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How should we divide the pie? Equity distribution and its impact on entrepreneurial teams

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  • Breugst, Nicola
  • Patzelt, Holger
  • Rathgeber, Philipp

Abstract

Drawing on a multiple case study approach and data on eight entrepreneurial teams observed over six months this article develops a dynamic model of the consequences of equity distribution among team members. Perceived justice of equity distribution emerged as a key variable influencing entrepreneurial team interactions and important entrepreneurial outcomes. High perceived justice triggered positive team interaction spirals, whereas low perceived justice triggered negative interaction spirals. Teams exposed to external threats drifted from a positive spiral to a negative spiral despite high perceived justice. We discuss the implications of our study for research on entrepreneurial imprints, justice, and exit.

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  • Breugst, Nicola & Patzelt, Holger & Rathgeber, Philipp, 2015. "How should we divide the pie? Equity distribution and its impact on entrepreneurial teams," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 66-94.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:30:y:2015:i:1:p:66-94
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2014.07.006
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    3. Yang, Junping & Zhang, Mengjie & Ballester-Miquel, José Carlos & Ribeiro-Navarrete, Samuel, 2022. "Exploring what drives entrepreneurs: Intergenerational differences between entrepreneurs born in the 1980s and 1990s," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
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    6. Pérez-Centeno, Victor, 2018. "Brain-driven entrepreneurship research: Expanded review and research agenda towards entrepreneurial enhancement," Working Papers 02/18, Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn.
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    8. Pauli Turunen & Esa Hiltunen, 2019. "Empowering Leadership in a University Spin-off Project: A Case Study of Team Building," South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, , vol. 8(3), pages 335-349, December.
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    16. Gregori, Patrick & Ukobitz, Desiree V. & Parastuty, Zulaicha, 2018. "A Conceptual Framework on Entrepreneurial Team Member Exits: A Starting Point for Further Research," 6th International OFEL Conference on Governance, Management and Entrepreneurship. New Business Models and Institutional Entrepreneurs: Leading Disruptive Change (Dubrovnik, 2018), in: 6th International OFEL Conference on Governance, Management and Entrepreneurship. New Business Models and Institutional Entrepreneurs: Leading Disrupt, pages 453-474, Governance Research and Development Centre (CIRU), Zagreb.
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    19. Xie, Xiao-Yun & Feng, Wen & Hu, Qiongjing, 2020. "Does new venture team power hierarchy enhance or impair new venture performance? A contingency perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(6).
    20. Mathias, Blake D. & Williams, David W. & Smith, Adam R., 2015. "Entrepreneurial inception: The role of imprinting in entrepreneurial action," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 11-28.
    21. Ren Lu & Qi Lu & Daguo Lv & Yuxiang Huang & Shuping Li & Ze Jian & Torger Reve, 2020. "The Evolution Process Of Entrepreneurship Studies In The 21st Century: Research Insights From Top Business And Economics Journals," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 922-951, September.
    22. Hong Yang & Brian Paul Cozzarin & Can Peng & Chun Xu, 2022. "Start‐ups and entrepreneurial teams," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(5), pages 1167-1184, July.
    23. Suddaby, Roy & Bruton, Garry D. & Si, Steven X., 2015. "Entrepreneurship through a qualitative lens: Insights on the construction and/or discovery of entrepreneurial opportunity," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 1-10.
    24. Pérez-Centeno, Víctor, 2017. ""It takes three to tango": Brain, cognition and entrepreneurial enhancement," Working Papers 02/17, Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn.

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