Masters Degrees (Business Management)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Business Management) by browse.metadata.advisor "De Villiers Scheepers, M. J."

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    The influence of human and social capital on the strategic entrepreneurial behaviour of businesswomen
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Oostenbrink, Marlizanne; Boshoff, Christo; De Villiers Scheepers, M. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Business Management.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the type of decision-making approaches used by businesswomen, both intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs, under conditions of uncertainty, and how the human and social capital they possess influence their strategic entrepreneurial behaviour (SEB). Entrepreneurial decision making often takes place under uncertain conditions, in which rational models provide little guidance for decision makers. Effectuation is proposed as an alternative decision model to rationality, particularly for emerging opportunities. Although some exploratory work has been conducted on this school of thought, research gaps remain. Particularly, there is a lack of research on businesswomen, despite the fact that they are an important group of entrepreneurs within the economy with great potential to contribute to economic growth, development and employment generation. The study population was South African businesswomen, and the membership register of the South African Businesswomen's Association (BWA) was used as a sampling frame. An online survey was sent to all members and a total of 269 usable responses were obtained. Data were analysed with SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings indicate there are no significant differences between the decisionmaking approaches of intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs, and that they use both effectuation and causation when shaping and implementing new initiatives, while the literature argues that these two approaches are distinct and dichotomous. In using a causal approach, the respondents value planning and a systematic approach to new, uncertain projects, although they realise the benefit of flexibility and of limiting the downside loss to their decisions; therefore they also incorporate elements of effectual logic. Furthermore, businesswomen's ability to cultivate relationships plays an integral role in the SEB process for both effectuation and causation, with businesswomen emphasising their relationships with key stakeholders. Concerning businesswomen's human capital, the study finds that self-efficacy plays an important role in terms of businesswomen's confidence, and that it has an impact on both SEB decision-making approaches. Several theoretical, practical and educational implications arise from these findings. Theoretically, this study contributes to the decision-making literature by showing that businesswomen utilise both decision-making styles and do not merely rely on one or the other. Furthermore, it also shows that relationship cultivation and self-efficacy are significantly related to both SEB approaches. Practically, both businesswomen and other stakeholders, such as financial institutions, should recognise the relevance and importance of using both styles and not stress causation above effectuation, as is the case currently. Furthermore, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, which is relevant for both approaches to SEB, can be raised through investing in targeted training and education in female entrepreneurship. For entrepreneurship educators, these findings emphasise that courses should incorporate both decision-making styles and that these skills should be developed in students. Business management students should be taught that, while logical, planned and prediction-based causal approaches are appropriate under stable conditions, effectuation provides resources to approach uncertain conditions more effectively. In addition, entrepreneurial initiatives with a low degree of innovativeness also would be more suited to a predictive, casual approach, while initiatives with a higher degree of innovativeness would benefit from using effectual principles.