x, 85 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / After years of formalized international development efforts, the world continues to face significant problems. Humanity's greatest challenges - poverty, hunger, disease, and environmental degradation - remain prevalent and in some cases have even worsened. One reason the world's social problems are so resistant is an ideological failure to conceptualize a more inclusive economic order, one that values economic progress along with social justice. In light of this failure, innovative business models have emerged that create transformational change by integrating social value and economic profit, often referred to as social entrepreneurship. By questioning the structural and ideological boundaries that limit the relationship between the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, this thesis argues for social entrepreneurship as a viable means to overcome the predominant belief that economic and social progress are mutually exclusive goals. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Anita M. Weiss, Chair; Professor Renee Irvin; Professor Shanka Chakraborty

This thesis entitled ‘Assessing antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurial activities of academics at South African universities’ investigates whether aspects related to the human, physical and organisational capital resources of academics influence their engagement in consulting, sponsored research, licensing/assignment of intellectual property and the spin-off creation with industry, government and civil society. It also examines the way in which the entrepreneurial activities of academics impact on their research and teaching outcome parameters. The research study provides scholars investigating academic entrepreneurship, policy makers and university administrators with the key resource drivers of entrepreneurial action. This knowledge may, in turn, assist them in establishing the appropriate role of institutions and organisations in promoting the entrepreneurial activities of academics. / Thesis (PhD) University of Pretoria, 2016. / Business Management / Unrestricted

The research aims to establish what role non-traditional business school programmes play in fostering social entrepreneurial networks. The research highlights what role AMBA-accredited business schools play in fostering social entrepreneurial networks through the use of their non-traditional business school programmes. Central to any discussion on social entrepreneurship are the questions of who should and who can take responsibility for the needs of civil society (Roper and Cheney, 2005). Indeed, ideologically based questions emerge regarding the continuance and health of a civil society that is necessarily distinct from either the political or economic sector (Roper and Cheney, 2005). The importance of this research lies in the fact that it will highlight the current shortcomings of non-traditional business school programmes of AMBA-accredited business schools in South Africa, as well as the positive role that these business schools play in fostering social entrepreneurial networks. According to the results of this study, non-traditional business school products do foster social entrepreneurial networks; however it seems that these networks are not producing the results that are needed to solve the social needs of South Africa. The main finding of this research is the fact that individuals and organisations donate rather than getting actively involved in social entrepreneurial ventures. This results in social entrepreneurial ventures being reliant on donor funds rather than being self sufficient. This study relies heavily on literature from traditional entrepreneurship and could perform as a foundation for future studies on social entrepreneurship and the networks it consists of. As was pointed out by most of the expert interviews, the more research that is done in South Africa, the better the results on the economic and social fronts could be. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Purpose - This study investigates the nature of Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) in the Liquor industry in South Africa. This industry finds itself in turbulent trading conditions and all liquor segments compete for the same share of throat with a situation where competitiveness is increasing within a “free trade” climate. Corporate Entrepreneurship serves as an unconditional solution in this regard. This study defines CE in broad as entrepreneurship within the boundaries of organisational context. It implies the application of the principles of innovation coupled with entrepreneurial traits and orientation. Methodology – The research design embraces firstly a secondary assessment of the research evidence available in the sub-science, Corporate Entrepreneurship and secondly an empirical investigation based on quantitative assessment measures. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) was used as the data collection tool whereby the organisations identified areas where management and in particular middle management can make noteworthy impact by developing strategies that can create, increase or sustain endeavours toward Corporate Entrepreneurship. Results – It was found that management support is the underlying factor that initiates and drives entrepreneurship. The results presented a trend that showed an increase in length of tenure with an organisation and the liquor industry in particular. The availability of time plays a very important role initiating entrepreneurial actions from within an organisation. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

One of the main challenges in driving business development in developing countries is the lack of information for policy decision-making. The aim of this report is provide an analysis of the differences between survivalist and micro/very small enterprises using the Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) constructs, which are considered critical for business growth. The research also aims to validate findings of previous research into age and levels of education being a determining factor for business venture success. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 45 SMMEs. Parametric and non-parametric statistics were used to test for significant differences between means of the two SMME groups. The results revealed that competitive aggressiveness, which is positively associated with innovation and autonomy to be significantly different between the two SMME groups. The conclusion is that overall there is no significant difference in the level of EO between the two groups, but previous research has indicated that the interaction between the EO constructs are not yet fully understood. The research findings also did not support age being a factor in successful new venture formation, and but highlighted significant differences in levels of education between micro/ very small enterprises, in contrast with recent findings. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

