Migration and Migrants Entrepreneurial Skills in South Africa: Assets or Liabilities?

Kalitanyi, Vivence; Visser, Kobus

doi:10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p147

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…16 Somali immigrant entrepreneurs, mirroring their counterparts from other African nations, have demonstrated significant success in business ventures, making substantial contributions to South Africa's job market, especially within these residential areas. 17 This observation further reinforces the notion that immigrant entrepreneurs, particularly Somalis, are assets and primarily job creators rather than job takers as often insinuated by some natives.…”

Section: Literature Reviewsupporting

confidence: 72%

An Exploration of the Traits Responsible for the Success of Somali Small-Scale Entrepreneurs in South Africa

Kilonzo,

Iwara

2023

EHASS

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There have been considerable government investments in financial and non-financial support for local South African small and micro-enterprises, despite this, many struggle to stay afloat compared to their counterparts, like Somali entrepreneurs. This case study, therefore, sought to explore the fundamental tenets responsible for the success of Somali entrepreneurs in South Africa, seeking valuable insights to inform policies that can enhance the competitiveness of local SMEs. Utilising a qualitative research design and an exploratory approach, an in-depth understanding and contextual knowledge of the experiences and practices of Somalian entrepreneurs were distilled. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide with a purposively selected sample of 23 experienced Somali entrepreneurs operating various small-scale businesses, across different sectors in Pretoria West. A thematic analysis, using Atlast-ti as a modelling tool, was utilised to identify recurring patterns and critical success factors underpinning the achievements of the entrepreneurs in the study area. Six themes emerged and in order of priority, were – preference for collaborative ventures, a sense of community, informal networks, adaptive spirit, resilience and customer-centred business orientation. By learning from the experiences of these Somali small-scale entrepreneurs, specific support measures can be developed to foster a more inclusive and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Africa, ultimately, leading to greater enterprise efficacy. Keywords: Entrepreneurial Orientation, Business Efficacy, Success Attributes, Immigrants, Communal Oriented Business

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Section: Literature Reviewsupporting

confidence: 72%

An Exploration of the Traits Responsible for the Success of Somali Small-Scale Entrepreneurs in South Africa

Kilonzo,

Iwara

2023

EHASS

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“…Nevertheless, policy makers should not subsidize the formation of the typical start-up, but focus on the subset of businesses with growth potential (Shane, 2009, p. 141). In light of the above, this study recommends that the South African government and enterprise development agencies intervene by providing support through mentorship and training to immigrant-owned businesses, as the current study and Kalitanyi and Visser (2010), Kalitanyi (2007), Peberdy and Rogerson (2000), Rogerson (1997) noted that these businesses provide employment, and, according to Kalitanyi & Visser (2014), transfer entrepreneurial skills to locals. This will contribute to combat the high unemployment rate South Africa currently experiences.…”

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Defining success of African immigrant-owned small businesses in Cape Town, South Africa

Khosa

Kalitanyi

2016

Problems and Perspectives in Management

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Taking Cape Town, South Africa as a case, this paper seeks to investigate the factors that define the success of small businesses owned by African immigrants. The paper reviews literature on immigrant entrepreneurs, immigrant-owned ventures and social capital. A random sample of available immigrant small businesses owners was taken where semi-structured interviews were conducted, as well as the use of self-administered questionnaires. Secondary data (literature review) have unveiled that social networks are vital in the formation and growth stages of an immigrant-owned business, as networks provide the necessary support. Ultimately, social networks supplement the survival chances of an immigrant-owned venture. Furthermore, primary data (empirical results) have revealed that most of the businesses are mainly run by males, while longevity and employment creation are defining factors of success to African immigrant-owned small businesses in Cape Town. Following the empirical findings and their analysis, recommendations have been formulated

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“…In corroboration, Kalitanyi and Visser (2014), in their study on migration and migrants' entrepreneurial skills in South Africa established that immigrant entrepreneurs indeed transmitted their entrepreneurial skills to local citizens. Asoba and Tengeh (2016) further concur that immigrants who migrate to South Africa are highly skilled and some of them come with artisan skills, entrepreneurial skills and managerial skills, which enable them to manage and expand business ventures in their host destinations.…”

Section: Nationalitymentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Local entrepreneurs seem to be failing to compete with immigrant entrepreneurs in the retail sector, as they appear to be fading away from the sector whilst immigrant entrepreneurs are taking over. Kalitanyi and Visser (2014) proclaim that one of the most debatable issues in recent times in the South African literature has been the impact of African immigrant entrepreneurship on reducing unemployment. Furthermore, Chamunorwa and Mlambo (2014); Lemes, Almeida and http://www.sajesbm.co.za Open Access…”

Section: Entrepreneurship and Immigrant Entrepreneurship In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing immigrant entrepreneur’s contribution to entrepreneurial development: A case of small retailers in the Mangaung, Free State province

Moloi

Mosweunyane

Chipunza

2022

The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Busi

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Background: Despite numerous training programmes by the South African (SA) government equipping citizens with entrepreneurial skills to create businesses for economic development. The country still faces a high rate of liquidation of businesses leading to unemployment.Aim: This article mainly aimed to assess immigrant entrepreneurs’ contribution to entrepreneurial development in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM).Setting: The study focuses on the role that skilled immigrant entrepreneurs play in entrepreneurial development in MMM through Human Capital theory.Methods: Drawing on interpretivist paradigm, the study adopted empirical stance and qualitative approach. A total of 20 participants’ immigrant entrepreneurs and employees from small retailers in MMM were interviewed. Data collected were analysed using the Burnard’s (1991) stage-by-stage method of the semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to analyse data collected. Whilst thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data obtained from the face-to-face interviews.Results: Although immigrant entrepreneurs were using their resources to share expertise and experience, most of their employees were not willing to learn. Immigrant entrepreneurs considered government support as a valuable tool when seeking to understand their contribution to developing the citizens. Accordingly, the results demonstrated that entrepreneurial skills transfer via in-store training influenced local citizens’ entrepreneurial mindset and decision to start businesses. The findings also revealed that immigrant businesses might play a critical role in solving entrepreneurial development of SA as government funding was considered to be a tool for skills transfer and entrepreneurial growth.Conclusion: Whilst most studies investigated immigrant-citizen’s entrepreneurial skills transfer process, little attention was given to possible entrepreneurial development mechanisms through business collaboration. The study concludes that human capital in the form of skilled labour has a positive effect on entrepreneurial development. This informs policymakers to prioritise the upskilling of the workforce and contributes towards value-generating economic activities.

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Migration and Migrants Entrepreneurial Skills in South Africa: Assets or Liabilities?

Abstract: Cape Town's CBD, as well as many of its suburbs, is a location that hosts many immigrant entrepreneurs. An empirical research was conducted in these areas

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

An Exploration of the Traits Responsible for the Success of Somali Small-Scale Entrepreneurs in South Africa

An Exploration of the Traits Responsible for the Success of Somali Small-Scale Entrepreneurs in South Africa

Defining success of African immigrant-owned small businesses in Cape Town, South Africa

Assessing immigrant entrepreneur’s contribution to entrepreneurial development: A case of small retailers in the Mangaung, Free State province

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