Barriers of Greek students to start up

a business

Prof. Pantoleon Skayannis University of Thessaly UIE

The usual suspects!

Difficulties for starting up and running a business in Greece

What is the case?

BureaucracyIncomprehensible tax systemUnstable tax systemLack of transparencyCorruptionSlow moving legislation (all phases)

The result!

ReservationDisappointment

Frustration

HOWEVER !

The biggest barrier to overcome is your own self!Look at the psychology and the sociology of Entrepreneurship and the development of soft skills

What is the case?

Low Self esteemfear of failurerisk aversionresponsibility aversionlack of confidencethe “Mediterranean family”

Overcoming the barriers:Where to put effort on?

Change perceptionsRaising awarenessEncourageMotivateSustain enthusiasmEncourage students to be more “Doers” and less “reflectors”

Economy of student time (“intensification” and structure of studies)The “value” of the degree (as a piece of paper)

Overcoming the barriers:on the side of educators in

Greek Universities

Who is doing the job in Greek Universities? What is the emphasis on soft skills and how is it applied?What are the educational methodologies followed by Greek Universities?Are there any institutional barriers and how can we overcome them?Can we “technically” support the students?

Study the phenomenon of students’ startups in

Greek Universities

Survey the barriers: Ask the students/ask the educators/ask the stakeholders Sociographics – demographicsPerceptionsDraw insights from theory

Thank you for your attention!!!