Toward a typology of new venture creators: Similarities and contrasts between business and social entrepreneurs

Abstract

This article advances a conceptual typology delineating the differences and similarities between business- and social-sector new venture creators. Our classification scheme differentiates business and social entrepreneurs, considering characteristics of social entrepreneurs in a larger entrepreneurial context.Within a conceptual 2x2 typology based on two dimensions: drive (passion vs. business) and desired return (financial ROI vs. social ROI), we identify and classify 80 examples of new venture creators into one of the quadrants of an enterprise model of entrepreneurs. Preliminary results reveal similarities between social and traditional entrepreneurs and differentiate social entrepreneurs in terms of traits, goals, tendencies, and motivational sources.

Citation

Vega, G. and Kidwell, R.E. (2007), "Toward a typology of new venture creators: Similarities and contrasts between business and social entrepreneurs", New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 15-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/NEJE-10-02-2007-B002