Title: Perceptions of Generation Z towards entrepreneurial risks within the maritime SMEs in South Africa

Authors: Phyllis Chikwati; Job Dubihlela

Addresses: Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa ' Department of Internal Auditing and Financial Information Systems, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa

Abstract: Maritime SMEs play a key role in South Africa's rare approach to economic development, engendered to address the triple bottom line challenges. It disdains that coastal SMEs face the dilemma of building good operating and governance structures while fostering eco-entrepreneurial overall spirit. Acknowledging that Generation Z entrepreneurs are more dynamic, have high risk appetite and aggressive in wrestling entrepreneurial risks. Quantitative research approach followed by a purposive snowball sampling method implementation. Results shows that though written policies inspiring ecological training and green consciousness, poor ethical standards still prevail. This paper examined entrepreneurial risk management activities of maritime SMEs and their impact on business performance. The findings support ongoing research portraying Generation Z as potential to seize opportunities, solutions, eradicate vulnerability issues, enhance entrepreneurial risk mitigation. Paper adds value to SMEs focused on ocean economy and the risk behaviours of Generation Z. Possible future studies are proposed.

Keywords: environmental risks; maritime SMEs; eco-entrepreneurship; Generation Z; oceans economy; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2023.135866

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2023 Vol.35 No.4, pp.442 - 458

Received: 02 May 2019
Accepted: 01 Sep 2019
Published online: 09 Jan 2024 *

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