The Role of Innovation in the Postentry Performance of New Small Firms: Evidence from Italy

The purpose of this paper is to relate the start-up decision to the postentry performance of new small firms. We use a database of 147 newly founded Italian firms that have spun-off from existing firms. The quantitative questionnaire analysis studied the relationship between the original factors shaping the decision to start a new firm, including learning in the “mother” firm, and the postentry performance of the new initiatives. The evidence suggests that innovative motivation, innovative learning, and a higher managerial position in the original mother firm tend to be related to a superior postentry performance.