Business Management
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/2507
2024-03-28T16:40:54ZEntrepreneurship training : why trainee selection is as vital as training design and delivery
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95005
Entrepreneurship training : why trainee selection is as vital as training design and delivery
Davies, Clint E.; Moos, Menisha; Van Vuuren, Jurie Jansen
ORIENTATION : Entrepreneurship education (EE) and entrepreneurship training (ET) programmes
have boomed but many studies have questioned the degree of applied benefits realised from
the training.
RESEARCH PURPOSE : The purpose of this research was to resolve the weaknesses and
inconsistencies found in prior research concerning ET efficacy.
MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : This research aimed to reveal more precisely why and how ET is
effective.
RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD : The study was quantitative and quasi-experimental,
and the data were collected in a non-probability purposive sampling strategy from 234
respondents. The eventual sample size was 184 (before) and 184 (after), in a matched-pair
sample, based on the number of usable surveys with a response rate of 78.63%. The study
statistics included simple regression and multiple‑hierarchical regression analyses.
MAIN FINDINGS : Results indicated entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) had a greater direct impact
on entrepreneurial competencies (r = 0.613) and business management skills (r = 0.552) than
training design did (r = 0.471; r = 0.400), respectively. Furthermore, multiple‑hierarchical
regression showed that ESE mediates the impact of training design on entrepreneurial
competencies and business management skills.
PRACTICAL MANGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : Without high levels of ESE, ET is likely to be ineffective
regardless of how well designed or delivered it is, because the trainees’ abilities make all the
difference. Trainee selection is therefore a key determinant of ET efficacy.
CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD : There is an innovative mediation effect of ESE on the impact that ET
has on entrepreneurship human capital (EHC). This extends the implication of seminal work
on self-efficacy theory into the realm of ET and EHC outcomes.
DATA AVAILABILITY : The data supporting the findings of this study are securely
filed with the authors in accordance with the relevant ethical
protocols that guided the study.
2023-11-13T00:00:00ZEnhancing creditor decision-making in South African business rescue proceedings: a comprehensive analysis of information requirements in business rescue plans
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/94926
Enhancing creditor decision-making in South African business rescue proceedings: a comprehensive analysis of information requirements in business rescue plans
Kekana, Mamekwa Katlego; Pretorius, Marius; De Abreu, Nicole Varela Aguiar
PURPOSE : Business rescue, as a mechanism to aid financially distressed companies in South Africa, has received considerable academic and practical recognition. However, the business rescue plan is an overlooked and, perhaps, underdeveloped aspect of the regime. For stakeholders, this is the ultimate decision-making document. Creditors are the most influential stakeholders in business rescue proceedings owing to their voting rights. For creditors to make informed decisions and exercise their votes meaningfully, the business rescue plan should be transparent and adequately disclose relevant and reliable information. This study aims to identify creditors’ primary information needs to enhance the sufficiency and decision-usefulness of business rescue plans, not only to entice the vote of creditors but to enforce accountability from practitioners.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 executives from 10 South African financial institutions.
FINDINGS : The findings reveal that comprehensive disclosure of financial, commercial and legal information in business rescue plans was a critical antecedent for stakeholder decision-making. Additionally, leadership and social impact information were influential determinants. This study advances academic knowledge and, for practitioners, adds value to the development of business rescue plans. This can enhance creditors' confidence in supporting the rescue effort and approving the plan.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : This study advances academic knowledge and, for practitioners, adds value to the development of business rescue plans. This can enhance creditors' confidence in supporting the rescue effort and approving the plan.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The originality of this article lies in its investigation of how creditors assess the information in BR plans as a precursor to supporting the company’s reorganisation in a creditor-friendly business rescue system such as South Africa. This study provides novel insights into the decision-making process, particularly how creditors assess BR plans, address information asymmetry and vote on the plan.
2024-02-01T00:00:00ZRSCL onto-epistemology and practice approach to reconceptualise responsible leadership theory
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/94557
RSCL onto-epistemology and practice approach to reconceptualise responsible leadership theory
Ntakumba, Stanley Sixolile; De Jongh, Derick
PURPOSE : This article explores how the relational social constructionist leadership (RSCL)
ontology and epistemology, as well as the practice approach, could be employed to
reconceptualise the responsible leadership theory.
DESIGN : This paper presents a literature review on the responsible leadership and relational
leadership theories. It also reviews literature on the RSCL onto-epistemology as its
theoretical framework and the practice approach as its methodology. The empirical
analysis that is underlined by the abductive mode of enquiry is based on nine interviews
with leaders from the Twende Mbele (TM) African Partnership for Monitoring and
Evaluation.
FINDINGS : The findings comprise one main theme (relational leadership practice of interest)
called identifying. Identifying constitutes five sub-themes (intersecting relational leadership
practices): context identity, gender identity, government identity, language identity and
champions identity. Recommendations to reconceptualise responsible leadership theory are
based on the discussion of the findings.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : The findings could enhance the quality, intentionality and practicality
of inter-organisational leadership stakeholder engagement strategies. The social construction
of leaders as role models, in the form of cultivating their identity as champions beyond the
internal positional leaders, could be practiced by business leaders in other organisational
settings to champion social-relationality and ethics-orientation in society in line with the core
tenets of responsible leadership theory.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The RSCL onto-epistemology and the practice approach methodology
provide conceptual tools to advance responsible leadership theory from a leader-centric focus to the collective domain of leadership research by using leadership practices as the unit of
analysis.
DATA AVAILABILITY : Transcripts are confidential and are kept with the University
of Pretoria because of ethical commitments made to the
interviewees.
2023-04-28T00:00:00ZA framework to drive business growth in developing countries using omni-channel strategies
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/94099
A framework to drive business growth in developing countries using omni-channel strategies
Botha, Lezaan; Human, Lara I.; Rossouw, Melissa E.; Nel, Jacobus D.
During the past few decades, firms have undergone radical changes due to digitalisation initiatives, changing consumer behaviour and other factors, such as the pandemic. This has led to, amongst others, the implementation of online strategies such as an omni-channel strategy. However, omni-channel strategies increase supply chain complexities and have very specific managerial implications to consider. Current research addresses numerous benefits of and barriers to online strategies and provides building blocks to implement online strategies. From this, a theoretical foundation was built for this article. Interviews were conducted in a developing country to determine the extent to which the theoretical foundation can be applied within the context of a developing country. This general qualitative research proposes a framework for managers in developing countries to consider when implementing an omni-channel strategy.
2023-01-01T00:00:00Z