| This study explored the impact political leaders' policy decisions have upon entrepreneurial leaders' motivation to start and expand companies. The study utilized Bernstein's (2004) theory of wealth as a framework and involved qualitative interviews among entrepreneurial leaders in three different cultural clusters represented by Ghana, Norway, and the United States. The purpose of this study was to uncover the basis for developing a new global theory of entrepreneurial development that can benefit both entrepreneurial leaders in their start-up and expansion efforts and governmental leaders desiring to foster greater entrepreneurial activity, which has the greatest economic development benefit for society. This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted by a research team with members from each respective nation studied. Results reflect five themes that demotivate entrepreneurs: inhibiting political attitudes, regulatory behavior, competition (either limits to private competition or unfair government-subsidized competition), taxes, and favoritism. Two additional themes (start-up relief and networking) provide suggested positive actions political leaders could take to increase entrepreneurial leaders' willingness for taking additional risks to start and grow companies in ways that benefit the broader economy. One final moderating element, trust and cooperation, might be considered as a variable that significantly affects the efficaciousness of the two suggested solutions themes. To the extent entrepreneurs felt they could trust political leaders and felt that political leaders were willing to cooperate with them, the problems and solutions became possible to implement. |
