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Emergence of entrepreneurial behaviour: The role of age-based self-image

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  • Kautonen, Teemu
  • Hatak, Isabella
  • Kibler, Ewald
  • Wainwright, Thomas

Abstract

This study introduces an individual’s perception of their entrepreneurial potential in terms of their age (age-based self-image) to complement chronological age as a predictor of entrepreneurial behaviour. The principal hypothesis is that a positive age-based self-image enhances the likelihood of individuals turning their intention to start a business into actual behaviour. The empirical analysis based on data collected on the general adult population of Finland in 2011 and 2012 (n=672) supports this hypothesis. The analysis further shows that this positive effect is independent of the individual’s chronological age, and it is thus applicable to both age groups that are under-represented in entrepreneurship: ‘youngsters’ and ‘seniors’. Promoting the development of a positive age-based self-image is a prospective policy option for fostering entrepreneurship among younger and older age groups. More in-depth research, especially concerning the antecedents of positive age-based self-image, is required for the effectiveness of such policy interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Kautonen, Teemu & Hatak, Isabella & Kibler, Ewald & Wainwright, Thomas, 2015. "Emergence of entrepreneurial behaviour: The role of age-based self-image," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 41-51.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:50:y:2015:i:c:p:41-51
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2015.07.004
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    Cited by:

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    2. Shahid, Pirzada Syed Rizwan, 2023. "Founder's Human Capital and the Entrepreneurial Process Duration," OSF Preprints yf6mg, Center for Open Science.
    3. van der Zwan, Peter & Hessels, Jolanda & Rietveld, Cornelius A., 2018. "Self-employment and satisfaction with life, work, and leisure," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 73-88.
    4. Victor Osadolor & Kalu Emmanuel Agbaeze & Ejikeme Emmanuel Isichei & Samuel Taiwo Olabosinde, 2021. "Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention: The mediating role of the need for independence," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 17(4), pages 91-119.
    5. Păunescu Carmen & Blid Laura, 2017. "Seniorpreneur as a career option for smart active ageing. A study on Romania," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 826-833, July.
    6. Baert, Stijn & Norga, Jennifer & Thuy, Yannick & Van Hecke, Marieke, 2016. "Getting grey hairs in the labour market. An alternative experiment on age discrimination," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 86-101.
    7. Gaofeng Yi, 2021. "From green entrepreneurial intentions to green entrepreneurial behaviors: the role of university entrepreneurial support and external institutional support," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 963-979, June.
    8. Meoli, Azzurra & Fini, Riccardo & Sobrero, Maurizio & Wiklund, Johan, 2020. "How entrepreneurial intentions influence entrepreneurial career choices: The moderating influence of social context," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(3).
    9. Mangirdas Morkunas, 2022. "Measuring the Level of the Youth Informal Economy in Lithuania in 2004–2020," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-13, November.
    10. Murmann, Martin & Salmivaara, Virva & Kibler, Ewald, 2023. "How does late-career entrepreneurship relate to innovation?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(6).
    11. Mikaela Backman & Johannes Hagen & Orsa Kekezi & Lucia Naldi & Tina Wallin, 2023. "In the Eye of the Storm: Entrepreneurs and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Crisis," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(3), pages 751-787, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Age; Self-image; Entrepreneurship; Inclusiveness; Entrepreneurial intentions; Occupational choice;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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