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Entrepreneurial orientation and motivation to start up a business: evidence from the health service industry

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the entrepreneurial orientation and motivation to start up a business in a specific group of health care professionals (HCP), namely diagnostic and therapy technicians. Primary data collected through a sample of 367 HCP is used. The results regarding the entrepreneur’s psychological and cognitive profile supported the hypothesis that HCP who have previously created a firm have particular psychological and cognitive characteristics conducive to entrepreneurial activity. The results also demonstrate that motivation influences the willingness of firm creation. Additionally, this study highlights some implications for management seeking to promote the emergence of context-relevant conditions that would allow HCP to launch their own business venture more readily.

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Acknowledgments

Research funded by CETRAD and NECE (R&D centers funded by the multiannual funding program of R&D centers of FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Science). A previous and less complete version of this paper was presented at the 8th AGSE International Entrepreneurship Research Exchange, held in Melbourne, Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Sociology and Management & CETRAD Research Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Av. Almeida de Lucena, 1, 5000-660, Vila Real, Portugal

    Carla S. E. Marques

  2. Department of Business and Economics & NECE Research Unit, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro, 6200-209, Covilhã, Portugal

    João J. M. Ferreira

  3. ISCTE Business School, University Institute of Lisbon, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026, Lisbon, Portugal

    Fernando A. F. Ferreira

  4. Fogelman College of Business and Economics, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152-3120, USA

    Fernando A. F. Ferreira

  5. University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

    Marisa F. S. Lages

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  1. Carla S. E. Marques
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  2. João J. M. Ferreira
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  3. Fernando A. F. Ferreira
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Correspondence to João J. M. Ferreira.

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Marques, C.S.E., Ferreira, J.J.M., Ferreira, F.A.F. et al. Entrepreneurial orientation and motivation to start up a business: evidence from the health service industry. Int Entrep Manag J 9, 77–94 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-012-0243-2

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