Start-up Entrepreneurs Research Articles

The influence of entrepreneurial education on the development of entrepreneurial intentions of young people

A successful start-up begins with an innovative idea, which is then realized by identifying and seizing an opportunity. Innovation is one of the most crucial entrepreneurial qualities in this type of entrepreneurship. The aim of this paper is to determine the fundamental and specific characteristics of start-up entrepreneurship and to examine the entrepreneurial intentions and knowledge of young people in this field. The empirical research in this paper includes both secondary and primary research. Secondary research involves the presentation of relevant studies in the fields of start-up entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education. The primary empirical research was conducted on a sample of 160 students from higher education institutions in Međimurje and Varaždin counties. The results indicate that students are relatively well-informed about the possibilities of starting a start-up company. Their personal assessments of their familiarity with the processes involved in starting a start-up are of average value. Additionally, respondents identified administrative procedures, high taxes, lack of knowledge about funding sources, and insufficient information about reference centers as the main obstacles to entering entrepreneurship. By testing the research hypotheses, it was found that attending formal classes in entrepreneurship positively affects the entrepreneurial intentions of young people. The limitations of the research include the restriction of the sample to northwestern Croatia. The findings suggest a further need to strengthen entrepreneurship education and expand it to younger populations in the Republic of Croatia.

Living on an Island: Start-Ups, Spatial Heterogeneity and Remote Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

In this paper we focus specifically on start-ups in remote island entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) and consider the differences between these entrepreneurs compared to their mainland Scottish and UK counterparts. We find that Island new start-up entrepreneurs tend to be older, less well educated, more likely to be female, and less likely to be from an ethnic minority. They borrow similar amounts of start-up capital than their mainland counterparts and are equally likely to survive. Despite their geographical remoteness, this suggests that entrepreneurial activity makes a meaningful contribution to their respective EEs.

Exploring the role of women entrepreneurial startups in shaping a sustainable future

Women-led entrepreneurial startups play a crucial role in fostering a sustainable future. These startups have the potential to provide innovative solutions. However, women entrepreneurs in Pakistan face socio-economic challenges like unemployment, gender inequality, and environmental deterioration. Even though women are underrepresented in the workforce, entrepreneurship is essential for developing sustainable practices. This research explores the contributions that women entrepreneurs can make to sustainability, the obstacles and possibilities that exist, as well as the requirements for changes in policies and regulations to accomplish sustainable development goals. This study utilizes a qualitative approach and focuses on conducting semi-structured interviews with 20 Pakistani women entrepreneurs in the service sector industry. Subsequently, thematic analysis was employed. The study provides recommendations for Pakistani policymakers and stakeholders to enhance the efficiency of entrepreneurship to promote sustainable development.

Prospects and challenges in establishing entrepreneurship in post COVID-19 language and culture-related tourist attractions

This study discusses prospects and challenges facing start-up entrepreneurs in language and culture-related tourist attractions in Lombok, Indonesia. Data were collected by observing the operations of tourism entrepreneurs and interviewing the owners, workers, clients, and authorities in the industry. The data were analyzed using a mixed method where tourism sales over one year of business experience were quantitatively analyzed and where prime causes leading to profits and losses were qualitatively explicated. The findings identify six prospective opportunities and five challenges in sustainably establishing language and culture-related tourist attractions as core entrepreneurial businesses. This study enriches our understanding of what micro and small entrepreneurs experience at the early stages of business start-ups and how they respond to uncertainties facing them. The study also provides readers with an understanding of the prospects and the challenges facing small tourist-related entrepreneurs in operations at early start-up stages and serves as a reminder to small businesses about the potential challenges in their business operations. The article also recommends viable management plans to refer to as contingency strategies for probable future challenges. Furthermore, this study attempts to fill a gap in the literature on start-up entrepreneurship in language and culture-related tourist attractions.

