Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates the short-term insurance industry in South Africa in order to develop a strategic architecture for a new player to enter the market, differentiated primarily by operating on mutual principles. Mutual insurance is not something new and is widely applied across the world. However, in South Africa there is only one company that operates completely as a mutual. That company is known as the Professional Provident Society (PPS), and has been in operation since 1941. Although PPS operates completely as a mutual, it has only recently started to take part in the short-term insurance industry. Apart from them, there is no other short-term insurer that operates on mutual principles. In order to develop a strategic architecture, a thorough understanding of the industry and market was obtained by analysing the external and internal environments of short-term insurers in South Africa. The research is based on solid statistical data on all registered insurers, available from the governing body for insurers in South Africa, the Financial Services Board, as well as more qualitative data in the form of reports on industry analysis, performed by major auditors like KPMG and PWC. It also takes into consideration “cutting edge” approaches to starting up a new business, regardless of industry, through the application of the “Customer Development Model”, an approach based on lean and agile principles to mitigate the risk of developing a product / service at high cost before knowing if the market actually has a need or appetite for it. This research concludes by offering a strategic architecture and strategic implementation plan for a new player to enter the market, based on the analysis performed though the application of various strategic tools and frameworks. The primary findings of this research are that the industry is highly competitive, with longstanding ‘giants’ supported by parent companies. Those ‘giants’, however, all operate as stock insurers, and a transition by any one of them to mutual insurer, is highly unlikely. As mentioned, the industry currently only has one mutual insurer. This means there is really only one competitor (PPS) in terms of the profit sharing model and in that, PPS has a rather niche focus since its products are only available to graduate professionals. This research uses further external and internal environment analysis methods to extract industry information used in the formulation of a strategic architecture and business model for a new player to compete in the environment described above. It suggests that there is, in fact, room for a new player and that it can differentiate itself from stock insurers by applying the mutual model. It can further differentiate itself from stock insurers and PPS by expanding its market focus (i.e. not only for graduate professionals) and by utilising technology in productive and creative ways that encourages engagement with customers in a new way.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management with specialisation in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, March 2016 / New technology-based firms (NTBFs) or technopreneurs are assumed to be one of the most important sources of economic value creation and development. Apart from bringing innovation with high growth and impact potential, NTBFs are faced with high uncertainty and demand a supporting environment that enhances firm’s performance. It can be concluded that new firms or new incubatees operate in competitive settings and demand systems that aid them to realize sustainable growth. Globally, there is a well-established body of knowledge that scrutinizes factors and relationships between factors that enhance NTBFs innovation performance. Majority of existing literature concurs that there are numerous variables of factors that can influence the product or service performance in respect to turnover. Within sub-Saharan Africa, technology incubation support programmes are seen as factors that affect a firm’s performance. However, the rise of NTBFs, the startups concept and technology incubator practices are all very much in their infancy in South Africa. From this point of view, it is significant to qualify the existing global body of knowledge to Gauteng’s context in order to identify the right mix factors impacting innovation performance of new technology-based firms. Factors such as survival, research and development (i.e. R&D propensity) and technological capability are seen as levers that impact new technology-based firm’s innovation performance. In a narrow sense, in this study, we aim to extend existing research by identifying determinant factors related to survival, R&D propensity and technological capability as independent variables; and analyse the nexus of these factors and innovation performance, the independent variable. We prudently identify startup firms that are in technology and embrace innovations while most of these new startups are still in an early development stage and receive comprehensive investment from university or government innovation in Gauteng. A total of 206 NTBFs were surveyed. Initially, the study employs exploratory factor analysis to first estimate the underlying variables and estimate of latent loadings. Subsequently, the correlations between survival, technological capability, R&D propensity and innovation performance measurements were tested. ii The findings suggest that there is no relationship between the number of years under the incubation management and producing new products and services that firms can launch to new market to gain profits in order to survive. Particular, in South Africa, the technology incubator movement is still in an infancy stage; hence for firms starting new ventures and producing products, it is difficult. The evidence from this study also found no relationship between survival (i.e. access to knowledge and collaboration) and innovation performance i.e. turnover. On the other hand, it was expected that investing vigorously in R&D would create patents, publications, products and services which would impact turnover. In opposition, the empirical results found no statistical relationship between R&D propensity and turnover. Our results should also be interpreted in the broad sense; measuring R&D propensity should be viewed with the understanding of complexity in measuring R&D impact to turnover. The study also found no relationship between marketing and firm turnover. Although theoretical studies suggest applying marketing capability is a key in launching and commercialising innovations, these firms tend to place more focus on product developments and pay less attention to marketing capabilities. Consistent with existing literature, the study found that there is a positive relationship between technological capability - innovativeness and innovation performance i.e. turnover. This is in line with the researcher’s position that generation, developing and implementation of new ideas leads successful performance of innovation, while we have contended that adapting or modifying existing technologies, emphasising introduction of new products, marketing of tried and true technologies and using previous research to implement technologies as determinant factors to technological capability (i.e. Technology Adaptation) impacts innovation performance. The results of the study concluded that there is a relationship between Technology Adaptation and innovation performance. In regards, competitive environment, the study found that no relationship between introducing innovation ahead of competitors and innovation performance. It was expected that these firms would avoid taking risks, these firms are not equipped with resources to experiment innovation methods or lead in new market identification. The empirical evidence generated from this study is significant and contributes to the existing body of knowledge for this reason: the study advances literature of measurements of innovation performance which varies from one study to the other. / GR2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management specialising in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation. Johannesburg, 2016 / With a struggling economy characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment, it makes sense that Swaziland should prioritise the growth of new ventures in a bid to foster economic growth through ensuring accelerated SME growth. However, the country’s SME policy notes significant problems which hinder venture growth, particularly pertaining to SMEs access to finance, markets, entrepreneurship education and training, as well as business support programmes, business regulation and contract enforcement. This study seeks to evaluate the impact these factors have on the growth of SMEs in a bid to ascertain the extent of this impact, and further to make recommendations on how the rhetoric and practice of entrepreneurship can be shaped to foster high growth entrepreneurship within this milieu. This is done based on an analysis of data collected through a quantitative survey conducted amongst SMEs incubated within the country’s only public incubator, SEDCO. The findings are drawn from a correlation and multiple regression analysis, with the latter aiming to ascertain causality between these conditions and venture growth. Through this, the study found that the variables of access to finance, markets, education and training, business support programmes, business regulation and contract enforcement are significant predictors of venture growth, thus more needs to be done to ensure that inefficiencies within these are addressed to bolster levels of SME growth. The study contributes theoretically to the entrepreneurial landscape in that it comes at a point where there is no current research assessing the enablers and inhibitors of venture growth within Swaziland. It is of further practical significance in that it broaches the subject of high growth entrepreneurship in an environment laden with necessity, survivalist entrepreneurs whilst it is the former that is perceived to have a significant impact on the economy. / MT2016

At the dawn of a new presidential election, we are reminded that what separates the United States from the rest of the world are the immigrants who came here in the pursuit of the American Dream. These immigrants do not just come to the United States as workers, but also as consumers and entrepreneurs who contribute to the American economy, and use the profits created by their successful entrepreneurship(s) in a way that they become catalysts of change. None of the studies have managed to track the qualities and perceptions of these entrepreneurial immigrants turned philanthropists since the 1940’s. By focusing on their life experiences using an instrumental case study approach, we start to form the profile of the modern day immigrant entrepreneur and philanthropist by analyzing them through five lenses: immigration, adult education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and philanthropy. Using these five lenses, we can better understand the optative aspects of entrepreneurial immigrantship as a part of social impact on Florida’s Gold Coast. Their core family values of tithing and lending a helping hand to those in need transfer into social activism in terms of donations of wealth and donations of time. Although they do not consider themselves leaders in the communities they live and work in, the research findings are quite the opposite. They are socially involved through memberships and leadership positions on local, national, and international non- profit boards, they spearhead major fundraising events and initiatives, and they establish private or corporate foundations and even support candidates seeking political office, whether here or abroad. In essence, they became philanthropists and community activists, who by virtue of immigrating and opening their businesses here add value to Florida’s Gold Coast. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Professional service entrepreneurs (PSEs) paradoxically practice their profession in highly institutionalized contexts which require significant socialization, while at the same time enacting their role as an entrepreneur. Some activities consistent with entrepreneurship may be unnecessary for—and possibly even contradictory with— activities consistent with professional roles. In this dissertation, I addressed the questions of how two highly central role identities (professional and entrepreneurial) related to entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in professional service practices, and how EO influences performance in the context of professional practices. Using a sample of 139 physicians, I examined the relationships between the role identity centrality of two primary roles (professional and entrepreneurial) that PSEs occupy, the EO of their firms, and firm performance. This study utilized a mixed methods design, consisting of both a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews administered to a sample of professionals who own professional practice firms in the southeastern region of Florida. Findings suggest a significant and positive relationship between entrepreneurial role identity centrality and entrepreneurial orientation and a marginally significant and negative moderation of entrepreneurial role identity centrality upon the relationship between professional role identity centrality and EO. A qualitative study served to elaborate on the findings of the quantitative study, and revealed the potential of very unique understandings of the intersection of entrepreneurship and professional practice across a selection of physicians. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The research study investigates factors that influence entrepreneur’s ability to identify new venture opportunities. Entrepreneurial alertness has been widely argued as fundamental to the opportunity identification process, yet this relationship remains largely unverified by empirical evidence. This study provides an explicit investigation into the implications of entrepreneurial alertness for opportunity identification as well as how metacognitive factors moderate the proposed relationship. First, Chapter 1 provides an overview the purpose, research questions, the significance of the study, and the conceptual framework. Next, a comprehensive review of the existing literature on opportunity identification is provided which is followed by the development of theoretical arguments, associated hypotheses, and the conceptual model. Subsequently, and overview of the research methodology and sampling procedure is presented. Finally, the analyses and results presented followed by a discussion, future research, and conclusions. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This research seeks to analyse the phenomenon of ethnic business creation amongst the ethnic community in Australia. The main emphasis is on finding the reasons for the process of ethnic business creation over time, focusing on the ethnic resources that the intending ethnic business operators bring to such activities through links to their country of origin. This is a resource-based study, which looks at ethnic resources as a means of sustained competitive advantage and as strategy for success in ethnic business operations in Australia. It attempts to gauge the extent of interactive processes between business operations and the relevant ethnic resources, some of which have a great influence in determining ethnic business people’s success. Policies aimed directly at facilitating, encouraging and strengthening these processes would be a valuable development. This research also examines the theories of small business development and identifies their applicability and relevance to the development of ethnic small business in Australia. The findings of this study enabled the development of a new theory and model for ethnic business creation that links the creation and success of ethnic small businesses to the use of productive diversity principles. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

During the past decade (1984-1994), Australia experienced its worst recession since the depression of the 30's, followed by a no-growth period and an unemployment rate hovering around nine per cent. The awareness of Commonwealth and State Governments of the need for specific policies to stimulate new ventures and support small and medium enterprises (SME's), was increased by a range of reviews which resulted in a variety of initiatives. However, two key national initiatives, licensed Management and Investment Companies (MIC's) and the Second Board Stock Market, which aimed at making access to funds easier for new ventures, failed to provide sustained financial support to new innovative firms. Small businesses in Australia account for some 80 per cent of all businesses and 50 per cent of employment in the private sector. While many factors contribute to the successful establishment and growth of new businesses, a key factor is the availability of and access to affordable finance. The major objective of this study was to identify key success/failure factors in new venture creation and to review in detail the rise and fall of the Second Board Stock Market (1984-1992) - arguably one of the most significant Government initiatives during the 80's to provide access to equity funds. A survey of Melbourne companies listed on the Second Board was to provide valuable information on the success/failure of the Second Board Stock Market and to illuminate desirable Government initiatives meeting SME's survival needs.

The paradigms that examine and describe the nature of the entrepreneurship process have generally been linear, following the lead of the more mature management and physical sciences. This emulation of linear methodologies has occurred despite indications from authors such as Bygrave, Shaver and Mitton of their being less appropriate at this relatively early stage of the social science of entrepreneurship. When examining the nature of a phenomenon such as entrepreneurship, statistical correlations and linear descriptions are limited to confirmation of existing hypotheses. The underlying assumption is that the correct questions are known. However this assumption becomes moot when seeking to include the many unpredictable, non-linear aspects that add the key human vitality of entrepreneurship. This research seeks to move toward a more complete description than linearity alone is able to capture. The research presents a non-linear paradigm, being a holistic combination of the rational evidence of entrepreneurship and what might be termed the spiritual or intangible aspects that together constitute the observed craft of entrepreneurship. The research highlights the dynamic skill-set used by entrepreneurs to balance key elements in the entrepreneurial process, in a way that achieves a relational coherence. The focus is on the high-tech industry which is especially prone to the use of linear descriptions of the entrepreneurship process which takes a new idea and leads it to become a successful product. Interviews with entrepreneurship practitioners involved in the creation of new ventures in the high-tech industry form the database against which this non-linear paradigm is investigated. The results confirm that the success of the entrepreneurial process depends on far more than the linear descriptions that are commonly used to describe the process. Once the basics are in place, entrepreneurs appear to shift their focus to achieving a multi-dimensional integration among what they identify as the key elements in the entrepreneurial process. This is achieved despite apparent disorder and chaos being evident in the process of new venture creation. Entrepreneurs appear to make sense of the confusing non-linearity by focussing on the relational attributes among elements in the new venture. The use of the non-linear relational paradigm (NLRP) developed from the results of this research, enables a more holistic understanding of the empirically observed process of entrepreneurship. This has some significant implications for the management and evaluation of nascent technology enterprises. The NLRP's additional fix on the entrepreneurship process, can be used to inform the venture capital industry when trying to predict the likelihood of success of prospective ventures vying for funds. The NLRP's alternative view could also translate into more appropriate new venture management once funded, and thus better success rates for nascent ventures. The NLRP's insights on the way in which entrepreneurs create and grow new ventures, can improve best-practice techniques for entrepreneurs and influence the way in which entrepreneurship education is approached. Describing innovation and entrepreneurship more holistically also has important implications for all facets of industry that include a process of design, or seek to create wealth.

This thesis details the business plan of CollegeMatchers, Inc, including a market overview. CollegeMatchers is a quick, easy, and free on-campus marketplace, that strives to create self sustaining communities on campuses everywhere.