Growth intentions of individual microentrepreneurs: Proposal of measurement

Abstract

Purpose: This research aims to validate two scales to measure growth intentions and respective inhibiting factors for individual microentrepreneurs (MEI). Originality/value: The study proposes scales to measure the growth intentions of MEI. It brings an instrument to analyze growth intentions and barriers to growth in a specific context that has not yet been explored. Design/methodology/approach: Two scales were constructed following Hair et al. (2019). They were validated with 134 MEI. Then, exploratory factor and reliability analyses were performed. Findings: The scales were validated and characterized as a multidimensional growth intentions scale consisting of the following dimensions: personal interest, social status, and family background. The growth intentions inhibiting factors scale is composed of the items: personal interest, market assessment, and financial resources. Both scales can be used in education programs and policies for MEI training. Further studies may explore the longitudinal character of growth intentions and focus on measuring growth intentions in segments of high growth potential.