Comparison of Ethical Behavior: Individual Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Entrepreneurs.

The identification of traits that separate entrepreneurs from the general population has proven unfruitful, leading to favor for a behavioral approach toward the study of entrepreneurship (Gartner, 1988). This approach views the entrepreneur as a role where an individual plays the part of an entrepreneur. In this sense, an entrepreneur becomes a category, composed of individuals, with its own set of defining characteristics. The purpose of this article is to assist in determining the ethical perceptions people hold of individuals characterized as entrepreneurs compared to their self evaluations. We investigate how these differences affect employer preference, likelihood of new venture creation, and whether prior entrepreneurial exposure influences ethical perceptions. Further, demographic characteristics are explored, implications for practice are discussed, and recommendations for future research are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]