Abstract:
Research Purpose: The aim and purpose of this study was to investigate and
explore the extent to which entrepreneurial competence contributes towards
accessing procurement opportunities from Multinational Mining Companies by host
communities. The researcher adopted a qualitative research methodology by using
explanatory and exploratory research approaches to explore how entrepreneurial
competence plays an influential role in accessing procurement opportunities from
mining companies operating in host communities. The conceptual framework of the
study adopted was from the entrepreneurial competence concept, and elements
such as opportunity competencies, relationship competencies, conceptual
competencies, organisational competencies, strategic competencies and
commitment competencies were discussed comprehensively in the literature review.
Research design, Methodology and Approach: The researcher used a crosschapteral
qualitative research methodology to explore and investigate how
entrepreneurial competence plays an influential role in accessing procurement
opportunities from Multinational Mining Companies by host communities. Primary
research data was collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with six
selected Emalahleni entrepreneurs that operate businesses engaging in
procurement opportunities from the Multinational Mining Companies in their host
communities. Secondly research data was collected from unstructured interviews
conducted with two experts from the multinational mining companies. Furthermore,
secondary data was accessed from various research platforms that included,
scholarly journal articles, mining websites, published articles, government reports
and other various research sources of interest. The researcher also applied an
explanatory and exploratory study approach in the analysis, results discussions and
literature review.
Research Findings: Study data and research findings indicated that entrepreneurial
competence plays an influential role in favouring host communities entrepreneurs to
access procurement opportunities from mining companies. Also, research findings
established that entrepreneurs who lacked core entrepreneurial competencies found
it extremely hard to access procurement opportunities from the mining companies.
Furthermore, entrepreneurial competence elements such as conceptual, strategy, opportunity and relationship competencies were among the highest recommended
aspects to accessing more procurement opportunities from the mining companies.
Research limitations and study implications: The research findings from the
study were limited to only a small study sample taken from six entrepreneurs
operating in Emalahleni, hence the views and responses from the respondents are
subjected to their circumstances only and can not be used or applied across the
whole fraternity of host communities that seek procurement opportunities from
Multinational Mining Companies in the country. Two experts were also engaged and
their expertise and insights are subject to their experiences . Furthermore, the global
and national restrictions caused by Covid made it extremely hard to access a bigger
study sample, as many entrepreneurs from the target population could not afford the
time to participate in the study. However, the research findings from the study can
be used by interested entrepreneurs seeking to access procurement opportunities
from mining companies in host communities. Furthermore, the study can be used by
future researchers to form a basis for future studies in other host communities.
Practical implications from the study: Research findings contribute to a
comprehensive understanding of how entrepreneurial competence plays an
important role in accessing procurement opportunities. The study data also indicated
that entrepreneurs with clear strategic competencies,conceptual competencies,
relationship competencies and opportunistic competencies acquire more
procurement opportunities from mining companies in comparison to their
counterparts.