ESC

Clarivate

JCR Category: Business in ESCI edition

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues Open access
Journal Impact FactorTM (2023) 1.2 Q4
Journal Citation IndicatorTM (2023) 0.33 Q3
Received: 2019-02-17  |  Accepted: 2019-11-26  |  Published: 2019-12-15

Title

Navigating on the key drivers for a transition to a green economy: evidence from women entrepreneurs in South Africa


Abstract

This research aims to determine how women entrepreneurs engaged in green entrepreneurship can help build a green economy in South Africa. The study was conducted using a non-probability conveniently selected sample of women green entrepreneurs operating in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A qualitative approach was followed involving semi-structured face to face interviews and focus groups with the selected participants. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis. After the thematic analysis, four themes (drivers) for a Transition to a Green Economy emerged, which are green entrepreneurship education, the need for financial resources, green women entrepreneurs networking programmes and implementation for new green policies. The findings of the study will assist determine how women entrepreneurs work and engage in the green sector. Furthermore, this research makes a valuable contribution towards creating new knowledge in the green entrepreneurship sector by comprehending how women can help build a greener economy in South Africa.


Keywords

green entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, green economy


JEL classifications

Q01 , Q56 , M00


URI

http://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/465


DOI


Pages

1686-1703


Funding

This research was supported by the Govan Mbeki Research Development Centre at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa.

This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Authors

Maziriri, Eugine Tafadzwa
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa https://www.ufs.ac.za
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Mapuranga, Miston
Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management, Johannesburg, South Africa http://www.davinci.ac.za
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Maramura, Tafadzwa Clementine
University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa https://www.ufh.ac.za
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Nzewi, Ogochukwu I.
University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa https://www.ufh.ac.za
Articles by this author in: CrossRef |  Google Scholar

Journal title

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues

Volume

7


Number

2


Issue date

December 2019


Issue DOI


ISSN

ISSN 2345-0282 (online)


Publisher

VšĮ Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, Vilnius, Lithuania

Cited

Google Scholar

Article views & downloads

HTML views: 5080  |  PDF downloads: 2089

References


Ahmad, N.H., Halim, H.A., Rahman, S.A. and Ramayah, T., 2015. Green entrepreneurship proclivity among Generation Y nascent entrepreneurs of Malaysia. In Economics, Social Sciences and Information Management: Proceedings of the 2015 International Congress on Economics, Social Sciences and Information Management (ICESSIM 2015), 28-29 March 2015, Bali, Indonesia (p. 91). CRC Press.

Search via ReFindit


Ahmad, N.H., Halim, H.A., Ramayah, T. & Rahman, S.A., 2015. Green entrepreneurship inclination among Generation Y: the road towards a green economy. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 13(2), 211-218.

Search via ReFindit


Akhalwaya, A. & Havenga, W., 2012. The barriers that hinder the success of women entrepreneurs in Gauteng, South Africa. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 3(5), 11-28.

Search via ReFindit


Akpunonu, U.E. & Muogbo, U.S. 2015. Women entrepreneurship as an inventive approach to ensure a sustainable development in developing economies. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, 5(1), 36-41.

Search via ReFindit


Ambepitiya, K.R. 2016. The role of women entrepreneurs in establishing sustainable development in developing nations. World Review of Business Research, 6(1), 161-178.

Search via ReFindit


Antonites, A. & Kliphuis, W. 2011. An exploratory study on the potential value adds of social networking to the entrepreneurial process. The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, 4(1), 1-23.

Search via ReFindit


Apolloni, L. 2010. Bringing about behavior change: nursing practice and cardiac rehabilitation. Doctor of Public Health thesis, University of Wollongong. School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong. Wollongong, New South Wales.

Search via ReFindit


Boral-Saladin JM & Turok IN. 2013. The impact of the green economy on jobs in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 9(10), 1-4.

Search via ReFindit


Braun, P. 2010. "Going green: women entrepreneurs and the environment", International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 2(3), 245-259.

Search via ReFindit


Braun, V. & Clarke, V. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3, 77–101

Search via ReFindit


Chiloane, G.E. & Mayhew, W. 2010. Difficulties encountered by black women entrepreneurs in accessing training from the small enterprise developing agency in South Africa. Gender and Behavior, 8(1), 2590-2602.

Search via ReFindit


Chinomona, E. & Maziriri, E.T., 2015. Women in Action: Challenges Facing Women Entrepreneurs in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The International Business & Economics Research Journal, 14(6), 835-850.

Search via ReFindit


Chinomona, E. Maziriri, E. & Moloi, K.C. 2013. Corporate Entrepreneurship with Innovation in Mind in one University of Technology in South Africa. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(23), 20-29.

Search via ReFindit


Choto, P., Tengeh, R. K. & Iwu, C. G. 2014. Daring to survive or to grow? The growth aspirations and challenges of survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa. Environmental Economics, 5(4), 93–101.

Search via ReFindit


Cooper, D.R. & Schindler P.S. 2011. Business Research methods. 11th ed. Singapore: McGraw- Hill.

Search via ReFindit


Corbin, J. M., & Strauss, A. 1990. Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria. Qualitative sociology, 13(1), 3-21.

Search via ReFindit


Creech H, Huppé GA, Paas L & Voora V. 2012. Social and environmental enterprises in the Green Economy: supporting sustainable development and poverty eradication on the ground. Analysis of a 3-year study for policy makers. SEED Initiative, International Institute for Sustainable Development. P.7

Search via ReFindit


Cresswell, T. 2014. Place: an introduction. John Wiley & Sons.

Search via ReFindit


Creswell, J. W. & Plano, C. V. L. 2007. Designing and conducting mixed methods research, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Search via ReFindit


Dahlberg, L., & McCaig, C. 2010. Introduction to research and evaluation basics. Practical Research and Evaluation: A Start-to-Finish Guide for Practitioners, SAGE, London, 13-28.

Search via ReFindit


Deborah, A.E., Wilhelmina, S., Oyelana, A.A. and Ibrahim, S.I., 2015. Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs and Strategies Adopted by Women Entrepreneurs to Ensure Small Business Success in Nkonkobe Municipality, South Africa. Journal of Economics, 6(1), 37-49.

Search via ReFindit


Dube, B., Roberts-Lombard, M. & van Tonder, E. 2015. Management guidelines for universal quality challenges across the focus group research process. Journal of Applied Business Research, 31(1), 239–247.

Search via ReFindit


Enslin, P. 2001. Multicultural education, gender and social justice: liberal feminist misgivings. International Journal of Educational Research, 35, 281-292.

Search via ReFindit


Fenech, R., Baguant, P., Abdelwahed, I. (2019). Are you work ready? The case of Emirati women. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 23(2), 1-10.

Search via ReFindit


Gevrenova, T., 2015. Nature and Characteristics of Green Entrepreneurship. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 13(2), 321-323.

Search via ReFindit


Gibbs, D. 2009. Sustainability entrepreneurs, ecopreneurs, and the development of a sustainable economy. Greener Management International. 55, 63-78.

Search via ReFindit


Glesne, C., 2011. Becoming qualitative researchers: An introduction, 4th ed., Pearson Education, Boston, MA.

Search via ReFindit


Halvorsen, T, Ibsen, H & M’kumbuzi, VRP. 2015. Knowledge for a sustainable world. A Southern-Nordic contribution. Cape Town. South Africa.

Search via ReFindit


Hassan, R.A & Nordin, R. 2016. Key Determinants of Green Entrepreneurship among SMEs in Malaysia. Proceedings of 33rd International Business Research Conference 4 - 5 January 2016, Flora Grand Hotel, Dubai, UAE.

Search via ReFindit


Hechavarria, D.M., Ingram, A., Justo, R. & Terjesen, S., 2012. Are women more likely to pursue social and environmental entrepreneurship? Global women’s entrepreneurship research. Diverse settings, questions and approaches, pp.135-151.

Search via ReFindit


ICS/ISSC (international Council for Science and International Social Science Council) 2015. Review of Targets for the Sustainable Development Goals: The Scientific Perspective. Paris.

Search via ReFindit


Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). 2017. Economic Overview: Recent developments in the global and South African Economies. Department of Research and information. . Date Accessed 22 July 2019. http://www.idc.co.za

Search via ReFindit


Irene. B.N.O. 2018. Women entrepreneurship in South Africa: Understanding the role of competencies in business success. The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, 9(1), a121. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajesbm.v9i1.121

Search via ReFindit


Islam, Md. A., Jantan, A.M., Aldaihani, F.M.F., Rahman, Md. A., Khan, A. Md., Shahin, S., Alam, M.N. 2018. Impact of empowerment, flexibility and trust on women’s access to senior positions in rmg industry of Bangladesh. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 22(3), 1-11.

Search via ReFindit


Jogee, R. & Callaghan, C.W., 2014. A Segmentation of Mall Shopping Motivations in the South African Gauteng Provincial Context. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(9), 41-50.

Search via ReFindit


Jonker, J., & Pennink, B. 2010. The essence of research methodology: A concise guide for master and PhD students in management science. Springer Science & Business Media.

Search via ReFindit


Kamasturyani, Y., Sugiyo, S., Raharjo, T.J., Rifai, A. 2019. Empowering women through entrepreneurship training and courses: study in a female-dominated business. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 23(2), 1-6.

