New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Article Title

Are You an Innovator or Adaptor? The Impact of Cognitive Propensity on Venture Expectations and Outcomes

Authors

Kevin L. Johnson, Baylor UniversityFollow
Wade M. Danis, Georgia State UniversityFollow
Marc J. Dollinger, Indiana UniversityFollow

Issue Season

Fall

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In this study we confirm the often assumed but largely untested belief that entrepreneurs think and behave differently than others. We examine a group of more than 700 nascent entrepreneurs and 400 nonentrepreneurs. We determine the entrepreneurs’ cognitive style propensity for problem solving (Innovator versus Adaptor); we compare their expectations; and, we examine the outcomes (performance and start-up) of their ventures. We find that nascent entrepreneurs are more likely to be overly optimistic Innovators, most people are Adaptors, and one’s cognitive style can indeed play a role in the initial development and outcome for the venture, but not always as expected.

Recommended Citation

Johnson, Kevin L.; Danis, Wade M.; and Dollinger, Marc J. (2008) "Are You an Innovator or Adaptor? The Impact of Cognitive Propensity on Venture Expectations and Outcomes," New England Journal of Entrepreneurship: Vol. 11: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/neje/vol11/iss2/5