Entrepreneurial Project Management Problems in Startups: Exploratory Study of Small and Medium Enterprise Startups in Addis Ababa’s Construction Industry
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Date
2023-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explores the project management problems with in the entrepreneurial and new venture creation area, specifically with regards to start-ups in order to gain an inclusive picture of project management problems within them. This research takes the form of a qualitative study. It is a case study, wherein semi-structured interviews and interviewer-administered questionnaires were carried out with entrepreneurs who were the founders of these startups. The selected respondents were chosen for the study due to their small size and young age, proactive innovativeness as well as centralized decision making processes and their characteristics, which are in line with start-up features outlined in the literature review. Due to time constraints the research is cross-sectional while the exploratory natures focusing mainly on start-ups in different sub cities of Addis Ababa. There were three specific areas the study concentrated on to identify problems in the startups, which are characteristics of the startup, Project management competency and practices, and the new venture creation process. The use of project management practices, with the exception of communication and scheduling tools, were found to be limited in start-ups due to their rigidness, high costs and time-consuming nature. This presented the basis for why project management within entrepreneurial, new venture creation needs to be adapted through the development of a more appropriate version which will provide adequate management practices. The findings of the study show that there is great need for Project management education among entrepreneurs. Findings also indicate that a start-up’s process is characterized by the need for flexibility and adaptability, due to inherently high levels of uncertainty and risk. The study also indicated that the tedious processes of establishment caused great deal of problems for entrepreneurs. The need for further research which will contribute to the development of Entrepreneurial Project Management is evident
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new venture creation, Project