The critical role Small and Medium Enterprises play in the economic prosperity of nations cannot be understated. SMEs actively contribute towards economic growth and development through their active role as innovators and agents for change. The authors of this paper believe that leadership styles exercised by SME owners have a bearing on the innovative ability of SMEs. Hence, this paper aimed at investigating the impact of leadership styles on the entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs in Polokwane Municipality. A quantitative research method was used and 103 SMEs participated in the survey. The random sampling technique was used. Self-administered questionnaires were utilised to collect data in a survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. Reliability of the data collection instruments was measured using the Cronbach’s alpha. The results indicated that the SMEs display average levels of entrepreneurial orientation. In addition, the results showed that SMEs display average levels of leadership styles inclined towards transformational leadership style. Furthermore, the results showed a significant positive relationship between the independent variables: leadership styles with the dependent variable (EO) of SMEs. SMEs were recommended to provide flexible leadership styles that will make EO to flourish in their businesses. Furthermore, the policy makers and relevant authorities were recommended to devise and implement a consortium of strategies and policies that can increase the level of entrepreneurial orientation among SMEs in South Africa.
The objective of the study was to investigate the perception of university students that have done entrepreneurship about the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education. The study adopted a quantitative research approach with a descriptive design. The study focused on the final year students (undergraduate level) in the Department of Business Management at a selected University located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaires in a survey. The results suggest that entrepreneurship education is effective with respect to certain outcomes and ineffective in some areas. Entrepreneurship education encourages students to take on entrepreneurship as a career andgives students the skills needed to be entrepreneurial. However, entrepreneurship education does not seem effective in helping students to meet people with good business ideas or preparing students on how to access finance. Recommendations to improve the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education are suggested.
Small businesses play a significant role in job creation, economic growth and development, innovation, competitiveness and poverty alleviation that eventually improve business performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) (innovativeness, risk taking, proactiveness and autonomy) and performance of small business in Vryburg area North West Province South Africa(SA). This quantitative study utilised questionnaire for data collection in a survey. The population were small business owners/managers in North West Province South Africa. Simple random sampling method was utilised to obtain participants for the study. The study utilised descriptive and inferential statistics. The result shows that only three attributes (innovativeness, risk taking and proactiveness) influence business performance while no association was found between autonomy and business performance. Additionally, positive relationship exists between the overall EO and the performance of small business. Empirically, the study contributes to the literature on EO and advance recommendations to improve the EO of small business in South Africa. The study recommends that policy makers, owners and managers of small business strategize on enterprise development and better business performance of small business in Vryburg area North West Province South Africa.
Financial literacy is of utmost importance for individuals and investors to understand and master financial products and services. Individuals need financial skills to survive in today's volatile economic environment. The objective of the study was to review the current literature on financial literacy in South Africa and suggest research areas that currently lack rigorous investigation. The study thoroughly reviewed the extant literature on financial literacy in South Africa. Fifteen papers, journal articles, theses and dissertations covering the period between 2006 and 2014 were obtained through internet searches. The searches indicated that financial literacy has stimulated many studies in South Africa. The studies focused primarily on individuals, students and small and medium enterprises owners' financial literacy. An analysis of the studies of financial literacy revealed that researchers have used different measuring instruments for the same research objective. This often leads to different conclusions. The areas for further research are suggested.
This study investigated the potential utilisation of nation branding as a government driven investment promotion approach aimed at attracting foreign direct investment to Zimbabwe. This study used both primary and secondary data. A desk research was conducted to collect secondary data from academic publications and journals, while qualitative primary data collection was semi-structured in nature, utilising an interview schedule to conduct in-depth elite interviews. These interviews were recorded for post interview verbatim transcription. A combination of non-probability sampling techniques were used to establish the final sample frame of 9 key informants for the study from a universal population of 11 investment promotion related organisations in Zimbabwe. The study employed the hermeneutic approach to data analysis to analyse the empirical qualitative data generated from the interviewing process. As a result of this study it emerged that subjectively, the negative image that Zimbabwe has as a country and as an investment destination has a causal effect on the ability of the country to attract foreign direct investment. It also emerged that key stakeholders in Zimbabwe perceive nation branding as a panacea to the image-related challenges of investment promotion for Zimbabwe.
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