It cannot be denied that need for autonomy is part of human natural tendency. It is inherent human nature (Ryan, 2015).

Self – Determination Theory contends that human beings have the propensity to be curious about one’s environment and interest in learning and developing one’s knowledge. Autonomy represents an inner endorsement of one’s actions—the sense that one’s actions emanate from oneself and are one’s own (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Autonomy pertains to striving toward the development and realization of personal goals, values, and interests (Assor, Kaplan, & Roth, 2002).

This natural tendency has to be expressed because without it, the individual person may not be happy. However, often time this natural tendency cannot be developed into its full realization because of external control. That is why Angyal (1941) claims that personality develops in the context of two conflicting pressures, autonomy and surrender (or homonomy). The desire toward autonomy leads the individual person to be independent, and differentiated from other people and the environment.

However, this tendency is met by a countervailing pull toward surrender, felt by the individual as a desire to become part of something greater than oneself, uniting with others and with the physical environment. Theories that discuss about autonomy argue that individuals are motivated to have the freedom to determine their own direction, their actions and their own life unless it is blocked in some way (Deci and Ryan 1985). According to Deci and Ryan (1985)  that major constraints on experiencing intrinsic motivation can include stable or transient individual differences in the ways that individuals make sense of events. The tension is experienced by the individual person when there is a confrontation between autonomy orientation and control orientation.

Within such environment, the individual person may experience feelings of pressure and anxiety, and action comes to be viewed as controlled by either internal factors not of their making (Deci and Ryan 1985). Both contend that autonomy is the foundation of motivation. For them autonomy is “behaving with full volition and choice.” According to Patel (2012)  that basic motivation for entrepreneurs going into business is not simply to make money but beyond it is autonomy or freedom.

Many people are not functioning well and cannot develop their own talent when they are employed by others or working under the control of others. Entrepreneurs display a strong desire for independence and freedom. They have the tendency to do things autonomously and such desire for independence and self-direction has been considered as a predictor of successful entrepreneur. It is always argued that autonomy is the primary sources of entrepreneurs venturing into different economic activities. It is considered as startup motivation because one wants to be free with regard to the what, how, and when aspects of work. They want to control their own destiny what they want to achieve in their life
(Gelderen, Jansen & Jonges, 2003). Autonomy is seen therefore as an instrument for the realization of a dream.

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