Exploring Perceptions of A Priori Barriers to Entrepreneurship: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Abstract

This exploratory study integrates the disciplines of economics, psychology, and sociology to identify perceptions of a priori barriers in the entrepreneurial environment. The Central-West of N.S.W., Australia was surveyed to find the proportions of four groups in the general population—potential, intending, actual entrepreneurs, and no wish to start—and the barriers faced by each. A profile analysis across the three disciplines found that the more important barriers are largely non-economic and intractable to government policy. Barriers are different from other regions. Significant differences in importance between groups are identified and the pattern of group differences varies between barriers. Further, the issues of sequentiality and combinations of barriers are important, for there is no panacea to engendering venture creation.