ETD Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/104


Please note: Digitised content is made available at the best possible quality range, taking into consideration file size and the condition of the original item. These restrictions may sometimes affect the quality of the final published item. For queries regarding content of ETD collection please contact IR specialists by email : IR specialists or Tel : 011 717 4652 / 1954

Follow the link below for important information about Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Library Guide about ETD

Browse

Filters

20241

Settings

Author: search.filters.author.Ojango, Stephen AnyeraSubject: search.filters.subject.Business incubators

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The development of a framework to measure the efficacy and effectiveness of business incubators in South Africa
    (2024) Ojango, Stephen Anyera
    Business incubators have been identified as a key development tool for the successful incubation of new and existing small businesses. Understanding their performance, efficacy and effectiveness in the development of small businesses and subsequent economic development is therefore of critical importance to practice and research on entrepreneurship within South Africa. Research on the efficacy and effectiveness of interactions within incubation is unclear, with no distinct measure or reference to the performance of incubator. An exploratory study was therefore undertaken to determine how the operational processes of business incubators could be improved, for the effective assessment of their contribution towards their objectives. The main objective of the research in response to the critical research question was to develop a way for Business Incubator’s measure their operational processes so that their contribution towards their objectives can be assessed. The overarching research design was qualitative in nature and followed the Soft Systems Methodology in support of the exploration of the research objective. Semi Structured and unstructured interviews were used as the primary instruments of data collection. Thematic and content analysis as well as systemigram and Causal loop diagramming were analysis and modelling tools used in the research. This approach provided insight and understanding of Business Incubators and the business incubation space in South Africa. A notable finding of the research was the identification of business incubation pipeline flow being a major challenge experienced within incubator operations, with pipeline being defined as the progression of beneficiaries from recruitment through to their exit. By focusing on critical areas within pipeline processes, expounding on the concept of Operations Management Systems and their relevance in Business Incubation and exploring the concept of 4IR with particular attention to its principles, a framework to measure the operations of incubators was developed as a key result for the research.