The Role of Founder Identity in Entrepreneurship

Article Review

This article aims to discuss all the important points of the article “The role of founder identity in Entrepreneurship”, written by Emmanuelle Fauchart and Marc Gruber. The article investigates the notion that how the phenomenon of identity generates entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, the article also examines numerous discussions related to the role of entrepreneurial identities and their importance in the success of entrepreneurs. Further, following sections highlight important aspects of the given article (Gruber, Fauchart, 2011, pp. 935 - 957).

Research question(s) addressed by the article

This article aims to address the following research questions:

What are the basic types of founder identities from the perspective of the social identity theory?

What is the extent to which the key dimensions of creation of a new firm are influenced by the social identity of its founder?

How social identification or recognition directs an individual to act and behave in ways that prove their identities and status? (Gruber, Fauchart, 2011, pp. 935 - 957)

Theoretical framework of the study

The theoretical framework of this study is primarily based on the theory of social identity. Traditionally, most of the scholars used to explain human actions in their work and organizations within the boundaries of their cognitive abilities and soon after the introduction of bounded rationality during 1974, it was assumed generally that decision makers attempt their acts of rationalism and wisdom within the boundaries of their cognitive ability (Shane, 2000, pp. 217-226). However, this trend has been changed now, as scholars and decision makers relate the self conceptions of founders and their effects on firms within the context of social identity theory. Moreover, an inductive methodological approach has been used as the main framework of this research (Melin, 2001, pp. 193-208).

Methodology

Research design

This research is an exploratory study which aims to define the role of founder identity in entrepreneurship by analyzing and exploring the behaviors and concepts of firm founders under exploration. Moreover, the research design of this study is qualitative which is generally recommended in order to investigate those phenomena that are inadequately understood or are subtle or restrained (Cardon, et.al, 2009, pp. 511-532).

Methods of data collection and analysis

Study setting

As the study aims to investigate the role of founder identity in the creation of new firms, so the firms that are in sample of this study are those who were eight or less years old and were independently held (Gruber, Fauchart, 2011, pp. 935 - 957).

Sampling approach

A theoretical sampling approach has been used in this study which helped in increasing the probability of collecting varied and different data in order to determine a range of variability.

Sample size

A sample size of 49 founders from a number of different firms has been analyzed. The founders under sample size of this study have all created their own businesses in the industry of sports related equipments. Moreover, the sample is classified into three main types of founder identity on the basis of the distinctive meanings that these firm founders attached to their self ...