Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the motivations and challenges faced by three groups of micro and small entrepreneurs in Jamaica, as well as factors that might contribute to their success. Success was operationally defined in the study as profit.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a survey of 192 micro and small entrepreneurs in the urban informal sector of Jamaica were used in the study. The design tracked a descriptive survey approach with multivariate analysis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data with some open-ended flexible questions. The structured questionnaires with Likert-type items were used to increase the reliability and the validity of the responses obtained. The open-ended questions were used to gain a better understanding of the background and experience of the respondents and to allow for diverse reactions.

Findings

Results showed that entrepreneurs are motivated by opportunities to create a job for themselves, to increase their income, to be their own boss and control their own destiny, to gain personal security, to acquire personal wealth and build equity for their retirement. Factors that are perceived critical for their success include working hard, displaying good customer service skills, increase in sales, attracting new customers and selling quality goods and services at competitive prices. Major business problems were identified as weak economy, low sales volume, lack of adequate capital, poor infrastructure, crime and violence and too much competition.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research may lack generalizability because of the research approach, design and methodology.

Practical implications

Implications for policymakers, practice of entrepreneurship in Jamaica as well as information for the academic and research institutions are presented in the paper.

Originality/value

There are numerous management and economic issues that may be addressed by local and regional initiatives through this study. The government, other policy makers, profit and not-profit organizations may therefore need to look more closely at entrepreneurial education and training, advertising and promotion expertise, technology and other infrastructural development to better assist micro and small entrepreneurs. Additionally, leveraging the local academic, scientific and research base through the creation of technology transfer offices will be critical to entrepreneurial success.

中文翻译：

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牙买加微型/小型企业家：对他们的动机和问题的比较评估

目的

本文旨在评估牙买加三组微型和小型企业家面临的动机和挑战，以及可能有助于他们取得成功的因素。在研究中，成功​​在操作上被定义为利润。

设计/方法/方法

该研究使用了对牙买加城市非正规部门 192 名微型和小型企业家的调查数据。该设计采用了多变量分析的描述性调查方法。使用结构化问卷收集数据，其中包含一些开放式灵活问题。带有李克特类型项目的结构化问卷被用来提高所获得答复的信度和效度。开放式问题用于更好地了解受访者的背景和经历，并允许不同的反应。

发现

结果表明，企业家受到机会的激励，为自己创造工作、增加收入、做自己的老板和掌握自己的命运、获得个人安全感、获得个人财富并为退休建立公平。被认为对其成功至关重要的因素包括努力工作、展示良好的客户服务技能、增加销售额、吸引新客户以及以具有竞争力的价格销售优质商品和服务。主要业务问题被确定为经济疲软、销量低、资金不足、基础设施差、犯罪和暴力以及竞争过度。

研究限制/影响

由于研究方法、设计和方法的原因，这项研究的结果可能缺乏普遍性。

实际影响

本文介绍了对政策制定者的影响、牙买加的创业实践以及对学术和研究机构的信息。

原创性/价值

通过这项研究，地方和区域倡议可以解决许多管理和经济问题。因此，政府、其他政策制定者、营利性和非营利性组织可能需要更密切地关注创业教育和培训、广告和促销专业知识、技术和其他基础设施发展，以更好地帮助微型和小型企业家。此外，通过创建技术转让办公室来利用当地的学术、科学研究基础对于创业成功至关重要。