Potential Entrepreneurs Research Articles

ThriveZA-Nurturing Sustainable Entrepreneurship for South African Youth: A Review

Recently, addressing entrepreneurship among South African youth has gained importance due to high unemployment rates and limited job prospects. Sustainable entrepreneurship offers a solution by generating employment, driving economic growth, and reducing poverty. This article outlines the current situation for South African youth, highlighting challenges and prospects related to entrepreneurship. It explores factors, strategies, and interventions that can foster a sustainable entrepreneurial spirit, emphasising the importance of an enabling environment through supportive policies and infrastructure. The article reviews recent literature on policies promoting sustainable entrepreneurship for South African youth, employing a semi-systematic content analysis approach. It focuses on improving the well-being of unemployed youth and the hurdles in educational institutions in fostering entrepreneurship. Preliminary findings emphasise the significance of funding access, business skills development, mentorship, and networking opportunities in nurturing sustainable entrepreneurship. The outcomes stress the need for comprehensive support mechanisms and policy actions to promote and sustain youth entrepreneurship. By cultivating an ecosystem conducive to entrepreneurial endeavours, South Africa can unlock the untapped entrepreneurial potential of its youth, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous future. Empowering young individuals to create job opportunities and contribute to the economy can yield significant benefits for individuals, communities, and society.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUMITIES FOR RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENUERS OF TUMAKURU DISTRICT – A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY

Women entrepreneurship is gaining importance in India in the wake of globalization and economic liberalization. Women entrepreneurs tend to be highly motivated, self-disciplined & self-directed. Women's entrepreneurship is important for women's position in society, and economic development of women will lead to development of family, community and country. It opens up new avenues for creating employment opportunities for women and men. The present paper focuses on parameters to be focused to enhance the entrepreneurial skill of rural women and in turn their empowerment. Rural women's economic and social development is necessary for overall economic development of society and nation. Rural women are now increasingly run their own business yet their entrepreneurial potential, managerial skill and socio-economic contribution remain largely neglected. Women entrepreneurship development is the instrument of women empowerment. Empowerment through entrepreneurship leads to self-fulfillment and makes women aware about their status, existence, right and their position is in the society. In modern era, women are becoming socially empowered, and economically empowered through business ownership. On the other hand, empowerment of rural women is also very significant. Economic empowerment of rural women will lead to the development of our country and it is very necessary to give keen attention over the empowerment of women in the rural areas for the real development of our country in all spheres.

STUDENTS’ ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DARK TRIAD TRAIT

Aim: Despite research on how the constellation of the dark triad traits relates to entrepreneurial intention, it still remains to be seen how nuanced such relationships were during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. In this article, we investigate this phenomenon by elaborating on the relations between components of the dark triad traits concerning pull and push factors affecting entrepreneurial intention. Methods: Using 4,056 datasets from the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) 2021 and data on unemployment rates and GDP per capita of 22 European countries, we employed multivariate regression analysis to examine the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention. Results: Our results show that GDP per capita is inversely related to entrepreneurial intention, with statistical significance also found for the unemployment rate and narcissism in their influence on entrepreneurial intention. More so, we found that COVID-19 unlocked the hidden potential of student entrepreneurship for the represented European countries. We also found interesting results on how the intensities of the dark triad influence entrepreneurial intentions. Conclusions: Difficult situations such as COVID-19 might trigger the manifestation of dark triad traits, which – to a greater extent – influence entrepreneurial intentions.

