Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal (Print ISSN: 1087-9595; Online ISSN: 1528-2686)

Abstract

Demographical Variables and Entrepreneurial Disposition A Narrative Overview of Literature

Author(s): Thobekani Lose and Francis Kwahene

Significant scholarship on the criticality of entrepreneurship to economic development exists. Policy makers have also accepted existing entrepreneurship and economic development theories in efforts to drive economic development reduce poverty, unemployment and increase wealth levels of the populations. In view of this, researches on the qualities and related predictors or antecedents that are related to the inclination of individuals to engage in entrepreneurial activities have been considered. The present study sought to pull together research studies on the demographical variables that affect entrepreneurial disposition. A narrative overview of literature anchored the study. The study found that most sections of the literature on predictors of entrepreneurial disposition have focused on personal attitudes, personality traits and qualities that increase the likelihood of an individual to engage in entrepreneurship. Gender has been the most prominent demographical variable that has received scholarship and it has been established that males seem to be more predisposed to engage in entrepreneurship than females, even though female entrepreneurship is on the rise. Studies on age have suggested that entrepreneurial predisposition seems to ascend among the younger age groups to a peak around middle age before it starts to decline. It appears that consideration of other demographical variables such as marital status, race and place of origin have not been adequately explored.

Get the App