Designing an Entrepreneurial Desirable Pattern for Individuals With Physical Disabilities Using an Entrepreneurial Outlook

 In recent years, the number of individuals with disabilities has increased. Different causes lead to serious paralysis or disadvantages in individuals. Having job opportunities profoundly affects the life quality of individuals with disabilities. A suitable job is a requirement to bring this group back to society. The first step in this procedure is to determine some entrepreneurial patterns for this population. An entrepreneurial pattern is to discover opportunities and using them in different socioeconomic and cultural areas; it is meant to generate the foundation of sustainable development. Entrepreneurship is considered an essential factor in economic growth. Besides, developing entrepreneurial patterns significantly impacts the economic development of societies. Therefore, the current study aimed to design a suitable pattern for individuals with disabilities by considering entrepreneurship approaches.

 In terms of results, this research was basic, because it used data–based theories to find and present entrepreneurial patterns for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, this was study exploratory research concerning purpose, and a qualitative study given the used data. The data collection tool was semi–structured interviews. To collect the required data, 28 interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs and managers with disabilities as well as rehabilitation center funders and directors. These interviews were recorded and fully analyzed. Sampling in data–based studies is performed by theoretical sampling method, i.e., used in this study, as well. Data analysis was performed in three phases, as follows: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Accordingly, the qualitative pattern of the study was designed. The data analysis method was according to a data–based approach and performed by coding and categorizing. Initially, interviewing the study subjects led to an understanding of the issue, and observing the directors’ performance brought depth to this understanding. Relying on these data, after extracting categories, the conceptual model of the study was generated. Three steps of open, axial, and selective coding were performed on the data. For this purpose, first, the data were read line by line, and open codes, i.e., the words of the study participants were extracted. Next, common categories along with those considered important categories were identified as the final codes. Axial coding connects categories and subcategories according to their characteristics. To discover how these categories were related to each other, Strauss and Corbin′s analysis tools (1998) were used.

 A total of 28 participants (20 men & 8 women) were enrolled in this study. Their mean±SD age was 46±10.43 years. Eight of the study participants held bachelor’s, 10 master’s, and the other 10 held PhD degrees. The present study findings indicated that the extraction of 370 codes or the initial concepts of the interviews, as well as the enumeration of 16 concepts and 6 basic categories, were classified as paradigmatic methods. Basic categories included behavioral, broker, and structural attitudes. In this research, three concepts, including readiness to change, the complexity of entrepreneurship processes, and entrepreneurship environment requirements were the experimental causes that establish causal conditions for the entrepreneurship of individuals with disabilities. In this study, the intellectual paradigm of entrepreneurship section, the structural procedures of entrepreneurship and rules, as well as the regulations of entrepreneurship are considered as the main fundamental characteristics for the entrepreneurship management of individuals with disabilities. Moreover, the thinking styles of pioneer directors, being informed of different entrepreneurship tools, and the stability of administrators are considered as interfering conditions; process changes, the valuation of entrepreneurship, and informing as also strategies. In the end, the self–actualization consequences, creativity and innovation consequences, and new directors’ mindsets are considered as outcomes.

 Based on the present study findings, a designed paradigm pattern by an entrepreneurship approach for individuals with disabilities, could provide job opportunities and job independence for them.