Senioridade e empreendedorismo

: o caso do norte de Portugal

Abstract

This study aims to answer the research question - How does seniority influence entrepreneurship? - a theoretical framework was elaborated that addresses key points such as the characterization of the senior entrepreneurs and their categorization, pull and push motivators factors, and, on the other hand, the factors that can limit the entrepreneurial activity. This contextualization supports the research methodology adopted: in the first phase, a survey was carried out, in order to do a quantitative analysis of the information, resulting from the crossing of variables such as age with the motivations and constraints to the creation of a business. The survey was complemented with two semi-structured interviews with two senior entrepreneurs. The desire to achieve greater autonomy, independence and flexibility is indicated as a more pre-eminent motivation for the different groups in analysis, with the exception of the group aged over 60 years. As perceived constraints, the overwhelming majority has indicated a difficulty in identifying a market failure that leads to a business creation - with the exception of the 45-50 age group. In relation to the most valued supports in the creation of the business, it is verified that there is no standard – it depends according the group in question.

Date of Award	10 Jul 2017
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ricardo Alexandre Morais (Supervisor)