Contribution of support and incentive programs to entrepreneurial orientation and start-up culture in South Africa

Abstract

This paper discussed the role of an entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and start-up culture to enhance economic development. It investigates the proposition that the South African culture is conducive to EO. Secondly, this paper investigates the available programs from an entrepreneurial culture perspective. Programs are categorised to delineate their different focuses. Key issues reported include the program focus, the level of venture development aimed at and their target groups. Finally it questions the contribution of these programs to entrepreneurial culture and suggests remedies. The paper concludes that despite the number of different programs that exist, the concept of entrepreneurial culture to improve EO is not addressed.