Thesis (M. Com. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of the financial bootstrapping strategies used by rural based small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The study was guided by the following objectives, (1) To investigate the financial bootstrapping strategies used by rural entrepreneurs, (2) To examine the effect of the education of the owners on the financial bootstrapping strategies used by rural entrepreneurs, (3) To determine the effect of the age of the owners on the financial bootstrapping strategies used by rural entrepreneurs and (4) To investigate the effect of the gender of the owners on the financial bootstrapping strategies used by rural entrepreneurs. The research followed a quantitative research method with a descriptive research design. A sample of 104 rural SMMEs participated in the survey. Data was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaires in a survey. The participants in the study were rural SMME owners in Fetakgomo Municipality in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The study utilised the convenience and snowball sampling techniques to obtain data from the respondents. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis, T-test and regression analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure reliability. The results indicated that rural SMMEs have a low usage and adoption rate of bootstrapping finance. The research also found that rural SMMEs mainly utilised owner’s finance as the primary bootstrapping method. The results of the T-test showed significant differences between gender and bootstrapping methods as well as between the level of education and the bootstrapping methods used by rural SMMEs. However, there was no significant difference between age of the owners and bootstrapping methods used by rural SMMEs. Recommendations were ii proposed for the government to create an enabling environment for rural SMEs by embarking on a variety of strategies to raise awareness on the importance of bootstrapping finance. Rural SMME owners were recommended to enrol for a certificate course in financial management to sharpen their skills. Keywords: entrepreneurs’ characteristics, financial bootstrapping, rural area, SMMEs, South Africa.

This thesis aims to explore how trust, communication and innovation is potentially interconnected in the context of e-entrepreneurial startups. Trust seems to be an important component to success, but the virtual environment makes the traditional formation of trust difficult. An inductive strategy using qualitative interviews was employed to explore this relatively under researched subject. The findings indicate the most important aspects of trust in this context. Further, the findings imply that some of the constructs for trust present in virtual and temporary teams are also present in this context. Furthermore, there seems to be connections between communication and trust in a startup, both ways. The same seems true for the aspects of the firm's innovation capabilities and trust. Finally, theoretical implications of this research are presented and several interesting topics for future research are suggested. / Denna uppsats ämnar utforska den potentiella relationen mellan tillit, kommunikation och innovation i kontexten av e-entreprenöriella start-ups. Tillit verkar vara en viktig del för att nå framgång, men den virtuella kontexten gör en traditionell tillitsutveckling svår. En induktiv strategi med kvalitativa intervjuer användes för att utforska detta, som är ett relativt underforskat ämne. Resultaten antyder på de viktigaste elementen av tillit i denna kontext. Vidare pekar även studien på att vissa av de konstruktioner för tillit som återfinns i virtuella och tillfälliga teams även återfinns i denna kontext. Det tycks även finnas en tvåvägs koppling mellan kommunikation och tillit samt för beståndsdelarna av innovation capabilities och tillit. Slutligen presenteras implikationer för det teoretiska fältet och flera intressanta ämnen för framtida forskning föreslås.

En la actualidad, bajo la coyuntura actual que vivimos a causa de la pandemia COVID-19, el uso de servicios freelance por parte de personas naturales y por los distintos emprendimientos se ha incrementado, debido a que el mundo se ha digitalizado y existe un importante potencial de crecimiento en los servicio digitales, sobre todo para potenciar perfiles empresariales en redes sociales o para fines personales. Considerando ello, nuestro proyecto se basa en la creación de una plataforma web con presencia en redes sociales que desempeñará el rol de nexo entre freelancers y usuarios, que requieran de sus servicios digitales, enfocándonos en el público ubicado en Lima Metropolitana. El objetivo principal de esta plataforma es que ambos segmentos vivan una experiencia agradable, rápida, eficiente y segura, que satisfaga sus necesidades en el canal digital; con la visión de impulsar la generación de ingresos, de manera sostenible y formal. Para la sustentación de este proyecto se desarrollaron diversos experimentos que permitieron validar la existencia de la necesidad detectada, las posibles soluciones y el plan que se armó para las cuatro semanas de concierge del proyecto. Los resultados que obtuvimos de los experimentos, nos llevaron a comprender la importancia de validar el segmento de socios clave y el canal de atención y comunicación con nuestros clientes; así como validar las intenciones de compra y las ventas realizadas. Descritas las líneas anteriores, colocamos a disposición de los lectores el presente trabajo de investigación para que sirva como guía para futuros proyectos e ideas de negocio, que resulten sostenibles en el tiempo, siguiendo un espíritu innovador en cada etapa. / The present research work consists of the development of a web platform that connects freelancers with users, the purpose is to see the feasibility of digitizing this industry from new tactics and tools of connection between these users. The objective of this platform is to seek to offer a fast and efficient experience, which allows you to meet your needs as individuals. With the vision of facilitating income generation in the wake of this pandemic, in a sustainable and formal way. To support this project, several experiments were developed to validate the existence of a common need or problem and a business model that provides an immediate solution. The results of these concierges will provide to ascertain the hypothesis of the strategies on which this project is based. In the last part of the document, you will be able to appreciate the financing plan of the business structure, as well as the development of an integrated marketing plan, social responsibility purposes and a financial analysis that determines and estimates the degree of success of the project. Finally, for the development of each part of the support of the project, internal and external change factors that may significantly affect the company were taken into account, such as political uncertainty and the global crisis due to COVID-19. To this end, applicable strategies are developed for each scenario as part of a contingency plan, as well as various proposals that directly or indirectly influence key processes for the project, which allows to know the level of acceptance of the business idea. / Tesis

