The Importance and Satisfaction of Location Decision Factors of Manufacturing and Services SMMES in Johannesburg.

The aim of this study is to assess the gaps between the importance and satisfaction of location decision factors of manufacturing and service SMMEs located in Johannesburg (South Africa). The current study implemented a quantitative approach by using paired sample t-test to examine and compare responses of importance and satisfaction of location decisions. The study revealed that ten out of twelve factors present a significant gap between the importance and satisfaction of location decision. Factors such as cost, employment creation, rental rate, and green building present a negative significant gap between the two groups of comparison. Nevertheless, basic need present moderate gap. Factors including safe environment, social climate, proximity to supplier, proximity to competitors, proximity to customers however recorded positive mean difference on the two groups of comparison. This research contribute to knowledge of Operations Management, particularly in the arear of location decision. Future study should identify why the gap exist between the importance and satisfaction of facility location decision based on the selected factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]