Exploring Civil Engineers’ Entrepreneurial Competence In South Africa

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31098/ijebce.v5i2.2766

Abstract

This study examines the entrepreneurial aptitude of civil engineers in South Africa by surveying 340 engineers from the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). Given the economic and technological changes in the engineering sector, it is crucial to understand the entrepreneurial skills of civil engineers to encourage innovation and enhance industry competitiveness. The research was undertaken using a quantitative cross-sectional method to collect data randomly from 374 individuals among over 10,000 registered engineers, ensuring a representative sample of the larger population. The research employed a structured questionnaire to assess entrepreneurial competence in areas such as identifying opportunities, evaluating risks, managing resources, and strategic thinking. Statistical analysis is used to gauge levels of entrepreneurial skills and identify factors that impact these competencies. The outcomes reveal varied entrepreneurial capabilities among civil engineers, with strengths in opportunity recognition and resource mobilisation but challenges in risk management and strategic planning. These results emphasize the need for tailored training and development programs to enhance entrepreneurial skills in the civil engineering field. The study contributes to the discourse on the role of civil engineers as innovators in the construction industry, highlighting the significance of integrating entrepreneurial education into engineering curricula and professional development initiatives. By equipping engineers with robust entrepreneurial capabilities, the industry can navigate complexities more effectively and drive sustainable growth in South Africa.

Author Biography

Charles Mbohwa, University of South Africa

Prof. Charles Mbohwa (Professor)
University of South Africa, South Africa.
He is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. He was, previously the University
of Zimbabwe Pro-Vice-Chancellor responsible for Strategic Partnerships and Industrialisation from
1st July 2019 up to 30th June 2022. Before that, he was a professor of sustainability engineering in the
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg. He was a
mechanical engineer in the National Railways of Zimbabwe from 1986 to 1991, and a lecturer and senior
lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. He was a Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and
Full Professor at the University of Johannesburg. He was Chairman and Head of the Department of
Mechanical Engineering at the University of Zimbabwe from 1994 to 1997; Vice-Dean of Postgraduate
Studies Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the
University of Johannesburg from July 2014 to June 2017 and Acting Executive Dean in the Faculty of
Engineering and the Built Environment from November 2017 to July 2018. He has published very widely.
He holds a BSc Honours in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Zimbabwe in 1986; a Master
of Science in Operations Management and Manufacturing Systems from the University of Nottingham;
and a Doctor of Engineering from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology.

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Published

July 31, 2025

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How to Cite

Feussi, P., Mbohwa, C. ., & Dlamini, M. (2025). Exploring Civil Engineers’ Entrepreneurial Competence In South Africa . International Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Creative Economy, 5(2), 96–110. https://doi.org/10.31098/ijebce.v5i2.2766

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): July

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Polycarpe Feussi, Charles Mbohwa, Marcus Dlamini

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