No abstract

Compared to other ethnic groups, the black population of South Africa has a low participation rate in entrepreneurship activities. The research question of this article is to explain this empirical fact. Based on twenty-four expert interviews, five patterns of explanation are presented and elaborated: a historical apartheid explanation, a financial resources explanation, a human capital explanation, a traits and mindset explanation and a social capital and network explanation. The historical apartheid explanation cannot be qualified independently of the other explanations as a distinctive explanation of its own. Although missing financial resources and shortages of human capital are the factors most often mentioned by the experts, and probably the most important ones, the remaining two explanations (mindset and social network) also deserve attention. A point argued in the conclusion of this article is that socio-cultural values, and the concept of "social capital" in particular, merit further investigation with respect to the question of why there is a lack of black entrepreneurship in South Africa.

Measurement of the nonequilibrium surface concentration in a Fe–10 at. % Si (110) sample as an function of temperature reveals specific interrelated segregation behavior. A review of the initial processes in this single crystal shows the existence of certain interactions. In agreement with work on the other ternary systems, evidence has been found that carbon and silicon show a repulsive interaction in the segregation process. At lower temperatures the surface free energy favors the carbon and above a transition temperature, the silicon on the surface. On the other hand, silicon and phosphorus cosegregate, which is indicative of an attractive interaction. This has the effect that much less phosphorus is available for segregation to the surface or grain boundaries than in a pure Fe–P system. The LEED pattern for the silicon covered surface is the same as for a 1% Si sample viz. a c(7×1) superstructure with reference to the c(a×(2a)1/2) surface net, where a is the unit cell parameter in the [001] direction. Elongation of the spot in one direction indicates a change of order in the [001] direction in agreement with the silicon island formation. The pattern of the phosphorus covered surface shows a maximum surface coverage by phosphorus in good agreement with the observed value as determined by AES.

Purpose-The purpose of this article is to investigate the current self-employment rate as well as entrepreneurial intentions of the township's population on the basis of an empirical case study of a single township. It is often assumed that the black population of South Africa (mostly living in townships) has a low participation rate in entrepreneurial activities and a low level of entrepreneurial ambitions. Besides the level of entrepreneurship, personal and socioeconomic factors affecting participation in entrepreneurship are explored. Design/methodology/approach-The article uses a face-to-face survey of about 350 adult residents of the township under investigation. Findings-Contrary to the common assumption, entrepreneurial activity, which also includes all kinds of informal business ventures, cannot be qualified as low in the township under investigation. The same holds true for entrepreneurial ambitions, that is, people's intentions to start their own business in the near future. The factors influencing the probability of self-employment are similar to what we know from many other studies in the field of entrepreneurship. Socio-demographic attributes (gender, age), human capital factors (schooling, health) and social network resources (membership of organizations, self-employed friends) are significant predictors of entrepreneurial activity. It proves to be difficult, however, to explain who, in fact, articulates entrepreneurial ambitions. Practical implications-The findings show that the basic prerequisites for expanding black entrepreneurship in South Africa are in place. Politically, it seems appropriate to initiate more public support programs for black entrepreneurship, as such programs can help to translate entrepreneurial ambitions into action. However, to stay realistic, the contribution of entrepreneurship to overcome the structural problems of deprivation and poverty of the black population of South Africa should not be overestimated. Originality/value-The article is based on a careful survey in a township using a random sample. Given the rare access to a disadvantaged township community, the result that there is no evidence of "lack of entrepreneurial impetus" deserves scientific and political attention.

It is often assumed that the black population of South Africa lack entrepreneurial spirit and an entrepreneurial culture. A survey conducted in the Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth explored the entrepreneurial spirit and culture in terms of entrepreneurial activities, perceived start-up barriers, entrepreneurship climate, and general cultural factors relating to entrepreneurship. The sample comprised of 309 black adults living in Walmer Township. The results revealed surprisingly high entrepreneurial activity in the form of informal business ventures. Furthermore, the level of entrepreneurial aspirations turned out to be higher than expected. Many of the township inhabitants regard the township as having a favourable entrepreneurial climate, and support basic pro-entrepreneurial values. On the other hand, the respondents identify considerable start-up barriers for entrepreneurs. They seem to prefer being employed than self-employed. Moreover, they have low trust in people. Additional findings confirm that the township can be qualified as a 'low trust culture'.