Department of Business Management

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A support framework of enhancing business performance of ruaral SMME's in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2024-09-06) Razwiedani, Khathutshelo Collins; Chiliya, Norman; Nkondo, Livhuwani G.
South Africa's aspiration for inclusive growth and development acknowledges the pivotal role of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) given the country's pervasive unemployment and poverty rates, particularly in rural regions. Since the inception of democracy in 1994 with the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to the present National Development Plan: Vision 2030, the focal point of South Africa's developmental endeavours has been the alleviation of poverty and inequality. This study aimed to devise a support framework to enhance the performance of SMMEs in the rural expanse of Limpopo Province, South Africa, while also fostering entrepreneurship expansion. Its primary objectives encompassed identifying the determinants affecting rural SMME performance, crafting a conceptual framework to bolster it, utilizing empirical research outcomes to formulate recommendations, and drawing conclusions to augment SMMEs' performance in Limpopo. Additionally, the study proffered actionable insights for stakeholders, including policymakers and entrepreneurs, to ensure the sustained viability of SMMEs in rural South Africa. Employing a quantitative research design aligned with the educational positivist paradigm, the study collected data from 377 entrepreneurs through questionnaires. A Convenience Sampling method was employed. Validity and reliability were ensured through exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach alpha coefficients determination. Pearson's correlation coefficient tests were employed to discern relationships among independent variables. The resultant path model addressed prevalent challenges confronting rural small businesses, proposing a roadmap for enhancing their operational performance.
Open Access
Agricultural technology's effect on entrepreneurship: a case study of the Mopani District Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2023-10-05) Mangena, Mokgadi Lucy; Nkondo, L. G.; Nemushungwa, A.
Traditionally, agriculture was considered a low-tech industry with limited technical dynamics. As modernisation engulfed human kind, changes to the agricultural sector occurred, spearheaded by economic liberalisation. Economic liberalisation helped to reduce the sector’s protection. These changes brought new entrepreneurial players into the sector, in addition to innovation and portfolio entrepreneurship. Despite these positive changes, the agricultural sector faces entrepreneurship challenges. A lot of these situational challenges are widely publicised in literature but not much has been written about agricultural entrepreneurship. This study, therefore, brings a new dimension to the entrepreneurship field of research. That is, the need for a study about the agricultural technology’s effects on entrepreneurship is long overdue. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the agricultural technology’s effects on entrepreneurship in the Mopani District Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative approach with a sample of ten participants using purposive sampling. Interpretive paradigm was used to underpin the study. Data was collected through interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that agricultural technology provides unparalleled benefits to farmers despite negative consequences associated with its use. The study recommends that farmers should familiarise themselves with the new agricultural technology’s effects on their trade before embracing it. Policy makers are encouraged to formulate appropriate policies that would help to develop the farmers’ knowledge and skills about agricultural technology.
Open Access
An analysis of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and entrepreneurship in South Africa: opportunities and challenges
(2023-05-19) Ngomana, Tshembo; Nkondo, L. G.; Nemushungwa, A. I.
Africa and the rest of the world have witnessed plethora of changes in the way we do things, by the introduction of the fourth industrial revolution. This is not just true for the way people live, for the fourth industrial revolution has also impacted the manner in which businesses operate and perform. Its introduction presented changes, challenges and opportunities on the operations of small businesses; these have not been sufficiently tested in the body of knowledge. It is against this background that this study investigates the changes, challenges and opportunities brought by the 4IR on entrepreneurship with special focus on small businesses. The study was guided by the radical humanists‘ paradigm, the phenomenological design and the qualitative research method. Data was collected from 10 small business owners purposively sampled from Gauteng at the Ekurhuleni Local Municipality and Mpumalanga at Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. A structured interview guide was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews while an audio recorder and a notebook were used to capture the responses of the participants. The collected data was transcribed using Microsoft Word version 26 and analysed thematically. Results indicate the fourth industrial revolution applicable technologies, potential changes, challenges and opportunities facing small businesses and entrepreneurship. The value of this dissertation is that it is among the first studies contributing towards understanding of the changes, challenges and opportunities presented by the 4IR to small businesses and entrepreneurship in South Africa. The scope of the study was restricted to Bushbuckridge Local Municipality and Ekurhuleni Local Municipality; therefore, findings might not be generalisable to other areas in South Africa, to the rest of Africa or other developing countries/emerging economies. There is an opportunity to conduct similar study with other municipalities in other provinces in South Africa to gain different views. The researcher recommended that entrepreneurs should search for more information from relevant and reputable sources in order to avoid misinformation and misunderstandings as well as enrolling on 4IR education and skills programme and policymakers should implement necessary tech-related policies that will work towards providing adequate tech-support to small businesses.
