ASSIGNMENT 3 – June 2026
ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
RBA108G/RMD108G Deadline:
19 June 2026:
SECTION 1: RESEARCH IDEA
Title of the Study:
The Influence of Corporate Entrepreneurship on Innovation within Selected Organisations
in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga
i. Introduction and Background
In today’s highly competitive and rapidly changing business environment, organisations are
increasingly required to innovate in order to sustain performance, competitiveness, and
long-term survival. Innovation is widely recognised as a critical driver of organisational
success because it enables firms to develop new products, improve processes, and
respond effectively to environmental changes (D’Angelo et al., 2024). In this context,
innovation is not a standalone function but is influenced by internal organisational
capabilities and strategic behaviours.
Corporate entrepreneurship has emerged as one of the most important internal strategic
approaches used to stimulate innovation within established organisations. It refers to
entrepreneurial behaviour within existing firms that promotes opportunity recognition, risk-
taking, and the development of new ideas, products, or processes (Portalanza-Chavarría &
Revuelto-Taboada, 2023). Recent research highlights that corporate entrepreneurship
enhances organisational adaptability and supports innovation through employee-driven
initiatives and internal venture creation (Radebe, 2024).
,In developing economies such as South Africa, corporate entrepreneurship is particularly
important due to fluctuating economic conditions, technological disruptions, and increasing
competitive pressure. Organisations in industrial regions such as eMalahleni in
Mpumalanga face additional structural and operational challenges that can hinder
innovation if entrepreneurial behaviour is not actively encouraged. Studies show that firms
operating in such dynamic environments are more likely to rely on internal entrepreneurial
capabilities to sustain innovation and competitiveness (Vivek & Chandrasekhar, 2024).
Despite growing recognition of corporate entrepreneurship as a driver of innovation, many
organisations still struggle to embed entrepreneurial practices into their structures. This
often results in low levels of innovation, limited employee initiative, and weak internal
support systems for new ideas. Recent literature further confirms that although corporate
entrepreneurship is widely adopted as a strategy, its effectiveness depends heavily on
organisational culture, leadership support, and resource availability (Zhao et al., 2024).
This study therefore seeks to investigate how corporate entrepreneurship influences
innovation within selected organisations in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
ii. Research Problem
Although corporate entrepreneurship is widely recognised as a key enabler of innovation,
there is still limited empirical evidence on how it operates within organisations in semi-
industrial regions such as eMalahleni. Recent studies indicate that while many
organisations attempt to implement intrapreneurial practices, the outcomes in terms of
innovation performance are inconsistent due to structural rigidity and limited employee
empowerment (Radebe, 2024).
In many organisations, hierarchical decision-making structures, risk-averse cultures, and
inadequate support for employee-led innovation continue to restrict the full potential of
corporate entrepreneurship. According to D’Angelo et al. (2024), organisational barriers
such as limited autonomy and weak innovation systems reduce the effectiveness of
entrepreneurial initiatives within firms.
, Furthermore, there is insufficient context-specific research examining how corporate
entrepreneurship translates into measurable innovation outcomes in South African
industrial regions. Most existing studies focus on developed economies, leaving a gap in
understanding how these concepts apply in emerging market contexts like eMalahleni.
Portalanza-Chavarría and Revuelto-Taboada (2023) argue that the relationship between
intrapreneurial behaviour and innovation is highly context-dependent and requires further
empirical exploration in different organisational environments.
Therefore, the core research problem is the lack of clear understanding of the influence of
corporate entrepreneurship on innovation within selected organisations in eMalahleni,
Mpumalanga.
iii. Research Aim and Objectives
a. Research Aim
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of corporate entrepreneurship on
innovation within selected organisations in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
b. Research Objectives
The objectives of the study are to:
1. To examine the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship practices are
implemented in selected organisations in eMalahleni (Radebe, 2024).
2. To assess the level of innovation within these organisations (D’Angelo et al., 2024).
3. To analyse the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and organisational
innovation (Vivek & Chandrasekhar, 2024).
4. To identify key corporate entrepreneurship factors that influence innovation
outcomes (Zhao et al., 2024).
5. To explore challenges faced by organisations in implementing corporate
entrepreneurship for innovation (Portalanza-Chavarría & Revuelto-Taboada, 2023).
ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
RBA108G/RMD108G Deadline:
19 June 2026:
SECTION 1: RESEARCH IDEA
Title of the Study:
The Influence of Corporate Entrepreneurship on Innovation within Selected Organisations
in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga
i. Introduction and Background
In today’s highly competitive and rapidly changing business environment, organisations are
increasingly required to innovate in order to sustain performance, competitiveness, and
long-term survival. Innovation is widely recognised as a critical driver of organisational
success because it enables firms to develop new products, improve processes, and
respond effectively to environmental changes (D’Angelo et al., 2024). In this context,
innovation is not a standalone function but is influenced by internal organisational
capabilities and strategic behaviours.
Corporate entrepreneurship has emerged as one of the most important internal strategic
approaches used to stimulate innovation within established organisations. It refers to
entrepreneurial behaviour within existing firms that promotes opportunity recognition, risk-
taking, and the development of new ideas, products, or processes (Portalanza-Chavarría &
Revuelto-Taboada, 2023). Recent research highlights that corporate entrepreneurship
enhances organisational adaptability and supports innovation through employee-driven
initiatives and internal venture creation (Radebe, 2024).
,In developing economies such as South Africa, corporate entrepreneurship is particularly
important due to fluctuating economic conditions, technological disruptions, and increasing
competitive pressure. Organisations in industrial regions such as eMalahleni in
Mpumalanga face additional structural and operational challenges that can hinder
innovation if entrepreneurial behaviour is not actively encouraged. Studies show that firms
operating in such dynamic environments are more likely to rely on internal entrepreneurial
capabilities to sustain innovation and competitiveness (Vivek & Chandrasekhar, 2024).
Despite growing recognition of corporate entrepreneurship as a driver of innovation, many
organisations still struggle to embed entrepreneurial practices into their structures. This
often results in low levels of innovation, limited employee initiative, and weak internal
support systems for new ideas. Recent literature further confirms that although corporate
entrepreneurship is widely adopted as a strategy, its effectiveness depends heavily on
organisational culture, leadership support, and resource availability (Zhao et al., 2024).
This study therefore seeks to investigate how corporate entrepreneurship influences
innovation within selected organisations in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
ii. Research Problem
Although corporate entrepreneurship is widely recognised as a key enabler of innovation,
there is still limited empirical evidence on how it operates within organisations in semi-
industrial regions such as eMalahleni. Recent studies indicate that while many
organisations attempt to implement intrapreneurial practices, the outcomes in terms of
innovation performance are inconsistent due to structural rigidity and limited employee
empowerment (Radebe, 2024).
In many organisations, hierarchical decision-making structures, risk-averse cultures, and
inadequate support for employee-led innovation continue to restrict the full potential of
corporate entrepreneurship. According to D’Angelo et al. (2024), organisational barriers
such as limited autonomy and weak innovation systems reduce the effectiveness of
entrepreneurial initiatives within firms.
, Furthermore, there is insufficient context-specific research examining how corporate
entrepreneurship translates into measurable innovation outcomes in South African
industrial regions. Most existing studies focus on developed economies, leaving a gap in
understanding how these concepts apply in emerging market contexts like eMalahleni.
Portalanza-Chavarría and Revuelto-Taboada (2023) argue that the relationship between
intrapreneurial behaviour and innovation is highly context-dependent and requires further
empirical exploration in different organisational environments.
Therefore, the core research problem is the lack of clear understanding of the influence of
corporate entrepreneurship on innovation within selected organisations in eMalahleni,
Mpumalanga.
iii. Research Aim and Objectives
a. Research Aim
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of corporate entrepreneurship on
innovation within selected organisations in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
b. Research Objectives
The objectives of the study are to:
1. To examine the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship practices are
implemented in selected organisations in eMalahleni (Radebe, 2024).
2. To assess the level of innovation within these organisations (D’Angelo et al., 2024).
3. To analyse the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and organisational
innovation (Vivek & Chandrasekhar, 2024).
4. To identify key corporate entrepreneurship factors that influence innovation
outcomes (Zhao et al., 2024).
5. To explore challenges faced by organisations in implementing corporate
entrepreneurship for innovation (Portalanza-Chavarría & Revuelto-Taboada, 2023).
