The entrepreneur's perception in the entrepreneur–VCF relationship: the impact of conflict types on investor value

Abstract

The role of conflict has been the subject of extensive research in the area of psychology and sociology and – more recently – in the context of the entrepreneur–investor relationship. This study examines the effect of perceived task conflict and relationship conflict on the perceived value that an entrepreneur ascribes to her venture capital firm (VCF). We analyzed survey data of 152 German ventures and find relationship conflict to be detrimental for perceived investor value, whereas task conflict significantly increases an entrepreneur's perception of investor value. This effect is even stronger in the absence of relationship conflict. In addition, we tested a set of interaction effects on this relationship. We build on Sapienza's (1992) seminal work, who studied a predecessor of task conflict – divergence of perspective – and extend research by linking the most important conflict types to investor value in the context of young ventures. We contribute to the literature on conflict between entrepreneurs and VCFs and reveal clear patterns regarding the effects and interactions of task conflict and relationship conflict.