The thesis is focused on project financing in the non-profit sphere. The paper deals with the financing of the project by spending irreversibly financial contribution from European Union funds. The sponsor of this ride is the town of Piešťany. The goal of this project is the realization of building a business incubator.

La mise à l’agenda politique des questions environnementales connait depuis les années70 un dynamisme sans précédent dans les pays européens. Cette tendance s’est exprimée par l’offre de politiques environnementales de la part des partis politiques lors des campagnes électorales, et la mise en place de plans de finances publiques dédiés à la protection de l’environnement lors des mandats politiques. Au travers de cinq essais s’inscrivant dans l’économie politique de l’École des choix publics, cette thèse s’attache à déterminer si les hommes politiques ont agi de sorte à maximiser leur intérêt personnel ou au contraire à servir le bien-être collectif. Le premier chapitre interroge l’insertion des questions environnementales au sein de la diversité des idéologies politiques des grands partis français tandis que le chapitre 2 analyse les déterminants de l’offre environnementale dans les programmes des partis politiques en Europe depuis 1970. Les chapitres 3 et 4 mobilisent les données de finance publique environnementale des pays européens depuis 1995 et analysent successivement la programmatique de l’offre environnementale et l’impact des règles électorales sur le niveau de dépense publique à l’échelle du budget central et du budget global des États. Le chapitre 5 oppose successivement l’entrepreneuriat politique à l’entrepreneuriat associatif et l’entrepreneuriat de marché comme solution efficace aux problèmes environnementaux. / In the 70s, European countries have started seeing a significant politicization of environmental issues. This trend was expressed by political parties through a platform of environmental public policies during political campaigns, as well as the setting of environmental budgets by the presidents during their terms of office. By means of five essays falling into the scope of the Public Choice School of Thought, this thesis aims at determining whether politicians’ behavior have been motivated by self-interest or rather by global well-being satisfaction.The first chapter examines how environmental issues have integrated the spectrum of French political parties of all ideologies whereas the second chapter analyses the determinants of an environmental offer and this within the European political parties since 1970. Chapter 3 and 4 focus on environmental public spending done dy European countries since 1995, and analyze the application of the environmental political pledges and the impact of the electoral rules inplace on environmental public spending at both, the central budget scale and the total budget scale of states. Chapter 5 compares political entrepreneurship to associative entrepreneurship and market entrepreneurship to determine the most efficient way of solving environmental issues.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Statistics from European region and sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, indicate that the construction industry is distinctly dominated by males and that women representation is very low. Literature indicates that gender-based discrimination, harsh work environment, insufficient knowledge about the construction industry and the shortage of women who are successful in construction are some of the barriers that discourage women from entering the industry. Therefore, this study focussed on the examination of the factors that contribute to the sustainability, or lack there-of women who are already in the construction industry. This study sought to find out how the women entrepreneurs who are in the industry of construction sustain themselves regardless of the many challenges they face. The study applied qualitative design and used of an interview guide as a tool for collecting data in semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs in the Capricorn district of Limpopo Province. Data was analysed using the thematic content analysis method. The discovery was that women entrepreneurs tend to give away tenders to male counterparts in order for them to do the actual work. The giving away of contracts in turn builds the experience of their male counterparts and their businesses which contributes to the women not being able to have confidence and be sustainable in the construction industry. Women entrepreneurs who managed to sustain themselves in the industry for longer periods attribute their sustainability on hiring the right people with the right skills and qualifications. These women entrepreneurs recommend that support programmes should be made available and accessible to women in the industry as well as those who are entering so that they do not fall into the trap of giving away or surrendering contracts. This study recommends that new women entrants into the industry should be mentored by women entrepreneurs who are actually doing the job to ensure their sustainability in the industry. It also recommends that the existing structures be more visible and to strengthen their support of these women.