Open Access
An appraisal of the efficacy of selected macrotourism policies of South Africa
(2009-09-08) Zembani, Pamela Edna; Steyn, p. e.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
An assessment of the factors driving consumer's propensity to purchase online
(2021-03) Mujera, Tinashe; Kadyamatimba, A.; Zindiye, S.
Despite the tremendous global development within the electronic-commerce (e-commerce) industry, marketers in emerging economies are still lagging in understanding the dynamic consumers’ online purchasing behaviour. Furthermore, the literature reporting on consumers’ online purchasing practices in an African set up remains largely inconsistent and fragmented as most previous studies are based on consumers in first world countries. To address this problem, by specifically targeting the South African market, the main aim of the study was to establish key factors driving consumers’ propensity to purchase online in order to device a model that guides online marketing strategy and future research. Guided by the quantitative research approach and a descriptive single cross-sectional design, data was collected from a sample of 350 participants drawn from Sandon City, located in the Gauteng Province using a self-administered questionnaire. With the aid of SPSS Version 26, the collected data were analysed through descriptive and multivariate statistical tests. Consumer innovativeness, perceived benefits, online shopping experience and perceived risk were found to be the major factors driving consumers’ propensity to purchase online. These factors were however found to vary according to demographic characteristics, particularly pertaining to consumers’ education and income level. Ultimately, the study findings led to the formulation of a model that can be recommended to marketers in guiding online shopping within the South African retail sector and regionally.
Open Access
An assessment of the potential for sustainable community tourism development in the villages affected by the Nandoni Dam
(2014-01-10) Manavhela, Pfarelo; Spencer, J. P.; Nethengwe, T.
Open Access
Black tax and micro-entrepreneurship in Thulamela Local Municipality forms, challenges and coping strategies
(2019-05-18) Mikioni, Anyway; Shambare, R.; Khohomela, N. T.
Africans are, by nature, collectivist people. This is especially true for countries such as South Africa, where people live their lives as a community – they celebrate life’s achievements together and mourn life’s tragic moments together. Africans support each other as one big family, at least theoretically, however, in the recent past, effects of urbanisation and globalisation have reshaped, reorganised, and reoriented African families. The once communal and collectivist views towards life (that the community or family comes first before the individual) are fast being replaced by individualistic perspectives towards life. The nuclear family is rapidly taking centre stage. In the process, individual needs are crowding out those of the family and community. Communal needs are now being viewed as a burden. To describe this ‘new’ burden, modern society has coined a term to express its mixed emotions towards its responsibility towards the extended family; they call it “black tax”. As a form of tax, supporting one’s extended family results in greater good, at least in the long-run, however, in the short-run, high levels of indebtedness and growing personal needs make one’s obligation to the family almost seems morally wrong, insensitive, and illegal, hence, the word “black,” as in the black market – an informal underground market that is often immoral and illegal. By extension, contemporary South Africans seem to be saying that whilst looking after one’s extended family in the 21st century is immoral, insensitive, unreasonable, and expensive, we still will try our best to be play our part, whenever and wherever we can. Clearly, black tax affects the lives of individuals, particularly those being black taxed. Despite this growing phenomenon, the literature has largely ignored the effect of black tax on the life of ordinary people. The few available studies focus mostly on black tax within the middle class, employed, working population. Very little studies have looked at the effect of black tax on entrepreneurs, as they too are not immune to black tax. It was, therefore, opportune for this dissertation to address this gap within the literature. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of black tax on micro-entrepreneurs, as well as to identify coping strategies employed by the latter to balance business needs and communal expectations. A qualitative case study was conducted in which 12 entrepreneurs from the Thulamela Local Municipality area participated. Data were collected using in-depth interviews. After transcription, the interviews were analysed by means of thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti. Results indicate a high prevalence of various forms of black tax, challenges as well as well-structured coping strategies, as employed by the entrepreneurs. The value of this dissertation is that it is among the first in contributing towards understanding the impact of black tax on micro-entrepreneurship within the South African context. Several theoretical and practical implications have been suggested.
Open Access
Challenges faced by rural-women entrepreneurs in Vhembe District: the moderation role of gender socialisation
(2018-05-18) Karasi, Yvonne; Shambare, R.; Nkondo, L. G.
South African economic policies (for example, the National Development Plan [NDP] and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act [BBBEE]) place high emphasis on promoting entrepreneurial activities. In particular, these policies seek to provide for interventions that minimise challenges faced by entrepreneurs. In spite of this there is a segment of entrepreneurs that continues to experience numerous challenges – women entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study was to analyse the challenges faced by rural-women entrepreneurs. Rural women entrepreneurs in particular face challenges or barriers, which can be categorised under entrepreneurial, socio-cultural, personal, and technical barriers. The notion of gender socialisation can be used as one of several explanations as to why males and females behave differently. This kind of socialisation is also thought to be at the root of gender stereotyping, including chauvinism. This kind of socialisation has been said to influence the degree to which women face entrepreneurial challenges in rural areas. To address this research problem, which focuses on social perceptions, the critical realism paradigm was used. The research methodology used was a quantitative one, with the sample size 151 participants. Snowballing was utilised to locate participants with the desired characteristics. Self-completing questionnaires adapted from previous studies were utilised to gather data. The collected data was analysed using IBM-SPSS. Various descriptive and multivariate statistical tests, including ANOVA, cluster analysis, and factor analysis were used to analyse the data. The data collected indicated that women entrepreneurs with higher levels of gender socialisation (‘strongly believe’) are affected by entrepreneurial challenges more than those with low levels of gender socialisation. The results also indicated that education plays a key role in changing women’s’ attitudes towards their gendered roles and how they are socialised from a young age through to adult status. The researcher recommended equal opportunities for both males and females with regard to access to state resources such as education and finance, and access to information about businesses.
Open Access
A Cloud-based business continuity framework for container terminal operations: A South African case study
(2020) Kutame, Felix Nyadzani; Kadyamatimba, Armstrong; Ochara, Nixon Muganda
Contemporary cloud-based computing is crucial for the efficient delivery of ICT systems to users, as well as for versatile disaster recovery and business continuity management (BCM) platforms. Based on the need for efficient and fault-tolerant port operations, this study proposes a cloud-based business continuity framework (BCM) for the container terminal operations (CTO) in South Africa. The study examined the impact of ICT systems and services on Container Terminal Operations (CTO); determined Critical Business Functions in operations that must stay operational and analysed the impact of the unavailability of ICT systems and services on critical operations. This empirical study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs and collecting data through self-constructed and self-administered questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) Version 23 while qualitative data was analysed through thematic analysis of interviews. Results show that to realize effective organizational resilience using BCM, three insights, as underlying mechanisms for assimilating cloud computing in BCM can be inferred: the first is that a digitalized BCM architecture ‘fits’ the cloud computing model. The specific BCM characteristics that befits cloud computing are continuous data processing; continuous data access and delivery; multi-platform data access; always – on ICT Services; and better decision making. Secondly, the cloud computing model is a ‘viable’ model that can contribute to managing complex organizations characterized by business units that are highly differentiated in terms of size, structure, ICT and investment levels. For such complex organizations, viability is visible in terms of how the multi-units can harness collective intelligence (CI) for more effective BCM. Collective intelligence, as a form of universally distributed intelligence that is constantly enhanced, coordinated in real time, and which results in effective mobilization of organizational competence, is a core organizing metaphor for achieving BCM in a complex organization. Lastly, to realize BCM, underpinned by greater digitalization of BCM and harnessing of CI; there is need for rethinking strategy towards adoption of an ‘Intelliport strategy’ or ‘smart’ BCM for ports, currently intertwined with the notion of the 4IR. That the ‘smart’ nature of BCM require the assimilation of 4IR technologies that enable ubiquitous presence and real time information regarding organizational processes. Adopting an ‘Intelliport strategy’ is likely to have two main implications for BCM and practice: the first is linked to the development of a circular economy, in which aggregation of BCM activities can enhance sustainable development of the seaports; and secondly, adoption of a cloud computing model that can result in the enhancement of business growth of the units promote collaborative problem solving and decision making in BCM.
Open Access
Consumer acceptance of mobile marketing through mobile phones: a case study of South African University students
(2017-05-18) Donga, Gift Taruwandira; Kadyamatimba, A.; Zindiye, S.; Chibonda, T.
