Triggers and Barriers Affecting Entrepreneurial Intentionality: The Case of Western Australian Nascente Entrepreneurs

This paper sheds light on the process leading to new enterprise formation while identifying the triggers and barriers to business start-ups. A new approach was used in this study to focus on the pre-decision stage, i.e. the intention and characteristics of nascent entrepreneurs. In addition to the "usual" triggers to start-up, this study has highlighted a more intriguing one: the will to invest savings in a business venture which will provide the investor with a job and the satisfaction of being rewarded on merits. The results suggest that this trigger matches the profile of mid-career professionals who want to become self-employed. Underlying barriers include the lack of resources, compliance costs, and the hard reality of "going into business".