Study on the Establishment of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for People with Mental disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the entrepreneurial experiences of people with mental disabilities, and to seek ways to establish an entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes entrepreneurship among them. This study utilized a qualitative research method, collected data through in-depth interviews with 8 people, including 4 people with mental disabilities and 4 applicants, who had entrepreneurship experience, recorded them, and then analyzed them. The analysis revealed three themes: firstly, the pressure and struggle of being pushed towards entrepreneurship; secondly, the entrepreneurial spirit that is displayed in overcoming the difficulties of sustaining a business; and thirdly, the significance of the personal experience and expression that comes from being an entrepreneur. Based on the analysis results and literature review on entrepreneurship experiences of people with mental disabilities and applicants, this study suggested the following directions for establishing a startup ecosystem model for people with mental disabilities. First, education on management and technology, entrepreneurship, and establishment of cooperatives, and support for strengthening mental health competency are needed to form entrepreneurial behavioral competency for entrepreneurship. Second, in order to build a social network, it is necessary to foster a intermediate base organizations, establish a network with various support organizations, and establish a network of entrepreneurs. Third, it is necessary to discover successful entrepreneurship cases and develop entrepreneurship education programs using those who have entrepreneurship experience in order to promote entrepreneurship culture. Fourth, in order to establish a physical foundation for entrepreneurship, it is necessary to improve laws and regulations for supporting undocumented mentally disabled people, alleviate requirements for recognition of companies with disabilities in social cooperatives, prepare the basis for support for specialized workplaces for mentally disabled people, and designate start-up specialized areas.