Title: Effect of innovativeness, risk taking, self confidence and the need for achievement on venture performance: evidence from Switzerland

Authors: Kayhan Tajeddini, Keyvan Tajeddini

Addresses: Department of Entrepreneurship and Research Methodology, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, CH-3975 Bluche, Crans-Montana, Switzerland. ' Department of Psychology, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran

Abstract: While prior research has often used psychological characteristics to identify entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial behaviour, little has been done to predict venture performance. This study examines the impact of four entrepreneurial characteristics on venture performance. The findings are mixed with previous research but provide a new insight by exploring the characteristics of entrepreneurs in general and Swiss entrepreneurs in particular from a fresh empirical perspective. In the light of existing literature, limitations and future research directions are subsequently addressed.

Keywords: innovativeness; need for achievement; risk taking propensity; Swiss entrepreneurs; venture performance; innovation; Switzerland; entrepreneurial self confidence; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2008.021247

European Journal of International Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.4, pp.437 - 453

Published online: 13 Nov 2008 *

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