Abstract

THE EFFECT OF AGE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS AND BUSINESS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION

S. G. Jolaosho*

ABSTRACT

Age is a critical component used in differentiating between individuals. The dramatic changes in the practice of community pharmacy in a recessing economy necessitate creativity and innovativeness of pharmacists. Age of business can also serve as a function of year of experience which forms an integral part in the variation of entrepreneurial orientations of individuals. The study brings to fore both the effect of age of pharmacists and business on the entrepreneurial orientation of community pharmacists using the dimensions of innovation, risk-taking, aggressiveness, autonomy and proactiveness. The study is a cross-sectional survey of 203 randomly selected community pharmacies across twenty local government areas of Lagos State, Nigeria. Data was obtained on the entrepreneurial activities of the community pharmacists using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The outcome revealed majority (48%) of the respondents to be within the prime age group of 30- 49 years and the age of most (42%) community pharmacy enterprise within 13- 20 years. Also, significant variations in the orientation of community pharmacists were observed with both the age of community pharmacists and their businesses. Younger generation of community pharmacists by virtue of restiveness and vigor are more aggressive unlike the older ones that are more innovative and proactive in their dealings. The variation in entrepreneurial orientation of individuals can be utilized in establishing a mutually beneficial platform for sharing best practices. Furthermore, older pharmacists can serve as business coach or mentors to upcoming younger community pharmacists because of their age-long experience.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial orientation, age, age of business, year of experience, community pharmacy.