Consumer mobile phone adoption is on the rise exponentially, and offers marketers with many new opportunities to reach and serve customers. The South African mobile phone market has increased rapidly and a significant proportion of mobile services usage in South Africa is the youth. South African youths are following international trends as well as becoming the fastest-growing group in terms of technology adoption in the country. The prevalence of mobile technology as well as its capability to enable laser precision marketing on an individual basis has directed marketers to consider the adoption of mobile marketing. However, the question remains whether consumers are ready for uptake of mobile phone marketing. The purpose of this study was to bring light and create an understanding of the factors affecting university students’ willingness to participate in mobile phone marketing in South Africa. This study used a positivist paradigm that ensures that there is a gap between the researcher’s subjective bias and the objective reality being studied. The study was descriptive in nature with survey method being used to complete the study. The quantitative research technique was applied with data being collected from respondents by a self-administered questionnaire targeted at youth students from selected South African Universities. The questionnaire was pre-tested in a pilot study involving the research participants to identify errors in the research questionnaire and to ensure that the data collected would be relevant and as precise as possible. Findings from this study revealed how consumers want to participate in mobile marketing as well as the contributory factors influencing the acceptance of mobile marketing. Furthermore, this study supplements to the increasing body of evidence on mobile marketing acceptance. The study can also assist managers to utilise the potential of this marketing medium amongst university students in South Africa. More essentially, this study also provided information that can be used to monitor decision making towards mobile advertisements and marketing planning.
Open Access
A context-aware business intelligence framework for South African Higher Institutions
(2016) Mutanga, Alfred; Kadyamatimba, Armstrong; Mavetera, Nehemiah; Zaaiman, Jannie J.
This thesis demonstrates the researcher’s efforts to put into practice the theoretical foundations of information systems research, in order to come up with a context-aware business intelligence framework (CABIF), for the South African higher education institutions. Using critical realism as the philosophical underpinning and mixed methods research design, a business intelligence (BI) survey was deployed within the South African public higher education institutions to measure the respondents’ satisfaction and importance of business intelligence characteristics. The 258 respondents’ satisfaction and importance of the 34 observed business intelligence variables, were subjected to principal components analysis and design science research to come up with the CABIF. The observable BI variables were drawn from four latent variables namely technology and business alignment; organizational and behavioural strategies; business intelligence domain; and technology strategies. The study yielded good values for all the observed satisfaction and importance business intelligence variables as indicated by the Kaiser- Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Measure of Sampling Adequacy and the Bartlett Test of Sphericity. The data set collected from the survey deployed at the South African public higher education institutions, was reliable and valid based on the Cronbach α values which were all above 0.9. The researcher then used the descriptive and prescriptive knowledge of design science research, and the meta-inferences of the results from the principal components analysis to produce five contexts of CABIF. The BI contexts developed were, the Basic Context; the Business Processes Context which was divided into Macro and Micro business process contexts; the Business Intelligence Context; and the Governance Context. These contexts were extrapolated within the University of Venda’s business processes and this researcher concluded that the CABIF developed, could be inferred within the South African higher education institutions. At the University of Venda, this researcher managed to draw up CABIF based business intelligence tools that spanned from leveraging the existing ICT infrastructure, student cohort analysis, viability of academic entities, strategic enrolment planning and forecasting government block grants. The correlations and regression measures of the technology acceptance variables of the business intelligence tools modelled using CABIF at University of Venda, revealed high acceptance ratio. Overall, this research provides a myriad of conceptual and practical insights into how contextualised aspects of BI directly or indirectly impact on the quality of managerial decision making within various core business contexts of South African higher education institutions.
Open Access
Developing entrepreneurship through microfranchising: evidence from South African practices
(2020-09) Shumba, Knowledge; Shambare, R.; Nkondo, L. G.
