'n Evaluering van projekfinansiering uit die oogpunt van die entrepreneur
- Authors: Pretorius, Christoffel
- Date: 2014-07-28
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Business enterprises - Finance
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/367838 , uj:11853 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11585
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pretorius, Christoffel
- Date: 2014-07-28
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Business enterprises - Finance
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/367838 , uj:11853 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11585
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
'n Kontekstuele teorie van entrepreneurskap.
- Authors: Crous, F. , Roodt, G.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Entrepreneurial behaviour
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6322 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1069
- Description: A contextual theory of entrepreneurship. Industrial psychologists studying the domain of entrepreneurship tend to focus on the independent variables that predispose entrepreneurial behaviour. The challenge, therefore, was to give expression to the nature of entrepreneurship (as dependant variable) from an industrial psychological perspective. This was done by means of the development of a contextual theory of entrepreneurship. Firstly, the fundamental actions were identified that would give expression to the contextual process of entrepreneurship, after which form was given to its structure. This structure was utilised putting in place a typology of entrepreneurship. The geometric characteristics of the structure were explained. Possibilities for application as well as directions for entrepreneurship development, suggested by the theory were discussed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Crous, F. , Roodt, G.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Entrepreneurial behaviour
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6322 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1069
- Description: A contextual theory of entrepreneurship. Industrial psychologists studying the domain of entrepreneurship tend to focus on the independent variables that predispose entrepreneurial behaviour. The challenge, therefore, was to give expression to the nature of entrepreneurship (as dependant variable) from an industrial psychological perspective. This was done by means of the development of a contextual theory of entrepreneurship. Firstly, the fundamental actions were identified that would give expression to the contextual process of entrepreneurship, after which form was given to its structure. This structure was utilised putting in place a typology of entrepreneurship. The geometric characteristics of the structure were explained. Possibilities for application as well as directions for entrepreneurship development, suggested by the theory were discussed.
- Full Text:
A comparison between the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity
- Authors: Le Roux, Suzette Johanna
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Organizational change , Economic development , Businesspeople , Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/82617 , uj:18980
- Description: Abstract:Orientation As an entrepreneur/mentor, I am fascinated by the issue of why some start-up businesses flourish and others struggle to survive. In line with this and in order to increase understanding of entrepreneurial success, there is, as Bakker, Curşeu, and Vermeulen (2007) state, a need for empirical research to be conducted into the thought processes of entrepreneurs during strategic decision-making. In this study I endeavoured to discover why so many businesses fail and, subsequently, find a way to improve the success rate of novice entrepreneurs by exploring the mental models that support their decision-making. Research question The research question that guided the study investigated the differences between the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful businesses and those involved in unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity. Research aim and objectives The aim of the study was to explore and describe the concrete experiences and mental models of a small group of entrepreneurs, of which I was one. The following key objectives were identified for the study: To identify the critical elements of the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful entrepreneurial activity To ascertain the way in which the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful entrepreneurial activity differ from those involved in unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity To suggest interventions that would be appropriate for altering the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in unsuccessful activity so that they resemble the mental models of those involved in successful entrepreneurial activity... , D.Phil.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Le Roux, Suzette Johanna
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Organizational change , Economic development , Businesspeople , Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/82617 , uj:18980
- Description: Abstract:Orientation As an entrepreneur/mentor, I am fascinated by the issue of why some start-up businesses flourish and others struggle to survive. In line with this and in order to increase understanding of entrepreneurial success, there is, as Bakker, Curşeu, and Vermeulen (2007) state, a need for empirical research to be conducted into the thought processes of entrepreneurs during strategic decision-making. In this study I endeavoured to discover why so many businesses fail and, subsequently, find a way to improve the success rate of novice entrepreneurs by exploring the mental models that support their decision-making. Research question The research question that guided the study investigated the differences between the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful businesses and those involved in unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity. Research aim and objectives The aim of the study was to explore and describe the concrete experiences and mental models of a small group of entrepreneurs, of which I was one. The following key objectives were identified for the study: To identify the critical elements of the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful entrepreneurial activity To ascertain the way in which the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in successful entrepreneurial activity differ from those involved in unsuccessful entrepreneurial activity To suggest interventions that would be appropriate for altering the mental models of entrepreneurs involved in unsuccessful activity so that they resemble the mental models of those involved in successful entrepreneurial activity... , D.Phil.
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A recipe for national innovate entrepreneurial activity : finance and industry with a dose of self-confidence
- Authors: Reddy, C.D.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Innovation , Entrepreneurship , Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/399506 , uj:33301 , Citation: Reddy, C.D. 2019. A recipe for national innovate entrepreneurial activity : finance and industry with a dose of self-confidence.
- Description: Abstract: We study the effect of nations’ financial and industrial contexts on their innovative share of entrepreneurship. We argue that this effect is not universally strongly positive as may be assumed from extant research. This argument is supported by analysis of 333 country-year observations for 88 countries from the GEM and World Economic Forum databases. The findings highlight how a nation’s informal institutional context moderates the effect of its objective resource context on its innovative share of entrepreneurs. In particular, they contribute to the nascent interest in the cultural processes impacting on the sense making of a nation’s innovative-oriented entrepreneurs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Reddy, C.D.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Innovation , Entrepreneurship , Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/399506 , uj:33301 , Citation: Reddy, C.D. 2019. A recipe for national innovate entrepreneurial activity : finance and industry with a dose of self-confidence.
- Description: Abstract: We study the effect of nations’ financial and industrial contexts on their innovative share of entrepreneurship. We argue that this effect is not universally strongly positive as may be assumed from extant research. This argument is supported by analysis of 333 country-year observations for 88 countries from the GEM and World Economic Forum databases. The findings highlight how a nation’s informal institutional context moderates the effect of its objective resource context on its innovative share of entrepreneurs. In particular, they contribute to the nascent interest in the cultural processes impacting on the sense making of a nation’s innovative-oriented entrepreneurs.
