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What Do They Think and Feel about Growth? An Expectancy–Value Approach to Small Business Managers’ Attitudes toward Growth1

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  • Johan Wiklund
  • Per Davidsson
  • Frédéric Delmar

Abstract

This study focuses on small business managers’ motivation to expand their firms. More specifically, we examine the relationships between expected consequences of growth on the one hand, and overall attitude toward growth on the other. Data were collected in three separate studies over a ten–year period using the same measuring instrument. The results suggest that noneconomic concerns may be more important than expected financial outcomes in determining overall attitude toward growth. In particular, the concern for employee well–being comes out strongly. We interpret this as reflecting a concern that the positive atmosphere of the small organization may be lost in growth. We conclude that this concern may be a cause for recurrent conflict for small business managers when deciding about the future route for their firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Wiklund & Per Davidsson & Frédéric Delmar, 2003. "What Do They Think and Feel about Growth? An Expectancy–Value Approach to Small Business Managers’ Attitudes toward Growth1," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(3), pages 247-270, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:27:y:2003:i:3:p:247-270
    DOI: 10.1111/1540-8520.t01-1-00003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. McKelvie, Alexander & Brattström, Anna & Dennis Jr., William J., 2021. "What do they think and feel about growth? Examining small business managers’ attitudes towards growth in the United States," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 15(C).
    2. Delmar, Frédéric & Wallin, Jonas & Nofal, Ahmed Maged, 2022. "Modeling new-firm growth and survival with panel data using event magnitude regression," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(5).
    3. Johanna Vanderstraeten & Ellen Loots & Anais Hamelin & Arjen van Witteloostuijn, 2020. "Micro-foundations of small business internationalization: introduction to the Special Section," Post-Print hal-03015594, HAL.
    4. Anna Brattström, 2024. "Task Re-allocation in New Venture Teams: A Team Conflict Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 48(1), pages 205-245, January.
    5. Buffart, Mickaël & Croidieu, Grégoire & Kim, Phillip H. & Bowman, Ray, 2020. "Even winners need to learn: How government entrepreneurship programs can support innovative ventures," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(10).
    6. Obschonka, Martin & Pavez, Ignacio & Kautonen, Teemu & Kibler, Ewald & Salmela-Aro, Katariina & Wincent, Joakim, 2023. "Job burnout and work engagement in entrepreneurs: How the psychological utility of entrepreneurship drives healthy engagement," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(2).
    7. Clarysse, Bart & Andries, Petra & Boone, Sarah & Roelandt, Jolien, 2023. "Institutional logics and founders' identity orientation: Why academic entrepreneurs aspire lower venture growth," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(3).
    8. Kotorri Mrika & Krasniqi Besnik A., 2018. "Managerial Characteristics and Export Performance – Empirical Evidence from Kosovo," South East European Journal of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 32-48, December.
    9. Bort, James & Totterman, Henrik, 2023. "The growth aspirations of underdog entrepreneurs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    10. Conor, Sheila, 2020. "Impact of Euro 2012 on the Pomeranian Economy," MPRA Paper 104230, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Chatterjee, Ira & Shepherd, Dean A. & Wincent, Joakim, 2022. "Women's entrepreneurship and well-being at the base of the pyramid," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(4).

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