International entrepreneurial orientation of South African ventures

Abstract

The study examines Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) on the internationalisation of South African Ventures focusing on export market participation. EO is investigated in terms of innovativeness, proactivity, and risk-taking, as well as in terms of the moderating influence of environmental factors, including government support expressed as policies, incentives, and infrastructure. Targeting small, medium, and large South African exporting firms, a quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted utilising a standardised research instrument distributed through convenience sampling. Exporters provided data, which was examined to determine how EO characteristics relate to international performance. Key findings suggest that whilst innovativeness showed an inverse relationship, proactiveness, and risk-taking positively correlated with improved export performance. Government support failed to moderate these relationships, such as policies, incentives, and infrastructure, and enhanced the benefits of EO on internationalisation. The primary challenges in South Africa identified turned out to be institutional support lacking and infrastructural constraints. The study concludes that effective internationalisation depends on both internal entrepreneurial capacities and external institutional elements. Recommendations stress the need to match government export support programs with the requirements of firms to promote sustainable economic development through increased export activity.