Entrepreneurship has traditionally attracted governments’ attention because of its potential correlation with economic growth. Despite the large amount of research done regarding entrepreneurship, little is known about the relationship between a country’s institutions and its level of entrepreneurship. The purpose of this study is to find out if there are institutional explanations to why some countries seem to promote entrepreneurship better than others. This report examines to what extent institutions derived from Varieties of Capitalism affect the degree of entrepreneurship in a country. The institutions are education, labour regulation, and financing structure. This will be done through a set of regression analysis based on data from a large number of countries. The results of the analysis show that there is a positive correlation between vocational education and the level of entrepreneurship. In contrast to the theory Varieties of Capitalism this study could not find support that labour regulation and financing structure had a direct effect on entrepreneurship. The results indicate that the relationship between institutions and entrepreneurship is complex and that there is need for further examination.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research set out to prove that subsidiary entrepreneurial culture in a postacquisition environment is different from entrepreneurial culture in an independently owned company. Whereas independently owned companies focus on their own successes and failures, acquired companies are constantly required to take into consideration the parameters and objectives set by headquarters. Little is known about what occurs within the subsidiary post-acquisition, and how managerial structures and processes either stimulate or hinder the entrepreneurial culture, which is an aspect often neglected during the acquisition process. This study aims to address the uncertainty regarding which key characteristics constitute subsidiary entrepreneurial culture in a post-acquisition environment, and aims to expand the currently inadequate body of knowledge on subsidiary entrepreneurial culture. Based on the theoretical frameworks of intrapreneurship, multinational subsidiary entrepreneurship and international entrepreneurship, an interview guide was developed and used as the primary research instrument. Data was collected by means of semistructured interviews and data analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti. The qualitative, exploratory nature of the study necessitated a case study research design, which was based on a non-probability sample of five subsidiaries competing in the private-label food and beverage industry. Findings suggest that the components of subsidiary entrepreneurial culture in a postacquisition environment are: new businesses and ventures, product innovativeness, process innovativeness, self-renewal, risk-taking, proactiveness, competitive aggressiveness and subsidiary autonomy. Furthermore, entrepreneurial culture is enhanced by a subsidiary-driven locus of control and through headquarters’ support in the form of financial stability, structure and a future-oriented approach for long-term success. A framework of subsidiary entrepreneurial culture was developed with the aim of providing managers with an outline of the relevant determinants that can enhance subsidiary entrepreneurship. Managers should take note that although the locus of control may vary within each subsidiary, granting the subsidiary decision-making autonomy and the autonomy to manipulate its entrepreneurial orientation are key to nurturing the pre-established entrepreneurial culture. Future research agendas could incorporate perspectives from both the subsidiary and the headquarters. Analysis can also be done regarding the extent to which disruptive entrepreneurial culture may be diminished before it impacts negatively on business performance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om te bewys dat filiaal-entrepreneurskultuur in ’n na-verkrygingsomgewing verskil van entrepreneurskultuur in ’n maatskappy in onafhanklike besit. Terwyl maatskappye in onafhanklike besit op hulle eie suksesse en mislukkings fokus, word daar gedurig van verkrygde maatskappye vereis om die parameters en doelwitte wat deur die hoofkantoor gestel word, in ag te neem. Min is bekend oor wat ná verkryging binne die filiaal plaasvind, en oor hoe bestuurstrukture en -prosesse die entrepreneurskultuur daar óf stimuleer óf verhinder. Dít is ’n aspek wat dikwels tydens die verkrygingsproses verwaarloos word. Hierdie studie is daarop gemik om die onsekerheid aan te spreek oor wat ’n doeltreffende filiaal-entrepreneurskultuur in ’n na-verkrygingsomgewing behels, asook om die ontoereikende bestaande kennis oor filiaal-entrepreneurskultuur uit te brei. Deur gebruik te maak van die teoretiese raamwerke van intrapreneurskap, multinasionale filiaal-entrepreneurskap en internasionale entrepreneurskap is ’n onderhoudsgids ontwikkel en as die primêre navorsingsinstrument gebruik. Die data is met behulp van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude ingesamel, en die data-ontleding is met ATLAS.ti gedoen. Die kwalitatiewe, verkennende aard van die studie het ’n gevallestudie-navorsingsontwerp genoodsaak, wat gebaseer was op ’n niewaarskynlikheidsteekproef van vyf filiale wat meeding in die voedsel-en-drankbedryf vir privaat handelsmerke. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat die komponente van filiaal-entrepreneurskultuur in ’n na-verkrygingsomgewing die volgende is: nuwe besighede en ondernemings, produkinnovering, proses-innovering, selfvernuwing, risiko’s, proaktiwiteit, mededingende aggressie en filiaal-outonomie. Verder word entrepreneurskultuur versterk deur ’n filiaalgedrewe beheerlokus en deur die hoofkantoor se ondersteuning in die vorm van besigheidstelsels, -strukture en finansiële hulp. ’n Raamwerk vir filiaalentrepreneurskultuur is ontwikkel met die doel om bestuurders van ’n oorsig van die relevante determinante wat filiaal-entrepreneurskultuur kan versterk, te voorsien. Bestuurders behoort daarop te let dat alhoewel die beheerlokus binne elke filiaal mag wissel, die outonomie van ’n filiaal om besluite te neem en om hulle entrepreneursoriëntering te manipuleer van kardinale belang is om ’n voorafgevestigde entrepreneurskultuur te koester. Toekomstige navorsingsagendas sou sowel die filiaal as die hoofkantoor se perspektiewe kon inkorporeer. Daar is ook ruimte vir ’n ontleding van die mate waartoe ontwrigtende entrepreneurskultuur verminder kan word voordat dit die maatskappy se prestasie negatief beïnvloed.

The ecology based environmental perspective implicitly suggests that population level founding rates, dissolution rates, and density levels influence the likelihood that entrepreneurs will launch new ventures within a given population domain. The central idea is that population rates and densities may act as signals to entrepreneurs regarding the viability of a new venture within a given population. Interestingly, whether or not population level factors actually influence the new venture creation process remains an open question. As such, the central purpose of this research is to utilize a cognitive approach to better understand how population level conditions and the individual differences of fear of failure and general self-efficacy influence entrepreneurs decisions to engage in entrepreneurial action. This thesis proposes a model that integrates the population rates and entrepreneurial traits perspectives by focusing on entrepreneurs' hypothetical decisions to invest in entrepreneurial opportunities given differential levels of population factors. Because this research is focused on entrepreneurial decision making an experimental methodology using conjoint analysis was selected to test the theoretical model. Fifty seven experienced entrepreneurs participated in the conjoint experiment. Results revealed a significant main effect for founding rates, dissolution rates, and population density on the entrepreneur's decision to invest in an opportunity. Specifically, our results indicated that the entrepreneurs in our sample were more likely to invest in an opportunity when founding rates were high, dissolution rates were low, and density levels were low or moderate. We found limited support for the interaction of these variables. In terms of the individual difference variables, we found support for the influence of fear of failure, but no support for the effects of general self-efficacy on the investment decision. Specifically, entrepreneurs who indicated lower levels of fear of failure were more likely to invest in the opportunity, while differential levels of general self efficacy did not enhance or reduce the probability of opportunity investment in a significant way.

