The Women Entrepreneurship Programme (WEP) was developed after a need had been identified for such a training intervention. The WEP provides entrepreneurial and business management training to women entrepreneurs. This empirical paper measures the effectiveness of the WEP after the respondents had been through the training intervention. The sample consists of 180 women entrepreneurs, where 116 respondents form the experimental group and 64 respondents the control group. Factor analysis is presented and several statistical tests executed to present the statistically significant differences between the two groups in the sample. The findings highlight the WEP delegates' acquisition of new entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the respondents reported an increase in the number of employees, turnover, productivity and profit. It was statistically proven that the WEP is effective in training potential, start-up and established women entrepreneurs in South Africa. JEL J16, M13

Purpose-This paper focuses on the comparison of two models for entrepreneurial education with the aim of potential integration. At this juncture when entrepreneurial development is seen as the core contributor to enhance start-ups of new ventures and hence facilitate economic growth and development, the best possible education model is required. The creation of more entrepreneurs is at least partially dependent on the creation and advancement of efficient educational models. Design/methodology/approach-First, this paper briefly describes the two independently developed models for entrepreneurial education. Second, an in-depth qualitative analysis of the individual model constructs is presented to evaluate the contributions and limitations of each. Third, this paper proposes an integrated model that identifies certain weaknesses of each of its building-blocks, which are eliminated by the integration. Findings-The paper concludes that the integrated model for entrepreneurial education enhances the body of knowledge and highlights the key role of facilitators of entrepreneurial education programmes. Originality/value-Suggests that research should be conducted into the facilitation skills, entrepreneurial and business experience of existing facilitators and potentially those of business advisers that act as mentors. Keywords Entrepreneurialism, Educational development, Training Paper type Research paper o op pe en nU UP P o op pe en nU UP P o op pe en nU UP P o op pe en nU UP P

Gives an overview of the contents of entrepreneurship and small enterprise training in general as well as the specific objectives of these interventions in the South African situation. Briefly covers the problems found and highlighted by researchers in the 1990s and assesses whether the problems or deficiencies of the past are being addressed. Concludes that the training emphasis of small, medium and micro‐enterprise service providers in South Africa still seem to be more on conventional training than entrepreneurial training. Also concludes that entrepreneurship and business training are confused as being similar. It is recommended that training interventions should be monitored to determine those that are the most successful and appropriate for the South African situation.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation of the service profit chain as an entrepreneurial marketing initiative within a defined franchise system. An objective is also to evaluate these initiatives against service quality dimensions. Despite recognition of the merits and advantages of service profit chain initiatives of retention, related sales and referrals, little research has empirically addressed the perceptions of franchisees regarding these initiatives.Design/methodology/approach -Methodology includes the empirical analysis of evaluating the effectiveness of service profit chain implementation, primarily based on initiatives of retention, related sales and referrals. 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; and the Cronbach's coefficient alpha.Findings -Hypothesis tests highlight the significance of a positive association between service profit chain initiatives and service quality. All service profit chain initiatives were deemed appropriate. Item analysis highlights specific dominant service profit chain initiatives, linking key relationship marketing and service quality themes.Research limitations/implications -Findings are indicative of implementation opportunities, including measurement of loyalty within the system, developing customer feedback and complaint systems, and communicating the value of service profit chain enhancement within the franchise system. Originality/value -Originality includes cognizance of entrepreneurial orientation, relationships and service quality when implementing service profit chain initiatives. Concurrent research opportunities include the implementation of other entrepreneurial marketing initiatives, including relationship marketing and benchmarking for best practice.

Previous research has shown that small business growth may be the consequence of various factors. Entrepreneurs face various challenges in the growth of their businesses. A lack of support and general resources are some of the challenges they face. This causal research study explored the impact that the use of government support initiatives has on the growth of the businesses of female entrepreneurs in Tshwane South