From Looms to Leadership: Women's Empowerment Through Monjulika Chakma's Bain Textile in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts

Monjulika Chakma's entrepreneurial foray with Bain Textile in 1965 within Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts marked more than just a business venture; it underscored the transformative capabilities of social entrepreneurship. Anchored on a vision to champion female weavers of the region, Chakma not only propelled the intricate art of traditional Chakma fabrics to prominence but also paved the way for socio-economic upliftment and cultural preservation. Despite humble beginnings and myriad challenges – from scarce weaving resources to the complexities of marketing in a geographically remote area – Chakma's resilience and adaptability catalyzed Bain Textile's ascent. This paper unravels Bain Textile's trajectory, highlighting its role in preserving Chakma heritage, engendering female empowerment, and fostering community development. Drawing upon Chakma's innovative strategies and collaborative ethos, the study underscores the imperative of tenacity, co-creation, and experimentation within the sphere of social entrepreneurship. Chakma's Bain Textile emerges not just as a business archetype but as a testament to entrepreneurship's potential as a conduit for societal change and cultural reverence

Entrepreneurship Curriculum In Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR)

Entrepreneurship education at the higher education level plays an increasingly crucial role in shaping graduates who are not only ready to enter the workforce but also capable of becoming independent entrepreneurs. While many university graduates aspire to pursue careers in office jobs or work for other institutions, it is important to realize that entrepreneurial skills have a positive impact not only on individuals but also on the economy and society as a whole. In this context, entrepreneurship education in higher education becomes key to shifting the paradigm of graduates towards being more proactive and independent in creating job opportunities. Currently, many countries face challenges in creating new job opportunities and reducing unemployment rates. Therefore, introducing the concept of entrepreneurship into the higher education curriculum can be a strategic step to address these issues. Graduates with a strong understanding of entrepreneurship will not only be job seekers but also job creators. They have the potential to establish their own businesses, create new products or services, and make a positive contribution to the local and national economic development. Through entrepreneurship education, students can be equipped with practical skills, business knowledge, and a proactive attitude needed to become leaders in the business world. Moreover, it is essential to address any stigma attached to the development of entrepreneurship in higher education, where many students may be more inclined to choose conventional career paths. By recognizing the importance of entrepreneurship in creating new opportunities and enhancing competitiveness in the job market, universities can play a key role in inspiring and guiding students to explore their entrepreneurial potential. Thus, entrepreneurship education at the higher education level is not just about creating entrepreneurs; it is also about shaping individuals who have a proactive outlook on their lives and careers and the ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic work environment. Entrepreneurship education in higher education has a significant long-term impact on shaping a more competitive and innovative future.

Espoused model of women entrepreneurship: antecedents to women entrepreneurial intention and moderating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and propose an espoused model of women's entrepreneurship (EMWE) and test its predictive power on women's entrepreneurial intentions. Also, the authors examine the moderating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, given its dynamic nature that can be influenced by training.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 303 female students from undergraduate/postgraduate programs in reputed Indian higher education institutions using a self-administered questionnaire.FindingsThe study confirmed that all four factors – perceived entrepreneurial potential, perceived relational support, perceived educational support and perceived structural support – were positively related to the women’s entrepreneurial intentions. Simultaneously, results confirmed the moderating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy.Research limitations/implicationsThe study presents that more women may be inclined towards adopting entrepreneurship as their career based on their potential and self-efficacy if adequate educational, relational and structural support was provided.Originality/valueExisting studies in entrepreneurship have focused primarily on men. This work fills this gap and not only proposes but empirically examines the EMWE in the Indian context. It also provides evidence of a significant impact of perceived entrepreneurial potential and perceived relational support on women’s entrepreneurial intentions and posits the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy as an important moderator, unlike past studies.

21st Century Entrepreneurship Challenges and Opportunities

Today, India has become the fastest-growing marketing platform in the business market. In the 21st century, entrepreneurship has also undergone a thoughtful transformation and is characterized by different innovations, global visions along with social and environmental responsibility. Different technologies like AI, blockchain, biotech, and renewable energy, which are the central part of this period's entrepreneurial victory, challenge predictable business models. Globalization facilitates with international access, diverse talent, and collaboration, which are significant result to an entrepreneur. 21st-century business people prioritize their societal and environmental impact. Agility and rapid adaptation are crucial to meet evolving market demands. Access to capital remains a challenge, but crowdfunding, angel investors, venture capital, and blockchain-based fundraising expand opportunities. Regulatory environments adapt to the disruptive potential of modern entrepreneurship. Beyond business, 21st-century entrepreneurs shape job markets, redefine work, and encourage adaptability and entrepreneurial thinking.