Microfranchising’ is one of the new innovative entrepreneurial concepts that has gained traction in the past few years and potentially can provide a livelihood to the three billion people that live at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoPInnovationCenter, 2020) on less than US$2 a day. While microfranchising is a strategy meant to rapidly scale-up entrepreneurship behaviour, very little is known about the microfranchising processes as well as its ability to enhance entrepreneurship in South Africa. Resultantly, the latter is ignored from entrepreneurship discussion and discourse at both academic and policy levels. To address this gap the study assessed microfranchising practices in South Africa, with the aim of proposing a microfranchising framework that will enhance entrepreneurship development. The study used the interpretivism research paradigm to achieve the study objectives. Primary and secondary data were employed to collect data on the microfranchising practices in South Africa. The study sampled five microfranchise entrepreneurs (four microfranchisee and one microfranchisor using the in-depth structured interview format while secondary data (microfranchisees and microfranchisors success stories) and was employed to collect data on the former and current practices of microfranchising in South Africa. The collected data was analysed using the ATLAS.ti. The study results show that microfranchisees exhibit traits of successful entrepreneurs. As a result, the study concludes that microfranchising can be used as a tool for entrepreneurship development using the proposed microfranchising framework developed in Chapter 6 of this study. The value of this work is among the first in seeking to propose a framework for developing entrepreneurship through microfranchising. The implication of the study is that it potentially provides policymakers with valuable tools to understand microfranchising practices and its efficacy in stimulating entrepreneurship development in South Africa. The study recorded and established microfranchising practices in South Africa to enhance the extinct academic literature on microfranchising and entrepreneurship ventures operating at the BoP.
Open Access
The effects of civil unrest on tourism businesses in Vhembe Region, South Africa
(2021-02) Hlungwani, Rirhandzu Eunice; Tshipala, N. N.; Nyikana, S.
The study investigated the effects of civil unrest on tourism business in Vuwani area in the Vhembe region. A quantitative research approach was used in the study. The descriptive research design was adopted in conducting this research. The study population comprised of tourism stakeholders such as tourists, local residents, tour guides, tour operators and hotel managers. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 250 respondents for the study. Questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The study established that civil unrest negatively affects the local area by causing environmental degradation, political instability and negative economic activities that have a knock-on effect on the tourism business. The study recommends that the local municipality support effective service delivery, active participation of local residents in the tourism business and organise workshops to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders to create a conducive climate for tourism development.
Open Access
Enhancing the running of small businesses in South Africa, the case of Limpopo Province
(2020-02) Nago, Denzel Thando; Zindiye, Stanislous; Shambare, Richard
The value of small businesses is known globally for its contribution towards economic growth, job creation and social progression. A plethora of entrepreneurial problems (for example, mismanagement of finance and lack of managerial skills) usually causes start-ups to have a short lifespan. Despite much effort by the government and private sector towards addressing these problems, high attrition rates among small businesses is still a problem in South Africa. Although considerable literature in entrepreneurship points out factors such as the lack of funding and lack of managerial skills as the leading causes for the high attrition rates among small businesses, research has overlooked one important factor which is entrepreneurs’ inability or ability to adapt to the volatile business environment. This is instituted on the synchronisation of entrepreneurship challenges. It is in this regard that this study seeks to understand entrepreneurship problems of funding and skills challenges when operating a small business. With such a gap, this study argued, the lack of localised research aimed at enhancing small businesses in South Africa. This constitutes a research gap, which this study addressed. To attain this purpose, an exploratory research design guided by a qualitative research method was employed. This was coupled with data collection procedure which involved extracting data on enhancing small businesses by means of interviews with 6 respondents who were selected purposively. The value of this work is that it sought to understand the finance and skills challenge within the South African context. The implication of the study is that it potentially provides NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) and government with valuable tools to understand South African entrepreneurship and the effective channels of intervention for small business ventures.
Open Access
Entrepreneurial success factors of immigrant spaza-shop owners in Thulamela Local Municipality
(2019-05-17) Mampheu, Vhuthu; Nkonda, L. G.; Dube, M. H.
The spaza-shop sector is an integral part of the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the South African economy. The industry is made up of more than 100 000 enterprises with a collective annual turnover of R7 billion. Spaza shops also contribute about 4% (about 100 000 jobs) of employment in the informal sector. Spaza shops usually have a short lifespan and rarely grow; the failure rate of spaza shops, including those owned by immigrants is very high in South Africa. It is estimated that the failure rate of small businesses (including spaza shops) in South Africa is between 70% and 80%. It is also noted that about 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years of commencement of business, irrespective of the country. Despite severe competitive pressures faced by SMMEs, immigrants (especially Somalis and Ethiopians) have established a strong foothold in the spaza-shop sector. The main objective of the study was to investigate the success factors of immigrant-owned spaza shops in Thulamela Local Municipality. To address the research question, which focuses on the lived experiences and perceptions of participants, the interpretivist paradigm was used. A qualitative approach was adopted with a sample of 25 participants; purposive sampling was used to select participants with the required characteristics. Structured interview questions administered through face-to-face interviews were used to collect data and content analysis was used to analyse data. The data collected revealed that there are a plethora of success factors that are enhancing the continuance and sustenance of immigrant spaza shops in Thulamela Local Municipality. Of these, the most frequently given ones include - human capital, networks, culture, superior customer service, long operating hours and business location. The researcher recommended that immigrant spaza-shop entrepreneurs should establish a mentorship program that will assist in training other local spaza-owners to successfully manage their enterprises, in a bid to create harmony within the sector and to promote job creation.
