The activity participation profile of self-employed individuals in informal micro-enterprises in a low resourced community
Date
2019
Authors
Monareng, Luther
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Abstract
Unemployment statistics (27,6% in first quarter of 2019) indicate that in South Africa this is an issue resulting in poverty. As a result of limited job opportunities, the citizens of South Africa rely on their government grants for their livelihood.
South African occupational therapists admit having a role to play but that role is yet to be explored. This research intended to provide guidance to occupational therapists on the role they could play in the field of self-employment.
This research was done in two phases in Alexandra Township (Alex). Phase 1 made use of a community participatory quantitative descriptive non-experimental design study with purposive sampling. Phase 1 focused on interviewing three stakeholders for their knowledge and perception around self-employment in small businesses. They also assisted in locating the small businesses by conducting a mapping and transect walk together with the researcher. Phase 2 was a quantitative non-experimental and cross-sectional research where convenience and snowball sampling were used. In Phase 2 interviews and observations of 16 small business owners where conducted in order to establish their level of creative ability.
Small business opportunities that occupational therapist could explore with their patients exist in Alexandra Township. The business owners fit a particular profile and they all function on three different levels of creative ability namely passive, imitative and active participation.
The activity participation profile of those in self-employment was established and described. Findings from this research, together with further research should be sufficient to allow occupational therapists to explore or start exploring self-employment with their patients more
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Johannesburg
2019