- Title
- The value of incubation to SMME in the financial services industry : the case of the infinitum initiative
- Creator
- Mboniswa, Unathi Sindisiwe
- Subject
- Gqeberha (South Africa)
- Subject
- Eastern Cape (South Africa)
- Subject
- South Africa
- Date Issued
- 2021-04
- Date
- 2021-04
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53027
- Identifier
- vital:44862
- Description
- Small, micro and medium businesses are regarded as the engine for achieving economic growth and reducing unemployment through unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs. However, 80% of such young entrepreneurs operating SMMEs fail in their first years of existence. To respond to this challenge, Business Incubators (BI’s) have been established to nurture SMMEs to succeed. Numerous BI’s, such as Godisa, have been established in South Africa with many supported by the Department of Trade and Industry. However, there are still many potential entrepreneurs in need of such help. In this regard, Old Mutual initiated a programme similar to Godisa, called the Infinitum Incubation Programme (IIP). The IIP seeks to groom young, willing and educated entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, with business skills to help them establish sustainable businesses. Their focus is on Financial Advisors and the programme has been running for two years offering all the support needed by young businesses. Against this background, this study endeavoured to assess whether the initiative has had the intended impact on the Incubatees. Using a qualitative and Interpretivism research approach and a sample of six incubatees, this study addressed its objectives. Questionnaires were sent out to all incubators and incubatees involved in the IIP and a response rate 60% was achieved. These responses were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The results show that the IIP has been successful in identifying suitable incubatees and stakeholders. It also found that the IIP has been successful in equipping incubatees with theoretical business management skills. However, in terms of skills transfer, the programme was not successful. Both incubatees and stakeholders rated the programme poorly. Further, both stakeholders and incubatees perceive the programme to be a very good idea and see potential for success; however, they feel that would be achieved only after significant improvement. The study recommends that the programme improve on the following: gender balance, management and coordination of the programme, improved skills transfer, balance between practice, theory, and providing post-programme mentorship. The study ends by describing limitations and areas for further research.
- Description
- Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, NMU Business School, 2021
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (x, 71 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Business and Economic Science
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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