Open Access
Entrepreneurship gaps framework: an exploration into expectations vis-a-vis realities of entrepreneurship
(2020-02) Nheta, Daniel Silent; Shambare, R.; Sigauke, C.; Tshipala, N.
In South Africa, empirical evidence discloses a situation that is crippling to early-stage entrepreneurs since three in every four emerging businesses are collapsing. A substantial body of research has documented the lack of resources to be the instigator of this high attrition rate. While this narrative would appear to provide both the reason for and the solution to the high business failure rate, the current study argues that this perspective is limiting and inadequate to deal with this problem of high entrepreneurship venture attrition. Such limited perspective focusses narrowly on the business component, excluding the entrepreneurial component. In addition, this perspective does not attempt to explore or address the possible gap between entrepreneurs’ expectations and the realities they face in managing businesses. This study and a limited number of other studies have shown many emerging entrepreneurs to experience a discrepancy between what they expect when running a business, and the often harsh realities they experience when owning and managing a ‘real’ business. For researchers as well as for early-stage entrepreneurs, this presents a discrepancy between theory and experiential reality – one of the significant trials of operating a business is when the entrepreneur should deal with this discrepancy. This study refers to this discrepancy as the Entrepreneurship Gap (EG). The EG is higher when business management and sustainability realities differ greatly from entrepreneurial expectations. Thus, one can postulate when the EG level is high, the entrepreneur is inadequately prepared for establishing, managing and sustaining a business. At the point where this EG becomes apparent, the level of the entrepreneur’s ability or inability to deal with business becomes fundamental as well as crucial to identify and or predict his/her success. The purpose of this research was to develop a framework model that can be used to diagnose business preparedness among early-stage entrepreneurs and therefore assist them to adjust to a career in entrepreneurship. Evidence supporting the framework model and its applications is discussed within the ambit of early-stage businesses. To attain this purpose, an exploratory sequential research design was employed. A two-phase data collection procedure was conducted in the Limpopo Province. Phase one involved in-depth interviews that were to explore the various business factors that entrepreneurs struggle within the early stages of establishing and managing a business. ATLAS.ti version 8 was employed for qualitative data analysis. In phase two, a structured self-administered questionnaire was used. SPSS v24 was used as tools for quantitative analysis. The sample sizes for each phase were five and 215, respectively. The participants were purposively selected after satisfying the selection criteria. This was completed using an explorative data analysis grounded in discrete choice models, and R version 3.6.0 was used in the analysis of the developed models. The various specific business factors affecting entrepreneurs in the early stage of business and which emerged from the data were presented. The study further developed an EG measurement scale and an Entrepreneurship Gaps Framework (EGF) model. Findings from the EGF model revealed the potential ability of the model to act as a comprehensive diagnostic mechanism that assists early-stage entrepreneurship survival. From the findings, this study argues and advocates the use of the EGF model as a decision-making tool by – but not limited to – policymakers, lenders, and capacity-development institutions, to determine the level of financial and non-financial support that should be provided to entrepreneurs to improve their chances of success. Thus, entrepreneurs are likely to benefit from the EG measurement scale if they make use of it as a self-diagnostic tool to measure and monitor their business preparedness and lived experience of managing and sustaining a business.
Open Access
Expenditure patterns of students at tourist attractions in the Vhembe District Municipality
(2019-11) Segooa, Malesini Magdeline; Tshipala, N. N.; Madzunye, T.
Tourism demand is mainly measured in terms of tourism arrivals and departures together with tourist expenditure and receipts. Further variables commonly cited in the literature are travel exports and/or imports, tourist length of stay and number of nights spent at the accommodation. This study aimed to analyse the expenditure patterns of students travelling to attractions in the Vhembe District Municipality and focused on how much students spend when travelling and when at the attraction. The researcher used a descriptive approach and employed a quantitative research design. A sample of 600 respondents was selected using the convenient sampling method, with data collected at three major institutions in the Vhembe District Municipality, namely the University of Venda, the Vhembe TVET College and the Limpopo College of Nursing (Vhembe Campus). To analyse the data, chi-square, factor analysis and cluster analysis were used. The findings revealed the demographic descriptors of time spent and activities preferred by student travellers when visiting the attractions. In addition, the expenditure patterns of students visiting tourist attractions were analysed. The information provided by this study should help service providers, product owners, government departments, private sectors and travel agencies in their decision-making regarding the planning, developing, packaging and marketing of Vhembe as a destination.
