An assessment of corporate entrepreneurship in a petrochemical company

Abstract

Since the beginnings of venture creation the traditional role of the entrepreneur has evolved from only being the owner of a small business to include those individuals within a large organisation who has entrepreneurial skills and applies these to benefit the company. The focus of this research study was the assessment of corporate entrepreneurship within Sasol Polymers, a division of Sasol Ltd. A comprehensive literature review was conducted in chapter 2. In the literature review entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship and an entrepreneurial climate were defined. The dimensions of corporate entrepreneurship and the 13 constructs measuring the entrepreneurial climate were discussed, after which the constructs measuring the perceived success of the organisation were presented. Chapter 2 concluded by presenting practical suggestions in which an entrepreneurial climate could be established in an organisation. A historic overview of Sasol and Sasol Polymers was then presented. Among others; the history, vision, strategy, technology and innovation was discussed. The chapter concluded with the unique causal factors of Sasol Polymers that prompted this study. Empirical research was conducted after the literature review and background to the organisation. The empirical research focused on discussing the results obtained from the corporate entrepreneurship questionnaire. Top, middle and lower level managers of Sasol Polymers were selected as the sample population for this study and a 50% response rate was achieved. Basic demographic information of the respondents were dealt with first, after which the perceptions of the respondents with regard to the 13 constructs measuring the entrepreneurial climate and the constructs measuring the perceived success of the organisation were discussed. Furthermore, relationships were determined between demographic variables and the constructs measured in the questionnaire. Following the detailed empirical analysis done in chapter 4, it was concluded that managers participating in the survey regarded the constructs vision and strategic intent, strong customer orientation and entrepreneurial leadership as the most prevalent in Sasol Polymers. The least prevalent constructs required for an entrepreneurial climate were resource availability and accessibility, tolerance for risk, mistakes and failure and sponsors/champions. No practical significant difference could be found between the mean values of any of the demographical categories and the constructs measured in the questionnaire. The study concludes with practical recommendation, a measurement of the achievement of objectives and suggestions for future research.