There may have been an increase in the number of courses offering instruction in how to run a company but new research reveals that two-thirds of small business owners believe entrepreneurship cannot be taught.

The poll, on HR Zone’s sister-site www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk, found just 33 per cent thought that the attributes of entrepreneurship can be learnt in the classroom. The remaining 67 per cent were firmly of the view that they cannot be taught.

While many respondents to the survey said general business skills such as sales and marketing, time management and effective negotiation can be taught, most believed that entrepreneurial traits – like risk-taking, focus and sacrifice – are inherent.

One respondent said: “I think there are natural entrepreneurs and they have certain traits that are inherent and cannot be acquired. I think it is also possible to acquire business skills and become business savvy but this is separate from being an entrepreneur.”

Another commented: “An entrepreneur is born with an ability to takes risks, make money and think out of the box. It cannot be taught – you are born with it and very few get there.”

Dan Martin, chairman of UK Business Forums, said: “It is clear from our survey that entrepreneurs are firmly of the belief that while the basic of business can be taught in the classroom, when it actually comes to being a proper entrepreneur, these are skills which are natural and cannot be learnt from text books.

“The number of hugely successful company founders who left school early but went on to make millions suggests our members may be right. The vast amount of enterprise courses on offer may produce many so-called business experts but it looks like we’re not going to find the next generation of risk-taking entrepreneurs in the classroom.”