Entrepreneurial culture: a comparative study of entrepreneurs in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

This article describes research concerning with identifying and explaining similarities and differences in characteristics of entrepreneurs in incubators in Brazil and Portugal. The analytical fundamentals for the comparisons were Hofstede's cultural dimension model and entrepreneurial orientation (Lumpkim & Dess, 1996). The use of these two models relied on the application of a questionnaire to entrepreneurs in these two countries, and the research was therefore based on intensive field work, which was crucial to achieving the desired goals. Results from the research revealed that there were differences in cultural dimensions - power distance and uncertainty avoidance, both higher in Brazil. The entrepreneurial orientation was also higher in Brazil, especially risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness. The Brazilian entrepreneurs were more likely to reject future uncertainties and showed a greater propensity to take risks and expose themselves to uncertainty, as long as they were paid for this exposure.

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