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A relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions among students : a developing country’s perspective
- Christian, Ugwuanyi Chidera, Ifeoma, Nwagbo Pamela, Ikechukwu, Attamah, Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Authors: Christian, Ugwuanyi Chidera , Ifeoma, Nwagbo Pamela , Ikechukwu, Attamah , Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Entrepreneurial Intention , Entrepreneurial Education
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/457486 , uj:40597 , Citation: Christian, U.C. et al. 2020. A relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions among students : a developing country’s perspective.
- Description: Abstract: This paper aims to empirically examine the causal relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention amongst undergraduates. The paper investigates how the outcome of an effective entrepreneurial education system- attitude, skills and knowledge affects the intention of university undergraduates to building a career in entrepreneurship. The study was conducted in Enugu state, Nigeria among university undergraduates. The structural model and the hypotheses were tested using partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach in SmartPLS M2.0 software. The current study reveals that all the proposed determinants bear positive relationships with entrepreneurial intention in varying degrees. Also, entrepreneurial knowledge was found to have a direct impact on entrepreneurial attitude. Thus, to reduce dependence on paid employment and reduce the rate of graduate unemployment among youths requires that their attention should be moved towards entrepreneurship by forming the right attitude, acquiring necessary skills and having requisite knowledge about the importance of entrepreneurship in building economies and growing societies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Christian, Ugwuanyi Chidera , Ifeoma, Nwagbo Pamela , Ikechukwu, Attamah , Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Entrepreneurial Intention , Entrepreneurial Education
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/457486 , uj:40597 , Citation: Christian, U.C. et al. 2020. A relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions among students : a developing country’s perspective.
- Description: Abstract: This paper aims to empirically examine the causal relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention amongst undergraduates. The paper investigates how the outcome of an effective entrepreneurial education system- attitude, skills and knowledge affects the intention of university undergraduates to building a career in entrepreneurship. The study was conducted in Enugu state, Nigeria among university undergraduates. The structural model and the hypotheses were tested using partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach in SmartPLS M2.0 software. The current study reveals that all the proposed determinants bear positive relationships with entrepreneurial intention in varying degrees. Also, entrepreneurial knowledge was found to have a direct impact on entrepreneurial attitude. Thus, to reduce dependence on paid employment and reduce the rate of graduate unemployment among youths requires that their attention should be moved towards entrepreneurship by forming the right attitude, acquiring necessary skills and having requisite knowledge about the importance of entrepreneurship in building economies and growing societies.
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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.
- Full Text:
- 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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An assessment of the corporate entrepreneurial climate within a division of a leading South African automotive retail group
- Authors: Rouse, Mark
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Creative ability in business , Automobile industry and trade - Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7651 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8520
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Corporate Entrepreneurship is often described as a process that goes on inside an existing organisation and which may lead to new business ventures, the development of new products, services, or processes, and the renewal of strategies and competitive postures. As such, it can be seen as the sum of an organisation’s innovation, venturing, and renewal efforts. Corporate Entrepreneurship can be regarded as the innovation of products, services and processes and the formation of new business enterprises are crucially important to every industry and economy. Innovation and new business development can be initiated by independent individuals or by existing enterprises. The latter is referred to as Corporate Entrepreneurship, which is ever more considered as a valuable instrument for rejuvenating and revitalising existing companies. It is brought into practice as a tool for business development, revenue growth, and profitability enhancement and for pioneering the development of new products, services and processes. With change today being consistently continuous, unpredictable and in some cases abrupt, failure to anticipate change can and in most cases will result in organisational stagnation. Corporate Entrepreneurship is a tool that allows organisations to revitalise and rejuvenate a competitive advantage and simultaneously create new value for customers through innovation, business development, and renewal. New value creation is only possible through high levels of entrepreneurial activity. Imperial Automotive Dealerships division is a leading motor retail division within the Imperial Automotive group, providing customers with a range of integrated motor vehicle usage solutions. The South African operations represent passenger, light, medium and heavy commercial brands and include, motor vehicle finance, insurance and related products and services. The purpose of this dissertation is to assess the climate of Corporate Entrepreneurship within the Imperial Automotive Dealerships division. This was achieved by means of a literature study and a measurement of thirteen constructs related to an entrepreneurial climate. The empirical evidence indicates that there are significant statistical differences that exist between employees in management roles who are appointed to the different departments within the Dealerships division of Imperial Automotive. The results of the study revealed that the perceptions of Corporate Entrepreneurship are differed among employees who are customer facing, that is, the Dealer Principals and Sales Managers to those employees in a management position who are more operational or financially orientated, such as the Departmental Managers. The empirical study affords Imperial Automotive Dealerships division the opportunity to recognise the results and recommendations and encourage a better entrepreneurial climate. A clear and committed focus on Corporate Entrepreneurship within the Imperial Automotive Dealerships division will result in a sustainable creation of value for all stakeholders which remain central to the automotive business units’ activities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rouse, Mark
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Creative ability in business , Automobile industry and trade - Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7651 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8520
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Corporate Entrepreneurship is often described as a process that goes on inside an existing organisation and which may lead to new business ventures, the development of new products, services, or processes, and the renewal of strategies and competitive postures. As such, it can be seen as the sum of an organisation’s innovation, venturing, and renewal efforts. Corporate Entrepreneurship can be regarded as the innovation of products, services and processes and the formation of new business enterprises are crucially important to every industry and economy. Innovation and new business development can be initiated by independent individuals or by existing enterprises. The latter is referred to as Corporate Entrepreneurship, which is ever more considered as a valuable instrument for rejuvenating and revitalising existing companies. It is brought into practice as a tool for business development, revenue growth, and profitability enhancement and for pioneering the development of new products, services and processes. With change today being consistently continuous, unpredictable and in some cases abrupt, failure to anticipate change can and in most cases will result in organisational stagnation. Corporate Entrepreneurship is a tool that allows organisations to revitalise and rejuvenate a competitive advantage and simultaneously create new value for customers through innovation, business development, and renewal. New value creation is only possible through high levels of entrepreneurial activity. Imperial Automotive Dealerships division is a leading motor retail division within the Imperial Automotive group, providing customers with a range of integrated motor vehicle usage solutions. The South African operations represent passenger, light, medium and heavy commercial brands and include, motor vehicle finance, insurance and related products and services. The purpose of this dissertation is to assess the climate of Corporate Entrepreneurship within the Imperial Automotive Dealerships division. This was achieved by means of a literature study and a measurement of thirteen constructs related to an entrepreneurial climate. The empirical evidence indicates that there are significant statistical differences that exist between employees in management roles who are appointed to the different departments within the Dealerships division of Imperial Automotive. The results of the study revealed that the perceptions of Corporate Entrepreneurship are differed among employees who are customer facing, that is, the Dealer Principals and Sales Managers to those employees in a management position who are more operational or financially orientated, such as the Departmental Managers. The empirical study affords Imperial Automotive Dealerships division the opportunity to recognise the results and recommendations and encourage a better entrepreneurial climate. A clear and committed focus on Corporate Entrepreneurship within the Imperial Automotive Dealerships division will result in a sustainable creation of value for all stakeholders which remain central to the automotive business units’ activities.
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An enabling environment for youth to become entrepreneurs
- Authors: Motha, Musa J.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Unemployed youth , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55324 , uj:16279
- Description: Abstract: One of the most pressing socio-economic problems around the world is the high incidence of youth unemployment. South Africa is considered to be an emerging market as it is faced with a massive challenge of high levels of unemployment amongst the youth. Since 1994 after democratic election, the South African government has introduced policies for youth development, youth entrepreneurship programmes and small businesses with the purpose of creating an environment that support youth with labour skills to enter job market and being able to establish their own businesses. Despite all this government interventions, there is still higher numbers of youth that are unemployed and there also a low entrepreneurial activity among youth. The core research question underlying this research is; to what extent does the current government support youth entrepreneurship programmes which enable young people to start-up businesses. This study addresses the requirements of an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship. The study was quantitative research using self-administration questionnaires as measuring instrument. The study sample consists of 197 youth from Johannesburg areas that attended NYDA road show exhibitions. The statistical analyses included reliability analyses; frequency distributions, cross-tabulation, factor analysis and Chi-square test. The main findings of the study indicated that entrepreneurial education and training with the skills to start a business and run a business is perceived to be more important for an enabling environment. The finding also shows that financial literacy is important in enabling environment as majority of youth lack knowledge on how to save, invest and spend money. This study recommended that learning about entrepreneurship and making entrepreneurship as a career choice is important in all levels of education from primary to tertiary education. Lastly, the study recommended that by having requirements that are need in entrepreneurship environment can increase the early-stage entrepreneurship activity rate (TEA) amongst youth in Johannesburg. The future areas of research were identified. The study contributes to the empirical study in the field of youth entrepreneurship. This study will assist the government agencies in creating and developing an environment that can enable youth to start their own businesses. , M.Com. (Business Management)
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- Authors: Motha, Musa J.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Unemployed youth , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55324 , uj:16279
- Description: Abstract: One of the most pressing socio-economic problems around the world is the high incidence of youth unemployment. South Africa is considered to be an emerging market as it is faced with a massive challenge of high levels of unemployment amongst the youth. Since 1994 after democratic election, the South African government has introduced policies for youth development, youth entrepreneurship programmes and small businesses with the purpose of creating an environment that support youth with labour skills to enter job market and being able to establish their own businesses. Despite all this government interventions, there is still higher numbers of youth that are unemployed and there also a low entrepreneurial activity among youth. The core research question underlying this research is; to what extent does the current government support youth entrepreneurship programmes which enable young people to start-up businesses. This study addresses the requirements of an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship. The study was quantitative research using self-administration questionnaires as measuring instrument. The study sample consists of 197 youth from Johannesburg areas that attended NYDA road show exhibitions. The statistical analyses included reliability analyses; frequency distributions, cross-tabulation, factor analysis and Chi-square test. The main findings of the study indicated that entrepreneurial education and training with the skills to start a business and run a business is perceived to be more important for an enabling environment. The finding also shows that financial literacy is important in enabling environment as majority of youth lack knowledge on how to save, invest and spend money. This study recommended that learning about entrepreneurship and making entrepreneurship as a career choice is important in all levels of education from primary to tertiary education. Lastly, the study recommended that by having requirements that are need in entrepreneurship environment can increase the early-stage entrepreneurship activity rate (TEA) amongst youth in Johannesburg. The future areas of research were identified. The study contributes to the empirical study in the field of youth entrepreneurship. This study will assist the government agencies in creating and developing an environment that can enable youth to start their own businesses. , M.Com. (Business Management)
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An entrepreneurial entity’s experience with opportunity realisation
- Authors: Nel, Le Roi
- Date: 2013-12-09
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Industrial management , Organizational change
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7871 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8763
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Over the past ten years the insurance industry has been subject to extreme losses due to dual exposure in both underwriting and investments. Financial survival was the number one priority for many insurance firms in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack in America in 2001, the natural catastrophe losses across the USA, and most recently the global financial crisis. Multinational European and North American insurance firms have been forced to focus on core business activities, and this has necessitated improvement of holistic risk and capital management of global and regional operations. Against this evolving microeconomic and managerial backdrop, multinational insurance firms withdrew from the South African insurance market in an attempt to improve financial performance by recapitalising funds to their core operations in Europe and America, and to mitigate their international risk exposure in developing countries. This study explores the phenomenon of how an entrepreneurial entity experienced opportunity realisation within the South African insurance industry when multinational insurance firms withdrew from the South African market. This research employed qualitative case study methodology to illustrate the phenomenon under investigation. Participants of this study included a purposefully selected group consisting of 12 candidates who have been directly involved in the opportunity realisation of the entrepreneurial entity. Grounded Theory analysis allowed for insightful descriptions of opportunity realisation within the South African insurance industry. The empirical evidence suggest opportunity realisation to be impacted by five dominant forces, namely, the South African insurance market, an entrepreneurial entity, opportunity identification, strategic development, and organisational design. Collectively, these five forces constitute the Inductive Opportunity Realisation (IOR) theory. This study focuses on entrepreneurial behaviour to realise opportunities within the South African insurance industry. The IOR theory also highlights the important role of constructive and deconstructive entrepreneurial behaviour in realising opportunities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nel, Le Roi
- Date: 2013-12-09
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Industrial management , Organizational change
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7871 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8763
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Over the past ten years the insurance industry has been subject to extreme losses due to dual exposure in both underwriting and investments. Financial survival was the number one priority for many insurance firms in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack in America in 2001, the natural catastrophe losses across the USA, and most recently the global financial crisis. Multinational European and North American insurance firms have been forced to focus on core business activities, and this has necessitated improvement of holistic risk and capital management of global and regional operations. Against this evolving microeconomic and managerial backdrop, multinational insurance firms withdrew from the South African insurance market in an attempt to improve financial performance by recapitalising funds to their core operations in Europe and America, and to mitigate their international risk exposure in developing countries. This study explores the phenomenon of how an entrepreneurial entity experienced opportunity realisation within the South African insurance industry when multinational insurance firms withdrew from the South African market. This research employed qualitative case study methodology to illustrate the phenomenon under investigation. Participants of this study included a purposefully selected group consisting of 12 candidates who have been directly involved in the opportunity realisation of the entrepreneurial entity. Grounded Theory analysis allowed for insightful descriptions of opportunity realisation within the South African insurance industry. The empirical evidence suggest opportunity realisation to be impacted by five dominant forces, namely, the South African insurance market, an entrepreneurial entity, opportunity identification, strategic development, and organisational design. Collectively, these five forces constitute the Inductive Opportunity Realisation (IOR) theory. This study focuses on entrepreneurial behaviour to realise opportunities within the South African insurance industry. The IOR theory also highlights the important role of constructive and deconstructive entrepreneurial behaviour in realising opportunities.
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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 ICT adoption framework for township SMMEs
- Authors: Bvuma, Stella
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Small business - Management , Entrepreneurship , Economic development - Social aspects , Communication and technology - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/423670 , uj:36203
- Description: Abstract: Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), have been regarded as one of the critical driving forces for economic growth and development in South Africa (SA). SMMEs are seen as potential enablers for creating jobs, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in both developed and developing countries. However, there have been concerns about their failure rate and their inability to gain competitive advantage especially in the current era of rapid information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption. Many SMMEs’ competitive advantage has been wiped off by ICT’s and their overall economic impact has become obsolete. In South Africa, SMMEs operate in different environments such as cities and townships and are experiencing unique contextual challenges. This study focuses on SMMEs located in townships and investigates the factors that influence ICT adoption into their different business processes and value chains. Understanding factors influencing ICT adoption by township SMMEs is important given the fact that SMMEs can potentially positively contribute to socio-economic development especially in the context of South Africa where a larger sector of the economy is in the informal sector. The purpose of this research was to explore the factors affecting ICT adoption by township SMMEs. The research was mainly realised by conducting in-depth interviews with SMME owners/managers to gain a deeper understanding of what are the factors that influence them to adopt or not to adopt ICTs in the business processes of SMMEs. , D.Phil. (Information Technology Management)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bvuma, Stella
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Small business - Management , Entrepreneurship , Economic development - Social aspects , Communication and technology - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/423670 , uj:36203
- Description: Abstract: Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), have been regarded as one of the critical driving forces for economic growth and development in South Africa (SA). SMMEs are seen as potential enablers for creating jobs, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in both developed and developing countries. However, there have been concerns about their failure rate and their inability to gain competitive advantage especially in the current era of rapid information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption. Many SMMEs’ competitive advantage has been wiped off by ICT’s and their overall economic impact has become obsolete. In South Africa, SMMEs operate in different environments such as cities and townships and are experiencing unique contextual challenges. This study focuses on SMMEs located in townships and investigates the factors that influence ICT adoption into their different business processes and value chains. Understanding factors influencing ICT adoption by township SMMEs is important given the fact that SMMEs can potentially positively contribute to socio-economic development especially in the context of South Africa where a larger sector of the economy is in the informal sector. The purpose of this research was to explore the factors affecting ICT adoption by township SMMEs. The research was mainly realised by conducting in-depth interviews with SMME owners/managers to gain a deeper understanding of what are the factors that influence them to adopt or not to adopt ICTs in the business processes of SMMEs. , D.Phil. (Information Technology Management)
- Full Text:
Barriers to the creation of entrepreneurs through black economic empowerment
- Authors: Sekgaphane, Lorraine Pulane
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Black Economic Empowerment (Program : South Africa) , Entrepreneurship , Black businesspeople
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4936
- Description: M.Comm. , When the ANC government came into power in 1994 various policies aimed at redressing inequalities of the past enforced on the black majority by apartheid were introduced. Government envisaged creating a conducive environment through BBBEE, in which the black majority could participate in economic activities of the country. However, these policies had unintended consequence of empowering a few powerful black individuals, stifling true entrepreneurial activity and reducing economic value creation. Currently, BEE partners acquire equity from established white businesses at an agreed price without being operational in those entities. From this view point, the present study attempted to understand what appears to be the failure of BBBEE policy to meet its objectives of increasing the number of black people who manage, own and control the country‟s economic activities in the mining and financial services industries. BBBEE appears to inhibit the promotion, development and inclusion of black entrepreneurs into the country‟s formal economy and thereby constrains entrepreneurship. An exploratory research approach using qualitative research was followed. The population comprised of 15 entrepreneurs and advisers from both the mining and financial services industries.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sekgaphane, Lorraine Pulane
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Black Economic Empowerment (Program : South Africa) , Entrepreneurship , Black businesspeople
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4936
- Description: M.Comm. , When the ANC government came into power in 1994 various policies aimed at redressing inequalities of the past enforced on the black majority by apartheid were introduced. Government envisaged creating a conducive environment through BBBEE, in which the black majority could participate in economic activities of the country. However, these policies had unintended consequence of empowering a few powerful black individuals, stifling true entrepreneurial activity and reducing economic value creation. Currently, BEE partners acquire equity from established white businesses at an agreed price without being operational in those entities. From this view point, the present study attempted to understand what appears to be the failure of BBBEE policy to meet its objectives of increasing the number of black people who manage, own and control the country‟s economic activities in the mining and financial services industries. BBBEE appears to inhibit the promotion, development and inclusion of black entrepreneurs into the country‟s formal economy and thereby constrains entrepreneurship. An exploratory research approach using qualitative research was followed. The population comprised of 15 entrepreneurs and advisers from both the mining and financial services industries.
