Entrepreneurship is the creative and innovative process of creating incremental wealth. This wealth is created by individuals who possess an entrepreneurial orientation; assuming the major risks in terms of equity, time and commitment. The process may not be new or unique, but must be infused by the entrepreneur toward securing and allocating the required resources. Franchising is an entrepreneurial option which develops new ventures; whilst strategic service initiatives are entrepreneurial implementations facilitating sustainability, growth and wealth creation. This study identifies entrepreneurial orientation within a defined franchise system; with synergistic links to a strategic service vision. The research objectives are to investigate the current situation of entrepreneurial orientation in a franchise system, together with examining the contribution of a strategic service vision in relation to service quality. The purpose is to identify entrepreneurial behaviour amongst franchisees; franchising as an entrepreneurial option, and to identify relationships between elements of service quality, the service profit chain, relationship marketing and best practice. The outcome is the development of a conceptual matrix, to be initiated within the defined franchise system. Objectives are evaluated via research hypotheses, using empirical statistical techniques. Theoretically, the value the investigation provides is in the understanding that the home entertainment industry is worthy of developing a body of knowledge, to be shared by all industry participants. As a contribution to practice, the entrepreneurial service vision will enhance the sustainability of the industry, notwithstanding the opportunity to share the vision with related industries. This study, the first of its kind in the home entertainment industry and in the specific franchise system, will smooth the way for implementation of entrepreneurial franchise service initiatives in the organisation. On a national level, successful implementation will enhance industry participation and competition; together with entrepreneurial contributions towards the creation of wealth, economic growth and creation of employment in a dynamic, yet turbulent developing economy such as South Africa. Research methodology comprises the survey approach, using electronic media and Surveypro analysis. This is facilitated by descriptive and inferential statistical techniques using SPSS version 11.0 data analysis. Inferential significance tests include the ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis hypothesis test; based on the approximation of the chi-square distribution with k-1 degrees of freedom. Internal-consistency reliability is measured by the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha, measuring overall inter-item correlation between the identified constructs. Exploratory research, in the form of the literature review and previous empirical studies, are used as background and facilitating data. Hypothesis tests highlight the absence of statistically significant entrepreneurial orientation in the franchise system, despite a significant orientation in a multiple-outlet proposition analysis. Franchising is seen as a significant option for creating and developing ventures, and strategic service initiatives (service profit chain, relationship marketing and best practice) are all significantly positively associated with service quality. These constructs constitute the development of an entrepreneurial service vision in a franchise system. Recommendations include the implementation of an entrepreneurial service vision within the defined franchise system. Limitations, however, include limited availability of appropriate data on the home entertainment industry, together with that of entrepreneurial orientation in franchise systems. Recommendations for future research include crossindustry and multi-national studies of similar substance, together with follow-up research regarding the successful implementation of the entrepreneurial service vision matrix. / Thesis (DCom)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Business Management / unrestricted

[Abstract]Within the Australian marketplace there is often considerable similarity between competing products and services. The need for all firms to develop a competitive advantage in this market is pressing. Franchises are a growing competitive business sector in Australia, with an annual growth rate in excess of 12%. Franchised business units are no different from other firms in that they need to develop a competitive advantage. Within this current fast changing business environment there has not been any research published on how owners and operators within franchised business units in Australia use organisational learning strategies to develop their strategic capability with a view to gaining a competitive advantage. Many firms have adopted traditional training approaches in organisational learning to develop their firm’s strategic capability believing this strategy to be in line with best practice. This narrow training view of organisational learning involves key employees within a firm identifying skill gaps between where the firm needs to be and the current competencies of their staff. The gap is then bridged by traditional training methods that extend staff competencies to meet the firm’s requirements. These traditional training approaches separate learning from the work context and have been identified by many researchers over the years as an inefficient practice. This study was undertaken using a case study approach based on semi-structured interviews to gain