Identifying entrepreneurial opportunities by nascent entrepreneurs in Sfax Region

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify variables influencing the identification of entrepreneurial opportunity by nascent entrepreneurs in Sfax region. These variables included the personality of entrepreneur, social network and prior knowledge. Theoretically, we have a conceptual framework privileged in recent entrepreneurship research (Shane & Venkataraman, 2000). Empirically, our research is based on an exploratory study, while adopting a deductive approach type. We used the questionnaire as a tool for data collection. The survey sample consisted of 80 nascent entrepreneurs in Sfax region. Our results showed that two variables among three that significantly predict the identification of entrepreneurial opportunity. These variables are social network and prior knowledge.