Nurturing Entrepreneurial Culture and attitudes: A Community Responsibility.
The concept and role of entrepreneurship in the economic development of a region in general land entrepreneurship vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir was discussed in previous two write ups.
In this write up an attempt has been made to put forward some suggestion to create entrepreneurial culture in this region. This is an established fact that we lack entrepreneurship
culture in Jammu and Kashmir as a result we are far behind in the economic development in
comparison to our neighbouring states. There are reason (already discussed in previous write up) -why entrepreneurship culture could not nourish in this part of world political uncertainty being one of the reasons but not the sole reason. Diagnosis of the problem and identification of the reasons are only the half way of the road leading to success unless some concrete steps are taken in light of diagnosed problem and identified reasons. The process of economic restructuring and the society give visible evidence only when a community show readiness to shed inertia and pulsate with new vigour and urge. The economic growth will become a reality only by change in attitude and innovation.
This demands that a community has to work on following aspects:
1: Change in mental outlook: The first and foremost requirement for the development of entrepreneurship culture in a region is the change in mental setup. This reality has to be accepted that state cannot provide jobs to everyone so we need to shift our mental setup towards seeking self-employment and gainful employment with respect and dignity. Robert L. Garner has rightly observed that “Development is a state of mind. People have to develop themselves before they can change their physical environment. Habits, thoughts and conduct are the most stubborn obstacles to development”. The people with reasonable intelligence and have creative thinking have to come forward to set an example for others to follow.
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2: Developing habit to work hard: A society need to work towards cultivating
developmental mind and motivating its youth to shed lethargy, apathy and traditional psychology. There is no other alternative to hard work. Sky is the limit for self development and growth outside the government sector provided we are willing to work hard. It has been observed that we the people of Kashmir especially youth are capable, intelligent, skilful but we lack a proper working culture as a result laziness and unwillingness to work hard has engulfed us. This lethargy has to be replaced by
the commitment and cultivation of habit of working hard.
3: Prefer optimism over pessimism: The unique social and political set up in which we are brought up has somewhat diluted our mind with negativity before taking any activity we hesitate to move ahead as we give undue weightage to the negative aspects of a particular activity. This is true that negative side of the story has to be taken care off but surrendering before negative forces is no wisdom so optimism and optimistic
mental setup has to be preferred over pessimism.
4: Need for Achievement: David Mc Clelland a notable behaviourist is of the opinion that development of entrepreneurship is directly related with motivation he says that entrepreneurship is possible in terms of level of human motivation to achieve or need for achievement. Therefore, going with this opinion a society with people having high propensity for achievement will produce more energetic entrepreneurs, who in turn accelerate the process of economic development. Our society has to work in this direction and we need to search motives and have to ignite inner urge to achieve high
this will set a stage for growing entrepreneurship culture in this region.
5. Alteration in social environment: A notable social scientist Max, Weber has said that entrepreneurs are a product of the particular social conditions in which they live and it is the society which shapes the personality of individual entrepreneur.
Similarly, Jhon kunnel believes that the behavioural pattern of an individual is
important to be an entrepreneur but at the same time behavioural pattern is influenced by external stimulus that is behavioural pattern of an individual can be altered in a manner we want it to be. In other words, if we want more people in a society to behave as entrepreneurs we need to bring behavioural change by appropriate alterations in the social environment so as make it more conducive and influencing to take entrepreneurial pursuits.
6: Motivational Training Programmes: The need of the hour is to arrange motivational training programmes to stimulate and encourage people to take entrepreneurial pursuits. In These training programmes successful entrepreneurs must be invited so that they can inspire and share their experiences which will ignite the
spark and motivate youth in this direction.
7: Religious Institution and personalities: Religious institutions and personalities have a decisive role to play in developing entrepreneur culture. If these institutions and persons encourage discipline, hard work, efficiency, honesty and thrift among its
followers, the social climate will automatically impel people to apply their minds to increase productivity, to acquire wealth, and to improve their social prestige and power. Religious beliefs must not discourage the spirit of enquiry, experimental and scientific outlook among members of the society instead religion permits and encourages rationality, scientific attitude and desire to discover. The desire to discover is a motivating force behind entrepreneurship religious institutions and personalities have to work on these parameters.
Author can be reached at rafeeqgbl@gmail.com
