No description available.

This study examines the influence of inward technology transfers and international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) on the export performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). IEO and innovation are frequently cited as critical antecedents of export activities. Highly entrepreneurial and innovative firms seek to capitalize on their unique intellectual property by penetrating a niche global market quickly. Extant research primarily focuses on technology innovators, in countries well known for their technological advances and support of technology based start-ups. However, SMEs that do not have a technological niche also internationalize. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in developing economies like Egypt, where horizontal flows of technology (the transfer of technology from one organization to another), especially from overseas companies, are more common than vertical transfers of technology (i.e., from researchers directly to organizations). The literature suggests that many SMEs, especially those in developing economies, rely on the horizontal inflow of technology to enhance their export potential. The hypothesis is that by importing technology, firms also develop an outward internationalization capability (OIC). A second hypothesis is that IEO contributes to creating such capability. The literature postulates that IEO is a dynamic capability that helps firms exploit and reconfigure their resources to pursue international opportunities. Thus, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to develop OIC than are their less entrepreneurially oriented counterparts. Also, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to be involved in inflow of technology processes than are their counterparts. Despite evidence of a link between innovation and export performance, there is a dearth of research examining how inward transfers of technology from other countries influence the development of capabilities and outward internationalization of firms. This research addresses this gap by using resource-based view of the firm, dynamic capabilities view, network theory, and the concept of entrepreneurial orientation, to develop an explanation of how inward transfers of foreign technology may influence the internationalization capability and export performance of firms. Hypotheses are tested in the context of horizontal transfers of foreign technology to SMEs located in Egypt. The research progressed in two stages. In the first stage, interviews with managers of firms having experience importing technology and with substantial export activity helped to identify and confirm relevant factors that comprise OIC. During the second stage, data on inflows of technology (IFT), IEO, OIC, and exports were collected from a sample of 214 SMEs by a survey. Research results identified capabilities that underlie the outward internationalization of SMEs, by developing an OIC scale. There are no measures for OIC in extant literature. Thus, this research contributes to the development of a valid and reliable measure of this construct. Findings support the hypothesis that IEO has a direct positive effect on export performance. The relationships between IEO and export performance is partially mediated by OIC. On the other hand, the relationship between inflows of technology and export performance is fully mediated by OIC, where this research found that IFT does not have a direct effect on export performance. The research results further suggest that the level of OIC development is mainly explained by IEO, but with some contribution from IFT. The research contributes to streams of literature in international business, international entrepreneurship and management of technology. In particular, it expands the understanding of linkages between inward internationalization (inward flow of technology) and outward internationalization (export activities). The linkage between inward and outward internationalization processes received limited attention in the literature, and such research is rarer still in the context of SMEs in developing economies. The research additionally investigates the influence of a 'firm's strategic orientation (IEO) on export performance. While IEO is suggested to have a direct effect on export performance, IEO is also suggested to be an antecedent of OIC, which in turn affects export performance. Studying the mediating effect of OIC contributes to clarifying the conflicting findings of previous studies that examined the impact of entrepreneurial behaviour on international performance. The results provide owners/managers of SMEs with guidance on how to lever technology transfers by building related capabilities. The research also provides SMEs with guidance on how to measure and assess their OIC, and understand how such capability can be built or enhanced. The results additionally clarify the role of a firm's strategic orientation (IEO) in the configuration of resources and the creation of capabilities. Finally, the research helps policy-makers structure export-support polices that explicitly take advantage of opportunities presented by technology imports.

No description available.

