Gender Comparisons in Strategic Decision‐Making: An Empirical Analysis of the Entrepreneurial Strategy Matrix

Abstract

The strategic decision‐making of male and female small businesspersons and entrepreneurs has been investigated in prior research, but the findings are mixed. This article reports on a gender comparison testing of the Entrepreneurial Strategy Matrix, a situational model which suggests strategies for new and ongoing ventures in response to the identification of different levels of venture innovation and risk. A national sample of 184 small firm owers (59 percent male/41 percent female) was tested. Results indicate that there are no significant gender differences in venture innovation/risk situation or in strategies chosen by business owners. Male respondents did indicate a higher overall satisfaction with venture performance than did females.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew Sonfield

Dr. Sonfield is the Robert F. Dall Distinguished Professor in Business at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. His research interests include entrepreneurship, small business, minority business, and automotive business history.

Robert Lussier

Dr. Lussier is professor of management and director of Israel Programs at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. His research interests include entrepreneurship and small business, with a focus on business success versus failure.

Joel Corman

Dr. Corman is professor emeritus at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. His research focuses on small business and entrepreneurship.

Mary Mckinney

Dr. McKinney is director of the Duquesne University–Chrysler Corporation Small Business Development Center. Her research interests are in small business and entrepreneurship.