University of Twente Student Theses
From fidgeter to entrepreneur? : A cross-sectional study examining the relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Entrepreneurial Social Identity, Entrepreneurial Passion and Entrepreneurial Performance
Decker, V.S. (2017) From fidgeter to entrepreneur? : A cross-sectional study examining the relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Entrepreneurial Social Identity, Entrepreneurial Passion and Entrepreneurial Performance.
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| Abstract: | With seven to eight percent prevalence, the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder observed in children (Okie, 2006). ADHD symptoms even remain until adulthood and include problems in maintaining attention and sitting still (Okie, 2006). Interestingly, recent research found that these typical symptoms are related to increased entrepreneurial intentions and behavior (Thurik, Khedhaouria, Torrès & Verheul, 2016; Verheul et al., 2015). These findings have led to the assumption that due to a good person-job fit, entrepreneurial performance increases. Nevertheless, no study assessed the impact of ADHD on entrepreneurial performance yet. Thus, this study examines the relationship between the mental health variable ADHD and entrepreneurial performance. Hereby, the individual-level variables entrepreneurial social identity (ESI) and entrepreneurial passion (EP) and the firm-level variable entrepreneurial orientation (EO) are taken into account. By providing insights into the interplay of ADHD, entrepreneurial performance, individual- and firm-level variables, this study promotes a better understanding of ADHD in entrepreneurship. Data has been collected using a survey that measured ADHD, ESI, EO, EP and entrepreneurial performance based on self-reports. 103 founders of micro-, small- and middle-sized businesses answered the questions online. The results have been analysed using multiple regression analysis. ADHD turned out to be of low value in predicting entrepreneurial performance. Instead, the individual-level variables ESI Darwinian and EP had a significant predictive value on performance (p<.05). High scores on EP turned out to positively moderate the ADHD-performance relationship. Interestingly, reporting the Darwinian identity was weakening performance in ADD-affected entrepreneurs. These results plead for different motivational processes in ADHD-affected entrepreneurs. To handle the problems in sustaining attention, ADHD-affected individuals need intense short-term, emotional motivation like entrepreneurial passion. Contrarily, long-term, commercial motivation in ADHD-affected individuals, like having the ESI Darwinian identity, leads to decreased entrepreneurial performance. These insights are of theoretical and practical values as they emphasize the deviating needs of ADHD-affected entrepreneurs. However, future longitudinal research that utilizes both, subjective and objective measurement tools, is needed to assess these assumptions further. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology, 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/72455 |
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