Prof. Patient Rambe
NRF Rating: C2
Professor of Entrepreneurship & Assistant Dean
Qualifications: PhD (Business Management, UFS) | PhD (Educational Technology, UCT)
Professional Background
Prof. Patient Rambe is a Research Professor of Entrepreneurship and serves as the Assistant Dean: Research, Innovation and Engagement in the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Central University of Technology, Free State. He holds a unique academic distinction with two doctoral degrees: a PhD in Business Management from the University of the Free State and a PhD in Educational Technology from the University of Cape Town.
His scholarly works consistently appear in high-impact, DHET-accredited journals, including the Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, Technology in Society, Information Technology and People, and the Journal of Small Business Management. Beyond his own research, Prof. Rambe is deeply committed to advancing the field, having edited several influential books on technological entrepreneurship, frugal innovation, and educational quality in Africa.
Professional Leadership & Service
- Associate Editor:
Journal of Innovation and the Knowledge Economy.
- Academic Leadership: Past Director of the Centre of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies at CUT.
- Research Recognition: Consistently rated as a C2 researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF).
Areas of Expertise
- • Technology Entrepreneurship
- • Technology Business Incubation
- • Digital Entrepreneurship
- • Generative AI for Entrepreneurial Firms
- • Frugal Innovation & Sustainable Development
Selected Publications
Top Journal Articles
- • Simba, A., Tajeddin, M., Rambe, P. and Baah, F. 2025. Ambidexterity–resilience nexus and innovation: A focus on SMEs in a developing world setting. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 10(6).
View Publication (Elsevier) → - • Simba, A., Rambe, P. & Jones, P. 2025. Entrepreneurship processes: Digital self-efficacy, technostress, and entrepreneurial behaviour in South Africa. Technology in Society, 83, 103038.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103038 → - • Simba, A., Tajeddin, M., Jones, P., & Rambe, P. 2025. Technostress in entrepreneurship: Focus on entrepreneurs in the developing world. Information Technology and People.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-01-2024-0073 → - • Rambe, P. & Ndofirepi, T. 2025. Antecedents and consequences of Internet celebrity endorsements: the moderation of sentiment analysis and travel video blogging. Tourism Recreation Research, 1-16.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2025.2569871 → - • Simba, A., Rambe, P., Navarrete, S. & Vadillo, M. 2024. A technostress–entrepreneurship nexus in the developing world. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 1-28.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-024-00968-4 →
Selected Book Chapters
- • Rambe, P. 2026. Digital Technology, Frugal Innovations and Digital Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Human Development. In P. Rambe & B. Nyagadza (Eds.), Sustainable Human Development in Africa (pp. 84-139). UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
- • Rambe, P. & Masupa, E. 2025. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and agri-tourism: Implications for entrepreneurial firms in emerging contexts. In B. Nyagadza, F. Chigora & A. Hassan (Eds.), Agritourism in Africa (pp. 1-51). UK: Routledge.
- • Rambe, P. 2025. Building blocks for inclusive and innovative financial technology: Evidence from entrepreneurial firms in emerging African economies. In V. Sharma et al. (Eds.), Fintech and financial inclusion. UK: Routledge.
- • Rambe, P. & Khoza, G. 2025. Artificial intelligence and technology entrepreneurship in informal contexts. In S. Adomako et al. (Eds.), Technology Entrepreneurship in Africa. UK: Routledge.
- • Rambe, P. 2024. Digitalisation and digital innovation as strategies for sustainable business model development. In P. Rambe & R.E. Hinson (Eds.), Entrepreneurial Development in Southern Africa. UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
Top Conference Presentations
- • Rambe, P. & Mantje, M. (2025). ICT based competencies, knowledge management and firm competitiveness: The moderation of operational efficiency. 18th International Business Conference, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 21-24 September 2025.
- • Mantje, M. and Rambe, P. (2021). The effects of Knowledge management on SMME competitiveness: An emerging economy context view. 22nd European Conference on Knowledge Management (Virtual), 2-3 September 2021.
- • Tsabalira, M. & Rambe, P. (2020). Appropriating Smartphone Applications and Wearables Data for Knowledge Management and Effective Health Management. 21st European Conference on Knowledge Management, Coventry University, UK, 2-4 December 2020.
- • Masupa, M.E., Van der Walt, F., Nkoyi, A. & Rambe, P. (2019). Factors influencing internet banking adoption decisions of rural dwellers in a developing country. 14th International Business and Management Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 21-22 August 2019.
- • Masupa, E. & Rambe, P. (2021). The effects of selected Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) digital technology on SMME resilience. FinAAM Conference 2021, Durban University of Technology, 2 December 2021.
