The attributes of successful tourism-related entrepreneurs in Mtubatuba Local Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal
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Date
2020
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Previous studies have recognized entrepreneurs as a significant part of the global pursuit for sustaining economic development and social progress in the world. The attributes that lead to successful entrepreneurial undertaking need to be properly researched. This study therefore explores the entrepreneurial attributes that have significant impact in differentiating between successful and struggling tourism entrepreneurs in South Africa, using Mtubatuba Local Municipality as a case. A structured questionnaire survey was used to collect data. Convenience sampling was employed in selecting 124 tourism-related entrepreneurs living in different regions of Mtubatuba Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Data analyses were done using IBM’s SPSS version 25 software for statistical purposes. Descriptive (Frequency, Mean, Standard Deviation), bivariate (Spearman’s Correlation, Mann Whitney U test) and multivariate (Reliability test using Cronbach’s Alpha) data analyses yield information to address research objectives. The results indicate that the entrepreneurial attributes that somewhat differentiate successful entrepreneurs from struggling entrepreneurs are: business drive and enthusiasm, being efficient and effective, and being visionary and having achievement motivation. This study also validates that socio-demographic variables tend to be more useful in explaining the reasons for success or struggle among entrepreneurs than behavioural variables. This study recommends that Mtubatuba Local Municipality needs to organize targeted Tourism Development and Tourism Business Management education for the willing population of Mtubatuba Local Municipality, in collaboration with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal. By so doing, equal opportunity can be granted to anyone who wants to start-up and manage a new tourism business.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Recreation and Tourism in the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, 2020.
Keywords
Tourism entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship