Need for Achievement Diversity and Relationship Conflicts in Entrepreneurial Teams.

Abstract

This paper aims to examine how diversity in need for achievement (nfA), a well-established entrepreneurial personality trait impacts entrepreneurial team performance (effectiveness and efficiency). In addition, it investigates the interaction effects of team nfA (mean) and relationship conflicts on the diversity (nfA)-performance relationship. Data originated from 44 entrepreneurial teams based in nine business incubators in Austria. Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modelling was used to estimate the model. Results indicate that in general nfA diversity has a negative impact on entrepreneurial team effectiveness and efficiency. However, diversity in nfA could improve team effectiveness when the prevailing team nfA (mean) is low. Relationship Conflicts are found to confirm their dysfunctional role for entrepreneurial team performance; however, similarity in nfA could help to cope better with these potentially negative consequences. The study makes the following contributions to entrepreneurs...