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Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs

Thesis (PhD Entrepreneurship)--University of Pretoria, 2023.

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Other Authors: Moos, Menisha
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2023
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Moos, Menisha
author_browse Moos, Menisha
author_facet Moos, Menisha
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD Entrepreneurship)--University of Pretoria, 2023.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/91577
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:26.341Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2023
publishDateRange 2023
publishDateSort 2023
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/91577 Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs Moos, Menisha nclavisfubah@gmail.com Fubah, Clavis Nwehfor UCTD Networks Immigrant entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial ecosystem Business development Business development services Growth Immigrant entrepreneurship Economic and management sciences theses SDG-01 SDG-01: No poverty Economic and management sciences theses SDG-08 SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth Economic and management sciences theses SDG-09 SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure Thesis (PhD Entrepreneurship)--University of Pretoria, 2023. Research indicates that networks play a critical role in business development. However, there is a paucity of research on networks, particularly from the perspectives of immigrant entrepreneurs in emerging markets. The main aim of this study was, therefore, to explore how networks play a role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs. Specifically, the study explored the types of networks used by immigrant entrepreneurs, how the networks are developed, and the functions and benefits of networks in the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs in the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem. The study followed the interpretivist philosophy, using a qualitative research method. Data for the study were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 immigrant entrepreneurs, selected using a purposive sampling method. Findings from the study indicated that immigrant entrepreneurs in the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem use eight types of networks in their business development, with social networks being the most frequently used and international business networks being the least used. In addition, the study found that immigrant entrepreneurs develop their networks using several methods, with trust being the most frequently used mechanism and idea pitching, outsourcing and subcontracting being the least used mechanisms. The study stressed the importance of reciprocity of trust in the network development process. Furthermore, referrals emerged as the most important function of networks in the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs. While resource provision also emerged as another major function of networks for immigrant entrepreneurs, finance stood out as the most important resource provided by networks. Finally, the study identified financial growth as the most important benefit of networking by immigrant entrepreneurs. This study, therefore, makes a significant contribution and adds to the academic literature by revealing the various but specific ways in which immigrant entrepreneurs develop the networks that they use in their business development in the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem, an area that has received little to no attention from scholars. Another significant contribution of the study is that it uncovered the specific types of networks which immigrant entrepreneurs used in their business developments in the host country's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Implications of the study were discussed, and recommendations were made. Business Management PhD (Entrepreneurship) Unrestricted 2023-07-21T12:32:22Z 2023-07-21T12:32:22Z 2023-09 2023 Thesis * S2023 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/91577 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.23596254.v1 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Networks
Immigrant entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial ecosystem
Business development
Business development services
Growth
Immigrant entrepreneurship
Economic and management sciences theses SDG-01
SDG-01: No poverty
Economic and management sciences theses SDG-08
SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth
Economic and management sciences theses SDG-09
SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs
title Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs
title_full Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs
title_fullStr Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs
title_full_unstemmed Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs
title_short Exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs
title_sort exploring networks in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the business development of immigrant entrepreneurs
topic UCTD
Networks
Immigrant entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial ecosystem
Business development
Business development services
Growth
Immigrant entrepreneurship
Economic and management sciences theses SDG-01
SDG-01: No poverty
Economic and management sciences theses SDG-08
SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth
Economic and management sciences theses SDG-09
SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/91577
https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.23596254.v1