Entrepreneurial behaviour is examined in this study, with specific reference to fou industrial divisions in NWK Limited, situated in the North-West province of South Africa. The primary objective of this study is to investigate entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success in the Industrial division of NWK Limited and to make practical recommendations to enhance entrepreneurial behaviour in the specific division, the organisation and other corporate organisations. A literature study was conducted to define entrepreneurship in general. The literature study investigated the characteristics of entrepreneurs. The five variables of entrepreneurial orientation and two variables measuring perceived success were investigated. Lastly the establishment of entrepreneurship together with a framework and strategy to establish entrepreneurship in an organisation will be discussed. The study was conducted on the Industrial division of NWK, which consisted of four divisions namely: Epko, Noordfed, Opti Chicks and Opti Feeds. Questionnaires were sent to the target group of 609 employees and a total of 79 usable questionnaires were received on which statistical analysis were conducted. The reliability of the data was tested by calculating Cronbach alpha coefficients for the different variables of entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success of the organisation. The data was further analysed by calculating the mean, standard deviation and range of the individual responses and the different variables. Additional to the analysis the relationship between selected demographic information and the different variables was tested to determine whether there were significant differences in the means. Conclusions are drawn from all the demographic information as well as the different variables of entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success. Based on the data analysis recommendations is made based on all the relevant topics that have been identified in the study. The data analysis, conclusions and recommendations supports the suggested action plan that can be used to improve the entrepreneurial orientation and ultimately the perceived business success of the agri-business. The study is concluded with measurements of the achievements and objectives of the study. Finally suggestions are made for further research that can be conducted. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

There is consensus among entrepreneurship scholars regarding the importance of entrepreneurship toward the economies of countries. There is sufficient evidence to support the view that entrepreneurs are characterised by unique characteristics. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation have been widely studied and entrepreneurial orientation is considered instrumental for motivating individuals to engage in entrepreneurial activities. Previous research has also identified a correlation between entrepreneurial orientation and the performance of a firm. Many studies on the subject of entrepreneurial orientation have revealed that entrepreneurial orientation is multi-dimensional, for example, previous studies have identified autonomy, innovation, risk taking, competitive aggressiveness and pro-activeness as some of the factors that may influence entrepreneurial orientation. Given the importance of entrepreneurship with regard to job creation, the study attempted to identify the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students. South Africa is experiencing high unemployment levels among the youth and the need to identify the entrepreneurial perceptions of the youth is significant as future entrepreneurs will come from this cohort. The findings of this research study may assist different stakeholders such as government, businesses and higher education institutions among others to take appropriate actions to address the problem of unemployment and create a favourable environment where persons may engage in entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this research study was to determine the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students in the Vaal Triangle area. Autonomy, innovation and risk taking were identified as factors that may possibly influence the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students in this area. The findings in this research study indicate that students regard themselves as being autonomous, innovative and risk takers. No significant differences were found with regard to the entrepreneurial orientation of males and females. In comparing different designated groups in terms of the three constructs, significant differences were noted among certain items, for example, Coloureds and Indians tend to perceive themselves as more innovative compared to other groups. However, further research is needed because there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that one group is more entrepreneurial than the other. The findings in this research study revealed that Generation Y students perceive themselves as being autonomous, innovative and risk takers. This is encouraging because entrepreneurial activities, to a large extent, are known to be influenced by entrepreneurial orientation. It is evident that the youth can be encouraged to be job creators instead of job seekers. / Thesis (MCom (Entrepreneurship))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012.

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) contributes to performance with an outlook on business growth as well as business development and improvement. It is predicted that the failure rate of small, medium and micro enterprises in South Africa is between 70% and 80%. Millions of rands are being lost on new venture creations because of mistakes and problems that could have been avoided. The survival rate of SMME‟s in South Africa is relatively low indicating that less than half of newly established businesses survive beyond five years. There are a number of similar undesired events surrounding entrepreneurs. These events called for a study on entrepreneurial orientation with the aim to improve on the current situation. The South African government Gazette (2009) indicates that small and medium-sized enterprises contribute positively to the South African GDP and it is essential to help these businesses to grow and to develop. The primary objective of this study is to investigate entrepreneurial orientation in small and medium-sized businesses in South Africa and to assess the awareness and application of the five EO-dimensions, in order to ultimately promote entrepreneurial orientation in the entrepreneurial environment so that businesses can be successful and sustainable. The field of study is entrepreneurship with reference to the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on business managers and entrepreneurs, managing and creating South African SMME‟s. The private sector with specifically regard to micro, small and medium sized-enterprises in South Africa is under investigation. The study was carried out on selected product and service suppliers in the region of the North-West and the Gauteng provinces. Only businesses older than one year was considered during the research process due to the fact that most businesses that have not yet reached the first year is still under establishment. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Entrepreneurial behaviour is examined in this study, with specific reference to fou industrial divisions in NWK Limited, situated in the North-West province of South Africa. The primary objective of this study is to investigate entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success in the Industrial division of NWK Limited and to make practical recommendations to enhance entrepreneurial behaviour in the specific division, the organisation and other corporate organisations. A literature study was conducted to define entrepreneurship in general. The literature study investigated the characteristics of entrepreneurs. The five variables of entrepreneurial orientation and two variables measuring perceived success were investigated. Lastly the establishment of entrepreneurship together with a framework and strategy to establish entrepreneurship in an organisation will be discussed. The study was conducted on the Industrial division of NWK, which consisted of four divisions namely: Epko, Noordfed, Opti Chicks and Opti Feeds. Questionnaires were sent to the target group of 609 employees and a total of 79 usable questionnaires were received on which statistical analysis were conducted. The reliability of the data was tested by calculating Cronbach alpha coefficients for the different variables of entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success of the organisation. The data was further analysed by calculating the mean, standard deviation and range of the individual responses and the different variables. Additional to the analysis the relationship between selected demographic information and the different variables was tested to determine whether there were significant differences in the means. Conclusions are drawn from all the demographic information as well as the different variables of entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success. Based on the data analysis recommendations is made based on all the relevant topics that have been identified in the study. The data analysis, conclusions and recommendations supports the suggested action plan that can be used to improve the entrepreneurial orientation and ultimately the perceived business success of the agri-business. The study is concluded with measurements of the achievements and objectives of the study. Finally suggestions are made for further research that can be conducted. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This study examines the influence of inward technology transfers and international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) on the export performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). IEO and innovation are frequently cited as critical antecedents of export activities. Highly entrepreneurial and innovative firms seek to capitalize on their unique intellectual property by penetrating a niche global market quickly. Extant research primarily focuses on technology innovators, in countries well known for their technological advances and support of technology based start-ups. However, SMEs that do not have a technological niche also internationalize. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in developing economies like Egypt, where horizontal flows of technology (the transfer of technology from one organization to another), especially from overseas companies, are more common than vertical transfers of technology (i.e., from researchers directly to organizations). The literature suggests that many SMEs, especially those in developing economies, rely on the horizontal inflow of technology to enhance their export potential. The hypothesis is that by importing technology, firms also develop an outward internationalization capability (OIC). A second hypothesis is that IEO contributes to creating such capability. The literature postulates that IEO is a dynamic capability that helps firms exploit and reconfigure their resources to pursue international opportunities. Thus, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to develop OIC than are their less entrepreneurially oriented counterparts. Also, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to be involved in inflow of technology processes than are their counterparts. Despite evidence of a link between innovation and export performance, there is a dearth of research examining how inward transfers of technology from other countries influence the development of capabilities and outward internationalization of firms. This research addresses this gap by using resource-based view of the firm, dynamic capabilities view, network theory, and the concept of entrepreneurial orientation, to develop an explanation of how inward transfers of foreign technology may influence the internationalization capability and export performance of firms. Hypotheses are tested in the context of horizontal transfers of foreign technology to SMEs located in Egypt. The research progressed in two stages. In the first stage, interviews with managers of firms having experience importing technology and with substantial export activity helped to identify and confirm relevant factors that comprise OIC. During the second stage, data on inflows of technology (IFT), IEO, OIC, and exports were collected from a sample of 214 SMEs by a survey. Research results identified capabilities that underlie the outward internationalization of SMEs, by developing an OIC scale. There are no measures for OIC in extant literature. Thus, this research contributes to the development of a valid and reliable measure of this construct. Findings support the hypothesis that IEO has a direct positive effect on export performance. The relationships between IEO and export performance is partially mediated by OIC. On the other hand, the relationship between inflows of technology and export performance is fully mediated by OIC, where this research found that IFT does not have a direct effect on export performance. The research results further suggest that the level of OIC development is mainly explained by IEO, but with some contribution from IFT. The research contributes to streams of literature in international business, international entrepreneurship and management of technology. In particular, it expands the understanding of linkages between inward internationalization (inward flow of technology) and outward internationalization (export activities). The linkage between inward and outward internationalization processes received limited attention in the literature, and such research is rarer still in the context of SMEs in developing economies. The research additionally investigates the influence of a 'firm's strategic orientation (IEO) on export performance. While IEO is suggested to have a direct effect on export performance, IEO is also suggested to be an antecedent of OIC, which in turn affects export performance. Studying the mediating effect of OIC contributes to clarifying the conflicting findings of previous studies that examined the impact of entrepreneurial behaviour on international performance. The results provide owners/managers of SMEs with guidance on how to lever technology transfers by building related capabilities. The research also provides SMEs with guidance on how to measure and assess their OIC, and understand how such capability can be built or enhanced. The results additionally clarify the role of a firm's strategic orientation (IEO) in the configuration of resources and the creation of capabilities. Finally, the research helps policy-makers structure export-support polices that explicitly take advantage of opportunities presented by technology imports.

