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Advancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem of India: A qualitative study with Chevening Fellows

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Abstract

Using social cognitive theory as a guide, this research seeks to explain the perceptions of current and aspiring Indian entrepreneurs. A multiple case study approach using 19 interviews with intellectuals provided qualitative data to conduct a cross-case analysis of the two groups with the qualitative analysis software NVivo. Rare insights from current and aspiring opportunity-motivated entrepreneurial Chevening Fellowships from a predominantly necessity-motivated context offer valuable insights into entrepreneurship in India. The findings reveal what entrepreneurship means to established entrepreneurs, their motivation for embarking on the entrepreneurial journey, the skills they require to be successful, the challenges they face and their strategies to sustain are mostly different to what aspiring entrepreneurs believe how it would be. Compiled recommendations may help strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly in developing economy contexts, to help improve the 10% startup success rate.

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Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Chevening fellows who consented to participate in this study, Chevening Secretariat, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, Prof. Richard Briant, University of Oxford, Prof. John Hoffmaire, Chairman, Oxford Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Sarah Fallon, Regional Director, Science and Innovation, British High Commission New Delhi, Ms. Supriya Chawla, Head Chevening Scholarships India for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centralized Core Research Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Kamal Gulati

  2. Department of Management, Monash Business School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    Amrik Sohal & Tharaka de Vass

  3. Paysafe, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    Nrupal Das

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  1. Kamal Gulati
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  2. Amrik Sohal
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  3. Tharaka de Vass
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  4. Nrupal Das
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Correspondence to Amrik Sohal.

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Gulati, K., Sohal, A., de Vass, T. et al. Advancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem of India: A qualitative study with Chevening Fellows. Asia Pac J Manag (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09940-2

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