Growth intentions of individual microentrepreneurs: Proposal of measurement

Cenci, Jaci; Machado, Hilka Pelizza Vier; Carvalho, Carlos Eduardo

doi:10.1590/1678-6971/eRAMR240242

Jaci Cenci Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jaci Cenci, Rua Peru, 730 D, Líder, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brasil, ZIP code 89805-182. Email: jaci_cenci@yahoo.com.br

Jaci Cenci is now an alumnus from the University of Western Santa Catarina (Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina – Unoesc)

University of Western Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brazil

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7571-1734

Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado

Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado is now a professor at the Master’s Program in Knowledge Management of UniCesumar University (Universidade UniCesumar) and professor at the Post-Graduation Program in Business of Federal University of Paraná (Universidade Federal do Paraná – UFPR)

UniCesumar University, Maringá, PR, Brazil; Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2554-0025

Carlos Eduardo Carvalho

Carlos Eduardo Carvalho is now a professor at the Post-Graduation Program in Business of Unoesc.

University of Western Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brazil

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7157-0743

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jaci Cenci, Rua Peru, 730 D, Líder, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brasil, ZIP code 89805-182. Email: jaci_cenci@yahoo.com.br

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-chief

Fellipe Silva Martins

Associated editor

Márcia Darós

Technical support

Gabriel Henrique Carille

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION

Publishing coordination

Jéssica Dametta

Language editor

Bardo Editorial

Layout designer

Emap

Graphic designer

Libro

Dimensions

Indicator

1. As big as possible

2. A size I can manage alone or with the help of a few employees

a) To have a chance to build wealth;

b) to have and give the spouse and children financial security;

c) to conquer a personal desire;

d) to earn a high personal income;

e) to have more time flexibility for me;

f) to have more time for my family;

g) to achieve something and be recognized for it;

h) freedom in the work I do;

i) to have a high position in society;

j) to build businesses that my children can inherit;

k) to have the power to influence the enterprise;

l) to be respected by friends;

m) to follow the example of a person I admire;

n) to develop a product idea;

o) to continue a family tradition.

Dimensions

Indicator

1. Growth intentions

a) Grow substantially;

b) grow moderately;

c) remain the same size;

d) become smaller.

2. Growth claim

a) Expand the line of products or services;

b) open a new store;

c) increase sales;

d) hire more employees;

e) expand the distribution.

Personal desire	Authors
I like what I do	Douglas (2013)Douglas, E. J. (2013). Reconstructing entrepreneurial intentions to identify predisposition for growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 633–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.07.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012....
I want to have money to travel	Douglas (2013)Douglas, E. J. (2013). Reconstructing entrepreneurial intentions to identify predisposition for growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 633–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.07.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012....
I have a personal wish	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012... ; Stenholm (2011)Stenholm, P. (2011). Innovative behavior as a moderator of growth intentions. Journal of Small Business Management, 49(2), 233–251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-627X.2011.00323.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-627X.2011...
I want to have a high personal income	Douglas (2013)Douglas, E. J. (2013). Reconstructing entrepreneurial intentions to identify predisposition for growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 633–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.07.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012....
I want to have more free time for myself	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012...
I want to have more flexibility in working hours	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012... ; Douglas (2013)Douglas, E. J. (2013). Reconstructing entrepreneurial intentions to identify predisposition for growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 633–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.07.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012....
I want to conquer something and be recognized for it	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012...
I want to have a higher social position	Douglas (2013)Douglas, E. J. (2013). Reconstructing entrepreneurial intentions to identify predisposition for growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 633–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.07.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012....
I want to be respected by my friends	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012...
I want to follow the example of a person I admire	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012...
Desire for others
I want to build a business for my children	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012...
I want to give greater financial security to my family	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012...
I want to provide jobs to other people	Doern (2011)Doern, R. (2011). Understanding how perceived barriers influence growth intentions and behaviors. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(5), 488–514. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551111158826 https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111115882... ; Bulanova et al. (2016)Bulanova, O. X., Isaksen, J. E., & Kolvereid, L. (2016). Growth aspirations among women entrepreneurs in high-growth firms. Baltic Journal of Management, 11(2), 187–206. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204 https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204...
Feasibility – opportunities and prospects
I want to get a return on the capital I invested	Hermans et al. (2012)Hermans, J., Vanderstraeten, J., Dejardin, M., Ramdani, D., Stam, E., & Witteloostuijn, A. (2012). Ambitious entrepreneurship: Antecedents and consequents. University of Antwerp. Faculty of Applied Economics. http://www.ua.ac.be/tew http://www.ua.ac.be/tew...
I want to take the opportunity	Ali (2018)Ali, R. S. (2018). Determinants of female entrepreneur’s growth intentions: A case of female-owned small businesses in Ghana’s tourism sector. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25(3), 387–404. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-02-2017-0057 https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-02-2017-00... ; Hermans et al. (2012)Hermans, J., Vanderstraeten, J., Dejardin, M., Ramdani, D., Stam, E., & Witteloostuijn, A. (2012). Ambitious entrepreneurship: Antecedents and consequents. University of Antwerp. Faculty of Applied Economics. http://www.ua.ac.be/tew http://www.ua.ac.be/tew...
The economic moment is favorable	Hermans et al. (2012)Hermans, J., Vanderstraeten, J., Dejardin, M., Ramdani, D., Stam, E., & Witteloostuijn, A. (2012). Ambitious entrepreneurship: Antecedents and consequents. University of Antwerp. Faculty of Applied Economics. http://www.ua.ac.be/tew http://www.ua.ac.be/tew... ; Lau and Busenitz (2001)Lau, C. M., & Busenitz, L. W. (2001). Growth intentions of entrepreneurs in a transitional economy: The People’s Republic of China. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 26(1), 5–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587010260010 https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258701026001...
I want to export my products	Hermans et al. (2012)Hermans, J., Vanderstraeten, J., Dejardin, M., Ramdani, D., Stam, E., & Witteloostuijn, A. (2012). Ambitious entrepreneurship: Antecedents and consequents. University of Antwerp. Faculty of Applied Economics. http://www.ua.ac.be/tew http://www.ua.ac.be/tew...
I want to improve the quality of the products or services I offer	Bulanova et al. (2016)Bulanova, O. X., Isaksen, J. E., & Kolvereid, L. (2016). Growth aspirations among women entrepreneurs in high-growth firms. Baltic Journal of Management, 11(2), 187–206. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204 https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204... ; Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012...
I intend to sell my products in other cities, regions	Hermans et al. (2012)Hermans, J., Vanderstraeten, J., Dejardin, M., Ramdani, D., Stam, E., & Witteloostuijn, A. (2012). Ambitious entrepreneurship: Antecedents and consequents. University of Antwerp. Faculty of Applied Economics. http://www.ua.ac.be/tew http://www.ua.ac.be/tew...

