An evaluation of the study skills training programme in the foundation programme at the University of Venda
- Sikhwari, Tshimangadzo Daniel
- Authors: Sikhwari, Tshimangadzo Daniel
- Date: 2012-06-07
- Subjects: Small business management , University of Venda , Entrepreneurship , New business enterprises management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5014
- Description: D.Ed. , The University of Venda is situated in an educationally disadvantaged environment. The study skills training programme was introduced in the Faculty of Humanities, Management Sciences and Law Foundation Programme to enhance students’ academic performance through structured interventions incorporating learning strategies, effective time management, and self-concept enhancement, among other skills. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the study skills training programme for disadvantaged students in the Foundation Programme at the University of Venda, and to modify the current study skills training programme based on the findings of the research. Comparison was done between students exposed to the study skills training programme (experimental group) and those students that were not exposed to the programme (control group). The comparison focused on study habits, attitudes, study methods as well as academic performance of both groups. The study was completed in two phases. In the first phase, quantitative and qualitative data were collected through the mixed methods sequential explanatory research design. The researcher first collected and analysed the quantitative data. The qualitative data were collected and analysed second in the sequence and helped to explain the quantitative results obtained earlier. The Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes (SSHA) and the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) were used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data collection was done by means of focus group as well as individual interviews. The results indicated that the academic performance of the experimental group was lower as compared to that of the control group. The current study skills training programme did not do enough in raising the motivational levels of students in the Foundation Programme (experimental group). One would therefore conclude that there were some deficiencies in the programme. The control group appeared to be a better group academically compared to the experimental group. The main determinant therefore appears to be potential rather than training. The literature review has yielded important information regarding the enhancement of academic performance of students. For example, it was noted from the literature that the use of a particular learning approach (strategy) should be linked to the learning context as well as the type of learning task.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sikhwari, Tshimangadzo Daniel
- Date: 2012-06-07
- Subjects: Small business management , University of Venda , Entrepreneurship , New business enterprises management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5014
- Description: D.Ed. , The University of Venda is situated in an educationally disadvantaged environment. The study skills training programme was introduced in the Faculty of Humanities, Management Sciences and Law Foundation Programme to enhance students’ academic performance through structured interventions incorporating learning strategies, effective time management, and self-concept enhancement, among other skills. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the study skills training programme for disadvantaged students in the Foundation Programme at the University of Venda, and to modify the current study skills training programme based on the findings of the research. Comparison was done between students exposed to the study skills training programme (experimental group) and those students that were not exposed to the programme (control group). The comparison focused on study habits, attitudes, study methods as well as academic performance of both groups. The study was completed in two phases. In the first phase, quantitative and qualitative data were collected through the mixed methods sequential explanatory research design. The researcher first collected and analysed the quantitative data. The qualitative data were collected and analysed second in the sequence and helped to explain the quantitative results obtained earlier. The Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes (SSHA) and the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) were used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data collection was done by means of focus group as well as individual interviews. The results indicated that the academic performance of the experimental group was lower as compared to that of the control group. The current study skills training programme did not do enough in raising the motivational levels of students in the Foundation Programme (experimental group). One would therefore conclude that there were some deficiencies in the programme. The control group appeared to be a better group academically compared to the experimental group. The main determinant therefore appears to be potential rather than training. The literature review has yielded important information regarding the enhancement of academic performance of students. For example, it was noted from the literature that the use of a particular learning approach (strategy) should be linked to the learning context as well as the type of learning task.
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An analysis of opportunities and trends in the sport business industry with a focus on entrepreneurship and small, medium, micro enterprises
- Authors: Mothilall, Kush
- Date: 2013-05-27
- Subjects: Small business , Sport business industry , Sports - Management , Small business management , Entrepreneurship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7553 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8411
- Description: M.Tech. (Sport Management) , This exploratory study was a situational analysis of the sport business industry with a specific focus on SMME’s and entrepreneurship. The study subsequently aimed to determine entrepreneurial opportunities in the sport domain. A survey questionnaire was administered to 250 small business entrepreneurs plying their trade in the broad South African sport industry. SMME’s were identified through CIPRO, online business databases, and snowballing. A stratified sample was selected through various non-probability sampling techniques. The survey was administered through a combination of post, email, and hand-delivery. A satisfactory yet representative response rate of 49% was realized. Although the geographic specificity of the electronic and postal surveys are not evenly spread through-out the country, it does lean towards SMME’s in the major urban and semi-urban metropolitan regions of the country. The hand-delivered survey was concentrated in the greater Durban region. Nonetheless, the researcher is of the opinion that the results obtained can provide an insightful and meaningful exposition into the opportunities and trends affecting SMME’s in the sport business industry in South Africa. The SPSS program was utilized to descriptively and inferentially analyze the data. The sport SMME sector in South Africa was found to be relatively young. The small business entrepreneur demographic profile found entrepreneurs to be mainly male, middle-aged and well-educated. Owner-managers were found to have had completed business or entrepreneurship training with varying years experience in the sport business industry. Company properties revealed that based on the age of sport businesses, SMME’s were spread through the start-up, growth, and mature business stages. The vast majority of the sample was categorized as small enterprises. From a legal perspective, most businesses were registered as close corporations. About a third of all SMME’s were registered with a plethora of business associations and agencies thus giving effect to the inherent cross-cutting nature of the sport industry being prominently felt in various spheres of business and industry. SMME’s were also found to be complying to the principles of B-B BEE with encouraging signs of previously disadvantaged ownership.
