Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/32628 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
Jena Economic Research Papers No. 2010,029
Publisher: 
Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Max Planck Institute of Economics, Jena
Abstract: 
Previous research on entrepreneurial teams has failed to settle the controversy over whether team heterogeneity helps or hinders new venture performance. Reconciling this inconsistency, this paper suggests a new conceptual approach to disentangle differential effects of team heterogeneity by modeling two separate heterogeneity dimensions, namely knowledge scope and knowledge disparity. Analyzing unique data on functional experiences of the members of 337 start-up teams, we find support for our contention of team heterogeneity as a two-dimensional concept. Results suggest that knowledge disparity negatively relates to both start-ups' entrepreneurial and innovative performance. In contrast, we find knowledge scope to positively affect entrepreneurial performance, while it shows an inverse U-shaped relationship to innovative start-up performance.
Subjects: 
Entrepreneurial teams
New venture performance
Team heterogeneity
Team diversity
JEL: 
L26
M13
L25
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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