Exploring street vendors’ entrepreneurial potential and gender disparities in an eastern cape port city, South Africa

This study examines the entrepreneurial potential of informal traders, specifically focusing on street vendors operating in East London, a prominent port city in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Entrepreneurship, characterised by its dynamic nature entailing visionary foresight and astute exploitation of opportunities, requires agility and fervent dedication in nurturing novel concepts and implementing innovative solutions. Additionally, it aims to address the issue of low female participation in economic activities within this sector. Utilising a structured questionnaire designed for data collection, this research employs both descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the entrepreneurial traits exhibited by street vendors. The investigation centers on six key independent variables: proactive personality, competitive aggressiveness, risk-taking propensity, perceived capability, perceived opportunity, and innovation. The study’s findings revealed that, among the factors studied, perceived opportunity and innovation were statistically significant contributors to the entrepreneurial potential of street vendors in East London. Moreover, the research identifies that despite demonstrating similar entrepreneurial potential factors as their male counterparts, females exhibit notably lower participation rates within the informal trading sphere. This research holds significant implications for policy formulation and intervention strategies. By highlighting perceived opportunity and innovation as critical factors influencing entrepreneurial potential, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance the entrepreneurial landscape among street vendors. Furthermore, the identification of gender-specific participation gaps emphasises the need for targeted policies and programs to increase female engagement in informal trading.

ROLE OF DEMOGRAPHICS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SOCIAL BACKGROUND IN ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION OF INDIAN BUSINESS STUDENTS

Studies on entrepreneurial intention among students form the heart of entrepreneurship literature. Since these students are the potential entrepreneurs, it, therefore, becomes imperative to understand how their entrepreneurial intentions are shaped and what factors contribute to an increase in these intentions. For this purpose, the entrepreneurial intention of 150 business students was assessed with regard to demographics, entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial social background using independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA and Bayesian analysis. The major findings demonstrated that male students exhibit significantly higher entrepreneurial intent than female students. Older students in the sample were more entrepreneurially inclined than younger students. Further, the analysis revealed that students having self-employed friends exhibit intention towards entrepreneurship than students having self-employed parents. Surprisingly, the entrepreneurial intention of students who participated in the entrepreneurship education program was lower than those who did not. This research is a contribution to the growing body of literature that highlights various factors at play while assessing entrepreneurial intention of students. Besides, the study has implications for entrepreneurship educators and policymakers engaged in the cultivation and establishment of entrepreneurial ecosystems. KEY WORDS: Entrepreneurship, Demographics, Entrepreneurial Education, Entrepreneurial Social Background, Entrepreneurial Intention, Bayesian Analysis

Upaya Menumbuhkan Jiwa Entrepreneurship melalui Kegiatan Market Day Bagi Anak Usia Dini di Kota Palembang

Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in economic production, offering solutions in the context of high unemployment rates and limited job opportunities. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset, particularly from an early age, is imperative. This study explores the gradual and strategic nurturing of entrepreneurial spirit, acknowledging that it is a process that unfolds over time, rather than an immediate outcome. In Palembang City, a range of kindergartens serve as fertile grounds for this developmental endeavor. This research focuses on 'Market Day' activities, employed as both a strategy and a pedagogical tool, to stimulate entrepreneurial potentials in early childhood. The effectiveness and impact of these activities on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among young learners are examined, providing insights into early entrepreneurial education methodologies

Entrepreneurial Possibilities for Women Residing in the Senador Nilo Coelho Irrigation Project

Objective: This study’s main objective is to describe the rural contexto of the Senador Nilo Coelho Irrigation Project (PISNC), located in the municipality of Petrolina/PE and to presente entrepreneurial activities that can be deve loped by women who reside in the aforementioned irrigation Project aiming to generate income. Method: Considering that this study concerns a theoretical review research with a descriptive bias na based on a qualitative approach, scientific articles, course completion works, master’s dissertations, doctoral theses and books related to the topic in question available on SciELO were consulted; Scopus, and Science Direct. Technical na statistical reports provided by research institutions and entities involved in the implementation and management of the aforementioned irrigation Project were also consulted. Results and conclusion: The results obtained in the study indicate that some of the types of enterprises that can be carried out by women residing in PISNC are: growing vegetables; cultivation of medicinal, spicy, and/or aromatic plants; production of bread, cakes and sweets; among other activities. Finally, it can be concluded that there are diverse possibilities for women residing in PISNC to plan and develop strategies for entrepreneurial activities aimed at generating income for their families and with low-cost initiatives. Research implications: The research on the development of entrepreneurial activities that can be carried out by women who reside in the Senador Nolo Coelho Irrigation Project concerns a pioneering study in the region that aims to problematize issues related to women with entre pre neurial potential who reside in a rural contexto. Originality/value: It is hoped that this study can contribute to the social, economic and academic spheres regarding the entrepreneurial potential of women residing in rural areas.

STARTING A BUSINESS IN LATVIA AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO PROSPERITY

Most people refuse to start their own business, because they are afraid to take risks, to try something new, especially in this economically difficult moment, when the unemployment rate in the country is increasing every month. Although the world has been hit by an economic crisis, people are creating companies. Companies are created with the idea of making money, and the goal of every entrepreneur is to make as much money as possible by investing minimal funds, but maintaining quality. It is important for potential entrepreneurs to evaluate the possibilities of starting a business in order to make a decision about their own business. Research novelty: the article reveals that starting a business is positive.

Entrepreneurial activity in rural areas: opportunities for stimulation

Entrepreneurial activity in rural settlements is the basis for sustainable development of rural areas. Supporting agricultural producers and ensuring food security, the importance of forming a unified complex for production and processing of agricultural products and diversifying the rural economy determine the relevance of the chosen topic. The goal is to show the potential of rural entrepreneurship as a mechanism for the stability of rural areas of the republic. Methods – scientific generalization, classification, systemic and comparative analysis, abstract-logical. Results – the following were noted as key effects. Organizing a business in rural areas has a number of advantages: increasing the level of employment by creating new jobs, increasing cost recovery, increasing the profitability of agribusiness, quickly responding to demand in accordance with market conditions and changes in market behavior of consumers. In villages, there is an opportunity to open facilities of small economic entities for growing crops for the processing complex, in the fields of agro-, eco-, ethno–tourism, and the sectors of craft professions and service provision. In the Concept for the Development of Rural Territories of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023-2027, special attention is paid to the issues of entrepreneurial initiative of rural residents. An analysis of production indicators of peasant (private) farms, legal entities, and individual entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture was carried out. Summarizing the study, the authors conclude that small business in rural areas will help overcome labor market problems, preserve the rural way of life, culture, social and environmental control of the territory, technological and institutional modernization based on a comprehensive, balanced and targeted implementation of the interests of the rural population and the state.

Industrial dynamics in the ICT technological paradigm: The case of Portugal, 1986–2018

Following Schumpeter, several scholars have shown that development follows long-term waves. These waves are prompted by radical innovations, which, until their full potential is exhausted, spread through incremental innovations and continuous learning and imitation processes. However, the discontinuity of technological progress often goes unnoticed in current debates on productivity slowdown, declining business dynamism and increasing market concentration. Our study, based on extensive microeconomic data from 1986 to 2018, examines how the ICT revolution has influenced business dynamism in Portugal. The Bai–Perron estimates show two structural breaks in industrial dynamics: an upswing in 1993 and a downturn in 2003. Our research also shows that during the late 20th century creative destruction was mainly driven by the expanding ICT sector. After 2003, however, firm dynamics became less turbulent, with less entry and job reallocation. Moreover, despite the increasing performance of a typical high-growth young firm, the incidence of startups has declined in the new century. Our results, therefore, suggest that reduced entry and increased exit risk have likely undermined the long-term disruptive potential of transformative entrepreneurship.

