Reimagining the Singaporean dream : the rise of entrepreneurial pursuits amongst young adults

• Main Authors: Chiang, Alicia Chor Hong, Ong, Chu Wen
• Other Authors: Sulfikar Amir
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social institutions; DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social structure
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/78798
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study explores the rise of entrepreneurial pursuits amongst young adults in Singapore through a sociological lens. As entrepreneurial scholars have traditionally analyzed the dearth of local entrepreneurship, this paper seeks to fill the research gap in light of the rising trend of startups and entrepreneurial intents among Singaporeans in recent years. While seeking to identify favorable structural conditions that may have spurred this growth, socio-political and ideological factors were also considered in determining the overarching entrepreneurial climate in Singapore. Ultimately, does the rise of entrepreneurship suggest that the conventional Singaporean Dream no longer holds its place in society? If so, does it denote a culture shift from a traditionally rigid and risk-averse society to one that embraces entrepreneurial spirit? This paper positions ‘Ideology’ as a key mechanism in influencing the pursuit of entrepreneurship in Singapore given its power to influence its desirability, and the findings suggest that social environment for one to start a business venture in Singapore is not as conducive as it seems at face value given the dynamics of ‘ideological state apparatuses’ at play.