The impact of business incubation in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset among incubatees
Date
2015
Authors
Tilana, Lukhanyo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The research intended to provide an insightful view of the impact of business
incubation on the entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial self-efficacy as
perceived by incubatees in a South African context. The research was carried
out primarily in the Gauteng province. Business incubators are considered
instrumental in accelerating the creation of successful entrepreneurial ventures.
However, there is disagreement surrounding the benefits of business incubators
with some scholars suggesting that the benefits are claimed mostly by its
practitioners, there is also little systematic evidence of business incubator
efficacy in promoting job and wealth creation.
Data collection was in the form of a questionnaire distributed through a web
based survey tool. The email containing the link to the questionnaire was
accompanied by a covering letter explaining the nature, purpose and objectives
of the survey. The covering letter assured the participants of their privacy and
anonymity as well as our adherence to the Wits Code of Ethics for Research on
Participants. Weekly reminders were sent to those participants that had not
responded.
Incubatees perceived a moderate impact of incubation on their entrepreneurial
mindset and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Incubatees who had completed the
program perceived a higher impact on both the entrepreneurial mindset and
entrepreneurial self-efficacy than incubatees who were still in the program.
This research explored an area of study that has received very little attention
prior to this research. It offered opportunities to build theory and its findings could
potentially inform future research from an academic perspective. Furthermore,
this research also identified the specific areas of incubation that the incubatees
perceived incubation to have had an impact on. These findings could assist
business incubation practitioners to identify specific areas of incubation that
require intervention.
Description
Thesis (M.M. (Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Business Administration, 2015.