There has been a vast amount of research done in the fields of Entrepreneurship and Risk Taking. There is, however, very little literature regarding the relationship between Risk Taking and Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE). This study attempts to understand that relationship whilst exploring the impact of Risk Propensity on Corporate Entrepreneurship with the intention of questioning current CE frameworks. The objective was to establish criteria to increase CE in the business environment. A bespoke questionnaire was sent out to determine both the individual Risk Propensity of the respondents and their perception of CE within their organisation. The elements of the questionnaire were based on well-known instruments available in literature. The variables used to explore the data further were based on the demographic information supplied by the respondents. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between Risk Propensity and CE with the secondary objectives looking to explore the variation in both Risk Propensity and CE across the established variables. The findings indicate little or no relationship between Risk Propensity and CE whilst the results from the variable analysis highlight the importance of Organisational Boundaries as a factor of CE. A framework is then proposed synthesising the results of the analysis before concluding with recommendations for future research. / Dissertation (MBA)-University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

One of the key priorities of developing countries governments and policymakers is to improve national welfare and address poverty alleviation. Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) are regarded as important external sources of financing economic growth around the world and are a more stable and beneficial capital injection substitute to financial aid in developing countries (Adam, 2009; Özkan-Günay, 2011). More recently, there has been a surge in foreign investments into developing countries as investors seek to diversify their investments in order to receive better returns which have become difficult to attain in the developed countries due to market saturation and the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis. The challenge that developing governments are faced with is how to ensure that the FDI inflows into their countries result in accelerated economic growth. Contemporary literature suggests that one of the reasons why FDI has produced contradictory results in various countries and economies is that FDI in various economic sectors impacts economic growth differently (Madem, Cudla & Rao, 2012). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of sectorial FDI on economic growth in developing countries. Panel data estimation techniques were employed to estimate the impact of various economic sectors on economic growth as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Further, an analysis was performed to estimate whether there is a better form of FDI which is preferable to enhance FDI driven economic growth. The sample data used for this study was for South Africa as convenience sampling technique was employed. The study established that there is statistically significant evidence that sectorial FDI has variable impact on economic growth and as such priority should be directed to investments in economic sectors with the greatest impact on economic development. Further, it was established that greenfield as a form of foreign investment does not have statistically significant impact on economic sectors’ ability to impact economic growth. As such there is no preferred form of FDI to enhance economic growth as measured by GDP. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Amid increased competition associated with globalisation, the South African manufacturing sector has come under increased pressure in recent times, with an associated decline in competitiveness. There has been a strong drive by organisations to invest in innovations in the form of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMTs) in an effort to improve their technological status and performance. While investment in AMTs often has a positive impact on performance, numerous accounts of the AMT not meeting expected benefits have been reported. Inability to effectively extract intended benefits from the AMT is often a result of the complex nature of the process, which requires technological considerations and a strategic approach. The objective of this research was to identify the critical organisational factors that impact AMT implementation and establish the relative importance of the factors to provide a guide to managers implementing AMTs to prepare their organisations for the new technology and extract the intended benefits. The research took the form of a quantitative study guided by a self-developed survey and was carried out on manufacturing organisations operating in South Africa. The survey put forward a set of four critical factors that impact AMT implementation, each defined by a proposed set of sub-factors that were validated as accurate definitions in the research. The research established the importance of the proposed factors in contributing to effective AMT implementation, with top management ability and training and education ranked highest, followed by organisational ability a level below and incentives and rewards occupying the lowest level of importance. The importance of these factors was validated through a correlation established between AMT implementation success and the degree to which the organisational factors are evident within an organisation. Organisational readiness of manufacturing companies in South Africa to effectively implement AMTs was also assessed. AMT Considerations related to the size of the organisation and the type of AMT being implemented are also presented along with a summary of key benefits targeted from AMT implementations. Findings were used to develop a model that presents a guide to highlight areas that need attention within an organisation to assist in the allocation of resources during AMT implementations. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

The increased competition in the business environment requires organizations to be innovative and dynamic in order to survive. Entrepreneurial behaviour holds the enabling forces for such innovative and dynamic behaviour and could also become a strategic advantage for an organization. The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of organizational culture on entrepreneurial capital of employees. A quantitative research methodology was followed to collect the research data. The organizational culture of 185 respondent’s organizations was measured with the organizational culture assessment instrument and was classified according to the competing values model. The entrepreneurial intent, a proxy for entrepreneurial capital, of these respondents was measured with the theory of a planned behavior instrument. Sequential multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the relationship between entrepreneurial intent and organizational culture. The results confirm that an organization’s culture indirectly influences entrepreneurial capital through the antecedent of planned behaviour. This research contributes to explaining why certain organizations are more entrepreneurial than others. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

The last decade has seen a tremendous shift in global FDI inflows from developed to developing economies which has greatly benefited these countries to gain access to much needed capital to supplement their typical low domestic savings. The major focus of existing research conducted has been on developed countries and limited empirical work has acknowledged the role of infrastructure development in attracting FDI. Major aim of this is to assess the relationship between ICT, power and transport infrastructure and FDI inflows. Furthermore, the relationship between FDI and economic growth is also explored. Panel data analysis using the random effects model was utilised to analyse the abovementioned relationship on a panel of 27 developing economies between 2000- 2013. The developing countries were categorised into different categories based on income levels and mixed results were found across these levels. Unidirectional testing was performed in assessing these relationships. The direction was from infrastructure development to FDI and the latter to economic growth. When combining the developing countries together, the results show a significant and positive relationship between ICT, power and transport infrastructure and FDI inflows. FDI was also found to have a positive and significant relationship with economic growth. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

