(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019-07-12)
Li, Congshan
This dissertation examines the mechanisms and factors that influence the choice and application of innovation strategies by high-tech entrepreneurs. As the competitive advantage of high-tech startups mainly originates from its knowledge-related resources, that is, its social capital, intellectual property, and human capital. This dissertation elaborates on these three knowledge-related resources. In the first paper, Dr. Rothaermel and I posit that the less visible, informal knowledge networks of individuals are a relevant source of information that drives the formation of future alliances between firms. By employing social network theories, we tested how certain structural characteristics of an informal knowledge network, such as the extent to which information is diversified and the information processing capabilities of key individuals, are positively correlated with the formation of future alliances. The second paper discusses the influence of intellectual property on a startup. In this chapter, I explored the impact of a novel innovation on the probability of a successful exit, the likelihood of forming strategic alliances and how such alliances influence the exit activity, and the mode of exit along with its financial returns. The third paper addresses the heterogeneity of the performance of serial entrepreneurs by exploring the moderators of the relationship between entrepreneurial experience and firm performance. The results indicate that education positively moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial experience and venture performance through both the learning-by-doing process and the self-selection process.
(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2017-06-02)
Jaiswal, Mayank
I analyze how various aspects of diversity impact new venture performance. In the first study, I find that credit riskiness and assets of a venture mediate the gap in performance, revenues and profits between Black and White owned ventures. In my second study, I examine diversity in same industry work experience and education. I find that same industry work experience diversity has no impact on venture survival but level of educational diversity has a non-monotonic effect on survival. Finally, in the third study, I find that use of adequate controls leads to no gap in performance between male versus female-owned ventures. However, certain owner characteristics such as same industry work experience and number of hours worked and venture level characteristics such as technology level and incorporation status lead to significant gaps in survival, revenues and profits between male and female-owned ventures. I utilize the confidential Kauffman Firm Survey, an extensive dataset of new ventures started in 2004 in the US and tracked till 2011, to conduct the analyses. I discuss implications of my findings for research, investors and entrepreneurs.