New business creation is fundamental to the growth of the South African economy and to our future socio-political stability. Access to equity funding education and experience are key elements in successful venture creation. South Africa needs a growing pool of potential black entrepreneurs who have the motivation and ability to identify and to realise new business opportunities. South Africa, as is it true for most developing countries, there is a huge shortage of entrepreneurs. This is especially true for black entrepreneurs in the formal sector. The purpose of this explorative research study aimed at diagnosing and seeking new ideas in our quest to get a better understand of equity funding options available to black corporate professionals transitioning to start new entrepreneurial ventures. For this purpose fifteen black entrepreneurs were interviewed in face-to-face personal interview, using an open ended and semistructured incorporated in an interview guide schedule. The data was analysed using content analysis methodology; grounded theory method was preferred and was used to collect and analyse the data. Key Insights were drawn from the study that was used to develop new ideas that were incorporated into the recommendations to three key stakeholders. Mostly important there were few opportunities that were identified for future research. Overall this research study succeeded in what it intended to prove. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Excessive levels of unemployment exist in many South African communities (www.statssa.gov.za) alongside low levels of entrepreneurial behaviour (GEM Report, 2006). This is true even when South African figures are compared to figures from similar developing countries (GEM Report, 2006; Urban, 2006). This thesis looks for reasons why this situation exists and examines possible solutions by considering the motivation to create new ventures alongside contemporary theories of work motivation. It considers those theories in light of the known depressing effects that unemployment has on an individual (Darity et al, 1996; Feather, 1992; McKee-Ryan et al, 2005; Rodriguez, 1997; Shamir, 1986; Vansteenkiste et al, 2004; Vansteenkiste et al, 2005) in order to gain a better understanding of why entrepreneurship is not flourishing in South Africa’s unemployed communities. The motivation to form a new venture is vital to new venture formation (Herron&Sapienza, 1992; Douglas et al, 1994; Wennekers and Thurik, 1999; Wiklund et al, 2003; Segal et al, 2005) but is under-considered in many programmes aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship. Where the psychologically depressing effects of unemployment have reduced an individual’s intrinsic motivation to form a new venture, a structured environment should be created to facilitate the early stages of new venture formation. Individuals should be extrinsically motivated to achieve goals until the benefits of accumulated achievements have countered those depressive effects and traditional venture formation theories once again become valid. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This study suggests that there will be entrepreneurial business opportunities that will stem from the current trade imbalance between South Africa and Finland and that South African entrepreneurs can benefit economically from this trade imbalance. The objective was to determine these opportunities. Results indicate that a trade imbalance per se does not attest that opportunities for entrepreneurs exist, but rather the economic and political support because of the size of the trade imbalance. This study's conclusions indicate that coal, optical fibre, processed food, and wine are growing exports (from South Africa) and that aluminium, cereal, flour, logs poles, medicaments in dosage, nickel mats, organic chemicals, and unwrought nickel are growing imports from the world (into Finland) that the entrepreneur could possibly supply:Further studies could be done on why the Swedish imports larger quantities from South Africa than the other Scandinavian countries as well as, the types of medication that the Finnish demands from the international community and which South Africa can supply in particular. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The purpose of this research was to investigate the strategic planning processes that are prevalent among South Africa’s small businesses. In particular, the research aimed to confirm that small businesses in South Africa use emergent strategies over prescriptive strategies. The research also aimed to find out how environmental turbulence, growth and the influence of the business owner impacted the level of formalisation of the strategic planning process in the businesses. The research used qualitative data from a non-probability sample. An online survey questionnaire was used to collect the data and various descriptive and variance statistical tests conducted. The report provides evidence that emergent strategies are more prevalent than prescriptive strategies and that small businesses use strategic planning tools and techniques for management purposes. The research also provides evidence that there is a positive relationship between the growth and the level of formalisation of the strategic planning process in a business. The formal strategic planning process is therefore critical for business success. A positive relationship was also observed between the level of education and the level of formalisation and a lack of knowledge of strategic planning tools and techniques may result in the use of an informal planning process. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The purpose of this research was to explore the application of creative techniques utilised by entrepreneurs in a South African context in order to gain access to the financial and other resources required to start up new businesses. These techniques are defined as bootstrap financing techniques. Further to this the research then set out to determine whether the application of the identified techniques differed based on certain predefined characteristics of the business and entrepreneur. The study was based on the principals of a descriptive research study. Previously identified characteristics of bootstrap financing were combined in a survey in order to conduct quantitative research on the techniques utilised by South African entrepreneurs. The study further more gathered specific information on the characteristics of the businesses as well as the entrepreneurs for the purpose of further evaluation. The research determined the most important bootstrap financing techniques as perceived by South African entrepreneurs. Furthermore the results indicated that that there were specific bootstrap financing techniques for which the age or size of the business influenced the importance of the application for the technique. Differences in education characteristics of the entrepreneur, was also found to be related to the differences between associated importances of some of the bootstrap financing techniques identified. Finally these results were used to construct an operating model for entrepreneurs depending on the characteristics of their business or of themselves, while also considering the overall importance of the techniques evaluated. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted