Influence of Entrepreneurial Teams on Growth Orientation of Early Stage High-tech SMEs in China: Multiple Measures of Performance

Abstract

Growth orientation and performance effects of the entrepreneurial team specific expertise remain limited, particularly in emerging economies. Using data from face to face interviews with entrepreneurs of young high-tech SMEs in China, this paper argues that the effects of founding team’s human capital on the choice of early stage firm’s performance differed based upon the types of expertise held. This paper contributes to human capital theory by providing better understanding of entrepreneurial team expertise behind preferred growth orientation of early stage high-tech firms.