Work

Risk attitudes and personality traits of entrepreneurs and venture team members

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Personality distinctions between entrepreneurs, nonfounder CEOs/leaders, and inventor employees have received limited attention, especially in innovative settings where they are working together. We surveyed these groups, along with other employees of innovative firms, at 4 locations of a prominent innovation and coworking center. Entrepreneurs display the greatest tolerance of risk, even in small gambles, as well as the strongest self-efficacy, internal locus of control, and need for achievement. Nonfounder CEOs/leaders typically sit in between entrepreneurs and employees for personality traits. Entrepreneurs, nonfounder CEOs/leaders, and inventor employees all show more innovative personalities than the noninventor employees in the same companies.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908375116

Authors: Sari Pekkala Kerr, William R. Kerr, Margaret Dalton

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, Wellesley College, Wellesley Centers for Women, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid