VI-S5

SUMMARY

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY AND SELF-PERCEPTION: DOES GENDER MATTER?

Ingrid Verheul, Erasmus University Rotterdam and EIM Business and Policy Research
Lorraine M. Uhlaner, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and EIM Business and Policy Research
A. Roy Thurik, Erasmus University Rotterdam and EIM Business and Policy Research

Principal Topic

The study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial activity and self-perception. Gender is included as a control because past research provides evidence of both gender differences in types of entrepreneurial activity engaged in and differences in the way men and women rate their own and others’ managerial activities. The study is a new application of the well-established psychological theory of self-perception (Bem, 1972) supporting the finding that behavior influences self-perceptions. It also provides a fresh answer to the perennial question, “What is an entrepreneur?” using participants themselves to answer the question.

Method

A sample of 186 alumni (134 male and 52 female) of a large Midwestern U.S. university is used, representing a response rate of about 17 percent. Respondents were asked whether they would call themselves an entrepreneur. They were also asked which of a series of business accomplishments they had been doing in the past or were currently involved in, representing different aspects of Vesper’s entrepreneurial typology (i.e., Starter, Acquirer, Runner, Take-Off Artist, Turnaround Artist, Innovator, Champion, Intrapreneur, Industry Captain) as well as selected additional categories (i.e., Owner, Family Business Member and Service Provider). Regression techniques were used to identify those activities associated with entrepreneurial self-perception, and gender effects.

Results and Implications

It is found that, indeed, entrepreneurial activity predicts entrepreneurial self-image, and that gender is an important control variable. Starters of non-franchise businesses are most likely to view themselves as entrepreneurs. In addition, other activities, including acquisition, managing a business beyond start-up, steering a company into a high-growth trajectory, intrapreneurship and business ownership are also associated with a higher entrepreneurial self-image. Women tend to select different activities than men, choosing less frequently those activities both genders view as entrepreneurial (indirect effect). In addition, women are less likely to perceive of themselves as entrepreneurs, independent of activities undertaken, and may value activities differently (direct effect).

This study demonstrates the importance of including gender as a control variable in general research questions of interest in the field of entrepreneurship. At a practical level, it gives a rationale for different guidelines for attracting, supporting and counseling female entrepreneurs and small business owners should be considered by directors of small business service centers and other service providers.

CONTACT: Ingrid Verheul, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Centre for Advanced Small Business Economics (H8-26), P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam; (T) 31 10 4081398; (F) 31 10 4089146; verheul@few.eur.nl