Title: Founding motives and venture performance: an empirical analysis of technology-oriented new ventures in Austria

Authors: Robert J. Breitenecker; Barbara Goller

Addresses: Department of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, Universitaetsstrasse 65-67, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria ' Department of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, Universitaetsstrasse 65-67, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria

Abstract: Companies are created due to different motives. Based on the fact that personal characteristics and therefore also the motive structure of the entrepreneur have an impact on firm performance, we test a theoretical model of a motive-performance relationship. In so doing, we operationalise the founding motives by defining four distinct motive groups: intrinsic pull, extrinsic pull, intrinsic push and extrinsic push motives. The results show that in terms of financial satisfaction with firm performance both intrinsic pull and intrinsic push motives have a positive significant effect. Extrinsic push and extrinsic pull motives have a significant negative effect on financial satisfaction, where extrinsic pull motives are significant on personal satisfaction.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; founding motives; venture performance; extrinsic motivation; intrinsic motivation; push-pull motive; subjective performance measurement; Austria; technology-oriented new ventures; firm performance; theoretical modelling; motive-performance relationship; financial satisfaction; personal satisfaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2013.053480

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2013 Vol.18 No.4, pp.443 - 469

Published online: 30 Sep 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article