Title: Entrepreneurial drivers and performance: an exploratory study of urban minority and women entrepreneurs

Authors: Ven Sriram; Tigineh Mersha

Addresses: Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA ' Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between entrepreneur demographics (education, experience), characteristics (personality traits, motivation) and entrepreneurial success in the context of urban minority and women entrepreneurship. Based on a survey of 68 minority and women entrepreneurs from Baltimore, a large city in the USA, the research investigates whether there are significant differences between successful and less successful entrepreneurs in terms of personality traits, motivation, and education and experience levels. Success was measured in terms of average net profit and average sales growth over three years. The findings suggest that entrepreneurs who had more education and experience had higher growth in sales and net profits. Further, successful entrepreneurs were more persistent and enthusiastic, had better sense of achievement, and were more cautious in taking risks.

Keywords: urban entrepreneurship; minority entrepreneurs; women entrepreneurs; personality traits; motivations; entrepreneurial success.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2017.085429

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2017 Vol.31 No.4, pp.514 - 533

Received: 18 Dec 2015
Accepted: 13 Apr 2016
Published online: 26 Jul 2017 *

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