IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wsi/jdexxx/v16y2011i01ns1084946711001707.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Entrepreneurship As A Career Option For African Youths

Author

Listed:
  • BEEM H. BEEKA

    (Centre for Individual and Organizational Management, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield, S1 1WB, UK)

  • MIKE RIMMINGTON

    (Centre for International Hospitality Management Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield, S1 1WB, UK)

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a pilot study of four African entrepreneurs new to established, all who started their business as young people. Their narratives, enhanced by the inclusion of significant events derived by the use of the critical incident technique, provide useful oral insights into their entrepreneurial heuristics and behavior. These reveal key influences and critical issues that affect the young African's decision to start a business and also perspectives into the nature of entrepreneurship in Africa. This paper concludes that the dichotomy between push and pull entrepreneurship is oversimplified, and social structures such as class, education and family background impact on ideas, opportunities, resources, skills and motivation. But most importantly, entrepreneurship can survive in an environment with many constraints, because career choices are influenced by the youth entrepreneur's perception, decision-making abilities and experiences. Implications are drawn for the development of young entrepreneurs in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Beem H. Beeka & Mike Rimmington, 2011. "Entrepreneurship As A Career Option For African Youths," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(01), pages 145-164.
  • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jdexxx:v:16:y:2011:i:01:n:s1084946711001707
    DOI: 10.1142/S1084946711001707
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S1084946711001707
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1142/S1084946711001707?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jolanda Hessels & Kashifa Suddle, 2007. "Ambitious Nascent Entrepreneurs and National Innovativeness," Scales Research Reports H200702, EIM Business and Policy Research.
    2. repec:ilo:ilowps:378652 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Kashifa Suddle & Sjoerd Beugelsdijk & Sander Wennekers, 2010. "Entrepreneurial Culture and its Effect on the Rate of Nascent Entrepreneurship," Springer Books, in: Andreas Freytag & Roy Thurik (ed.), Entrepreneurship and Culture, chapter 0, pages 227-244, Springer.
    4. Chigunta, F. J. & Schnurr, Jamie. & James-Wilson, David. & Torres, Veronica., 2005. "Being "real" about youth entrepreneurship in Eastern and Southern Africa : implications for adults, institutions and sector structures," ILO Working Papers 993786523402676, International Labour Organization.
    5. Elkan, Walter, 1988. "Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship in Africa," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank Group, vol. 3(2), pages 171-188, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), 2017. "Conference Proceedings 2016," Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa Conference Proceedings, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference, volume 5, number 05, October.
    2. Kajenthiran. K & Achchuthan. S & Ajanthan. A, 2017. "A Quest for Seeking Microcredit among Youth: Evidence from an Emerging Nation in South Asian Region," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 7(2), pages 1-8.
    3. Hilson, Gavin & Hilson, Abigail & Maconachie, Roy, 2018. "Opportunity or necessity? Conceptualizing entrepreneurship at African small-scale mines," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 286-302.
    4. Afriyie, Nina & Boohene, Rosemond, 2017. "Do the approaches to entrepreneurship education matter in start-up intentions?," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 85-104, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    5. Ambrock, Marc & Lawal, Kingsley, 2017. "Intercultural challenges: University – Business Partnerships," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 79-84, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    6. Cuong Nguyen, 2018. "Demographic factors, family background and prior self-employment on entrepreneurial intention - Vietnamese business students are different: why?," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 8(1), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Darden, Bryan B. & Kellermanns, Franz W. & Best, Emma L., 2022. "Entrepreneurial fear of failure: Transgender versus cis-gender entrepreneurs," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    8. Munyoki, Justus M. & Ndemo, Bitange, 2017. "Entrepreneurial Education, youth employability and economic development in Kenya," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 122-145, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    9. Girukwishaka, Gilbert, 2017. "Constraints analysis of start-up business in Burundi," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 105-117, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    10. Rosemond Boohene & Gloria Agyapong, 2017. "Examining activities in the E-waste Sector: Evidence from Two Metropolis in Ghana," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 50-65, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    11. Sylvester N. Ayambila, 2017. "Determinants of Non-Farm Micro and Small Enterprise Participation in Rural Ghana," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 25-49, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    12. Brautlacht, Regina & Agyapong, Daniel & Owino, Joseph & Rauhut, Nils, 2017. "Managing Intercultural Practice Oriented Student’s Projects: Evidence from Kenya, Germany, Ghana and the United States," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 118-121, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    13. Ioana-Simona Ivasciuc & Ana Ispas, 2023. "Exploring the Motivations, Abilities and Opportunities of Young Entrepreneurs to Engage in Sustainable Tourism Business in the Mountain Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, January.
    14. Gabriel, Cle-Anne, 2016. "What is challenging renewable energy entrepreneurs in developing countries?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 362-371.
    15. Christoph Schmidt, 2017. "Viability of alternative online news media in developing and transition countries," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 66-78, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.
    16. Chatterjee, Sheshadri & Chaudhuri, Ranjan & Vrontis, Demetris & Thrassou, Alkis, 2022. "SME entrepreneurship and digitalization – the potentialities and moderating role of demographic factors," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    17. Selomie Daniel & Elmar Steurer & Bernard Wagemann, 2017. "Productive use of renewable energy supporting applied entrepreneurship – Lessons learned from a development project in rural Ethiopia," Proceedings Paper, in: Bode, Jürgen & Freitag, Christine (ed.), Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2016, volume 5, pages 7-24, Universities Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa International Conference.

    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. Michael Adusei, 2016. "Does Entrepreneurship Promote Economic Growth in Africa?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 28(2), pages 201-214, June.
    2. Francesco Quatraro & Marco Vivarelli, 2015. "Drivers of Entrepreneurship and Post-entry Performance of Newborn Firms in Developing Countries," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank Group, vol. 30(2), pages 277-305.
    3. Abdallah Alsaad, 2018. "The Individualistic View Of Culture And The Nascent Entrepreneurship: An Examination Of Schwartz’S Cultural Values," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 23(04), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Brixiová, Zuzana & Ncube, Mthuli & Bicaba, Zorobabel, 2015. "Skills and Youth Entrepreneurship in Africa: Analysis with Evidence from Swaziland," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 11-26.
    5. David McKenzie, 2017. "Identifying and Spurring High-Growth Entrepreneurship: Experimental Evidence from a Business Plan Competition," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(8), pages 2278-2307, August.
    6. Wood, Matthew S. & Bradley, Steven W. & Artz, Kendall, 2015. "Roots, reasons, and resources: Situated optimism and firm growth in subsistence economies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 127-136.
    7. Pradhan, Jaya Prakash & Husain, Tareef, 2021. "Drivers of SME Formation in Indian States: The Empirics," MPRA Paper 25061, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Alvina Sabah Idrees & Saima Sarwar, 2021. "State effectiveness, property rights and entrepreneurial behaviour as determinants of National Innovation," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(3), pages 392-423, September.
    9. Thai, Mai Thi Thanh & Turkina, Ekaterina, 2014. "Macro-level determinants of formal entrepreneurship versus informal entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 490-510.
    10. Muendler, Marc-Andreas & Rauch, James E. & Tocoian, Oana, 2012. "Employee spinoffs and other entrants: Stylized facts from Brazil," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 447-458.
    11. Iga Rudawska, 2020. "What Drives Youth to Become Entrepreneurs? An Empirical Examination," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 1), pages 614-627.
    12. Bhat, Shabir A & Khan, Riyaz A, 2014. "Government Policy Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship Development in MSEs Sector," MPRA Paper 54540, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Yaron Zelekha & Gil Avnimelech & Eyal Sharabi, 2014. "Religious institutions and entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 747-767, April.
    14. Hilson, Gavin & Hilson, Abigail & Maconachie, Roy, 2018. "Opportunity or necessity? Conceptualizing entrepreneurship at African small-scale mines," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 286-302.
    15. Srivisal, Narapong & Sanoran, Kanyarat Lek & Bukkavesa, Kanix, 2021. "National culture and saving: How collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, and future orientation play roles," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    16. Mamman, Aminu & Bawole, Justice & Agbebi, Motolani & Alhassan, Abdul-Razak, 2019. "SME policy formulation and implementation in Africa: Unpacking assumptions as opportunity for research direction," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 304-315.
    17. Joan DeJaeghere & Aryn Baxter, 2014. "Entrepreneurship education for youth in sub-Saharan Africa: A capabilities approach as an alternative framework to neoliberalism’s individualizing risks," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 14(1), pages 61-76, January.
    18. Joseph Ofori-Dankwa & Scott D. Julian, 2013. "Dynamism, Capital Structure, and Performance in a Sub-Saharan Economy: Extending the Institutional Difference Hypothesis," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(5), pages 1422-1438, October.
    19. Marco Vivarelli, 2013. "Is entrepreneurship necessarily good? Microeconomic evidence from developed and developing countries," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press, vol. 22(6), pages 1453-1495, December.
    20. John Bosco Nnyanzi & Bruno L. Yawe & John Ddumba-Ssentamu, 2019. "Entrepreneurship and Economic Performance in Africa: A Sectoral Analysis with Focus on the Role of Finance, Institutions and Globalization," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(1), pages 37-55, January.

    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:wsi:jdexxx:v:16:y:2011:i:01:n:s1084946711001707. 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: Tai Tone Lim (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.worldscinet.com/jde/jde.shtml .

    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.