An interpretative approach in conceptualising entrepreneurial success in Limpopo Province, South Africa
This thesis analysed how entrepreneurial success is conceptualised and communicated both in practice and within the literature. The thesis argued that within the framework of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs), contemporary views on how entrepreneurs understand and communicate entrepreneurship success, as expressed in the literature are impoverished and limiting. From this, the thesis sought to understand how entrepreneurs conceptualise entrepreneurial success through an interpretative approach and to proposes a model – the half-truth model – that seeks to reflect on the extent to which entrepreneurs disclose information about their business success to different stakeholders. An interpretative research paradigm was followed with the aim of getting a thorough understanding of the concept of entrepreneurial success as understood by entrepreneurs themselves. A qualitative research study was conducted, wherein the interpretative approach was followed to conceptualise entrepreneurial success by interviewing twenty entrepreneurs in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used, targeting entrepreneurs operating in Limpopo. An inductive approach was followed to get in-depth information about how business owners, personally define and communicate entrepreneurial success. ATLAS.ti was utilised when the researcher organised, coded, and sorted data interactively, creating themes that closely reflected the content and the objectives of the study. The findings revealed that entrepreneurs understand entrepreneurial success in the context of achieving their business objectives, through maintaining high levels of perseverance and determination. From a theoretical perspective, the thesis provided valuable insights for the available literature and further research; from the practical level, the proposed model would serve as a diagnostic tool for business performance as well as a basis for policy intervention.
Conceptualise, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial success, Interpretative qualitative, SMME
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