TITLE:
Exploring the Realities Pakistani Entrepreneurs Face as They Navigate the Entrepreneurial and Small and Medium-Sized (SME) Ecosystem
AUTHORS:
Muhammad Arslan Khan, Elanie Steyn
KEYWORDS:
Entrepreneurship, Pakistan, Push-Pull Theory, Institutional Barriers, SME Ecosystem
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.14 No.6,
November
4,
2026
ABSTRACT: This exploratory study investigated the motivations, institutional barriers, and adaptive strategies of young Pakistani entrepreneurs operating within a structurally constrained and SME-dominated business environment. Drawing on the Push-Pull Theory of Entrepreneurship and Institutional Theory, the researchers analyzed data from an online survey of 24 entrepreneurs across multiple sectors. Findings show that pull motivations—e.g. the need for independence, entrepreneurs’ passion, and their pursuit of higher income—are central in entrepreneurial entry. Also, push factors—e.g. limited job opportunities, dissatisfaction with traditional employment, and low salary—also influence entrepreneurial decisions. Respondents also rated the impact of institutional barriers—e.g. financial resources, registration procedures, high taxation, corruption, political instability, and lack of government support—on their ability to start and run businesses. Women and media-sector entrepreneurs reported additional challenges such as gender-based constraints, online harassment, platform instability, and limited access to global payment systems as influencing their entrepreneurial journeys. Despite this, entrepreneurs indicated that they capitalize on family networks, mentorship, partnerships and frequent business model adjustments to stay resilient. These findings provide a snapshot of how a sample of Pakistani entrepreneurs navigate their entrepreneurial landscape and highlight the need for targeted policy and other reforms to better support entrepreneurs’ business efforts.