Chapters authored
A Review of the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Women Entrepreneurs
This chapter provides an overview of the positive and negative impacts the Covid-19 pandemic has on women entrepreneurs in South Africa. The chapter recognises the role that women entrepreneurs play in the economy and society. The research objectives for this study were to first identify the importance of female entrepreneurs. Secondly, to determine the positive and negative impacts that Covid-19 has had on South African women entrepreneurs, and lastly, to identify the assistance provided to women entrepreneurs by the government. The methodology used to conduct research was desktop research. Information was collected from online databases in the form of articles, journals and textbooks. Only information relevant to the research objective was selected for this study. The findings revealed that female entrepreneurs play a vital role in the South African economy by creating employment opportunities, decreasing poverty and contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP). The findings revealed that lockdown restrictions implemented by the government due to Covid-19 led to many women-owned businesses not being able to operate, a decrease in sales, a drastic drop in revenue, lack of digital knowledge among women, increase in anxiety experienced by women and women entrepreneurs. The findings also suggest a lack of digital knowledge among women entrepreneurs and a lack of financial assistance provided by the government. Regulators and policymakers are challenged to invest in efforts that create an environment where female entrepreneurs are capacitated and provided with information to withstand the challenges brought by the pandemic.
Part of the book: Entrepreneurship
Digital Entrepreneurship in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond
The nature of the confusion that underpins entrepreneurial processes and outcomes and the strategies for addressing it have been changed due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution brought about by the development of digital technologies. Technology is the main force behind digital entrepreneurship. The Fourth Industrial Revolution’s technological development is both a limitation and a turning point for digital entrepreneurship. Most importantly, it has been assumed that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will provide additional drivers for the future of digital entrepreneurship. The purpose of this chapter was to compile the most recent research on digital entrepreneurship, investigate how the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s digital transformation has affected this field, and explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected it. The study conducted an evidence-based literature review on digital entrepreneurship, using a qualitative analysis method and content analysis. The research found that digital businesses were unaffected by Covid-19 due to their familiarity with digital methods and business models. Covid-19 benefited digital entrepreneurs by allowing them to pivot to new markets and segments quickly. However, it also threatened their survival due to disruptions in their business model and supply chain. The study suggests that digital entrepreneurship in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is promising to continue.
Part of the book: Industry 4.0 Transformation Towards Industry 5.0 Paradigm