Theory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme

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dc.contributor.advisorChapman, Sarah
dc.contributor.authorMaponga, Innocent Nyararayi
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-05T09:12:11Z
dc.date.available2025-12-05T09:12:11Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-12-05T08:23:16Z
dc.description.abstractThe Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) Association Programme is a structured entrepreneurship development initiative designed to cultivate high-impact, socially responsible entrepreneurs in South Africa. This study evaluates the programme's effectiveness by assessing its Theory of Change (ToC) and outcome evaluation findings. The research employs a qualitative evaluation design, incorporating semi-structured interviews with AGOF fellows, and expert entrepreneurship practitioners. The study examines two key dimensions: (1) Theory Evaluation, which investigates whether AGOF's ToC is empirically supported and theoretically plausible, and (2) Outcome Evaluation, which assesses whether the programme successfully facilitates the creation of sustainable enterprises and enhances access to financial assistance. Findings indicate that mentorship and financial literacy training function as mutually reinforcing mechanisms within the programme, equipping fellows with entrepreneurial resilience, strategic decision-making skills, and financial management capabilities. However, the study identifies critical limitations in AGOF's causal pathways, particularly concerning the accessibility of financial support for scaling businesses and inconsistencies in mentorship engagement. Additionally, the outcome evaluation reveals internal validity concerns, highlighting the absence of a control group and reliance on self-reported data, which may limit causal attribution. To enhance programme impact, the study recommends integrating financial literacy training with structured funding access and strengthening mentor-mentee matching processes. These findings contribute to broader discussions on entrepreneurship development in emerging economies, providing insights into how structured mentorship and financial support mechanisms can foster entrepreneurial success.
dc.identifier.apacitationMaponga, I. N. (2025). <i>Theory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Accounting and Accountability in Africa. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42413en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMaponga, Innocent Nyararayi. <i>"Theory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Accounting and Accountability in Africa, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42413en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMaponga, I.N. 2025. Theory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Accounting and Accountability in Africa. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42413en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Maponga, Innocent Nyararayi AB - The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) Association Programme is a structured entrepreneurship development initiative designed to cultivate high-impact, socially responsible entrepreneurs in South Africa. This study evaluates the programme's effectiveness by assessing its Theory of Change (ToC) and outcome evaluation findings. The research employs a qualitative evaluation design, incorporating semi-structured interviews with AGOF fellows, and expert entrepreneurship practitioners. The study examines two key dimensions: (1) Theory Evaluation, which investigates whether AGOF's ToC is empirically supported and theoretically plausible, and (2) Outcome Evaluation, which assesses whether the programme successfully facilitates the creation of sustainable enterprises and enhances access to financial assistance. Findings indicate that mentorship and financial literacy training function as mutually reinforcing mechanisms within the programme, equipping fellows with entrepreneurial resilience, strategic decision-making skills, and financial management capabilities. However, the study identifies critical limitations in AGOF's causal pathways, particularly concerning the accessibility of financial support for scaling businesses and inconsistencies in mentorship engagement. Additionally, the outcome evaluation reveals internal validity concerns, highlighting the absence of a control group and reliance on self-reported data, which may limit causal attribution. To enhance programme impact, the study recommends integrating financial literacy training with structured funding access and strengthening mentor-mentee matching processes. These findings contribute to broader discussions on entrepreneurship development in emerging economies, providing insights into how structured mentorship and financial support mechanisms can foster entrepreneurial success. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Entrepreneurship development KW - programme evaluation KW - Theory of Change KW - financial literacy KW - mentorship KW - South Africa KW - success case method LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Theory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme TI - Theory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42413 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42413
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMaponga IN. Theory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Accounting and Accountability in Africa, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42413en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentAccounting and Accountability in Africa
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Commerce
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectEntrepreneurship development
dc.subjectprogramme evaluation
dc.subjectTheory of Change
dc.subjectfinancial literacy
dc.subjectmentorship
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectsuccess case method
dc.titleTheory and outcome evaluation of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) association programme
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMPhil
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