Influence of the Human Capital of Entrepreneurs Leading MSMEs in Benin on Entrepreneurial Success: The Role of Entrepreneurial Motivation

Abstract

Summary The importance of businesses in general, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in particular, has been clearly emphasized (Printer, 1985). According to Printer, they contribute both to economic growth and unemployment reduction in a country. These MSMEs represent at least 90% of all businesses in most countries and create 80% of the jobs (Reinecke, 2002) and contribute to 57.6% of the total added value (Schmiemann, 2008). However, it is widely acknowledged that MSMEs in Africa face early mortality despite government initiatives (Evou, 2020). In an effort to remedy or eliminate the premature death of MSMEs, this study aims to analyze the role of entrepreneurial motivation in the interaction between the human capital of the entrepreneur leading MSMEs in Benin and entrepreneurial success. To achieve this objective, we adopted a purely quantitative methodological approach focused on entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least five (05) years. Using the snowball sampling method, we distributed two hundred (200) questionnaires across four municipalities, but we did not receive a comprehensive response. Among the returned questionnaires, one hundred seventy-seven (177) were deemed usable. The collected data were examined and processed using SPSS and AMOS.23 software. The results obtained showed a positive and significant influence of human capital and entrepreneurial motivation on entrepreneurial success on one hand. On the other hand, they reveal that entrepreneurial motivation plays a mediating role in the interaction between the entrepreneur's human capital and entrepreneurial success.

Keywords: human capital, entrepreneur, leader, entrepreneurial motivation, entrepreneurial success.

JEL Classification : L26 ; M12

Paper type: Empirical research