Corporate Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability in South Africa’s Chemicals Sector
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Companies in the South African chemicals industry are under pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their operations while ensuring job preservation andvalue creation for all their stakeholders. Greenhouse gases primarily emanate from burning and processing fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas. Over 90% of the feedstock for chemical production is obtained from fossil fuels (IEA, 2018), which is not environmentally sustainable. Literature suggests that applying the concept of corporate entrepreneurship can play a vital role in developing solutions to enhance a company’s economic, environmental, and social outcomes (Aparicio et al., 2020). Despite this suggestion, the amount of research done on the application of corporate entrepreneurship to address environmental sustainability challenges is limited, especially in the South African context. This study applies a qualitative research methodology, using a case study research method to investigate if corporate entrepreneurship can address environmental sustainability challenges in South Africa’s chemicals manufacturing sector. Secondary data on companies in South Africa’s chemicals manufacturing value chain was obtained from various digital platforms and triangulated with primary data from interviews to conduct this research. Interview participants included individuals from environmental conservation NGOs and government agencies. The collected data was analyzed in ATLAS.ti through coding and visualization techniques. The results indicate that companies in South Africa’s chemicals manufacturing sector are applying
elements of corporate entrepreneurship theory to develop strategies to address environmental sustainability challenges. Individuals from environmental conservation NGOs and government agencies believe corporate entrepreneurship can effectively address environmental sustainability challenges in the chemical manufacturing sector. Most strategies, plans, and projects announced by the companies are yet to be implemented. Therefore, it is yet to be confirmed if these strategies will effectively address the environmental sustainability challenges
Description
A research article submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Climate change, Corporate entrepreneurship, Environmental sustainability, Fossil fuels, Green Products, Just Transition, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Petrochemicals Qualitative, UCTD
Citation
Ntshani, Itukiseng. (2023). Corporate Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability in South Africa’s Chemicals Sector [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace.