Search

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem studies abound, as this is currently a popular topic. It is important to understand the elements necessary to facilitate entrepreneurship and enhance the standard of living in communities. However, this research examines the phenomenon from the perspective of why it is so difficult for Eastern Kentucky to develop an effective entrepreneurship ecosystem, despite all of the efforts and resources brought to bear over the past fifty years. Statistics and peer-reviewed research were used to establish the results. The findings indicate corruption and a non-entrepreneurial culture are major factors, with deficiencies in all the domains of an entrepreneurship ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurship is known as a legitimate academic discipline and significant contributor to economic development. Eastern Kentucky is known for its high levels of poverty and unemployment. This research examines the entrepreneurial attitudes of high school seniors and their preferences to remain in or leave Eastern Kentucky. Findings indicate few students scored in the high level of enterprising tendency and the entrepreneurial characteristics of need for achievement, calculated risk-taking, and creative tendency. Findings also indicate those with a high level of enterprising tendency are more likely to leave Eastern Kentucky for education and career with no intention of returning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]