Ronald Mitchell

• PhD
• Professor at Texas Tech University

In response to profound and emerging challenges arising from changes in the international order that affect international entrepreneurship, we address a gap in explanations for how the system for international relations shapes entrepreneurial internationalization. To do so, we develop a model that further explains the role of institutions in suppor...

In the management and business ethics literatures, stakeholder engagement has been demonstrated to lead to more ethical management practices. However, there may be limits on the extent to which stakeholder engagement can, as currently conceptualized, resolve some of the more difficult ethical challenges faced by managers. In this paper we argue tha...

There is growing interest in understanding the role of stakeholders—including financiers, employees, customers, suppliers, and communities—in the process of new venture emergence. We see potential to advance this stream of research by bridging a gap we observe between recent research on stakeholder enrollment in new ventures and longstanding resear...

Scholars argue that at least some entrepreneurial cognition is global; but there is little evidence to test this claim in the Middle East. For this region, composed of several countries with distinct socioeconomic contexts, even baseline descriptions are rare. Indeed, some have used the case of Middle East to challenge the global nature of entrepre...

To contribute to the continuing challenge of explaining how managers identify stakeholders and assess their salience, in this article, we chronicle the history, assess the impact, and evaluate the possibilities opened by Mitchell, Agle, and Wood (MAW-1997). We do so through two types of qualitative analysis, and also through utilizing a quantitativ...

In this paper we develop the concept of abstractness as an underlying theoretical structure of entrepreneurial action, specifically to connect individual perception of psychological distance to entrepreneurial action. We draw on construal level theory to model distance and abstractness, using construal as the mechanism where, in new venture creatio...

In this article, we use ideas from stakeholder capital maintenance theory to address tensions in allocating firm profits between stockholders and other stakeholders. We utilize a mediative thought experiment to conceptualize how multiple stakeholder interests might better be served, such that genuine firm profits (from new value creation) versus ar...

Over the past few years a new narrative has emerged within the area of entrepreneurial cognition research that has moved explanations away from boxologies—seemingly static representations of abstract, disembodied cognitive structures—and towards a more dynamic view of entrepreneurial cognition. In this chapter, using socially situated cognition the...

Entrepreneurial scripts that represent entrepreneurial expertise enable researchers to begin to map the entrepreneurial mind. This chapter provides a complete demonstration of the steps needed by researchers to uncover the structure and content of the expert script knowledge structures that entrepreneurs utilize and to relate the use of these scrip...

Managers in ethnic businesses are confronted with ethical dilemmas when taking action based on ethnic ties; and often as a result, they increase the already vulnerable positions of these businesses and their stakeholders. Many of these dilemmas concern the capital that is generated (or the lack of it) through variations in the use of ethnic stakeho...

Stakeholder inclusion in organizational decision‐making, and the resulting issue of value creation, is one of the thorny problems that stakeholder theory has sought to address. Yet progress has been slow, we suggest, because present accounting theory and practice does not address the decision‐making needs of all stakeholders who are at risk due to...

Social welfare, or the good society, is of central concern to the Academy of Management. We begin by observing that, in theory and practice, social welfare appears to be a multifarious, multidimensional, pluralistic concept. In light of this, we develop an account of a multiobjective corporation as a means for enabling a greater range of management...

Research in entrepreneurship has been booming, with perspectives from a range of disciplines and numerous developing schools of thought. It can be difficult for young scholars and even long-time researchers to find their way through the lush garden of ideas we see before us. The purpose of this book is to map the research terrain of entrepreneursh...

In a synthesis of the relevant social cognition, human resources, stakeholder, and entrepreneurship literatures, this article explores how perceptions about entrepreneurship affect entrepreneurial behavior and job security seeking. Definitions and reasons for the apparent incompatibility of entrepreneurship and job security are analyzed, with the i...

In this introduction to the Handbook of Entrepreneurial Cognition, we briefly review recent developments in social cognition and entrepreneurial cognition and the context in which these developments have arisen. First, we present a high-level historical review of research in social cognition more generally. Second, we review the roots of entreprene...

In this chapter, using an agent-based- model simulation, we model the socially situated cognition notion that dynamism in cognition results from the moment-to- moment interaction of an entrepreneur's inner environment and outer environment, using exchange formation as the relevant outcome. We present a fundamental model of exchange: individuals cre...

In this paper, we argue that the spiritual identity of members of a family business can positively or negatively impact the salience of stakeholders to the complex coalition of decision-makers that comprises managers in that business. Utilizing stakeholder salience theory and role theory, we examine the complex theoretical relationships among spiri...

