Exploring the Assets and Liabilities of Poverty in the Entrepreneurial Mindset: A Qualitative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47187/mktdescubre.4.E.E..68Keywords:
Poverty, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial mindset, poverty assets, liability of poornessAbstract
This study explores how the assets and liabilities associated with poverty influence the development of an entrepreneurial mindset among low-income individuals in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador. A qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews was used to investigate the experiences of 16 entrepreneurs, teachers, and project coordinators. In addition to incorporating secondary sources, the experiences and perceptions of the participants were analyzed using a deductive coding process supported by MAXQDA. The results reveal that liabilities such as educational gaps, scarcity mindsets, external pressures, and a lack of safety nets limit the sustainability of entrepreneurial ventures. However, the assets of poverty—creativity, resilience, and motivation—emerge as strategic resources that enhance innovation and persistence. The discussion shows that the entrepreneurial mindset acts as a space of convergence in which liabilities can be transformed into assets. These findings broaden the theoretical understanding of entrepreneurship in contexts of scarcity and have practical implications for public policies and university programs aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship. It can be concluded that the interaction between assets and liabilities influences not only business decisions, but also the sustainability of businesses in vulnerable scenarios.
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