Title: Qualities of the growth-oriented entrepreneur

Authors: Ville-Veikko Piispanen; Kaarlo J. Paloniemi; Jaakko Simonen

Addresses: Business School, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627 FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland ' Management and International Business, Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4600 FI-90014 Oulu, Finland ' Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4600 FI-90014 Oulu, Finland

Abstract: This article focuses on the relationship between entrepreneurs' human capital and business competences and their growth orientation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Previous research has acknowledged that growth orientation is important in creating and developing a business. However, the research has been inconsistent and limited. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the qualities of the entrepreneur and investigate the role of growth orientation. Probit model analysis of our survey data shows that extensive experience as an entrepreneur-manager seems to decrease entrepreneurs' growth orientation. On the other hand, entrepreneurs' age, level of education and expectations of the industry's growth potentials have a positive influence on their growth orientation. Our findings reveal the factors that entrepreneurs themselves see as important for their growth orientation.

Keywords: entrepreneur; growth orientation; human capital; HC; business competences; small and medium-sized enterprises; SME; probit model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2018.091454

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2018 Vol.34 No.1, pp.112 - 130

Received: 23 Dec 2016
Accepted: 03 Jan 2017
Published online: 01 May 2018 *

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