Misfit theory
Misfit Theory: Why "Outsiders" Make the Best Entrepreneurs Why do immigrants, rule-breakers, and social outliers start businesses at higher rates than the general population? The Misfit Theory of Entrepreneurship suggests that the drive to create is often born from the inability to "fit in." According to Hofstede et al. (2004) , individuals who do not share the dominant cultural values of their society often feel dissatisfied with traditional job prospects. This dissatisfaction becomes the fuel for new ventures. The Cultural Misfit (Hofstede) Hofstede argues that culture is a set of shared values and expectations. When an individual's personal values clash with the dominant culture, they become a "misfit." [Image of Hofstede cultural dimensions diagram] For these individuals, traditional employment feels restrictive or illogical. Entrepreneurship offers an alternative path where they can create a micro-culture (a startup) that aligns wit...
