Exploring the development of social identity in firm founders

Abstract

This doctoral thesis builds on social identity theory to examine (i) how and why firm founders develop different social identity types; and (ii) how identification with social groups shapes founders’ entrepreneurial endeavors. Using a qualitative research approach, I introduce a model of cultural influence on the founder’s social identity in emerging adulthood, and propose a new taxonomy that captures different social identity types in senior entrepreneurs. My findings contribute to understand how culture influences the development of entrepreneurial motivations for young firm founders, and how older individuals can build entrepreneurial identities in pursuit of dignity and an active ageing. The study also brings to the fore the inclusion of non-monetary objectives in any conceptualization of self-interest in an entrepreneurial context.