Contextual Embeddedness as a Framework: The Case of Entrepreneurship in South Africa

Swartz, Ethné; Amatucci, Frances M.; Marks, Jonathan

doi:10.1142/s1084946719500183

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…The country has produced many other successful entrepreneurs such as Adrian Gore (Discovery Limited), Christoffel Wiese (Pepkor), Herman Mashaba (Black Lime Me) and others. South Africa's current entrepreneurial performance as reflected by empirical data paints a bleak picture (Swartz et al 2019). The country's SME discontinuity rate was measured at 4.9% in 2019, and it was found to be higher when compared to 3.5% for established firms (Bowmaker-Falconer & Herrington 2020).…”

Section: Entrepreneurship In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The country's SME discontinuity rate was measured at 4.9% in 2019, and it was found to be higher when compared to 3.5% for established firms (Bowmaker-Falconer & Herrington 2020). Entrepreneurs in South Africa face a high level of constraints such as inadequate support, lack of access to advisory services, high cost of broadband access, skills shortage, electricity supply and unsupportive regulatory frameworks (Swartz et al 2019).…”

Section: Entrepreneurship In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Innovative mechanisms to improve access to funding for the black-owned small and medium enterprises in South Africa

Baloyi

Khanyile

2022

SAJESBM

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Background: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa and globally struggle to gain access to external funding. The current lending instruments used by the banks are more suitable for large enterprises than for SMEs. Financially constrained SMEs are less likely to contribute to economic growth and job creation. Small and medium enterprises in South Africa are expected to create 90% of the 11 million jobs as per the National Development Plan.Aim: The objective of this study was to deliver innovatively designed funding mechanisms through which improved access to external funding can be achieved.Setting: Participating stakeholders in this research were entrepreneurs and suppliers of funding, policymakers and experts.Methods: The purposive sampling method was used in this study where 24 in-depth interviews were conducted, and 160 survey questionnaires were recorded. Mixed-methods approach was used to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative techniques. A literature review related to entrepreneurship and capital structure theories was conducted. Thematic and statistical graphical data analyses were applied in both the qualitative and quantitative data, respectively.Results: The critical findings of this study are the blended SME funding model and the SME risk reduction model. Designing the lending instruments in a way that blends both private and public financial resources increases the risk appetite on the side of the private lending institutions.Conclusion: The proposed model requires more improved public–private partnerships. Furthermore, the findings include the need for supportive regulatory framework and embracing alternative emerging technology-enabled funding options.

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Section: Entrepreneurship In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Entrepreneurship In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Innovative mechanisms to improve access to funding for the black-owned small and medium enterprises in South Africa

Baloyi

Khanyile

2022

SAJESBM

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“…The conceptualisation of Africanness has also acquired a location within the experience of colonialism, resistance and praxis. We, thus, read that: "The critical reflection of our collective existence is about developing a consciousness of our interconnected realities and social well-being as resistors who are continually contesting agendas in order to design our futures" (Dei, 2011, p.44), of having an identity understood as the "other" of the European "self" (Soyinka, 1976;Lushaba and Lategan, 2019;Marschall, 2001;Azeb, 2019;Swartz et al, 2019). This conceptualisation of identity is nativist.…”

Section: The Management Discoursementioning

confidence: 99%

“…After Pan-Africanism, a number of other identity-constructing concepts such as "Africanity", "Afrocentrism" and "Negritude" emphasised new reiterations of an African identity discourse in ways that initially lacked conceptual clarity (Diagne et al, 2001;Swartz et al, 2019). More recently, however, a new generation of African intellectuals have transformed the identity discourse from one characterised by conceptual reductionism into a dynamic hermeneutics of Africanness.…”

Section: The Management Discoursementioning

confidence: 99%

The management discourse: collective or strategic performance drive?

Verhoef

2021

JMH

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to engage with the discourse on the assumed existence of an distinct “African management” model. It critically deconstructs the concepts and submits an alternative strategy to address the need to understand what is happening in management of business in Africa. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative critical text analysis is used to understand the discourse on the nature of “African management” from the extant literature. The identity theory informs the understanding of the references to “African” as fundamental to identify a distinct management model. This analysis is supplemented by empirical case study research into successful African business. Findings Scholars failed to conceptualise what is “African”, and subsequently also what constitutes “African management”. This conceptual void undermines the critical reconstruction of a single African management model. Empirical research into actual management practices emerge as fundamental to systematic progress in this discourse. This research points to diverse management traditions converging into pragmatic practices. Research limitations/implications Only a limited number of case studies were conducted into management history in Africa. This paper argues for an extended research programme, but this is future work. Practical implications It suggests a research strategy for scholars in African business studies, business history and management history to collaborate towards making a solid contribution to the economic development of our continent. Social implications This research has the potential of forging collaboration in business among all of the people in Africa. Originality/value A critical text analysis is used to expose the conceptual lacunae that undermines progress in the discourse. This paper contributes to the literature on “African management” by systematically deconstructing the concept of “African identity” as a prerequisite to the management discourse. By signalling ethnic nostalgia, the critical reconceptualisation of Africanness offers an intellectually creative strategy out of the stalled discourse.

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“…Despite the significant role of entrepreneurship in any economy, unfavourable conditions (e.g. lack of support for entrepreneurs and limited skills development) contribute to the low levels of entrepreneurship in emerging countries (Swartz et al, 2019). As one of the exemplary emerging countries, South Africa crawls behind the average of an established business in Africa and globally (Bowmaker-Falconer & Herrington, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Entrepreneurial learning outcomes in the transition from hybrid to full-time entrepreneurship

Rugpath

Mamabolo

2022

SAJBM

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Purpose: Hybrid entrepreneurship is a career transition path and a learning ground for entrepreneurs moving towards full-time entrepreneurship. Although previous studies have highlighted the benefits of a learning process, the learning during the hybrid phase is mainly underexplored. This study aimed to explore the learning outcomes during the transition from hybrid to full-time entrepreneurship in a South African context.Design/methodology/approach: This narrative qualitative study collected data from a purposive sample of 15 South African entrepreneurs who transitioned from hybrid to full-time entrepreneurship.Findings/results: There are three primary learning outcomes during the transition process. Firstly, the meaning-making outcomes in the early transition stage rely on spiritual guidance in the decision-making process and refining the entrepreneurs’ purpose. Secondly, the applied entrepreneurial learning outcomes in the mid-transition stage focus on the entrepreneurial competencies and operating as a jack of all trades to manage the business. Lastly, the constructive entrepreneurial leadership outcomes in the late transition stage are about the entrepreneurs leading themselves, others and the organisation. The findings show that the entrepreneurs’ narratives of the learning outcomes align with the transition stages.Practical implications: This study contributes to the entrepreneurial practice by developing a framework on learning outcomes during the transition process. Entrepreneurs in the transition process should build some of the identified competencies.Originality/value: The study addresses an overlooked research area on learning experienced during the transition from hybrid to full-time entrepreneurship. It also suggests propositions that contribute to the growing body of research on hybrid entrepreneurship.

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Contextual Embeddedness as a Framework: The Case of Entrepreneurship in South Africa

Cited by 14 publications

References 66 publications

Innovative mechanisms to improve access to funding for the black-owned small and medium enterprises in South Africa

Innovative mechanisms to improve access to funding for the black-owned small and medium enterprises in South Africa

The management discourse: collective or strategic performance drive?

Entrepreneurial learning outcomes in the transition from hybrid to full-time entrepreneurship

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