Investigating the actualization of open data affordances for start-up entrepreneurs

Purpose This paper aims to explore the extent of open data actualization for start-up entrepreneurs based on affordance theory. The principal interest of the study revolves around the possible actions or actualization of open data for innovation and entrepreneurial benefits. Design/methodology/approach The author used a qualitative case study as the research design. The author consulted the central public agency that manages open data implementations in Malaysia regarding the research topic. By doing so, the author recognized and interviewed start-up entrepreneurs who actualize open data in businesses. From that exercise, the author conducted a snowball sampling technique to recruit more informants for the research. Start-up entrepreneurs selected for the study must be active in an entrepreneurial project and have at least one year of experience using open data for innovation and entrepreneurship. The author conducted 30 online semistructured interviews with start-up entrepreneurs, representatives from open data providers and a start-up association for triangulation purposes. The author adopted affordance theory as a lens of understanding. Qualitative analysis software was used to generate research findings. Findings In this study, start-up entrepreneurs actualize open data in three principal areas: product building with open data, value creation with existing products and open data for business research and strategies. The study came across distinct narratives of local start-ups that build open data products named “a property start-up,” “mechanics on the go” and “peer-to-peer digital charity movement.” Also, the study discovered three unanticipated findings about the research topic. First, the study uncovered two start-ups that used open data to enhance algorithm designs. Second, the study revealed a unique narrative of a start-up that pivoted business ideas based on open data during the Covid-19 pandemic. Third, the study learned about a start-up that initiated strategic partnerships with an agricultural association and smallholder farmers inspired by open data. These findings extend the literature on how start-up entrepreneurs actualize open data for entrepreneurial gains in a developing economy. What is also unique about this study is that there might be an open data misconception among start-up entrepreneurs. The findings advocate that some start-up entrepreneurs believed all data should be shared or opened upon request based on the generic understanding of open data. Clearly, this is a fallacy, and better awareness is required among start-up entrepreneurs regarding open data principles and implementations. Practical implications Data providers need to build a credible image of open data as a foundation to drive actualization. This can be achieved through capacity building, awareness campaigns and strategic engagements with start-up entrepreneurs. Open data institutions need to initiate flagship projects with start-up associations in highly valuable sectors to demonstrate commercial applications of open data in certain fields. Originality/value Previous research provides limited empirical studies on the commercial application of open data for start-up entrepreneurs. Hence, the novelty of this study lies in understanding how start-up entrepreneurs actualize open data to create value in their respective fields.

Entrepreneurial Mentoring Synergy: An In-Depth Analysis of Polytechnic and Community College (PolyCC) Lecturers as Mentors to Student Start-Up Entrepreneurs

This study was conducted to investigate the role of academicians as mentors to student startup entrepreneurs in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Although the lecturers at Polytechnic and Community College (PolyCC) may not be real entrepreneurs themselves, they have effectively nurtured student entrepreneurs who have sustained their businesses to this day. Nevertheless, this success rate is quite modest when compared to the total number of mentors that have been appointed. Hence, the objective of this study is to comprehend the methods by which non-entrepreneurial academics effectively fulfill their responsibilities as mentors, as well as the aspects that impact their efficacy in mentoring students toward entrepreneurship. The research design employed in this study is qualitative and utilizes a semi-structured interview instrument. The instrument's validity has been confirmed by four experts, and it exhibits a Cohen's Kappa value of 1.0. The sampling method employed is purposive sampling, specifically targeting lecturers from PolyCC who have been selected as 15 finalists in the category of Best Entrepreneurship Mentor Award for the Ministry of Higher Education Entrepreneurship Award (MEA) 2021. These lecturers also serve as mentors to student startup entrepreneurs at PolyCC, and the student entrepreneurs have successfully sustained their businesses up to the present time. The data obtained from the interviews were subjected to thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 9 to discern patterns, trends, and interrelationships among the data pieces. The research yielded a theme and competency framework model with an inter-rater reliability, as measured by Cohen's Kappa value, of 0.99. The research yielded an "Entrepreneurship Mentoring Synergy Diagram (EMSD)," a visual representation that illustrates the connection and interplay among the components of entrepreneurial mentoring. The features encompass mentors (lecturers), and mentees (students), as well as the notion of relationships and interactions with external entities (business networks) and strategic planning to foster business growth. This graphic is anticipated to be beneficial for HEI lecturers who are designated as entrepreneurial mentors. It is intended to serve as a guide for them in their endeavors to enhance the proportion of entrepreneurs among HEI students.

Growth Configuration of Invention-based Entrepreneurial Start-up

This research studies an important question of configurational change of entrepreneurial growth. More precisely, it explores the question of post-start-up configurations in invention-based ventures and aims to improve our understanding of how and why aspects of start-ups transition from one stage to another. A case study method enables us to see what happens when a start-up tries to move from product invention to its commercialization stage, why specific actions occur, and how they impact the venture. Our findings show the importance of enabling the organizational emergence process through two complementary mechanisms, changes in entrepreneurs’ sense- and decision-making logic and using temporal or similar pressure as a motivational tool.

