IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i9p5202-d549802.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Are There Differences and Complementarities between Senior and Young Entrepreneurs? An Intergenerational Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Adriana Perez-Encinas

    (Department of Business Organisation, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • Yolanda Bueno

    (Department of Business Organisation, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • Begoña Santos

    (Department of Business Organisation, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

  • Camila Nieto-Mejia

    (Department of Business Organisation, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Social exclusion related to the unemployment of vulnerable population groups constitutes a crucial limitation to achieving a sustainable world. In particular, young and senior populations have specific characteristics that put them at risk of exclusion from the labor market. This circumstance has motivated an attempt to foster cooperation between these age groups to enable them to develop entrepreneurial initiatives that will contribute to close this social vulnerability gap. We approach this topic by focusing on intergenerational entrepreneurship, understood as entrepreneuring projects jointly undertaken by seniors and young adults. The objective of this study was to identify the differences and complementarities between senior and young entrepreneurs with a view to enabling them to develop viable intergenerational entrepreneurial projects, with special emphasis in the motivational push, pull, and blocking factors that affect them. This kind of entrepreneurial initiative fosters knowledge transfer and experience between age groups, promotes job creation and social inclusion, improves a sense of belonging, and, thus, contributes to the construction of a stronger society serving as an engine for sustainable development. Therefore, intergenerational entrepreneurship can be considered a form of social innovation. A mixed-methods approach was utilized in this study, using quantitative data from a questionnaire as a starting point for the characterization and identification of senior and young entrepreneurial profiles, and qualitative data from focus groups, which enabled us to identify complementarities among generations. The results show that there are significant differences between youths and seniors in terms of the motivations and factors that push, pull, or block the decision to form an intergenerational entrepreneurial partnership. These differences can be interpreted as complementarities that can boost intergenerational cooperation to promote social inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Perez-Encinas & Yolanda Bueno & Begoña Santos & Camila Nieto-Mejia, 2021. "Are There Differences and Complementarities between Senior and Young Entrepreneurs? An Intergenerational Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5202-:d:549802
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/9/5202/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/9/5202/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David B. Audretsch (ed.), 2003. "SMEs in the Age of Globalization," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2568.
    2. John O. Ogbor, 2000. "Mythicizing and Reification in Entrepreneurial Discourse: Ideology‐Critique of Entrepreneurial Studies," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(5), pages 605-635, July.
    3. Mikaela Backman & Charlie Karlsson & Orsa Kekezi (ed.), 2019. "Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurship and Aging," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 18166.
    4. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    5. repec:taf:entreg:v:24:y:2012:i:5-6:p:425-456 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Coduras, Alicia & Clemente, José Antonio & Ruiz, Jesús, 2016. "A novel application of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to GEM data," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(4), pages 1265-1270.
    7. Naudé, Wim, 2012. "Entrepreneurship and economic development: Theory, evidence and policy," MERIT Working Papers 2012-027, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    8. Ajit Bhalla & Frédéric Lapeyre, 1997. "Social Exclusion: Towards an Analytical and Operational Framework," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 28(3), pages 413-433, July.
    9. Kautonen, Teemu & Kibler, Ewald & Minniti, Maria, 2017. "Late-career entrepreneurship, income and quality of life," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 318-333.
    10. Arash Najmaei, 2016. "Using Mixed-Methods Designs to Capture the Essence of Complexity in the Entrepreneurship Research: An Introductory Essay and a Research Agenda," FGF Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship, in: Elisabeth S.C. Berger & Andreas Kuckertz (ed.), Complexity in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Research, edition 1, pages 13-36, Springer.
    11. Gaylen N. Chandler & Douglas W. Lyon, 2001. "Issues of Research Design and Construct Measurement in Entrepreneurship Research: The past Decade," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 25(4), pages 101-113, July.
    12. David B. Audretsch & Roy Thurik, 2001. "Linking Entrepreneurship to Growth," OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers 2001/2, OECD Publishing.
    13. Domingo Ribeiro-Soriano, 2017. "Small business and entrepreneurship: their role in economic and social development," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(1-2), pages 1-3, January.
    14. Devi R. Gnyawali & Daniel S. Fogel, 1994. "Environments for Entrepreneurship Development: Key Dimensions and Research Implications," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 18(4), pages 43-62, July.
    15. Velilla, Jorge & Molina, José Alberto & Ortega, Raquel, 2018. "Why older workers become entrepreneurs? International evidence using fuzzy set methods," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 12(C), pages 88-95.
    16. Jing Chen, 2013. "Selection and Serial Entrepreneurs," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(2), pages 281-311, June.
    17. Elizabeth J. Gatewood & Kelly G. Shaver & Joshua B. Powers & William B. Gartner, 2002. "Entrepreneurial Expectancy, Task Effort, and Performance," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(2), pages 187-206, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Velilla, Jorge & Molina, José Alberto & Ortega, Raquel, 2020. "Entrepreneurship among Low-, Mid- and High-Income Workers in South America: A Fuzzy-Set Analysis," IZA Discussion Papers 13209, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Arezou Abbasianchavari & Alexandra Moritz, 2021. "The impact of role models on entrepreneurial intentions and behavior: a review of the literature," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(1), pages 1-40, February.
    3. Adriana Perez-Encinas & Isidro de Pablo & Yolanda Bueno & Begoña Santos, 2021. "Intergenerational Entrepreneurship to Foster Sustainable Development: A Methodological Training Proposal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Massimiliano M. Pellegrini & Riccardo Rialti & Giacomo Marzi & Andrea Caputo, 2020. "Sport entrepreneurship: A synthesis of existing literature and future perspectives," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 795-826, September.
    5. Diana Escandon-Barbosa & David Urbano-Pulido & Andrea Hurtado-Ayala, 2019. "Exploring the Relationship between Formal and Informal Institutions, Social Capital, and Entrepreneurial Activity in Developing and Developed Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, January.
    6. Jaeyeob Jeong & Myeonggil Choi, 2017. "The Expected Job Satisfaction Affecting Entrepreneurial Intention as Career Choice in the Cultural and Artistic Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-16, September.
    7. Verheul, Ingrid & Thurik, Roy & Grilo, Isabel & van der Zwan, Peter, 2012. "Explaining preferences and actual involvement in self-employment: Gender and the entrepreneurial personality," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 325-341.
    8. Hong Joo Lee, 2019. "What Factors Are Necessary for Sustaining Entrepreneurship?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-20, May.
    9. Robert A. Baron & Thomas B. Ward, 2004. "Expanding Entrepreneurial Cognition's Toolbox: Potential Contributions from the Field of Cognitive Science," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 28(6), pages 553-573, November.
    10. Christian Linder & Michael Nippa, 2019. "Jumping in at the deep end! The role of motivational forces in starting a new venture," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1363-1391, December.
    11. Saeed Saadat & Muffatto Moreno & Yousafzai Shumaila, 2014. "A Multi-level Study of Entrepreneurship Education among Pakistani University Students," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 4(3), pages 1-25, July.
    12. Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de Moraes & Edson Sadao Iizuka & Matheus Pedro, 2018. "Effects of Entrepreneurial Characteristics and University Environment on Entrepreneurial Intention," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 22(2), pages 226-248.
    13. Daniel V. Holland & Dean A. Shepherd, 2013. "Deciding to Persist: Adversity, Values, and Entrepreneurs’ Decision Policies," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 37(2), pages 331-358, March.
    14. Jafari-Sadeghi, Vahid & Sukumar, Arun & Pagán-Castaño, Esther & Dana, Léo-Paul, 2021. "What drives women towards domestic vs international business venturing? An empirical analysis in emerging markets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 647-660.
    15. Mmakgabo Justice Malebana, 2014. "Entrepreneurial Intentions and Entrepreneurial Motivation of South African Rural University Students," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 6(9), pages 709-726.
    16. Joao Leitao & Frank Lasch & Roy Thurik, 2011. "Globalisation, entrepreneurship and regional environment," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 12(2), pages 129-138.
    17. Robert A. Blackburn & David Smallbone, 2008. "Researching Small Firms and Entrepreneurship in the U.K.: Developments and Distinctiveness," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 32(2), pages 267-288, March.
    18. Kathrin Bischoff, 2021. "A study on the perceived strength of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems on the dimensions of stakeholder theory and culture," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1121-1140, February.
    19. Dominic S.K. Lim & Eric A. Morse & Ronald K. Mitchell & Kristie K. Seawright, 2010. "Institutional Environment and Entrepreneurial Cognitions: A Comparative Business Systems Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 34(3), pages 491-516, May.
    20. Maija Renko & K. Kroeck & Amanda Bullough, 2012. "Expectancy theory and nascent entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 667-684, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5202-:d:549802. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.