The role of public policies in supporting hybrid entrepreneurship: The case of Vhembe district, Limpopo province
Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in economic growth, innovation, and prosperity within societies by generating more goods, services, and job opportunities. Therefore, it has placed a high emphasis on public policies promoting entrepreneurial activities. Public policies sought to provide interventions that minimise the challenges faced by hybrid entrepreneurs and traditional entrepreneurs. Despite the growing interest in entrepreneurship and the role of public policies in supporting entrepreneurs in South Africa, there is minimal research that specifically focused on hybrid entrepreneurship and the efficacy of public policies and initiatives in supporting hybrid entrepreneurship. There is a segment of hybrid entrepreneurs that continues to experience numerous challenges, and the government needs to play a significant role in assisting them to overcome those challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of public policies and propose strategies to ensure their effectiveness in supporting hybrid entrepreneurship in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hybrid entrepreneurs face unique challenges related to financing, time allocation, networking, and skill development that can hinder their success. To address the research problem pertaining to the study social perceptions, an interpretive phenomenological research paradigm was adopted. The study employed a qualitative research method with a sample size of sixteen participants. Purposive sampling was used to intentionally select participants who are knowledgeable about the phenomenon and who are most suitable and beneficial for the study. Data collection involved in-depth interviews. ATLAS.ti version8 was used for analysing qualitative data. The key findings highlight that public policies play a vital role in promoting enterprise sustainability and resilience by bridging knowledge gaps, enhancing skills, and providing strategic resources. Technology-driven policies improve management efficiency but face challenges like bureaucratic hurdles and tax laws that limit access to financial support, hindering entrepreneurial growth. Existing policies tend to favour traditional entrepreneurs, leaving hybrid entrepreneurs underserved, especially in funding and incentives and facing regulatory barriers such as licensing restrictions and conflict-of-interest policies that limit full utilization of their skills. Financial constraints and high tax burdens further increase their vulnerabilities. While hybrid entrepreneurship contributes to employment generation, poverty alleviation, and improved quality of life, entrepreneurs encounter issues such as limited capital, time management difficulties, and unequal access to government contracts and funding. Additionally, exclusionary practices and poor dissemination of policy information impede participation. Recommendations emphasize making policies more inclusive, reducing bureaucracy, fostering public-private collaboration, and implementing targeted mentorship and training. Improving awareness through better communication and adapting policies to support flexible work arrangements are crucial for nurturing hybrid entrepreneurs. This study is significant as it represents one of the initial studies aimed at elucidating the effects of public policies, the challenges hybrid entrepreneurs face, and the strategies necessary for the effective promotion of hybrid entrepreneurship within the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. This research was confined to the Vhembe District Municipality, which may limit the applicability of the results to other regions within Limpopo Province, South Africa, or to other parts of Africa and developing or emerging economies. There exists an opportunity for further research in other district municipalities across different provinces in South Africa to obtain a broader perspective. The insights gained from this study can inform future research and provide recommendations regarding the role of public policies in the advancement of hybrid entrepreneurship and related activities in various district municipalities, provinces, and throughout South Africa.
Entrepreneurship, Economic growth, Public Policies, Hybrid-entrepreneurship, Poverty Alleviation, Job Creation, UCTD
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