Interrelation of Coping Strategies of Entrepreneurs with the Productivity of Their Commercial Activities

Abstract

The results of an empirical study of the characteristics of coping strategies used by entrepreneurs and their relationship with the productivity of commercial activity are presented. The study involved 60 representatives of small and medium-sized businesses of different ages (M = 42,82, SD = 6,8), 33 men and 27 women. The productivity of their commercial activity was determined in two ways: by means of an expert assessment according to objective economic criteria, and by means of a subjective assessment by the entrepreneurs themselves. To determine coping strategies, the methods «Proactive Coping» and «Methods of Coping Behavior» were used. It was revealed that the values of the assessment of the productivity of commercial activities by entrepreneurs themselves are higher than objective expert assessments. A positive correlation was found between the objective productivity of commercial activity and «preventive overcoming» — the ability of an entrepreneur to take actions that prevent possible risks. Negatively correlated with objective productivity are «confrontational coping», «distancing» and «avoidance». Subjectively assessed business productivity is negatively associated with «avoidance», «seeking social support», and «accepting responsibility». Examples of the use by entrepreneurs of the described coping strategies related to the productivity of commercial activities are given.