business management review 

About: business management review is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Entrepreneurship & Tanzania. It has an ISSN identifier of 1672-7614. Over the lifetime, 318 publications have been published receiving 989 citations.

Social network, resources and entrepreneurship

Abstract: Based on a sample of 100 business start-ups this study investigates the role of social networks in the success of new business start-ups. Findings from the study found initial social network to have a direct effect on start up success. Weak network ties were found to be more important in emerging networks, while story ties were found to have a significant impact on start up success. The paper also provides some assumptions on cultural difference as related to networks and entrepreneurship.

Evolution of entrepreneurial motivation: the transition from economic necessity to entrepreneurship

Abstract: Most of the small business operators in Tanzania. as well as other developing countries started business as a result of economic necessity. It therefore becomes of interest to know the extent to which they are entrepreneurial in the sense of wanting to develop substantial enterprises and whether this behaviour changes over time. This study sought to explain the process through which this evolution occurs. Five cases of Tanzanian owner-managers who reported to have started business activity due to economic necessity were analysed. using the grounded theory approach. the constant comparative method and a replication strategy. The results suggest that the owner-manager who starts a business because of economic necessity is uncommitted to both the business and the entrepreneurial career. He is merely hanging on an activity. For this reason. his/her future orientation is qUite passive and therefore growth motivation is non-existent or extremely low. In the occasions where he/she evolves into a serious entrepreneur desiring and pro~ctively seeking substantial growth. he/she must go through a number of sequential stages. He/she must first stabilise his personal life. acquire commitment to the business. stabilise the business and acquire commitment to the career. A number offactors influence the direction and pace of this evolution. A favourable external environment. resources that are useful only in the context of the firm and interest in the activity Enterprise development initiatives in developing countries should also aim at enhancing growth motivation and in particular the process of evolution from economic necessity to entrepreneurship. This can help minimise defoult rates when lending to micro and small enterprise operators. This knowledge can also be used for sensitising ownermanagers in the process through which they are evolving and thereby accelerating it.

The role and relevance of IT governance and IT capability in Business - IT alignment in medium and large companies

Abstract: The key role of information technologies application in companies’ business strategy toolset is undeniable in current market. However, in order to improve organizational efficiency and also to achieve competitive advantage, information technologies should be in line with organization’s business strategies. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of IT governance and IT capabilities on strategic alignment between business and IT, and also the extent of their influence. Quantitative method was used for this study and data were collected through survey questionnaires answered by business and IT managers and executives. Examined constructs are IT resource management, Performance measurement, knowledge sharing, IT architecture, and IT infrastructure. According to the findings of this study, all five factors influence the alignment of business and IT positively, and among them, performance measurement has the highest impact.

Firm capabilities, entrepreneurial competency and performance of ugandan smes

Abstract: This paper is based on a study that examined the relationship between the firms’ capabilities, entrepreneurial competency and performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda. The study used stratified random sampling to derive a sample of 314 SMEs and a cross-sectional research design. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires that were filled out by firm owners and managers as units of enquiry whereas a firm was the unit of analysis. The study findings indicate that an increase in the level of a firm’s capabilities through competent management, market linkages and marketing capabilities leads to enhanced SME performance. As entrepreneurial competences and firm capabilities predict 30.4 percent of the variance in SME performance, SME owners and managers, through their entrepreneurial competences, can use firm capabilities as tools to influence their firms’ operations to enhance their performance. Future research can be carried out in other geographical places to verify whether what was observed in Uganda specifically in Jinja district is applicable to the rest of the world. Similarly, future research can explore other predictors of SME performance.