Using business model tools in entrepreneurial start-ups: insights and inconsistencies

Business Model (BM) tools are essential for start-ups to innovate and succeed, however, there is a gap between academic research and real-world application. Our study explores how start-ups use BM tools, using case studies and interviews with founders. We found two main patterns: Reactive Iteration, where start-ups use BM tools selectively in response to specific needs, and Adaptive Training, where hands-on mentor-led learning is preferred over theoretical models. Start-ups often focus on product development first, causing inconsistencies in their use of BM tools. Our research highlights the need to adapt BM tools to the practical realities of start-ups, ensuring they are both conceptually rigorous and practically relevant. This adaptation is key to helping entrepreneurs effectively use BM tools for innovation and growth.

Impact of digitalization and innovation in women's entrepreneurial orientation on sustainable start-up intention

This study explores the complex dynamics between Lebanese women entrepreneurs' Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and their propensity to launch new sustainable businesses by examining the mediating function of dynamic capabilities and the moderating influence of digitalization. Dynamic Capabilities are expected to be a crucial mechanism through which entrepreneurship orientation positively affects sustainable start-up intentions. A total of 351 Lebanese women entrepreneurs were carefully chosen to serve as the research sample. The present study used structural equation modeling (SEM), which permits a systematic examination of the interaction between the constructs, to investigate the correlations and dynamics between the variables. The findings of this research have practical implications for policymakers, business support entrepreneurs, and aspiring women entrepreneurs in Lebanon. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive start-up intentions among Lebanese women entrepreneurs can inform the design and implementation of targeted interventions and support mechanisms that promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the sustainable development. This article illustrates and explains how dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between women's entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial sustainable start-up intention and how digitalization moderates the relationship between innovation and entrepreneurial start-up intention in the Lebanese context.

Antecedents to the Adoption of Digital Marketing by Start-Ups Under Startup-India and E-Governance Initiatives

India is witnessing a dual transformation marked by technological advancements and a surge in entrepreneurial activity following the launch of various e-governance schemes and the Startup India program. However, the high failure rate among startups remains a significant concern, often attributed to inadequate marketing efforts due to financial constraints. To address this issue, enhancing digital marketing initiatives under Startup India could offer cost-effective solutions with higher returns on ad spend (ROAS). This research, grounded in the Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT), utilized cross-sectional data analyzed through Partial Least Square-Structured Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS software. The study revealed that beliefs, values, reasons for and against adoption, and attitudes influence startups' adoption of digital marketing. The findings of this study aim to provide practical insights for Startup India programs, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to understand better the motivators and barriers to adopting digital marketing technologies.

Malaysia’s ICT sector policymaking: toward a developmental network state

The history of Malaysia’s efforts to develop an internationally competitive information and communication technology (ICT) sector demonstrates how state interventionism has shaped its development trajectory. Early ambitions to ‘leapfrog’ Malaysia’s development by launching a cutting-edge innovation-based ICT sector failed, yet recent dynamism has established an internationally competitive shared services/global business process outsourcing sub-sector, as well as created a thriving eco-system for ICT-based start-up entrepreneurship in industries such as digital platform services and creative content. The renovation of the state’s role exemplifies key features of O’Riain’s model of the developmental network state (DNS) including the decentralization and networking of public agencies implementing industrial policy across the enterprise development life cycle, as well as a fast-follower approach to targeting. Unlike the DNS model, however, in Malaysia an enterprise ecosystem policy approach has not eroded the state’s overall economic leadership by embedding public authority in networks with private business interest group constituencies.

