A psychometric analysis of nascent entrepreneurs : understanding the impact of individual entrepreneurial cognition on the founding and survival of new small businesses

Hird, Andrew P.

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate nascent entrepreneurship. Developing a new business is a complex and uncertain process. Different types of individuals react to this uncertainty in different ways. It is argued that cognitive factors play a critical role in the venture creation process and that the cognitive milieu of the individual nascent entrepreneur will impact on the founding process and survival chances of new small businesses. In particular this study investigates how cognitive style impacts on the ability of nascent entrepreneurs to recognise opportunities and develop trading businesses.

The research was conducted assuming a realist ontology and positivist epistemology. A range of validated and reliable psychometric instruments were administered to nascent entrepreneurs from research sites across the UK. A major strength of this research is that it was conducted within the nascent stage reducing the risk of hindsight bias. Following an extensive review of the literature a range of hypotheses were developed and tested. Principally located within the psychological domain the thesis also acknowledges the impact of behavioural dispositions on the founding process.

The findings indicated that cognitive style was not a predictor of nascent entrepreneurship but that it was highly influential on the process of founding new businesses. Both intuitive and analytic nascent entrepreneurs started businesses. There was no difference in the survival rates of the businesses they founded. However the research identified that the process of business formation and survival developed in different ways. Cognitive factors such as self-efficacy and behavioural dispositions such as proactive personality were identified as significant moderators within this process.

Citation

Hird, A. P. (2007). A psychometric analysis of nascent entrepreneurs : understanding the impact of individual entrepreneurial cognition on the founding and survival of new small businesses. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4213653

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jan 31, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 22, 2023
• Keywords: Business
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4213653
• Additional Information: Business School, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jul 1, 2007