Paper title: Transition towards entrepreneurship Purpose: This paper explores and creates understanding regarding the identity transition of West Africa immigrants towards entrepreneurship. Methodology: This study applied a qualitative research method that was exploratory and descriptive in nature. Primary and secondary data were collected and used as sources of information. Primary data were obtained through multiple in-depth interviews strategy; the interviews were designed in a semi-structured format. In total, seven African immigrant entrepreneurs were respondents in this study. Secondary data utilized in this study comprised of information obtained via scientific materials and organizational websites. A convenience sampling method was determined as the appropriate method for selection of entrepreneurs’ sample that was utilized in this study. Key findings: This study found immigrant entrepreneurs to have a tendency to expose themselves to new practices and knowledge within their new environments. West Africa immigrants’ entrepreneurs are tenacious about valuable information in their new environment, they have a tendency to integrate new information to align with their previous work experiences. In the quest for channels to test business ideas acquired or perceived, immigrant entrepreneurs often try out their new ideas on a smaller scale. This study uncovered that a successful trial process tends to persuade immigrants towards entrepreneurship once an opportunity is well established. Immigrant entrepreneurs construct latent attitudes regarding potential new business prospects in order to solidify an entrepreneurial identity. Implication for practice: This study challenges the assertion made in past literatures which expressly concluded that people considered entrepreneurship as a highly professionalized occupation and stated that only few percentage of persons devotedly take the necessary steps to start a business. This study rejects the above argument by offering guidelines to anyone who may have entrepreneurial ideas or objectives but hesitates to make the identity change that is substantial to help create a transition.  Furthermore, revelations in this research showed that setting up a new business venture from scratch is conceivable, this study highlighted some extensive development processes that are essential in generating entrepreneurial identity.  Future research direction: Adequate attention and recognition have not been awarded to West African entrepreneurs in western society, and as well as in previous academic research. In western societies, people still view West African entrepreneurs as second-hand business minded traders. Hence, this study encourages upcoming academia to explore and create emphasis regarding the impact businesses owned by West Africa immigrants’ entrepreneurs produce in our today’s society. In conjunction to the above suggestion, it should be important to highlight useful channels through which our society (especially non-migrants) can support in encouraging and empowering various immigrant entrepreneurs towards growing their businesses in their various communities.

Small businesses struggle to survive for longer than 5 years because owners lack knowledge of strategies to sustain financial capital. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies small business owners used to maintain financial capital to ensure survivability for longer than 5 years. The sample included 3 successful service- related small business owners located in the southeastern United States. Systems theory and the theory of entrepreneurship provided the conceptual framework for the study. Data collection involved face-to-face, semistructured interviews and a review of company websites and organizational documents. Member checking enhanced the credibility of the findings. Themes included personal preparation, customer services, and sustaining strategies. Findings may contribute to entrepreneurs' and small business owners' knowledge of financial strategies to sustain their businesses for longer than 5 years, which may benefit the overall wealth of the community by increasing employment opportunities, economic growth, and financial stability. Implications for positive social change include providing operation survival practices for new small business owners, business preparation skills, developing and maintaining internal and external customer service relations, and sustaining accessible financial capital.

Brazilians create an average of 1.2 million new registered enterprises annually, but some struggle to keep their business in operation. Thirty percent of the new ventures are unable to survive the first year, and 58% go out of business after the first 5 years. The goal of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of Brazilian women entrepreneurs concerning the strategies needed to build sustainable business organizations in Brazil. The individual concepts of sustainable development, sustainability, business strategies, and business models served as the theoretical foundations for the study. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with 20 women entrepreneurs engaged in a range of sustainable or green businesses in Brazil. Moustakas' modified van Kaam analysis method was used to analyze the data. Major themes identified were sustainability trends, health concern solutions, environmental and social distress solutions, cooperatives, and institutional support. Results are significant to all small business communities and entrepreneurs of Brazil because of the high rate of business failures and the need for sustainable business practices. Findings indicated that implementing value-added business strategies through sustainability may increase the likelihood of continued business financial capability. The implications for positive social change are the potential benefits to small business entrepreneurs in the developing world. By learning and implementing the economic, social, and environmental principles of sustainability, entrepreneurs could increase revenue from improved business practices and extend the life of their companies.

Small businesses owned by military veterans represent a source of new jobs, yet more than half of these businesses fail to survive beyond 5 years. These failures could lead to efforts to identify strategies that owners can use to avoid failure. The conceptual framework applied in this case study was the triple-loop learning theory. The purposive sampling included 7 military veterans who were small business owners who had sustained their small businesses more than 5 years. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and organization documents. Yin's 5-step process for data analysis compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding resulted in 4 emergent themes: networking to build the business, mentoring and informal education for ongoing education, identifying gaps of competitors, and maintaining low overhead and operating costs. Military veteran business owners engaged in networking, which led to growth, sustainability, and building relationships. The key concepts discussed by all 7 participants formed the basis of entrepreneurial learning. The results of this study could benefit industry by increasing an income that affords sustainability to the military veteran business owner. Such owners could apply strategies to reduce small business failures and thus contribute to the stable employment of owners and employees. This study could contribute to social change by improving the standard of living in veteran communities as well as improving local and state economies.