Nature and perceived value of mentoring for established business owner- managers in South Africa

Abstract

In order to effectively support entrepreneurs and SMEs, it is important to consider their unique needs dependent on their phase of business and their geographical context. The study argues for the need to focus on established businesses as a distinct subset of SMEs. Since mentorship is widely used as a tool to support entrepreneurs and SMEs, this study focused its efforts on understanding mentorship in the context of established business owner-managers. The study adopts a broad view of mentoring as it occurs in the context of an individual’s developmental network. It explores concepts such as the nature of challenges faced by established business owner-managers, individual dyads in developmental networks, mentor functions played by these dyads and the perceived value of the support received by established business owner-managers. The study adopted a qualitative approach with narrative research as its mode of enquiry. A total of 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with established business owner-managers in South Africa. The findings lead to the development of a conceptual framework that can be used by practitioners focused on SME development to effectively support established business owner-managers. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the body of mentoring literature a rich and nuanced understanding of the factors that influence the business-related challenges faced by established business owner-managers and how these challenges can be overcome by cultivating a developmental network.