The Role of Christian Values in Shaping Entrepreneurial Success in Shurugwi District

This research adopted a mixed-methods approach to explore how Christian values shape entrepreneurial ethics among business owners in Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe. A total of 210 entrepreneurs from Christianity, African Indigenous faiths, and Islam were selected through snowball sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, which captured demographic details, ethical business practices, and the influence of religious beliefs, while qualitative insights were obtained through in-depth interviews with 21 entrepreneurs. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data, and quantitative findings were analyzed using multiple regression techniques to examine the relationship between adherence to Christian values and ethical conduct in entrepreneurship. The findings revealed that while Christian entrepreneurs do not significantly outperform their non-Christian counterparts in terms of commercial success, Christian values are strongly associated with ethical business practices, integrity, and social responsibility. However, the study also uncovered unique challenges faced by Christian entrepreneurs, such as limited access to resources and professional networks, which may impact their overall business performance. The research highlights the need for enhanced support systems and interfaith community engagement to foster ethical entrepreneurship across all religious groups. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the role of religious values in shaping ethical business environments and advocates for inclusive policies that support ethical entrepreneurship regardless of faith tradition.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Christianity, Shurugwi district, Religion and economic development.

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