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Entrepreneurship in Nebraska: Findings From a Gallup Survey. William Walstad University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Credits. The Gallup Organization Krieger Family Foundation Jim Krieger & Glenn Phelps for leadership Walstad & Kourilsky studies for most survey items. Sampling.
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Entrepreneurship in Nebraska:Findings From a Gallup Survey William WalstadUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln
Credits • The Gallup Organization • Krieger Family Foundation • Jim Krieger & Glenn Phelps for leadership • Walstad & Kourilsky studies for most survey items
Sampling • General Public • 2,460 Nebraskans 18 years of age or older • +/- 2% sampling error for state results • Business Owners • 555 Nebraska business owners with 1 to 100 employees • +/- 4.2% sampling error for state results Survey conducted: Fall 2005
Survey Topics • Interest in Entrepreneurship (5)* • Views of Small Business (3) • Reasons to Start a Business (4) • Challenges and Obstacles (2) • Entrepreneurial Knowledge (4) • Preparation and Education (5) • Role of Government (4) • Economic Development (4) *Number of items on topic
Want to Start Own Business Total interest in entrepreneurship = 49% General Public (n = 2,460)
Want to Start Own Business by Age Age General Public (n = 2,460)
Age When Thought of Starting Own Business Business Owners (n=555)
Number of Other Businesses Started Business Owners (n=555)
Interest Findings • Entrepreneurial interest is great. The pool of potential entrepreneurs is an untapped resource for Nebraska. • Entrepreneurship begins early. Most of the general public business owners start thinking about it at a young age. • Entrepreneurship is multiple process. Starting one business often leads to starting others. • Entrepreneurship is viewed as a good career choice.
Years to Exit Business Business Owners (n=555)
Who to Transfer Business to Business Owners (n=555)
Development Findings • There is a transition problem for business. • Most owners plan to exit the business in ten years. • Many owners plan to liquidate their business. • Nebraskans generally give low ratings to the effectiveness of economic development in their communities.
Government Findings • Business owners, more so than the general public, think there is too much government regulation and taxes. • Both business owners and the general public think government should provide more tax incentives for people to start new businesses.
Major Reasons to Start a Business *Yes to entrepreneurship
Major Reasons Not to Start a Business General Public (n=1,244) “No” to entrepreneurship
Reasons Findings • The prime reason people become entrepreneurs is the need for independence, and not to make lots of money. • After age, the prime reason people do not become entrepreneurs is they lack something, which in many cases can be changed with more education and preparation.
Importance for Starting a Business Business Owners (n=555) Numbers shown in percentages
Importance of High School Factors for Starting a Business Business Owners (n=555)
Importance of College Factors For Starting a Business Business Owners (n=368)
Education Findings • Work experience and education are prime factors for preparing people for entrepreneurship. • Education, both in high school and college, are important factors for to entrepreneurship. • The general public strong support more entrepreneurship education in the schools.
Contribution Business Owners Make to the Community General Public (n=2,460)
Importance of Business Owners Contributing to a Community General Public (n=2,460)
Views Findings • Nebraskans have a positive opinion of small business: its economic opportunities, services, and philanthrophy. • Nebraskans think it is important for successful business owners to contribute more to a community than just jobs or taxes.
Conclusion • There is great potential for expansion of entrepreneurship in Nebraska, especially among young adults. • The state needs to find creative ways to tap that potential through education, incentives, and community support. • Nebraska will benefit from the multiple contributions entrepreneurship makes to economic growth, jobs creation, and philanthropy.