Qualities of the growth-oriented entrepreneur

This article focuses on the relationship between entrepreneurs' human capital and business competences and their growth orientation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Previous research has acknowledged that growth orientation is important in creating and developing a business. However, the research has been inconsistent and limited. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the qualities of the entrepreneur and investigate the role of growth orientation. Probit model analysis of our survey data shows that extensive experience as an entrepreneur-manager seems to decrease entrepreneurs' growth orientation. On the other hand, entrepreneurs' age, level of education and expectations of the industry's growth potentials have a positive influence on their growth orientation. Our findings reveal the factors that entrepreneurs themselves see as important for their growth orientation.