The Entrepreneurial Personality

Identifying the characteristics of the entrepreneur has caused much debate. While some definitions describe the entrepreneur as a successful businessman or woman, others explore wider angles, bringing in sociological and psychological perspectives. Such approaches have questioned how far success is a necessary component and whether the concept of entrepreneurship is, in fact, limited to the world of business. This book explores a methodology for analyzing the entrepreneurial personality by using new theories of artificial neural networks and personality constructs. It looks in detail at five case histories, identifying early influences in the analysis of the personality of each business owner within the context of the growth and development of their business. While measures of performance are problematical, this book puts forward a concept of growth orientation to try to define levels of progress. The methodology it presents will help to redirect current research in the field. The book will be of interest to business students, particularly those studying small businesses and entrepreneurship, as well as social psychologists and students of occupational behaviour.