Who Wants to Be an Entrepreneur? The Relationship Between Vocational Interests and Individual Differences in Entrepreneurship

Abstract

The current study examines the relationship between individual differences in entrepreneurship and vocational interests in a sample of 565 adults. Specifically, it investigates associations between vocational interests (as assessed by Holland’s realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional model), entrepreneurial potential (as assessed by measure of entrepreneurial tendencies and abilities [META]), and entrepreneurial activity, both within and outside organizations. Results reveal predictable associations between Holland’s taxonomy of vocational interests and entrepreneurial outcomes. Incremental validity tests show that Holland’s vocational interests predict entrepreneurial activity even when entrepreneurial potential and demographic variables are taken into account. Furthermore, structural equation modeling indicates that META is the strongest and most consistent predictor of entrepreneurial activity. Practical and theoretical implications for vocational guidance and career assessment are considered.

The Specific Character Traits of Young Entrepreneurs in Slovakia

“…Knőrr et al (2013) and Almeida et al (2014) confirm this statement. Almeida (2014) declared that the entrepreneurial individuals are characterized as enterprising and creative with some degree of social and investigative skills.…”

“…Knőrr et al (2013) and Almeida et al (2014) confirm this statement. Almeida (2014) declared that the entrepreneurial individuals are characterized as enterprising and creative with some degree of social and investigative skills. This character trait is considered for entrepreneurial trait also by Misra and Kumar (2000) and by Sharma, Boyatzis and Jain (2011) The ability to solve a problem and make a decision were the last observed character traits.…”

“…This finding agrees with the opinion of Bujor and Avasilcai (2106) and Schumpeter (2012) who defined the entrepreneur as someone who is able to "convert a new idea or invention into a successful business." The results are also conformal with Knőrr et al (2013) and Almeida et al (2014) who confirmed this statement, and Almeida (2014), Misra and Kumar (2000) and Sharma, Boyatzis and Jain (2011) who agreed that creativity is an important character trait of the entrepreneurs.…”

The business environment of small and medium-sized enterprises in selected regions of the Czech Republic and Slovakia

“…Entrepreneurial individuals are characterized primarily as enterprising and creative, and to some degree as social and investigative. [1] According to the survey of PwC, the major motivations among Czech entrepreneurs to run one´s own business are the wish to be free in decisions and a passion for the fi eld of business. Only after these attributes were fi nancial motivation, success and prestige mentioned.…”

Significant Attributes of the Business Environment in Small and Meduim-Sized Enterprises

“…Creativity, risk taking and independence increase the probability of becoming entrepreneur, and decrease the probability of becoming employee (Knőrr, Alvarez, and Urbano, 2013). Almeida, Ahmetoglu, Chamorro-Premuzic (2014) show, that Awareness, Vision, Creativity, and Opportunism are the strongest and most consistent predictor of entrepreneurial activity. Entrepreneurial individuals are characterized primarily as enterprising and creative, and to some degree as social and investigative.…”