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SES821S - SME SUPPORT - 1ST OPP - JUNE 2025 |
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nAmlBIA UnlVERSITY
OF SCIEn CE Ano TECHn OLOGY
FACULTY OF COMMERCE, HUMAN SCIENCES AND EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
QUALIFICATION: BACHELOR OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT HONOURS
QUALIFICATION CODE: 08HBBM
LEVEL: 8
COURSE CODE: SES821S
COURSE NAME: SME SUPPORT
SESSION: JUNE 2025
DURATION: 3 HOURS
PAPER: THEORY
MARKS: 100
EXAMINER(S)
FIRST OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION
Ms. B. NDUNGAUA
MODERATOR: Ms. A. TJIUEZA
INSTRUCTIONS
1. This is an open book examination.
2. Answer ALL the questions in an essay format.
3. Read all the questions carefully before answering.
4. Number the answers clearly
PERMISSIBLEMATERIAL
1. Study notes
THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF_ 4_ PAGES (Including this front page)
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QUESTION 1
[37 Marks]
a) With practical examples, discuss the various support dimensions a business incubator can
provide to its clients.
{16 Marks)
b) As a hired consultant, what business incubators' performance measurement matrices
would you recommend should be used when evaluating incubator performance.
{21 Marks)
QUESTION 2
[35 Marks]
Having first identified the under-represented communities in O'Brien et al {2019}, as part of
its third mission, how could the Namibia University of Science and Technology's
entrepreneurial ecosystem contribute to eliminating the barriers that prevent under-
represented communities from participating in the Namibian economy?
QUESTION 2
Read the following case study and answer the questions that follows:
[28 Marks]
Case Study: Overcoming Social Networking Barriers in a Business Incubator
Namibia Startup Hub (NSH} is a university-affiliated business incubator designed to foster
entrepreneurship by providing startups with infrastructure, mentorship, and access to
networking opportunities. The incubator was established to support early-stage businesses,
offering them a platform to develop innovative and sustainable enterprises. However, despite
these advantages, startups at NSH face considerable challenges in building and maintaining
meaningful social and business networks. Networking is widely recognised as a crucial factor
in the success of startups. It provides access to resources, knowledge, and credibility,
ultimately enhancing business viability. However, as highlighted in Understanding Incubator
Value-A Network Approach to University Incubators (Roseira et al., 2014), networking within
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incubators does not always function effectively. Entrepreneurs often hold high expectations
regarding networking opportunities but encounter significant barriers that impede the
realisation of these benefits. The challenges identified in the study of UPTEC,a university-
linked incubator, provide valuable insights into the difficulties experienced at NSH.
Startups face the liability of smallness, which restricts their ability to engage in networking
effectively. Limited financial and human resources often prevent entrepreneurs from
attending networking events, investing in relationship-building activities, or participating in
collaborative projects. This challenge aligns with findings from Roseira et al. {2014), who
highlight that incubators should act as resource-pooling platforms to mitigate the resource
constraints faced by startups. However, if an incubator fails to facilitate access to necessary
resources, startups may struggle to overcome these inherent limitations. Furthermore, the
networking environment at NSH is characterized by low network density and intensity. While
startups are physically located within the same incubator, their interactions are often
superficial, with little substantive business engagement. This mirrors the findings in the UPTEC
study, where networking within the incubator was found to be infrequent and dominated by
social rather than strategic business interactions. Many entrepreneurs at NSH acknowledge
the potential benefits of networking but struggle to translate casual connections into
meaningful partnerships or business collaborations.
Another significant barrier is the lack of structured networking events within NSH. While
informal meetups and incidental interactions occur, there is no formalized system that
ensures startups connect with relevant stakeholders. The study of UPTEC highlights that
structured and targeted networking activities are essential for fostering collaboration and
ensuring that entrepreneurs gain accessto valuable contacts. Without a systematic approach
to networking, startups at NSH often miss opportunities to establish mutually beneficial
relationships.
Additionally, NSH faces challenges related to geographical and industry segmentation. The
incubator hosts startups from various industries, sometimes in separate locations, which
creates barriers to interaction and collaboration. Entrepreneurs often lack knowledge about
the expertise and capabilities of their fellow incubatees, leading to missed opportunities for
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synergy. Physical and industry-based segmentation hinders the development of cross-
sectoral partnerships. Addressing these barriers is critical to maximizing the incubator's
networking potential.
Another prevalent issue at NSH is the unequal access to networking opportunities. Some
startups, particularly those with strong pre-existing connections or proactive networking
approaches, benefit significantly from incubator resources. Meanwhile, others, especially
those with limited prior networks, struggle to access mentorship, funding, and strategic
partnerships. Disparities in access to networking opportunities, emphasizing the need for
incubator management to play a proactive role in bridging these gaps.
QUESTION: Assume you are a consultant hired by NSH to improve social networking among
the startups.
a) Evaluate the main networking challenges faced by NSH. (20 marks)
b) Provide two actionable recommendations to address any two of these challenges.
These should be supported by evidence from the study. Provide a rationale behind
each recommendation. (8 marks)
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