Self-employment entrepreneurial motivation: the case of internal ethnic migrants in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

Abstract

This exploratory qualitative study at the micro level, sought to enrich the understanding of migrant entrepreneurship, by empirically examining the explanatory variables of the self-employment entrepreneurial motivation, of Ghanaian-born internal regional migrants, in the single host city of Sekondi-Takoradi. Using multiple case study approach, and theoretical sampling technique, 18 cases were selected to generate primary field data, through in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data was analysed by triangulating qualitative thematic template analysis with matrix analysis. The findings revealed that the participants were motivated by nine diverse sets of multiple factors, but the most prominent entrepreneurial motivation factors were the desire to make money, and human capital development through urban informal apprenticeship. Thus, the causal variables of their motivation was attributed to the self, culture, and factors within the host society. Consequently, this study made a modest contribution to the on-going discussion on entrepreneurial motivation, including the theory and practice of entrepreneurship.