Human Resource Flexibility and Strong Ties in Entrepreneurial Teams

28 Pages Posted: 7 Jul 2011

See all articles by Roxanne Zolin

Roxanne Zolin

Queensland University of Technology

Andreas Kuckertz

University of Hohenheim

Teemu Kautonen

Aalto University School of Business; Anglia Ruskin University

Date Written: November 1, 2010

Abstract

Human resource flexibility is important in entrepreneurial ventures that need to respond to the changing challenges of growing the new business. This research investigates the impact of previously well-known people (strong ties) as entrepreneurial team members on the human resource flexibility of new ventures. Data collected from German founding entrepreneurs in technology-oriented, incubator-based firms shows that choosing a well known individual to join the entrepreneurial team increases the founder's ability to modify the team member's work role, but complicates asking the team member to leave the team if required. Hence, strong ties both increase and reduce human resource flexibility. However, the effect of strong ties on role modifiability is statistically significant only with novice entrepreneurs. These research findings counsel founders to discuss role modification and exit during partnership and entrepreneurial team membership negotiations.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial team, resource flexibility, novice entrepreneurs, habitual entrepreneurs

JEL Classification: M13, M54

Suggested Citation

Zolin, Roxanne and Kuckertz, Andreas and Kautonen, Teemu, Human Resource Flexibility and Strong Ties in Entrepreneurial Teams (November 1, 2010). Journal of Business Research, Vol. 64, No. 10, pp. 1097-1103, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1878708

Roxanne Zolin

Queensland University of Technology ( email )

Brisbane, Queensland 4001
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://www.roxannezolin.com

Andreas Kuckertz (Contact Author)

University of Hohenheim ( email )

Wollgrasweg 49
Stuttgart, 70599
Germany
+49 711 459-24820 (Phone)
+49 711 459-24826 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://entrepreneurship.uni-hohenheim.de/

Teemu Kautonen

Aalto University School of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 21210
AALTO, FI-00076
Finland

Anglia Ruskin University ( email )

East Road
Cambridge CB1 1PT
United Kingdom

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