Technical entrepreneurship, experience and the management of small technology–based firms –exploratory evidence from the UK

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Abstract
The effect of previous occupational background of the technical entrepreneur has been recognized as being highly influential on the management of a small technology–based firm. However, while the high technical expertise of such individuals is seen as being relevant to the future success of a technological organization, considerable doubt has been cast on whether technical entrepreneurs have the necessary management skills required to manage a successful business. In fact, lack of management expertise may lead to problems as the organization grows, leading to considerable leadership crises at important stages of development. Utilizing a typology based on previous organizational background, this paper presents the results of an exploratory qualitative study of 38 technical entrepreneurs in the UK, concentrating on an examination of the effect of previous management experience on the functions undertaken by the technical entrepreneur within a small technology–based firm. The study found that, in general, entrepreneurs assume responsibility for functions in which they had previous experience. However, unlike other studies of entrepreneurship, there is very little reluctance by these individuals to delegate responsibilities for management roles of which they have very little prior knowledge or experience.

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