The effects of entrepreneurial orientation on the growth of small and medium enterprises in the Gauteng Province

M.Com. (Business Management)Abstract: The study examines the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on small and medium enterprise’s growth. A structured research questionnaire was used to collect data from 131 small and medium enterprises in Gauteng through an interviewee administered survey. A return rate of 72.7 percent was achieved. The results revealed that the majority of small and medium enterprises in South Africa are traditional in orientation as opposed to being entrepreneurial. In addition, a significant difference exists between traditional and entrepreneurial small and medium enterprises with regard to performance. A further test on age and business performance relationship was conducted and results showed a significant difference between businesses of varying ages with regard to business performance. Promotion of innovation, creation of entrepreneurial aptitude among SMEs, and entrepreneurship training at school level could stimulate entrepreneurial activity and create small and medium enterprises with high entrepreneurial orientation that grow and better contribute towards the country’s economy