The role of macro institutional factors in determining types of entrepreneurial start-ups: a longitudinal panel study

Purpose What shapes entrepreneurs’ intention to allocate entrepreneurial effort towards different types of entrepreneurial start-ups? Grounded in a “national business systems” approach, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of institutional dimensions on Schumpeterian and Kirznerian entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach Drawing upon a global context comprising 82 countries over the period between 2007 and 2018, this research applies a dynamic panel modelling approach, namely, the dynamic panel generalised method of moments estimator. This estimator allows to account for unobserved country-specific heterogeneity and to address endogeneity constraints that might occur between institutions and entrepreneurship. Findings The findings reveal that there are positive relationships between financial capital and both Schumpeterian and Kirznerian entrepreneurship. Educational capital positively affects the allocation of entrepreneurial efforts towards opportunity-based entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, institutional regulatory conditions could hinder the allocation of entrepreneurs’ resources into a Schumpeterian while facilitating the allocation of resources into a Kirznerian type of venture. Finally, a higher level of corruption promotes innovative entrepreneurial activities (i.e. a Schumpeterian type of venture) and leads to constraints on Kirznerian entrepreneurship. Practical implications The research findings demonstrate the significance of the macro environment for enacting and implementing policies to reap the benefits of different types of start-ups. It suggests different political actions are needed to motivate highly qualified individuals to engage in Schumpeterian and Kirznerian entrepreneurship, rather than focusing purely on enhancing a country’s overall start-up rates. Originality/value By acknowledging the multidimensional nature of entrepreneurship, this research provides greater theoretical exposition and empirical support for the role played by macro-level institutions in determining types of entrepreneurship. It reveals the important role played by macro institutional conditions in influencing choices about different types of start-ups and gives rise to the multidimensional nature of entrepreneurship.

Technology start-ups in tourism and hospitality: A networked social capital theory perspective from early-stage start-up founders

Technology start-up entrepreneurship serves as the backbone of innovations within the tourism and hospitality industry. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research investigating the perspectives of founders who are the original innovators. Via social capital theory, this study aims to explore the entrepreneurial processes of founders during the critical early stages, determining the survival of technology start-ups. The research adopts a qualitative in-depth interviewing approach with seventeen early-stage tourism and hospitality start-up founders in Hong Kong and Thailand. By employing abductive thematic analysis, the study develops a novel conceptualization of the networked social capital, comprising four interconnected themes: team building, fundraising and resource acquisition, collaboration and partnerships, and credibility building. Also, the study highlights the evolving social dynamics among start-up ecosystem actors influenced by cutting-edge technologies. This study contributes to the tourism and hospitality literature and offers practical implications for start-up entrepreneurs, public policymakers, and tourism and hospitality firms.

The lagged effect of university-based entrepreneurship education on employees' retention at entrepreneurial startups

This study explores the lagged effect of university-based entrepreneurship education on employees' retention at entrepreneurial startups in China. Combining insights from social learning theory and the attraction-selection-attrition framework, it is argued that university-based entrepreneurship education can shape individuals' protean career attitudes and behaviors over time in their following career development. To test the hypotheses, we took a two-stage survey on-site and online, respectively, of a sample of employees working in startups in three entrepreneurial incubators in China. Taking hierarchical multiple regression and bootstrapping analyses, the empirical results of the final 274 sample show that entrepreneurship education can significantly improve an employee’s intention to remain at a startup and that this is mediated by protean career attitudes. Meanwhile, socialization tactics can strengthen the mediating effects of protean career attitudes. These findings further verify the lagging effect of entrepreneurship education in colleges and universities, which can provide useful inspiration for entrepreneurship education and the management of employees at startups.

An Investigation into the Role of AI-Based Innovation in Supporting the Next Generation of Startup Entrepreneurs

An Investigation into the Role of AI-Based Innovation in Supporting the Next Generation of Startup Entrepreneurs

Особливості державної підтримки стартап-підприємництва в європейських країнах

The article examines the specifics of state support for startup industries in European countries. The authors analyze the main directions and features of implementing state policies in the field of innovation and startup entrepreneurship development. Existing tools for activating innovative and startup activities applied worldwide were identified. State support for the startup industry includes financial and non-financial assistance, as well as the creation of a favorable business environment. The essence and directions of state support for startups should depend on the stages of the innovation process and the needs of startups at each stage of their life cycle. Therefore, state support tools for startup entrepreneurship need to be differentiated and considered based on the innovation development needs at each stage. European Union countries employ various approaches to state support for innovation. Some countries, such as Spain, France, and Germany, directly support innovation in enterprises by providing financial and non-financial assistance. Others, like Finland, utilize indirect methods to stimulate innovation, such as subsidies and tax incentives. The predictability of state support for innovation is a crucial factor in its effectiveness. The article proposes recommendations for adapting and implementing effective mechanisms and tools to activate innovative and startup activities in Ukraine. Considering the resource constraints faced by Ukraine, particularly during full-scale warfare, the government must prioritize supporting selected startups and projects relevant to the country’s current circumstances. Post-war reconstruction efforts should involve creating a favorable legal and institutional environment to simplify the initiation and management of startup projects. Stimulating collaboration between businesses, research institutions, and universities through the development of innovation and technology spaces, incubators, accelerators, and startup schools is essential to support initiatives from talented youth, providing opportunities for skills enhancement and education for young entrepreneurs.

