An assessment of entrepreneurial orientation in the explosives manufacturing and marketing industry

Abstract

This study intended to establish whether there was a link between the entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and the perceived success of the explosives manufacturing and marketing industry within South Africa. The five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (autonomy, innovativeness, pro-activeness, risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness), were used in the study to establish a link between them and the perceived success of the business. A literature study was conducted prior to the survey being distributed and links between the entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and the perceived success were found in other studies. The various studies indicated that the dimensions act either independently or interdependently. Various significant relationships were found in other industries between the entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and perceived success. To conduct the empirical study, a structured questionnaire was distributed to the Sasol Nitro Explosive Division. The questionnaire was distributed by sending out an e-mail containing link that connected the respondents to the questionnaire. After the respondents had completed the survey, a data analysis was done by the statistical department of the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. The reliability of the data was tested by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficients. The instrument data was found to be reliable and could be interpreted as a valid data source. The questionnaire used two dependable variables to measure the business’s perceived success, namely business growth and business development and improvement. The five entrepreneurial orientation dimensions were measured against the dependable variables. A total of 139 respondents’ surveys could be utilized for the analysis. The research within the Sasol Nitro Explosive Division indicated that there was a link between the entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and perceived success. Three of the dimensions indicated a significant relationship with regard to each other, and that of the perceived success of the business. These dimensions were Autonomy, Innovativeness and Pro-activeness. Autonomy and Innovation indicated a significant relationship pertaining to the perceived performance factor of growth within the business and Autonomy while pro-activeness indicated a significant relationship relating to the perceived performance factor of business development and improvement. Recommendations were made to the business to nurture the corporate entrepreneurial environment within the company.