Abstract:
The role of entrepreneurship in tourism destination growth is critical as small businesses provide
services and fulfil the socio-economic opportunities of domestic and foreign tourists. Although personal
traits (e.g. age and gender) and the different capital forms possessed by entrepreneurs are often touted
in explaining entrepreneurial competence, it remains unclear what explains the entrepreneurial
competence of female entrepreneurs especially those operating in predominantly male-oriented
industries. To address this research gap, the study examined the effects of personal demographic
variables (i.e. race, age, and education) and different capital forms (i.e. social capital, cultural capital
and emotional capital) on the entrepreneurial competence of female owned/managed SMMEs operating
in engineering and construction industry in a South African province. A descriptive, cross-sectional
survey was conducted on 336 female owners/managers of SMMEs operating engineering and
construction businesses in the Free Province. A set of statistical techniques (namely T tests, ANOVA,
correlation analysis and regression analysis) were conducted to test the proposed relationships
between these foresaid constructs. The results revealed a strong, positive and statistically significant
relationship between different demographic characteristics and entrepreneurial competence.
Surprisingly, only emotional capital was significantly and positively correlated with entrepreneurial
competence. Lastly, while all three capital forms significantly predicted entrepreneurial competence,
emotional capital had the strongest effect. The study provides some valuable insights into the
determinants of entrepreneurial competence which could be instrumental to the success and survival
of emerging female owned/managed SMMEs in engineering and construction industry, an industrial
domain where female entrepreneurs are yet to be seriously considered.
