Mark T. Schenkel

Differences in Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The Role of Tacitness and Codification in Opportunity Identification

The role of opportunities in the entrepreneurial process remains relatively underdeveloped. To address this issue, we develop a definition of an entrepreneurial opportunity and draw upon a distinction from the domain of knowledge management to suggest a continuum of entrepreneurial opportunities ranging from codified to tacit. Though both traditional and contemporary research has examined how individual differences relate to the identification of opportunities, we focus instead on the importance of differences in the opportunities themselves. Specifically, we examine how relative differences in the degree of opportunity tacitness relate to the process of opportunity identification. We find that relatively more codified opportunities are more likely to be discovered through systematic search, whereas more tacit opportunities are more likely to be identified due to prior experience. These findings contribute to an increased understanding of the role of the opportunity in entrepreneurship research and have important implications for economic theories of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial learning, entrepreneurial networks, and entrepreneurial education.

The Price Chameleons Pay: Self-monitoring, Boundary Spanning and Role Conflict in the Workplace*

The vast majority of research on self-monitoring in the workplace focuses on the benefits that accrue to chameleon-like high self-monitors (relative to true-to-themselves low self-monitors). In this study, we depart from the mainstream by focusing on a potential liability of being a high self-monitor: high levels of experienced role conflict. We hypothesize that high self-monitors tend to choose work situations that, although consistent with the expression of their characteristic personality, inherently involve greater role conflict (i.e. competing role expectations from different role senders). Data collected from a 116-member high-tech firm showed support for this mediation hypothesis: relative to low self-monitors, high self-monitors tended to experience greater role conflict in work organizations because high self-monitors were more likely to occupy boundary spanning positions. To help draw a more realistic and balanced portrait of self-monitoring in the workplace, we call for more theoretically grounded research on the price chameleons pay.

From Resource Access to Use: Exploring the Impact of Resource Combinations on Nascent Entrepreneurship

Although prior research primarily has investigated the independent financial, human, and social capital effects on the decision to create a new venture, little research has investigated the combined effects, leaving potentially meaningful interdependencies less well understood. This study addresses that void explicitly by investigating both the independent effects and the combined effects of human, social, and financial capital influences on the new venture creation decision. The results of the study suggest a change in focus from resource access to resource use and produce important theoretical and practical implications.

Exploring the roles of social capital and team‐efficacy in virtual entrepreneurial team performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role various forms of social capital play in the performance of entrepreneurial teams in a virtual context.Design/methodology/approach – The relationships between various social capital dimensions – i.e. relational capital, cognitive capital, entrepreneurial orientation and team‐efficacy – and entrepreneurial team performance are investigated. Students in an upper division course were assigned to a project team in which they consulted with a company and collaborated virtually among team members to develop a database to add value to an existing companys operations. Respondents’ perceptions of team social capital were measured via an online survey. Team performance was evaluated independently by course instructors.Findings – Results reveal that the perceptions of social capital in the form of relational capital, cognitive capital and entrepreneurial orientation are significantly positive predictors of team‐efficacy. Moreover, team‐efficacy is a strong p...

Making rational use of ‘irrationality’? Exploring the role of need for cognitive closure in nascent entrepreneurial activity

A fundamental question of interest to both researchers and practitioners alike focuses on why some individuals discover and elect to exploit opportunities to create future goods and services while others do not. Past studies have focused on the role knowledge-based resources play in the early stages of new venture creation, yet few have considered the role cognitive motivations play in impacting the processing and use of information during this process. In this study, we theorize that a cognitive need for closure (NfC), or possessing a desire for an answer on some topic as opposed to enduring confusion and ambiguity, is an important aspect of the entrepreneurial judgment formation process. We hypothesize that the need for closure will be positively related to nascent entrepreneurial activity because it provides a cognitive mechanism for dealing with the opened-ended nature of opportunity pursuit. Data drawn from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED) support this hypothesis. More specifically, results suggest that a high NfC is likely to foster the exploitation of discovered opportunity irrespective of their age, gender, position in the family birth order, or unique personal knowledge base. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Awakening the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Exploring the Relationship Between Organizational Factors and Perceptions of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Desirability in a Corporate Setting

While efforts at understanding how the entrepreneurial spirit is awakened (e.g., unwrapping the cognitive “black box”) have been productive in the new venture context, it remains largely unexplored in a corporate setting.This study extends previous research by investigating the relationship between organizational antecedents and perceptions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and desirability of entrepreneurial activity. In a field study of organizations consistent with a corporate entrepreneurial archetype typology, we found that (1) individual work discretion and time availability impacted entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and (2) individual interest in work innovation influenced perceived desirability of innovative behaviors.

Examining the Impact of Inherited Succession Identity on Family Firm Performance

The vast majority of research on family firm performance following intergenerational succession draws on either agency or stewardship theory, resulting in conflicting findings and conclusions. In this study, we depart from the mainstream by focusing on how inherited successor identity and its combined influence with successors’ broader socioeconomic context exert impact on intergenerational post‐succession performance. Drawing on social embeddedness perspective, we hypothesize that a non‐first‐son‐based succession identity disproportionately better positions successors to take advantage of the informational exchange relationships and entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly when succession identity interacts with independent outside board members, as well as large blocks of outside shareholders, while simultaneously avoiding the pressures and constraints associated with “family tradition” aspects of the family business system. Data collected from a sample of Korean family firms showed support for this moderation hypothesis. These results suggest the need for more theoretically grounded research on the inherited identity of successors to help draw a more realistic and balanced picture of social dynamics in family firm performance.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SELF-EFFICACY, INTENT AND INTENSITY: DOES EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING ENHANCE OR INHIBIT PREDISPOSITION?

Whereas prior research has investigated the relationship between the belief in ones abilities (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) and the intent to form a new business as a discrete event, little research has investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and his or her focus and commitment (entrepreneurial intensity). Consequently, potential meaningful theoretical and pedagogical aspects remain less well understood. This study addresses this void explicitly by employing a pre-post design that investigates both the dynamics of the relationships between entrepreneurial self-efficacy, intent and intensity, as well as the moderating influence of different training methodologies. Our results suggest a change in focus from intent to intensity produces important theoretical and practical insights about the dynamics of early stage decision making.

Not All Created Equal Examining the Impact of Birth Order and Role Identity Among Descendant CEO Sons on Family Firm Performance

This study extends the family firm performance literature by focusing on birth order differences among descendant CEOs. Data collected from a sample of Korean family firms yield three insights. First, descendant birth order is directly associated with differences in the distribution of control through ownership, leadership (i.e., CEO), and the incorporation of outside board participation and governance. Second, descendant birth order also moderates the relationship between outside block holdings and firm performance. Third, we find evidence suggesting that because of firm performance differences, first-son descendant CEOs may find themselves more often replaced over time.

Brand Advertising in an Access–Ownership World: How Marketing Channels Impact Message Persuasiveness

Recent research has sought to identify drivers of preference for access-based consumption over ownership. Although much of this research highlights ideological reasons consumers may prefer access options, other empirical work suggests that functional reasons may be stronger drivers. We examine whether functional appeals will always result in more favorable attitudes toward access offerings or if and when ideological appeals will be equally or more persuasive. Building on the satisficing, maximizing, and brand personality literatures, we propose that people are more likely to satisfice in an access marketing channel, becoming more persuaded by appeals that fit with—or meet—minimum expectations given the brands personality. In contrast, people are more likely to maximize in an ownership marketing channel, becoming more persuaded by appeals that do not fit with—or exceed—minimum expectations given the brands personality. The results of two experiments with competent, exciting, and sincere brands largely support these hypotheses.