The influence of selected personal demographic and institutional variables on venture creation: A case of small technology-oriented ventures in an emerging economy

A gulf persists between literature that emphasises personal demographic (e.g. age and gender) variables as prime determinants of venture creation and research that foregrounds particular institutional (e.g. family) influences of venture creation. This study transcends the binaries of either micro-level demographics or institutional variables by examining the integrated influence of personal demographic (i.e. age and gender) and institutional variables (i.e. family role models and family recognition of venture creation) on the creation of technology-oriented ventures. The study drew on a cross-sectional survey that solicited information about the demographics of owner/managers of small technology-oriented firms in Mangaung Metropolitan Area and Matjhabeng Municipality. The study also explored how family variables in particular family role models and family recognition of venture creation influence the creation of ventures. The results suggest that venture creation is predominantly a young adult activity in which the effect of gender is evident. The results also suggest that family role models have a strong statistically significant relationship with all components of venture creation. However, family recognition of venture creation (a) is moderately statistically significantly related to resource mobilization and implementation of business decisions, while family recognition of venture creation (b) is moderately statistically significantly related to implementation of business decisions.