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Identifying and comparing the behaviors of entrepreneurs with the behaviors of managers: An idiographic approach
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the behaviors of entrepreneurs and directly compare those behaviors with the behaviors of managers. Identifying the behaviors of entrepreneurs was conducted using a multi behavior-multi rater matrix, and the most appropriate data base for the comparison with managers was the Luthans and Lockwood (1984) and Luthans, Hodgetts, and Rosenkrantz (1988) "Real Managers" study, because it used the same methodology. The four phases included: (1) unstructured observation (N = 33), (2) post-log interviews, (3) a content analysis using a Delphi process, and (4) structured observation (N = 99). In the structured observation phase, trained observers recorded the behaviors of entrepreneurs using a system developed from the first three phases of the study. Interrater reliability was acceptable which was determined by Cohen's (1960) kappa. Construct validity was analyzed using the MBMR matrix and Spearman's Rho. To compare the behaviors of entrepreneurs with the behaviors of managers, two methods were employed. The first method was a descriptive summary of the relative frequency of activities comparison. The second was a planned comparison method using orthogonal polynomials by means of linear combinations, which tests whether significant differences exist between entrepreneurs and managers' behaviors. Based on relative frequencies, it was determined that entrepreneurs differ from managers on the behaviors of: (1) traditional management--21% compared to managers at 32%; (2) human resources management--9% compared to managers at 20%; (3) communication--18% compared to managers at 29%; and (4) networking--11% compared to managers at 19%. However, these differences were not found to be statistically significant. In addition, other behaviors were identified for entrepreneurs which include work- related tasks (19%), customer service (15%) and on-job personal time (7%). It was concluded that entrepreneurs do exhibit behaviors different from managers. It was also concluded that the better understanding of entrepreneurs can benefit from alternative methodologies such as the idiographic approach. This study was exploratory, and future studies need to be conducted.
Subject Area
Management|Business community
Recommended Citation
Envick, Brooke R, "Identifying and comparing the behaviors of entrepreneurs with the behaviors of managers: An idiographic approach" (1996). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9623622.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9623622