Are Entrepreneurs More Optimistic Than Managers: Evidence From a Lab-in-the-Field Experiment

Martin Koudstaal, Mirjam Van Praag, Randolph Sloof

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    We study optimism among entrepreneurs, managers and employees using data from a large lab-in-the-field experiment.The results on two survey measures indicate that entrepreneurs are more optimistic than managers and employees in
    their dispositional optimism and their attributional style when bad events occur. Such optimism is not unique to entrepreneurs, though. More successful managers (e.g. CEOs) are similarly optimistic. Furthermore, examination of two incentivized measures of overestimation yields that both entrepreneurs and managers are more prone to overestimate their own ability or a future stock market closing price. On all four measures, however, employees are least optimistic.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication date2015
    Number of pages26
    Publication statusPublished - 2015
    EventThe DRUID Society Conference 2015: The Relevance of Innovation - LUISS Business School, Rome, Italy
    Duration: 15 Jun 201517 Jun 2015
    Conference number: 37
    http://druid8.sit.aau.dk/druid/registrant/index/login/cid/16

    Conference

    ConferenceThe DRUID Society Conference 2015
    Number37
    LocationLUISS Business School
    Country/TerritoryItaly
    CityRome
    Period15/06/201517/06/2015
    SponsorLUISS Guido Carli - Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli
    Internet address

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