Paula Olszewski-Kubilius
Front-loading STEM enrichment to prepare learners for STEM pathways
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
entrepreneurship research identified number personal characteristics believed instrumental motivating entrepreneurial behavior two frequently cited personal traits associated entrepreneurial potential internal locus control innovativeness internal locus control one studied psychological traits entrepreneurship research innovative activity explicit schumpeters description entrepreneur entrepreneurial traits studied extensively united states however crosscultural studies studies nonus contexts rare cases limited comparisons one two countries cultures thus question raised entrepreneurial traits vary systematically across cultures culture underlying system values peculiar specific group society shapes development certain personality traits motivates individuals society engage behaviors may evident societies hofstedes 1980 extensive culture study leading development four culture dimensions provide clear articulation differences countries values beliefs work roles although hofstede specify relationship culture entrepreneurial activity per se culture dimensions useful identifying key aspects culture related potential entrepreneurial behavior paper offer several hypotheses relationship two hofstedes culture dimensions psychological traits associated entrepreneurial potential expect internal locus control orientation prevalent individualistic cultures collectivistic cultures likewise expect innovative orientation prevalent low uncertainty avoidance cultures high uncertainty avoidance cultures however since neither internal locus control innovativeness alone sufficient explain entrepreneurial motivation also hypothesize individuals internal locus control innovative orientation appear frequently highly individualistic low uncertainty cultures hypotheses tested sample 1800 responses survey third fourthyear students universities nine countries eighteen items survey instrument used construct scales innovativeness locus control items innovativeness scale adapted jackson personality inventory items used locus control scale adapted rotters ie scale results exploratory study support proposition cultures conducive entrepreneurship others individualistic cultures found increased likelihood internal locus control orientation also support hypothesis entrepreneurial orientation defined internal locus control combined innovativeness likely individualistic low uncertainty avoidance cultures collectivistic high uncertainty avoidance cultures culture appears may condition potential entrepreneurship generating differences across national regional boundaries one tentative conclusion supportive national culture ceteris paribus increase entrepreneurial potential country suggests addition support political social business leaders needs supportive culture cultivate mind character potential entrepreneur motivated act potential entrepreneurs must perceive capable psychologically equipped face challenges global competitive marketplace business education play important role regard providing technical tools ie accounting marketing finance etc also helping reorient individuals toward self reliance independent action creativity flexible thinking study examines two entrepreneurial traits innovativeness internal locus control one many contextual factors culture may explain differences among countries rate new venture formation future research expand investigation include traits associated entrepreneurial behavior well effect contextual factors education system political economy stage economic development