Toward the development of a measuring instrument for entrepreneurial motivation

Abstract

The majority of theoretical models for the study of entrepreneurial performance emphasize motivation as one of the key elements in the success of small businesses. In this study, entrepreneurial motivation is seen as objectives or goals that entrepreneurs seek to achieve through business ownership. These entrepreneurial objectives are presumed to determine the behavioral patterns of the entrepreneurs and, indirectly, the success of their business. The purpose of this study is to develop a new instrument to measure the perceptions entrepreneurs have of their entrepreneurial goals and verify its metrical qualities. The results show that the newly devised instrument has the desired metrical qualities: construct validity, content validity, predictive validity and strong internal consistency or reliability.