Yes / Prior studies show the impact of various facets of individual characteristics in driving a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation (EO). The present study complements this line of research by deriving insights from the conservation of resources (COR) theory to examine the effects of resource-induced coping heuristics (acquiring, protecting, and developing resources) on EO. Additionally, it investigates the underlying conditions influencing these relationships. Data were collected from new ventures in two developing countries (Ghana, N=204, and Ethiopia, N=214). Utilizing the moderated hierarchical regression analysis, the results show that the three dimensions of resource-induced coping heuristics positively relate to EO and these relationships are amplified when environmental dynamism is high. These findings provide a nuanced understanding of the relationships among the different types of resource-induced coping heuristics and EO. In this way, the study extends the boundaries of the resource-induced coping heuristics, EO, and broader entrepreneurship literature.

This thesis investigates the innovative and entrepreneurial strategies of professional development training companies in Sweden, focusing on how they maintain competitive advantage. Through a qualitative study of 11 Swedish training companies, we explore the application of innovations across the dimensions of Product, Process, Position, and Paradigm. Our research reveals a variety of innovation strategies driven by the founders' entrepreneurial orientation (proactiveness, risk-taking, and innovativeness), which significantly impacts their companies' adaptability and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market. The study adds nuanced insights into the intersection of entrepreneurship and innovation, highlighting how strategic adaptations in service offerings and business models are critical for sustaining growth and relevance in the professional development industry. Findings suggest that differentiation through innovation in service offerings, operational processes, market positioning, and business models is critical for sustaining growth and relevance. This research enhances the existing literature by detailing the nuances of entrepreneurial orientation in innovation within the professional development industry through continuous and strategic educational advancements.

Magister Commercii - MCom (Business and Finance) / The youth of South Africa is currently faced with high levels of unemployment and poverty. This raises concerns about the future of the South African people and its economy. Consequently, much is needed to develop the youth to allow for a prosperous future. A decrease in poverty and unemployment was found to be linked to an increase in education. Entrepreneurial education can have a significant impact on entrepreneurial success. This research paper aims to assess the influence of entrepreneurial education and training on students' entrepreneurial development. To ensure a comprehensive assessment of the development of students, I utilised a mixed methodology to assess students both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study assessed a sample of students from South Africa and the United States of America who jointly partook in a two-week entrepreneurial education and training programme at TSiBA Education, Cape Town, South Africa. Entrepreneurial education and training had a positive effect on the students' entrepreneurial development, entrepreneurial orientation and intentions to start a business. While entrepreneurial orientation aids the exploitation of business opportunities, before opportunities can be exploited they must be recognised. Bringing into question the link between students' entrepreneurial orientation and their abilities to recognise and develop opportunities into successful ventures. To explore this I interviewed two participants and found the high entrepreneurially orientated participant to exhibit greater opportunity recognition and development abilities, compared to the low entrepreneurially orientated participant. I concluded by finding that although differences do exist between high and low entrepreneurially orientated students, entrepreneurial education and training could positively influence students' entrepreneurial orientation and assist in the development of entrepreneurs. The results suggest that TSiBA Education should attempt to increase the duration of the entrepreneurial programme to maximize the influence of the entrepreneurial education and training.

In der betriebswirtschaftlichen Forschung gewinnt die KMU- und Entrepreneurshipforschung zunehmend mehr Aufmerksamkeit. In den letzten Jahren wurden zahlreiche Konzepte aus der Forschung für große Unternehmen auf den Entre­preneur­ship- und KMU-Bereich übertragen und dort angewendet, ohne ihre Eignung für Klein- und Kleinstunternehmen zu überprüfen. Eine (empirische) Überprüfung, inwieweit die zugrundeliegenden Modelle und Annahmen auch im Bereich der KMU allgemein zutreffen, ist daher sicherlich angebracht. Eines dieser Werkzeuge, das in letzter Zeit immer mehr in den Blickpunkt der Forschung rückt, ist Entrepreneurial Orientation. Mit Entrepreneurial Orientation steht ein Werkzeug zur Verfügung, dass den gesamten Lebenszyklus eines Unternehmens abbilden kann und Elemente sowohl der Entrepreneurship- als auch der Organisations- und Strategieforschung integriert. Inwieweit Kombinationen von Entrepreneurial Orientation bei Konfigurationen von Unternehmens­eigenschaften für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen einen Erkenntnisbeitrag leisten können, wird in diesem Buch theoretisch und empirisch untersucht. / Recently, a major focus in economical research is on small- and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship. As part of this development, many concepts have been transferred and adapted to the Entrepreneurship and SME sector from large corporation research, without being tested for their fit to this area. An (empirical) examination how the underlying models and assumptions transferred apply also to the field of SMEs in general seems to be necessary. One of the tools that gain more attention every year is the concept of Entrepreneurial Orientation. Entrepreneurial Orientation provides a tool that can model the entire lifecycle of an enterprise and integrates elements of entrepreneurship as well as organizational and strategy research. This book does provide a theoretical and empirical evaluation of how Entrepreneurial Orientation may be useful by designing configurations of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In der betriebswirtschaftlichen Forschung gewinnt die KMU- und Entrepreneurshipforschung zunehmend mehr Aufmerksamkeit. In den letzten Jahren wurden zahlreiche Konzepte aus der Forschung für große Unternehmen auf den Entre­preneur­ship- und KMU-Bereich übertragen und dort angewendet, ohne ihre Eignung für Klein- und Kleinstunternehmen zu überprüfen. Eine (empirische) Überprüfung, inwieweit die zugrundeliegenden Modelle und Annahmen auch im Bereich der KMU allgemein zutreffen, ist daher sicherlich angebracht. Eines dieser Werkzeuge, das in letzter Zeit immer mehr in den Blickpunkt der Forschung rückt, ist Entrepreneurial Orientation. Mit Entrepreneurial Orientation steht ein Werkzeug zur Verfügung, dass den gesamten Lebenszyklus eines Unternehmens abbilden kann und Elemente sowohl der Entrepreneurship- als auch der Organisations- und Strategieforschung integriert. Inwieweit Kombinationen von Entrepreneurial Orientation bei Konfigurationen von Unternehmens­eigenschaften für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen einen Erkenntnisbeitrag leisten können, wird in diesem Buch theoretisch und empirisch untersucht. / Recently, a major focus in economical research is on small- and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship. As part of this development, many concepts have been transferred and adapted to the Entrepreneurship and SME sector from large corporation research, without being tested for their fit to this area. An (empirical) examination how the underlying models and assumptions transferred apply also to the field of SMEs in general seems to be necessary. One of the tools that gain more attention every year is the concept of Entrepreneurial Orientation. Entrepreneurial Orientation provides a tool that can model the entire lifecycle of an enterprise and integrates elements of entrepreneurship as well as organizational and strategy research. This book does provide a theoretical and empirical evaluation of how Entrepreneurial Orientation may be useful by designing configurations of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Family businesses have unique dynamics and success stories but at the same time face unique challenges. Intergenerational small and medium-sized family businesses in South Africa play an increasingly important role in creating jobs together with wealth distribution. This study attempts to explore the complicated relationship and inimitable characteristics of family business surroundings against the added challenges of family business perceived success and family business continuity. Notwithstanding family businesses being a prevalent phenomenon in the economies of most countries, insight into this form of enterprise is still limited. Topics such as commitment, entrepreneurial orientation, job satisfaction, satisfaction with life and perceived success of the family business, among others, were investigated. In order to achieve the primary objective of this study, a survey was undertaken using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficient, which indicated that the questionnaire used in this study conformed to the criteria of acceptable reliability and can be regarded as internally consistent. The survey yielded 143 usable questionnaires from 42 family businesses restricted to Gauteng province and the North West province in South Africa. The nature of this study was investigative and descriptive statistics was therefore used to analyse the statements of all the participating respondents. The selected determinants influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business was then measured and regressional analyses were further conducted. Conclusions were drawn from this study on the outcomes of the selected factors influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business. Finally, a critical evaluation was done and practical recommendations are suggested to improve family business wellness and, subsequently, increase the sustainability of such business. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

South Africa has a social capital economic system that establishes various opportunities for individuals to start their own businesses, this creates a climate for entrepreneurs to explore the business market and start their own business. If family businesses are that important and fundamental to the sustainability of countries it is definitely relevant to asses and monitor these businesses over a wide range of issues. The field of this study falls within the subject discipline of entrepreneurship and focuses on gaining insight into small and medium-sized family businesses. The study has not restricted to a particular trade and all participants who fall under the definition of Ibrahim and Ellis (2004: 5) have been recognised to take part in this study. In this study the author set out to determine the causes affecting the success of family businesses, as well as identifying a few variables that had to be measured to better understand their impact and influence on the success of family businesses. The author also examined other aspects regarding the subject, in order to get a better understanding concerning family businesses, and to understand what they have to offer. The definition that has been used in this study is supplied, as well as the advantages and disadvantages regarding family businesses. This has been done to ensure that the researcher understand what type of business constitutes a family business. The empirical study has been conducted by means of a field study, using a structured questionnaire as the main component. The purpose of the literature review was to gain insight into selected determinants of family business success, according to a structured questionnaire developed by Prof. Stephan van der Merwe (NWU). / MBA (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the entrepreneurial orientation of a vehicle management and sales company. This was done to help design recommendations to establish an entrepreneurial orientation in the company and enhance the personal traits of the company. A vast journey into the body of knowledge about entrepreneurship emerged when the literature review of Chapter 2 resulted in the leaders in the field, internationally and local, gave shape and depth to the study. The empirical study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to a target population of 120 employees. A total of 41 questionnaires were received and was used to conduct a statistical analysis on. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested by calculating the Cronbach Alpha coefficients for all the variables of entrepreneurial orientation as well as the personal traits. The data was used to calculate the mean and standard deviations of the individual responses for all the variables. The analysis also included the relationship between different demographic information and the variables of the study to test for any significant differences in the means. Conclusions were drawn from the data extracted from the questionnaires and recommendations were made based on the conclusions and the data on the relevant topics identified in the study. An action plan that supports the data, conclusions and recommendations was designed to help the company enhance the entrepreneurial orientation as well as the companies’ entrepreneurial behaviour. The study concludes with measurements of the objectives as well as suggestions for further research on the topic. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Family businesses have unique dynamics and success stories but at the same time face unique challenges. Intergenerational small and medium-sized family businesses in South Africa play an increasingly important role in creating jobs together with wealth distribution. This study attempts to explore the complicated relationship and inimitable characteristics of family business surroundings against the added challenges of family business perceived success and family business continuity. Notwithstanding family businesses being a prevalent phenomenon in the economies of most countries, insight into this form of enterprise is still limited. Topics such as commitment, entrepreneurial orientation, job satisfaction, satisfaction with life and perceived success of the family business, among others, were investigated. In order to achieve the primary objective of this study, a survey was undertaken using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficient, which indicated that the questionnaire used in this study conformed to the criteria of acceptable reliability and can be regarded as internally consistent. The survey yielded 143 usable questionnaires from 42 family businesses restricted to Gauteng province and the North West province in South Africa. The nature of this study was investigative and descriptive statistics was therefore used to analyse the statements of all the participating respondents. The selected determinants influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business was then measured and regressional analyses were further conducted. Conclusions were drawn from this study on the outcomes of the selected factors influencing the perceived success of small and medium-sized family business. Finally, a critical evaluation was done and practical recommendations are suggested to improve family business wellness and, subsequently, increase the sustainability of such business. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

South Africa has a social capital economic system that establishes various opportunities for individuals to start their own businesses, this creates a climate for entrepreneurs to explore the business market and start their own business. If family businesses are that important and fundamental to the sustainability of countries it is definitely relevant to asses and monitor these businesses over a wide range of issues. The field of this study falls within the subject discipline of entrepreneurship and focuses on gaining insight into small and medium-sized family businesses. The study has not restricted to a particular trade and all participants who fall under the definition of Ibrahim and Ellis (2004: 5) have been recognised to take part in this study. In this study the author set out to determine the causes affecting the success of family businesses, as well as identifying a few variables that had to be measured to better understand their impact and influence on the success of family businesses. The author also examined other aspects regarding the subject, in order to get a better understanding concerning family businesses, and to understand what they have to offer. The definition that has been used in this study is supplied, as well as the advantages and disadvantages regarding family businesses. This has been done to ensure that the researcher understand what type of business constitutes a family business. The empirical study has been conducted by means of a field study, using a structured questionnaire as the main component. The purpose of the literature review was to gain insight into selected determinants of family business success, according to a structured questionnaire developed by Prof. Stephan van der Merwe (NWU). / MBA (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015