Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37942

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    Exploring institutional factors enabling the Nigerian digital economy policy and strategy
    (2020) Olanusi, Olabode
    This study explores the viability of the deployed institutional framework that are mandated to enable the implementation of the National digital economy and strategy in Nigeria. The study employed a qualitative research approach utilising interpretative phenomenological data analysis and interpretation due to the emergent policy implementation and the nuances associated with digital economy evolution in Nigeria. Purposive sampling method was used for selecting participants from the primary stakeholders mandated to drive the implementation of the National digital economy policy and strategy. The research approach necessitated the use of semi-structured interviews for data collection, leveraging digital meeting platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams due to the restrictions on physical meetings occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. All interviews were recorded as agreed by the participants and collected data was transcribed and analysed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis. Discussions emanating from presented data were guided by research questions posed by the study. The findings obtained from this research show that institutional frameworks are key enablers of the national digital economic policy and strategy; established institutional frameworks needs to be operationalised synergistically to enable the national digital economic policy and strategy and that well-resourced institutional frameworks are vital to enabling the national digital economy policy and strategy in Nigeria. Amongst others, the study provides recommendations that the National digital economy policy and strategy document be reviewed to ensure collaboration with, and participation of all stakeholders. The study further recommends an outcomes-based approach for policy and strategy implementation. The study further provides suggestions for further research to nurture the development and implementation of digital economic policy and strategy in alignment
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    Assessing the entrepreneurial ecosystem readiness to support high-growth digital startups in South Africa
    (2021) Pardesi, Sabica
    There has been a prevalence of studies that suggest that high-growth startups are an important determinant of national economic growth. Furthermore, with both the transition into the digital economy and the emergence of digital technologies, entrepreneurs and new ventures are increasing at an exponential rate globally. This has led to a rise in ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem’ studies that aim to understand how to establish environments that can best assist these new ventures. The focus of this qualitative study was to explore and assess how the entrepreneurial ecosystem supports venture growth for high-growth digital startups in South Africa. In contrast to popularised local studies that focus on the material manifestation of the ecosystem, this study honed into the narratives of twelve founders within the framework of a dynamic capabilities model in order to explore how they identified, captured, and redeployed resources and opportunities as well as the role that location played in supporting their venture growth. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using an exploratory approach. The contributions underline the dynamic relationship that digital startup founders have with other ecosystem actors. The first key finding revealed that the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem is primarily led by entrepreneurs who had developed advanced sensing capabilities, i.e., the ability to recognise opportunities within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The second key finding revealed that all of the interviewed founders took on significant personal and financial risk when starting their businesses. South African stakeholders show increasing concerns about the high-failure rate of startups. It was concluded that there needs to be two differentiated strategies to support high-growth entrepreneurship; one that supports experienced entrepreneurs, and one that is focused on nurturing younger inexperienced entrepreneurs. Linked to this, risk appetite should be viewed as an independent determinant for ecosystem growth; it is the missing glue required to promote innovative entrepreneurship. Lastly, recommendations were made for both ecosystem stakeholders and technology-based entrepreneurs looking to scale in the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem