ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PERCEPTION OF OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Adrine Harrell-Carter
Ghasem S. Alijani
Southern University at New Orleans

ABSTRACT

Most scholars and business owners agree that entrepreneurship plays an important role
in the advancement of the economy. It takes the advantages of technology, innovation, and society
structure to discover opportunities which may lead to the development of the economy. However,
like any large-scale system, it retains its own obstacles. The objective of this study was to examine
the thought process and relevant factors such as obstacles and opportunities that are essential to
the decision process in entrepreneurship. The results of data analysis show that 52% of the
participants believe business opportunities exist. As expected, 67% of respondents were motivated
by increase in personal income and greater independence. On the other hand, about 54% consider
tax and administration along with labor regulation as moderate obstacles. The most significant
finding was that participants view human capital as a moderate obstacle. The results of this study
provide the entrepreneurs with the facts that are essential to the decision making process.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, risk propensity, business opportunity, business obstacle