Journal of New Approaches in Management and Marketing

Modeling the psychological characteristics of founders of industrial small and medium enterprises in Mazandaran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article (Quantified)

Authors

Seyd kamal Tourang 1
Mohammad Hossein Hashemi Nasab 2

1 Department of Industrial Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran

2 Department of Public Administration, Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch, Sari, Iran

10.22034/jnamm.2026.573755.1247
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine the modeling of psychological characteristics of the founders of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industrial cooperatives of Mazandaran Province. The present research is applied in terms of purpose and quantitative in terms of methodology. The statistical population consists of 893 business founders across the province, based on the definition provided by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). Using Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 186 individuals was selected through simple random sampling. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire developed by Kiggundo (2002). SPSS and LISREL software were employed for data analysis.The findings indicate that the overall psychological construct under investigation—analyzed within a path analysis measurement model (structural equation modeling)—explains the process of business start-up both directly, indirectly, and interactively. Among the examined variables, the sub-variable of internal locus of control demonstrated the greatest overall influence. Other variables, including tolerance of ambiguity, autonomy at work, need for achievement, motivation, and risk-taking, ranked respectively in subsequent levels of importance.The study concludes by recommending that policymakers and relevant authorities, in addition to considering other contextual factors, should also pay careful attention to these psychological variables in order to enhance the business start-up process and promote productive employment.

Keywords

Psychological Characteristics
Business Start-up
Industrial Cooperatives
Autonomy at Work
Need for Achievement
Motivation

Subjects

Journal of New Approaches in Management and Marketing

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 March 2026

  • Receive Date 05 December 2025
  • Revise Date 14 February 2026
  • Accept Date 20 February 2026

Home

Publication Ethics

Article Processing Charges

Peer Review Process

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us

Journal Metrics