Motivation, Growth and Gender in the Dutch Creative Industries - The Multi-Dimensionality of Motivation in Relation to Growth Intentions of Netherlands-based Architects

The research topic of this thesis is the multi-dimensional motivational factors of entrepreneurial architects based in the Netherlands in relation to growth motivations and gender. The objective of the research was to gain an in-depth understanding of multi-dimensional motivational factors of Dutch architects, and identify which factors motivate them to grow their firm. The researcher conducts a qualitative phenomenological research. The main findings identify three pairs of multidimensional motivations, namely freedom and flexibility, value realization and sustainability, and creative independence coupled with authority problems. In conclusion, the entrepreneurial narrative of Dutch architects showed striking similarities across genders, as the sex of architects does not affect motivations to grow. Value-realization is an overarching motivation, which drives Dutch architects and inspires them to establish ideal circumstances to be able to design and construct buildings, which reflect and materialize one’s personal and artistic principles.