Resource and market valuation	Authors
I do not have access to financial resources	Doern (2011)Doern, R. (2011). Understanding how perceived barriers influence growth intentions and behaviors. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(5), 488–514. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551111158826 https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111115882...
I do not want to pay any more taxes	Doern (2011)Doern, R. (2011). Understanding how perceived barriers influence growth intentions and behaviors. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(5), 488–514. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551111158826 https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111115882...
I cannot find trained employees	Doern (2011)Doern, R. (2011). Understanding how perceived barriers influence growth intentions and behaviors. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(5), 488–514. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551111158826 https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111115882...
The competition is too high	Doern (2011)Doern, R. (2011). Understanding how perceived barriers influence growth intentions and behaviors. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(5), 488–514. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551111158826 https://doi.org/10.1108/1355255111115882... ; Dutta and Thornhill (2008)Dutta, D. K., & Thornhill, S. (2008). The evolution of growth intentions: Toward a cognition-based model. Journal of Business Venturing, 23(3), 307–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2007.02.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2007.... ; Lau and Busenitz (2001)Lau, C. M., & Busenitz, L. W. (2001). Growth intentions of entrepreneurs in a transitional economy: The People’s Republic of China. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 26(1), 5–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587010260010 https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258701026001...
Self-perception
I do not have the technical capacity	Bulanova et al. (2016)Bulanova, O. X., Isaksen, J. E., & Kolvereid, L. (2016). Growth aspirations among women entrepreneurs in high-growth firms. Baltic Journal of Management, 11(2), 187–206. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204 https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204...
I do not want to give up my free time	Bulanova et al. (2016)Bulanova, O. X., Isaksen, J. E., & Kolvereid, L. (2016). Growth aspirations among women entrepreneurs in high-growth firms. Baltic Journal of Management, 11(2), 187–206. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204 https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204...
I do not want to give up my time with my family	Davis and Shaver (2012)Davis, A. E., & Shaver, K. G. (2012). Understanding gendered variations in business growth intentions across the life course. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36(3), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00508 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012... ; Douglas (2013)Douglas, E. J. (2013). Reconstructing entrepreneurial intentions to identify predisposition for growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 633–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.07.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012....
I do not want to work any more than I already do	Bulanova et al. (2016)Bulanova, O. X., Isaksen, J. E., & Kolvereid, L. (2016). Growth aspirations among women entrepreneurs in high-growth firms. Baltic Journal of Management, 11(2), 187–206. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204 https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-2014-0204...
I am afraid of failure	Hermans et al. (2012)Hermans, J., Vanderstraeten, J., Dejardin, M., Ramdani, D., Stam, E., & Witteloostuijn, A. (2012). Ambitious entrepreneurship: Antecedents and consequents. University of Antwerp. Faculty of Applied Economics. http://www.ua.ac.be/tew http://www.ua.ac.be/tew...
I do not want to take any risk	Douglas (2013)Douglas, E. J. (2013). Reconstructing entrepreneurial intentions to identify predisposition for growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(5), 633–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.07.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012....

