Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Differences in Age, Gender, Social Norm and Education as Determinant of Entrepreneurial Behaviour in Southern Nigeria
Christabel Divine Brownson

Abstract
This paper sought to investigate if differences in Age, Gender, Social Norm and Education could determine the entrepreneurial behaviour of individuals in Southern Nigeria. Extant research in the entrepreneurship field identifies age, gender, social norm and education as demographics characteristics using them mostly to determine their relationship with entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial behaviour and the differences between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs. However, limited research has focused on determining the differences between potential entrepreneurs and actual entrepreneurs especially those in the early years of creating their business. Using Mann-Whitney U test which is a non-parametric test of differences, differences between participants of government entrepreneurship promotion policy measures and non-participants on the basis of individuals who have started their own businesses and those who intend to start their own business was conducted. Findings reveal that age and social norm were a determinant of entrepreneurial behaviour while education and gender were not a determinant of entrepreneurial behaviour contradicting findings of extant research thereby adding new knowledge to the entrepreneurship literature. The findings provide implications that will guide government policy decision on individuals selected to participate in the different forms of entrepreneurship promotion programmes available in the region under study.

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