The impact of entrepreneurship on South Africa’s economic development in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Trisha Ramsuraj; Radha  Reddy; Ragani Padiachee

doi:10.36096/ijbes.v7i4.832

Authors

Trisha Ramsuraj Durban University of Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6614-6411
Radha Reddy Durban University of Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6366-2749
Ragani Padiachee Durban University of Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3919-4750

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36096/ijbes.v7i4.832

Keywords:

Entrepreneurs, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Social Development

Abstract

This desk research journal article explores the relationship between entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in the context of South Africa. The study examines the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs in harnessing the potential of 4IR technologies and their impact on economic growth, job creation, and social development. Research shows that people are being laid off as a result of other industries collapsing since their services are no longer needed. The article highlights the government's initiatives and policies to support entrepreneurial activities in the 4IR era. Through the analysis of existing literature and case studies, this article examines the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs in South Africa. Qualitatively, the study utilized secondary sources for data collection. The study concludes that Industry 4.0 can affect entrepreneurship in South Africa in the era of 4IR. The implications of entrepreneurs in the 4IR include concentrating on the characteristics of the techno-economic opportunities, creating entrepreneurship that reacts to intelligence, and creating a system that adapts to the knowledge of rapid change and manufacturing advancements.

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