Item	Criterion	Values
The commonality of each variable	> 0.500	> 0.516
Significant factor load	> 0.550	> 0.508
Bartlett test	p-value < 0.05	< 0.001
The number of factors to be extracted	With self-value above 1
Sample suitability measure	> 0.500 acceptable	> 0.703
Extraction method used	Main components
Rotation of factors performed	Varimax
Cronbach’s alpha	> 0.700	> 0.771
Correlation between items	> 0.300	> 0.414
Total item correlation	> 0.500	> 0.463

Factors	Average	SD	Asymmetry		Kurtosis
Factors	Value	Value	Value	Stand error	Value	Stand error
I do not have access to financial resources	3.37	1.379	-.387	.209	-1.017	.416
I do not want to pay any more taxes	3.16	1.481	-.161	.209	-1.370	.416
I cannot find trained employees	2.98	1.406	-.108	.209	-1.268	.416
The competition is too high	2.81	1.355	.161	.209	-1.230	.416
I do not have the technical capacity	2.34	1.393	.600	.209	-1.012	.416
I do not want to give up my free time	2.51	1.423	.509	.209	-1.060	.416
I do not want to give up my time with my family	2.99	1.354	.101	.209	-1.148	.416
I do not want to work any more than I already do	.66	1.441	.270	.209	-1.296	.416
I am afraid of failure	2.31	1.416	.685	.209	-.924	.416
I do not want to take any risk	2.53	1.480	.358	.209	-1.362	.416

Factors	Average	SD	Asymmetry		Kurtosis
Factors	Average	SD	Value	Error	Value	Error
I like what I do	4.62	.702	-2.220	.209	5.982	.48
I want to have money to travel	4.17	1.06	-1.371	.209	1.184	.48
I have a personal desire	4.20	1.122	-1.508	.209	1.555	.48
I want to have a high personal income	4.24	1.013	-1.335	.209	1.199	.48
I want to have more free time for myself	3.98	1.134	-.930	.209	.010	.48
I want to have greater flexibility in working hours	4.04	1.043	-.962	.209	.256	.48
I want to conquer something and be recognized for it	4.07	1.184	-1.291	.209	.845	.48
I want to have a bigger social position	3.34	1.44	-.363	.209	-1.216	.48
I want to be respected by my friends	2.89	1.407	.021	.209	-1.294	.48
I want to follow the example of a person I admire	3.14	1.420	-.143	.209	-1.273	.48
I want to build a business that my children can inherit	3.47	1.510	-.480	.209	-1.279	.48
I want to give greater financial security to my family	4.25	1.093	-1.557	.209	1.755	.48
I want to give jobs to other people	3.65	1.317	-.591	.209	-.851	.48
I want to get a return on the capital I invested	3.99	1.160	-1.129	.209	.545	.48
I want to take the opportunity	4.17	1.073	-1.351	.209	1.373	.48
The economic moment is favorable	3.03	1.466	-.096	.209	-1.371	.48
I want to export my products	2.34	1.561	.675	.209	-1.170	.48
I want to improve the quality of the products or services I offer	4.25	1.074	-1.559	.209	1.893	.48
I intend to sell my products in other cities or regions	3.20	1.574	-.233	.209	-1.528	.48

Factors	Personal interest	Social status	Family
I want to have money to travel	0.765
I have a personal desire	0.824
I want to have a high personal income	0.764
I want to have more free time for myself	0.647
I want to have greater flexibility in working hours	0.647
I want to conquer something and be recognized for it	0.667
I want to have a more prominent social position		0.739
I want to be respected by my friends		0.844
I want to follow the example of a person I admire		0.711
I want to build a business that my children can inherit			0.805
I want to give greater financial security to my family			0.801
I want to give jobs to other people			0.656
I want to return the capital I invested			0.625
I want to take the opportunity			0.508
Cronbach’s alpha	0.871	0.771	0.800
Minimum inter-item correlation	0.421	0.436	0.316
Minimum total item correlation	0.625	0.526	0.545
Variance explained	27.4%	19.4%	16.2%

Factors	Personal interest	Market assessment	Financial resources
I have no access to financial resources			0.956
I do not want to give up my free time	0.882
I do not want to give up my time with my family	0.841
I do not want to work more than I already work	0.796
The competition is very high		0.697
I am afraid of failing		0.812
I do not want to take risk		0.872
Cronbach’s alpha	0.855	0.771	Not calculated
Minimum inter-item correlation	0.635	0.414	Not calculated
Minimum total item correlation	0.694	0.463	Not calculated
Variance explained	32.3%	29.6%	11.1%

[1] Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jaci Cenci, Rua Peru, 730 D, Líder, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brasil, ZIP code 89805-182. Email: jaci_cenci@yahoo.com.br

Brasil

Brasil

Growth intentions of individual microentrepreneurs: Proposal of measurement

Intenções de crescimento para microempreendedores individuais: Proposta de mensuração

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

Originality/value:

Design/methodology/approach:

Findings: