Department of Business Management
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Browsing Department of Business Management by Subject "351.68257"
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Item Embargo Assessment of participation of the informal sector in micropension schemes in Thulamela Local Minicipality, Vhembe District(2026-05-19) Mmbadaliga, Nndivhiseni; Nkondo, L. G.; Khohomela, N. T.In South Africa, a significant portion of the workforce operates within the informal sector; however, it remains largely excluded from formal retirement savings mechanisms. This study examined the extent to which the informal sector is engaged in the micro-pension initiatives within the Thulamela Local Municipality, situated in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to assess the participation of the informal sector in micro-pension schemes and to identify the key factors influencing uptake. The research adopted an interpretivist paradigm and implemented a qualitative methodology, adhering to an exploratory research framework. The investigation employed a non-probability sampling technique, specifically purposive sampling, to identify participants for comprehensive interviews. Data was gathered through interviews, which were recorded participants’ consent to ensure precise transcription and analysis. The data was analysed manually using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that the participation in micro-pension schemes is extremely low due to limited awareness and understanding. Nevertheless, in contexts where financial literacy and targeted outreach initiatives are implemented, participation rates are anticipated to be significantly higher. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing context-specific insights into micro-pension participation within a rural South African municipality, an area that remains underrepresented in the literature. The study was limited by its small sample size and focused on a single municipality, which restricts the generalisability of the findings. Future research could extend the scope to include other rural and urban municipalities, employing quantitative and mixed methods approaches to enable comparative analyses and enhance the generalisability of findings on micro-pension scheme participation.Item Embargo Exploring the Role of Corporate Entrepreneurship in Shaping the Performance and Long-term Sustainability of SMMEs in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province(2026-05-19) Munyai, Hulisani; Chileya, N.; Ndou, A.This study explores the role of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in influencing firm performance and long-term sustainability among Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Corporate entrepreneurship, characterised by innovation, proactiveness, and risktaking, has become essential for firms seeking to remain competitive and resilient within dynamic and resource-constrained environments. Limited empirical evidence, however, exists on how CE manifests itself and contributes to performance and sustainability in rural South African contexts. This research addresses that gap by investigating how CE affects short-term performance, supports long-term sustainability, shaped by organisational, contextual, and institutional factors. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory design. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 SMME owners and managers across the agriculture, tourism, and service sectors. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diverse representation of industries and experiences. Data was analysed thematically, using ATLAS.ti software to identify patterns and relationships among themes. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation were strictly upheld throughout the research process. The findings revealed five major themes. First, firms’ short-term performance improved through enhanced innovation, adaptability, customer satisfaction, and employee motivation. Second, entrepreneurial leadership and a supportive organisational culture were found to be critical enablers of CE. Third, long-term sustainability was strengthened by ecoinnovation, diversification, and community engagement, thereby, enabling firms to align profitability with social and environmental goals. Fourth, barriers, such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, skill shortages, and bureaucratic red tape, constrained the implementation of CE initiatives. Fifth, contextual moderators, including leadership style, financial capacity, institutional support, and government policies, significantly influenced the relationship between CE and performance. Some government initiatives, such as the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) and regional entrepreneurship programmes, provided support, however, their limited reach in rural areas weakened their overall impact. The study concludes that CE serves as a catalyst for both competitive performance and sustainable regional development. Firms that embed entrepreneurial leadership and cultivate innovation-driven cultures are more adaptable and resilient. The study recommends that policymakers strengthen institutional frameworks, improve access to finance, and invest in capacity-building initiatives, tailored to rural enterprises. Theoretically, the findings integrate the Resource-Based View (RBV), Institutional Theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), to explain how CE can drive innovation and sustainability in developing economies. Ultimately, corporate entrepreneurship emerges not only as a mechanism for firms’ renewal but also as a possible pathway for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in the Vhembe District and similar rural contexts.Item Embargo The role of public policies in supporting hybrid entrepreneurship: The case of Vhembe district, Limpopo province(2026-05-19) Mulungwa, Mulalo Elvis; Nkondo, L. G.; Khohomela, N. T.Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in economic growth, innovation, and prosperity within societies by generating more goods, services, and job opportunities. Therefore, it has placed a high emphasis on public policies promoting entrepreneurial activities. Public policies sought to provide interventions that minimise the challenges faced by hybrid entrepreneurs and traditional entrepreneurs. Despite the growing interest in entrepreneurship and the role of public policies in supporting entrepreneurs in South Africa, there is minimal research that specifically focused on hybrid entrepreneurship and the efficacy of public policies and initiatives in supporting hybrid entrepreneurship. There is a segment of hybrid entrepreneurs that continues to experience numerous challenges, and the government needs to play a significant role in assisting them to overcome those challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of public policies and propose strategies to ensure their effectiveness in supporting hybrid entrepreneurship in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hybrid entrepreneurs face unique challenges related to financing, time allocation, networking, and skill development that can hinder their success. To address the research problem pertaining to the study social perceptions, an interpretive phenomenological research paradigm was adopted. The study employed a qualitative research method with a sample size of sixteen participants. Purposive sampling was used to intentionally select participants who are knowledgeable about the phenomenon and who are most suitable and beneficial for the study. Data collection involved in-depth interviews. ATLAS.ti version8 was used for analysing qualitative data. The key findings highlight that public policies play a vital role in promoting enterprise sustainability and resilience by bridging knowledge gaps, enhancing skills, and providing strategic resources. Technology-driven policies improve management efficiency but face challenges like bureaucratic hurdles and tax laws that limit access to financial support, hindering entrepreneurial growth. Existing policies tend to favour traditional entrepreneurs, leaving hybrid entrepreneurs underserved, especially in funding and incentives and facing regulatory barriers such as licensing restrictions and conflict-of-interest policies that limit full utilization of their skills. Financial constraints and high tax burdens further increase their vulnerabilities. While hybrid entrepreneurship contributes to employment generation, poverty alleviation, and improved quality of life, entrepreneurs encounter issues such as limited capital, time management difficulties, and unequal access to government contracts and funding. Additionally, exclusionary practices and poor dissemination of policy information impede participation. Recommendations emphasize making policies more inclusive, reducing bureaucracy, fostering public-private collaboration, and implementing targeted mentorship and training. Improving awareness through better communication and adapting policies to support flexible work arrangements are crucial for nurturing hybrid entrepreneurs. This study is significant as it represents one of the initial studies aimed at elucidating the effects of public policies, the challenges hybrid entrepreneurs face, and the strategies necessary for the effective promotion of hybrid entrepreneurship within the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. This research was confined to the Vhembe District Municipality, which may limit the applicability of the results to other regions within Limpopo Province, South Africa, or to other parts of Africa and developing or emerging economies. There exists an opportunity for further research in other district municipalities across different provinces in South Africa to obtain a broader perspective. The insights gained from this study can inform future research and provide recommendations regarding the role of public policies in the advancement of hybrid entrepreneurship and related activities in various district municipalities, provinces, and throughout South Africa.