Open Access
Franchising in a volatile business environment: a case of the fast food industry in Harare, Zimbabwe
(2016-05) Shumba, Knowledge; Zindiye, S.; Jacobs, J. H.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
The impact of corporate entrepreneurship and human resources management practices on organisational performances: the mediating role of employee engagement
(2023-10-05) Vinyu, Charles; Chiliya, N.; Ngirande, H.
Corporate entrepreneurship positively impacts organisational growth and profitability by offering a competitive edge over innovation-driven technology advancements and a tumultuous global marketplace. As developing countries become more involved in international competition, the significance of human resources as a source of high organisational performance has become apparent. Combining corporate entrepreneurship activities and human resource management practices is vital for enhancing organisational performance. There has been increasing research on corporate entrepreneurship, however, research is scarceonthe influence of corporate entrepreneurship, human resources management, and employee engagement on the organisational performance of telecommunication organisations, particularly, in Zimbabwe. This study's purpose was to investigate the impact of corporate entrepreneurship and human resources management practices on organisational performance through the mediating role of employee engagement. This research followed a positivist research paradigm. Four hundred (400) employees in the telecommunication industry were selected using a stratified sampling method and an online questionnaire was utilised to gather data. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analyse data using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 27.0. The hypotheses were tested using multi-regression analysis. The results indicated asignificant relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and human resources management practices on organisational performance. In addition, the results showed that corporate entrepreneurship and human resources management practices, positively impacted employee engagement. Employee engagement emerged to have a positive impact on organisational performance. Employee engagement mediates the relationships between corporate entrepreneurship and organisational performance. Additionally, employee engagement mediates the relationships between human resources management practices and organisational performance. Theresearch broadens the knowledge base in corporate entrepreneurship, human resources management practices, employee engagement, and telecommunication's organisational performance. Policymakers and human resources practitioners, thus, may use this study as a reference point for adopting corporate entrepreneurship policies and human resources management practices strategies aimed at enhancing organisational performance in this unpredictable business environment. Lastly, a conceptual model was developed to link corporate entrepreneurship, human resources management practices, employee engagement, and organisational performance in the telecommunication sector of Zimbabwe.
Open Access
The Impact of Sociocultural Factors on the Development of Entrepreneurship in Thulamela Local Municipality
(2020-07) Murimwa, Chenjerai; Nkondo, L. G.; Khohomela, N. T.
Entrepreneurship has become the backbone of every economy in the modern era; essential for employment creation, revamping national economic performance and generating wealth. Despite it being taught in tertiary institutions and trained in vocational institutions, studies show that entrepreneurship is not achieving its full potential in contributing to economies especially in rural settings. It needs to be fostered and nurtured in sociocultural perspectives to maximise its contribution towards the economy of South Africa. The aim of the study was to establish the importance of sociocultural factors in the development of entrepreneurship in rural settings of South Africa. The study area was Thohoyandou Central Business District, Tshaulu, Tshilamba and Khubvi in Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A mixed method approach was used, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to better understand the relationship between entrepreneurship development and sociocultural dimensions involved and address the research objectives. The sample for this study comprised of 100 entrepreneurial initiatives in Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The researcher used a stratified purposive sampling technique, where questionnaires with both open and closed ended questions was administered as the instrument for data collection. Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) version 25, formerly known as SPSS was used for quantitative data analysis and Thematic Content Analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. The findings indicated social impedances, lack of confidence in the services offered, gender discrimination, role models and the support system as key influencers of entrepreneurship advancement. The study also showed that culture contributes to entrepreneurship development in Thulamela Local Municipality through aspects such as resistance, traditional beliefs and looking down upon others. The study also established that entrepreneurship is considered as better than conventional day-to-day jobs because of its ability to give financial stability to individuals and consolidate and empower the community. The researcher recommended that the following factors be considered: market expansion, funding, training and skills development, community development, teaching entrepreneurship in communities and internal business adjustments.