Business growth mentorship for female-owned enterprises in South Africa

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the role of mentorship offered to female entrepreneurs during the growth phase of their businesses. Applying social cognitive theory (SCT), we examine the personal, behavioural and environmental factors that contribute to learning outcomes as a result of a mentoring relationship.

Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a qualitative research design to understand the role mentoring has on female entrepreneurs in South Africa who have been mentored either individually or participated in a group mentoring programme. We adopted a purposive sampling technique, identifying and selecting female entrepreneurs who have been running their businesses for a minimum of 3 years and have been through a type of mentorship programme either as an individual or in a group format. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 21 participants.

Findings/results: The study findings indicate that mentoring offered to female entrepreneurs enhances their cognitive skills. These provide the foundation for enabling leadership and business management skills development, building resilience and business stability, which leads to business growth. The constellation of these skills forms higher-order entrepreneurial scaling competencies, although these depend on the type or format of the mentorship.

Practical implications: The study provided practitioners with a framework of competencies that could serve as a guide for mentoring established women entrepreneurs as they scale their business ventures. Furthermore, the study offers insights into how various forms of mentorship contribute to the development of competencies for scaling.

Originality/value: This study contributes an empirical model to the extant literature that showcases the role of mentorship for female entrepreneurs in business growth. The study has implications for practice by demonstrating that the format of mentorship, individual or group, leads to different outcomes on business growth; therefore, practitioners who provide business development services and institutions who train entrepreneurs need to consider this in designing their programme.