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Determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour in the public sector in Tanzania: a case of water services provision

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Abstract

This paper examines the factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour in the public sector in Tanzania. To obtain data on the antecedents of entrepreneurial behaviour, we surveyed employees of Tabora Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (TUWASA) using a one-shot cross-sectional survey. Data collection involved a self-administered survey questionnaire with the close-ended questions. We used multiple regression analysis to determine the factors determining entrepreneurial behaviour. In our study, we measure entrepreneurial behaviour as a composite index of three entrepreneurial attributes: innovation, risk-taking and pro-activeness. Results have demonstrated that entrepreneurial behaviour is influenced by four factors, of which goal clarity and education level of the employee had the most significant and positive effect. Of the organisation factors included in the study, only one variable turned out to have a significant influence on employees’ entrepreneurial behaviour. These results suggest that management of the studied organisation must adopt a strategic management approach to motivate employees to unleash their entrepreneurial behaviour. Demonstration of entrepreneurial behaviour appeared to be unaffected by marital status, sex, reward system autonomy and public support. This possibility presents a probing avenue for further research into the factors that contribute to the demonstration of entrepreneurial behaviour in the public sector.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

TUWASA:

Tabora Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority

WSP:

Water and Sanitation Programme

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to express their appreciation to the management of Tabora Urban Water and Sewerage Authority (TUWASA) for providing the logistical support and allowing the employees to participate in the study. We also express our thanks to the employees of TUWASA for their willingness to participate in this study as key respondents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Sciences, Mzumbe University, P.O.Box 5, Mzumbe, Tanzania

    Charles Stephen Tundui

  2. Tabora Municipal Council, P.O. Box 147, Tabora, Tanzania

    Christopher Shiganza

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  1. Charles Stephen Tundui
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CS conceived the research idea with the guidance of the co-author CT. CS did the literature review, and CT updated the literature. Designing the methodology, drafting the survey questionnaire and the data collection were done by CS. Both authors did data analysis and wrote the manuscript. Finally, CT read, edited and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Charles Stephen Tundui.

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Tundui, C.S., Shiganza, C. Determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour in the public sector in Tanzania: a case of water services provision. J Glob Entrepr Res 11, 189–199 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40497-021-00266-1

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