A Orientação Empreendedora (OE) é um tópico de estudo na temática do empreendedorismo. Entendida como empreendedorismo no nível organizacional, diversos autores têm sugerido que a OE pode influenciar positivamente o desempenho de uma organização. Alguns autores apontam que tem sido dada limitada ênfase na literatura para os eventos que desencadeiam o comportamento empreendedor nas organizações, um dos principais motivadores desse estudo, centrado na OE em organizações. O estudo se fundamenta na seguinte questão de pesquisa: A partir de uma base conceitual de OE e de um levantamento de práticas efetivas a ela relacionadas, que elementos possibilitam guiar ações visando a OE em organizações de software? O objetivo é propor um conjunto consolidado de elementos que possibilitem guiar ações visando a OE em organizações de software. Para isso, realizou-se pesquisa de natureza exploratória, com o uso de dados qualitativos. O estudo iniciou com pesquisa bibliográfica para constituição de base conceitual de OE. Em seguida, foi realizado estudo piloto para verificar a aplicabilidade da base conceitual. Numa etapa seguinte, realizou-se entrevista com especialistas dirigentes de entidades representativas do setor de software visando a identificação de organizações que se destacam em termos de empreendedorismo. Finalmente, procedeu-se à entrevista em profundidade com executivos dessas organizações com o intuito de fazer um levantamento de práticas efetivas de OE, tendo como referência a base conceitual adotada no estudo. Como resultado, apresenta-se um conjunto consolidado de elementos e categorias agregadoras, que enriqueceu a base conceitual de OE e foi consolidado a partir da literatura e da prática efetiva das organizações. Esse conjunto de elementos e categorias constitui importante referência para guiar ações visando a OE em organizações de software. Em termos teóricos, o estudo contribui com o enriquecimento e detalhamento da base conceitual de OE e suas dimensões, e, sobretudo, a proposição de categorias agregadoras e a consolidação de seus elementos. Em termos práticos contribui para que executivos, empresários, gestores de organizações de software possam obter subsídios para guiar ações visando a OE. / The Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) is a studying topic in the entrepreneurship theme. Several authors who understand EO as entrepreneurship in the organizational level suggest that EO can influence the performance of an organization in a positive way. Some authors point that it has been given limited emphasis to events which derive organizational entrepreneurial behaviors. That is one of the main motivations of this EO centered study which has its foundation in the following research question: Based on a conceptual basis of EO as well as on a researched list of effective practices related to that EO model in organizations, what are the elements which make it possible to conduct actions in the direction of EO in software organizations? The objective is to propose a consolidated set of elements which allow actions aiming at EO in software organizations. For that reason an exploratory research was carried out using qualitative data. The study started with a literature review in order to compose the conceptual basis of EO. Afterwards a pilot study was done to verify the applicability of the conceptual basis. The following step was an interview with specialists who are administrators in representative organizations in the software sector to identify the ones which are outstanding in terms of entrepreneurship. Finally a deeper interview with executives from those organizations was conducted to make an account of EO effective practices having the conceptual basis of EO as its basis. As a result, a set of consolidated elements and aggregated categories which enhanced the conceptual basis of EO were presented based on the literature and on effective practice of EO. That set of elements and aggregating categories constitute important reference to conduct actions in the EO direction in software organizations. In theoretical terms the study contributes to the enhancement and detailing of the conceptual basis of EO and its dimensions mainly through the proposition of aggregating categories and consolidation of its elements. In practical ways it contributes to executives, directors and managers in software organizations who can get subsidies to conduct actions aiming at EO.

