The concept of strategic entrepreneurship has received increased attention over the past ten years. Viewed as the intersection of entrepreneurship and strategy, this field of research is populated by conceptual studies which focus mainly on the nature and perceived benefits of strategic entrepreneurship. Similarly, the study of entrepreneurship in a public sector context has gained increasing support in recent years, but also remains underexplored. To address these gaps, this thesis considers: What are the underlying elements and financial implications of strategic entrepreneurship in New Zealand’s state-owned enterprises [SOEs]? New Zealand’s SOE sector, comprising 17 government-owned, commercially focused organisations, is considered to be a prime subject for this research. Well known for their implementation of new public management [NPM], many New Zealand SOEs have also been publicly recognised as both innovative and entrepreneurial. The research question is addressed by first developing a preliminary framework of strategic entrepreneurship from literature on entrepreneurship and strategy. This framework is then examined in the context of case studies on activity which is entrepreneurial and/or strategic within 12 of the 17 SOEs operating in New Zealand as at 2006. Transcripts from a series of interviews, and publicly available documents are analysed thematically. SOEs’ financial statements over a five year period are also analysed. The thesis contributes in two broad areas. First, much-needed empirical support is lent to the concept of strategic entrepreneurship. Key elements of strategic entrepreneurship identified include opportunity identification, innovation, acceptance of risk, flexibility, vision, growth, and leveraging from core skills and resources such that existing knowledge and skills are transferred and applied to create new products, services, and markets. Important supporting elements identified include an open, flexible, and progressive culture, operational excellence, and cost minimisation. The nature of each of these elements is also investigated. A detailed understanding of the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and wealth creation reveals various internal and external factors which may influence the nature and strength of the relationship. These factors include changes within the organisation, as well as changes in the economic and political environment, and are important influences on the resulting returns realised. Second, this thesis offers valuable evidence in support of emerging change in the public sector towards the adoption of strategic entrepreneurship. Support for the value of NPM is provided, with clear evidence of financial returns from New Zealand’s SOE sector. Further, a key finding is the structured and systematic approach to entrepreneurial activity within the context of NPM in several New Zealand SOEs. Such behaviour is referred to in this thesis as new public entrepreneurship. This form of activity offers the potential for competitive advantage and financial gain traditionally associated with entrepreneurial activity, but also limits the respective risks through its structured, systematic approach.

The concept of strategic entrepreneurship has received increased attention over the past ten years. Viewed as the intersection of entrepreneurship and strategy, this field of research is populated by conceptual studies which focus mainly on the nature and perceived benefits of strategic entrepreneurship. Similarly, the study of entrepreneurship in a public sector context has gained increasing support in recent years, but also remains underexplored. To address these gaps, this thesis considers: What are the underlying elements and financial implications of strategic entrepreneurship in New Zealand’s state-owned enterprises [SOEs]? New Zealand’s SOE sector, comprising 17 government-owned, commercially focused organisations, is considered to be a prime subject for this research. Well known for their implementation of new public management [NPM], many New Zealand SOEs have also been publicly recognised as both innovative and entrepreneurial. The research question is addressed by first developing a preliminary framework of strategic entrepreneurship from literature on entrepreneurship and strategy. This framework is then examined in the context of case studies on activity which is entrepreneurial and/or strategic within 12 of the 17 SOEs operating in New Zealand as at 2006. Transcripts from a series of interviews, and publicly available documents are analysed thematically. SOEs’ financial statements over a five year period are also analysed. The thesis contributes in two broad areas. First, much-needed empirical support is lent to the concept of strategic entrepreneurship. Key elements of strategic entrepreneurship identified include opportunity identification, innovation, acceptance of risk, flexibility, vision, growth, and leveraging from core skills and resources such that existing knowledge and skills are transferred and applied to create new products, services, and markets. Important supporting elements identified include an open, flexible, and progressive culture, operational excellence, and cost minimisation. The nature of each of these elements is also investigated. A detailed understanding of the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and wealth creation reveals various internal and external factors which may influence the nature and strength of the relationship. These factors include changes within the organisation, as well as changes in the economic and political environment, and are important influences on the resulting returns realised. Second, this thesis offers valuable evidence in support of emerging change in the public sector towards the adoption of strategic entrepreneurship. Support for the value of NPM is provided, with clear evidence of financial returns from New Zealand’s SOE sector. Further, a key finding is the structured and systematic approach to entrepreneurial activity within the context of NPM in several New Zealand SOEs. Such behaviour is referred to in this thesis as new public entrepreneurship. This form of activity offers the potential for competitive advantage and financial gain traditionally associated with entrepreneurial activity, but also limits the respective risks through its structured, systematic approach.

