Index and Abstracts
Volume 9, Number 3
December 2004

Refereed Articles

Our Entrepreneurial Future: Examining the Diverse Attitudes and Motivations of Teens Across Gender and Ethnic Identity Fiona Wilson, Deborah Marlino and Jill Kickul

Gender Gaps in Potential for Entrepreneurship Across Countries and Cultures Stephen L. Mueller

Clusters and Entrepreneurship: Implications for Innovation in a Developing Economy
Jamshed H. Khan and Jawaid A. Ghani

Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy: The Case of Small Australian Firms
Michael T. Schaper and Lawson K. Savery

Organizational Culture and Patterns of Information Processing: The Case of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Michael Stoica, Jianwen Liao, and Harold Welch

Our Entrepreneurial Future: Examining the Diverse Attitudes and Motivations of Teens Across Gender and Ethnic Identity

Fiona Wilson, Deborah Marlino and Jill Kickul

Abstract

An analysis was undertaken of the career motivators and perceived leadership skills of 1971 teens reporting high levels of interest in becoming entrepreneurs. Data were drawn from a national study of the career interests of adolescents. Results indicate significant variations across both gender and self-reported race/ethnicity. Overall, interest in entrepreneurship as a career was lower among girls than boys. When analyzed by race/ethnicity, it was found that both African-American and Hispanic girls were more likely to be interested in entrepreneurship than White/Caucasian girls. In addition, girls interested in entrepreneurship were more likely to be motivated in their career choices by social and relational factors, whereas boys interested in entrepreneurship were more motivated by autonomy. Financial gain was a strong motivator for boys in general, and for girls of color. When self-perceptions of leadership skills were examined, it was found that in general, girls rated themselves higher then did boys, with the exception of perceived ability to manage money. The importance of recognizing these different motivations and skills in designing effective educational and outreach programs for future entrepreneurs is discussed.

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Gender Gaps in Potential for Entrepreneurship across Countries and Cultures

Stephen L. Mueller

Abstract

Differences between men and women with respect to traits associated with the potential for undertaking entrepreneurial activities were measured to determine whether gender “gaps” in these traits vary across countries and cultures. In this seventeen-country study, the male-female gap in internal locus of control orientation was found to be negatively correlated with Hofstede's masculinity dimension of culture. The gender gap in risk-taking propensity was positively correlated with the individualism dimension of culture and negatively correlated with the uncertainty avoidance dimension of culture. Gender gaps in entrepreneurial traits were greatest among advanced economies and least among the less developed economies.

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Clusters and Entrepreneurship: Implications for Innovation in a Developing Economy

Jamshed H. Khan and Jawaid A. Ghani

Abstract

This paper presents a framework for examining technological innovation and entrepreneurship in clusters. Specialized suppliers in the cluster share the risks of failure associated with new technologies. New technologies rapidly diffuse throughout the cluster, encouraged by close proximity, trust, rivalry, and extensive outsourcing arrangements. The framework is illustrated through a case study of the Faisalabad textile cluster, as they upgraded their weaving technology from power looms to shuttle-less looms. Small firms were able to thrive by outsourcing upstream and downstream processes to efficient specialized suppliers. Specialized maintenance contractors helped reduce the risk of adopting the new technology by providing guaranteed 24-hour maintenance support. They also played a key role in diffusing the technology throughout the cluster. Government policy seemed to play a minimal role in this particular technological innovation.

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Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy: The Case of Small Australian Firms

Michael T. Schaper and Lawson K. Savery

Abstract

Little is currently known about the nature of philanthropic activities engaged in by microbusinesses. Only limited knowledge exists about the type of charitable contribution made, the causes for which such gifts are made, and what firm characteristics (if any) can be reliably used to predict the likelihood of an organisation’s philanthropic activity. A study of 95 Western Australian microbusinesses revealed that most respondents did not contribute to any charitable causes. Of the minority that did provide some support, their clear preference was via a financial contribution rather than “hands-on” involvement. The most popular destinations for financial contributions were to environmental, health, religious, and sporting causes; cultural and educational bodies received much lower contributions. Testing of firm and owner demographics revealed few statistically meaningful associations which might be used to predict a firm’s inclination for charitable giving. Only education levels of the owner/manager were positively associated with giving propensity.

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Organizational Culture and Patterns of Information Processing: The Case of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Michael Stoica, Jianwen Liao, and Harold Welch

Abstract

Organizational culture represents the best available "lubricant" that permits small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to function smoothly and effectively. Information and the way it is collected, processed and used by the business is more and more critical decisive in an ever-changing environment. This might be especially the case in small and medium-sized firms. Information search and processing represents important determinants of performance and signifies critical key success factors for SMEs in their growing process. This study examines four cultural categories: clan, adhocracy, hierarchy and market-driven and their impact on patterns of information processing of SMEs. From a random sample of SMEs, Results from a random sample of 242 SMEs indicate that culture has a significant impact on various dimensions of information processing such as information search scope, formality, flexibility as well as organizational responsiveness. The study highlights the importance of maintaining appropriate organizational culture and matching it with the external environment.

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