Date of Degree

5-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Program

Business Administration

Advisor

Osman Özturgut

Advisor

David Fike

Advisor

Adam Guerrero

Abstract

This quantitative descriptive study investigated the relationship between 3 different generations of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship traits. The specific purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial traits and generations of U.S. entrepreneurs in Southwest (San Antonio), Northeast (Dallas), Center (Austin), and Southeast (Houston) Texas, to see whether generational differences are associated with entrepreneurial traits. 3 different generations of entrepreneurs were investigated in the study: baby boomers, generations Xers, and millennials. The research aimed to contribute beneficial insights to their understanding in enterprising potential and differentiate themselves in entrepreneurial traits in (a) need for achievement, (b) need for autonomy, (c) creative tendency, (d) calculated risk taking, and (e) locus of control. The GET2 test was used to collect the data to analyze the differences and similarities between generations of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial traits at EO in Texas’ major cities. The study used descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) to analyze the question 1 and question 2. An ANOVA test was used to address the question 3 to see whether there are significant differences in entrepreneurial trait scores between generations. And lastly, a 5-multiple regression test was employed for the question 4 to see whether there are significant differences in entrepreneurial trait scores between generations after controlling the effects of covariates. A total of 117 entrepreneurs responded the survey invitation who deal with operating small-business companies and are registered at Entrepreneurs’ Organization as self-employers in South, North, East, and central Texas. Overall, collected data from 117 entrepreneurs showed that 103 (88% of total population) entrepreneurs tend to have a medium level of enterprising tendency. According to Caird (2013), entrepreneurs who tend to have medium enterprising tendency scores, have strengths in some of the enterprising characteristics in some contexts. However, entrepreneurs with medium enterprising tendency can be regarded as an “intrapreneur” who sets up and runs innovative projects as employees within an existing organization (Caird, 2013). Overall, results from the research question 3 showed that there is no statistically significant difference at the p ˂ .05 in the mean scores on four Total Entrepreneurial Trait scores across the three generation groups. The researcher failed to reject the null hypothesis as the p value of total GET2 scores was larger than .05 (p ˃ .05). And results from the research question 4 showed that neither in the first nor final model, statistically significant difference in the Total Need for Autonomy and Total Locus of Control scores between generations after controlling the effects of covariates was detected. There is no significant difference in entrepreneurial trait scores between generations after controlling the effects of covariates. Based on the findings in this study, it was recommended that future researchers can extend this study as a qualitative or mix-method study with various elements of entrepreneurial traits, to explore the relationship between generations of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial traits to develop a more comprehensive study. New research studies may be conducted by prospective researchers by changing the setting in order to explore different entrepreneurial tendencies and abilities, have larger sample size to understand the entrepreneurial traits amongst various groups, and increase entrepreneurs’ productivities in local or global environments.

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