In his doctoral thesis, Martin Stockhaus challenges the traditional idea that an entrepreneurial career is defined solely by founding a business. Instead, the research explores how entrepreneurial competencies are applied across a variety of roles, revealing diverse career paths for individuals trained in Venture Creation Programs (VCPs). By broadening the definition of entrepreneurial careers, the thesis highlights the value these individuals bring to a range of professional contexts, beyond just startups.
What challenges do you focus on in your research?
"A key challenge in my research is the narrow view that equates entrepreneurial success with firm founding, which limits our understanding of the many ways people apply entrepreneurial skills. This limited perspective overlooks how entrepreneurial competencies can contribute value across diverse career paths and organizational contexts."
How do you address the problem?
"Through both quantitative and qualitative research methods, I provide a framework that positions entrepreneurial competencies as central to career development, regardless of whether individuals found their own firms. By categorizing four distinct entrepreneurial career archetypes, I show that these skills are valuable across a range of professional settings, thereby broadening the understanding of entrepreneurial careers."
What are the main findings?
"The main findings reveal that entrepreneurial competencies are highly versatile and can support various career paths. I identified four entrepreneurial archetypes: the Firm-Builder, the Intrapreneur, the Surrogate, and the Nomad, each representing different ways individuals apply these competencies. This highlights that entrepreneurial success is not solely about starting a business but also about creating value in many forms across various contexts."
What do you hope your research will lead to?
"I hope my research leads to a broader understanding of entrepreneurial careers and encourages policymakers, educators, and organizations to recognize and support diverse applications of entrepreneurial competencies. This could help develop career paths that harness entrepreneurial skills beyond firm founding, maximizing their impact across various professional domains."
Read the thesis: Founders and Beyond: Anchoring Competencies in Entrepreneurial Careers
Public defence: 5 December 2024 at 13.15, see link above.
- Professor, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Technology Management and Economics