Science and Technology Motivation of R&d Entrepreneurs: Determinants of Company Success ^^^ Motivation of R&d Entrepreneurs: Determinants of Company Success ^^^ ^^ the Authors Wish to Acknowledge Work Done Motivation of R&d Entrepreneurs; Determinants of Company Success

Eighteen technical entrepreneurs were studied focusing upon the relationships between their motivation and company performance. More specifically, the relationships between the entrepreneurs' need for achievement, need for power, and need for affiliation were related to the performance of the eighteen small companies they founded and operated. The results indicate that the entrepreneurs' need for affiliation is not a significant factor in determining company performance. However, high need for achievement and moderate need for power are associated with high company performance. High need for achievement seems to be a necessary condition for high performance whereas moderate need for power seems to make it more probable. The influence of need for power on performance seems to be derived through its determination of leadership styles. High need for power appears to be indicative of an authoritarian and low need for power indicative of a laissez-faire style of leadership. On the other hand moderate need for power seems to be indicative of a democratic style of leadership. In certain situations the most effective leadership style is democratic and performance of groups controlled in this manner is better than groups controlled by either of the other two styles. * Staff Associate, Sloan School of Management, M.I.T. "*" Assistant Professor, Sloan School of Management, M.I.T.