Organisational motives for pursuing corporate venturing activities

• Main Author: Munro, Paige Ross
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Corporations - South Africa; Entrepreneurship; Corporate culture; Venture capital
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12455

M.Com. (Business Management) === With organisations facing increased pressure due to the tougher economic climate, there is an increasing need to remain competitive and profitable. One such way an organisation can endeavour to do this, is through the implementation of corporate entrepreneurship. As a form of corporate entrepreneurship, corporate venturing is gaining prevalence as a method with which an organisation can take advantage of opportunities in the environment that can contribute to the overall competitiveness and profitability of the organisation. The purpose of this study was to explore the organisational motives for pursuing corporate venturing. A literature study and interviews with respondents, who met the criteria of the study, were the chosen means of collecting data. The study examined through the literature review, the subjects supporting the objectives of the research, namely the definition of corporate venturing, the different types of corporate venturing that exist, and the main reasons why an organisation would venture. Each subject was investigated individually, after which the research literature was evaluated to determine the most common reasons why an organisation would choose to implement corporate venturing. The research methodology for the study made use of a qualitative research technique, and the primary data were gathered via personal interviews. The questions put forward to the respondents were aligned with the objectives and propositions as set out in the study. The literature review and data obtained through the respondents suggested that the reasons for pursuing a corporate venture were varied and cannot necessarily be singled out; organisations chose to implement a corporate venture for several reasons. Therefore, there were similarities between the motives as identified in the literature, and the motives identified by the respondents who participated in the study.