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Entrepreneurial characteristics in Switzerland and the UK: A comparative study of techno-entrepreneurs

Journal of International Entrepreneurship volume 7, pages 1–25 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The entrepreneur is the central actor in generating entrepreneurial activity. Thus, it is important to understand the motivational characteristics and variables associated with entrepreneurial behavior spurring people to become entrepreneurs. For this study, a comparative analysis of high-tech entrepreneurs in Switzerland and the UK was undertaken to determine the extent to which they differ in terms of entrepreneurial characteristics. A total of 253 useful questionnaires from entrepreneurs in both countries enabled us to distinguish differences between these two groups. Findings reveal that some entrepreneurial characteristics such as autonomy, propensity for risk, and locus of control are higher among UK techno-entrepreneurs while other characteristics such as achievement need, tolerance for ambiguity, innovativeness, and confidence are higher among Swiss techno-entrepreneurs.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the chief editor, Professor Hamid Etemad and two anonymous reviewers of the Journal of International Entrepreneurship, for their thoughtful suggestions and insightful comments on an earlier version of this paper.

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  1. Entrepreneurship and Research Methodology, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Bluche, Switzerland

    Kayhan Tajeddini

  2. International Business Center, College of Business, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, 41009, USA

    Stephen L. Mueller

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Tajeddini, K., Mueller, S.L. Entrepreneurial characteristics in Switzerland and the UK: A comparative study of techno-entrepreneurs. J Int Entrep 7, 1–25 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10843-008-0028-4

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Keywords

  • Swiss techno-entrepreneur
  • Risk taking
  • Confidence
  • Ambiguity
  • Innovativeness
  • Achievement
  • Autonomy
  • Locus of control