Entrepreneurial orientation of sport coaches in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Abstract

There is general consensus among entrepreneurship scholars that entrepreneurial orientation is associated with entrepreneurial activity. However, it is equally acknowledged that entrepreneurial processes are a consequence of many contextual factors. This study was carried out to explore the entrepreneurial orientation of sport coaches while arguing that sport coaches should approach their careers from an entrepreneurial angle given the uncertain and demanding conditions under which they perform their duties. A questionnaire was administered to 200 professional South African sport coaches. Frequencies were used to describe the demographic profile of the respondents and exploratory factor analysis was used to explain the entrepreneurial orientation of the coaches. Six factors, namely creativity, open-mindedness, determination, self-starter, risk taker, and discipline regarding the entrepreneurial orientation of coaches were identified. Notwithstanding the multi-dimensional nature of entrepreneurial orientation, the findings indicate that the sport coaches to a certain extent are entrepreneurially oriented. From the current research it was encouraging to note that the entrepreneurial orientation of sport coaches appears to be positive. It was therefore concluded that there is a need to create a favourable environment that will enhance the likelihood of sport coaches to engage in entrepreneurial activities.