The Influence of Start Up Entrepreneurs, Store Atmosphere and Service Quality on Green Marketing is Mediated by Consumer Satisfaction

Along with the development of the retail business, currently the retail business is no longer managed in a traditional way, but in a modern way. The rapid development in the business world can be seen from the rapid growth of modern shopping centers. All of this cannot be separated from the advantages offered by each shopping center. This research aims to determine the influence of start-up entrepreneurship, store atmosphere and service quality on green marketing mediated by consumer satisfaction. This type of research is a quantitative approach with a sample size of 132 consumers using purposive sampling techniques and the SEM-PLS analysis method with the SmartPLS Version 3.0 tool. Based on the research results, it is concluded that start-up entrepreneurship, store atmosphere and service quality have a positive and significant effect on green marketing and consumer satisfaction.

The Impact of Influencer Collaborations on Brand Awareness for Start-ups

In today's hyper connected world, start-up companies face significant challenges in establishing their brands and gaining visibility amidst intense competition and limited resources. Influencer marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy for start-ups to amplify their brand awareness and reach target audiences effectively. This research explores the dynamics of influencer collaborations and their impact on brand awareness for start-ups. Through a mixed-methods approach incorporating literature review, case studies, and data analysis, the study examines the role of influencer marketing in addressing brand building challenges, the mechanisms through which influencer collaborations contribute to brand visibility, and the key success factors for effective influencer partnerships. Findings reveal that influencer collaborations significantly amplify brand awareness by leveraging influencers' reach, credibility, and engagement, while authenticity, transparency, and relevance are critical for success. Strategic partnerships, creative collaboration, and measurement and optimization are identified as essential elements for maximizing the impact of influencer marketing initiatives. The study concludes that influencer collaborations offer start-ups a cost-effective and targeted approach to building brand awareness, engaging with consumers, and driving business growth in competitive markets. Practical insights and recommendations are provided for start-up entrepreneurs and marketers looking to leverage influencer marketing effectively in their brand awareness strategies.

Will My Start-up Survive? The Effect of Entrepreneurs’ Manipulative Narcissism and Cultural Factors on Start-ups’ Survival

Start-ups in countries increase people’s well-being and help solve social and environmental issues. However, these firms need to grow and survive to produce these advantages. Entrepreneurs sometimes underestimate the difficulty of creating and running start-ups, even if their personality traits can help or harm them in managing start-ups. This article aims to explore the impact of entrepreneurs’ manipulative narcissism on start-ups’ survival and whether the impact of some cultural factors (i.e., uncertainty avoidance and indulgence) can moderate the relationship between entrepreneurs’ manipulative narcissism and the survival of start-ups. The article analyses 343 start-up entrepreneurs located in Italy, France, China, the United States and Denmark using a stepwise ordinary least squares method. Results show that entrepreneurs’ manipulative narcissism negatively affects start-ups’ survival and that uncertainty avoidance acts as a moderator in the above relationship. The article makes important theoretical contributions to the literature on entrepreneurship and cultural dimensions, highlighting even practical contributions for entrepreneurs and policymakers.

Technology Integration in Predicting Financial Performance: Big Data, Intellectual Capital, and Board Diversity

The relationship between technological integration, diversity on the board, and intellectual capital management and how these factors affect the financial performance of Indonesian start-ups is examined in this study. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach is used in this work to evaluate the intricate interactions among these critical parameters using a diverse sample of 195 start-ups. A thorough knowledge of the dynamics that influence startups' financial success is facilitated by the use of descriptive statistics, measurement model assessment, and structural model analysis. The findings indicate that there are strong positive correlations between financial performance and board diversity, intellectual capital, and technological integration. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved are clarified by mediation effects. The model explains half of the variance in financial performance (R2 = 0.504) and demonstrates strong predictive relevance (Q2 = 0.354). For practitioners, politicians, and investors navigating Indonesia's competitive start-up entrepreneurship scene, the findings provide insightful information.