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Characteristics that identify the intracorporate entrepreneur (intrapreneur)
- Authors: Van Greunen, Jeanette
- Date: 2014-06-04
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11042
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Greunen, Jeanette
- Date: 2014-06-04
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11042
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
Corporate entrepreneurship : it’s a matter of engagement
- Dhanpat, Nelesh, Schachtebeck, Chris
- Authors: Dhanpat, Nelesh , Schachtebeck, Chris
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate entrepreneurship , Work engagement , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/404294 , uj:33899 , Citation: Dhanpat, N. & Schachtebeck, C. 2019. Corporate entrepreneurship : it’s a matter of engagement.
- Description: Abstract: Organisations of varying sizes often implement changes at the strategic, operational and employee level to foster a culture of entrepreneurship. These entrepreneurial actions within existing organisations are referred to as corporate entrepreneurship (CE). CE is regarded as multi- dimensional in nature, influenced by environmental, managerial and organisational factors and often results in a multitude of outcomes such as enhanced internal and market performance. Whilst CE is seen as a firm-level initiative, it is employees who implement and practice such initiatives. An employee’s proactive nature towards their work is essential and hence, work engagement is vital in achieving business outcomes. However, to date, there is limited research on the linkages between corporate entrepreneurship and work engagement. This study is qualitative in nature and presents a conceptual paper. A deductive approach is employed by combining prominent literature on CE and work engagement as described in seminal works, thereby proposing a novel conceptual framework linking work engagement, CE and business outcomes. The study provides insights into a framework which, when tested empirically, has the potential to enhance and achieve business outcomes. The framework therefore holds significant potential to improve employee engagement in business, particularly within the ambit of the fourth industrial revolution.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dhanpat, Nelesh , Schachtebeck, Chris
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate entrepreneurship , Work engagement , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/404294 , uj:33899 , Citation: Dhanpat, N. & Schachtebeck, C. 2019. Corporate entrepreneurship : it’s a matter of engagement.
- Description: Abstract: Organisations of varying sizes often implement changes at the strategic, operational and employee level to foster a culture of entrepreneurship. These entrepreneurial actions within existing organisations are referred to as corporate entrepreneurship (CE). CE is regarded as multi- dimensional in nature, influenced by environmental, managerial and organisational factors and often results in a multitude of outcomes such as enhanced internal and market performance. Whilst CE is seen as a firm-level initiative, it is employees who implement and practice such initiatives. An employee’s proactive nature towards their work is essential and hence, work engagement is vital in achieving business outcomes. However, to date, there is limited research on the linkages between corporate entrepreneurship and work engagement. This study is qualitative in nature and presents a conceptual paper. A deductive approach is employed by combining prominent literature on CE and work engagement as described in seminal works, thereby proposing a novel conceptual framework linking work engagement, CE and business outcomes. The study provides insights into a framework which, when tested empirically, has the potential to enhance and achieve business outcomes. The framework therefore holds significant potential to improve employee engagement in business, particularly within the ambit of the fourth industrial revolution.
- Full Text:
Corporate entrepreneurship within the Department of Correctional Services
- Authors: Mabala, Makwena Jane
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , South Africa. Dept. of Correctional Services , Creative ability in business , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8352
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , The need for improved service delivery and new ways of using resources to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector organisations requires government departments to be entrepreneurial. Corporate entreprepreneurship is the only weapon that could assist public sector organisations to shift from being bureacratic to being innovative and entrepreneurial. The increasing demands to find more cost-effective ways of serving the public, challenges all public sector employees to be entrepreneurial and innovative in delivering public services. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as one of the public sector organisations. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) which was developed by Kurakto et al. in 1990 was used to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged in DCS. The assessment of corporate entrepreneurship in the DCS has shown that the department still has a huge responsibility of creating a climate conducive for corporate entrepreneurship. The assessment also showed that managers and non- managerial employees in the DCS need education and acquired awareness with regard to corporate entrepreneurship so that all employees can fully understand the benefit of corporate entrepreneurship in the department.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mabala, Makwena Jane
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , South Africa. Dept. of Correctional Services , Creative ability in business , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8352
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , The need for improved service delivery and new ways of using resources to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector organisations requires government departments to be entrepreneurial. Corporate entreprepreneurship is the only weapon that could assist public sector organisations to shift from being bureacratic to being innovative and entrepreneurial. The increasing demands to find more cost-effective ways of serving the public, challenges all public sector employees to be entrepreneurial and innovative in delivering public services. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as one of the public sector organisations. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) which was developed by Kurakto et al. in 1990 was used to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged in DCS. The assessment of corporate entrepreneurship in the DCS has shown that the department still has a huge responsibility of creating a climate conducive for corporate entrepreneurship. The assessment also showed that managers and non- managerial employees in the DCS need education and acquired awareness with regard to corporate entrepreneurship so that all employees can fully understand the benefit of corporate entrepreneurship in the department.
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Creative industries in Central Johannesburg : entrepreneurs, organisation and locational choice
- Gregory, James J., Rogerson, Christian M.
- Authors: Gregory, James J. , Rogerson, Christian M.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Creative industries , Entrepreneurship , Business organisation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/281327 , uj:30273 , Citation: Gregory, J.J. & Rogerson, C.M. 2018. Creative industries in Central Johannesburg : entrepreneurs, organisation and locational choice. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7(4):1-13. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: The sector of creative industries is attracting growing international attention for its economic potential and especially its contribution to the rejuvenation of declining localities and spaces. In South Africa an understanding of creative industries is critical to inform policy analysis at both the national and sub-national scales of analysis. The objective in this paper is to contribute to the small existing body of literature on creative industries in South Africa by examining the directions followed by creative industry entrepreneurs who have established businesses in central Johannesburg. The specific task is to investigate the characteristics of creative entrepreneurs, their business organisation and location choice. The results show an expanding and dynamic community of passionate creative entrepreneurs who are choosing to operate their businesses in particular parts of Central Johannesburg on the grounds of its accessibility, diversity, affordability and increasing trendiness. The key issues and challenges about locating in Central Johannesburg need to be understood by policy-makers and planners in terms of crafting and maintaining a favourable business environment for the continued establishment and expansion of creative enterprises therein.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gregory, James J. , Rogerson, Christian M.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Creative industries , Entrepreneurship , Business organisation
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/281327 , uj:30273 , Citation: Gregory, J.J. & Rogerson, C.M. 2018. Creative industries in Central Johannesburg : entrepreneurs, organisation and locational choice. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7(4):1-13. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: The sector of creative industries is attracting growing international attention for its economic potential and especially its contribution to the rejuvenation of declining localities and spaces. In South Africa an understanding of creative industries is critical to inform policy analysis at both the national and sub-national scales of analysis. The objective in this paper is to contribute to the small existing body of literature on creative industries in South Africa by examining the directions followed by creative industry entrepreneurs who have established businesses in central Johannesburg. The specific task is to investigate the characteristics of creative entrepreneurs, their business organisation and location choice. The results show an expanding and dynamic community of passionate creative entrepreneurs who are choosing to operate their businesses in particular parts of Central Johannesburg on the grounds of its accessibility, diversity, affordability and increasing trendiness. The key issues and challenges about locating in Central Johannesburg need to be understood by policy-makers and planners in terms of crafting and maintaining a favourable business environment for the continued establishment and expansion of creative enterprises therein.
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Cross-country entrepreneurial growth aspirations
- Authors: Reddy, Colin
- Date: 2015-03-19
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5579 , ISSN 20196834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14232
- Description: How do growth-aspiring entrepreneurs respond to their national contexts? Socio-cultural norms, income per capita and government regulations seem to underlie such responses. We associate the effect of the entrepreneurial responses, growth responsive post-materialist, situated-optimism and resource-constrained with these aspirations. An analysis of Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data from 2001 to 2010 found that low levels of regulatory support, sociocultural norms do not affect a nation’s entrepreneurial growth aspirations when income per capita increases. However, when there are high levels of regulatory support the opposite is true. We provide a nuanced perspective of how government regulations, societal norms and resource availability influence entrepreneurial growth aspirations. Policymakers who wish to target growth-aspiring entrepreneurs must ensure that they design regulations with short response times for permit and license applications, a light tax burden, increased predictability and regulations with which the entrepreneur can adequately cope. If these factors are not evident, entrepreneurial growth aspirations will not be evident, even when socio-cultural norms are supportive and resources are readily available.
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- Authors: Reddy, Colin
- Date: 2015-03-19
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5579 , ISSN 20196834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14232
- Description: How do growth-aspiring entrepreneurs respond to their national contexts? Socio-cultural norms, income per capita and government regulations seem to underlie such responses. We associate the effect of the entrepreneurial responses, growth responsive post-materialist, situated-optimism and resource-constrained with these aspirations. An analysis of Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data from 2001 to 2010 found that low levels of regulatory support, sociocultural norms do not affect a nation’s entrepreneurial growth aspirations when income per capita increases. However, when there are high levels of regulatory support the opposite is true. We provide a nuanced perspective of how government regulations, societal norms and resource availability influence entrepreneurial growth aspirations. Policymakers who wish to target growth-aspiring entrepreneurs must ensure that they design regulations with short response times for permit and license applications, a light tax burden, increased predictability and regulations with which the entrepreneur can adequately cope. If these factors are not evident, entrepreneurial growth aspirations will not be evident, even when socio-cultural norms are supportive and resources are readily available.
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Customer Loyalty and Employee Enthusiasm: an eclectic paradigm for strategic sales improvement at MB Silicon Systems
- Authors: Botes, Jacobus Abraham
- Date: 2008-08-22T06:01:25Z
- Subjects: Relationship between Value Creation and Loyalty Creation , Customer Loyalty , Customer Satisfaction , Employee Enthusiasm , Entrepreneurship , Loyalty and Motivation Framework , Value Creation , Reward Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/903
- Description: Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration at Milpark Business School. , The objective of this study was to examine the role that customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm can play as a strategic objective to increase sales at MB Silicon Systems. In order to address these two factors from a strategic perspective, elements from various concepts have been used to gain a new understanding of customer loyalty, employee enthusiasm and strategy. The final goal of the study was to use the knowledge gained throughout the report to propose a management framework which can be implemented to give MB Silicon Systems a competitive advantage in its competitive industry. The literature review suggested that a strategy of customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm will result in above average financial performance. Customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm cannot be separated from each other and they are linked by leadership, the vision and core values of the organisation. It is not possible to achieve customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm without the proper formulation and execution of a strategy. Such a strategy needs to utilize core management tools like the Balanced Scorecard which will bridge the vision of the organisation with goal setting mechanisms of motivation. The Balanced Scorecard will ensure that strategic objectives of the organisation will be mapped into the Balanced Scorecard while employees will be rewarded according to achieved targets of these objectives. Surveys which were conducted with customers and employees have shown that MB Silicon Systems performs below international standards with respect to customer loyalty and that the organisation is failing with its existing strategy. The surveys have also shown that employees are demotivated. This state of demotivation results in a lack of teamwork and mistrust between employees. The lack of teamwork and mistrust is only the symptoms of organisational problems which need to be resolved by organisational redesign, implementation of management principles and healthy corporate governance. The low base of loyal customers and the demotivated state of employees is resulting in below average financial performance. A management framework was recommended that will transform a strategy of customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm by using proven management tools. Implementation of the framework will ensure a competitive advantage to MB Silicon Systems which will result in above average financial performance.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Botes, Jacobus Abraham
- Date: 2008-08-22T06:01:25Z
- Subjects: Relationship between Value Creation and Loyalty Creation , Customer Loyalty , Customer Satisfaction , Employee Enthusiasm , Entrepreneurship , Loyalty and Motivation Framework , Value Creation , Reward Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/903
- Description: Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration at Milpark Business School. , The objective of this study was to examine the role that customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm can play as a strategic objective to increase sales at MB Silicon Systems. In order to address these two factors from a strategic perspective, elements from various concepts have been used to gain a new understanding of customer loyalty, employee enthusiasm and strategy. The final goal of the study was to use the knowledge gained throughout the report to propose a management framework which can be implemented to give MB Silicon Systems a competitive advantage in its competitive industry. The literature review suggested that a strategy of customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm will result in above average financial performance. Customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm cannot be separated from each other and they are linked by leadership, the vision and core values of the organisation. It is not possible to achieve customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm without the proper formulation and execution of a strategy. Such a strategy needs to utilize core management tools like the Balanced Scorecard which will bridge the vision of the organisation with goal setting mechanisms of motivation. The Balanced Scorecard will ensure that strategic objectives of the organisation will be mapped into the Balanced Scorecard while employees will be rewarded according to achieved targets of these objectives. Surveys which were conducted with customers and employees have shown that MB Silicon Systems performs below international standards with respect to customer loyalty and that the organisation is failing with its existing strategy. The surveys have also shown that employees are demotivated. This state of demotivation results in a lack of teamwork and mistrust between employees. The lack of teamwork and mistrust is only the symptoms of organisational problems which need to be resolved by organisational redesign, implementation of management principles and healthy corporate governance. The low base of loyal customers and the demotivated state of employees is resulting in below average financial performance. A management framework was recommended that will transform a strategy of customer loyalty and employee enthusiasm by using proven management tools. Implementation of the framework will ensure a competitive advantage to MB Silicon Systems which will result in above average financial performance.
- Full Text:
Developing entrepreneurial organisations for sustainable growth
- Authors: Du Plessis, Andre
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Economic development , Sustainable development
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4174
- Description: M.Comm. , The overall objective of this study was to find the influence of entrepreneurship on sustainable economic growth by defining entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial organisations as well as the inter relationships between entrepreneurship, development and growth. In today's competitive environment the influences on success through sustainable economic growth needs to be known. This will allow the understanding of failure as well as the reproduction of the success in other business. If the success can be reproduced this will be of benefit to the organisation, the community and at a macro level the country. There is an everincreasing amount of research to quantify the contribution entrepreneurship has to sustainable economic growth. Most research agrees entrepreneurship has a significant impact on economic growth. What is also of importance is that the economic growth is sustainable since there are areas such as the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises that may yield growth in the short term but can not sustain it. This can be argued as being more harmful to an economy than no growth at all. This strongly contrasts entrepreneurship where the sustainability of the growth is paramount. Entrepreneurship has over the past years enjoyed more and more attention as the underlying reason for sustainable growth. One of the reasons for this is that specific theories such as activity based costing or total quality management or any other management theory does not explain the complex inter-relationships of an organisation. Entrepreneurship is viewed as a broader approach that includes various management theories but also attributes the sustainable growth to the softer areas of study such as psychology, culture and creativity. These areas must be researched to assess the true impact on sustainable growth. The effect of the softer areas such as psychology on entrepreneurship, is shown by the way an entrepreneur is motivated. By understanding how an entrepreneur is motivated, more individuals can be exposed to this set of circumstances thereby potentially increasing the number of entrepreneurs. The effect of culture on the climate for developing entrepreneurship is also important. If the culture that is conducive to entrepreneurship can be maintained and introduced to a wider audience, it may be possible to increase entrepreneurship. In the same way creativity, which has been linked to studies in entrepreneurship, may be stimulated thereby increasing entrepreneurship. Various stakeholders have roles in developing entrepreneurship. This is important to understand since if these stakeholders do not develop entrepreneurship there may be a decrease in sustainable growth. The stakeholders must know the role as well as being measured on the success of the development. Even if stakeholders develop entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurs must then make use of the favourable environment to grow at a rate that is sustainable. This can be achieved by the use of entrepreneurial strategies. The conclusion is the inter-relationships and the positive impact entrepreneurship has on sustainable growth can be affected most by mentoring a potential entrepreneur. This was a method that produced the most significant results in previous empirical studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Du Plessis, Andre
