Study of motivational factors influencing the transition from employment to entrepreneurship in the Moroccan context

Abstract

The literature on entrepreneurial motivation posits that entrepreneurship can be chosen or forced. Following this line of thought, it is most often studied according to the push/pull or necessity/opportunity dichotomy. However, this approach to entrepreneurial motivation has been subject to several criticisms from researchers. They concern two fundamental points: on one hand, the exclusivity of choice, and on the other hand, the weakness of the push/pull (or necessity/opportunity) opposition of the motivitional determinants.

 In addition, the rise of entrepreneurship and changes in the work environment have led to the emergence of atypical profiles of entrepreneurs that cannot be adequately analyzed by the classical economic push/pull framework, notably converted employees turned entrepreneurs. It is from this perspective that this article aims to thoroughly examine the motivational factors that drive some Moroccan employees to leave their jobs to become entrepreneurs.

 Thus, we turn to another mobilized by entrepreneurship researchers, that of the possibility of a push-pull continuum, to interpret entrepreneurial motivation among Moroccan employees. To achieve this, 12 case studies were conducted. The findings indicate that the decision to transition to entrepreneurship takes into consideration both the employment situation and professional as well a personal aspiration. According to the results, the entrepreneurial motivation of the employees in our sample is formed from a combination of factors (Push and Pull) with a predominance of factors relating to job dissatisfaction and the desire for independence. Following these are determinants related to the discovery of an opportunity.

Keywords : Entrepreneurship - employee - entrepreneurial motivation - push-pull continuum.

JEL Classification : D91 ; J24 ; L26 

Paper type : Empirical Research