A Meta‐Analysis of Achievement Motivation Differences between Entrepreneurs and Managers*^*

* The research was funded by the Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Clemson University. We also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Wiboon Masuchun and Mark Brendle.

Abstract

As a result of conflicting conclusions in primary studies, most narrative reviews have questioned the role of personality in explaining entrepreneurial behavior. We examine one stream of this research by conducting a meta‐analysis of studies that contrast the achievement motivation of entrepreneurs and managers. The results indicate that entrepreneurs exhibit higher achievement motivation than managers and that these differences are influenced by the entrepreneur's venture goals, by the use of U.S. or foreign samples, and, to a less clear extent, by projective or objective instrumentation. Moreover, when the analysis is restricted to venture founders, the difference between entrepreneurs and managers on achievement motivation is substantially larger and the credibility intervals do not include zero.

* The research was funded by the Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Clemson University. We also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Wiboon Masuchun and Mark Brendle.

* The research was funded by the Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Clemson University. We also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Wiboon Masuchun and Mark Brendle.

Notes

* The research was funded by the Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Clemson University. We also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Wiboon Masuchun and Mark Brendle.

1 References marked with an asterisk indicate studies included in the meta‐analysis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wayne H. Stewart

Wayne H. Stewart, Jr. is associate professor of management in the Department of Management at Clemson University.

Philip L. Roth

Philip L. Roth is professor of management in the Department of Management at Clemson University and a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the American Psychological Society.