Northeast Ohio Entrepreneurship Confidence Survey Perceptions of the economic health of the region do not vary systematically among respondents at different phases of business development (Figure 43). Although the score is slightly higher for those in the Imagining and Demonstrating phases, scores for all groups are far below the midpoint of the scale. Respondents’ confidence to sustain a business, as expected, is highest for those in the most advanced stage of business development (Growth & Sustainability). Of particular concern is the low score (2.40) of those in the Imagining phase when asked about their confidence in sustaining a business, considering their higher perception of the region’s economic health. The same respondents had the lowest score for their confidence in starting a business as well, suggesting that their view of entrepreneurial prospects and business success is jaded by factors other than the region’s economic conditions. Figure 43. Entrepreneurial Confidence by Entrepreneurial Status agree
5 4.10
4.09
3.93
3.80
4
3.65
3.75 3.78
mean
3.40 3.06 3 2.47
2.44
2.40
2.10 1.80
2
1.95
disagree 1 Economic Health of Region Imaging
Incubating
Confidence in Sustaining Business Demonstrating
Market Entry
Confidence in Starting Business Growth & Sustainability
Mean scores remain fairly consistent across the different age groups with the exception of respondents age 25-34 reporting higher scores regarding their perception of the economic health of the region (Figure 44). Interestingly, the relative scores for the respondents’ confidence in starting a business for all age groups are similar to the 2006 survey results, yet they are the inverse of 2007’s scores which reflected higher confidence for younger respondents and lower scores for the older age groups.
Center for Economic Development, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University
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