Frequency of applications of systematic reviews in evidence synthesis in management research : a scoping review of South African practices

Abstract: A wide range of frequently used methodological tools exist in other disciplines, yet are often not utilized in the management sciences. Tools such as systematic reviews are useful to objectively review, summarize, and appraise the results of published studies to guide practice or identify gaps in knowledge that require further research. The aim of this scoping review is to ascertain to what extent systematic reviews are utilized in South African management research. We employed a scoping review methodology and searched a number of prominent management databases. No limits on publication dates were set. Data was analyzed by means of charting. 9880 studies were identified during an initial search. From these 204 were assessed for eligibility, which 32 articles met. It was found that systematic reviews comprise 0.09% of South African managerial studies. An increase in the utilization was observed from 2014 onwards, yet systematic reviews are severely under-utilized in South African management research.. A roadmap identifying crucial steps in systematic reviews and best practices is provided

Win-win solutions : applying business planning in a collaborative undergraduate design project

Abstract: Comprehensive universities in an emerging tertiary education context require effective teaching strategies and projects to enhance optimal output that is benchmarked on an international level of excellence. This paper reports on a collaborative project applied in an undergraduate fashion design and business (entrepreneurship) programme at a comprehensive university in Johannesburg, South Africa. The purpose of this study was to enhance programme outcomes through a creative collaborative project in order to enhance the quality of business planning through an action learning approach. Relevant principles were applied to the collaborative project relate to theory on collective creativity as well as action learning. Empirical data collected during the project was predominantly qualitative in nature involving: student reflections during and post-project (probed by means of a developed tool), minutes of students’ action-oriented meetings, video recordings of final presentations, as well as evaluation of the final business plans proposing a workable business concept for the competitive and creative fashion industry. Data were analysed by means of content analysis of student journals, lecturers’ observations of video material were documented and an analytic rubric was implemented to evaluate the quality of the business plans. Findings suggest the advantages for the lecturers of the programme pertained to using the allocated time for the project optimally as they could only facilitate the process and simply explain the principles of the project and business planning instead of formally teaching the relevant theory relating to the business plan. Other critical cross outcomes were also obtained, such as enhancing communication skills in meetings and through social media, promoting cultural and students’ self-awareness. The findings culminates in a framework which aims to aid collective creativity through action learning in a context of in applying a higher level of designer-like thinking to business planning

Entrepreneurial orientation in South African social enterprises

Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate to what extent an Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) exists within social enterprises in South Africa. Research Design & Methods: The study was quantitative in nature and used a descriptive research design, utilising an adapted measuring instrument to measure five dimensions of EO. A simple random sampling approach was followed, with resulting data analysed in SPSS by means of descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and ANOVA. Findings: We found that four dimensions of EO exist within social enterprises to a moderate extent, namely risk-taking, innovation, proactiveness, and autonomy. Findings indicated low levels of competitive aggressiveness. Implications & Recommendations: The article intends to fill the gap in literature that exists regarding EO within social enterprises in South Africa. The study provides insights into the existence of EO in South African social enterprises, allowing for policy and managerial interventions to be made to improve EO levels. Contribution & Value Added: The main contribution of the study provides an indication of the existence of an EO in South African social enterprises, thereby establishing the basis for further research in this under-researched area

The rise of the social enterprise – an entrepreneurial gender perspective

Abstract: South Africa’s socio-economic landscape is plagued by persistently high rates of unemployment, poverty, joblessness and sluggish economic growth. These economic conditions have resulted in a reduction in government expenditure, as well as a struggle for survival. The social enterprise sector is absorbing much of this burden by attempting to alleviate social ills. Yet, the failure rates and lack of entrepreneurial spirit in social enterprises is concerning. Additionally, little insight exists whether social enterprises are entrepreneurial, as well as whether gender plays a role in this regard. The purpose of this study is to therefore determine whether gender differences exist in entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of South African social enterprises. This study was quantitative in nature, making use of an adapted measuring instrument based on prominent EO instruments. The study was conducted in social enterprises across South Africa, with 342 responses being received. Data was analysed by means of an exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis (through the Cronbach Alpha coefficient), as well as t-tests. Results indicated that only two dimensions of EO showed statistically significant differences between genders, namely proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness, with the risk-taking, innovativeness and autonomy dimensions showing no differences. The study is of value to social enterprises in South Africa as little research in EO has been conducted in this sector, thereby providing preliminary insights into gender specific differences in EO

Corporate entrepreneurship : it’s a matter of engagement

Abstract: Organisations of varying sizes often implement changes at the strategic, operational and employee level to foster a culture of entrepreneurship. These entrepreneurial actions within existing organisations are referred to as corporate entrepreneurship (CE). CE is regarded as multi- dimensional in nature, influenced by environmental, managerial and organisational factors and often results in a multitude of outcomes such as enhanced internal and market performance. Whilst CE is seen as a firm-level initiative, it is employees who implement and practice such initiatives. An employee’s proactive nature towards their work is essential and hence, work engagement is vital in achieving business outcomes. However, to date, there is limited research on the linkages between corporate entrepreneurship and work engagement. This study is qualitative in nature and presents a conceptual paper. A deductive approach is employed by combining prominent literature on CE and work engagement as described in seminal works, thereby proposing a novel conceptual framework linking work engagement, CE and business outcomes. The study provides insights into a framework which, when tested empirically, has the potential to enhance and achieve business outcomes. The framework therefore holds significant potential to improve employee engagement in business, particularly within the ambit of the fourth industrial revolution

Entrepreneurial intention : does entrepreneurship education play a role?

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial intention in South Africa. The study made use of a quantitative, exploratory research design. The study utilized an adapted, self-administered survey of 200 women in a South African province. A non-probability convenience sampling approach was followed. Data was analysed by means of comparative analysis and independent sample t-tests, analysed in SPSS version 25. Findings indicate that respondents who had been exposed to entrepreneurial education courses exhibited higher mean scores for entrepreneurial intention and its underlying components. Several underlying constructs, namely attitude towards entrepreneurship, risk-taking, cultural perspectives and self-efficacy were statistically significant in terms of their effects on entrepreneurial intent. The study therefore provides input for policy-makers and higher education institutions in the value of providing entrepreneurship education courses. The study therefore contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing insights from an emerging market perspective of the value of entrepreneurship education in forming entrepreneurial intent

Youth entrepreneurial intention in South Africa – a systematic review during challenging economic times

Abstract: South Africa is experiencing a challenging socio-economic climate characterized by low economic growth rates, high levels of poverty and unemployment, particularly prominent amongst South Africa’s youth. Entrepreneurship is often seen as the solution to such problems, yet this is not reflected in the levels of entrepreneurship amongst the youth. This paper aims to systematically review the results of various studies on youth entrepreneurial intent in South Africa over a ten year period. The study was qualitative in nature and made use of a systematic review approach. Data were analyzed by means of a thematic content analysis. Findings were grouped into three themes; (1) the potential of education to unlock entrepreneurial intent, (2) Factors influencing entrepreneurial intent, (3) lack of support influencing entrepreneurial intent. The value of the studies lies in the fact that no studies in South Africa have reviewed the results of various studies on youth entrepreneurial intent over a period of time and categorized the findings in a holistic manner

Pilot studies : use and misuse in South African SME research

Abstract: The utilization of pilot study methodology is often not in accordance with methodological principles and intentions. Further, reporting of pilot studies is reported as inadequate. The rise in the use of pilot studies in the social sciences, in particular in business research, prompts an examination of the correctness of the use of pilot study methodology in South African SME research. This article has made use of a qualitative research approach by systematically reviewing the use of pilot studies in South African SME research. Articles have been identified in prominent databases according to set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Accepted articles have then been screened according to a set of identified best practices. Findings reveal that only a small proportion of identified studies follow methodological best practices of piloting methodology. Few studies adequately report on piloting results and even fewer studies adequately describe or select a representative piloting sample. Only half of all identified studies describe the purpose for piloting. The article provides recommendations for researchers and businesses engaging in SME research and intending to utilize pilot studies

Intrapreneurial Orientation in SMEs: A South African Perspective

The aim of this study is to identify South African constructs of Intrapreneurial Orientation aiding theinternal growth of SMEs. The study is qualitative in design and utilizes a triangulation approach by performinga Delphi study with South African entrepreneurship experts as well as semi-structured interviews with SMEemployees. The results reveal that IO elements promoting growth in SMEs are behavioral, attitudinal,managerial and environmental in nature. These constructs contain traditional Entrepreneurship Orientation(EO) elements as well as multi-dimensional factors centering on the individual in the SME. The findings of thisstudy allow for the development of a South African instrument investigating Intrapreneurial Orientation inSMEs. The constructs further allow established SMEs to improve their propensity to innovate by instilling anentrepreneurial spirit within their employees. To date, no South African study has been conducted intounderlying constructs of Intrapreneurial Orientation, a sub-field of Intrapreneurship which has received limitedattention in literature

Intrapreneurial orientation as a field of inquiry : a scoping review

Abstract: Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), at an organisational level, and Intrapreneurial Orientation (IO), at the employee level, has been shown to have a multitude of benefits for organisations. EO and IO are important indicators of intra-organisational entrepreneurship in organisations of varying sizes. While EO has built a large body of knowledge since the 1980s and has been widely researched, IO emerged as a concept in the early 2000s, acknowledging the importance of employee-level entrepreneurial potential. While some studies have mapped the evolution of the EO concept, as well as analysed underlying dimensions, no study to date has attempted to map the growth and focus areas of the IO concept. The purpose of this study was therefore to analyse the growth of IO as a field of inquiry, as well as uncover focal areas of studies focusing on IO. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, employing a scoping review methodology and analysing the growth of the field of IO by means of frequency tables, and uncover focal areas in literature by means of a Word cloud analysis. Findings revealed that the majority of studies in the field of IO were conducted in the past ten years, with a substantial growth in studies from 2015 onwards. Findings also showed that IO studies most commonly investigate organisational and job performance, effects of IO, personality traits, cultural factors and leadership styles. The findings of this study contribute to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting existing focus areas in literature, thereby indicating unexplored and under investigated IO linkages