Desafios e oportunidades do microempreendendorismo por necessidade e por oportunidade: evidências na cidade de Manaus-AM.

Abstract

This study comparatively analyzed the challenges and opportunities faced by necessity-driven and opportunity-driven microentrepreneurs in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The objective was to identify the differences between these two entrepreneurial profiles regarding the challenges they face, their motivations for starting a business, and their access to resources such as credit, training, and support networks. A qualitative study was conducted with nine individual microentrepreneurs, five of whom were classified as necessity-driven entrepreneurs and four as opportunity-driven entrepreneurs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews consisting of eighteen questions organized into four thematic sections. The data were analyzed using Bardin's content analysis technique, allowing the identification of patterns, differences, and thematic categories in the participants' reports. The findings revealed significant differences between the two groups. Necessity-driven microentrepreneurs generally presented lower levels of education, delayed business formalization, smaller family support structures, and greater financial instability. In contrast, opportunity-driven microentrepreneurs demonstrated higher educational attainment, business formalization from the outset, better financial planning, and stronger growth prospects. Regarding challenges, necessity-driven entrepreneurs mainly faced difficulties related to limited access to capital, high operating costs, and logistical issues associated with the Amazon region. Opportunity-driven entrepreneurs reported challenges primarily linked to market competition and the need for continuous innovation. Concerning access to public policies and credit, inequalities were identified: necessity-driven entrepreneurs encountered barriers related to bureaucracy and lack of information, whereas opportunity-driven entrepreneurs were more successful in taking advantage of the available support programs. This study contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of microentrepreneurship in the Amazonian context and provides practical recommendations to strengthen both entrepreneurial profiles.