Strategic choices made by entrepreneurs have major consequences for SME performance. This book explores the factors that influence entrepreneurial strategic decisions using a cognitive theoretical framework.The proposed model, based on a dual processing approach, integrates motivation, emotions and information processing modes and is tested in several empirical studies. The results show the model's potential for furthering interesting research agendas in entrepreneurial cognition research. The authors also reveal that entrepreneurial cognitions can be elicited and represented in the form of cognitive maps. The structural complexity of the cognitive maps (cognitive complexity) is an important prerequisite of effective strategic decisions and is a core concept for the advancement of our knowledge in entrepreneurial cognition. The book is an informed and interesting exploration of entrepreneurial cognition with both theoretical and methodological contributions to this field of research.
Entrepreneurial Strategic Decision-Making will be of great interest to undergraduate students and academics in the field of entrepreneurship. Policymakers will learn from this book to understand the distinctions between various types of entrepreneurial decision-makers and the way they make strategic decisions.
Contents:
Preface
1. Entrepreneurs and Strategic Decisions
Patrick A.M. Vermeulen and Petru L. Curseu
PART I: OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
2. The Decision-making Entrepreneur: A Literature Review
Petra Gibcus, Patrick A.M. Vermeulen and Elissaveta Radulova
3. The Psychology of Entrepreneurial Strategic Decisions
Petru L. Curseu, Patrick A.M. Vermeulen and René M. Bakker
4. The Role of Cognitive Complexity in Entrepreneurial Strategic Decision-making
Petru L. Curseu
PART II: EMPIRICAL STUDIES
5. Strategic Decision-making Processes in SMEs: An Exploratory Study
Petru Gibcus and Peter van Hoesel
6. Entrepreneurial Decision Styles and Cognition in SMEs
Gerardus J.M. Lucas, Patrick A.M. Vermeulen and Petru L. Curseu
7. Entrepreneurial Decision-makers and the Use of Biases and Heuristics
Marijn J.J. de Kort and Patrick A.M. Vermeulen
8. Risk, Uncertainty and Stakeholder Involvement in Entrepreneurial Decision-making
Jaap van den Elshout and Patrick A.M. Vermeulen
9. Entrepreneurial Experience and Innovation: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Complexity
Petru L. Curseu and Dinie Louwers
10. Social Capital, Cognitive Complexity and the Innovative Performance of SMEs
Daniëlle G.W.M. van Gestel
11. Cognitive Complexity, Industry Dynamism and Risk Taking in Entrepreneurial Decision-making
Sjoerd Bosgra
12. Conclusions: An Outline of ESDM Research
Petru L. Curseu and Patrick A.M. Vermeulen
References
Index