<p> The research examines the state of social entrepreneurship curricula, that is, programs that combine education for sustainable development and traditional business entrepreneurialism instruction, at leading business school MBA programs in the United States. The research seeks to contribute to understandings of how sustainable development and entrepreneurial curriculum can be best integrated to enhance the training of social, or sustainable development, entrepreneurs. The research shows how sustainability leadership theories have become increasingly important to businesses and their corporate strategies, and then focuses specifically on entrepreneurial ventures to determine if any models of social enterprise education have been devised by experts in the fields of business, entrepreneurship, or sustainability. This research then shows that theories that incorporate sustainable development principles into basic business and entrepreneurial theory do exist. The field research then examines the presence of these social entrepreneurship-related training and resources in MBA curricula and shows that there is still an absence of comprehensive curricula that incorporate sustainability leadership into university-level coursework on entrepreneurship and business. The second part of the field research synthesizes the feedback of social enterprise practitioners, i.e. individuals with an MBA from a top-rated school are involved in the creation and running of social enterprise, on the efficacy of this training offered and at top-rated MBA programs and on the effectiveness of the current social enterprise curricula and how to further develop social enterprise training in these top-rated MBA programs and also in other MBA programs.</p><p>

<p> Systems engineering rigor has been used successfully in the aerospace and defense industries where the development cycles tend to be rather long. However, the practice of using a traditional waterfall, spiral or V-model systems engineering life cycle framework, in other industries brings into question their appropriateness when considering the relative speed of new product development in industrial manufacturing. The purpose of this research is to investigate the applicability of incorporating systems engineering principles in the industrial sector to determine whether there is a statistical association with the overall growth of diversified industrial firms. This research focuses on investigating three systems engineering life cycle approaches: incremental &amp; iterative methods, lean enablers for systems engineering and agile systems engineering; using a semi-structured interviewing approach with subject matter experts from the Fortune 500 diversified industrial sector. The research reveals that there are weak statistical associations between the use of the incremental &amp; iterative and lean systems engineering life cycle approaches when considering the financial growth of the diversified industrial sector. However, the research reveals that there is a strong statistical association between the financial growth of companies in the diversified industrial sector and the use of the agile systems engineering life cycle approach as well as other unique life cycle tools.</p><p>

Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) are considered a vital catalyst for economic growth and a source of job creation. In South Africa, with the high levels of unemployment, the contribution made by SMEs is of particular importance. However this sector of the economy is plagued by a high rate of business failure. In an effort to improve the current situation, this study sought to identify which business practices and entrepreneurial traits are present in SMEs in the Eastern Cape that may enhance business performance. The research was carried out amongst SMEs in the Eastern Cape however the results and recommendations of the study can be applied to SMEs in other parts of the country. The research methodology employed in this study was a quantitative approach. A web-based survey was distributed to potential respondents. The criteria used in identify potential respondents for the purpose of this study was that, the SME had to have less than 200 employees and been in business for more than three years. A combination of snowball and convenience sampling was used to select the sample. The researcher developed a conceptual framework using the literature as basis. The survey was distributed to 40 potential respondents. A total of 21 responses were received which translates to a 51 percent response rate. Data analysis was performed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics. The study confirmed the existence of a significant relationship between the independent variables being human resource management, accounting, technology, internal controls and entrepreneurial traits and the dependent variables being business performance. The study affirmed the notion that certain business practices and entrepreneurial traits should be prevalent in a SMEs business in order to enhance business performance. The findings of this study are such that these business practices should be present however the variables highlighted here are not absolute as there are other business practices that are of equal importance.

No description available.

<p> Leaders of companies operating in the supply chain have faced enormous competition, thereby needing to develop alternatives for a competitive advantage within and outside the organization. In the field, researchers have suggested that one&rsquo;s dynamic capabilities may determine one&rsquo;s determining competitiveness. The dissertation is an applied research study of the existing dynamic capabilities in the supply chain of organizations to verify the models used and the changes that it brings to the supply chain. The theoretical framework covered the foundations of this study. To collect research data, the researcher shall use surveys to collect data. Quantitative analysis approach will be used to draw inferences to help in this new research. The position of this dissertation is that dynamic capabilities, employed in the procurement section of the supply chain, have a direct influence on the overall performance of an organization. The study revealed that the dynamic capabilities of supply base alignment, performance improvement, operational performance, supply side competence, and systems orientation was critical to organizational performance. Although individual capabilities held minimal sway, when the individuals combined to form the dynamic capability, the influence had the most power over organizational performance. The supply side and operational performance were both organizational competences, while performance improvement, supply base alignment, and systems orientation were managerial competences. This literature added to work in supply chain and procurement; it has shown successfully that dynamic capabilities used in the procurement section did have direct effect on organizational performance.</p><p>

<p>Jamaica?s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a high failure rate. In 2016, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) recorded Jamaica's SME start-up rate at 4.06% and the discontinuance rate at 9%. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive multiple case study was to explore the strategies some Jamaican SME owners used to achieve business sustainability in the manufacturing sector for longer than 5 years of operation. The conceptual framework used was the entrepreneurship theory, which provided insights into business sustainability. A purposive sample of 5 owners of SMEs who had achieved business sustainability in the manufacturing sector for longer than 5 years of operation were the participants in this study. Semistructured interviews of participants and review of company documents produced in-depth insights into the strategies they used to achieve business sustainability. Coding keywords, sentences, and ideas from the interviews and company documents and categorizing them was the approach taken for data analysis, using methodological triangulation. The themes from the study were entrepreneurial characteristics, competitive advantages, resource management, customer relationship management, quality management, and marketing. Implications for social change include the potential to provide strategies that support SMEs? business sustainability and lead to greater job creation and ultimately the Jamaican government?s ability to fund social projects.

本文在管理文献研究的基础上，构建一个以企业创新为中间变量的理论模型，该模型把企业创新作为企业家领导力和企业业绩的中间变量，同时把企业家的专业技能和管理能力作为企业家领导力与企业创新之间的调节，把市场导向和创新导向作为企业创新与企业业绩的调节变量。并通过实证研究，印证了前期的理论预设，开拓创新语境下对企业家领导力研究的新领域，同时将企业家的管理能力和专业技能、中小企业的创新导向和市场导向纳入到领导力研究的理论范式中。本文基于中国本土中小企业领导力研究的理论背景，在研究中首次建立了一个企业家领导力、企业创新能力交叉作用的研究模型，并探索作为调节变量的市场导向、创新导向在中小企业发展过程中的作用。通过实证发现，不同创新环境（企业的市场导向和创新导向）主题下的企业发展问题，通过模型拟合与数据分析，证实了作为调节变量的市场导向和创新导向，作为企业创新与企业发展的中间变量，具有实质性的影响作用。本文同时讨论了研究成果对相关管理理论以及实际工作的启示作用。Based on the research of management literature, this paper constructs a theoretical model with enterprise innovation as the intermediate variable, which takes enterprise innovation as the intermediate variable of entrepreneur leadership and enterprise performance. At the same time, the professional skills and management ability of entrepreneurs are taken as the adjustment between entrepreneurial leadership and enterprise innovation, and the market orientation and innovation orientation are taken as the adjustment variables of enterprise innovation and enterprise performance.Through empirical research, this paper proves the theoretical presupposition of the previous period, explores the new field of entrepreneurship leadership research in the context of innovation, and at the same time integrates the entrepreneur's management ability and professional skills, the innovation guidance and market orientation of small and medium-sized enterprises into the theoretical paradigm of leadership research Based on the theoretical background of local SME leadership research, this paper establishes for the first time a research model of the interaction between entrepreneurial leadership and enterprise innovation ability, and explores the role of market orientation and innovation orientation as regulatory variables in the process of SME development. Through empirical results, we find that the problems of enterprise development under the theme of different innovation environments(market orientation and innovation orientation of enterprises) have confirmed the market orientation and innovation orientation as regulatory variables through model fitting and data analysis. As an intermediate variable of enterprise innovation and enterprise development, it has a substantial impact. At the same time, this paper discusses the enlightenment effect of the research results on related management theory and practical work.