The entrepreneurial intention development of municipal training programmes: the case of eThekwini small, medium and micro enterprises.

Abstract

Small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are contributors to economic development and growth. As such, an emphasis on developing them has been at the forefront of most economic policies across governments. The South African Government has established different institutions and training programmes, in all provinces and municipalities, aimed at nurturing and developing entrepreneurial intention, and supporting small businesses across the country. It is, therefore, crucial to constantly monitor and improve these programmes to ensure they deliver on their intention. Therefore, this study evaluated the entrepreneurial intention (EI) development achieved by the SMME training programmes in eThekwini Municipality. The researcher conducted the study using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a guiding framework to determine whether the curricula design of municipal training programmes for SMMEs in eThekwini influenced EI. Using a mixed-method approach, quantitative data was collected from the SMMEs of eThekwini municipality who have undergone municipal entrepreneurship training programmes to ascertain if they achieved what was intended by the training programmes. Qualitative data was collected from the Small Business Support Unit (SBSU) in eThekwini municipality to study the curricula development and appropriateness of the programmes. Documents were systematically examined as secondary qualitative data. The findings indicate that SMME EI was well developed by the training programmes, but SMMEs lacked business- offering transformation. The SBSU’s role in developing EI is incomplete, as there is no monitoring and evaluation to assess EI development. It was discovered that the curricula design of the SMME training programmes had a positive impact on SMMEs’ attitude. However, the SBSU had no direct influence on the attitude of SMMEs. SBSU is not involved in the curricula design of SMME training programmes. It was further found that SMMEs perceived behavioral control (PBC) towards developing EI is good. SBSU work well in ensuring that SMMEs’ PBC develops through numerous strategies. The findings provide insight into the EI development capability of the programmes, and where they are lacking. The data assists in correcting and redesigning the programmes where it is required. The study plays a role in informing policy makers on policy decisions that relate to economic development and entrepreneurship in South Africa.