The last decade has seen a tremendous shift in global FDI inflows from developed to developing economies which has greatly benefited these countries to gain access to much needed capital to supplement their typical low domestic savings. The major focus of existing research conducted has been on developed countries and limited empirical work has acknowledged the role of infrastructure development in attracting FDI. Major aim of this is to assess the relationship between ICT, power and transport infrastructure and FDI inflows. Furthermore, the relationship between FDI and economic growth is also explored. Panel data analysis using the random effects model was utilised to analyse the abovementioned relationship on a panel of 27 developing economies between 2000- 2013. The developing countries were categorised into different categories based on income levels and mixed results were found across these levels. Unidirectional testing was performed in assessing these relationships. The direction was from infrastructure development to FDI and the latter to economic growth. When combining the developing countries together, the results show a significant and positive relationship between ICT, power and transport infrastructure and FDI inflows. FDI was also found to have a positive and significant relationship with economic growth. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

For modern societies to continue to sustain themselves there needs to be a dissociation between economic growth and environmental degradation or else economic growth will decline consistently together with deteriorating environmental and social health. Various sustainability methodologies can be applied to mitigate against environmental and social degradation. This includes cleaner production which is a proven sustainability methodology that is supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the United Nations Environmental Protection Agency in more than eighty countries worldwide. However application of cleaner production practices amongst SMEs has been below expectations where such practices should have become the norm. We have surveyed SMEs in South Africa, where assessments have been carried out by the local National Cleaner Production Centre, to assess SMEs’ perceptions of a range of barrier typologies. Further the barrier methodologies were evaluated to determine whether social responsibility in itself creates a barrier for successful implementation of sustainable practices. This research established that the barrier typologies are more equally balanced than findings in many developed regions. Furthermore, some barriers such as institutional challenges are not as prevalent compared to other developing regions. It was recognized that regulation can be used as an incentive that has an effect on two groupings or axis of barriers identified in this research. Lastly, it was reputed that structured and clear institutional support and strategies further provide enhanced frameworks that were more beneficial than solely focusing on economics for SMEs. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Companies around the world have collected enormous amounts of data at the customer level, and are using different methodologies to understand their customers’ behaviour. However these different methodologies have not been effective in leveraging customer information. In this study, by computing Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) scores for individual customers of a banking organisation, two segments namely high CLV and low CLV are mined. The level of indebtedness among customers in this study is identified based on the two segments mentioned above. Also in this study, a critical analysis of the literature on the association of CLV and Over-indebtedness is provided. The results indicate that the low CLV customers are less likely to end up over-indebted. This finding negates the common viewpoint that low CLV and over-indebtedness variables are associated. A quantitative research design was chosen above a qualitative research design for this study. CLV scores for individual customers are calculated using Hwang (2004) model and a Chi-squared test is used for the hypothesis testing of the research propositions. Based on the findings and conclusions drawn from this study, several recommendations and further future research are made. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

Skills development and training is becoming an increasingly important concern in developing countries. Not only can it impact local economic platforms, but it can also increase international competitiveness, employment and prosperity. Disarticulations of public policy can however undermine public sector delivery of skills development initiatives and opens up opportunities for private provision to be, under certain circumstances, more responsive to the challenges of skills shortages. The purpose of this research is firstly to substantiate the need for a more active engagement by the private sector in the development and training of technical skills. Subsequently, it aims to identify the impacting factors that either promote or inhibit such engagement, specifically within the construction and mining industries of Sub-Saharan Africa. In identifying the most significant factors, a conceptual framework can be compiled and recommended to facilitate a more sustainable approach to the implementation of in-house initiatives, specifically within the private sector of these industries. A descriptive quantitative research approach was implemented for this study. This was facilitated through an online survey questionnaire distributed to a population comprising of top, middle and junior management, as well as general employees, permanently employed within the construction and mining industries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research results revealed a definite lack of confidence in the public sector’s ability to adequately provide technical skills within these industries, and thus within Sub-Saharan Africa. This stresses the need for a more active participation by the private sector in developing such technical skills. Further analysis also identified the critical inhibitors and benefits associated with current private sector initiatives. It suggests that effective in-house skills development and training initiatives within these industries can not only beneficially impact companies, but also the socio-economic environment in which they operate. Finally, the research concludes with the introduction of a conceptual framework targeting three core areas as a base to implement skills on a sustainable platform within the private sector. These include the concepts of benefits realisation, risk management and government intervention. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

Employee engagement and training & development, as a human resources management practice, has been extensively studied across the world. These studies tested employee engagement and training & developments’ effect on various measures of performance. The bulk of these studies were conducted in North America over the past three decades with more studies emanating from other parts of the world for the better part of the past decade. Studies largely found a positive correlation between these two variables and the specific measure of performance being tracked. This research seeks to determine whether the effect on perceived performance would be similar when testing employee engagement and training & development within the South African context. A quantitative approach was adopted and proved that both training & development and employee engagement has a positive result on perceived performance. The relationship between training & development and employee engagement was ambivalent. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted