Value and sense base of entrepreneurial activity

In modern society, the study of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking are extremely important. Researchers agree that to understand the psychology of business it is important to analyze the value-semantic base of entrepreneurial activity. The paper presents the results of research of the value-semantic base of entrepreneurial activity of successful entrepreneurs of the city of Tomsk. The study involved 50 entrepreneurs. Over 60% of respondents were in the business for more than 10 years, and 30% - for more than 15 years. About 20% of the entrepreneurs - the study participants - are the founders and recognised market leaders. The materials for the study were different forms of interviews. To process and interpret the data the method of content analysis and the method of existential analysis with elements of transtemporal analysis were used. It was found that the start of entrepreneurship is associated with a life crisis caused by the reconsideration of the existential bases of one's being, such as responsibility, sense and freedom. We have identified two basic forms of life crisis that were the impetus for starting a business: crisis of living conditions and crisis of development. The study revealed the complex and unstable experience in forming the business self-identity of successful entrepreneurs. The periods of their social role development are very dynamic in terms of values and senses. In addition, most respondents tried to separate the time of the start of a business and of business self-identity formation. The latter, as a rule, was often blurred in time (and in the reflection of their life is constantly moving along the time-line), or was connected with a particular success in the chosen field of activity. The values were identified that successful entrepreneurs consider the basis of their today's career. These values can be classified into several sets: external (financial), personal (activity, self-perception and psychological well-being), existential (freedom and responsibility). In general, understanding the value and sense base of entrepreneurial activity and the features of its dynamics at different phases of this activity has an independent research value and can be used in psychological and educational practice.

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