A Orientação Empreendedora (OE) é um tópico de estudo na temática do empreendedorismo. Entendida como empreendedorismo no nível organizacional, diversos autores têm sugerido que a OE pode influenciar positivamente o desempenho de uma organização. Alguns autores apontam que tem sido dada limitada ênfase na literatura para os eventos que desencadeiam o comportamento empreendedor nas organizações, um dos principais motivadores desse estudo, centrado na OE em organizações. O estudo se fundamenta na seguinte questão de pesquisa: A partir de uma base conceitual de OE e de um levantamento de práticas efetivas a ela relacionadas, que elementos possibilitam guiar ações visando a OE em organizações de software? O objetivo é propor um conjunto consolidado de elementos que possibilitem guiar ações visando a OE em organizações de software. Para isso, realizou-se pesquisa de natureza exploratória, com o uso de dados qualitativos. O estudo iniciou com pesquisa bibliográfica para constituição de base conceitual de OE. Em seguida, foi realizado estudo piloto para verificar a aplicabilidade da base conceitual. Numa etapa seguinte, realizou-se entrevista com especialistas dirigentes de entidades representativas do setor de software visando a identificação de organizações que se destacam em termos de empreendedorismo. Finalmente, procedeu-se à entrevista em profundidade com executivos dessas organizações com o intuito de fazer um levantamento de práticas efetivas de OE, tendo como referência a base conceitual adotada no estudo. Como resultado, apresenta-se um conjunto consolidado de elementos e categorias agregadoras, que enriqueceu a base conceitual de OE e foi consolidado a partir da literatura e da prática efetiva das organizações. Esse conjunto de elementos e categorias constitui importante referência para guiar ações visando a OE em organizações de software. Em termos teóricos, o estudo contribui com o enriquecimento e detalhamento da base conceitual de OE e suas dimensões, e, sobretudo, a proposição de categorias agregadoras e a consolidação de seus elementos. Em termos práticos contribui para que executivos, empresários, gestores de organizações de software possam obter subsídios para guiar ações visando a OE. / The Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) is a studying topic in the entrepreneurship theme. Several authors who understand EO as entrepreneurship in the organizational level suggest that EO can influence the performance of an organization in a positive way. Some authors point that it has been given limited emphasis to events which derive organizational entrepreneurial behaviors. That is one of the main motivations of this EO centered study which has its foundation in the following research question: Based on a conceptual basis of EO as well as on a researched list of effective practices related to that EO model in organizations, what are the elements which make it possible to conduct actions in the direction of EO in software organizations? The objective is to propose a consolidated set of elements which allow actions aiming at EO in software organizations. For that reason an exploratory research was carried out using qualitative data. The study started with a literature review in order to compose the conceptual basis of EO. Afterwards a pilot study was done to verify the applicability of the conceptual basis. The following step was an interview with specialists who are administrators in representative organizations in the software sector to identify the ones which are outstanding in terms of entrepreneurship. Finally a deeper interview with executives from those organizations was conducted to make an account of EO effective practices having the conceptual basis of EO as its basis. As a result, a set of consolidated elements and aggregated categories which enhanced the conceptual basis of EO were presented based on the literature and on effective practice of EO. That set of elements and aggregating categories constitute important reference to conduct actions in the EO direction in software organizations. In theoretical terms the study contributes to the enhancement and detailing of the conceptual basis of EO and its dimensions mainly through the proposition of aggregating categories and consolidation of its elements. In practical ways it contributes to executives, directors and managers in software organizations who can get subsidies to conduct actions aiming at EO.