Entrepreneurial learning, experience, motivation and business innovation: Life stories of Western Cape SME owners

Abstract

The South African economy is in desperate need of entrepreneurs to create job opportunities and boost economic growth. This thesis seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurship process, to understand why people become entrepreneurs, how they ventured into their existing businesses and the factors that affected their entrepreneurial learning and business growth. A qualitative approach using the method of indepth semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs who have demonstrated entrepreneurial attainment in managing their business ventures for more than ten years. Life story interviews explored their experience during their careers and business ventures.