The Entrepreneurial Propensity: A Study on The Adivasi Entrepreneurs In Assam

Several social scientists have extended entrepreneurship to be the key variable that links the sociocultural milieu with economic development. Entrepreneurship development is seen as a way to solve the imbalances, particularly in a rural society. Realising the significance of entrepreneurship in economic development, the process would not stand strong if it is not taken up by individuals from backward communities (tribes). Adivasis have been undergoing many changes whose consequences and implications have been seriously misunderstood. Against all odds, a change is being observed where the Adivasi society is enhancing its acceptability towards the creation of an enterprise. With this observation, the study aims to determine the degree of inclination towards entrepreneurship (entrepreneurial propensity) among the Adivasis of Assam, and in the process examines the socio -economic profile that motivates them to plunge into the field of entrepreneurship. The study is based on a semi-structured interview with 120 Adivasi entrepreneurs spread across the tea estates, villages and towns of Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts of Assam. The results suggest that the entrepreneurs possess minimum qualifications which limit their employment opportunities. Despite a few opportunities, they willingly took up entrepreneurship with a strong pull motivation. Further, the entrepreneurs display high entrepreneurial propensity with a strong disposition of personal resourcefulness.