Self-Efficacy, Tolerance for Ambiguity and Need for Achievement as Predictors of Entrepreneurial Orientation among Entrepreneurs in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed some behavioural traits that may predict entrepreneurial orientation among selected small scale entrepreneurs in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The research covered some districts in Ado Ekiti and Iworoko Ekiti. Two hundred and thirty eight small scale entrepreneurs were the participant in the study. One twenty eight of them were males while the remaining one hundred and ten were females. Four scales were used in the research. The New General Self Efficacy Scale developed by Chen, Gully and Eden (2001), Tolerance for Ambiguity Scale developed by Budner (1962), Entrepreneurial Orientation Scale by Kreiser, Marino and Weaver (2002) and the Achievement Motive Scale by Lang and Fries (2006). Five hypotheses were tested using Independent t-test. Results from this study revealed that self- efficacy, achievement motivation, age and sex (gender) does not significantly predict entrepreneurial orientation; however, insolubility, a sub scale of tolerance for ambiguity was found to significantly predict entrepreneurial orientation. Findings were discussed in the light of previous literature on self efficacy, tolerance for ambiguity, need for achievement and entrepreneurial orientation. Based on the findings recommendations were therefore made.

Keywords: Self efficacy, tolerance for ambiguity, achievement motivation, entrepreneurial orientation, Ekiti State, Nigeria.