Developing an entrepreneurial typology: the roles of entrepreneurial alertness and attributional style

This study develops an entrepreneurial typology employing nvo dimensions, high versus low entrepreneurial alertness and internal versus external attributional styles that helps illustrate why entrepreneurs start new businesses. The resulting 2 x2 typology of entrepreneurs identifies four entrepreneur types based on these nvo dimensions: the true believer, clueless, practical, and reluctant. Using a representative sample of 315 nascent entrepreneurs from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, we fOlUld that some types differed across three key entrepreneurial characteristics, need for achievement, risk-taking propensity, and commitment, thereby providing some preliminary empirical support for the typology's validity. We conclude by discussing future research avenues.