Factors affecting informal learning: A study among entrepreneurs within ICT Industry

Entrepreneurial learning is a continuous process of acquiring knowledge and skills in order to start and manage businesses. Based on formality or the extent to which there are predetermined guidelines, learning is categorized into formal and informal learning. According to the literature, only 20-30 percent of what people learn is through formal and structured processes and the rest is through informal processes of learning. Since entrepreneurial learning plays an important role in the success of entrepreneurs, it is so important to explore factors which influence the informal learning of entrepreneurs. In this research, 12 habitual entrepreneurs that work in ICT industry were interviewed. The tree stage analysis indicates that three factors: entrepreneurial characteristics, business futures, and business environment, influence the informal learning of entrepreneurs.