The Main Motivations for Identifying Opportunities: Foundation of Value Creation

Faiza Elloumi

doi:10.55927/eajmr.v4i12.518

Authors

Faiza Elloumi University of Sfax

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v4i12.518

Keywords:

Motivations, Entrepreneurial Alertness, Explicit Knowledge, Tacit Knowledge, Social Networks

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the motivations that influence how new entrepreneurs identify opportunities. Based on a survey of 200 startup founders, the research examines how entrepreneurial alertness, both explicit and tacit knowledge, and social networks affect the ability to recognize viable business opportunities. The study proposes a conceptual framework that integrates these factors to analyze their impact on the performance of nascent businesses. Findings suggest that entrepreneurs’ alertness and accumulated knowledge particularly gained through education and hands-on experience enhance their capacity to spot promising opportunities. Moreover, social networks play a crucial role in providing access to new information, with weaker ties often proving especially valuable for discovering fresh possibilities. This research deepens the understanding of the psychological and social mechanisms behind opportunity recognition and offers guidance on how to optimize the process of starting new businesses.

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