WHO WANTS TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR - A STUDY OF ADOLESCENTS INTERESTED IN A YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME

A questionnaire consisting of the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) scale (Mirels and Garrett 1971), the Economic Locus of Control Scale (Banks 1989), specific items from both A Quick Measure of Achievement Motivation (nAch) (Smith 1973) and the Perceived Parenting Questionnaire (Mac-Donald 1971), was given to 190 adolescents (aged 16-19). The study set out to determine whether any of these factors differentiate adolescents who show a positive interest in entrepreneurism, by becoming involved in running a company under the British Young Enterprise Scheme, from those who choose not to get involved. Results show the Young Enterprise group to have a more internal locus and a stronger belief in hard work, but no difference was found between the groups on nAch or perceived parenting. Demographic data revealed no significant differences between the groups. © 1991.