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Personality traits influence occupational choice and are valid predictors of managerial success. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether a relationship exists between possessing certain personality traits and small business success. The personality dimensions of the five-factor model of personality, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Openness to experience, Agreeableness and Neuroticism were the focus of this study.Convenience sampling was employed and 383 usable questionnaires were returned. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument was assessed. Multiple regression analysis was undertaken to establish relationships between the independent variable (the five dimensions of personality) and the dependent variable, Business success.The findings of this study show that individuals who have high levels of the personality traits Extraversion, Conscientiousness and Openness to experience are more likely to have successful small businesses. Openness to experience is of specific importance as it demonstrates the strongest influence, and is the only trait that has a positive influence on both the financial and growth performance of the business. As such, insights are provided into the personality profile most suited to successful small-business ownership.

Entrepreneurial intentions shown by different individuals vary depending on their demographic profile. In an attempt to understand the underlying factors contributing to the low levels of entrepreneurial activity in South Africa, this study focuses on whether individuals possessing certain demographic attributes are more likely to display entrepreneurial intentions than those who do not.The sample consisted of undergraduate business students from three South African Universities. Respondents were identified by means of convenience sampling. The statistical analysis was undertaken on 447 usable questionnaires. Chi-Square statistics were calculated to determine the significant relationships between the demographic variables and entrepreneurial intentions.The empirical results of this study show that the demographic variables University attended, Level of study and Ethnicity have a significant influence on the intentions of respondents to start their own businesses.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of servant leadership on job satisfaction within private healthcare practices. Design/methodology/approach Criterion sampling has been used to draw a sample of private healthcare practitioners and their employees. The data collected from 241 useable questionnaires have been statistically analysed. Factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients have been used to assess the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument, and multiple regression analyses have been performed to test the influence of the dimensions of servant leadership on job satisfaction. Findings The findings show that private healthcare practitioners display the dimensions of servant leadership investigated in this study. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship between developing others and job satisfaction for both sample groups, but only between caring for others and job satisfaction for the employee sample group, was reported. Acts of humility and servanthood by practitioners were not found to influence job satisfaction. Practical implications Educators can use the findings of this study to identify gaps in the leadership training of healthcare practitioners, and healthcare regulators can use the recommendations provided to implement appropriate interventions to ensure that healthcare practitioners fulfil their mandate of practising in an appropriate manner. Originality/value This study contributes to the limited understanding of servant leadership among private healthcare practitioners and it provides recommendations on how private healthcare practitioners can improve their servant leadership behaviour.

For any team to function effectively, several basic elements need to be present. The extent to which these elements are present increases the chances of a successful team outcome. Since a family business can be viewed as a type of team, the literature on how to design effective teams is also relevant to business families. The primary objectives of this study are to identify the team design elements commonly referred to in the family business literature and to empirically test their influence on the effectiveness of South African sibling teams in family businesses. The empirical findings of this preliminary study show that physical resources, skills diversity, and strategic leadership are important determinants of sibling team success whereas role clarity and competence are not.