On the motivational drivers of gray entrepreneurship: An exploratory study

Against the background of demographic change, gray entrepreneurship has become more prevalent. When gray entrepreneurs chose to leave paid employment to become self-employed, it is of concern for companies who may lose highly capable older employees. One of the reasons for this can be a failure to understand the motives of those older employees who are likely to become self-employed. Another is the fact that gray entrepreneurs proactively utilize entrepreneurial action and technology to improve our multigenerational society. Thus older people provide more to society than just being passive receptors of technology based innovations to improve their lot. If this is true then there is a missing link in our understanding of technology utility and the aging society.