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the relationship between top academic achievement in Grade 12 and certain characteristics of career adaptability. The career construction theory and the counselling model for life designing constituted the theoretical framework for the study. This research study of limited scope was conducted according to an interpretivist metatheoretical paradigm. I followed a qualitative methodological paradigm based on a case study design. Purposive sampling was used to select participants according to their top academic achievement. A very important factor in all case studies is the collection of data from multiple sources. Therefore, data collection methods included the Career Adapt-Abilities Inventory, individual interviews, life line and life story. A deductive style of analysis was used to identify themes (concern, control, curiosity, confidence). Inductive analysis was used to identify subthemes. Based on the findings of the study the salient aspects of career adaptability were established as being concern, control, curiosity and confidence. The importance of career adaptability when negotiating change was demonstrated by participants in their orientation and preparation for the future, making decisions after careful planning and exploration, and seeking information, as well as having confidence in their own ability and choices. Finally the findings of my research study suggest a significant relationship between Grade 12 top academic achievement and certain characteristics of career adaptability. Additionally findings suggest that other variables such as participation in extracurricular activities, gender, race and socioeconomic circumstances should not be excluded and therefore need to be investigated further. Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

The main purpose of this study was to explore the impact of organisational change on the lived experiences of employees’ well-being. A sample of six employees participated in the study. The requisite data was obtained using semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise organisational change and its related constructs, to explore employee well-being and its related constructs, and to understand the impact of organisational change on employees’ well-being in organisational contexts. The specific aims of the empirical study were to explore the impact of organisational change on employee well-being, to provide a basic framework that may assist organisations in managing change initiatives directed at enhancing employee well-being, and to formulate recommendations for possible future research on the impact of organisational change on employee well-being. The findings of this study indicated that the impact of organisational change on employees’ well-being is generally negative owing to the uncertainty of moving from the known to the unknown. All employees are impacted by organisational changes. The findings further indicated that the adverse impacts of organisational change may be moderated by communication, participation in the organisational change process and support. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com (Industrial and Organizational Psychology)

The general aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences of line managers regarding the impact of an employee wellness programme (EWP) on employee wellness and performance at a selected municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. As a purposive sample, ten line managers were selected to participate in the study by means of semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise wellness, employee wellness and employee performance, as well as to explore the impact of EWPs on employee wellness and performance. The specific empirical study aims were to determine line managers’ level of awareness and knowledge of the municipality EWP and its purpose, to explore the challenges faced by line managers within the EWP, to explore if the line managers perceived and experienced the municipality EWP as being beneficial to employee wellness and whether participating in the EWP improved employee performance. Lastly, the aim was to make recommendations for improvement that can assist the municipality in enhancing the impact of the EWP on employee wellness and performance within the industrial psychology discipline, and in particular when it comes to employee wellness. The research findings reveal that line managers were aware of and had knowledge about the existence of the EWP through marketing campaigns, inductions and activities. They also confirmed they had personal engagement experience through participation in the programme. They perceived the main purpose of the EWP as being to support employees in achieving a work-life balance and providing counselling and advisory services. Participants noted certain challenges with regard to participating in the programme, such as fear of being judged, victimised and stigmatised, and a lack of confidentiality and trust, which affects employees’ privacy and security. Also, they doubted wellness officer competence, which included the necessary skills and training for dealing with complex cases. Lastly, gender and cultural beliefs also posed challenges. Line managers found it beneficial to participate in the EWP. It improved employee wellness and performance. Employees developed mechanisms to cope with work, personal and emotional problems. Wellness officer availability, competence and skills were recommended by participants as ways of enhancing the EWP. Involvement of other stakeholders was another recommendation for improvement. This involvement would include wellness champions, organised labour and line managers. Programme managers should consider increasing EWP awareness by improving marketing, while emphasising programme benefits and confidentiality. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com (Industrial and Organizational Psychology)