Understanding entrepreneurial culture: Resident perspectives in a post-Soviet transition country

Azamat Maksudunov, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas UniversityFollow
Kyialbek Dyikanov, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas UniversityFollow

Abstract

The concept of entrepreneurial culture has frequently appeared in academic studies dedicated to both developed and developing countries. However, this topic has not been sufficiently investigated in the case of post-Soviet Central Asian countries, particularly in the context of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan can be an intriguing case study for analyzing entrepreneurial culture, as it has experienced distinct political and economic paradigms throughout its historical trajectory. This paper aims to empirically examine the current state and provide suggestions for the further development of entrepreneurial culture in Kyrgyzstan. This research is based on a conceptual framework developed through a review of existing literature on entrepreneurial culture, along with reports from national and international organizations. Primary data were collected through both online and in-person surveys administered to individuals aged 20 to 70, involving a sample of 319 residents in Kyrgyzstan. According to the findings, the entrepreneurial culture in Kyrgyzstan has evolved since the country’s independence in 1991. Currently, residents hold positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship and its external drivers, except for the policy environment. The prevailing regulatory framework and governmental policies are deemed insufficiently conducive. More specifically, we argue that existing entrepreneurship frameworks and initiatives are predominantly borrowed from international models, often neglecting the unique local context and cultural nuances. Additionally, we urge policymakers to rely on reliable research outputs when making decisions. Measuring and evaluating entrepreneurial culture is important for policymakers, given that expansion and support programs in Kyrgyzstan can foster economic development.

Keywords

entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial culture, residents’ perceptions, Kyrgyzstan

Chinese Abstract

理解创业文化：后苏联转型国家居民的视角

创业文化”概念在针对发达国家和发展中国家的学术研究中频繁出现。然而，在后苏联的中亚国家，特别是吉尔吉斯坦的背景下，这一主题尚未得到充分研究。吉尔吉斯斯坦在其历史进程中经历了独特的政治与经济范式，因此可作为分析创业文化的一个引人注目的案例。本研究旨在对吉尔吉斯斯坦创业文化的现状进行实证检验，并为其进一步发展提出建议。研究基于通过回顾现有关于创业文化的文献以及国内外机构报告而构建的概念框架。研究通过线上与线下相结合的问卷调查方式，对20至70岁个体开展调查，收集了来自吉尔吉斯斯坦319名居民的原始数据。研究结果显示，自1991年独立以来，吉尔吉斯斯坦的创业文化已有所演变。目前，居民对创业及其外部驱动因素持积极态度，但对政策环境除外。现行的监管框架与政府政策被认为对创业支持力度不足。具体而言，我们指出现有的创业框架与举措主要借鉴国际模式，却常常忽视当地独特背景与文化细微差异。此外，我们呼吁决策者在制定政策时依赖可信的研究成果。对于政策制定者而言，衡量与评估创业文化至关重要，因为在吉尔吉斯斯坦扩展与支持相关项目有助于促进经济发展。

创业、创业文化、居民感知、吉尔吉斯斯坦

ORCID Identifiers

Azamat Maksudunov: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5010-513X

Kyialbek Dyikanov: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8563-6088

DOI

10.5038/2640-6489.10.2.1342

Recommended Citation

Maksudunov, A., & Dyikanov, K. (2025). Understanding entrepreneurial culture: Resident perspectives in a post-Soviet transition country. Journal of Global Business Insights, 10(2), 125-141. https://www.doi.org/10.5038/2640-6489.10.2.1342