期刊名称：International Journal of Business and Management Studies
电子版ISSN：1309-8047
出版年度：2017
卷号：9
期号：2
页码：120-136
出版社：Social Sciences Research Society
摘要：As a country faced with many socio-economic challenges governmentintervention prompting protests are not unique to South Africa. In light of theseconfining circumstances, requests from various economic agents, especiallylabour unions have been directed towards the implementation of a nationalminimum wage (NMW). Although theory advocates negative effects fromminimum wages, international evidence regarding these labour marketinterventions shows conflicting outcomes. The main aim of the study was toanalyse business owners’ perceptions regarding the impact of the implementationof a NMW. A qualitative research approach was adopted to collect data with atotal of 10 in-depth interviews conducted with business owners in the VaalTriangle region, Gauteng. The results of the study showed that participantsacknowledged the advantage of implementing a NMW, perceiving theintervention as a much needed step towards greater equality. Other perceivedadvantages involved the security a NMW provides job-seekers and the possibleimpact on improved demand for goods and services as higher wages stimulate theeconomy. Concerns however were raised regarding small firms’ ability to coverthese wages and the capability of the legislation to account for inherent skilldifferences in various sectors. The findings of the study provide valuable insightsespecially in the South African context and even more so from a demand sideperspective regarding the possible impact of these labour market interventions..
