Crafting the future: entrepreneurial growth intention in the creative industry of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Entrepreneurial growth intention (EGI) is essential for driving the long-term success and development of businesses. While considerable research has examined various types of intentions, specifically EGI, particularly within the creative industry in a developing country, remains largely underexplored. This paper aims to explore the individual, environmental, and social factors that influence EGI in the creative industry, addressing these significant research gaps. The study adopts an interpretivist philosophical stance and a qualitative approach, employing purposive sampling to select 16 entrepreneurs from culturally rich districts, with data collected through semi-structured interviews, photos, and observations. Through thematic analysis, the study identified five key themes shaping EGI in the creative industry: the influence of individual entrepreneurial traits on growth intention, entrepreneurial decision-making under uncertainty, the challenges posed by a hostile business environment, the role of family as a supportive pillar, and growth in the shadow of tradition. The majority reveal that personal traits, the decision-making processes of entrepreneurs, the external environment, family support, and the sociocultural context significantly shape EGI. This study stands out as one of the few studies exploring the growth intention within the creative industry in a developing country context, while the application of effectuation as a theoretical lens offers novel insights into the decision-making processes of entrepreneurs in this sector.