The relationship of achievement motivation to entrepreneurial behaviour: a metaanalysis

Entrepreneurship is a major factor in the national economy; thus, it is important to understand the motivational characteristics spurring people to become entrepreneurs and why some are more successful than others. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of the relationship between achievement motivation and variables as-sociated with entrepreneurial behavior. We found that achievement motivation was significantly correlated with both choice of an entrepreneurial career and entrepre-neurial performance. Further, we found that both projective and self-report measures of achievement motivation were valid. Finally, known group studies yielded a higher validity coefficient than did individual difference studies. Nearly all supporters of the capitalistic system would agree that the encourage-ment of successful innovations and entrepreneurship is beneficial for the contin-ued health and long-term growth of a nation’s economy (Schumpeter, 1961). Fur-ther, small businesses account for over 50 % of private sector employment and U.S