Browsing by Author "Seely, Derek"

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    Antecedents of Social Networks and their Influence on the Propensity of Academic Entrepreneurs to Develop Successful Spin-Off Ventures
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Seely, Derek; Urban, Boris
    There is an ongoing discussion about potentially commercialisable academic research not resulting in effective commercialisation in South Africa. This research adds to the body of knowledge by considering the role that an individual academic entrepreneur's social network plays in the spin-off process. The purpose of research is to improve our understanding of the social networks used by academic researchers that enable them to identify and commercialise their innovative research and commercialise it within the university context through the formation of an entrepreneurial spin-off. The study followed a quantitative methodological approach to establish the role of these networks in spin-off development and was actualised using a cross-sectional survey. Respondents were self-identified academic entrepreneurs, drawn from South African academic institutions. The research considered assumptions that research mobilisation, collaboration, unconventionality, university support, bureaucracy and the aspirations of the academic entrepreneur impact spin-off success. The study results provided a conceptual framework that integrates and enhances spin-off success using the academic entrepreneur's social network while enhancing entrepreneurial spin-off theory. The research showed that the existence of a triple helix is insufficient on its own to create a successful spin-off by providing insight on the networks needed for success. Further, the study clarified the importance of individual-level characteristics that are important for academic entrepreneurship to succeed. The outcomes highlighted that research mobilisation, collaboration, risk taking activities, bureaucracy and academic aspirations have significant implications for successful academic entrepreneurship. These findings are noteworthy as the research has been conducted across disciplines and universities with vastly different resource availabilities
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    The effects of ethical business practices on the profitability of firms
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Kasiyamhuru, Iris; Seely, Derek
    In the last decade, many South African Corporates have been implicated in a series of scandals involving unethical behaviour. The resulting losses and loss of reputation that have occurred, have caused business ethics to gain prominence. This study aims to identify how ethical business practices influence company profitability, in an attempt to inspire organisation leaders to act ethically and in turn, preserve the long-term profitability of companies. A qualitative research methodology using semi-structured interviews was used. Data was collected from a convenience sample of 12 participants comprising C-suite employees and senior finance professionals in Corporates. The findings suggest that corporate leaders have a pivotal role to play in shaping ethics in an organisation. Furthermore, not only should leaders role model the desired ethical behaviours, but they should also see to the fact that necessary resources, systems and processes are put in place for ethics to prevail. Ethics is the responsibility of everyone within an organisation, with leaders leading from the front. The findings suggest that ethical business practices towards various company stakeholders safeguard the profitability and sustainability of a business in the long run