Role model influences on entrepreneurial intentions: A comparison between USA and Mexico

Abstract

Most research and popular writing includes entrepreneurial role models as an important factor in the decision to start a business. Few, if any, studies compare the influence of business owner role models between two different countries. Further, studies cite the importance of role models for potential entrepreneurs but ignore how the role model process actually works. This study looks at activities that role models might engage in and compares their influence on respondents in the US and Mexico. This is the first study that examines differences in role model influence between two countries. Ten of the variables are significantly different between respondents in the two countries. Nine of the differences were rated as being significantly more influential among Mexican students than US students while only one variable was rated as being significantly less influential. Results of the study, especially as related to the specific influence of role models on career intentions, may be relevant in designing entrepreneurship programs. The results may also be appropriate in courses that discuss entrepreneurship in different countries (e.g., international entrepreneurship). The results may also be relevant in family businesses where eventual continuity of family ownership through succession is desired.

Entrepreneurship and role models

“…Krumboltz et al, 1976). Therefore, role models may also enhance the desire to become an entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial self-efficacy of individuals (Van Auken et al, 2006a;2006b), which may, in turn, positively influence entrepreneurial intentions and, ultimately, entrepreneurial activity (Krueger et al, 2000). 2 Furthermore, once individuals are entrepreneurs, role models may contribute to the development of their firm.…”

“…1 Besides studies that establish role model effects on entrepreneurial intentions of students (Krueger et al, 2000;Scherer et al, 1989;Van Auken et al, 2006a& 2006b, three strands of literature may provide indications that role models matter for the decision to become an entrepreneur.…”

Investigating the effect of entrepreneurial competencies on business performance among early stage entrepreneurs Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM 2010 survey data)

“…A great body of literature performed a detailed investigation regarding the influence of entrepreneurial skills on venture performance (Mitchell et al, 2002) and business performance (Chandra, Styles, & Wilkinson, 2009). On the other hand, personality traits of an entrepreneur is related to venture creation (Lee & Tsang, 2001) and performance itself (Rauch & Frese, 2007;Deniz, Boz, & Ertosun, 2011;Van Auken, Stephens, Fry, & Silva, 2006).…”

Analysis of the entrepreneurship iniativeand the entrepreneurial spirit about perception the students of a tecnológico federal

“…Para promover el espíritu empresarial dentro de las universidades es necesario desarrollar programas de emprendimiento que integren seminarios, conferencias y redes de coaching con profesionales en el tema de desarrollo de la creatividad e ideas empresariales (Küttim, Kallaste, Venesaar & Kiis, 2014). Por otra parte, se deben incentivar las estancias con empresarios que tengan la iniciativa de transmitir conocimientos a los alumnos y los profesores (Van Auken et al, 2006). Para evitar que la falta de dinero sea un obstáculo se recomienda la posibilidad de establecer clubes de ahorro a futuro (Peprah et al, 2015), sin embargo, se requiere desarrollar una investigación al respecto para conocer si los estudiantes recurrirían a esta opción como medio para obtener recursos.…”