Social and economic system of regional entrepreneurship as the object of strategizing

To realize the potential of regional entrepreneurship as a system of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the region it is essential to develop a successful winning strategy oriented towards rapid exploitation of new opportunities. To this end, it is necessary to clarify the essence, boundaries, structure, and functions of the object of strategizing. The research is based on the general theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing, the theories of entrepreneurship, the systematic approach. The authors study approaches and theories that explain the essence, the functions and the structure of the system of regional entrepreneurship by applying systematization and content analysis methods. While analyzing the theories of entrepreneurship four components of the strategic mission of SMEs have been defined as follows: providing guarantees to partners, movement and productive use of factors of production, implementation of innovation, creation of gazelle companies (with the average annual increase in revenue or employment of more than 20% over 3 years). The study has shown that they are not fully implemented, and so the situation requires developing a new strategy or improving the old one. And the strategy of development of entrepreneurship in the region should contribute to the implementation of higher-level strategies (regional and sectoral). Moreover, the strategy should define the basic policies for strategizing the components of regional entrepreneurship – individual enterprises, clusters, different types of activities. The study offers a structural and logical scheme of relationship of the strategy of development of regional entrepreneurship (on the example of Kemerovo region – Kuzbass) with other strategic planning documents. Also, the authors justify the expediency of differentiation of strategic priorities of traditional and innovative entrepreneurship in the region. The analysis of theoretical foundations of exploring entrepreneurship as the object of strategizing has made it possible to clarify the basic components of its mission and justify the place of the corresponding strategy in the general system of strategic planning documents. Clarification of the boundaries and the content of the system under study ensures moving on to the strategic OTSW-analysis. The findings of the study can be used in justification of strategic decisions of entrepreneurs and regional authorities.

Assessment of Entrepreneurial Potential in the Training of a New Generation of Change Agents in Spain

The development of entrepreneurial potential in the training of school-age pupils is relevant for carrying out projects of an innovative and transformative nature. Entrepreneurial training is enacted through Spanish educational regulations, in relation to the development of the key entrepreneurial competence. Thus, a training programme in entrepreneurial potential for school-age students, who are considered as agents of change, was evaluated under the approach of “enterprise education pedagogy”. For this purpose, an experimental research study, pre-test and post-test, with a control and experimental group, was designed. The sample consisted of 1036 participants from eight autonomous communities in Spain. The data analysis was carried out by means of a t-test to compare the mean before and after the application of the programme on the total number of participants, as well as on the subgroups with and without entrepreneurial intentions. The results show that the PEIEO programme had a positive effect on entrepreneurial potential. The experimental group, compared to the control group, significantly increased their total score in the t-test, as well as for each dimension of entrepreneurial potential. Similarly, the participants considered to have entrepreneurial intentions further increased their entrepreneurial potential compared to the group considered to have no entrepreneurial intentions. Consequently, the results indicate that entrepreneurship education, in a holistic sense, has a relevant impact on entrepreneurial potential in a programme aimed at training agents of change.

Unleashing entrepreneurial potential in transition economies: a comparative analysis of the impact of macro and micro policies

This study investigates the relationship between macroeconomic and microeconomic policies and entrepreneurial dynamics in two economies transitioning from planned economies to free markets, comparing them to a developed economy. Macroeconomic policies, despite not directly targeting entrepreneurship, significantly impact entrepreneurial dynamics. Conversely, microeconomic policies specifically aim to promote and enhance entrepreneurial activity. The analysis links policy quality to key entrepreneurial indicators: new firm creation, incumbent firm survival, and overall firm stock. Findings reveal that while transition economies often adopt entrepreneurship policies similar to developed nations, some remain country-specific. These policy variations manifest in distinct entrepreneurial dynamics across the economies.

Public-private partnership in the Russian Federation at the present stage: Trends and problems of development

Aim. To generalize the trends and problems of public-private partnership (PPP) development in the Russian Federation (RF) at the present stage.Objectives. To perform a brief review of the history of PPP development in Russia; to disclose the essence of theoretical provisions regarding the features and principles of PPP; to analyze the data characterizing the development of PPP in 2018–2022 in terms of the number and types of projects, the amount of financing raised, the levels of their implementation (federal, regional, municipal); to study the features of the implementation of the concept of “PPP for the benefit of people” in modern Russian practice.Methods. With the help of general methods of scientific cognition in various aspects, the authors have considered the features, trends and problems of PPP development in Russia, characteristic of the current state, as well as determined the general directions of their solution.Results. PPP is a modern method of attracting private capital to solve socio-economic problems of development of industries and territories. Its features are revealed through economic, social, financial, legal, managerial, political sides. The actual set of principles includes expediency, efficiency, legality, priority of public interests, responsibility of the parties to obligations, information transparency. The world practice has accumulated experience in the use of various PPP projects. The modern trend is the inclusion of sustainable development goals in the PPP development concept, which significantly modernizes approaches to the selection of PPP projects. The main trends of PPP development in Russia include the predominance of PPP projects implemented by type (concession agreements), number (municipal level projects), financing volumes (regional level projects), specific financial capacity (federal level projects); expansion of the range of sectors, objects, introduction of new measures, tools and mechanisms for the development and modernization of social infrastructure, ensuring technological sovereignty. The multiplicity of problems of PPP development in Russia is caused by legal, macroeconomic, personnel, political, managerial factors, which determines the need for continuous improvement of organizational, legal, financial and economic mechanisms.Conclusions. The study of trends and problems of PPP development in Russia allows not only to identify the national specifics of attracting private capital to solve problems of socio-economic development, but also to identify ways, directions of improving the welfare of the population, the growth of competitiveness of individual territories on the basis of a fuller use of entrepreneurial potential of regions.

Research on Optimizing the Path of education of ideologic and politic Combined with Multi-Objective Planning for the Cultivation of Innovative and Entrepreneurial Abilities

Abstract The co-development process between the two is enhanced by this study, which integrates the advancement of creativity and entrepreneurship skills with political and ideological instruction. The multi-objective planning model’s many benefits are utilized to accomplish this. Weak, medium, and strong levels are established based on internal, external, and environmental aspects in order to assess the extent to which political and ideological education has an impact on the development of creativity and entrepreneurial potential. Examine the relationship between national creation and entrepreneurship policies, creation and entrepreneurship courses, creation and entrepreneurship activities, creation and entrepreneurship competitions, and college students’ capacity for creation and entrepreneurship to determine the factors that influence this capacity. The examination of the institution of higher education determines the degree of creativity and entrepreneurship education by collecting data on demand, carrying out access channels, and the degree of cognition of creativity and entrepreneurship education. An optimization path for the education of creative and political students combined with multi-objective planning is suggested after the cultivation of the creation and entrepreneurial capacity of the students’ education is examined. The subjective cognition of creative and political students’ own creation and entrepreneurship capacity is not adequately taught; only 12.35% of them believe that their capacity for innovation is very good or very good, and 42.37% believe that it is not so good and needs to be strengthened.

Evaluating managerial competence of small, medium and micro-entrepreneurs to ensure sustainable economic development in eThekwini municipal area

This research investigates the influence of Small, Medium, and Micro Entrepreneurs (SMMEs) on sustainable economic development in the eThekwini Municipal Area of South Africa. It focuses on the capability of SMME managers and operators to efficiently and effectively utilise available resources, ensuring their enterprises make a meaningful contribution to sustainable economic growth. Data was gathered from a diverse set of SMMEs in the eThekwini Municipal Area using a simple random sampling method, with 229 entrepreneurs participating. Key findings reveal that entrepreneurs underscore the importance of knowledge, skills, value judgments, behavioural traits, and social networks in establishing and operating successful businesses. A notable challenge identified was their limited ability to identify viable business opportunities. Nevertheless, these entrepreneurs demonstrate a commitment to maintaining their local environments and providing employment opportunities to community members, and some contribute to community development initiatives. The primary recommendation emerging from this study is providing support and tools to assist potential entrepreneurs in effectively recognising and seizing business opportunities.