A BUSINESS MODEL AMALGAMATION IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR INDIGENOUS AND IMMIGRANTS-OWNED ENTREPRENEUR: A SYNOPSIS

Chinwe Mariaceline Eze
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
EMAIL: mac.eze@unizik.edu.ng

Prisca Nkechi Omanukwue (PhD)
School of Business Administration and Governance, Northwest University, Mafikeng, South Africa
EMAIL: pomanukwue2008@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Studies have indicated that both the indigenous and immigrants-owned entrepreneurs in South Africa adopt different business models to run their business and by so doing one group may have perceived to perform more than the other. The fact that entrepreneurs aspire to grow their businesses, have given room for them to rely on using various components to grow their businesses. In the quest to succeed the immigrants’ entrepreneurs seek various components to run their business which led them to outperform the indigenous entrepreneurs. The study employed a qualitative approach that includes purposive sampling, interview and thematic content analysis to justify the counterclaim on the various business models employed by the entrepreneurs and a number of factors emerged from the statistical approach conducted. The findings speak to the needs and expectations of the different business models employed by this different group. It was observed that certain business models are employed by the immigrants’ entrepreneurs that enabled them outperform the indigenous entrepreneurs in South Africa such as lay-bye, giving goods on credit, up-to-date with customers’ needs, need analysis, long hours of operation, discount prices, effective networking and many more. The study observed that the growth and advancement of entrepreneurs is dependent upon the business models that are employed by the entrepreneur to successful run a business. The study recommended among others that the government should as a matter of urgency create entrepreneur centers that can assist and support young and intending entrepreneurs at various communities; provide training intervention and sensitize the public.

KEYWORDS – Immigrants, Indigenous, Entrepreneurship, Business model, South Africa