Portfolio Entrepreneurship in Slovakia - Empirical analysis of small and medium sized enterprises

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1 Introduction and objectives
• 1.1 Portfolio entrepreneurship in Slovakia
• 1.2 Research objectives, delimitation and research questions
• 1.2.1 Objectives
• 1.2.2 Delimitation
• 1.2.3 Research questions
• 1.3 Structure of the diploma thesis
• 2 Definition of portfolio entrepreneurship
• 2.1 Entrepreneurship definition review
• 2.1.1 Novice entrepreneur
• 2.1.2 Serial entrepreneur
• 2.1.3 Portfolio entrepreneur
• 2.2 SME's in the context of portfolio entrepreneurship
• 2.2.1 Quantitative SME approach
• 2.2.2 Qualitative SME approach
• 2.3 Slovakia and CEE region
• 2.4 Entrepreneurial structure
• 2.4.1 Joint stock Company
• 2.4.2 Limited liability Company
• 2.4.3 Sole Trader
• 2.5 Trait & behavioural approach
• 2.5.1 Trait approach
• 2.5.2 Behavioural approach
• 3 Theoretical Part
• 3.1 General motivations to become self-employed
• 3.1.1 Pull Influences
• 3.1.2 Push influences
• 3.1.3 Entrepreneurial Traits
• 3.2 Motivations to become a portfolio entrepreneur
• 3.2.1 Background and motivations
• 3.2.2 Entrepreneurial search process
• 3.2.3 Financing business process
• 3.2.4 Organizational capabilities
• 3.2.5 Entrepreneur and business performance
• 3.3 SME's clustering in peripheral locations
• 3.3.1 Stable, independent survivors with no growth aspirations, operating local markets
• 3.3.2 Innovator with continuous growth, operating in growing markets
• 3.3.3 Efficiency-oriented networker with leap-wise growth
• 3.3.4 Comparison of survival factors of the three clusters
• 3.4 SME's management in context of portfolio entrepreneurship
• 3.4.1 Management and entrepreneurial teams
• 3.4.2 Management team

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This diploma thesis empirically analyzes portfolio entrepreneurship among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovakia. The research aims to understand the motivations, characteristics, and management practices of portfolio entrepreneurs in this context. The study also investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and business performance.

• Portfolio entrepreneurship in Slovakia
• Motivations for portfolio entrepreneurship
• Characteristics of portfolio entrepreneurs and their SMEs
• Management practices of portfolio entrepreneurs
• Relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and business performance

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

1 Introduction and objectives: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the thesis, defining portfolio entrepreneurship within the Slovakian context and outlining the research objectives. It clearly states the scope of the research, including specific research questions that will guide the empirical analysis. The chapter also provides a roadmap of the thesis structure, indicating how the various sections contribute to the overall research goal. It establishes the importance of understanding portfolio entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of SMEs in Slovakia and the broader Central and Eastern European (CEE) region.

2 Definition of portfolio entrepreneurship: This chapter provides a comprehensive review of entrepreneurship definitions, differentiating between novice, serial, and portfolio entrepreneurs. It situates SMEs within the context of portfolio entrepreneurship, exploring both quantitative and qualitative approaches to defining and studying SMEs. It also examines the specific characteristics of the Slovakian and CEE regions relevant to entrepreneurship, and analyzes various entrepreneurial structures such as joint-stock companies, limited liability companies, and sole traders, their prevalence and implications for portfolio entrepreneurship.

3 Theoretical Part: This chapter delves into the theoretical frameworks underpinning the study. It explores general motivations for self-employment, categorizing them into pull and push influences. This is followed by a detailed examination of entrepreneurial traits, including need for achievement, autonomy, locus of control, risk-taking propensity, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The chapter then transitions to a discussion of the specific motivations for becoming a portfolio entrepreneur, analyzing the entrepreneurial search process, business financing, organizational capabilities, and the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and business performance. Finally, it analyzes SME clustering in peripheral locations, identifying three distinct clusters based on their growth aspirations and strategic choices and comparing their success and survival factors.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Portfolio entrepreneurship, SMEs, Slovakia, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), entrepreneurial motivations, entrepreneurial characteristics, business performance, management practices, firm survival, growth strategies, empirical analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Portfolio Entrepreneurship in Slovak SMEs

What is the main topic of this document?

This document provides a comprehensive preview of a diploma thesis that empirically analyzes portfolio entrepreneurship among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovakia. It explores the motivations, characteristics, and management practices of portfolio entrepreneurs, and investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and business performance.

What are the key themes explored in the thesis?

The key themes include portfolio entrepreneurship in Slovakia, motivations for portfolio entrepreneurship, characteristics of portfolio entrepreneurs and their SMEs, management practices of portfolio entrepreneurs, and the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and business performance.

What is portfolio entrepreneurship, and how is it defined in this thesis?

The thesis provides a detailed review of entrepreneurship definitions, differentiating between novice, serial, and portfolio entrepreneurs. It examines portfolio entrepreneurship within the context of Slovakian SMEs, considering both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Different entrepreneurial structures (joint-stock companies, limited liability companies, sole traders) and their implications are also analyzed.

What are the motivations for portfolio entrepreneurship discussed in this thesis?

The thesis explores both general motivations for self-employment (pull and push influences) and specific motivations for becoming a portfolio entrepreneur. These motivations are analyzed through the lens of the entrepreneurial search process, business financing, organizational capabilities, and the overall relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and business performance.

What are the characteristics of portfolio entrepreneurs and their SMEs according to this thesis?

The thesis investigates the characteristics of portfolio entrepreneurs and their SMEs, including entrepreneurial traits (need for achievement, autonomy, etc.), management practices, and their strategic approaches to growth and survival. The study also categorizes SMEs into clusters based on growth aspirations and market strategies.

What is the role of management practices in portfolio entrepreneurship?

The thesis examines the management practices of portfolio entrepreneurs, focusing on entrepreneurial teams, management team composition and dynamics, and their influence on business success. The importance of effective management in balancing multiple ventures is highlighted.

What is the structure of the diploma thesis?

The thesis is structured into three main parts: An introduction outlining the objectives and research questions, a section defining portfolio entrepreneurship and contextualizing it within Slovakia and the CEE region, and a theoretical section exploring the motivations, characteristics and management of portfolio entrepreneurs and their SMEs. The document provides detailed chapter summaries.

What is the geographical focus of this research?

The research focuses specifically on Slovakia, situating it within the broader context of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. The unique characteristics of the Slovakian entrepreneurial landscape are considered throughout the analysis.

What kind of methodology does the thesis employ?

The thesis uses an empirical analysis approach to investigate portfolio entrepreneurship in Slovak SMEs. The exact methods used are not detailed in this preview, but the preview highlights that it involves analyzing the motivations, characteristics, and management practices of portfolio entrepreneurs and their relationship to business performance.

What are the keywords associated with this thesis?

Keywords include: Portfolio entrepreneurship, SMEs, Slovakia, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), entrepreneurial motivations, entrepreneurial characteristics, business performance, management practices, firm survival, growth strategies, empirical analysis.