Search via ReFindit


Knight, L., Harland, C., Telgen, J., Thai, K.V., Callender, G. & McKen, K. 2012. Public procurement: International cases and commentary. Routledge.

Search via ReFindit


Kolleck. N. 2013. How global companies wield their power: The discursive shaping of sustainable development, in J. Mikler (ed). The handbook of global companies Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Search via ReFindit


Kotchen, M. J. 2009. Some microeconomics of eco-entrepreneurship. In Gary D. Libecap (Eds.), Frontiers in Eco-Entrepreneurship Research (Advances in the Study of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Economic Growth, Volume 20) (pp. 25-37). Howard House, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Search via ReFindit


Madinga, N. W., & Maziriri, E. T. 2018. Why do Generation Y’s Share Viral Advertisements? Implications for the Sustainability of a Business. Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, 7, 000-000.

Search via ReFindit


Maheshwari, M & Sodani, P 2015. Women entrepreneurship: A literature review. Journal of Business and Management, 17(2), 6-13.

Search via ReFindit


Mandipaka, F., 2014. An Investigation of the Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries: A Case of King Williams’ Town, South Africa. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(27), 1187-1193.

Search via ReFindit


Manerkar, G.A. 2015. Women Entrepreneurs in Goa: Issues and Challenges. Indian Streams Research Journal, 4(12), 1-8.

Search via ReFindit


Mangin 2014. How Women Entrepreneurs are contributing to the Green Economy, http://www.inclusivebusinesshub.org/profiles/blogs/how-women-entrepreneurs-are-contributing-to-the-green-economy

Search via ReFindit


McEwen, T. 2013. Ecopreneurship as a Solution to Environmental Problems: Implications for College Level Entrepreneurship Education. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 3(5), 264-288

Search via ReFindit


Meyer, N. 2009. An investigation into the determinants of women entrepreneurship. (Unpublished MBA-mini-dissertation.) North West University, Potchefstroom.

Search via ReFindit


Meyer, S & Hofmeyr, J. 1995. Evaluation Needs in South African Education: A Policy Perspective. Evaluation and Program Planning, 18(4), 355-363.

Search via ReFindit


Mol, A. & Spaargaren, G. 1993. Environment modernity and the risk society: The Apocalyptic horizon of environment reform. International Sociology, 8(4), 431-59.

Search via ReFindit


Mol, A. P. J. 1995. The refinement of production: Ecological modernization theory and the chemical industry, Utrecht, Netherlands: Van Arkel.

Search via ReFindit


Muposhi, A. 2015. Green consumer buying behaviour: Antecedents, selection attributes of generation y consumers and the relationship with future behavioural intentions. Doctor of Technology Thesis. Vaal University of Technology. Vanderbijlpark.

Search via ReFindit


Muposhi, A., Dhurup, M. & Surujlal, J. 2015. The green dilemma: Reflections of a generation y consumer cohort on green purchase behaviour. The Journal for Trans-disciplinary Research in Southern Africa, 11(3), 225-240.

Search via ReFindit


Murphy, J. 2000. Ecological modernization, Geoforum, 31: 1-8.

Search via ReFindit


Nxopo, Z. & Iwu, C.G. 2015. The unique obstacles of female entrepreneurship in the tourism industry in Western Cape, South Africa. Commonwealth Youth and Development, 13(2), 55-71.

Search via ReFindit


Nxopo, Z. 2014. The Role of Government in Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in the Western Cape, South Africa. Master of Technology in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship) dissertation. Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town.

Search via ReFindit


O'Neill, K. and Gibbs, D. 2016. Rethinking green entrepreneurship–Fluid narratives of the green economy. Environment and Planning A, 1-10.

Search via ReFindit


Pachaly, M.V.W. 2012. Barriers and Triggers to Green Entrepreneurship. Master of Science in Economics and Business Economics thesis, Erasmus University Rotterdam,

Search via ReFindit


Pastakia, A., 1998. Grassroots ecopreneurs: change agents for a sustainable society. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 11(2): 157-173.

Search via ReFindit


Pinem, R. J. 2019. The role of technology in increasing motivation of millennial women entrepreneurs starting a business in the digital era. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 23(2), 1-7.

Search via ReFindit


Radebe, J.N. 2013. Draft: Transformation Policy: Vaal University of Technology.

Search via ReFindit


Retief, F. J. 2009. The contribution of Appreciative Inquiry on the attitudes of church members towards a change in strategic focus. Master of business administration thesis. Management College of Southern Africa. Durban.

Search via ReFindit


Roets, C. R. Q. 2013. Black generation y students’ attitudes towards the de-marketing of smoking and alcohol consumption, Masters Dissertation in Marketing Management, North-West University, Vaal Triangle, Vanderbijlpark.

Search via ReFindit


Roy, S., 2012. Women Entrepreneurs in Conserving Land: An Analytical Study at the Sundarbans, Bangladesh. Canadian Social Science, 8(5):125-138.

Search via ReFindit


Salkind, N. J. 2012. Exploring research, Pearson, Boston, MA.

Search via ReFindit


Sanyang, S.E. & Huang, W.C. 2008. Green cooperatives: A strategic approach developing women's entrepreneurship in the Asian and Pacific region. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 4(6): 674-683.

Search via ReFindit


Schouten, M.J. 2019. Undoing gender inequalities: insights from the Portuguese perspective. Insights into Regional Development, (2), 85-98. https://doi.org/10.9770/ird.2019.1.2(1)

Search via ReFindit


Senatla, M. 2011. Energy demand projections and relevance of income dynamics in Gauteng's residential sector. Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, 22(4), 31-47.

Search via ReFindit


Shava, H. 2018. Impact of gender on small and medium-sized entities’ access to venture capital in South Africa, South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 21(1), a1738. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v21i1.1738

Search via ReFindit


Singh, R. 2012. Women entrepreneurship issues, challenges and empowerment through self-help groups: an overview of Himachal Pradesh. International Journal of Democratic and Development Studies, 1(1):45-58.

Search via ReFindit


Smith, R. 2015. Sovngjengeri mot stupet: Kapitalismens odleggelse av live tog jorda, Vardoger 35 (15): 127-149.

Search via ReFindit


Sumathi, K., Anuradha, T.S. and Akash, S.B. 2014. Green Business as a Sustainable Career for Women Entrepreneurs in India: An Opinion Survey. Advances in Management, 7(5), 46-47.

Search via ReFindit


Thanh, N. C., & Thanh, T. T. 2015. The interconnection between interpretivist paradigm and qualitative methods in education. American Journal of Educational Science, 1(2), 24-27.

Search via ReFindit


The Green Strategic Programme for Gauteng. 2011. http://www.ecodev.gpg.gov.za/policies/.../Gauteng%20Green%20Strategic%20Programme

Search via ReFindit


The International Labour Organization ILO. 2016. The enabling environment for sustainable enterprises in South Africa. Geneva. http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---emp_ent/---ifp_seed/documents/publication/wcms_459981.pdf

Search via ReFindit


Tillery, F., & Young, F. 2009. Sustainability entrepreneurs: Can they be the true wealth generators of the future. Greener Management International, 55, 79-92.

Search via ReFindit


UN. 2013. A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies Through Sustainable Development. Report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Available online.

Search via ReFindit


UN. 2015. Global Sustainable Development Report 2015 (Advance unedited edition). New York.

Search via ReFindit


United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2011. http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/2015/agencies-info/UNEP.pdf

Search via ReFindit


United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2011. Green Economy, ,e.t:01.03.2015 http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/

Search via ReFindit


Uslu, Y.D., Hancıoğlu, Y. and Demir, E., 2015. Applicability to green entrepreneurship in Turkey: A situation analysis. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1238-1245.

Search via ReFindit


Van Der Merwe, M. 2008. A study of discrimination against women entrepreneurs when applying for financial assistance. Phil thesis, University of Pretoria: Pretoria

Search via ReFindit


Wahyuni, D. 2012. The research design maze: Understanding paradigms, cases, methods and methodologies. Journal of Applied Management Accounting Research, 10(1), 69-80.

Search via ReFindit


Welman, C., Kruger, F. & Mitchell, B. 2011. Research methodology, 3rd ed, Oxford University Press, Cape Town.

Search via ReFindit


Wilson, J. 2010. Essentials of Business Research. A guide to doing your research project. Great Britain: Sage Publications.

Search via ReFindit


World Bank. 2017. Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative. http://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/women-entrepreneurs

Search via ReFindit


Xaba, G. M. & Rankhumise, E. M. 2014. Business owners’ perspectives in pursuance of their businesses: what matters most? Problems and perspectives in management, 12(2), 181-189.

Search via ReFindit


Xavier, S.R., Ahmad, S.Z., Nor, L.M. and Yusof, M., 2012. Women entrepreneurs: Making a change from employment to small and medium business ownership. Procedia Economics and Finance, 4, 321-334.

Search via ReFindit


Yenilmez, M.I. 2018. An inquiry into improving women participation in entrepreneurship in Turkey. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 22(3), 1-15.

Search via ReFindit


York, R., & Rosa, E.A. 2003. Key Challenges to Ecological Modernization Theory, Organization & Environment, 16(3): 273-288.

Search via ReFindit