This study seeks to understand whether there exists a relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance (FP) and whether this is applicable in the context of the South African metals and engineering industry. An exploratory quantitative study of 125 SMEs and large firms in the metals and engineering industry was undertaken in 2012 to investigate the existence of the relationship between EO and FP. EO is measured using the Hughes&Morgan (2007) EO scale which incorporated the five dimensions of Lumpkin&Dess (1996). The Hughes&Morgan (2007) EO scale is used to study the independent effects of these multi-dimensions on FP. A Chi-square test is used to test the significance independence of the relationship between the multi-dimensions of EO and FP. This cross-section study finds out that there is convincingly a moderate to strong relationship between EO and FP. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Entrepreneurs are seen to play a vital role in the growth of an economy, particularly in an emerging market such as South Africa. To date, there has been a limited amount of research concerning the drivers, influences and factors that predispose an individual towards entrepreneurial intent within the South African context. Equally so, there is little research on generational theory and how this relates to entrepreneurial activity as a whole. This study focuses on comparing the X and Y generational cohorts in terms of their propensity towards entrepreneurial intent within the context of South Africa. Research was conducted following an in depth literature review which focused on the concept of entrepreneurship and its effect on the economy, generational theory and the interaction and influence of generational cohort theory on the drivers of entrepreneurial intent. The data gathered through the course of the literature review was utilised as a theoretical foundation on which to build propositions of entrepreneurial intent and from which a quantitative survey instrument was developed. The quantitative survey was open to any South African individual who falls within the X or Y generational cohort as defined in this study.Key findings include similarities and differences between the X and Y generational cohort individuals in terms of the following aspects: education and entrepreneurial training; exposure to technology; problem solving; leadership orientation; visionary perspective; the influence of family and organisational support networks; creativity and innovation, attitude towards risk-taking and self-confidence. It is hoped that the findings contribute to the existing literature on entrepreneurial intent and in particular to that within the South African context of the X and Y generational cohorts. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This study determines the influence of causation versus effectuation on entrepreneurial firm survival in high and low dynamism industries. Causation approaches a problem with the end in mind while effectuation’s point of departure is the means. Causal logic predicts a best case future scenario and then gathers the necessary resources to realize that scenario. This is contrasted by effectual logic that attempts to “control” the future by making use of the resources in hand (and those that can be borrowed) while trying to achieve the best possible result. The study consists of a means analysis testing for firm survival in highly dynamic industries per “pure” causal or effectual approach and of a variance analysis, testing for survival as a function of the mixed use of causation and effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries. The product of the means analysis indicates that only two entrepreneurs out of a cohort of 1771 follow a “pure” causal or “pure” effectual approach. As a result of this finding the incidence of “pure” causal or effectual approaches in either high or low dynamism industries is negligible. The output from the variance analysis indicates that causation is a significantly better predictor of entrepreneurial survival than effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries at a 99% confidence level. Below is a summary of the survival probabilities for both high and low dynamism industries across the causal/effectual decision spectrum.This study determines the influence of causation versus effectuation on entrepreneurial firm survival in high and low dynamism industries. Causation approaches a problem with the end in mind while effectuation’s point of departure is the means. Causal logic predicts a best case future scenario and then gathers the necessary resources to realize that scenario. This is contrasted by effectual logic that attempts to “control” the future by making use of the resources in hand (and those that can be borrowed) while trying to achieve the best possible result. The study consists of a means analysis testing for firm survival in highly dynamic industries per “pure” causal or effectual approach and of a variance analysis, testing for survival as a function of the mixed use of causation and effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries. The product of the means analysis indicates that only two entrepreneurs out of a cohort of 1771 follow a “pure” causal or “pure” effectual approach. As a result of this finding the incidence of “pure” causal or effectual approaches in either high or low dynamism industries is negligible. The output from the variance analysis indicates that causation is a significantly better predictor of entrepreneurial survival than effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries at a 99% confidence level. Below is a summary of the survival probabilities for both high and low dynamism industries across the causal/effectual decision spectrum. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The process of internationalization may be more difficult for emerging markets' artificial intelligence startups (AI startups) due to several challenges. These challenges include weak institutions, limited financial support, political instability, lack of adequate local infrastructure. Significantly less research has being done on entrepreneurial ecosystems, especially in emerging markets. Therefore, this study aims to address the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, in emerging markets and AI startups internationalization process. As a result, the study focuses on the challenges faced by AI startup within the Nigerian and South African entrepreneurial ecosystem, to address how the entrepreneurial ecosystem affects AI startups internationalisation process. To answer the research question, qualitative research was carried out using semi structure interviews with different case companies from South Africa and Nigeria. Although these countries are similar in nature, AI startups face various internal challenges in terms of government policies, institutions, and infrastructure. Based on the findings, it was noticed that there is a relationship between the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the growth and survival of AI startups. The elements of an Entrepreneurial ecosystem (social, cultural, and material elements) also influence the internationalisation of AI startups within an entrepreneurial ecosystem space. Entrepreneurial ecosystem challenges were identified which discourages or hinder the growth of AI startups within the Nigerian and South African markets. In conclusion, we noticed that African AI startups prefer to practice their business model in the home markets and flourish their confidence levels before seeking internationalization opportunities. Most of the case AI startups prefer to start internationalization from close psychic market before going distance international markets. However, these AI startups adopt network relationship approach through key business partners for international expansion.

Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation joins a vibrant conversation in entrepreneurship research about the variance and similarity of entrepreneurial action and related outcomes. Specifically, this dissertation explores the effects of external environmental changes, such as COVID-19, Artificial Technology, the NCAA's Rule Change on the use of Name, Image, and Likeness, on entrepreneurship. Given that these environmental changes vary—some are more sudden than others, they do not have the same impact on entrepreneurship, in essence, they lead to heterogeneous entrepreneurial action and outcomes. By developing three interconnected essays, the dissertation examines the heterogeneity in entrepreneurship. Collectively, these essays bring home the idea that changes in the external environment provide important raw materials for individuals and firms to undertake entrepreneurial action. The findings suggest that variance in the raw materials and the characteristics of the individuals and firms generate heterogeneous entrepreneurial action and outcomes. Consequently, the presence of inequities in entrepreneurship corresponds to the societal grand challenges faced by policymakers around the world. Subsequently, by providing a novel theory and empirical treatments of the causes of heterogeneity of entrepreneurial action, the dissertation signifies the continued relevance of the entrepreneurship discipline to the spheres of academia and practice.

Thesis advisor: Thann Tran / Thesis advisor: Margaret Lombe / This study aimed to examine the influence of organizational pro-activeness, organizational risk-taking, and transformational leadership behaviors on social innovation outcomes. The specific aims, within this goal, of this study include the following: 1: Explore the influence of organizational pro-activeness on social innovation outputs - a. product/service, b. process/administrative- within CSOs. 2: Explore the influence of organizational risk-taking on social innovation outputs - a. product/service, b. process/administrative - within the CSOs. 3: Explore the influence of transformational leadership behaviors within CSOs on social innovation outputs - a. product/service, b. process/administrative – within the CSOs. Entrepreneurial Orientation Theory & Transformational Leadership Theory oriented this study and the hypothesis to test. This research is an exploratory-descriptive study using cross-sectional data collected from directors of CSOs in Mexico with a 37-item online survey cross-culturally adapted to the local context. Multiple statistical procedures were used to test the hypothesis, including bivariate robust correlation analysis and multiple and linear robust regression analysis. The sample size of the study is 139 directors of non-profit organizations from 25 different states of Mexico. Data was collected using convenience sampling.This study is relevant for multiple reasons, the primary being the following: 1) The results of this study may help CSOs identify what areas of organizations may need restructuring, improvement, or addition to generating innovations that could enhance program and service effectiveness and sustainability. 2) by providing knowledge about how to enhance the capacity of CSOs and involve their clients or beneficiaries (populations and groups in vulnerable or exclusion conditions) in innovation processes. 3) This study may contribute to the identification of critical components in the design of policies and programs aimed at strengthening CSOs innovation capacities and how to measure their results. 4) Finally, this study's results provide evidence on key variables to understand factors that enhance or limit organizational social innovation. In the context of the proposed study, to our knowledge, there is no readily available data from an extensive number of organizations to inform how CSOs are generating social innovation and with what intensity. Also, with the global socio-economic panorama in the last two years, innovativeness, proactiveness, risk-taking, and the social performance of non-profit organizations have become subject to growing interest. This study has three main findings: Organizational proactiveness and risk-taking are significant predictors of social innovation outputs in non-profit organizations. On the other hand, transformational leadership was not a significant predictor of social innovation outputs. The primary contributions of this study are the generation of a baseline of the current situation regarding social innovation outputs generation among non-profit CSOs in Mexico. The study also contributes evidence on how social innovation can be promoted with organizational practices. It also contributes to the scholarly debate around leadership styles and their relationship to social innovation generation and CSOs better performance. This study explores social innovation in the non-profit field from an international context, specifically in Mexico, for a field mainly concentrated in the U.S. and West Europe. The study also informs some implications for practitioners, policy decisions, and scholarship regarding the need to assess how the notion of risk-taking and proactiveness permeated the CSOs and the non-profit sector. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2022. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work. / Discipline: Social Work.

Identity has long been a prolific research interest for organizational scholars. Its popularity can be attributed to the development of post-bureaucratic organizations, where control is no longer achieved through external forms (i.e. rules and procedures), but rather, "softer" mechanisms, such as organizational culture and values. Examining identity therefore becomes crucial for understanding how employees internalize organizational goals to exhibit desired behaviors. While the predominant approach has been to analyze how organizations help shape, control, and regulate member identity, this project calls into question the assumption of organizational employment to explore the micro-processes of identity construction among a growing class of worker in the U.S.: the self-employed professional. This investigation is grounded in the world of personal coaching, an emerging profession organized largely by self-employment. Between 2007-2011, I immersed myself in the "field" of coaching, generating data via ethnographic methods--i.e. participant observation, in-depth interviews, informal interactions--and secondary archival sources. Applying a critical interpretive lens to conceptualize identity not as a "thing" but as an ongoing social accomplishment, the analysis reveals three main insights. First, intense identity working was provoked by tensions and anxiety arising from conflicts, contradictions, and challenges, as informants tried to construct a positive identity as a self-employed professional, while simultaneously performing vital (and mostly unrecognized) identity work for the wider coaching profession. Second, since "doing" identity and material conditions are mutually constitutive, identity efforts can be categorized as having a profitable, proficient, or pragmatic orientation; I contend that this typology is applicable to other self-employed professionals. Third, as a socially negotiated process, identity working is one which recruits many participants--both within and outside of the coaching community. Furthermore, geographically-dispersed members actively regulate and control each other's identities to maintain professional standards, via new organizing forms, like social media. This investigation contributes to knowledge about the nuances of identity working, and linkages between such micro-processes and the wider historical, socio-economic conditions. Extending beyond the coaching profession, the data produced serve as a contextual exemplar for exploring how individuals navigate the restructuring of labor and changing employment relations, which increasingly characterize the "new world of work."

This study explores the internal and external views of entrepreneurship among students from various fields of study, including medicine, law, business, engineering and humanities. It investigates the likelihood of students engaging in entrepreneurial activities within their respective fields and identifies target groups with less positive perceptions and lower inclinations towards entrepreneurship. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including a literature review and an interview with an entrepreneur from the medical field, we found that students in medicine show the least interest in entrepreneurship, while students in business show the highest, with other fields of study falling in between. These insights highlight the need for comprehensive entrepreneurship education and courses tailored to the specific fields of study to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students by exposing them to its possibilities. By promoting innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, such initiatives hold significant potential for creating valuable opportunities within different academic domains.

No description available.

No description available.