“I got your back, Dear!” The Power of Dynamic Entrepreneurial Duos
Research Paper Title:
“Not so silent partners: Exploring the interconnected roles of entrepreneurs and their spouses”
Authors:
Background:
The authors explore how and why the roles of entrepreneurs influence (and are influenced by) the venture-related roles adopted by their spouses and when and why specific venture-related spousal roles become more (or less) salient as the venture progresses.
Highlights:
The authors illustrate the interactive nature of venture-related roles between the spousal couple.
The authors explore how spousal roles evolve throughout the venture.
The authors address the interrelationship between the venture-related roles of the entrepreneur and spouse.
The authors uncover the micro-processes that allow for the dyadic construction, negotiation, and learning of role expectations.
Their findings shed light on the recent discussion on the dyadic nature of role development and transitions.
Methodology:
Number of studies: 1
Sample description: Entrepreneurial spouses
Sample size: 18 couples
Hypothesis:
Inductive, exploratory research
Results:
The authors found three core themes of spousal support affording spousal runway, filling the void, and combating loneliness tightly interconnected to these three entrepreneurial roles.
The first spousal role spousal runway confers resource-based support. This role proves particularly influential during the early venture stages for entrepreneurs who find meaning via inventing. The authors discover this resource-based support occurs via vicariousness (the why) and through role accepting and role enabling (the how).
The second filling of the void involves cognitive-based support. This spousal role proves particularly influential during the emergent stages for those entrepreneurs who find meaning via founding. The authors discover this cognitive-based support occurs via reciprocity (the why), role complementing, and role accommodating (the how).
The third combating loneliness concerns emotion-based support. This spousal role proves particularly influential during the later venture stages for those entrepreneurs who find meaning via developing. The authors discover this emotion-based support occurs via psychological ownership (the why), role-heartening, and confiding (the how).
Conclusion:
The dynamic alignment between entrepreneurial and spousal roles allows the venture to progress through various stages of firm innovation, creation, and growth. Thus, The authors find spouses play a not-so-silent role in entrepreneurial ventures.