A Study on the Deterring Factors to Entrepreneurship among Graduates of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Case Study in Bushehr, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study deterring factors to entrepreneurship among graduates of agriculture and natural resources. A survey approach was used in this research. The statistical population included ninety eight graduates of agriculture and natural resources who are working in private or governmental business units in the province of Bushehr, Iran. A questionnaire was developed to interview the subjects of the study of which the validity and reliability were estimated based on the opinions of a panel of experts and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient respectively. The results indicated that among personality factors, low self-confidence and low spirit of independence were the most important deterring factors to entrepreneurship. The results also revealed that a weak relation between university and business environment, insufficient practical and theoretical education, high risk of investment in the agriculture, and legal and administrative restrictions were the most important environmentally deterring factors. Based on this research finding, male graduates had a higher spirit of opportunity recognition and independence than female graduates.

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“…In the last decade, the Iranian government began actively focusing on the increased importance of entrepreneurial activity due to strict sanctions impacting the nation's economy (Hedjazi and Rezaei, 2015). Sanctions challenged entrepreneurs to be more creative and develop innovative products that meet consumer and business needs and market demands because sanctions limited imports and the flow/exchange of ideas (Mitra and Matlay, 2004; Zahra, 2005).…”

“…According to Guerrero and Urbano (2017: 294) ‘in emerging economies, the available literature about innovation and entrepreneurship is limited to explore the determinants of innovation performance as well as innovation constrains’. Hedjazi and Rezaei (2015) added that the strategies that the Iranian government introduced to encourage entrepreneurships include lower interest rates on loans, two to three years’ tax waiver programmes, special regulations, making facilities available, encouraging public and private partnerships, and help with networking to new entrepreneurs find a market to sell their product or deliver their service (see also Oosterbeek et al., 2010). Yaghoubi (2010) adds that the Iranian government can also show their support by making available networking and communications infrastructure.…”