The research into the make-up of today's small business owners by business accountancy software company Kashflow questioned 1,146 people.

A Kashflow spokesman said:

"The fact that nearly 20% of small business owners have at some time in their career been fired really made me sit up and wonder if there is a potential culture clash between the SME owner and the typical 9-5 brigade."

The report also found almost half (44.2%) decided to start their own enterprise because they were sick of their jobs and thought they could do better on their own, while 37% had spotted a niche in the market or come up with a new idea.