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Economic development , Sustainable development
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4174
- Description: M.Comm. , The overall objective of this study was to find the influence of entrepreneurship on sustainable economic growth by defining entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial organisations as well as the inter relationships between entrepreneurship, development and growth. In today's competitive environment the influences on success through sustainable economic growth needs to be known. This will allow the understanding of failure as well as the reproduction of the success in other business. If the success can be reproduced this will be of benefit to the organisation, the community and at a macro level the country. There is an everincreasing amount of research to quantify the contribution entrepreneurship has to sustainable economic growth. Most research agrees entrepreneurship has a significant impact on economic growth. What is also of importance is that the economic growth is sustainable since there are areas such as the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises that may yield growth in the short term but can not sustain it. This can be argued as being more harmful to an economy than no growth at all. This strongly contrasts entrepreneurship where the sustainability of the growth is paramount. Entrepreneurship has over the past years enjoyed more and more attention as the underlying reason for sustainable growth. One of the reasons for this is that specific theories such as activity based costing or total quality management or any other management theory does not explain the complex inter-relationships of an organisation. Entrepreneurship is viewed as a broader approach that includes various management theories but also attributes the sustainable growth to the softer areas of study such as psychology, culture and creativity. These areas must be researched to assess the true impact on sustainable growth. The effect of the softer areas such as psychology on entrepreneurship, is shown by the way an entrepreneur is motivated. By understanding how an entrepreneur is motivated, more individuals can be exposed to this set of circumstances thereby potentially increasing the number of entrepreneurs. The effect of culture on the climate for developing entrepreneurship is also important. If the culture that is conducive to entrepreneurship can be maintained and introduced to a wider audience, it may be possible to increase entrepreneurship. In the same way creativity, which has been linked to studies in entrepreneurship, may be stimulated thereby increasing entrepreneurship. Various stakeholders have roles in developing entrepreneurship. This is important to understand since if these stakeholders do not develop entrepreneurship there may be a decrease in sustainable growth. The stakeholders must know the role as well as being measured on the success of the development. Even if stakeholders develop entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurs must then make use of the favourable environment to grow at a rate that is sustainable. This can be achieved by the use of entrepreneurial strategies. The conclusion is the inter-relationships and the positive impact entrepreneurship has on sustainable growth can be affected most by mentoring a potential entrepreneur. This was a method that produced the most significant results in previous empirical studies.
- Full Text:
Die aard en wese van entrepreneurskap en die belangrikheid daarvan vir sakesukses
- Swanevelder, Suzel Magdalena
- Authors: Swanevelder, Suzel Magdalena
- Date: 2012-08-28
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Success in business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6696
- Description: M.Comm. , The purpose of this study is to research certain aspects of entrepreneurship and to highlight the relationships between entrepreneurship and business success. Organisations compete in a highly competitive and constantly changing environment and are becoming increasingly more difficult for them to survive and to succeed. One of the biggest challenges for organisations, if they wish to survive and succeed, is to change constantly and to adapt as quickly as possible to the changing environment. There is ample research which suggests that an entrepreneurial orientation is an important contributor to survival and growth of organisations. Entrepreneurs are seen as heroes of the modern business world. The reason for this is the increase in economic growth and job opportunities which they created. The central role of entrepreneurship is the ongoing need to create something new. Creativity and renewed thinking enable entrepreneurs to survive and to grow. Thus, creativity forms a part of entrepreneurship and without creativity, there can be no successful entrepreneurship. By understanding creativity, one can build the foundation of a very important component for entrepreneurship. Creativity consists of four interdependent components, namely the creative product, the creative person, the creative process and the creative environment. All four of these components are important for development of creativity, but this study will focus on the creative environment. It is important to concentrate on those situations in an organisational climate in which creativity can be stimulated, developed and/or discouraged. Although individuals can be taught to improve their creative abilities, one delivers optimal results in a favourable organisational climate that supports creativity. The organisational climate influences the way individuals communicate, solve problems, make decisions and handle conflict. Further, the organisational climate influences job satisfaction, the motivation of workers, the ability to innovate and the involvement of workers. A creative organisational climate has become a necessity for all organisations to survive and to succeed in the business world.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Swanevelder, Suzel Magdalena
- Date: 2012-08-28
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Success in business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6696
- Description: M.Comm. , The purpose of this study is to research certain aspects of entrepreneurship and to highlight the relationships between entrepreneurship and business success. Organisations compete in a highly competitive and constantly changing environment and are becoming increasingly more difficult for them to survive and to succeed. One of the biggest challenges for organisations, if they wish to survive and succeed, is to change constantly and to adapt as quickly as possible to the changing environment. There is ample research which suggests that an entrepreneurial orientation is an important contributor to survival and growth of organisations. Entrepreneurs are seen as heroes of the modern business world. The reason for this is the increase in economic growth and job opportunities which they created. The central role of entrepreneurship is the ongoing need to create something new. Creativity and renewed thinking enable entrepreneurs to survive and to grow. Thus, creativity forms a part of entrepreneurship and without creativity, there can be no successful entrepreneurship. By understanding creativity, one can build the foundation of a very important component for entrepreneurship. Creativity consists of four interdependent components, namely the creative product, the creative person, the creative process and the creative environment. All four of these components are important for development of creativity, but this study will focus on the creative environment. It is important to concentrate on those situations in an organisational climate in which creativity can be stimulated, developed and/or discouraged. Although individuals can be taught to improve their creative abilities, one delivers optimal results in a favourable organisational climate that supports creativity. The organisational climate influences the way individuals communicate, solve problems, make decisions and handle conflict. Further, the organisational climate influences job satisfaction, the motivation of workers, the ability to innovate and the involvement of workers. A creative organisational climate has become a necessity for all organisations to survive and to succeed in the business world.
- Full Text: