The venture capital (VC) contract prescribing various deal terms and conditions is considered vitally important to the VC investment process and should provide incentives for the entrepreneur whilst managing the venture capitalists (VCs) financial risk. This aspect of venture capital has not been extensively studied in South Africa especially amongst public sector funding agencies which have become an important source for early-stage VC funding. The objective of this study was to determine whether public sector VC investment terms in South Africa have been effective in supporting entrepreneurs and managing risk. The effectiveness of government‟s VC intervention was gauged through assessing various perceptions of entrepreneurs and public sector VCs on typical deal terms and conditions put in place between them. The perception study focused on 14 terms or provisions in relation to its frequency of use, importance to stakeholders, effectiveness in managing risk, rationale for inclusion and acceptance by entrepreneurs. The research found that VCs and entrepreneurs alike generally agree on the typical terms that should be included in the VC contract. Most of the terms which entrepreneurs considered to be important for the enterprise were also frequently used in VC contracts suggesting that the terms were generally effective in supporting entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, the research points towards a greater need for VCs to use incentivising terms such as the clawback provision in their contracts since the terms most frequently used were perceived to be effective in managing investment risk. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Cette thèse est consacrée à l’étude de l’accompagnement entrepreneurial dans une perspective d’innovation. Elle met en œuvre une recherche empirique au travers de l’association de deux démarches qualitatives et quantitatives, ce qui permet d’explorer la contribution de l’accompagnement dans une perspective d’innovation.Une analyse théorique des principaux concepts dans le domaine de l’innovation et de l’accompagnement entrepreneurial permet de mettre en lumière un cadre conceptuel adapté à l’étude de l’accompagnement en PME dans le but d’innover.Cette recherche se propose d’étudier les pratiques d’accompagnement susceptibles d’avoir un impact sur le succès entrepreneurial des dirigeants pendant la phase de création d’un projet innovant. Pour ce faire, nous avons adopté une démarche qui associe deux approches complémentaires. Une étude qualitative a visé l’exploration des formes et des pratiques d’accompagnement mobilisées dans un processus d’identification et d’exploitation des opportunités entrepreneuriales, ainsi que les perceptions personnelles des dirigeants quant à leur succès. L’étude quantitative a été réalisée auprès de deux cents dirigeants installés dans la région Lorraine, intégrant le dispositif ARDAN (Actions Régionales pour le Développement d'Activités Nouvelles). Nos principaux résultats montrent que le capital humain conditionne le succès des projets innovants, mais ne l’explique pas complétement. Notre recherche a ainsi pu démontrer que le capital social constitue une pratique d’accompagnement pour améliorer les chances de développement des projets innovants. / This thesis is devoted to the study of entrepreneurial support in a perspective of innovation. It implements an empirical research through the combination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, allowing to explore the contribution of the entrepreneurial support from a perspective of innovation.A theoretical analysis of main concepts in the field of innovation and entrepreneurial support, allows to highlight a conceptual framework adapted to study the SMS’s entrepreneurial support in order to innovate.This research aims to study the entrepreneurial support practices which may have an impact on the success of the leader for the creation of an innovative project phase. To do this, we have adopted a process that combines two complementary approaches. A qualitative study, which aimed to explore the forms and practices of support mobilized in a process of identification and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as the personal perceptions of successful leaders. The quantitative study was conducted among two hundred leaders installed in the Lorraine region, including the Regional Actions device for the New Development Activities (ARDAN). Among our key findings, human capital determines the success of innovative projects, but does not fully explain. Our research has also demonstrated that social capital is a practical support to improve the chances of developing innovative projects.

Cette thèse s’inscrit au croisement de l’entrepreneuriat et du management stratégique. Elle contribue à l’émergence d’un nouveau courant qui s’inspire de l’approche écosystémique et qui vise à mieux comprendre le rôle du contexte sur les dynamiques entrepreneuriales. Son objectif est plus précisément une meilleure compréhension des stratégies des incubateurs dans l'écosystème entrepreneurial. Cette recherche s'intéresse également à la relation entre ces stratégies et la performance des incubateurs. La thèse sur travaux s’articule autour de quatre articles et s’appuie sur une méthodologie mixte séquentielle combinant des méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives. Une étude qualitative a été menée auprès de 48 acteurs de l’écosystème de l’accompagnement entrepreneurial du Sud de la France. Cette recherche a été prolongée par une enquête quantitative conduite au niveau national en récoltant 156 questionnaires auprès de directeurs d’incubateurs. La contribution conceptuelle majeure repose sur une théorisation de l’écosystème entrepreneurial à partir de l’approche multi-niveaux et de la théorie du capital social. De plus, elle offre une vision holistique des stratégies des incubateurs en privilégiant une approche en termes de co-opétition. Enfin, elle permet de tester le lien entre l’écosystème, la stratégie et la performance. Nos résultats montrent des effets positifs de la stratégie de co-opétition sur la performance. La mise en œuvre de cette stratégie apparaît comme l’une des conditions pour construire un écosystème entrepreneurial durable. Des implications et recommandations sont formulées et aboutissent notamment à l’élaboration d’un plan d’action stratégique pour les acteurs de l’écosystème entrepreneurial. / This thesis is at the intersection of entrepreneurship and strategic management. It contributes to the emergence of a new theoretical steam inspired by the ecosystem approach and which aims to better understand the role of the context on the entrepreneurial dynamics. Its objective is more precisely a better understanding of incubator strategies in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This research also addresses the relationship between these strategies and the incubators performance. The thesis by publication is structured around four articles and is based on a mixed sequential methodology combining qualitative and quantitative methods. A qualitative study was carried out among 48 actors in the entrepreneurial support ecosystem in the South of France. This research was extended by a quantitative survey conducted at the national level, collecting 156 questionnaires from incubator managers. The major conceptual contribution carries on a theorization of the entrepreneurial ecosystem based on multilevel approach and social capital theory. In addition, it provides a holistic view of incubator strategies by focusing on a co-opetition approach. Finally, it allows to test the link between the ecosystem, the strategy and the performance. Our results show positive effects of the co-opetition strategy on performance. Implementation of this strategy appears to be one of the conditions for building a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Implications and recommendations are formulated, leading in particular to the elaboration of a strategic action plan for the actors of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Les fondements de l’entrepreneuriat placent l’entrepreneur comme l’acteur incontournable du processus entrepreneurial : c’est lui qui impulse la saisie d’opportunités, qui crée et développe une organisation et qui favorise le degré d’innovation dans l’entreprise, pour espérer créer de la valeur (Aldrich, 2005 ; Verstraete & Fayolle, 2005). En raison de la forte diversité de ses champs d’actions, nous avons fait le choix de cibler spécifiquement notre recherche sur la micro-entreprise (MIC) à une période précise du processus de création : la post-naissance. Quelles sont les activités constitutives du rôle de l’entrepreneur et les difficultés qu’il rencontre dans son entreprise ? Pourquoi seulement 4% des entreprises pérennes à 5 ans créent des emplois (Taugourdeau & Verdier, 2013) ? Cette recherche répond à des enjeux socio-économiques tels que : susciter l’esprit d’entreprendre, créer les emplois de demain et accroître le dynamisme du tissu économique (Assises de l’entrepreneuriat, 2013).Le cadre théorique s’appuie sur trois théories qui, par leur complémentarité, offrent une perspective novatrice à cette recherche. A partir d’une approche structurée de la performance globale et durable de l’entreprise, issue de la Théorie Socio-Economique (TSE) (Savall, 1974 ; Savall & Zardet, 1987), nous proposons de construire une Architecture Dysfonctionnelle de la Micro-Entreprise (ADME) qui permet une analyse approfondie de son environnement interne. Par la suite, nous l’expérimentons et mesurons les répercussions financières des dysfonctionnements pour ces MIC. La TSE, par sa méthodologie d’intervention, ambitionne une volonté de changement dans l’entreprise et révèle le besoin de développement de compétences et d’évolution des comportements professionnels (Savall et al., 2015). Ainsi, nous nous rapprochons du champ de la cognition entrepreneuriale, observé à partir de la notion d’ « attitude ». Ces attitudes, accumulées, forment notre conception de la Configuration Stratégique Cognitive de l’Entrepreneur (CSCE), inspirée de la Théorie du Comportement Planifié (TCP) (Ajzen, 1987, 1991), puis élargie à partir du champ de la cognition entrepreneuriale (Grazzini & Boissin, 2013; Mitchell et al., 2002, 2007;Shapero & Sokol, 1982).La CSCE offre un approfondissement sur les structures de croyances à partir desquelles l’entrepreneur prend ses décisions et agit (Grazzini & Boissin, 2013). Elle permet d’expliquer dans quelle mesure l’intervention socio-économique agit sur l’intention de changement, puis, sur le comportement de l’entrepreneur. Par ailleurs, une relation peut se tisser entre la TCP et l’approche par les compétences à partir des attitudes de l’entrepreneur. La théorie de la compétence, adaptée au champ de l’entrepreneuriat (Bird, 1995 ; Chandler & Jansen, 1992 ; Lans et al., 2010 ; Man & Lau, 2000 ; Toutain & Fayolle, 2008), reconnaît le tryptique :connaissance (savoir), pratiques (savoir-faire) et attitudes (savoir-être). La CSCE peut représenter un cadre d’analyse du savoir-être qui approfondit les caractéristiques d’influence d’actions de l’entrepreneur. Enfin, la relation établie avec la TSE est proposée à partir du modèle de coût-valeur des activités (Savall & Zardet, 2008) qui connecte la compétence à une activité. Nous proposons et expérimentons la nomenclature d’activités de l’entrepreneur, représentative des pratiques et savoirs qui lui sont nécessaires, tous intégrés dans trois rôles : entrepreneurial, gestionnaire et technico-fonctionnel (Chandler & Jansen, 1992).La recherche empirique s’est déroulée en deux étapes. La première étape, exploratoire, comprend 43 répondants, acteurs divers de l’entrepreneuriat. La seconde est une recherche-intervention menée auprès de 16 MIC en phase de post-naissance. Ainsi, la problématique centrale de cette recherche est la suivante: Comment instaurer une méthodologie d’accompagnement visant à modifier l’intention de l’entrepreneur quant aux actions qu’il réalise dans son entreprise? / Foundations in entrepreneurship place the entrepreneur as the essential actor in the entrepreneurial process: he is the one who promotes the identification of opportunities, creates and develops an organization and promotes the degree of innovation in the company, hoping to create the value (Aldrich, 2005 ; Verstraete & Fayolle, 2005). Due to the wide diversity of its action fields, we have chosen to specifically target our micro-enterprise research (MIC) at a specific time in the creative process: post-birth. What activities constitute the role of the entrepreneur and the difficulties he encounters in his business? Why only 4% of 5-year-old companies create jobs (Taugourdeau & Verdier, 2013)? This research responds to socio-economic issues such as: fostering the entrepreneurial spirit, creating the jobs of tomorrow and increasing the dynamism of the economic fabric (Assises de l’entrepreneuriat, 2013).The theoretical framework is based on three theories which, by their complementarity, offer an innovative perspective to this research. Based on a structured approach to the overall and sustainable performance of the company, based on Socio-Economic Theory (TSE) (Savall, 1974 ; Savall & Zardet, 1987), we propose to construct a Dysfunctional Architecture Micro-Enterprise (ADME), which allows a thorough analysis of its internal environment. We then experiment and measure the malfunctioning financial implications of these MICs. The TSE, through its intervention methodology, aims at a wish for change in the company and reveals the need for skills development and changes in professional behavior (Savall et al., 2015). Thus, we approach the field of entrepreneurial cognition, observed from the notion of "attitude". The set of different kinds of attitudes can form our conception of the Cognitive Strategic Configuration of the Entrepreneur (CSCE), inspired by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TCP) (Ajzen, 1987, 1991) and then expanded from the field of entrepreneurial cognition (Grazzini & Boissin, 2013 ; Mitchell et al., 2002, 2007 ; Shapero & Sokol, 1982). The CSCE offers a deeper insight into the belief structures from which the entrepreneur takes decisions and acts (Grazzini & Boissin, 2013). It explains the extent to which socio-economic intervention influences the intention of change and then the entrepreneur behavior. In addition, a relationship can be forged between the TCP and the competency approach based on the entrepreneur's attitudes. The theory of competence, adapted to the field of entrepreneurship (Bird, 1995 ; Chandler & Jansen 1992;Lans et al., 2010;Man & Lau 2000 ; Toutain & Fayolle, 2008) recognizes the tripod: knowledge, practices (know-how) and attitudes. The CSCE can represent a know-how analysis framework that deepens the characteristics that can influence the entrepreneurial actions. Finally, the relation established with the TSE is proposed on the basis of the cost-value activities model (Savall & Zardet, 2008) which connects competence to an activity. We propose and experiment the entrepreneurial activities nomenclature, representative of the practices and knowledge which are necessary for the entrepreneurial process, all integrated into three roles: entrepreneurial, managerial and technical-functional (Chandler & Jansen, 1992).Empirical research was conducted in two stages. The first stage, exploratory, comprises 43 people interviewed, different actors of entrepreneurship. The second is an intervention–research with 16 MICs in the post-birth phase. Thus, the research central problem was: How to implement a methodology of accompanying to modify the intention of the entrepreneur with the actions that he carry out in the company?

Les scènes publiques et académiques internationales portent une attention croissante à l’entrepreneuriat des femmes (Hughes et al., 2012) ainsi qu’aux pratiques et acteurs de l’accompagnement (Fayolle, 2004 ; Sammut, 2003). Cependant, peu d’études s’intéressent à l’accompagnement entrepreneurial des femmes entrepreneures (Lebègue, 2015), bien que ces dernières présentent des spécificités et que des auteurs appellent à une plus grande mise en cohérence de l’accompagnement et des besoins et singularités des entrepreneurs (Verstraete,2002 ; Chabaud et al., 2010). De plus, les études portant sur les femmes entrepreneures se centrent principalement sur les obstacles rencontrés, et peu sur les leviers existants. À l’aide d’une recherche qualitative, nos résultats proposent, dans un premier temps, un diagnostic des freins et leviers à l’entrepreneuriat des femmes à travers le canevas des 5Ms de l’entrepreneuriat des femmes (Brush et al., 2009). L’accompagnement, la sensibilisation et l’auto-efficacité entrepreneuriale perçue (Bandura, 1997 ; McGee et al., 2009) en sont des leviers majeurs. Ensuite, nous étudions les phases de mise en oeuvre et d’évaluation de la recherche intervention menée au sein d’un centre entrepreneurial. Notre contribution porte sur la mise au jour de trois formes de sensibilisation ainsi que trois modes d’accompagnement favorisant l’engagement entrepreneurial des femmes – l’un de ces modes s’adaptant à quatre profils différenciés de femmes entrepreneures. / A growing interest is given to women entrepreneurs in the public and academic arena. (Hughes et al., 2012), as well as to the actors and practices of the entrepreneurial support industry (Fayolle, 2004; Sammut, 2003). However, few studies are conducted on the entrepreneurial support of women entrepreneurs (Lebègue, 2015). Women entrepreneurs show some specificities and academics call for a greater coherence between the needs and wants of entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial support practices (Verstraete, 2002; Chabaud et al., 2010). Moreover, the studies on women entrepreneurs are centered on their hurdles more than on their levers. Thanks to a qualitative approach, our results first show the hurdles of levers of women entrepreneurs through the 5Ms canvas of women’s entrepreneurship (Brush et al., 2009). The main levers appear to be entrepreneurial support and awareness, and perceived self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997; McGee et al., 2009). Then, our results concern the implementation and evaluation phases of the intervention-research led in an entrepreneurship center. Our contribution is to give an insight on different entrepreneurial support processes – one of them is compatible with the four profiles of women entrepreneurs. We also highlight different forms of entrepreneurial awareness that further entrepreneurial commitment of women.

The aim of this master thesis is to evaluate entrepreneurial environment in the Czech Republic and France, define its strengths and weaknesses and suggest possible improvements. The thesis offers a comprehensive look at the key entrepreneurial aspects from the perspective of small and medium entrepreneurs. The thesis describes and analyses tax issues, social security scheme, entrepreneurial support, legal forms of business entities and administrative burden of entrepreneurs. The thesis also comprises SWOT analysis of entrepreneurial environment of both compared countries. The thesis includes a practical part (apart from the theoretical part) which concerns an evaluation of a survey by questionnaire conducted among Czech small and medium entrepreneurs. The final part of thesis does not lack author's point of view on the described issues.

Entrepreneurship is frequently linked together with aspects of economic growth and development. In the last 40 years, an increasing number of incubators and service providers have been created to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation. However, in the increasingly globalized and digitalized world, few virtual and digital initiatives have successfully been studied to encourage and facilitate entrepreneurship. This study aims to understand further how digital and virtual products and services can aid entrepreneurs in venture creation and potentially add to an updated and broader understanding of the potential in a virtual incubator program. By looking at three categories of entrepreneurial support actors, traditional public incubators, private incubators, and digital service providers. 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain more in-depth knowledge of how they operate. More specifically, this study is conducted with actors that share the vision to assist startup in their initial phase and create a deeper understanding of what the incubator offers to startups and the possibility to adapt and improve their process using digital tools and external partnerships. Results indicate that the use of digital tools is varied. Incubators are leaning towards relying more on social media for reaching potential entrepreneurs and ideas, and further that a factor of validating every aspect of the startup is essential to promote success. The incubator mainly acts as a mediator of network, funding, coaching, and finding talents has during the COVID-19 pandemic moved most of their activities from physical to online. The issue of trust-building is, however, still prominent, and the incubators are looking for ways and tools to improve on this issue. Implications of this study have the potential to lower barriers to entrepreneurship, where entrepreneurial support becomes less dependent on their local ecosystem and geographical factors. Future research is encouraged to classify virtual incubators and a further look at specific cases and pursuit more longitudinal studies to fully understand the potential effects and implications. This study contributes to the field of incubators and entrepreneurial support and the ongoing digital paradigm shift.

Dans cette thèse, nous identifions les déterminants de la survie des nouvelles entreprises créées par les jeunes diplômés de l'enseignement supérieur, bénéficiant de prêts bancaires à taux bonifié. Un accent est mis sur l’impact des politiques d’aides publiques. Les données sont issues d’une enquête réalisée en 2013, sous la tutelle de l’Université de Sfax, sur une cohorte de 160 entreprises créées entre le 01/01/2008 et 31/12/2008, soit cinq ans après la création. Le taux de réponse était de 81,25%. Après avoir évoqué la problématique de survie de la petite entreprise nouvellement créée, nous recourons aux modèles de durée, et plus précisément au modèle semi-paramétrique de Cox (1972). L’analyse conduit à mettre en lumière qu’un entrepreneur voit son entreprise plus pérenne, lorsqu’il s’agit d’un homme étudiant qui s’est lancé dans les affaires l’année de l’obtention de son diplôme, ayant un entourage entrepreneurial qui stimule chez lui le goût d’entreprendre et d’indépendance. L’amélioration de la survie découle de la similitude entre l’activité préalable de l’entrepreneur et l’activité de son entreprise, et la détention d’un capital initial de démarrage qui dépasse les 30.000 DT. Les aides octroyées par l’Etat aux nouveaux promoteurs (subvention d’investissement, bourse d’accompagnement, allégement des charges sociales et patronales) ne contribuent pas à diminuer le risque de l’échec entrepreneurial, à l’exception de la prise en charge par l’Etat d’une partie des salaires. Par contre une entreprise bénéficiant d’une formation entrepreneuriale et d’un accompagnement post-création, voit sa probabilité de survie s’accroître. / In this dissertation we identify the determinants of the longevity and the probability of survival of small businesses created by young graduates benefiting from bank loans at enhanced rates. The focus is on the policy impact of public support for the creation of companies. The data are based on a survey conducted in 2013 under the tutelage of the University of Sfax (Tunisia) of a cohort of 160 companies five years after they were first formed. The response rate was 81.25%. After discussing the issue of the survival of newly-established companies and the factors that promote their survival, we use duration models specifically the Cox model (1972). This analysis allows us to shed light on a business is more likely to survive if the entrepreneur is a male who started his business within a year of graduating and comes from an entrepreneurial background, stimulating his entrepreneurial spirit. The improved longevity of small companies ensues from the similarity between the entrepreneur’s previous occupation and the activity of his own company, and from the initial start-up capital if it exceeds 30.000 DT. Aid granted by the State for new promoters (investment subsidy, grant, and reduction in social security contributions) does not help reduce the risk of entrepreneurial failure with the exception of State aid to support a portion of employees’ wages. On the other hand, a company benefiting from entrepreneurial training before creation and from support post-creation sees its probability of survival rise.

We see an increasing need for more entrepreneurs to match the changing nature of the globe in this dynamic world. In 2012, the Swedish government considered entrepreneurship to be a theme running throughout the entire educational system. The university is one place to develop the entrepreneurial spirit, especially among students. Universities play a very important role in enhancing national development because of their central role in the production of high-level manpower and research that are necessary for achieving national goals. Through research, universities generate new knowledge and understanding that are instrumental for developing new technology and promoting information transfer. Most international students experience three levels of shock: culture shock, language shock and academic shock. Sohrabpour et al. (2013) defined these shocks as a disease suffered by those who enter a new cultural environment. In this paper, we discussed the role that the university plays in supporting international students to develop entrepreneurial ideas and become established at Linnea University in Växjö. We believed that if being an international student poses challenges, launching an entrepreneurial venture is sure to have even more complex constraints that will potentially kill their entrepreneurial spirit. Thus, we examined the support facilities that are available to help international students start their entrepreneurial ventures and how they are experiencing these facilities at universities. We took Linnea University in Växjö as a case study.

Owing to the fact that entrepreneurship is widely considered to be a mechanism for reducing unemployment, the purpose of the study was to assess whether final-year Commerce students in the predominantly rural provinces, the Eastern Cape Province and the Limpopo Province, have the intention to start their own businesses.The study draws heavily from entrepreneurial intent models and focuses on the relationship between three key variables, namely, exposure to entrepreneurship education, awareness of entrepreneurial support and social capital to establish whether they are related to the intention of final-year Commerce studentsto start their own businesses. The literature review concentrated on entrepreneurial intent and entrepreneurial intent models; government entrepreneurial support initiatives in South Africa and in other countries and their role in the development of entrepreneurial intent, emergence of new ventures and the growth of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs); entrepreneurship education and its role in enhancing entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial competencies and entrepreneurial intent;the influence of social capital on entrepreneurial intent and the different stages on the new venture life-cycle; and concludes with the link between entrepreneurship and the establishment of SMMEs. A survey was conducted among National Diploma (ND): Internal Auditing, Cost and Management Accounting and Financial information systems students (IAUD, CMA and FIS) (who had six months exposure to entrepreneurship education), ND: Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management (E/SBM) (who had three years exposure to entrepreneurship education) and ND: Management (without exposure to entrepreneurship education). The respondents for the study comprised 355 final year students of which 276 were from Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape Province and 79 were from Tshwane University of Technology (Polokwane Campus) in the LimpopoProvince.Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric statistics. The findings reveal that the majority of the respondents had the intention to start a business in the future.The entrepreneurial intent of the ND: E/SBM students was v stronger than the entrepreneurial intent of the ND: IAUD, CMA and FIS students and ND: Management students. Some significant relationships were found between entrepreneurial intent and the key variables of the study. / Business Management / D.Com. (Business Management)