{"title":"THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN REDUCING THE DIGITIAL DIVIDE","authors":"M. Jantjies","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1069","url":null,"abstract":"When reflecting on issues of digital inclusion and female entrepreneurship, I believe it is important to start by considering South Africa’s skills landscape. According to the global gender gap index, South Africa is ranked number 18 out of the 156 countries surveyed. The index measures a number of factors, including economic participation, education, health and mortality rates, as well as political empowerment. In fact, South Africa is ranked highly on political empowerment, but when it comes to economic participation and education, the sectors which have the greatest impact on digital inclusion, the numbers tell a different story.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"201 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127405653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"OP-ED1: TOWARDS AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR A DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM : A FOUNDATION FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY","authors":"S. Pather","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1067","url":null,"abstract":"During a recent webinar on the topic of digital inclusion and women entrepreneurship, I had the opportunity to share my perspectives in respect of ICT policy with a very engaged audience from across South Africa. The event reminded us of the commitment of the University of the Western Cape to create platforms not only for intellectual debate, but with a view to ensure an impact on the communities we serve. This webinar was conceived with the objective that women would benefit from the discourse that would impact their lives as entrepreneurs.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"76 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132198475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"VOICES OF ENTREPRENEURS: A REVIEW OF ENTREPRENEURS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SME COVID-19 SUPPORT MEASURES IN SOUTH AFRICA","authors":"L. Svenson","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1070","url":null,"abstract":"This article sheds the spotlight on support mechanisms for small businesses that are struggling as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The data was collated during a two-part webinar series on lockdown stories of small businesses in the Western Cape, the effects thereof, support mechanisms and possible solutions to the challenges faced. The webinars, run in August 2020, were hosted by the Economics and Management Sciences Faculty of the University of the Western Cape. The article compiles the contributions of panel members from a cross-section of stakeholders from business, government and academia. Potential solutions and support mechanisms available from various spheres of society – government, business and academia – are discussed as part of the arsenal available to small businesses in the face of the negative impact of Covid-19 on their businesses.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"19 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128032021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"COVID-19 AND SOUTH AFRICA’S SMALL, MEDIUM AND MICRO ENTERPRISES: CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS","authors":"O. Fatoki","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1066","url":null,"abstract":"Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have a major role to play in sustainable development. SMMEs create incomes through employment and help to reduce poverty and income inequality, and to spur economic growth. However, the performance of SMMEs has been negatively impacted by Covid -19, a communicable respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus that causes illness in humans. The paper explores the challenges faced by SMMEs because of Covid-19. In addition, the paper suggests recommendations that can help to mitigate the challenges faced by SMMEs because of Covid- 19. The study adopted the desk research methodology that involved the synthesis of extant local and international secondary data sources on Covid- 19 and SMMEs.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"102 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128654738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"LESSONS LEARNED FROM WORKING WITH RURAL FARM WOMEN ON MIDDELPOS FARM, SWARTLAND MUNICIPALITY, WEST COAST, WESTERN CAPE.","authors":"Ingrid Lestrade","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1063","url":null,"abstract":"I have a vision of creating an alternate rural economy that does things differently and gets better results. To put it into context, I live on an isolated farm which is part of a land reform programme. I often wish the digital world would create something that would help women specifically, who are trying to farm, to get information. I must agree that there are some encouraging signs that this is beginning to happen. Recently I was asked by the IDC to provide them with a social benefit map, because the direction that many of the state entities are taking, is that they don't only want to give money, but they also want to see the social benefit of their investments, rather than simply the profitability factor. But quickly the question arises: How do you provide that kind of map with the limited capabilities that you have? After all, most of the women I work with can't read or write and many have never seen the inside of a school.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"2003 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127695950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"“ENTREPRENEURS ARE SUPERHEROES OF SOCIETIES”: INSIGHTS ON HOW LAUNCHING AND OPERATING A PRESCHOOL DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SNATCHED ALL MY SUPERPOWERS","authors":"Marcia Lebambo","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1065","url":null,"abstract":"The founding father of entrepreneurship, Schumpeter, described entrepreneurs as true heroes of society, primarily due to their contribution to value creation and their ability to create something new, thereby driving economic evolution. Perhaps as a new business owner, I resonated with the definition prior to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. I ventured into my business full of vigour and ready to become a superhero of my community. Almost a year after the outbreak of the coronavirus, my superhero wings have withered. In this article I share my experience in launching a new business in 2020 – the year of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. My micro-level business start-up is a preschool located in Soshanguve, one of South Africa’s townships in the City of Tshwane.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127708153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL ISSUE: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE DIGITAL INCLUSION AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERIES 2021","authors":"Michelle Esau","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1062","url":null,"abstract":"This special issue on Digital inclusion and women entrepreneurship features a selection of papers and review articles on themes and issues raised in the University of the Western Cape (UWC) webinar series on the topic held in the 2021 academic year.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"27 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123237546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"COVID-19 AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT VICKISPAN: CHALLENGES AND RESPONSES TO THE LOCKDOWN","authors":"L. Svenson","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2isi.1064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2isi.1064","url":null,"abstract":"This article is centred on an entrepreneurial small farm-based enterprise in rural Riebeecksrivier in the Western Cape. It focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on the business, its employees and the community that is affected by the enterprise. The data was obtained from a webinar series on lockdown stories hosted by the Economics and Management Sciences Faculty of the University of the Western Cape. The article describes the challenges presented by lockdown and how the pandemic has changed the way they think about the business strategy and context. It also delineates the kind of support measures required for this business to survive and achieve its potential to grow and effect greater positive impact in future. The data which this article is based upon, is from the generous contribution of the Managing Director of Vickispan (Pty) Ltd, who participated in the online webinar series.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115229464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL ENTERPRISES: AN OVERVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE MOPANI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY","authors":"Aaron Ramodumo, Joel Chigada","doi":"10.14426/jei.v2i1.1051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v2i1.1051","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This study analysed entrepreneurial dynamics, activities and challenges confronting small agricultural businesses in the Mopani District Municipality in Limpopo, South Africa. Mopani is a rural district municipality and home to 1,2 million people of whom 77% live below the poverty line. Agriculture is a major income-generating sector for many disadvantaged communities in rural areas of South Africa, and it plays a significant role in the economy. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the operational practices that contribute to the success/failure of emerging agricultural small enterprise owners in their agricultural activities within Mopani District – a district with large numbers of highly competitive and commercial farmers. In addition, the study suggested interventions that could help smallholder farmers to sustain their income-generating businesses.Method: A qualitative research method was adopted to gain insights from 30 small agricultural businesses, which included crop, poultry and diversified or mixed production. Different data collection techniques (interviews, document analysis and observations) were used to collect data and increase the trustworthiness of the research findings. Results: The majority (68%) of farm owners had no finance to start their own personal businesses, except that they received funding (financial start-ups) from the Municipality, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and other agencies. Thirty-two per cent (32%) started their businesses on their own without municipal assistance, but they received funding later on. The study revealed that entrepreneurial practices and procedures of running small agricultural enterprises were multidimensional and diverse. Entrepreneurs lacked business management skills, vision, capital and access to markets. Conclusions: While the number of jobs in the large enterprises is decreasing, and government battles in creating conditions for job opportunities, the number of people seeking employment is growing every year. This causes an increase in unemployment in the country. The successful enterprises established income-generating activities that met the needs of their communities. Successful farmers seem to have an endless array of internal and external constraints such as internal efficacy, farm knowledge, business practices, poor marketing, natural disasters and harsh climate conditions amongst emerging farmers. Government should focus their attention on entrepreneurship training, as this is the avenue for incubators and the engine room for economic growth. This would create the much-needed business sustainability, employment opportunities and alleviate poverty in communities","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121069078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Rukuni, Tendai Huni, Peter Tshetu, Isah Leontes, Elizabeth Takura
{"title":"EVALUATING OPERATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND THE SUCCESS OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA","authors":"T. Rukuni, Tendai Huni, Peter Tshetu, Isah Leontes, Elizabeth Takura","doi":"10.14426/jei.v1i1.571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14426/jei.v1i1.571","url":null,"abstract":"a employment, decrease in and Abstract: After gaining political independence, most African countries have persistently faced slow to negative economic growth. The economic growth rate for South Africa (SA) for the first quarter of 2018 was 1.5% and the unemployment rate at 26.7%. Negative economic growth leads to a reduction in revenue, loss of employment, decrease in income and an increase in poverty. This study assesses the factors affecting the success of agricultural cooperatives in the City of Tshwane. A survey used self-completion questionnaire to collect data from 240 members of agricultural cooperatives located in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Data analysis used Statistical Package for Social Sciences to conduct descriptive and multivariate analyses, factor analysis and correlations. Findings indicated that members of cooperatives had negative perceptions on operational competencies such as member participation, structural factors, communication, management, training and education, as well as on external factors at the agricultural cooperatives. It needs to be highlighted that operational competencies within the agricultural cooperatives affect the success of these cooperatives. The study recommendation includes the need for training and development for members, creation of sustainable relationships, networks with non-governmental organisations and external stakeholders, development of viable marketing strategies, and upgrading and improving of the infrastructure.","PeriodicalId":106682,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations","volume":"29 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129337381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}