| Summary: | Since the beginnings of venture creation the traditional role of the entrepreneur has
evolved from only being the owner of a small business to include those individuals
within a large organisation who has entrepreneurial skills and applies these to benefit
the company. The focus of this research study was the assessment of corporate
entrepreneurship within Sasol Polymers, a division of Sasol Ltd.
A comprehensive literature review was conducted in chapter 2. In the literature
review entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship and an entrepreneurial climate
were defined. The dimensions of corporate entrepreneurship and the 13 constructs
measuring the entrepreneurial climate were discussed, after which the constructs
measuring the perceived success of the organisation were presented. Chapter 2
concluded by presenting practical suggestions in which an entrepreneurial climate
could be established in an organisation.
A historic overview of Sasol and Sasol Polymers was then presented. Among
others; the history, vision, strategy, technology and innovation was discussed. The
chapter concluded with the unique causal factors of Sasol Polymers that prompted
this study.
Empirical research was conducted after the literature review and background to the
organisation. The empirical research focused on discussing the results obtained
from the corporate entrepreneurship questionnaire. Top, middle and lower level
managers of Sasol Polymers were selected as the sample population for this study
and a 50% response rate was achieved. Basic demographic information of the
respondents were dealt with first, after which the perceptions of the respondents with
regard to the 13 constructs measuring the entrepreneurial climate and the constructs
measuring the perceived success of the organisation were discussed. Furthermore,
relationships were determined between demographic variables and the constructs
measured in the questionnaire. Following the detailed empirical analysis done in chapter 4, it was concluded that
managers participating in the survey regarded the constructs vision and strategic
intent, strong customer orientation and entrepreneurial leadership as the most
prevalent in Sasol Polymers. The least prevalent constructs required for an
entrepreneurial climate were resource availability and accessibility, tolerance for
risk, mistakes and failure and sponsors/champions. No practical significant
difference could be found between the mean values of any of the demographical
categories and the constructs measured in the questionnaire. The study concludes
with practical recommendation, a measurement of the achievement of objectives and
suggestions for future research. === Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
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