| In the media, role models are increasingly acknowledged as important influential factors for occupational choice and career outcomes. Apart from conceptual studies establishing a link between role models and entrepreneurial intentions, empirical research on the importance of role models for (nascent) entrepreneurs has been scarce and there is still little knowledge of what determines the use of specific entrepreneurial role models, as well as the precise function of such role models. Our explorative empirical study based on extensive face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of about 300 entrepreneurs who have recently started up a company in the Netherlands is a first step to fill this gap. We provide initial indications of the size and significance of the effect of role models on occupational choice, the function of role models and the relationship and similarity of characteristics between the (nascent) entrepreneur and the role model. |
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| The Erasmus - EIM - Panteia Entrepreneurship Lectures Series is co-organized by Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM.nl) and EIM Business & Policy Research (EIM/Panteia), an independent and international research and consultancy organisation, specialised in SMEs and Entrepreneurship. EIM is part of the Panteia group. |
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| For more research resources visit our joint Entrepreneurship Research Portal |
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| Contact information: |
| Ingrid Verheul |
Joern Block |
| Email |
Email |
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