ABSTRACT
This study seeks to identify the relationship between founder motivation, vision statements, and venture growth at small internet firms. Based on a review of small firm growth, motivation, and vision theory, five hypotheses are developed. To empirically test these hypotheses, data was collected with a self-administrated online survey from 75 founders of small internet firms and 56 unique vision statements.
The main findings from hierarchical multiple regression analysis reveal that Venture growth, measured by employment, is positively related to founder Growth aspiration and Vision attributes. Merely having a vision statement or including growth-related content is not associated with higher growth. However, the quality of a vision statement, as measured by several effectiveness attributes is positively related to venture growth. The perception of vision statements is very firm-specific, and perception gaps caused by founder and objective key-word evaluation are not significantly related to venture growth. The challenge for future research lies in developing more over-arching conceptualizations for the phenomenon of firm growth, but also in capturing the frequency and extent to which vision communication takes place at small firms.
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Table of Contents
- ABSTRACT
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- PART 1: THEORY AND HYPOTHESES
- 1.1 Growth
- 1.1.1 Entrepreneurship and growth
- 1.1.2 The definition of firm growth
- 1.1.3 Conceptualization of growth at firms and the unit of analysis
- 1.1.4 The use of historical growth and current founder's motivation
- 1.1.5 Measures of growth
- 1.1.6 Growth models
- 1.1.7 Growth patterns
- 1.1.8 Determinants of growth
- 1.2 Motivation
- 1.2.1 Motivation theories
- 1.2.2 Content theories of motivation
- 1.2.3 Process theories of motivation
- 1.2.4 Theory of reasoned action
- 1.2.5 Theory of planned behavior
- 1.2.6 Motivation as main determinant of entrepreneurship process and growth
- 1.3 Vision
- 1.3.1 Vision definition
- 1.3.2 The implementation of a vision statement strategy, mediators and moderators
- 1.3.3 Vision attributes
- 1.3.4 VisionPlex®'s Seven Key Dimensions as extension of traditional vision attributes
- 1.3.5 Vision content
- 1.3.6 Building effective vision statements
- 1.3.7 Vision communication
- 1.1 Growth
- PART 2: METHODOLOGY
- 2.1 Research model
- 2.2 Questionnaire and measurement instruments
- 2.3 Questionnaire design and means to reduce non-response error
- 2.4 Translation and Pilot study
- 2.5 Population and Respondents
- 2.6 Calculating firm growth
- 2.7 Calculating growth aspiration, vision attributes, vision content, and vision attribute gap
- 2.8 Internal consistency of Constructs
- PART 3: RESULTS
- 3.1 Descriptive statistics and correlations
- 3.2 Multiple Linear Regression Analysis
- 3.3 Hierarchical multiple linear regression model building
- PART 4: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
- PART 5: LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
Objectives and Key Themes
This study investigates the relationship between founder motivation, vision statements, and venture growth in small internet firms. It aims to empirically test hypotheses derived from existing theories of small firm growth, motivation, and vision. The research uses data from a survey of internet firm founders and their vision statements to analyze these relationships.
- The impact of founder growth aspiration on venture growth.
- The relationship between vision statement attributes and venture growth.
- The role of vision statement content in influencing venture growth.
- The effect of founder perception of vision statements on venture growth.
- The identification of gaps between founder and objective vision statement evaluations.
Chapter Summaries
PART 1: THEORY AND HYPOTHESES: This section lays the theoretical groundwork for the study. It reviews existing literature on firm growth, focusing on its determinants and measurement. The chapter extensively explores various motivation theories, differentiating between content and process theories, and delving into the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behavior. It then introduces the concept of vision in entrepreneurship, examining the definition, implementation, attributes, and content of vision statements. The section culminates in the development of hypotheses linking founder motivation, vision statement characteristics, and venture growth, establishing a robust theoretical framework for the subsequent empirical analysis. The integration of motivation and vision theories provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence venture growth within small internet firms.
PART 2: METHODOLOGY: This part details the research design and methodology employed in the study. It describes the research model, the questionnaire used for data collection, and measures taken to minimize non-response bias. The chapter outlines the translation and pilot study processes, providing a clear picture of the sample population and respondent characteristics. Furthermore, it explains the methods used to calculate firm growth, growth aspiration, vision attributes, vision content, and the gap between founder and objective vision evaluations. Finally, it presents an analysis of the internal consistency of the constructs measured, ensuring the reliability and validity of the data collected for further analysis. This comprehensive methodological section ensures transparency and reproducibility of the study’s findings.
PART 3: RESULTS: This section presents the findings of the empirical analysis. It begins with descriptive statistics and correlations, providing an overview of the data collected. The core of this part focuses on the results of multiple linear regression analyses, which were used to assess the relationships between the variables under investigation. A hierarchical multiple linear regression model building process is then outlined, providing a step-by-step explanation of how the study tested its hypotheses and arrived at its conclusions. The use of multiple statistical approaches enhances the robustness of the findings and allows for a thorough examination of the relationships between founder motivation, vision statements, and venture growth.
Keywords
Venture growth, founder motivation, vision statements, small internet firms, growth aspiration, vision attributes, vision content, hierarchical multiple regression analysis, entrepreneurial vision, firm growth determinants.
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This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research study investigating the relationship between founder motivation, vision statements, and venture growth in small internet firms. It includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main objectives of the research study?
The study aims to empirically test hypotheses derived from existing theories of small firm growth, motivation, and vision. Specifically, it investigates the impact of founder growth aspiration, the relationship between vision statement attributes and venture growth, the role of vision statement content, the effect of founder perception of vision statements, and the identification of gaps between founder and objective vision statement evaluations.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
The key themes revolve around the interplay between founder motivation (including various theories of motivation), the characteristics of vision statements (definition, implementation, attributes, and content), and the resulting venture growth in small internet firms. The study also examines the founder's perception of the vision statement and its alignment with an objective evaluation.
What theories are used as the basis for the study?
The study draws upon existing literature on firm growth, motivation theories (content and process theories, Theory of Reasoned Action, and Theory of Planned Behavior), and the concept of vision in entrepreneurship. These theories provide the framework for developing hypotheses and interpreting the findings.
What is the methodology employed in the research?
The research employs a survey design, using questionnaires to collect data from internet firm founders and their vision statements. Measures were taken to minimize non-response bias. The analysis includes descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses, including a hierarchical model-building approach, to test the hypotheses.
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Venture growth, founder motivation, vision statements, small internet firms, growth aspiration, vision attributes, vision content, hierarchical multiple regression analysis, entrepreneurial vision, firm growth determinants.
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- Quote paper
- Daniel Zaleski (Author), 2011, Bad Vision, No Growth - An Empirical Study of the Relationship between Founders’ Growth Motivation, Vision Statements and Venture Growth at Internet Start-ups, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/183875