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- Authors: Mothilall, Kush
- Date: 2013-05-27
- Subjects: Small business , Sport business industry , Sports - Management , Small business management , Entrepreneurship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7553 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8411
- Description: M.Tech. (Sport Management) , This exploratory study was a situational analysis of the sport business industry with a specific focus on SMME’s and entrepreneurship. The study subsequently aimed to determine entrepreneurial opportunities in the sport domain. A survey questionnaire was administered to 250 small business entrepreneurs plying their trade in the broad South African sport industry. SMME’s were identified through CIPRO, online business databases, and snowballing. A stratified sample was selected through various non-probability sampling techniques. The survey was administered through a combination of post, email, and hand-delivery. A satisfactory yet representative response rate of 49% was realized. Although the geographic specificity of the electronic and postal surveys are not evenly spread through-out the country, it does lean towards SMME’s in the major urban and semi-urban metropolitan regions of the country. The hand-delivered survey was concentrated in the greater Durban region. Nonetheless, the researcher is of the opinion that the results obtained can provide an insightful and meaningful exposition into the opportunities and trends affecting SMME’s in the sport business industry in South Africa. The SPSS program was utilized to descriptively and inferentially analyze the data. The sport SMME sector in South Africa was found to be relatively young. The small business entrepreneur demographic profile found entrepreneurs to be mainly male, middle-aged and well-educated. Owner-managers were found to have had completed business or entrepreneurship training with varying years experience in the sport business industry. Company properties revealed that based on the age of sport businesses, SMME’s were spread through the start-up, growth, and mature business stages. The vast majority of the sample was categorized as small enterprises. From a legal perspective, most businesses were registered as close corporations. About a third of all SMME’s were registered with a plethora of business associations and agencies thus giving effect to the inherent cross-cutting nature of the sport industry being prominently felt in various spheres of business and industry. SMME’s were also found to be complying to the principles of B-B BEE with encouraging signs of previously disadvantaged ownership.
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The role of networks in establishing an entrepreneurial venture
- Authors: Christopoulos, Alex
- Date: 2012-10-30
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , New business enterprises , Small business management
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7979
- Description: M.Comm. , In South Africa, a disappointingly high number of start-up ventures fail. The success of global entrepreneurs in the South African marketplace is largely attributable to their reliance on sound network relationships prior to entering this market. The purpose of this study was thus to explore the role of networks in establishing an entrepreneurial venture. A literature study, and interviews with respondents who met the criteria of the study, were the chosen means of collecting the data. The study examined, through the literature review, the subjects underpinning the objectives of the research, namely entrepreneurship and networks. Each subject was investigated individually, after which the research literature was evaluated to determine the extent of a relationship between entrepreneurship and networks. In the literature component, a synergy between networks and entrepreneurship was identified. A significant contribution to this relationship was shown to be grounded in the way networks assist entrepreneurs in gaining access to scarce resources, particularly in the start-up phase of new venture development. Through the use of a research methodology which encompassed a qualitative research technique, primary data was gathered through personal in-depth interviews. The questions were aligned with the objectives and propositions set out in the study. The analysis of the data revealed that, although networks were relied upon to overcome resource constraint challenges at the businesses’ inception, networks were as important, if not more important, throughout the other stages of the entrepreneurial process. It was further determined that there are no feasible replacements for the use of networks in any of the stages of the entrepreneurial process. Thus it can be concluded with limitations that networks play a critical role in the establishment of an entrepreneurial venture.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Christopoulos, Alex
- Date: 2012-10-30
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , New business enterprises , Small business management
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7979
- Description: M.Comm. , In South Africa, a disappointingly high number of start-up ventures fail. The success of global entrepreneurs in the South African marketplace is largely attributable to their reliance on sound network relationships prior to entering this market. The purpose of this study was thus to explore the role of networks in establishing an entrepreneurial venture. A literature study, and interviews with respondents who met the criteria of the study, were the chosen means of collecting the data. The study examined, through the literature review, the subjects underpinning the objectives of the research, namely entrepreneurship and networks. Each subject was investigated individually, after which the research literature was evaluated to determine the extent of a relationship between entrepreneurship and networks. In the literature component, a synergy between networks and entrepreneurship was identified. A significant contribution to this relationship was shown to be grounded in the way networks assist entrepreneurs in gaining access to scarce resources, particularly in the start-up phase of new venture development. Through the use of a research methodology which encompassed a qualitative research technique, primary data was gathered through personal in-depth interviews. The questions were aligned with the objectives and propositions set out in the study. The analysis of the data revealed that, although networks were relied upon to overcome resource constraint challenges at the businesses’ inception, networks were as important, if not more important, throughout the other stages of the entrepreneurial process. It was further determined that there are no feasible replacements for the use of networks in any of the stages of the entrepreneurial process. Thus it can be concluded with limitations that networks play a critical role in the establishment of an entrepreneurial venture.
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