Active ageing is a positive societal trend that is becoming increasingly relevant as life expectancy rises and the demographic shifts to an older population. Researchers in Israel have investigated the motivation for entrepreneurship in later life.
The researchers suggest that this area of gerontology and social research has so far been little explored. Their study of “retirees” shows that older adults are “pulled” towards becoming entrepreneurs in their senior years as notions of self-fulfilment, increasing personal wellbeing, self-realisation and enhancing personal interests, become increasingly important to them. Push factors, such as the need to earn a living, raise a family, comply with societal norms, are less important in the third age.
“Our findings have implications for designated training programs for older adults that aim to promote their motivation and foster their skills to launch entrepreneurial activities,” the team concludes.
Gimmon, E., Yitshaki, R. and Hantman, S. (2018) ‘Entrepreneurship in the third age: retirees’ motivation and intentions‘, Int. J. Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp.267-288.