Abstract:
Many South African architects’ firms are finding it difficult to prosper in the changing economic
and business environment. While all the contributing factors are not obvious, it is suggested
that the lack of entrepreneurship education, training and support is possibly a contributing
factor.
This thesis reports the findings and recommendations of a study undertaken to propose an
integrated education, training and support framework that can improve the entrepreneurial
performance of South African Architects’ firms while contributing to the current discourse on
entrepreneurial education and training. The proposed entrepreneurship education, training
and support framework should fit into the existing education and training system for South
African architects.
The research design comprised a mixed methods empirical process which followed
‘convergent parallel mixed methods design’ (Creswell 2014:220). The results, amongst other
findings, indicated that the entrepreneurial education and training available is inadequate and
that the entrepreneurial orientation of architects is low, hence that entrepreneurial education
and training could alleviate this situation.
The study recommends a phased approach. The first phase should aim at changing
perceptions, attitudes and mindsets about entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship while the
second phase should develop in participants the required socio-emotional skills and cover the
entrepreneurial process. The third phase should focus on becoming an entrepreneur. All of the
foregoing should be framed by the specific needs of architects. The final phase should
comprise learning by doing but with support such as mentoring, administrative support and
technical assistance.
