Modern literature has many research in the field of entrepreneurship, but most of them do not explain the characteristics of entrepreneurial activity in developing countries. Thus, this research uses  regression analysis of panel data for the cross-country analysis of factors influence the level of entrepreneurial activity in 52 developing countries. The paper provides empirical information about the individual characteristics, regulatory standards countries, as well as some macroeconomic indicators. Individual factors (gender, age), indicators of respondents’ self-evaluation and assessment of the environment, in which they are located have a significant impact on entrepreneurial activity in developing economies. In terms of macroeconomic indicators, it was concluded on the positive effects of GDP growth and the lack of impact of unemployment on the level of entrepreneurial activity.

Background and Purpose: Governments and policy makers continue to look to entrepreneurship as a vehicle to economic development. This is informed by the perception shared by governments and policy makers that entrepreneurship is a good thing and we ought to have more of it. Thus a wave of policies has emerged in the UK and elsewhere which advocates for an increase in the level of enterprise activity. Our understanding of how and when governments intervene to assist entrepreneurs, and indeed which, if any, specific entrepreneurs should receive assistance in some shape or form, still has substantial knowledge gaps. The review aims to contribute to the building of this knowledge. Methodology: The systematic review methodology was followed to examine the entrepreneurship literature. Quantitatively, the data was examined using basic descriptive statistics and content analysis. Qualitatively, the data was analyzed based on an inductive approach in order to identify emerging, frequent, dominant or significant themes that dominate in understanding entrepreneurship. Findings: This review has identified factors which affect entrepreneurial performance, the market failure that result as well as the policy instruments defined in literature that aim to rectify the perceived market failure. Different typologies were identified which illustrate how the different policy instruments are categorised. Further, this review highlights the complex nature of public policy and entrepreneurship and raises the importance of adopting a more coherent “holistic” approach when advocating for intervention in entrepreneurship and public policy.

L'activité entrepreneuriale génère des séries d'événements qui sont susceptibles d'impacter à la fois l'équilibre de l'entreprise et celui de son propriétaire-dirigeant. Alors que la santé de ce dernier constitue un actif immatériel clé pour une petite organisation, les caractéristiques des événements vécus et la réaction psychologique du chef d'entreprise demeurent peu étudiées. Le but de ce travail doctoral est de combler ces lacunes communes à la santé au travail et à l'entrepreneuriat, deux champs rarement croisés. En partant d'une vision pluridisciplinaire et d'une posture épistémologique de type pragmatique, nous avons mené une recherche mixte auprès d'un panel de 357 dirigeants de PME. Une étude longitudinale qualitative fut d'abord conduite pour catégoriser sémantiquement les événements les plus marquants. Puis une étude transversale quantitative a permis la pondération des événements codés via deux construits médiateurs : le stress (réponse négative à un événement) ou la satisfaction (réponse positive). Enfin, l'influence des événements vécus sur la santé physique et mentale a été testée par des régressions linéaires multiples. Au niveau conceptuel, les résultats de cette thèse étendent la théorie des événements affectifs au champ de l'entrepreneuriat. Sur le plan méthodologique, deux inventaires d'événements sont proposés : ils capturent le stress et la satisfaction générés par l'activité entrepreneuriale. De manière pratique, des actions préventives de professionnels médicaux peuvent s'appuyer sur les qualités prédictives de la santé de ces inventaires. Présentés comme un « stressomètre » et un « satisfactomètre », ils sont aussi des outils de repérage accessibles aux travailleurs non salariés. / Entrepreneurial activity generates series of events which may impact both the equilibrium of the business and the one of its owner-manager. While the health of this latter represents a key intangible asset for a small organisation, the features of the experienced events and the psychological reaction of the small business owner remain little explored. The aim of this doctoral work is to make up for these common lacks to occupational health and entrepreneurship, two fields scarcely crossed. Based on a multidisciplinary approach and an epistemological positioning of the pragmatic type, we led a mixed methods research on a panel of 357 small business owners. First, a qualitative longitudinal survey was conducted to place the most notable events experienced by the owners into semantic categories. Second, a quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire intended to weight the coded events through two mediating constructs: stress (negative response to an event) and satisfaction (positive response). Third, the influence of the events experienced on physical and mental health variance was tested through multiple linear regressions. Conceptually speaking, the results of this thesis extend the affective events theory to the field of entrepreneurship. Methodologically speaking, two checklists of events are proposed: they capture the stress and the satisfaction generated by the entrepreneurial activity. Practically speaking, some preventive actions from medical professionals can build upon the predictive qualities regarding health of these checklists. Introduced as a “stressometer” and a “satisfactometer”, they are also benchmarking tools available for the self-employed.

A study of the nature of entrepreneurial activity and its use in furthering our understanding of small business establishment. An ethnographic study is presented of the business perspectives of a group of business entrepreneurs in the Riverina region of N.S.W. and a conceptual framework is developed for consideration of various qualitative issues involved in establishing a small business.

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Different researchers and governments globally have recognised the importance of entrepreneurship in economic growth and job creation. In addition, entrepreneurial activity is crucial, locally and globally. Furthermore, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) recognises the contribution of entrepreneurial activity to economic growth and measures it by means of the total early stage entrepreneurial activity index (TEA). Since the TEA in South Africa is very low, the need exist for an investigation into the reasons thereof. GEM uses the entrepreneurial conditions such as entrepreneurial finance, government policies, government programmes, entrepreneurial education, research and development transfer, commercial and legal infrastructure for entrepreneurship, internal market openness and cultural and social norms to measure entrepreneurial activity. Viewing the different entrepreneurial conditions, education is recognised as one of the largest inhibiters of entrepreneurship since 2001. In this study an investigation on education in South Africa was conducted. The goal of this study was to enhance selected entrepreneurial competencies of grade 11 learners in Business Studies. The literature study indicated that various entrepreneurship views and definitions exist. The focus of this study is on the individual characteristics of the entrepreneurs. The literature study also indicated that different terms exist to describe these individual characteristics of the entrepreneurs. For the purpose of this study the term competency was used. Thirdly the literature study also showed that various entrepreneurial competencies exist. A selection needed to be done and by using the curriculum of Business Studies, grades 10 – 12 only certain competencies were selected. The following entrepreneurial competencies are used in this study: problem solving, creativity, flexibility, risk-taking, goal orientation, planning, teamwork, communication, self-confidence and capacity to learn. In this study a multi-method research design was used. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. An intervention took place with an experimental (23 learners) and control group (24 learners). Firstly the experimental group was exposed to the intervention with the control group attending normal classes. After the completion of the intervention on the experimental group the roles were changed. The intervention of each group consisted of 24 days (28 sessions of between 35 and 43 minutes). In the quantitative research three tests were used to determine the possible enhancement of the selected entrepreneurial competencies. Both the experimental and control group were exposed to the three tests. In the qualitative research observations and interviews were used to measure the possible enhancement of the entrepreneurial competencies. Learners from both the experimental and control group were used in the interviews. The results of the quantitative and qualitative research clearly show an enhancement of entrepreneurial competencies of the learners. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the proposed framework is clearly highlighted. The use of the proposed framework will assist teachers in linking the theory (textbook) and practice (operations of the business in the simulation). In addition, the teacher can expose the learners to entrepreneurial competencies and therefore develop and enhance it. Another advantage is that this teaching approach can be included in the normal Business Studies classes without any interruption of normal school activities. A limitation of the study is the period of the intervention. A recommendation is that the proposed strategy for the enhancement of entrepreneurial can be used through out the academic year for the enhancement of entrepreneurial competencies. This will ensure that the entrepreneurial competencies are focussed on continuously and learners are empowered in this regard. With this study the researcher attempted to address the challenges in education in South Africa through the enhancement of entrepreneurial competencies and thus to address the low TEA. / PhD (Entrepreneurship), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Different researchers and governments globally have recognised the importance of entrepreneurship in economic growth and job creation. In addition, entrepreneurial activity is crucial, locally and globally. Furthermore, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) recognises the contribution of entrepreneurial activity to economic growth and measures it by means of the total early stage entrepreneurial activity index (TEA). Since the TEA in South Africa is very low, the need exist for an investigation into the reasons thereof. GEM uses the entrepreneurial conditions such as entrepreneurial finance, government policies, government programmes, entrepreneurial education, research and development transfer, commercial and legal infrastructure for entrepreneurship, internal market openness and cultural and social norms to measure entrepreneurial activity. Viewing the different entrepreneurial conditions, education is recognised as one of the largest inhibiters of entrepreneurship since 2001. In this study an investigation on education in South Africa was conducted. The goal of this study was to enhance selected entrepreneurial competencies of grade 11 learners in Business Studies. The literature study indicated that various entrepreneurship views and definitions exist. The focus of this study is on the individual characteristics of the entrepreneurs. The literature study also indicated that different terms exist to describe these individual characteristics of the entrepreneurs. For the purpose of this study the term competency was used. Thirdly the literature study also showed that various entrepreneurial competencies exist. A selection needed to be done and by using the curriculum of Business Studies, grades 10 – 12 only certain competencies were selected. The following entrepreneurial competencies are used in this study: problem solving, creativity, flexibility, risk-taking, goal orientation, planning, teamwork, communication, self-confidence and capacity to learn. In this study a multi-method research design was used. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. An intervention took place with an experimental (23 learners) and control group (24 learners). Firstly the experimental group was exposed to the intervention with the control group attending normal classes. After the completion of the intervention on the experimental group the roles were changed. The intervention of each group consisted of 24 days (28 sessions of between 35 and 43 minutes). In the quantitative research three tests were used to determine the possible enhancement of the selected entrepreneurial competencies. Both the experimental and control group were exposed to the three tests. In the qualitative research observations and interviews were used to measure the possible enhancement of the entrepreneurial competencies. Learners from both the experimental and control group were used in the interviews. The results of the quantitative and qualitative research clearly show an enhancement of entrepreneurial competencies of the learners. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the proposed framework is clearly highlighted. The use of the proposed framework will assist teachers in linking the theory (textbook) and practice (operations of the business in the simulation). In addition, the teacher can expose the learners to entrepreneurial competencies and therefore develop and enhance it. Another advantage is that this teaching approach can be included in the normal Business Studies classes without any interruption of normal school activities. A limitation of the study is the period of the intervention. A recommendation is that the proposed strategy for the enhancement of entrepreneurial can be used through out the academic year for the enhancement of entrepreneurial competencies. This will ensure that the entrepreneurial competencies are focussed on continuously and learners are empowered in this regard. With this study the researcher attempted to address the challenges in education in South Africa through the enhancement of entrepreneurial competencies and thus to address the low TEA. / PhD (Entrepreneurship), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Past research has established that South Africa has a problem of high unemployment rate. This is accompanied by a low entrepreneurship activity that tends to lag far behind that of other developing countries as measured over the years by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research. Entrepreneurship and small business are well recognised for their role in both economic growth and job creation. This study set out to investigate the informal sector entrepreneurial activity in Emfuleni Local Municipality which has experienced large scale retrenchments over the past decade. A literature survey was conducted to understand the characteristics, successful practices and weaknesses that distinguish the informal sector from the formal sector. The empirical study which was conducted by means of survey questionnaire among the informal sector entrepreneurs indicated that entrepreneurship in the informal sector can provide a form of income for some people that cannot be absorbed in the formal labour market. The findings of the study was that this area of entrepreneurship is dominated by the youth as more than half of the respondents were below the age of 35 years. It was also found that most of the entrepreneurs have never been formally employed which may be problematic when it comes to skills. While most of them recognised the importance of training and skills, they were also positive that they can benefit from training especially in the area of marketing and promoting their product and services. These entrepreneurs however do not seem to be benefiting from government initiatives such as the workshops offered by the local municipality and other assistance offered by the government agencies. The low skills level of most of these entrepreneurs may also hinder their ability to grow their businesses beyond the one–man operations. It is recommended therefore that the organisations such as the National Youth Development Agency double their efforts in helping the youth to become successful small business owners. The government agencies, particularly those targeting the youth should make a conceited effort to provide training in particular to these people if they are to make a lasting impact on job creation. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Past research has established that South Africa has a problem of high unemployment rate. This is accompanied by a low entrepreneurship activity that tends to lag far behind that of other developing countries as measured over the years by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research. Entrepreneurship and small business are well recognised for their role in both economic growth and job creation. This study set out to investigate the informal sector entrepreneurial activity in Emfuleni Local Municipality which has experienced large scale retrenchments over the past decade. A literature survey was conducted to understand the characteristics, successful practices and weaknesses that distinguish the informal sector from the formal sector. The empirical study which was conducted by means of survey questionnaire among the informal sector entrepreneurs indicated that entrepreneurship in the informal sector can provide a form of income for some people that cannot be absorbed in the formal labour market. The findings of the study was that this area of entrepreneurship is dominated by the youth as more than half of the respondents were below the age of 35 years. It was also found that most of the entrepreneurs have never been formally employed which may be problematic when it comes to skills. While most of them recognised the importance of training and skills, they were also positive that they can benefit from training especially in the area of marketing and promoting their product and services. These entrepreneurs however do not seem to be benefiting from government initiatives such as the workshops offered by the local municipality and other assistance offered by the government agencies. The low skills level of most of these entrepreneurs may also hinder their ability to grow their businesses beyond the one–man operations. It is recommended therefore that the organisations such as the National Youth Development Agency double their efforts in helping the youth to become successful small business owners. The government agencies, particularly those targeting the youth should make a conceited effort to provide training in particular to these people if they are to make a lasting impact on job creation. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This paper portrays the effect of the Irish income tax system on entrepreneurial activity in the country. The purpose of the report was to determine whether tax progressivity has a negative effect on entrepreneurial activity. In addition, the paper aims to determine whether the elevated progressivity of the Irish tax system is hampering the performance of start-up companies. In order to do this, an extensive literature review led to arguing for the over-progressivity of the Irish income tax system, which allowed to develop a hypothesis. This hypothesis was then tested through a quantitative study which aimed to analyse the influence of income tax progressivity on entrepreneurial activity. The study was based on data from fifteen European countries, and the findings displayed a negative relationship between tax progressivity and entrepreneurial activity. Finally, the study addresses the common concern of excessive taxation among Irish entrepreneurs.