Entrepreneurship after 50 in Chile's tri-border region

Abstract

The aging of the population together with the decrease in birth rates in the world, has generated a series of changes in the economic activity of countries, leading the elderly to explore alternatives to ensure both, their economic and emotional sustenance. This has given rise to the emergence of senior entrepreneurship, in this sense, the present research seeks to identify the factors that drive older people to become entrepreneurs in the tri-border city of Arica. The methodology used corresponds to a non-exploratory qualitative approach; where an instrument designed for the collection of information was used.

From the conclusions and findings, it is highlighted that senior or older entrepreneurs mostly start a venture motivated by the identification of opportunities, which are usually aligned with their lifestyle. Likewise, the entrepreneurs possess the necessary characteristics to carry out a successful venture, being visionary people with an ability to identify business opportunities; highlighting the weak support network that they have.

Likewise, it was identified that they require greater support and access to information on the benefits available through both public and private institutions. A tendency to question aspects such as motor skills, agility or speed of learning is perceived in the environment. Finally, there is little knowledge about the impact of senior entrepreneurship on employment, quality of life and well-being of the population.