Relationship between Profile of Ornamental Nursery Owners and Their Entrepreneurial Behaviour: An Ex-Post-Facto Research Study

Focus of the Study/Aims/Objectives: The study investigates the relationship between the profile of ornamental nursery owners and their entrepreneurial behaviour. Research Design: The ex-post facto research design was used. Sample Size and Sampling Techniques: The present study was conducted during the year 2022-23 in four talukas of the Navsari district of South Gujarat namely Khergam, Chikhli, Gandevi and Vansda. A sample size of 100 respondents was obtained by random selection of 25 respondents from each selected taluka. The data were collected through personal interview method. Instrument for Data Collection: The data were collected using interview schedule. Validity & Reliability: The appropriate techniques and scales were used for the measurement of all the variables included in the study. Method of Data Analysis: Correlation co-efficient, stepwise multiple regression and path coefficient analysis were used to identify and analyse the relationship among variables. Findings: The correlation co-efficient revealed a negative and significant association between age and entrepreneurial behaviour. Conversely, education, landholding, annual income, social participation, mass media exposure, material possession and extension contact showed positive and significant relations with entrepreneurial behaviour. While, family size, occupation and farming experience exhibited non-significant correlations. Further, stepwise multiple regression analysis highlighted that education, social participation and mass media exposure collectively accounted for 48.80 per cent variation in the entrepreneurial behaviour of ornamental nursery owners. Additionally, path analysis highlighted that education, followed by social participation had the highest positive and significant direct effect on entrepreneurial behaviour. Mass media exposure, followed by material possession exerted the highest positive indirect effect. In contrast, farming experience, followed by age had the highest negative total indirect effect on entrepreneurial behaviour. Moreover, the study further revealed that mass media exposure, followed by material possession had an indirect effect on entrepreneurial behaviour through education and mass media exposure, respectively. Conclusion: Education followed by social participation and mass media exposure have highest contribution in development of entrepreneurial behaviour. Recommendation/Implication: Education, social participation and mass media exposures’ influence must be taken into consideration for entrepreneurial behaviour development programmes/trainings/projects.