Principal Topic

The research on entrepreneurship has brought to light how entrepreneurial propensity and behaviour are the result of numerous variables which interact with each other, such as individual disposition, family background,  possible previous organizational experiences, the personal values and cultural beliefs. Nevertheless, it is still not possible to identify a predictive model that integrates in a satisfactory manner the different variables. Results are particularly lacking in the research into working and career choice behaviours on the part of subjects at the phase of entry into the working world. In particular, with regards to entrepreneurship, factors such as the meanings of work and the matured opinions towards different typologies of work and specifically towards entrepreneurial work, are overlooked. Only recently have studies being carried out on the attitudes and opinions (Davidsson, Wiklund, 1997; Sagie, Elizur, 1999) and the relationship between the attitudes of the young towards work, professional intentions and entrepreneurial behaviour (Bird, 1988; Boyd & Vozikis, 1994). The objective of this study is to highlight the role that the meanings attributed to work and the opinions towards entrepreneurial work assume in creating an interest towards entrepreneurship on the part of the young in the phase of scholastic-professional choice.

Method

The research was carried out on a sample of 856 students (54% male and 46% female) attending the final year of Italian high schools of different types (scientific, humanistic, technical, professional). The average age of the subjects was about 19 years. A structural equation model was established to verify the links between the following variables. The level of attention towards entrepreneurship (expressed through a declared preference to undertake an entrepreneurial career) was considered as the function of a series of personality characteristics (innovation, self-assurance, motivation in the choice), of the meanings of work (centrality of work; important aspects of the job), of the attitudes towards entrepreneurship and the entrepreneur, of the level of actual definition of future professional plans.

Results and Implications

The results obtained show that the personality characteristics (innovation, self-assurance, motivation for success), the attitude towards the entrepreneur and entrepreneurship have, as assumed, a significant influence on the attention to entrepreneurship. By contrast, the contribution of the meanings of work in defining the level of attention towards entrepreneurship was only partially significant. Finally, it can be noticed how the individuals that have a more defined professional plan show a greater attention towards the entrepreneurial sphere. Discussion of the results concerns: a) the possibility of establishing a theoretical model that explains the process of choice towards entrepreneurial work in the transition from school to work; b) the active policies of incentive of the entrepreneurial choice through orientation activities and career counselling at the end of the scholastic experience.

CONTACT: Battistelli Adalgisa, Dipartimento di Psicologia (Università di Cagliari), Via Is Mirrionis, 1-09123 Cagliari, Italy; (T) 0039 070 6757516; (F) 0039 070 274778;  adbatti@tin.it