Superintending an enterprise in an adverse environment can be a daunting task. If that environment is fraught with economic vagaries such as once found in the hyperinflationary Zimbabwe it can be catastrophic. Yet, some businesses survived when others collapsed. Suffice to infer that most insurance companies in Zimbabwe, buoyed by the need to confront the vagaries of the hyperinflation such as stunted growth, at the very least and enterprise collapse at the very worst had to resort to entrepreneurial intensity for survival. The research therefore sought to explore the extent of entrepreneurial intensity in such an adverse environment. Background to the research contextualised this study to the Zimbabwean scenario. The research problem was also dissected. Research objectives and questions were subsequently advanced to guide the direction of this study. Hypotheses were also proffered. From the outset, the study sought to project entrepreneurial intensity as collaborated and corroborated by other key concepts such as corporate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation. The research also explored various definitions of entrepreneurial intensity. It was noted that entrepreneurial intensity is synonymous with intensified entrepreneurial performance. Critical drivers for entrepreneurial intensity were analysed and essential determinants and antecedents of entrepreneurship were accorded space and importance. Various conceptual frameworks were also articulated to buttress the emerging arguments in the complex field of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intensity. The models advanced then served as a beacon in navigating the complex phenomenon of entrepreneurial intensity throughout this discourse. The study also argued that entrepreneurship can be measured to gauge its intensification levels at any given point in time. Consequently, a few models were advanced to explain entrepreneurial outcomes. Therefore, data gathered on 307 respondents were subjected to various tests in an effort to discover if entrepreneurial intensity was responsible for keeping most insurance companies afloat during the hyperinflation. Ultimately, the results confirmed the presence of entrepreneurship – its nature and form in the insurance industry in hyperinflationary Zimbabwe, particularly in the years 2007-2010. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Business Management / PhD / Unrestricted

A positive relationship between economic growth and entrepreneurship has been established as derived from the body of knowledge in the domain of entrepreneurship. In acknowledgement of this relationship, governments have embarked on schemes and policies that encourage entrepreneurship in their economic development policies. The individual entrepreneur is a key player in new entrepreneurial venture process. The entire society is responsible for shaping an environment within which a behaviour pattern that promotes or hinders entrepreneurship is developed. The study mainly focused on understanding the behavioural phenomenon which is termed entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of engineers within the South African context. The assumed EO of entrepreneurial engineers was expected to be higher than that of non-entrepreneurial engineers. Cronbach Alpha’s tests found the prestructured EO scale to be reliable. T-test results for mean difference confirmed that entrepreneurs have a higher EO on the overal EO construct as well as on the autonomy, proactiveness and risk taking dimemensions.Factor analysis results supported the view that the EO construct is unidimensional. Situational factors that shaped the social environment alluded to above were studied as a secondary objective. Chi-square tests did not confirm the expectation that entrepreneurial engineers would be exposed to situational factors that promote entrepreneurship than their non-entrepreneurial counter parts. Lack of entrepreneurial education and finance have been identified as the key factors that hamper entrepreneurship. Recommendations are included in this report.Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Social enterprises (SEs) are businesses managed by entrepreneurs who seek to improve society, and they represent an important trend in social change work. However, there is little empirical knowledge about which blended value accounting (BVA) methods are used by SE managers, and whether the use of BVA is perceived by SE managers as a critical success factor. Blended value accounting is a conceptual framework for measuring combined social and financial outcomes in SEs, and some believe that the use of BVA may be a critical success factor for SEs. This research was based on Covin and Slevin's conceptualization of entrepreneurial orientation. The main research question was whether the use of BVA methods was correlated with SE success from the perception of the SE managers. Surveys were sent to 3,682 SE managers in North America, the United Kingdom, Asia, and Africa (n = 280). Data were analyzed using multiple regression, with the dependent variable SE success, and the independent variables: the use of BVA method, number of employees, length of time in business, economic sector, and country of registration. Findings indicated no statistically significant correlation between the use of BVA method and SE success, though most SE managers, 73% of 280 respondents, were using BVA methods for other reasons, including complying with state laws. The BVA method B-Impact Rating System was used by 59% of survey respondents who used any method of BVA. These findings suggest that SE managers should select a BVA method that is inexpensive to implement, aligns with industry standards, and provides them with management information. Supporting agencies should create a global registry of SEs, report on the social change impact they create through their businesses, and encourage all businesses to adopt the social-change orientation of SEs.

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Addressing the scarce knowledge of sustainability practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the purpose of this paper is to identify how and if there is a link between intellectual capital (IC) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and if this connection contributes to a company’s sustainability performance. Based on a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with Swedish SMEs, our findings show that despite the limitations these companies experience in terms of financial and human resources, a focus on tackling sustainability issues appears to inspire entrepreneurial behaviour. Specifically, seeking opportunities when it comes to product development or process improvement to incorporate sustainability, and exploring these opportunities without knowing the real outcome, are dimensions associated with an entrepreneurial orientation. Although the literature has discussed the positive effect that entrepreneurial orientation has on sustainability investments, as well as how intellectual capital contributes to the sustainability performance of a firm, we also found that entrepreneurial orientation can overcome limitations with intellectual capital and therefore contribute to the sustainability performance of SMEs.The link between EO and IC has not been studied before, nor how it may impact the adoption and maintenance of sustainability practices. But our findings further indicate that Swedish SMEs, operating in a country with a high Sustainability Index, have high requirements when it comes to sustainability, and with few resources, entrepreneurial behaviour is common to explore opportunities associated with sustainability. Furthermore, drawing on our findings we attempt to provide theoretical contributions in the field of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and intellectual capital, as well as practical recommendations that will help business owners, managers, and policymakers to better enable sustainability practices

Over the last decades, there has been a shift from a product intensive market to a service-based one which is based on knowledge being a high commodity in contrast to previous decades where tangible capital resources and products have been the primary focus. Over a similar time frame, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has become one of the most important theories/concepts within entrepreneurial research, which is a firm’s capacity to portray innovative, proactive and risktaking behaviour to outcompete their competitors. For a firm to develop an EO, the firm’s leadership is of the essence. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to research how leadership influences EO in the knowledge-intensive business service sector (KIBS-sector) from the perspective of consultants. Most studies on EO and leadership are conducted using quantitative methods, therefore the study was conducted qualitatively and is based on ten interviews with consultants from various professions within KIBS. The findings indicate that there are several leadership factors influencing whether a KIBS-firm can develop an EO which is categorisedi nto three distinct categories: Organisational culture, Leader skills and styles, and Managerial systems. Organisations can use these findings to highlight areas of improvement for leaders and how management in KIBS-firms can organise their firms to implement innovative, proactive, and risk-taking behaviours in their consultants

The increasing demands of efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector encourage political leaders and policy makers to adopt and apply advanced techniques and solutions to overcome flaws in public organizational performance. Entrepreneurship was introduced in several Western countries as a way to improve their processes and management through adopting private sector management principles and market-oriented techniques. In 2015, Saudi Arabia announced its 2030 vision, which introduced hundreds of innovative and creative initiatives aiming to overcome issues of the turbulent environment, future oil depletion, budgetary pressures, and public demands for efficiency and effectiveness. Building on interdisciplinary perspectives, this study investigates entrepreneurial orientation among Saudi public employees from all administrative regions across the country. Building on McClelland's theory of motivation, this study hypothesizes that the motives of need for achievement, need for affiliation, and need for power are positively associated with entrepreneurial behavior. It also hypothesizes that excessive organizational hierarchy, formalization, and lack of autonomy constrain employees' entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, this study adopts a sociological perspective in proposing solutions for facilitating entrepreneurial orientation among public employees by hypothesizing that human and social capital promote an entrepreneurial orientation. Multiple regression analysis reveals that Saudi public employees with a higher level of need for achievement and need for power tend to be more entrepreneurial, while need for affiliation fails to predict entrepreneurial orientation. Furthermore, the findings suggest that a high level of hierarchy and formalization in public organizations is negatively associated to entrepreneurial orientation, while a high level of autonomy is positively associated with entrepreneurial orientation. Finally, the study finds that employees with a high level of breadth and depth of experience (human capital) are more likely to be entrepreneurial, while a high level of bonding social capital and bridging social capital promote a negative and a positive entrepreneurial orientation, respectively.

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Yes / Purpose- Research on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has concluded a positive link between EO and firm performance and that relationship depends on several contingencies. The paper derives insights from the absorptive capacity and contingency perspectives to introduce extraorganizational advice as a moderator of the relationship between EO and firm performance in a dynamic environment. Design/methodology/approach-Using survey data from 340 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, the study examines the moderating influence of extraorganizational advice on the EO-firm performance relationship in dynamic environments. Findings-The study’s empirical findings suggest that extra-organizational advice amplifies the EO-performance relationship in dynamic environments. Research limitations/implications-The cross-sectional design of the study does not permit causal inferences to be made regarding the variables examined. Future studies may use longitudinal design to examine the causal links of the variables. Limitations aside, the study helps to answer how extra-organizational advice translates EO into improved performance in an environment characterised by constant flux. Practical implications- The results of this paper can assist entrepreneurs and policy-makers in understanding the dynamics and processes involved in implementing a strategic orientation to achieve higher performance. For SME managers, firm performance is determined by high levels of EO and extra-organizational advice in dynamic environments. The understanding of this issue can promote the development and maintenance of entrepreneurial ventures. Originality/value-The paper examines an important, but under-researched issue-the moderating effect of extra-organizational advice on the EO-performance relationship in dynamic environments. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study pioneers research in this area.

The empirical evidence is rather weak and sometimes inconsistent as to what predicts an individual's decision to start a business. Among many possible causes, this study attempts to disentangle the effects of individual differences and context. I propose to use a framework involving an individual's entrepreneurial intent, entrepreneurial orientation and four individual difference factors as a means to isolate individual difference determinants of entrepreneurial intent. These are captured in new construct called entrepreneurial orientation. Samples of entrepreneurs and college students from the United States and China were used to test the relationships. The empirical results show that entrepreneurial orientation is positively related to individual differences factors and entrepreneurial intent. Even more, it fully or partially mediates the relationships between the individual differences and entrepreneurial intent. Among the four individual differences listed, opportunity recognition seems to be the best predictor of an individual's entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial intent. Future research should further examine opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial orientation. It appears that attempting to isolate effects of individual differences from context can be a viable strategy for studying determinants of new venture creation. / Ph. D.