Micro-perspective lens on entrepreneurs in the early stage of business: Expectations vis-à-vis realities

Figures & data

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework: Micro factors of entrepreneurs. Source: Authors’ own construct

Table 1: Sample selection criteria.

Variable	Selection criteria	Reason for inclusion
Years in business	At least three years	Entrepreneurs would have survived the early-stage of business, thus provide realistic data based upon their past experiences.
Type of business	No restriction	To cover a wide spectrum of what entrepreneurs across the field experience.
Size of business	SMEs	Due to limited resources, formalized businesses within small to medium enterprise category were considered.
Location of business	Within national borders	Entrepreneurs might have businesses across the country.

Source: Authors’ own construct

Table 2: Summary of factors affecting emerging entrepreneurs.

Group Factor	Business factor	Operational definition
Personal management	Astuteness	The intellectual capacity demonstrated by the individual
	Detach from societal anxiety	A skill to set business boundaries from societal concerns
	Good individual welfare	A sense of well-being of the individual
	Individual sense of balance	The intrinsic balance to handle demands
	Inquisitive	A research skill for harnessing information
	Intellectualize	The ability to apply logic in decision-making skills
	Preparative	The evidence of readiness by an individual
	Relational	Initiate and nurture profitable direct relationships
Entrepreneur management	Business capable	An individual who demonstrates the ability to operate a business
	Committed to business	One who is dedicated to business and its profitability
	Courage to lead	An individual who is able to empower the stakeholders of the business
	Entrepreneurial drive	The desire linked to business success that keeps the individual in business
	Entrepreneurship reverence	The ability to perceive entrepreneurship as a better source of individual economic stability
	Receptive to coaching	The willingness of an entrepreneur to learn, be corrected and be guided
Familism	Emotional support	Emotive and intangible support provided by family members to the entrepreneur
	Entrepreneur upbringing	The way in which the entrepreneur was nurtured from childhood
	Family dissuasion	An indirect disagreement to the propositions of the entrepreneur
	Financial support	The provision of capital by family members towards the entrepreneur’s business
	Labour support	The provision of labour by family members towards the entrepreneur’s business
	Passive agreement	An indirect agreement with leverage to deny the propositions of the entrepreneur in the event of unfavourable business situations

Source: Authors’ own construct