Exploring attitudes toward self-employment after retirement or retrenchment

Abstract

In this study attitudes toward self-employment as alternative means of income will be explored through empirical study. Many facets of entrepreneurship have been researched through a literature study describing the field of entrepreneurship as well as entrepreneurial characteristics and obstacles. As far as could be established, no studies have been conducted that tests the attitudes of respondents within an Agri-business regarding self-employment. The research will be conducted with entrepreneurship as backbone, but involving other related factors in the different sections. It will be attempted to come to an overall conclusion pertaining to the viewpoint of traditional co-operative (or “koöperasies”, in Afrikaans), staff regarding the agricultural industry, job security and being an entrepreneur with all the characteristics and challenges that accompany it. In this paper agri-business will be the term used for the employers of the respondents. Two, from an identified three, Agri-businesses were chosen for the study, namely NWK Ltd. (formerly Noordwes Koöperasie) and Suidwes Limited (formerly Suidwes Koöperasie). Senwes Ltd. staff did not take part in the research. The study was done within the North-West Province borders of the companies’ business activities and involved various departments in order to get feedback from a diversified sample. The companies are briefly discussed for background purposes. A literature study was conducted to define the field of Entrepreneurship and related elements thereof. Entrepreneurship in general, including other industries and within corporations were explored during the literature study, but as mentioned, research pertaining to the specific topic of this study is limited. The empirical research involved the use of a questionnaire, dived into 7 sections that include 4 sections using a Likert scale, 2 sections where statements had to be prioritized and the final section containing demographic variables. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed, with 64 usable questionnaires returned via the predetermined manner, being collection boxes, collected at a central point per participating department. Statistical analysis were done by calculating Cronbach Alpha coefficients, with discussions around the Mean and Standard Deviation values. Conclusions on the attitudes of respondents regarding self-employment as were drawn from responses to the various sections and the demographic information contained in the questionnaire. From the conclusions recommendations were formulated in order to address issues that might make a positive contribution to self-employment as an option after retirement or retrenchment. The primary and secondary objectives are revisited in the last chapter in order to measure the success in achieving the set goals of the study. Finally, further studies are suggested that might enhance or refine the results obtained from the research. The following keywords were used in search for related studies; * Agribusiness + Entrepreneur * Agribusiness + Entrepreneurship * Agribusiness + Entrepreneurship + Retirement * Agribusiness + Entrepreneurship + Retrenchment * Agribusiness + Employees + Entrepreneurship