The relationship between service and product quality

Small, micro and medium enterprises (SMEs) are perceived to be the solution for economic growth and unemployment in South Africa. However, the failure rate of SMEs within the first three years is between 70 and 80 percent, which in most cases is attributed to lack of support from government, financial institutions and multi-national enterprises. This failure is usually assessed from the SMEs perspective, where SMEs are seen to be receiving assistance or favours. The study aimed to investigate the contribution the SMEs make towards their own failure and how they view themselves. SMEs believed that they are properly equipped to provide services to the mining industry, whereas mining companies have the opposite opinion.