An examination of the determinants of entrepreneurship at the regional level:the case of East Midlands region

Despite the importance of new firms to the economy, determinants of start-ups have mainly been examined at a country level and discussion of regional entrepreneurial activity has received less attention. Since there are significant variations in entrepreneurship rates across and within countries, such an investigation at a regional level would help in gaining an in depth understanding of the impact of the individual level resource endowments and neighbourhood characteristics on an individual’s decision to engage in entrepreneurial activity. The main aim of the thesis is to explore various theories of entrepreneurship and develop integrated frameworks for examining the determinants of entrepreneurial activity at a neighbourhood level in the East Midlands region in England. The specific objectives of the thesis are to examine how the individual level resources and the neighbourhood characteristics: (i) combine to influence an individual to engage in the different stages of the entrepreneurial process, (ii) influence natives and migrants to engage in start up activity and (iii) influence women and men to become self-employed and ambitious entrepreneurs. In terms of the methodology, the empirical analysis is based on two databases combined: 2006 to 2009 GEM East Midlands region and the English Index of Multiple Deprivation dataset. Based on the critical review of the literature on entrepreneurship the thesis develop theoretical frameworks which led to formulate hypotheses related to the differentiated impact of both individual and neighbourhood level factors on the propensity of an individual to be involved in entrepreneurial activity. The findings indicate that the determinants of entrepreneurial activity vary with human, financial and the local environment factors affecting the entrepreneurial process. Finally, the thesis calls for caution when developing and applying generic and specific policy measures aimed at promoting entry into entrepreneurship

Interactive teaching methods in national and strategic studies in teacher training colleges: deafeting the myopic of patriotic history and political expediency

A paper on the use of interactive teaching methods in teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe.This paper dispels the notion that National and Strategic Studies (NASS), as taught in teacher training colleges, is a tool in the service of the sectarian interests of politicians. It shows that NASS is a relevant subject whose objectives serve national interests. It helps students develop such pertinent life skills as research, critical thinking and exposes them to important issues pertaining to their political, social and economic welfare. This is achieved through use ofparticipatory or interactive teaching methods that place the learner at the centre of the learning process. Students learn through discovery and this enables them to formulate their own independent ideas, critically interpret issues and independently formulate ideas based on their own research and findings. The paper argues that the use of these interactive methods make NASS transcend the myopia of patriotic history, a narrowly focused type of history that advances the partisan interests of a particular sector of society at the exclusion of other interpretations of Zimbabwean history which they deem subversive and unpatriotic. Instead, it is argued that NASS fits into the category of' academic historiography', the antithesis of patriotic history, making it a relevant subject in the quest for national development

Body temperature and physical activity correlates of the menstrual cycle in female chacma baboons (Papio hamadryas ursinus)

MSc (Med), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandI investigated the relationship between abdominal temperature, physical activity, anogenital swellings, and faecal and urine ovarian steroid hormonal concentrations over the menstrual cycle in baboons in an attempt to devise a reliable non-hormonal physiological indicator to detect ovulation. Using a miniature thermometric data logger surgically implanted in the abdominal cavity and an activity data logger implanted subcutaneously on the trunk, I measured, continuously over six months at a 10 min interval, abdominal temperature and physical activity patterns in four female adult baboons, Papio hamadryas ursinus (12.9-19.9 kg), unrestrained in cages in an indoor animal facility (22-25°C). I monitored menstrual bleeding, and anogenital swelling changes using digital photography, and collected urine and faeces, daily, to ascertain the stage and length of the menstrual cycle. The length of the menstrual cycle, determined from daily observations of menstrual bleeding and anogenital swellings, was 36 ± 2 days (mean ± SD). Baboons exhibited a cyclic change in anogenital swellings, abdominal temperature, physical activity, urine and faecal steroid hormones over the menstrual cycle. Mean 24-h abdominal temperature during the luteal phase was significantly higher (ANOVA, p = 0.04; F (2,9) = 4.7) than during the ovulatory phase, but not different to the follicular phase. Physical activity also followed a similar pattern, with mean 24 h physical activity almost twice as high in the luteal than in the ovulatory phase (ANOVA, p = 0.58; F (2,12) = 5.8). As expected, urine and faecal oestradiol was higher in the follicular than in the luteal phase, while progesterone was higher in the luteal than the follicular phase. Cortisol in both urine and faecal samples did not show any vi recognisable menstrual cycle related pattern. I have characterised correlates of the menstrual cycle in baboons and shown, for the first time, a rhythm of physical activity over the baboon menstrual cycle. I have also shown, from the measurements of abdominal temperature, physical activity, ovarian steroid hormonal concentrations and anogenital swellings, that ovulation in captive unrestrained baboons, and probably also free-living baboons, can be estimated from anogenital swellings or possibly abdominal temperature and physical activity, without the need for hormone measurements

The effect of neonatal administration of oleanolic acid on health outcomes associated with diet-induced metabolic dysfunction in rats

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, School of Physiology, fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018.The neonatal period is a critical window of developmental plasticity. Consumption of fructose-rich diets has been implicated in the increasing global prevalence of metabolic dysfunction (MD) and non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). Interventions during periods of early ontogenic developmental plasticity can induce epigenetic changes which program metabolism for positive health benefits later in life. The phytochemical, oleanolic acid (OA) possesses anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-obesity effects. I investigated the potential protective effects of neonatal oral administration of OA on the subsequent development of health outcomes associated with fructose-induced MD and NAFLD in male and female rats. The study was divided into two major experiments. In the first short-term experimental study, the potential of neonatal oral administration of OA to acutely protect against the development of fructose-induced oxidative damage, adverse general health outcomes and precocious maturation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in suckling male and female rats was investigated. Male and female suckling rat pups (N=30) were randomly assigned to four groups and gavaged daily with 10 mℓ/kg body mass of: distilled water (DW) with 0.5% (v/v) dimethyl sulphoxide (vehicle control), oleanolic acid (OA; 60 mg/kg), high fructose solution (HF; 20% w/v), or OAHF for 7 days. On day 14, the pups were euthanised. Blood, liver and skeletal muscle samples were collected to determine clinical health profiles, hepatic lipid content and gene expression of anti-oxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx1). Rats in all groups had a significant increase in body mass over the seven day treatment period (ANOVA; P0.05). Neonatal oral administration of fructose lowered the expression of genes for anti-oxidant enzymes (SOD2 and GPx1) which was prevented by OA (ANOVA; P<0.05). Findings from this study provide evidence that short-term neonatal oral administration of OA protects against fructose-induced oxidative damage with seemingly no adverse effects on health or the maturational and developmental changes of the gastrointestinal tract in suckling male and female pups. In the second long-term experimental study, which was further subdivided into two studies, I investigated the potential protective effects of neonatal oral administration of OA on the subsequent development of high fructose diet-induced a) metabolic dysfunction and b) NAFLD in male and female rats. Male and female suckling rats (N=112) were randomly assigned into four groups and gavaged daily with 10 m mℓ/kg body mass of: distilled water (DW) with 0.5% (v/v) dimethyl sulphoxide (vehicle control), oleanolic acid (OA; 60 mg/kg), high-fructose solution (HF; 20% w/v) and OAHF for 7 days. On day 21, the rats were weaned onto normal rat chow and plain drinking water up to day 55. From day 56, half of the rats in each treatment group were continued on plain water whilst the remainder were given a high fructose solution (20 % w/v) as drinking fluid ad libitum for eight weeks. On day 110 the rats were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and then euthanised on day 112. Fasting glucose, triglyceride levels and terminal body mass were measured before termination. Blood samples were collected to determine the effects of treatments on fasting levels of cholesterol, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose tolerance (area under the curve for OGTT), a surrogate biomarker of liver function, alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and non-tissue specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Body adiposity was determined by measuring visceral and epidydimal fat pad masses. Liver samples were used to measure hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatic histomorphometry. The livers were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded and sectioned at 3μm. The sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for assessment of inflammation and Masson’s trichrome for visualisation of connective tissue and steatosis. Male and female rats in all groups of the second experiment had a significant increase in body mass over the study period (ANOVA; P0.05). The sub-study on NAFLD revealed that fructose consumption in adulthood following neonatal fructose intake (HF+F) caused a 47-49% increase in hepatic lipid content of both male and female rats (P˂0.05). However, fructose administered in adulthood only (DW+F), caused a significant increase in liver lipid content in females only (P0.05). NAFLD area fraction for fibrosis was 3 times higher in male and female rats that received a double hit neonatally and in adulthood (HF+F) and a late hit of fructose (DW+F) compared to the rats in the negative control group (P<0.05). I have shown that administration of a high fructose diet had adverse effects on several health outcomes associated with MD and induced NAFLD. However, it was notable that the timing of the fructose intake in the life stage of rats had an impact on the development of MD and NAFLD phenotype. I also observed sex-specific differences in the metabolic response to dietary fructose, with females appearing to be more vulnerable to the development of MD and NAFLD. It is thus important to note that studies should not just focus on a single sex but should be comparative between the sexes. I have also demonstrated, for the first time, that neonatal oral administration of oleanolic acid protects against the subsequent development of fructose-induced health outcomes associated with metabolic dysfunction and NAFLD by reducing hepatic lipid storage, terminal liver masses and hepatic histomorphological changes associated with NAFLD. I conclude that neonatal interventional treatment with oleanolic acid during the critical window of developmental plasticity protected against the development of fructose diet-induced adverse health outcomes associated with MD and NAFLD in male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Therefore, OA is a phytochemical that exhibits potential in the prevention of neonatal programming of MD and NAFLD later in life. OA should be considered as a natural strategic prophylactic intervention during periods of developmental plasticity with a lot of potential in the fight against the scourge of metabolic disorders that have a significant negative impact on the health systems globally.LG201

Against all odds: the academic 'brain drain' and the 'walking dead' in Zimbabwe before the Government of National Unity

A paper on the political socio-economic crisis in the period before 2009 when Zimbabwean academic professionals had to either migrate or find alternative survival strategies in the crisis riddled country before the ushering in of a government of national unity (GNU).This paper discusses the 'brain drain'and what it calls the \valking dead' in Zimbabwe's institutions of higher learning in the period up tojust before the birth of the Government of National Unity in February 2009. In particular, it focuses on the 'walkingdead, 'that is, those academics who may have been physically present but psychologically absent, yet somehow still managed to keep soul and body together, against all the odds. It uses the University of Zimbabwe as its case study, exploring how the 'walking dead' managed to survive practically, professionally and intellectually in an environment of crisis, uncertainty and desperation during that period. The paper shows how the 'walking dead' managed to make ends meet in order to keep soul and body together. We argue that these academics, at the time, were literally subsidising the institutions that purported to employ them, by channelling their ingenuity towards practical survival strategies. We show where these 'walking dead' were 'drained' to internally, that is, within Zimbabwe and also how the strain of operating in an environment of crisis and uncertainty affected them, both on their persons and in the execution of their triple mandate of teaching, research and community service. The paper also offers an assessment of the calibre of academic staff still at the country's premier university, in terms of their qualifications, work experience and publishing record and shows why some of them, highly experienced and accomplished, have not left the country. The paper closes by suggesting ways of improving the situation, arguing that the best coping strategies are those that address the working conditions, first and foremost

A Synthesis of Effective Practices of Managing Succession Planning in Accounting Firms in Botswana

Succession planning continues to be one of the major issues facing the future of many accounting firms. Although it is inevitable for the current senior managers to leave their current posts due to resignations, retirement, ill-health, death or some other reason, organizations find themselves without a succession plan in place to take-over from the departed senior managers. Many firms have closed soon after the departure of a senior manager. In most cases, firms shut down due to the lack of qualified successors. Many firms have not developed prospective successors who are fit to form part of top management in future. They face operational challenges during the transition period to an extent of closing down their businesses. Many firms lag behind in terms of having smooth successions. They lack the knowledge and skills in succession procedures and have no clue on how to mitigate the problems they face during transition periods. Many studies on succession planning are based on family owned businesses. Researchers like van der Merwe (2011), Sardeshmukh and Corbet (2011), Stewart and Hitt (2012) and DeRue and Ashford (2010) have focused on family succession planning. Little is known about how accounting firms develop their successors. The main purpose of this study is to explore how accounting firms build up a succession plan that does not disrupt the operations of the firm. By exploring the best practices which can be adapted, accounting firms can manage succession from one generation of managers to the next without disruptions during the transition period. Through a qualitative analysis of practices of two accounting firms in Botswana, it can be concluded that accounting firms maintain smooth successions by having scheduled recruitment procedures and a skills matrix which help them identify the qualities and experiences required at the top management level to support strategic plans. Accounting firms are fully aware of how operations can be affected by transition problems, and how to mitigate such problems. They offer on-the-job training to successors with the view of making them quickly get accustomed to managing an accounting firm. Both internally and externally recruited top management personnel are selected on the basis of their experience levels, so settling down is not a problem to them since they have broad insights of what do in an accounting firm. For a business to ensure its continuity there is need to train the prospective future managers and acclimatize them to the running of the business before the departure of current managers. This study recommends that accounting firms should have well thought out succession plans, which can be easily implemented, can fit well into their strategic plans and is able to carry the business into the future

The opportunity cost and endowment effects of resources and capabilities on stages of entrepreneurship

In this paper, the start-up process is split conceptually into four entrepreneurial stages considering entrepreneurship, intending to start a new business in the next three years, nascent entrepreneurship and newly established business. We investigate the determinants of the start-up process using a multinomial logit model which allows the effects of resources and capabilities to vary across the different entrepreneurial stages. We employ a pooled Global Entrepreneurship Monitor database for the years 2006 to 2009, containing 8,269 usable observations of the East Midlands region in the United Kingdom, controlling for the local environmental effects. Our results show that the combinative role of human capital, experience and local context varies along the different stages of the entrepreneurial process. In the early stages the (negative) opportunity cost effect of resources dominates tends to reverse in advanced stages, where the (positive) endowment effect becomes stronger

Resource endowment and opportunity cost effects along the stages of entrepreneurship

In this paper, the start-up process is split conceptually into four stages: considering entrepreneurship, intending to start a new business in the next three years, nascent entrepreneurship, and owning-managing a newly established business. We investigate the determinants of all of these jointly, using a multinomial logit model; it allows for the effects of resources and capabilities to vary across these stages. We employ the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor database for the years 2006 to 2009, containing 8,269 usable observations from respondents drawn from the Lower Layer Super Output Areas in the East Midlands (UK) so that individual observations are linked to space. Our results show that the role of education, experience, and availability of 'entrepreneurial capital' in the local neighbourhood varies along the different stages of the entrepreneurial process. In the early stages the negative (opportunity cost) effect of resources endowment dominates, yet it tends to reverse in the advanced stages, where the positive effect of resources becomes stronger