Background: It is estimated that small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) employ nearly half of South Africa’s labour force and account for approximately a third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The literature reveals that larger SMMEs tend to make a significantly larger contribution to employment creation and output growth than smaller SMMEs. It is, therefore, imperative to understand factors that affect SMME size. This calls for a study of the determinants of SMME size. Aim: This study investigates the factors that explain different matrices of the size of SMMEs in South Africa. Setting: The study uses data from a sample of 100 SMMEs in the Gauteng province, South Africa, that applied for funding or were funded by Development Finance Institutions. Methods: The study employs an ordered logit model for analysis. Turnover, number of employees and loan size are used as proxies for SMME size. Results: The study finds that equity capital positively predicts turnover, but it has the opposite effect on the workforce base; operational experience enhances SMME size in terms of both workforce base and turnover; and equity capital, effective use of funds and the accessibility of funding institutions positively predict loan size as a proxy for SMME size. Conclusion: We also conclude that operational experience is necessary to accelerate SMME growth in terms of turnover and employment capacity. Contribution: We argue that SMMEs’ access to credit is contingent on their savings, competence or experience in using borrowed funds and access to a variety of funding institutions.

Background: Digital marketing and market entry agility play crucial roles in enhancing marketing performance, particularly for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). However, the moderating role of innovation capability in these relationships requires further investigation. Aim: This study explores the influence of digital marketing and market entry agility on the marketing performance of Pontianak’s culinary MSEs. It also examines whether innovation capability moderates these relationships. Setting: This study focuses on Pontianak’s culinary MSEs. Methods: Data were collected from 100 culinary MSE entrepreneurs in Pontianak using stratified non-proportional and cluster sampling techniques, followed by non-probability sampling. Questionnaires were distributed directly to respondents, and results were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Results: Digital marketing and market entry agility enhance marketing performance. Market entry agility mediates the relationship between digital marketing and marketing performance. However, innovation capability does not statistically moderate these relationships. Conclusion: Pontianak culinary MSEs should prioritise digital marketing strategies and improve market entry agility to enhance their marketing performance. Addressing gaps in innovation capabilities could further bolster their competitiveness. Contribution: This study highlights the importance of digital marketing and market entry agility as drivers of marketing performance. It provides actionable insights for policymakers and entrepreneurs in fostering MSE growth through tailored digital strategies.

Background: This empirical study explores how football club sale decisions, made under financial duress, reflect tensions between profitability, utility maximisation and principles of social entrepreneurship, among fans. Aim: This study investigates whether football managers, acting as social entrepreneurs, prioritise social utility and community impact over narrow profit and how such decisions affect fan behaviour and psychological health. Setting: The setting is in Durban and focuses on a professional football club with a fan base of 100,000 individuals. Methods: This study uses a mixed-methods approach that combines surveys from 384 quantitative fans with qualitative interviews from 12 managers and four sponsors to analyse emotional, behavioural and managerial dimensions was used. Results: The study reveals a significant disconnect between managers and fans, leading to psychological ramifications for supporters. The emotional distress experienced can be attributed to the lack of understanding and empathy exhibited by managers who prioritise financial gain. The findings suggest that fans subjected to such treatment become vagabonds, (i.e.) without a true football home, which limits their ability to experience and express joy. Unfortunately, these critical aspects are overlooked, adversely affecting fans’ overall well-being, domestic life and psychological health. Conclusion: The research underscores the importance of collective and inclusive management, providing a framework that enhances sustainability. It highlights the impact of poorly managed social entrepreneurship initiatives, which can uproot communities if not carefully considered. Contribution: The study contributes to literature of the under-researched professional football league. This context has received limited attention, presenting an opportunity that addresses knowledge gap between football and entrepreneurship.

Background: This study examined how education influences financial literacy (FL) and subsequent business success among spaza shop owners in Gamalakhe Township, KwaZulu-Natal. Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether the level of education is a significant factor in determining the FL skills needed to run spaza shop businesses by surveying 100 spaza shop owners. Setting: The study setting was Gamalakhe Township, KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: The quantitative data were analysed via correlations and ordinal logistic regression. Results: The findings of descriptive statistics and correlations reveal that education significantly predicts FL levels, which in turn drives improved decision-making and business outcomes. Conclusion: The ordinal logistic regression revealed that education level influences the level of FL. Contribution: The findings emphasise the importance of developing experiential learning and mentorship programmes to address FL gaps among township entrepreneurs.

This Table of Contents reflects the print compilation of peer-reviewed articles published in the journal. Each article listed was originally published online under the journal’s open access model and remains individually accessible and citable. This compilation has been created solely for print distribution, reference, and archival purposes. No new research content is introduced. The publisher affirms that all articles included in this compilation have undergone the journal’s standard editorial and peer-review processes.

Background: Entrepreneurs in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic hub, face growing pressure to integrate sustainability into their business models. As responsible operations become essential, the need for supportive frameworks has intensified. Developing a robust framework for sustainable entrepreneurial businesses in Gauteng province can maximise business opportunities and sustainable operations. Aim: This paper presents a developed framework for sustainable entrepreneurial businesses in Gauteng, with an objective of identifying key factors for the success and resilience of SMMEs. Setting: The setting for the study was across the central, eastern, western, northern, and southern regions of Gauteng province, South Africa. Methods: The study applied quantitative approach based on exploratory and descriptive research design. Using stratified random sampling, the study sampled 450 SMMEs in Gauteng and 445 (98.88%) responses were received. Results: The study revealed that most businesses were initiated either through the purchase of existing businesses (27.19%) or through entrepreneurs’ own initiatives (25.62%), with family-owned businesses playing a notable role (24.27%). Factors identified with a significant relationship to organisational capabilities were: business performance, entrepreneurial skills and competence, competitive scope, considering factors contributing to success and profitability and challenges faced by SMMEs (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that SMMEs in Gauteng province benefit from a multidimensional approach that integrates factors, such as entrepreneurial skills and competence, competitive scope, considering factors contributing to success and profitability with organisational capabilities to ensure long-term business sustainability. Contribution: This framework provides essential knowledge for policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers aiming to foster a thriving and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gauteng and similar emerging markets.

Background: Business investments in rural areas of developing countries have been constrained by limited infrastructure and financial, institutional and policy support. Proximate social networks have emerged as decision-making support structures; however, empirical evidence is limited to formal companies in urban areas. Aim: This study examines how strong and weak social networks influence business investment decisions in emerging urban centres (EUCs) in rural areas. Setting: This study was undertaken in Ilula and Madizini, which are small towns in rural areas of the Iringa and Morogoro regions in Tanzania. Methods: Quantitative methods employing Gephi Geolayout and a bivariate probit model, supported by qualitative data, were used to examine spatiality and the influence of social networks on business investment decisions based on a random sample of 755 businesses. Results: The study found that both strong and weak social network ties influenced investment decisions in general wholesale-retail trading, food crop trading and transportation businesses. Institutions, however, deterred these investment decisions. Additionally, the reliance on strong and weak social ties in decision-making decreased as business owners’ experience, education and capital size increased. Conclusion: Transportation routes and exchange hotspots are instrumental in shaping the spatial nature of EUC business social networks. Social networks of strong and weak ties influence the choices of business investment. However, the importance of social network relations varies depending on human capital endowment and business-specific characteristics. Contribution: This study endorses strengthening social networking and institutional environment as a base to support rural business investment and networks, especially around agricultural value chains.

Background: The economic development of South Africa heavily relies on small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs), which face significant difficulties in meeting tax obligations because of their perceived complexity of regulations and a decline in trust towards government institutions. Aim: This study seeks to identify the fundamental motivations behind both adherence and resistance to tax regulations by SMME owners and managing directors in the North West Province of South Africa. Setting: The research concentrated on owners and managing directors of SMMEs located in the North West province of South Africa. Methods: This study adopts a qualitative phenomenological lens, utilising semi-structured interviews to highlight the lived experiences of eight stakeholders within the SMME sector. Data analysis employed thematic analysis techniques to identify recurring patterns and themes. Results: Five primary themes emerged from the analysis: compliance motivators and strategies, systemic challenges stemming from knowledge gaps and communication deficits, government perception, resource limitations and compliance costs and enforcement effectiveness. The findings revealed that deterrence factors, such as penalties and imprisonment, rather than moral obligations, primarily drove tax compliance. The complexity of tax systems, inadequate communication from authorities and perceived governmental inefficiencies significantly impacted compliance behaviours. Conclusion: Fostering voluntary tax compliance among SMMEs necessitates the enhancement of tax education, the improvement of communication with authorities and the resolution of perceived inefficiencies within government operations. Contribution: The research enhances the understanding of elements influencing tax compliance among SMMEs in the North West province of South Africa, offering practical recommendations for policymakers and tax authorities to improve compliance strategies while supporting small business development.

Background: In recent years, the sharing economy (SE) has garnered increasing attention for its potential to enable businesses to access resources that would otherwise be difficult or costly to acquire. This is expected to be particularly beneficial for startups that face resource constraints. Aim: This research aimed to explore how the SE principles can be applied to help startups gain access to resources for prototype development, testing and verification. Setting: This study investigated how two empirical cases (one in South Africa and another in Norway) apply the SE principles to provide startups with access to resources for prototype development, testing and verification. Methods: This study employed an embedded multiple case study design, drawing on in-depth interviews with key actors associated with the two cases. Interview data were combined with additional data sources, including field visits, observations and secondary data. Results: The research findings demonstrate how the SE principles can be applied to enable startups to access both tangible (e.g. specialised prototyping and test equipment) and intangible resources (e.g. technical and market knowledge, networks and pilot customers) through centralised resource pools and peer-to-peer intermediation. Conclusion: The significance of hands-on engagement with startups is emphasised, as intangible resources (e.g. technical and industry knowledge) are shown to be necessary to facilitate the sharing of tangible resources (e.g. specialised equipment). Contribution: This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the SE, particularly in the context where startups participate in the SE as resource users.

Background: Entrepreneurship is essential for economic growth and innovation, and educational institutions, particularly technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, play a pivotal role in nurturing entrepreneurial skills. Aim: This study examined the relationship between entrepreneurship education, opportunity recognition and exploitation. Setting: The research was conducted among the students at the selected TVET college in the North West province, South Africa. The study focussed on the students enrolled in N5 to N6 levels under business management and marketing management programmes because they have a background in entrepreneurship and business management. Methods: A quantitative research design was employed, utilising a structured questionnaire. A non-probability sampling technique was used, and the sample size consisted of 151 completed questionnaires. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and Smart-PLS software to identify correlations between the constructs. Results: The findings indicate a positive correlation between the quality of entrepreneurship education and the ability to recognise and exploit opportunities. The results imply that the students who receive comprehensive entrepreneurship education, demonstrate a higher propensity to identify and act on entrepreneurial opportunities. Conclusion: The results emphasise the importance of entrepreneurship education in equipping TVET college students with skills critical for opportunity recognition and exploitation. Efforts should be vested in the integration of entrepreneurship education into other non-business-related study programmes. Contribution: This research adds to literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of entrepreneurship education in TVET colleges, emphasising the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, businesses and policymakers in fostering entrepreneurial development.