3. Motives
Other psychological theories of entrepreneurship stress the motives or goals of the entrepreneur. Cole is of the opinion that besides wealth, entrepreneurs seek power, prestige, security and service to society. Stepanek points particularly to non-monetary aspects such as independence, persons’ self-esteem, power and regard of the society.
On the same subject, Evans distinguishes motive by three kinds of entrepreneurs:
(a) Managing entrepreneurs whose chief motive is security.
(b) Innovating entrepreneurs, who are interested only in excitement.
(c) Controlling entrepreneurs, who above all other motives- want power and authority.
Finally, Rostow has examined intergradational changes in the families of entrepreneurs. He believes that the first generation seeks wealth, the second prestige and the third art and beauty.
4.Others
Thomas Begley and David P. Boyd studied in detail the psychological roots of entrepreneurship in the mid 1980s. They came to the conclusion that entrepreneurial attitudes based on psychological considerations have five dimensions:
- First came ‘need-achievement’ as described by McClelland. In all studies of successful entrepreneurs a high achievement-orientation is invariably present.
- The second dimension that Begley and Boyd call ‘locus of control’ This means that the entrepreneur follows the idea that he can control his own life and is not influenced by factors like luck, fate and so on. Need-achievement logically implies that people can control their own lives and are not influenced by external forces.
- The third dimension is the willingness to take risks. These two researchers have come to the conclusion that entrepreneurs who take moderate risks earn higher returns on their assets than those who take no risks at all or who take extravagant risks.
- Tolerance is the next dimension of this study. Very few decisions are made with complete information. So all business executives must, have a certain amount of tolerance for ambiguity.
- Finally, here is what psychologists call ‘Type A’ behavior. This is nothing but “a chronic, incessant struggle to achieve more and more in less and less of time” Entrepreneurs are characterized by the presence of ‘Type A’ behavior in all their endeavors.
IV. Political Factors
An entrepreneur, however creative he/she may be, cannot function without the supportive actions of the Government. It is for the government/society to ensure the availability of required resources for the entrepreneurs and also the accessibility to them. This is because the successful entrepreneur contributes to the well being of the society. Policies relating to various-economic aspects like prices, availability of capital, labour and other inputs, demand structure, taxation, income distribution, etc. affect growth of entrepreneurship to a large extent. Promotive government activities such as incentives and subsidies contribute substantially to entrepreneurial performance. At the same time, Government policies like licenses, regulations, favouritism, government monopolies, etc. are undesirable for the growth of business enterprises. Above all, a Government that is politically stable and united can affect entrepreneurial activities in a significant manner. Is there a business entrepreneur in your neighborhoods? Try to gather information on his/her views on various government policies, for example, on taxation, finance, labour etc. Also ask him/her about the opportunities and growth prospects of a business unit. Write down your observations.
India, all the above-mentioned environmental forces have turned in favor of enterprising men and women. There is a visible change for the better in the highly inactive entrepreneurial field in the country. The tight grip of religious and traditional, ideas and practices have begun to loosen. It is encouraging the ‘non-commercial’ classes to consider economic opportunities more sympathetically. As a result, occupational division based on caste system has undergone tremendous traditional activities, social approval etc. have become less important. More important now, are the economic factors such as access to capital and possession of entrepreneurial attitudes and business I knowledge.
Development of infrastructure changes in government policies in favor of business and industry and of course, rise in demand for products manufactured are some of the other factors that have led the Indian entrepreneurs to look for new business opportunities.
