOs need to be empowered to negotiate restrictions under the grants, raise endowments through income-generating activities, manage stakeholder relationships and cost any future funding prospects for key decision making that is likely to have an impact on the structure and the strategic direction of an organisation.