See Entrepreneurs Born -- or Made? Research Says 'Born.
' But There's a
Catch. -Jayson DeMers
SUMMARY
Entrepreneurs, social psychologists and economic theorists have all speculated
whether entrepreneurs are born, born to be on that field, that their genes are for that
field; or they are made, that there are external influences to be an entrepeneur.
For most entrepreneurial hopefuls, entrepreneurs are made by practice,
experience, and conditioning. But, the research seems to indicate that they are born,
that success is influenced more by genes than nurturing. But the article says there is a
catch.
The Research
The research was mainly done on identical twins as they share the same DNA.
From study of Scott Shane, a professor at Case Western Reverse Uniyersity, four cone
entrepreneurial traits are genetically heritable, these are:
1. The likelihood of starting a business.
2. The ability to identify new opportunities.
3. The tendency to become self-employed
4. Extroversion
A less formal survey found that just 1% believed that higher education played
any role in entrepreneurial mindset while 61% said their characteristics are from their
innate drive.
The Catch
The studies look entrepreneurs as a group and disregards how successful those
entrepreneurs were. A low genetic likelihood of starting business doesn't mean you
can't start a business or the business won't be successful. With significant drive and
practice, youre likely to succeed.
Experience plays a big role. From a study of Kathryn Shaw from Stanford
Graduate School of Business, success rates were higher for were higher for those who
had previous business experience. The real determining factor for success is in how
much experience you get in an entrepreneurial role.
The two distinct questions are first, "Are entrepreneurs born or made ?", "Are
successful entrepreneurs born or made?" According to research, entrepreneurs are
often born but successful ones are more often made.
If entrepreneurship runs in your family, you're more likely to start a business. But,
even the least genetically likely entrepreneurs can succeed by impoving skills, gaining
experience, and committing themselves.
Are Entrepreneurs Born -- or Made? Research Says 'Born.' But There's a
Catch. -Jayson DeMers
REACTION/CRITIQUE
The article we reviewed was written by Jason DeMers, for [Link], a
site that tackles different topics about entrepreneurs, in 2018. The purpose of the article
is to answer one of the most intriguing questions in entrepreneurship which is "Are
entrepreneurs born or made?". The article first gives reasons why entrepreneurs are
considered to be either born or made. It tries to give the reader a little background
information about the two arguments. This article was written to clear out to the readers
some of the things that may influence someone to become an entrepreneur. It proves
that there are many factors that may influence someone to be an entrepreneur and it is
not just limited to the genes in their body and the trainings they've taken. It tells us that
either entrepreneurs are born or made, it is their passion and desire that leads them to
success. It is their ability to learn and utilize their experiences and how they use their
skills that makes them successful. The content of this article for us is highly significant
because some people get discouraged to be an entrepreneur because they believe that
people are born with the skills. This may help them realize their capabilities and be bold
enough to take risks.
The Article presented two Researches, one showing that Entrepreneurs are more
likely born and the other one showing 'successful' entrepreneurs are more often made.
Many studies have evinced proposing answers to this question wherein researchers are
able to embark on disputation associated with this topic. One of the most popular
debates and oldest philosophical issues is nature vs. nurture debate. The experts
realize that nature and nurture interact in essential ways all throughout life. According to
this statement, the most effectual research has been done on the twins. They innately
share DNA. The crucial distinction is that identical twins share 100 percent of the
genetic information while in fraternal twins merely share 50 percent. However, the
similitude of the genetic information does not indicate that one can absolutely acquire
the entrepreneurial skills without the influence of the environment. The researchers
have discovered that possessing the gene alone is not enough to develop an
entrepreneurial skills. Instead, education associated with enhancing your skills and
ability is necessary to allow the inherited ability to manifest itself. One study shows
entrepreneurial tendencies which was done by a professor at Case Western Reserve
University Scott Shane, also the author of the new book Born Entrepreneurs, Born
Leaders: How Your Genes Affect Your Work Life. According to this book entrepreneurial
bravery may have as much to do with nature as nurture. Research implies that it is
possible to inherit the entrepreneurial tendencies from the parents. Shane and other
experts intensively studied percentages of entrepreneurship in hundred of pairs of
identical twins, who share 100 percent of their genes, and fraternal twins, who share 50
percent of their genes. They ascertained higher rates of shared entrepreneurial
tendencies among the identical twins and conclude that 30 to 40 percent of the
tendency to be an entrepreneur is inherent and not taught. Nevertheless, environment is
one of the key factors of obtaining higher odds that one will be an entrepreneur if one is
predisposed in environment of entrepreneurs.
The Research enumerated four genetically inheritable core entrepreneurial traits:
the likelihood of starting a business, the ability to identify new opportunities, the
tendency to become self-employed, and extroversion. But in a business, we must know
that not everyone in the family has the capability to manage a business. It is true that
one is likely to follow his family's path it is still one's choice if they’ll be in business field.
If you’re not really into it, you won’t have the willingness. Meanwhile, you need to be
self-employed, because you're the one who's involve to your business and being self-
employed is inherited but now, it's not as many are starting up a business on their own
decision due to high job demand. It is agreeable that characteristics are gained through
determination but we contradict the result that education is not helpful as through
education, one can learn many things and enhance themselves.
Having a low genetic likelihood of being an Entrepreneur should not hinder one's
willingness to be an Entrepreneur. One may be said born and destined to be an
Entrepreneur but he will not succeed if he will not be open to learn and improve. They
are born to be made. Being an entrepreneur needs a lot of work to do. They need to be
hardworking, allot almost all of their time to the business they are planning to do, and
most of all, a risk taker. Experience also plays a vital role in success, success rate is
higher for people whose experienced because they know how things worked. They ain't
born for nothing, they are born to be successful not just to stand there and watch it to
grow. These types of people are those who are born with creativity and has the will to
improve things. they become an entrepreneur by using their skills and knowledge and
also by cultivating their desire for self and lifestyle improvement. this just means that
anyone can be an entrepreneur if they are willing enough and are ready to commit to
their goal.
In conclusion, this article enlightened us about the issue and gives us the
knowledge of the distinction between the related questions. Are entrepreneurs born or
made? "Yes, the entrepreneurs are more often born", that's what the researchers said.
This question is not pertaining on how successful an entrepreneur is but it just tells us
the likelihood of one to start a business whether it will succeed or not. This question is
way different from the "are successful entrepreneurs born or made?" Because it
focused on the word success and just ignored the fact that one likes to start a business,
so the answer here is entrepreneurs are often made. But like what's stated, it is the will
and practice of an entrepreneur that drives him to be one and even becoming a
successful one, not because he is genetically likely entrepreneur. Given with so much
effort, chance to improve oneself, and commitment themselves into it will help them to
become a successful entrepreneur. The significance of this issue is to demonstrate the
needs to answer the question itself to help the policy makers to formulate such policies
that are suitable to the needs of entrepreneur. This will also make a great contribution to
increase the number of entrepreneurs in the developed countries and to lessen the
poverty in less developed countries.
Success is achieved if you made yourself into it.
