Loading...
The role of tertiary education in promoting self employment : a study of project management students at a South African university of technology
Author(s)
Ngabonziza, Gaetan
Date Issued
2011
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Human capital is both a key driver of economic growth and a means to promote overall
development. In order to enhance human capital in South Africa, tertiary institutions
have seen a tremendous increase in students' enrolment over the past few decades.
But, in spite of the need for skilled labour, tertiary education graduates are increasingly
faced with unemployment, which poses a serious obstacle to the economic growth of
the country. This study investigated the role of tertiary education in enhancing selfemployment
among project management graduates. This study was descriptive in nature and intended to find answers to research
questions, which comprised the extent to which tertiary education seeks to motivate
students to self employment. In addition, the study sought to find challenges related to
self-employment facing project management students after they have completed their
studies, as well as reasons why some people choose self-employment over salaried
employment. Data were collected with the use of a self-administered structured
questionnaire. Collected data were analysed using of the statistical software for social
science (IBM SPSS Statistics version 19) for descriptive statistics in the form of tables
and charts. Furthermore, statistical tests, using chi-square values at the 0.05 level of
significance, were performed to determine factors influencing individuals to choose a
self-employment career. The study found that education may either enhance individual entrepreneurial ability,
thereby increasing the likelihood of choosing self-employment or increase opportunities
for paid employment, both of which reduce unemployment. In addition, tertiary
education provides human capital that enables graduates to achieve increased level of
productivity, which leads to earning more income than lower educated people in both
paid employment and self-employment career. Unfortunately, graduates face financial
related challenges, which constrain them from undertaking self-employment
endeavours.
The results of this study suggest that graduate unemployment can only be eliminated if
students are provided with the right skills and knowledge to match the requirement of
the employment market. Furthermore, the study suggests that graduates should be
assisted financially at the initial stage of their self-employment activities.
development. In order to enhance human capital in South Africa, tertiary institutions
have seen a tremendous increase in students' enrolment over the past few decades.
But, in spite of the need for skilled labour, tertiary education graduates are increasingly
faced with unemployment, which poses a serious obstacle to the economic growth of
the country. This study investigated the role of tertiary education in enhancing selfemployment
among project management graduates. This study was descriptive in nature and intended to find answers to research
questions, which comprised the extent to which tertiary education seeks to motivate
students to self employment. In addition, the study sought to find challenges related to
self-employment facing project management students after they have completed their
studies, as well as reasons why some people choose self-employment over salaried
employment. Data were collected with the use of a self-administered structured
questionnaire. Collected data were analysed using of the statistical software for social
science (IBM SPSS Statistics version 19) for descriptive statistics in the form of tables
and charts. Furthermore, statistical tests, using chi-square values at the 0.05 level of
significance, were performed to determine factors influencing individuals to choose a
self-employment career. The study found that education may either enhance individual entrepreneurial ability,
thereby increasing the likelihood of choosing self-employment or increase opportunities
for paid employment, both of which reduce unemployment. In addition, tertiary
education provides human capital that enables graduates to achieve increased level of
productivity, which leads to earning more income than lower educated people in both
paid employment and self-employment career. Unfortunately, graduates face financial
related challenges, which constrain them from undertaking self-employment
endeavours.
The results of this study suggest that graduate unemployment can only be eliminated if
students are provided with the right skills and knowledge to match the requirement of
the employment market. Furthermore, the study suggests that graduates should be
assisted financially at the initial stage of their self-employment activities.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011.
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
204222877_Ngabonziza_G_Mtech_Business Administration_BUS_2011_20117127.pdf
Description
Thesis
Size
48.78 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):3af17d2a102a4368e05a2d3204562948