Socio-cultural influences on Indian entrepreneurs: The need for appropriate structural interventions

Abstract

There is a general agreement among experts that socio-cultural influence on the personality and general behaviour of people in India is very strong. However, experts have arrived at contradictory conclusions regarding whether these influences have been favourable or unfavourable for the growth of entrepreneurship in Indian society. Empirical evidence regarding the role is inadequate and inconclusive. This paper presents the findings of an empirical study conducted in India to examine links between entrepreneurial success achieved by male and female entrepreneurs and socio-cultural variables like caste, religiosity, family structure and family support and suggests the required structural interventions for ensuring growth of entrepreneurship in this context.