Perception of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs: institutional celebration or stigmatisation?

Perceptions of entrepreneurship and attitudes towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs are a crucial element of a cultural context, influencing not only the way entrepreneurship is interpreted but also the behaviour of individuals as entrepreneurs, employees, and customers. The main purpose of this qualitative study is to assess and compare students' perceptions of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in three countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE): Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary.1 The authors introduce concepts and theories on the cultural context of entrepreneurship and present brief relevant information about the economic background of the three countries under consideration. The results of the present study indicate that despite many common political, economic, and social forces shaping the situation in Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary, perceptions of entrepreneurship tend to differ across areas. The paper contributes to the understanding of the cultural context of entrepreneurship in CEE countries and demonstrates that the perceptions of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs can be an important, and often overlooked, element of the cultural context of entrepreneurship, shaping the decisions and actions of individuals.