The entrepreneurship ecosystem of Botswana : a multi-dimensional case description
Date
2024-03
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: The indisputable finding that all forms of entrepreneurship require a conducive entrepreneurship ecosystem to succeed has prompted scholars within the entrepreneurship ecosystem field to develop instruments that assess entrepreneurship ecosystems. The results of measuring entrepreneurship ecosystems highlight the changes required to improve entrepreneurship support. This thesis adapts the Multi-dimensional Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Scale (MEES) to evaluate Botswana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The theoretical framework used to guide this thesis is the Isenberg entrepreneurship ecosystem framework, which models an ecosystem into six domains. This framework allows us to discuss the entrepreneurship ecosystem of Botswana, thus painting a picture of current
entrepreneurship support provided by the six domains of Isenberg’s entrepreneurship ecosystem (finance, policy, culture, supports, markets, and human capital). To measure Botswana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, the thesis employs qualitative research methods to collect perceptual data. Semi-structured interviews created from adapting the MEES are used to get perceptions of entrepreneurs and ecosystem key informants regarding entrepreneurship support, and a content analysis of course offerings in tertiary institutions using an Entrepreneurship Education Program (EEP) framework is undertaken to measure the provision of entrepreneurship education. The analysis of the thesis findings indicates that the domains of Botswana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem are not entirely conducive to entrepreneurship growth. An analysis of individual domains is provided, and recommendations are provided to policymakers and stakeholders within Botswana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem domains to enable the improvement of their government ministries or institutions in support of productive entrepreneurship. This research paper also helps close the knowledge gap of the Botswana government’s Vision 2036 transformation strategy supporting entrepreneurship towards a knowledge-based economy but lacking information regarding the conduciveness of its entrepreneurship ecosystem domains, i.e., where its ecosystem domains lack and how they should be improved to support entrepreneurship.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2024.