Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Growth Aspirations and Cultural Support for Entrepreneurship: A Comparison of Post-Socialist Countries

  • Published:
Small Business Economics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on GEM data this paper explores whether significantly different growth aspirations of early stage entrepreneurs in Slovenia, compared to those in Hungary and Croatia, are also accompanied by significantly different opportunity recognition, cultural support for entrepreneurship and self-efficacy. Our results suggest that a higher degree of alertness to unexploited perceived opportunities, and cultural support for entrepreneurial motivation may be the cause of higher growth aspirations of Slovenian early stage entrepreneurs, while self-efficacy with regard to entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and experience was not found to be crucial.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acs, Z. J., P. Arenius, M. Hay and M. Minniti, 2005, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2004 Executive Report, Babson College and London Business School

  • Ardichvilli A., Cardozo R., Ray S., 2003, ‘A Theory of Entrepreneurial Identification and Development,’ Journal of Business Venturing 18, 105–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arenius P., De Clercq D., 2005, ‘A Network-based Approach on Opportunity Recognition,’ Small Business Economics, 24, 249–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arenius P. and Minniti M., 2005, ‘Perceptual Variables and Nascent Entrepreneurship,’ Small Business Economics, 24, 233–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arenius P., Erkko A. and Kovalainen A., 2004, Finland GEM Executive Summary 2003, Helsinki University of Technology, Esopoo, Finland

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura A., 1997, ‘Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Self-Control,’ Freeman, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron R., 2004, ‘The Cognitive Perspective: A Valuable Tool for Answering Entrepreneurship’s Basic “Why” Questions’, Journal of Business Venturing, 19, 221–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron R., 2000, ‘Psychological Perspectives on Entrepreneurship: Cognitive and Social Factors in Entrepreneurs’ Success,’ Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9:15–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barringer B. R., Jones F. F., Neubaum D. O. 2005, ‘A Quantitative Content Analysis of the Characteristics of Rapid-Growth Firms and Their Founders,’ Journal of Business Venturing, 20, 5, 663–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baum J. R. and Locke E. A. 2004, ‘The Relationship of Entrepreneurial Traits, Skill, and Motivation to Subsequent Venture Growth,’ Journal of Applied Psychology, 89, 4, 587–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baum J. R., Locke E. A. and Smith K. G. 2001, ‘A Multi-Dimensional Model of Venture Growth,’ Academy of Management Journal, 44, 2, 292–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T. E. and B. A. Kirschoff, 1997, ‘The Effects of Resource Availability and Entrepreneurial Orientation on Firm Growth’, Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research, 32–46

  • Carter N., Gartner W. B. and Reynolds P. 1997, ‘Exploring Start-up Event Sequences,’ Journal of Business Venturing, 11, 151–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casson M. 1982, The Entrepreneur: An Economic Theory, Martin Robertson, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Casson M. 2005, ‘Entrepreneurship and The Theory of the Firm,’ Journal of Economic Behaviour & Organization, 58, 327–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman J. S. 1990, Foundations of Social Theory, Harvard Business Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Colombo M. G. and Grilli L. 2005, ‘Founders’ Human Capital and the Growth of New Technology-based Firms: A Competence-based View’, Research policy, 34, 6, 795–816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covin, J. G. and D. P. Slevin, 1997, ‘High Growth Transitions: Theoretical Perspectives and Suggested Directions,’. in D. L. Sexton, and E. W. Smilor (eds.), Entrepreneurship 2000, Chicago:Upstart, pp. 99–126

  • Davidsson, P. and J. Wiklund, 1999, ‘Theoretical and Methodological Issues in the Study of Firm Growth,’ JIBS – Jonkoping International Business School Working Paper Series 1999–6, Sweden. http://www.ihh.hj.se/eng/research/publications/wp/jibs_workingpaper1999.htm

  • Davidsson P. 1991, ‘Continued Entrepreneurship: Ability, Need and Opportunity as Determinants of Small Firm Growth,’ Journal of Business Venturing 6, 405–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidsson, P. 2003, ‘The Domain of Entrepreneurship Research: Some Suggestions’, in Jerome A. Katz and Dean Shepherd (eds.), Cognitive Approaches to Entrepreneurship Research, Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence and Growth, 6, 315–372, Oxford: Elsevier/JAI Press

  • Delmar, F. and P. Davidsson, 1999, ‘Firm Size Expectations of Nascent Entrepreneurs’, JIBS – Jonkoping International Business School Working Paper Series 1999–7, Sweden

  • Eckhardt, J. and S. Shane, 2003, ‘The Individual-opportunity Nexus’, in Zoltan J. Acs and David B. Audretsch (eds.), Handbook of Entrepreneurship Research, Dordrecht, NL: Kluwer

  • Giannetti M., Simonov A. 2005, ‘Social Interactions and Entrepreneurial Activity,’ Paper Presented at the Conference on Economics and Psychology Toulouse, France

    Google Scholar 

  • Gundry, L. K. and H. Welsch, 2001, ‘The Ambitious Entrepreneur: High Growth Strategies of Women-owned Enterprises’, Journal of Business Venturing, 16, 453–470, New York: Elsevier Science Inc

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G., N. G. Noorderhaven, A. R. Thurik, L. M. Uhlaner, A. R. M. Wennekers and R. E. Wildeman, 2004, ‘Culture’s Role in Entrepreneurship: Self-Employment Out of Dissatisfaction’, in T. E. Brown and J. Ulijn (eds.), Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Culture, Cheltenham, UK: Elgar

  • Kahneman, D. and A. Tversky, 1979, ‘Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk’, Econometrica, 47(2), 263–292

  • Kirzner I. 1997, ‘Entrepreneurial discovery and the competitive market process: An Austrian Approach’, Journal of Economic Literature, 35, 60–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirzner I. M. 1973, Competition and Entrepreneurship University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirzner I. M. 1979, Perception, Opportunity and Profit University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolvereid L. 1992, ‘Growth Aspirations among Norwegian Entrepreneurs’, Journal of Business Venturing, 5, 209–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuusela, V. and M. Simpanen, 2002, Effects of Mobile Phones on Phone Survey Practices and Results, paper presented at the ICIS Conference, Copenhagen

  • Leibenstein H. 1968, ‘Entrepreneurship and Development’, American Economic Review, Papers and Proceedings, 58 (May), 72 – 83

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao J., and Welsch H., 2003, ‘Social Capital and Entrepreneurial Growth Aspiration: A Comparison of Technology- and Non-technology-based Nascent Entrepreneurs’, Journal of High Technology Management Research, 14, 149–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lumpkin, G., G. Hills and R. Shrader, 2004, ‘Opportunity Recognition’, in H. Welsch (ed.), Entrepreneurship: The Way Ahead, New York: Routledge, pp. 73–90

  • Lynn R., 1992, ‘The Secret of the Miracle Economy; Different National Attitudes to Competitiveness and Money,’ Journal of Economic Psychology 13, 2, 370–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penrose E. T. 1959, Theory of the Growth of the Firm, Wiley, New York, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Rebernik M. 1997, ‘Beyond Markets, Hierarchies and Ownership Mania in Transitional Countries,’ Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley, 14, 193–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Rebernik, M., P. Tominc and K. Pušnik, 2005a, GEM Slovenia 2004: Podjetništvo na prehodu, IPMMP, Faculty of Economics and Business, Maribor

  • Rebernik, M., P. Tominc, M. Duh, T. Krošlin and G. Radonjič, 2005, Slovenski podjetniški observatorij 2004 (Slovenian Entrepreneurship Observatory 2004), IPMMP, Faculty of Economics and Business, Maribor

  • Reynolds, P., B. Bygrave and E. Autio, 2003, GEM 2003 Executive Report, Babson College, London Business School, E. M. Kauffman Foundation

  • Reynolds P., Bosma N., Autio E., Hunt S., De Bono N., Servais I., Lopez-Garcia P. and Chin N. 2005, ‘Global Entrepreneurship Monitor: Data Collection Design and Implementation 1998–2003’, Small Business Economics, 24, (3), 205–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarasvathy S. 2004, ‘The Questions We Ask and The Questions We Care About: Reformulating Some Problems in Entrepreneurship Research’, Journal of Business Venturing, 19, 707–717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schildt, H. and A. Sillanpaa 2004, ‘The Field of Entrepreneurship: A Bibliometric Assessment’, Working paper No. 2004/1, Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo

  • Schott, T. and T. Bager, 2004, ‘Growth Expectations by Entrepreneurs in Nascent Firms, Baby Businesses and Mature Firms’, in M. Hancock and T. Bager (eds.), Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Denmark 2003, Denmark: Borsens Forlag

  • Schumpeter J. A., 1934, ‘The Theory of Economic Development,’ Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Shane S. and Venkataraman S. 2000, ‘The Promise of Entrepreneurship as a Field of Research,’ Academy of Management Review, 25(1), 217–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shane S. 2000, ‘Prior Knowledge and the Discovery of Entrepreneurial Opportunities,’ Organization Science, 11(4), 448–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shane S. 2003, A General Theory of Entrepreneurship, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  • Shane S., Locke E. A., Collins C. J. 2003, ‘Entrepreneurial Motivation,’ Human Resource Management Review, 13, (2), 257–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaver K. G. and Scott L. R. 1991, ‘Person, Process, Choice: The Psychology of New Venture Creation,’ Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 16(2), 23–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Slovenian Public Opinion 1999–2004 (Slovensko javno mnenje 1999–2004), 2004, Tos N., (ed.), Ljubljana, Slovenia: FDV

  • Storey D. 1994, Understanding the Small Business Sector Routledge, London, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulhoi J. 2005, ‘Social Dimension of Entrepreneurship’, Technovation 25, 939–946

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vehovar V., Belak E., Z. Batagelj, and Cikic S. 2004, ‘Mobile Phones Surveys: The Slovenian Case Study’, Metodološki zvezki, 1(1), 1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkataraman, S. 1997, ‘The Distinctive Domain of Entrepreneurship Research’, in Katz, J. (ed.) Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence and Growth, vol. 3, Greenwich: JAI Press, pp. 119–138

  • Verheul, I., S. Wennekers, D. Audretsch and R. Turik, 2002, ‘An Eclectic Theory of Entrepreneurship’, in D. B. Audretsch, A. R. Thurik, I. Verheul and A. R. M. Wennekers (eds.), Entrepreneurship, Determinants and Policy in a European–US Comparison, Boston/Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers

  • Weber, M. 1904, ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, translated by T. Parsons, New York, Scribner, 1929

  • Wennekers S. and Thurik R. 1999, ‘Linking Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth,’ Small Business Economics, Springer, 13(1), 27–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wennekers S., Uhlaner L. and Thurik R. 2002, ‘Entrepreneurship and Its Conditions: A Macro Perspective,’ International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 1(1), 1–40

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

    Polona Tominc & Miroslav Rebernik

Authors
  1. Polona Tominc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Miroslav Rebernik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Polona Tominc.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tominc, P., Rebernik, M. Growth Aspirations and Cultural Support for Entrepreneurship: A Comparison of Post-Socialist Countries. Small Bus Econ 28, 239–255 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-006-9018-x

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-006-9018-x

Keywords

Jel Classifications

Search

Navigation