JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository

Abstract

The outcome of youth entrepreneurship in developing economies is impacted by something much more acute than the lack of entrepreneurial competence and finance: The legitimacy of the state policy framework and its compatibility with the entrepreneur’s expectations. This study investigates youth entrepreneur’s legitimacy judgments about the current state policy framework in Sierra Leone.

The purpose of this study is to understand the legitimacy of the state policy framework and its implication on youth entrepreneurship through an empirical study; and to propose an adapted framework of the linkage between state policy, legitimacy, and entrepreneurial outcome.

The study adopts a qualitative approach in evaluating the congruence between the state policy and entrepreneurial outlook in Sierra Leone. Data were obtained through extensive interviews with participants from three groups: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and its Commission, Sierra Leone Opportunity for Business Operation, and devoted youth entrepreneurs. The data were coded manually and analyzed using the Gioia method to complement a comprehensive literature review of entrepreneurship and legitimacy.

The findings of this study show that youth entrepreneurs perceived the current state policy as non-legitimate, due to lack of awareness about the functions of various policy organizations, political commitments to specific communities, and limited access to existing entrepreneurial resources. However, it also provides suggestions on how to ensure that policy actions and activities are legitimate and compatible with the entrepreneur’s expectations. The country already has a suitable policy framework designed to support the actions and activities of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and its Commission that must be compatible with the entrepreneur’s expectations. There are also extensive entrepreneurial resources that must be easily attainable and accessible to all youth entrepreneurs. Sierra Leone also needs a policy that affects the entrepreneur’s attitude towards policymakers to reduce the stigma of apprehensive youth attitude.

The result of this study provides a suitable angle to evaluate entrepreneurship and identify other factors that strengthen the effectiveness of entrepreneurship research in developing economies.