Entrepreneurship Survey: Are they born or bred?

[EntreTech]

Hi, I’m new to this board and I’m writing on behalf of Northeastern University. Recently, there has been quite a bit of debate about whether entrepreneurial ability is something we are born with, or something we learn along the way. I thought you might be interested in taking this six-question self diagnostic online survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=618982550144 to find out whether you are a born entrepreneur or you were bred to become one through work and life experiences. The survey was developed by NEU scholars in conjunction with the launch of the School of Technological Entrepreneurship, and its goal is to put the nature vs. nurture (in regards to entrepreneurship) debate to rest. If you’re interested in seeing the survey results, send me a personal message and I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as the survey is completed.

[MsNadi]

A few things: why is it that the 18-30 age group points to innate skill? Being in that age range provides MUCH opportunity for learning and development that takes place outside of that which you are born with.

To suggest that entrepreneurs are born and not bred also has negative connotations for those who look around and do not so entrepreneurs in their family. This is the same argument that many use to suggest why superstar athletes are the way they are - that it is a result of some great genetics and higher power and not the result of hard work, determination and tenacity.

The real question would be to ask successful entrepreneurs - the ones we all look up to - the Richard Branson's, Michael Dells, Warren Buffets, Larry Ellisons, Kenneth Chenaults of the world and see if THEY think entrepreneurial ability is innate or learned, developed and nurtured.

Are accountants born or bred? It's learned skills and behaviors. Why would entrepreneurship be any different?

[akula]

I object to this survey on theoretical basis

the word "entrepreneur" is not a designated occupation. I've never seen a business card nominating someone as an entrepreneur

it's an adjective that describes four distinct jobs

people who do these four jobs are called an "entrepreneur" as a matter of shorthand, so you don't have to simultaneously call a person an investor, a founder, a c-level exec, and a company director - these are the roles that make an "entrepreneur"

until you guys get your theory straight about entrepreneurship, I'm not participating in your surveys

if you're gonna be taking surveys, the correct question is "are investors/founders/ceos/company directors born or made"

the current question in your survey is wrong because the subject of your survey is immaterial.

the point: entrepreneurs may have to be trained in their role as investors (i.e. opportunity recognition, due diligence, financial modelling) but have an innate predisposition for their role as founders (i.e. resource aggregation, hyperactivity)

likewise, you need to account for the role of company director, which is not an innate role because it's prescribed by legislation.... you can't be born a company director because the role is a creature of statute. this alone proves that entrepreneurs are made (in part, of course)

until the survey makes this distinction on entrepreneurial roles, it's going to be incorrect, and impractical because without this distinction, entrepreneurship will continue to be taught as a weird subset of organizational management - rather than it's own professional specialisation

finally: because randomness (i.e. fractal theory) plays an overwhelming role in venture outcomes, it is theoretically impossible to determine if entrepreneurs are born or made because the judgement can only be made after the fact - at which time, the result (i.e. successful company) may be the result of randomness

for these reasons, your survey is theoretically flawed because it's subject to self-selection and hind sight bias

:-) btw, I'm serious

P.S. In 50 years of entrepreneurship research you haven't transformed entrepreneurship research from a descriptive to a prescriptive social science.

I think that's an abomination, and a cataclysmic disservice

[MsNadi]

:::CRASH!!!!:::

Great points. It's flawed at a basic level.

[Outta Hand]

I personally don't like the term "entrepreneur".... i prefer "Lucas"

[magnate]

Entrepreneurial skills are learned.. We are not born with that ability already in hand.

[mary anne]

I agree that entrepreneurial skills are learned... One isn't just born to manage a company. There are people who are born with the privilege of being the heir to a company, but do they have what it takes to run it? Now if that person were just to play around without learning finances, accounting, marketing , and management, then he's dead. To lead a company to success, you have to be equipped with knowledge and analysis.

knowledge and analysis are the key words. Both of these are attained through education and growth, not just through birth.