Entrepreneurial Approach and Its Implications for Business Success, Examined by Using the Example of Self-Employed Therapists

Background: Previously employed therapists are taking on the new role of executive helpers and economically independent entrepreneurs. The study is focussed to self-employed therapists and their business tasks and challenges aswell as their entrepreneurial acting in order to secure business success in the long term. Objective: The aim of this qualitative study is to identify and realise the elements of the various dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation and its effects on business success. Method: 15 self-employed therapists were interviewed with a view towards their individual experiences and decisions, assignments of importance as well as employed strategies. They assessed their business success. The interview transcripts were evaluated using the qualitative GABEK method based on Stumpf's [39] and Zelger's [45] theory of "Wahrnehmungsgestaltung". Results: Altogether 5 dimensions with various perceptions of therapists' entrepreneurial orientation were identified: autonomy, pro-activity, innovation, risk and competition. Causality for business success was established. Conclusions: The results indicate the need for an entrepreneurial approach and implementation in training programmes. Further studies are necessary for a more detailed examination of business success and the reasons for failure.