Research Theme: Entrepreneurship

The practice literature on entrepreneurship explores the everyday activities, routines, and interactions through which entrepreneurial ventures are created and sustained. African entrepreneurs often operate in environments characterized by constrained resources and weak institutions, making adaptive and innovative practices essential. Entrepreneurship research in Africa often highlights social dividends and community aspects of new venture creation, highlighting the importance of context.

The entrepreneurship working group is lead by:

Nellie El Enany

Dr. Nellie El Enany is an Assistant Professor of Management at the American University in Cairo (AUC). She earned her PhD from The University of

Nottingham and has extensive academic experience in entrepreneurship. Her research focuses on entrepreneurship in constrained environments, with a particular interest in necessity entrepreneurship and microenterprise development in Africa and the Middle East. She has published on topics such as the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Upper Egypt and the role of critical global issues in shaping entrepreneurial mindsets. In addition, she teaches a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Reflecting her passion for teaching and learning, her research also extends to the student learner identity and experiential and action learning pedagogies, including drama-based pedagogy and the use of podcasting for learning and assessment.

Entrepreneurship in Africa is influenced by a distinct set of challenges, including resource constraints, weak institutions, and rapidly changing market dynamics. These conditions often necessitate innovative, adaptive practices for venture creation and sustainability. While the literature on entrepreneurial practices typically emphasizes the daily routines, decisions, and interactions that drive new ventures, much of this research is rooted in Western models, leaving a gap in understanding the specific dynamics of entrepreneurship in African contexts. In Africa, where informal economies, local resources, and strong community networks play a central role, entrepreneurial practices are uniquely shaped by social capital, community-driven business models, and informal networks. Research often highlights these aspects but tends to overlook how entrepreneurs navigate institutional voids, respond to rapid economic changes, and adapt traditional business models to fit the African context. This working group seeks to bridge these gaps by exploring how African entrepreneurs engage with these contextual challenges, identifying best practices, and developing frameworks that can contribute to a richer, more nuanced understanding of entrepreneurship processes in diverse and resource-constrained environments.

Evelyn Derera

School of Commerce, College of Law & Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Private Bag X01, Golf Road, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa. Email: dererae@ukzn.ac.za

Evelyn Derera is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the School of Commerce, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. She teaches Entrepreneurship and Business Management courses, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the business world. She earned her PhD in Entrepreneurship from UKZN. Her research focuses on inclusive entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship policy, and entrepreneurship education, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in these areas.

Before joining academia, she worked in the banking industry, where she gained valuable experience in the financial sector, which informs her teaching and research, providing students with practical perspectives of the business world. Evelyn is also an Associate of the Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe.

At UKZN, she has held various leadership positions, including Head of Department of Management and Entrepreneurship and Programme Manager for the Postgraduate Diploma in Management. In addition, Evelyn coordinates the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) student entrepreneurship initiatives at the university. She is also a member of the EDHE Community of Practice for Research, where she contributes towards advancing research and best practices in entrepreneurship education. She is passionate about empowering students to become entrepreneurs, and her work at UKZN and EDHE, a programme which develops entrepreneurial capacity among university students and staff, reflects this. Evelyn collaborates with the private sector on various community engagement activities that empower youth, women, and other vulnerable groups in society with entrepreneurial skills.