The relationship between individualism and entrepreneurial intention – a Finnish perspective

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between individualist values and entrepreneurial intentions. Previous surveys have shown that major national differences in entrepreneurial intentions can be observed within Europe and that part of this variation can be explained by cultural values, especially the individualism-collectivism dimension. However, previous findings about the relationship between individualism and entrepreneurship remain contradictory. Research design and methods: This study is a micro-level analysis of the influence of individualistic values. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991; 2001) and theories of individualism advanced by Hofstede (1980) and Triandis and Gelfand (1998). The research data were gathered from a survey of Finnish students (N=725). Findings: The results show that the relationship between cultural values and entrepreneurial intention is very complex. In contrast to Hofstede (1980), the study assumes individualism and collectivism to be two separate and independent dimensions of cultural values, both of which have a positive, indirect effect on entrepreneurial intention by way of subjective norms and perceived control. Practical implications: Both individualist and collectivist values promote entrepreneurial intentions. From this point of view, general citizenship education, which supports the development of young people's cultural values, can be seen as a significant element in entrepreneurship education. This suggests an instance of holistic education, the aim of which is for individuals' autonomy and contestability to be combined with community and collective responsibility. Originality/value: The analysis of Triandis and Gelfand (1998) has not been systematically utilized in the previous studies on entrepreneurial intentions. The findings of this study address not only the influence of psychological factors over entrepreneurial intentions, but also the impact of individualist and collectivist values. The results complement the results of previous studies.

Intrapreneurial Fit and Misfit: Enterprising Behavior, Preferred Organizational and Open Innovation Culture

“…Although it wasn't raised in the piloting of the questionnaire or in previous studies using the BTEI in individualist national cultures (e.g., [90]), there is a need for further research into whether individualism countries score lower on the BTEI scale for these elements due to the focus on doing something for the sake of others, rather than for oneself. This finding also highlights the current debate on the effect of individualism on entrepreneurship [91,92].…”

Entrepreneurial intentions of private university students in the kingdom of Bahrain

“…Rantanen and Toikko (2017) analyzed the relationship between individualist values and EIs based on the theoretical framework of the TPB (Ajzen, 1991, 2001) and theories of individualism. The research was conducted on 725 students from Finland.…”

Exploring antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions among females in an emerging economy

“…Ferreira et al (2012) asserted the need for achievement, self-confidence and personal attitude positively affect entrepreneurial intention. Meanwhile, previous research supports the efficacy and role model perception as predictors of entrepreneurial intentions (Boyd and Vozikis, 1994;Kautonen et al, 2013;Nowi nski and Haddoud, 2019;Van Auken et al, 2006;Rantanen and Toikko, 2017). In fact, higher self-efficacy is linked to entrepreneurship and creation because individuals with high entrepreneurial self-efficacy firmly believe in their business ideas (Segal et al, 2002;Frazier and Niehm, 2006;Wilson et al, 2007;Wennberg et al, 2013;Parihar, 2017;Arafat et al, 2018).…”

“…Entrepreneurial antecedents have been studied through different fields of inquiry by researchers (Liñ an et al, 2011;Ozdemir and Karadeniz, 2011;Matricano, 2016;Puente et al, 2017;Dileo and Garc ıa Pereiro, 2018). While most of the researchers relate to entrepreneurship through the characteristics and functions of an entrepreneur (Hamilton and Harper, 1994;Venkataraman, 1997;P erez-P erez and Avil es-Hern andez, 2016;Zisser et al, 2019), others perceive that entrepreneurial intention approaches constitute psychological and behavioural approach (Ferreira et al, 2012;Bastian and Zali, 2016;Hechavarria and Ingram, 2016;Arafat and Saleem, 2017;Rantanen and Toikko, 2017). Lin et al (2017) evaluated individual factors (capabilities, attitudes, perceptions and aspirations), resource availability (human, social and financial capital) and environmental conditions (social, political, legal and economic) as determinants of entrepreneurial intention.…”