| For as many entrepreneurs as there are interested in starting a business, there are probably as many definitions of success. While publicly held firms define success in terms of return to shareholders, this dissertation demonstrates that nascent entrepreneurs have more multi-faceted definitions.; This dissertation examined nascent entrepreneurs' conceptions of success through interviews, phone surveys and mail surveys. The qualitative and quantitative data all converge: Nascent entrepreneurs rarely want to create large, fortune-generating companies---most want to grow modest organizations.; It was hypothesized that nascent entrepreneurs would vary in their conceptions of success according to variables such as gender, ethnicity, business school education and corporate experience. Few variations were found between groups of entrepreneurs in the directions hypothesized. Instead, the results indicate that most nascent entrepreneurs value relationships and lifestyle. Ethics and honesty were also found to be drivers of entrepreneurial pursuits.; The results will help researchers understand how to evaluate organizations at the early stage of development. This research may also be used to improve outcomes for entrepreneurs, those who help and finance entrepreneurial organizations, and society at large. |
