Entrepreneurship is widely regarded as playing a substantial role in economic development. For a transition economy, the role of entrepreneurship is even more important. Since entrepreneurship is based upon human agency (Shane et al. 2003) motivation plays an important part. Over the last 20 years, the economies of Central and Eastern Europe experienced a rapid change in entrepreneurial orientation (Lee & Peterson 2000). Poland is an example of how this affected the development of entrepreneurship, and the contribution it made to economic growth.
This paper will focus on motivational aspects of entrepreneurship, comparing the motivation of entrepreneurs in Poland and the UK. The analysis will identify how differences between socio-economic environments (rather than nationalities) influence entrepreneurial drive. Luthans et al. (1998) treat the environment as ‘an important initial factor’ influencing entrepreneurial start-ups and suggest that the study of entrepreneurship should begin with an analysis of the external environment.
This paper has two primary objectives. First, to identify and describe the factors which have had a major impact on the development of new ventures during different stages in a transition economy. Second, to compare the findings between different environments in both post-transition (Poland) and developed economies (Scotland) in order to assess their influence on entrepreneurial motivation. So far, little is known about how the motivation of entrepreneurs in post-transitional countries could be affected by different environments. Case studies conducted in Scotland and the Lower Silesian Region of Poland will examine the key factors underpinning the decision to start-up a business. The research emphasizes the importance of changing and uncertain environments for Polish Entrepreneurs’ decision-making processes. Thus, it is crucial to analyse the immediate environment in which Polish Entrepreneurs operate in order to understand their decision to start-up new ventures. Their decision is motivated by the opportunity structure, and by their lifestyle expectations.
Ključne reči :
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Uvodni rad:
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Datum:
15.06.2011.
Br. otvaranja:
693
