Entrepreneurship dissertation topics
It is possible for you to get a lot of marks in your dissertation on entrepreneurship only if you choose the right topic. The selection of dissertation topics is always a challenge for so many students, so let’s try and show you a number of simple topic areas that you can work with right here. Pay more attention to how easy it is to structure some of these topics, and ensure that you are able to focus on them, and learn how to do this on your own, at least for future reference.
1. Digital Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment in Emerging Economies
Statement of the Problem:
Despite the rapid growth of digital platforms and online business models, there is limited empirical evidence on the extent to which digital entrepreneurship contributes to economic empowerment in emerging economies. This gap undermines policy interventions and the development of digital ecosystems that can reduce youth unemployment and foster inclusive growth.
Research Objectives:
- To assess the contribution of digital entrepreneurship to income generation among youth.
- To analyze the challenges faced by digital entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
- To evaluate the scalability of digital businesses in low-income environments.
Methodology:
A quantitative research design will be adopted. A structured questionnaire will be administered to a sample of 400 digital entrepreneurs operating in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Data will be analyzed using SPSS, applying descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression techniques.
2. The Role of Female Entrepreneurship in Community Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
Statement of the Problem:
While female entrepreneurship is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa, its impact on tangible community development outcomes such as education, health, and local employment is poorly documented. This limits the ability of governments and NGOs to leverage women-led enterprises as vehicles for grassroots transformation.
Research Objectives:
- To examine the types of businesses run by women and their impact on community services.
- To identify the main contributions of female entrepreneurs to local employment and social welfare.
- To explore the barriers these entrepreneurs face in scaling their ventures.
Methodology:
A qualitative case study approach will be used, focusing on three rural and urban districts in Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews will be conducted with 30 female entrepreneurs. Data will be coded and analyzed using thematic content analysis techniques.
3. The Influence of Entrepreneurial Education on University Students’ Start-up Intentions
Statement of the Problem:
Although entrepreneurship education is widely implemented in universities, questions remain regarding its actual influence on students’ intentions to start businesses. The gap between theoretical exposure and practical startup activity calls into question the efficacy of current curricula.
Research Objectives:
- To measure the effect of entrepreneurship courses on students’ attitudes toward startups.
- To assess the perceived readiness of students to launch businesses after graduation.
- To identify gaps in the entrepreneurship education offered at universities.
Methodology:
A quantitative survey design will be used, targeting 400 final-year business students across three universities. Data will be analyzed using STATA software, employing multiple regression and factor analysis.
4. Sustainability-Oriented Innovation in Green Startups: Drivers and Barriers
Statement of the Problem:
Although green startups are central to global sustainability goals, they face unique challenges that limit their innovation capacity. Existing literature lacks an in-depth exploration of the specific drivers and barriers influencing these enterprises in developing countries.
Research Objectives:
- To explore the primary motivators for sustainability-oriented innovation.
- To identify external and internal barriers facing green startups.
- To evaluate the role of policy support in promoting sustainable innovation.
Methodology:
The study will adopt a qualitative multiple-case study design. Ten green startups in Southern Africa will be selected. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews and business document analysis, with thematic coding using NVivo software.
5. The Gig Economy and Entrepreneurial Mindsets Among African Millennials
Statement of the Problem:
The proliferation of the gig economy in Africa is reshaping traditional employment patterns, yet its influence on entrepreneurial mindset development among millennials remains under-researched. This presents a missed opportunity to harness the entrepreneurial potential of gig workers.
Research Objectives:
- To assess the relationship between gig work and entrepreneurial risk-taking behavior.
- To explore the skills acquired through gig work and their application in starting businesses.
- To evaluate gig workers’ long-term aspirations for business ownership.
Methodology:
A quantitative research design will be employed. A survey will be conducted with 400 gig workers (Uber, Indrive, Fiver etc.) Africa. The data will be analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM).
6. Access to Venture Capital and its Impact on Startup Performance in Africa
Statement of the Problem:
While venture capital is increasingly available to African startups, there is insufficient evidence on how such funding influences key performance metrics like innovation, growth, and profitability. This limits insights into the true value-add of venture capital in African contexts.
Research Objectives:
- To analyze how access to venture capital affects startup scalability and sustainability.
- To examine the non-financial support provided by VC firms.
- To compare the performance of funded versus non-funded startups.
Methodology:
This will be a quantitative longitudinal study involving 400 startups (200 funded and 200 unfunded). Secondary performance data over three years will be analyzed using panel data techniques and regression modeling.
7. Post-Pandemic Entrepreneurial Resilience: Strategies Adopted by SMEs
Statement of the Problem:
COVID-19 disrupted operations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), forcing rapid adaptation. However, there is limited research documenting the specific recovery strategies that enabled some SMEs to remain resilient and even thrive post-pandemic.
Research Objectives:
- To identify the survival strategies adopted by SMEs during and after the pandemic.
- To evaluate the role of innovation in SME recovery.
- To examine the impact of digital transformation on business continuity.
Methodology:
A qualitative study will be undertaken involving in-depth interviews with 25 SME owners in the hospitality and retail sectors in Zimbabwe. The data will be analyzed using thematic content analysis.
8. Social Media as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurial Growth in the Fashion Industry
Statement of the Problem:
While many fashion entrepreneurs leverage social media platforms, the specific ways in which these tools influence business growth, branding, and customer engagement are not well understood.
Research Objectives:
- To assess the role of social media in enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement.
- To evaluate its influence on sales performance.
- To explore the challenges faced by fashion entrepreneurs in using social media effectively.
Methodology:
A quantitative survey will be administered to 400 fashion entrepreneurs. Additionally, social media content will be analyzed, and structured interviews will be conducted with 10 fashion influencers to enrich findings.
9. Family-Owned Businesses and Succession Planning in African Contexts
Statement of the Problem:
Succession planning remains a critical issue for family-owned businesses in Africa, with many struggling to ensure leadership continuity. The lack of succession readiness often leads to conflict, business decline, or collapse.
Research Objectives:
- To examine current succession planning practices in family-owned businesses.
- To assess the readiness and competence of next-generation leaders.
- To explore how succession planning affects business continuity and longevity.
Methodology:
A qualitative case study approach will be used. In-depth interviews will be conducted with 20 owners and successors in family-run businesses. Data will be coded and analyzed thematically.
10. The Effect of Government Policy on Startup Ecosystems: A Comparative Study of Kenya and Rwanda
Statement of the Problem:
Although startup ecosystems in Kenya and Rwanda have grown rapidly, little is known about the comparative effectiveness of their respective government policies in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial growth.
Research Objectives:
- To compare key startup policies and incentives in Kenya and Rwanda.
- To assess how policy frameworks influence startup performance and innovation.
- To identify best practices and areas for policy improvement.
Methodology:
A comparative qualitative case study will be conducted. Policy documents and startup regulations will be reviewed, and 30 expert interviews with entrepreneurs, incubator managers, and policy makers will be conducted. Thematic coding will be done using NVivo.
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