an understanding on how franchised business units in Australia used a range of organisational learning strategies to develop their strategic capability. People were interviewed from various organisational levels at five major franchises. The study found that strategic capability is enhanced by developing a learning environment that integrated both operational and strategic learning strategies. Based on the research findings, a franchised business unit’s strategic capability will, in many cases, determine the difference between the franchise’s performance in the marketplace and that of its competitors, hence, developing organisational learning strategies to gain and apply these capabilities are of a critical importance in a franchised business unit gaining a competitive advantage. The study found a number of key ingredients in organisational learning strategy that built a firm’s capability. These key ingredients include adopting a work-based learning strategy which incorporates learning activities such as listening and observing others in the workplace; regular internal training; access to external courses; controlled on-the-job training and supporting individuals and groups within their normal work; developing and implementing accredited in-house learning which would include opportunities for staff to develop both operational and strategic levels of learning; formal and informal mentoring for developing the skills of individuals and groups; participation in higher education; and the use of internal state and national franchise conferences as a tool in developing staff and to provide a work environment where empowerment of staff at all levels is encouraged, accepted and supported by the required learning strategies to make it successful. For franchised businesses within Australia aspiring to gain or build on competitive advantage, it is envisaged that the findings of this research will foster the implementation of a combination of organisational learning strategies that encompass both operational and strategic learning, and include learning for both the individual and collective groups.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-09-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:51:49Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 prado_ja_me_rcla.pdf: 626452 bytes, checksum: 51cf467b51687648908b746cf47b9ebf (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Este trabalho originou-se a partir de minhas práticas e observações em uma instituição particular franqueada de ensino no interior de São Paulo, cuja proposta investigativa permeou compreender sobre em que medida as tensões interdependentes no espaço e no tempo da sala de aula, (a estrutura organizacional, os pressupostos, os valores, as condições e metodologia de trabalho, os horários das aulas, as disciplinas, o nome da escola, a rede pela qual se vincula, e em especial o material apostilado sistematizado adotado), de uma escola particular franqueada instrumentalizam o olhar do professor auxiliando na compreensão de sua atividade docente. Como estas relações se constroem nas malhas de inter-relação e de que forma o professor percebe se a prática pedagógica eminentemente relacional de sua atividade pode ou não ser compreendida nestas tensões interdependentes, que se configura no conjunto de exigências adotado pela rede de franquia escolar. No tocante ao referencial teórico sociológico esta pesquisa tem focado, em especial, as obras de Norbert Elias quanto aos estudos da categoria de inter-relação entre indivíduo e sociedade concebidos como uma rede de funções interdependentemente. No que se refere à metodologia, trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa cuja intenção é coletar e avaliar dados por meio da aplicação de questionários junto a professores de Língua Portuguesa, especificamente os docentes de Técnicas de Redação que atuam nos terceiros anos do Ensino Médio e cursinho e pré-vestibular de uma escola particular franqueada. No que concerne à indicação junto aos docentes a escolha ocorreu em conseqüência destes profissionais manterem com os alunos um número acentuado de aulas, uma vez que as atividades de produções de texto, propostas pela instituição particular franqueada de ensino se aproximam das condições de produção do vestibular. / This paper is arisen from my own practices and sights in a private franchised school in the State of São Paulo. The investigative proposal allowed to see how interdependent tensions in the classroom space and time, (organizational structure, presuppositions, values, work environment, work methodology, classes schedule, subjects, school name, school head office, and specially the franchised material used), of a private franchised school give tools to the teacher in order to assist them in their activity comprehension. How these relations are constructed in interrelations net and how the teacher sees if the relational pedagogical practice in his/her activity can be understood in those tensions, what features in the franchised school requirements. In regard to social theoretical reference this paper has focused on Norbert Elias´ literature, with studies about interrelation category between subject and society with a view to net of functions in an interdependent way. This is a qualitative-based research, which intended to collect and evaluate data questionnaires that were applied for Portuguese, especially in writing techniques, teachers, who work with ending high school classes, and vestibular-guided courses, at a private franchised school. The teaching indication was defined due to the great number of classes teachers have in the high school.

Botswana is a middle-income economy. It has become dependent on non-renewable resources. Agriculture and manufacturing have failed to develop in a significant way. The small population has not provided adequate demand. The Government has tried a number of strategies in order to diversify the economy. One of these is the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Unfortunately, SMEs have failed to thrive, so far. A number of researchers have concluded that SMEs will not thrive due to the fact that Botswana have low entrepreneurial skills. High failure rates are experienced where enterprises are established. The thesis identifies an alternative strategy in the development of enterprises in Botswana. It is generally believed that a franchisee does not need high levels of entrepreneurial skills to succeed. If this is so, Botswana can solve her problem of lack of sufficient enterprises by promoting franchising. The thesis uses the interview technique to assess whether existing franchisees in Botswana have low levels of entrepreneurial skills. Indeed it proves that franchisees have low skill levels compared to non-franchised entrepreneurs. Secondly, the thesis proves that franchisees in Botswana operate as employee-managers. Thirdly, the thesis establishes that franchisees perform better than non-franchised entrepreneurs, even though they have low entrepreneurial skill levels. Lastly, the thesis, using evidence from findings above, and from responses of experts interviewed, establishes that the promotion of franchising is a viable alternative strategy to one that depends solely on non-franchised enterprises.While there are some methodological limitations, like those stemming from a low and unknown franchisee population in Botswana, the use of ordinal data, use of techniques to rate their own skills, and a relatively small sample for franchised and non-franchised entrepreneurs, the statistical techniques used are powerful enough to generate reliable findings. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / D.B.L

Botswana is a middle-income economy. It has become dependent on non-renewable resources. Agriculture and manufacturing have failed to develop in a significant way. The small population has not provided adequate demand. The Government has tried a number of strategies in order to diversify the economy. One of these is the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Unfortunately, SMEs have failed to thrive, so far. A number of researchers have concluded that SMEs will not thrive due to the fact that Botswana have low entrepreneurial skills. High failure rates are experienced where enterprises are established. The thesis identifies an alternative strategy in the development of enterprises in Botswana. It is generally believed that a franchisee does not need high levels of entrepreneurial skills to succeed. If this is so, Botswana can solve her problem of lack of sufficient enterprises by promoting franchising. The thesis uses the interview technique to assess whether existing franchisees in Botswana have low levels of entrepreneurial skills. Indeed it proves that franchisees have low skill levels compared to non-franchised entrepreneurs. Secondly, the thesis proves that franchisees in Botswana operate as employee-managers. Thirdly, the thesis establishes that franchisees perform better than non-franchised entrepreneurs, even though they have low entrepreneurial skill levels. Lastly, the thesis, using evidence from findings above, and from responses of experts interviewed, establishes that the promotion of franchising is a viable alternative strategy to one that depends solely on non-franchised enterprises.While there are some methodological limitations, like those stemming from a low and unknown franchisee population in Botswana, the use of ordinal data, use of techniques to rate their own skills, and a relatively small sample for franchised and non-franchised entrepreneurs, the statistical techniques used are powerful enough to generate reliable findings. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / D.B.L

Orientador: Marilena Aparecida Jorge Guedes de Camargo / Banca: Débora Mazza / Banca: Aurea Maria de Oliveira / Resumo: Este trabalho originou-se a partir de minhas práticas e observações em uma instituição particular franqueada de ensino no interior de São Paulo, cuja proposta investigativa permeou compreender sobre em que medida as tensões interdependentes no espaço e no tempo da sala de aula, (a estrutura organizacional, os pressupostos, os valores, as condições e metodologia de trabalho, os horários das aulas, as disciplinas, o nome da escola, a rede pela qual se vincula, e em especial o material apostilado sistematizado adotado), de uma escola particular franqueada instrumentalizam o olhar do professor auxiliando na compreensão de sua atividade docente. Como estas relações se constroem nas malhas de inter-relação e de que forma o professor percebe se a prática pedagógica eminentemente relacional de sua atividade pode ou não ser compreendida nestas tensões interdependentes, que se configura no conjunto de exigências adotado pela rede de franquia escolar. No tocante ao referencial teórico sociológico esta pesquisa tem focado, em especial, as obras de Norbert Elias quanto aos estudos da categoria de inter-relação entre indivíduo e sociedade concebidos como uma rede de funções interdependentemente. No que se refere à metodologia, trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa cuja intenção é coletar e avaliar dados por meio da aplicação de questionários junto a professores de Língua Portuguesa, especificamente os docentes de Técnicas de Redação que atuam nos terceiros anos do Ensino Médio e cursinho e pré-vestibular de uma escola particular franqueada. No que concerne à indicação junto aos docentes a escolha ocorreu em conseqüência destes profissionais manterem com os alunos um número acentuado de aulas, uma vez que as atividades de produções de texto, propostas pela instituição particular franqueada de ensino se aproximam das condições de produção do vestibular. / Abstract: This paper is arisen from my own practices and sights in a private franchised school in the State of São Paulo. The investigative proposal allowed to see how interdependent tensions in the classroom space and time, (organizational structure, presuppositions, values, work environment, work methodology, classes schedule, subjects, school name, school head office, and specially the franchised material used), of a private franchised school give tools to the teacher in order to assist them in their activity comprehension. How these relations are constructed in interrelations net and how the teacher sees if the relational pedagogical practice in his/her activity can be understood in those tensions, what features in the franchised school requirements. In regard to social theoretical reference this paper has focused on Norbert Elias' literature, with studies about interrelation category between subject and society with a view to net of functions in an interdependent way. This is a qualitative-based research, which intended to collect and evaluate data questionnaires that were applied for Portuguese, especially in writing techniques, teachers, who work with ending high school classes, and vestibular-guided courses, at a private franchised school. The teaching indication was defined due to the great number of classes teachers have in the high school. / Mestre