Comparing the opinions about occupational Choices between government employees and entrepreneurs

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study about the opinions of government employees and entrepreneurs in Vientiane, Lao P.D.R. about their occupational choices, by studying the factors that influence them while choosing their occupation, job satisfaction and opinions about starting a business. This research has surveyed 112 government employees and entrepreneurs in Vientiane. The findings of this study are that social recognition is the most important factor in choosing an occupation for both government employees and entrepreneurs, while income is very important for entrepreneurs but not important for government employees. Personal preference is more important for entrepreneurs than for government employees. Education achievements, parents’ influence and career’s potential growth are important for both government employees and entrepreneurs. The findings about job satisfaction are similar for both groups; i.e., they have a high level of satisfaction in their job, and the only difference is that government employees are not satisfied about their salary or income. Most of the government employees want to start their own business in the future and they think that money, customer and education are the most important factors in doing business, while entrepreneurs think that money, customer and economic situation are the most important factors.