Rahabhi Mashapure, Brighton Nyagadza, Lovemore Chikazhe, Gideon Mazuruse and Precious Hove
The main purpose of this research is to investigate factors influencing rural women entrepreneurship development and sustainable rural livelihoods in Manicaland province of…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this research is to investigate factors influencing rural women entrepreneurship development and sustainable rural livelihoods in Manicaland province of Zimbabwe.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research was conducted in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 400 women entrepreneurs in various sectors. The participants were in vegetable vending, operating clothing flea markets and cross border trading. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Structural equation modeling in SmartPLS version 3 was used to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
The study established that women entrepreneurship is driven by financial factors, positive environmental factors, positive psychological factors as well as positive sociological factors for a sustainable rural livelihood.
Research limitations/implications
It is clear that if the discovered challenges are not addressed, sustainability of women entrepreneurship will remain a dream.
Practical implications
The study came up with strategies for improving women entrepreneurship activities. Future research can be done in other areas of provinces to avoid generalization challenges.
Social implications
Many challenges hinder the sustainability of women entrepreneurship. Major impediments to women entrepreneurship comprises inadequate support from government schemes, patriarchal societal structure of the community, lack of relevant entrepreneurial knowledge to manage businesses, lack of collateral security to access funding, time limitation or role conflict to balance family pressures and business.
Originality/value
The study recommends proper entrepreneurship education and training, supportive government schemes and access to network affiliation/connection to sustain women entrepreneurship.
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Rahabhi Mashapure, Purity Hamunakwadi, Julius Tapera, Admire Mthombeni, Bronson Mutanda and Hasmonia Makaza
In industrialised economies, frugal innovation is increasingly becoming a strategic business requirement due to consumer demand for high-quality, reasonably priced and sustainable…
Abstract
In industrialised economies, frugal innovation is increasingly becoming a strategic business requirement due to consumer demand for high-quality, reasonably priced and sustainable products. The present-day corporate leaders cannot afford to overlook this paradigm change. Frugal innovation enterprises are better positioned to overcome technological, financial, social and infrastructure constraints in emerging economies. However, little is known about how different actors and decision-makers perceive the challenges faced by family entrepreneurs in digitalising their entrepreneurial activities. Thus, this chapter aims to articulate the opportunities that can be potentially created for African family entrepreneurs and some challenges that can be anticipated when adopting disruptive digital technologies in their business enterprises. Using the social cognitive theory (SCT), interpretivism philosophy was adopted in this study. The authors utilised the interview guide to explore, probe and ask questions that addressed the objectives of the study. Snowball sampling was chosen for qualitative data collection, and the data were thematically presented. The population of the study was made up of family entrepreneurs in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe; the saturation level determined the sample size. Twenty (20) participants were interviewed, as guided by the saturation point. A thematic approach was used to analyse participant's feedback. This study filled a critical gap considering that few studies have so far been conducted in this emerging area of family entrepreneurship. The chapter also highlights the opportunities that adoption of digital technologies can potentially unlock for African family entrepreneurs, once the identified obstructions have been successfully addressed.
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Bronson Mutanda, Bomi Nomlala, Admire Mthombeni, Julius Tapera, Rahabhi Mashapure and Purity Hamunakwadi
Recently, the concept of frugal innovation (FI) has gained relevance in both academic and societal discourse. Whether disruptive frugal digital innovation is contributing to the…
Abstract
Recently, the concept of frugal innovation (FI) has gained relevance in both academic and societal discourse. Whether disruptive frugal digital innovation is contributing to the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in Africa is a subject of debate. Generally speaking, frugal inventions are linked to developing nations where sizable consumer groups at the base of the pyramid have unfulfilled needs. Africa, a continent with growing economies, has witnessed a surge in disruptive FI, which makes this chapter an important discourse. Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), social media, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are finding their way in the market, and how it is affecting human development and small enterprises has been a subject for debate. This book chapter presents findings on how FI has led to sustainable human development and growth of micro, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as revealed by a review of existing literature on the subject. According to findings from the literature, MSMEs' connections and interactions with partners, suppliers, and consumers have improved as a result of the adoption of disruptive digital platforms. Additionally, while operating in challenging settings in Africa, digital technologies offer certain intrinsic traits and information technology capabilities that allow firms to grow and flourish. Digital platforms are viewed as transparent, collaborative instruments that provide economic opportunities throughout the ecosystem. The results also show that disruptive digital technologies offer MSMEs an inexpensive, simple-to-use, and simple-to-deploy solution in order to compete with stronger incumbents across a range of industries.
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Purity Hamunakwadi, Sijekula Mbanga, Lethu K. K. Lujabe, Rahabhi Mashapure, Julius Tapera, Admire Mthombeni and Bronson Mutanda
Across the globe, cities have contemplated practical measures to handle sustainable development issues which vary from environmental, social and to economic problems. Despite…
Abstract
Across the globe, cities have contemplated practical measures to handle sustainable development issues which vary from environmental, social and to economic problems. Despite this, Africa has continued to fall behind in the implementation of smart city development. Yet, one of Africa's most cherished goals is achieving sustainable human settlements to keep up with the present and future urbanisation rates. The backbone to achieving sustainable human settlements is having efficient, well-capacitated, municipal systems and committed public servants. African Governments, however, continue to have failing municipalities with corruption being rife in both small towns and cities, yet there are chances to evolve and become smarter. Blockchain technology is a novel and disruptive innovation that has the potential to empower smart cities by providing a platform for interoperability, coordination and governance among multiple smart city initiatives and actors. However, the adoption of blockchain technology also faces several challenges and barriers to its adoption and implementation in smart cities, especially in Africa, where there is lack of awareness, regulation, infrastructure and access to ICT. This chapter examines the current state, opportunities and challenges in the adoption of blockchain technology in smart city development in Africa, a continent that faces multiple urbanisation issues, such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and lack of infrastructure. As such, the study adopts two theories, the diffusion of innovation (DOI) and the technology–organisation–environment (TOE) framework to view the use and opportunities placed by adopting blockchain technology through municipal stakeholders and citizens to enhance smart city development.
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Admire Mthombeni, Obert Sifile, Julius Tapera, Rahabhi Mashapure, Purity Hamunakwadi and Bronson Mutanda
The concept of frugal innovation has been scholarly discussed from different perspectives. It is a concept that has in the recent years been receiving much attention. In this…
Abstract
The concept of frugal innovation has been scholarly discussed from different perspectives. It is a concept that has in the recent years been receiving much attention. In this view, much of the scholarly attention has been given to the benefits of frugal innovation. However, sparse and little attention has been given to the possibilities and challenges of frugal innovation in attaining sustainable development in African Nations. Much of the work has explored the benefits of disruptive frugal innovation. Given this background, this chapter, therefore, seeks to contribute to disruptive frugal digital innovation by highlighting the challenges and possibilities frugal innovation brings in an attempt to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG 1 that aims to end poverty in all forms as well as SDG 8 that aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. Hence, this chapter aims to unleash some possibilities and challenges that can be brought by frugal innovation. Using literature analysis from 21 articles from Google Scholar, the chapter pre-empts key definitions and highlights the SDGs, the possibilities and challenges brought by frugal innovation in achieving economic and social sustainability in Africa. It is through these insights that the chapter seeks to inform theory, practice and policy in the context of SDGs in Africa.
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Julius Tapera, Purity Hamunakwadi, Rahabhi Mashapure, Admire Mthombeni and Bronson Mutanda
A number of global crises, including financial crisis, global warming, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, have taken place over the past few decades. These have forced…
Abstract
A number of global crises, including financial crisis, global warming, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, have taken place over the past few decades. These have forced firms, the world over, to remodel their business processes to produce goods and services cost-effectively while retaining their competitive advantage and ensuring continuous improvement of organisational performance. To this end, frugal innovations, whose origins can be traced to India, are becoming increasingly prevalent in both developed and emerging economies due to their cost effectiveness. This chapter, therefore, explores how firms can deploy frugal disruptive technologies and modernised digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), social media, cloud computing, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), machine learning (ML) and robotics to create sustainable competitive advantage and improve organisational performance within the African context. These frugal disruptive technologies have made significant inroads in a number of developed economies bringing dynamism, efficiency, continuous quality improvement, speed, operational excellence and wider market reach in product and service delivery. Based on an analysis of the empirical evidence from the various case studies, it is concluded that the deployment of frugal disruptive technologies and modernised digital tools have a significant positive impact on firms' efforts to create sustainable competitive advantage and continuously improving their performance. The chapter ends by articulating some limitations and the implications for theory, policy and practice.
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Divya Mishra, Gopika Mangla and Nidhi Maheshwari
This research investigates the barriers hindering women from pursuing entrepreneurship as a career choice, particularly in the Indian context.
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigates the barriers hindering women from pursuing entrepreneurship as a career choice, particularly in the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs rigorous data analysis techniques, including Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis, on a sample of 590 MBA students, comprising both male and female participants.
Findings
The findings reveal that social and psychological factors significantly influence women’s decisions regarding entrepreneurship. Social factors such as social stigma and cultural norms, along with psychological factors like societal expectations, emerge as major barriers.
Research limitations/implications
The findings have implications for policymakers, practitioners, and academics in designing interventions to address social and psychological barriers effectively. Recommendations include promoting cultural sensitivity and fostering confidence among women entrepreneurs.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by quantifying the specific barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in India. It offers insights into advancing gender equity and inclusive economic development through targeted policies and programs.