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Faculty of Management Sciences

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    Construction SMEs versus economic growth : the Eastern Cape perspective
    (B P International (a part of SCIENCEDOMAIN International), 2023-05-30) Flepisi, Lubabalo; Womack, Anna Johanna Catharina; Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele; Twum-Darko, Michael
    Globally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are recognised as the engine and backbone of economic growth, especially for emerging countries such as South Africa. However, construction SMEs in South Africa are faced with some major challenges that hinder their contribution to the economic growth of the country. The study sought to investigate the factors that hinder the contribution of construction SMEs to the economic growth in the Eastern Cape province, in South Africa. The sample size of the study comprised 303 construction SME owners/managers in the Eastern Cape province. Nevertheless, for this conference, the findings of the study are based on the reviewed literature, supplemented by a pilot study with 30 construction SME owners/managers as participants. The study revealed key factors that influence the contribution of construction SMEs to economic growth in the Eastern Cape province. These factors include insufficient/inadequate financial resources, innovation, business management skills, and investment in human capital, as well as a lack of Information Technology use, along with skills shortages, and too many government regulations. The South African government and private sector thus need to develop mechanisms that will cushion construction SMEs through the development of policies that will enable these firms to contribute to economic growth.
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    Evaluation of the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in public institutions of learning in the province of KwaZulu-Natal
    (2021-07-01) Ncube, Thandukwazi R.; Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele
    Individuals around the world are finding that entrepreneurship is an avenue to create wealth, stimulate economies, and fulfil self-employment dreams. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education are on the rise in South African Higher institutions of learning since most institutions are on the verge of embedding it into their curriculum as one of the graduate attributes. Considering the shifting entrepreneurial environment, teachers must constantly be adjusting the educational practices, procedures, and curriculum to ensure the best outcomes for future entrepreneurs. Public institutions of learning need to entice students through programmes that are relevant in order to ensure the success of their new ventures. As the entrepreneurial environment has changed, so have the expectations of educational programmes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in public institutions of learning (PIL) (technical vocational education and training institutions, universities of technologies, and universities). It aims to examine the competencies that are needed to successfully start a business endeavour and the current level of skills these institutions offer to students for business and entrepreneurial programmes. The study also provides suggestions for new approaches in teaching pedagogies that adjust to the changes in the business environment of the country.