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The Successful Intelligence of High-Growth Entrepreneurs: Links to New Venture Growth

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  • J. Robert Baum

    (Department of Management and Organization, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742)

  • Barbara J. Bird

    (Department of Management, Kogod School of Business, American University, Washington, DC 20016)

Abstract

We develop a model of successful intelligence in entrepreneurship. The model was tested through interviews with 22 printing industry CEOs and responses from 143 founders of early-stage, high-growth printing and graphics businesses. Successful intelligence combined with entrepreneurial self-efficacy to predict swift action and multiple improvement actions (repeated goal-driven changes). Swift action and multiple improvement actions predicted higher subsequent venture growth across four years. This field study confirmed that successful intelligence consists of practical, analytical, and creative intelligence and that, together with entrepreneurial self-efficacy, it enables and motivates successful entrepreneurial behavior. Intelligence has received little entrepreneurship research attention; however, this empirical study suggests that specific intelligences should be included as predictors in studies of venture outcomes. The two entrepreneurial behaviors developed here are useful concepts beyond the entrepreneurship domain.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Robert Baum & Barbara J. Bird, 2010. "The Successful Intelligence of High-Growth Entrepreneurs: Links to New Venture Growth," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(2), pages 397-412, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:21:y:2010:i:2:p:397-412
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1090.0445
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    References listed on IDEAS

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