EXAMINING THE DISTINCT ATTRIBUTES ASSOCIATED WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREER IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is a major factor in the national economy of any country. It is important to analyze the entrepreneurial behavior and their achievements in order to understand why some are more successful than others. Successful entrepreneurs have performed better because of their outstanding personality, self confidence, bearing risk, and managerial competence while unsuccessful entrepreneurs are unable to cope the business challenges. Many scholars have defined an entrepreneur as the “one who seeks to improve the organization through change initiation” (Mintzberg 1973). Entrepreneur is the “one who is motivated by high need for achievement” (McCelland 1971). Many researchers have studied the characteristics associated with entrepreneurial career in order to assess the success and difference between entrepreneurs and non entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study/survey is to highlight the entrepreneurial behavior and characteristics commonly associated with Sri Lankan entrepreneurs. In this regard a survey was conducted through interviews and questionnaires. Effort was taken to identify the individual differences and cultural impact over this concept within the Sri Lankan context. The sample consisted of 50 selected entrepreneurs. Primary and secondary data were used in this study/survey to identify the characteristics and the behavioral patterns of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs. Direct interview method was used to collect information while a questionnaire was administered by the researcher to get other quantifiable information. Reliability index was calculated and alpha value was 0.8.

Keywords: entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial behavior, Entrepreneurship, Personal characteristics

For full Paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk