Research

Research Summary

A study of the similarities between entrepreneurs and marginalised youth identifies factors critical to ethical entrepreneurship. Whether innate entrepreneurial talent is used constructively or destructively is dependent on ethical intentionality, where ethical intentionality is defined by the resilience factors. Resilience may be influenced by community services to circumvent maladaptive behavior.

Abstract

Antecedents of ethical entrepreneurship: measuring chutzpah in successful entrepreneurs and maverick youth. An investigation into the similarities between successful entrepreneurs and maverick youth underpins the development of a Model of Ethical Intentionality. The Model proposes that entrepreneurial potential can be found in certain maverick personality types, with particular moderating factors being the critical determinants of whether maladaptive behaviour can be redirected into productive outcomes. How potential is then activated and channeled either constructively or destructively is interplay of the resilience factors. The Model has a strong community development focus, asserting that those critical resilience factors already exist in most communities, to enhance and redirect the potential. Two studies using focus groups, interviews, personality and psychological inventories continue to inform the development of the Model.

Entrepreneurs, who have transcended disadvantaged and traumatic backgrounds, have indicated that ethical intentionality is associated with heightened resilience. Both entrepreneurs and youth at-risk indicate high scores on the Chutzpah Factor; a collection of attributes which exemplify the ability of the entrepreneur and the youth at-risk to venture into the unknown and readily accept new challenges. Apart from contributing to scientific knowledge in psychology, business, education, criminology and sociology, the research has already demonstrated its international relevance and community acceptance. The Model has had international application, now received by more than 5000 indigenous and non-indigenous practitioners and youth from government and non-government sectors in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Denmark, who are working with the principles toward developing enterprising youth.

The continued finding of commonalties between the two target groups will serve to elucidate the characteristics that are particular to ethical entrepreneurs and will assist in the development of ethical intentionality and the appropriate channeling of entrepreneurial potential. The continued engaging of misunderstood youth with innovative and proactive methods and, most importantly, with principles of acceptance, will progress a framework by which future educational and intervention projects will work collaboratively to circumvent maladaptive behaviour.