Marketing strategists should create, maintain, and arrest the decay of causally ambiguous resource competences that lead to competitiveness and thus performance. However, competence causal ambiguity, which helps create competitiveness, is also implicated in competitiveness decay. In this study we test a model of specialization-competitiveness-perfo...

In this study we focus on how conditions of uncertainty shape the entrepreneurial action that underlies opportunity creation. We utilize the basic structure of economic exchange in the context of opportunity creation theory to further investigate the conditions under which an entrepreneur might be expected to act to bring an opportunity into existe...

This article investigates whether there is an underlying mo- rality in the ways that human beings seek to obtain economic security within our imperfect economy, which can be illuminated through evolutionary biology research. Two research questions are the focus of the analysis: (1) What is the transaction cognitive machinery that is specialized for...

The domain definition of entrepreneurship research is “in play” as the Academy of Management Entrepreneurship Division prepares to submit a revision to its 1995 Domain Statement; and as “inclusive” vs. “distinctive” adjectives characterize the debate. In this essay, I argue that the inclusiveness/distinctiveness question itself poses a false dilemm...

Franchisees participate in new business creation uniquely, because, in many respects, the development of their ventures is under the direction of franchisors. In this study, using entrepreneurial scripts, we compare the extent to which franchisee venturing is similar to and/or distinct from individual-based entrepreneurship in nonfranchise new vent...

The notion of stakeholder salience based on attributes (e.g., power, legitimacy, urgency) is applied in the family business setting. We argue that where principal institutions intersect (i.e., family and business); managerial perceptions of stakeholder salience will be different and more complex than where institutions are based on a single dominan...

In this study, we examine how the founding owner-managers' cognitive style, levels of formalisation in their firms, and the interaction of these two variables (cognitive misfit) are related to firm growth in technology-oriented SMEs. We found that an intuitive decision-making style, higher levels of formalisation, and their interaction were signifi...

In this study, we investigate the relationship between institutional elements of the social environment and entrepreneurial cognitions, which lead to the individual's venture creation decision. Employing a sample of 757 entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs from eight countries we examine the extent to which institutions influence venture creation de...

In this paper, we analyze the dynamics of knowledge spillover entrepreneurship in the Chinese “transitional” context, as a template for the evaluation of the pace and stability of small business innovation institutionalization in many transition economies, and we also provide theory and evidence to further develop knowledge spillover entrepreneursh...

In this study, we extend the expert information processing theory approach to entrepreneurial cognition research through an empirical exploration of the new transaction commitment mindset among business people in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Using analysis of covariance, multivariate analysis of variance, and hierarchical regression analy...

Entrepreneurial scripts that represent entrepreneurial expertise enable researchers to begin to map the entrepreneurial mind . This chapter provides a complete demonstration of the steps needed by researchers to uncover the structure and content of the expert script knowledge structures that entrepreneurs utilize and to relate the use of these sc...

Changes in Russian government and economic systems over the last 15 years led to expectations of increased entrepreneurial activity. Yet potential entrepreneurs are deciding to venture at a much lower rate than anticipated. New venture creation in Russia is occurring at a rate that is considerably lower than that of the United States and Western Eu...

Business Ethics Quarterly: Stakeholder Theory, Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility & Family Enterprise - Volume 18 Issue 4 - Bradley R. Agle, James J. Chrisman, Ronald K. Mitchell, Laura J. Spence

To better understand opportunity creation, we investigate the extent to which recognition of failure impacts the new transaction commitment mindset of entrepreneurs. In a PLS model, we utilize data gathered from a sample of 220 entrepreneurs, and augment these results with an ANOVA analysis that provides a deeper exploration of the theory. In this...

A quick look at what is happening in the corporate world makes it clear that the stakeholder idea is alive, well, and flourishing; and the question now is not "if" but "how" stakeholdertheory will meet the chal- lenges of its success. Does stakeholder theory's "arrival" mean continued dynamism, refinement, and relevance, or stasis? How will superio...

In this study, we extend the expert information processing theory approach to entrepreneurial cognition research. Through an empirical exploration of the new transaction commitment mindset among business people in the Canada, Mexico and the US. Using ANCOVA, MANOVA and Hierarchical Regression analysis of data from a cross-sectional sample of 417 re...

Guanxi (literally interpersonal connections) is in essence a network of resource coalition-based stakeholders sharing resources for survival, and it plays a key role in achieving business success in China. However, the salience of guanxi stakeholders varies: not all guanxi relationships are necessary, and among the necessary guanxi participants, no...

In this article, we take note of advances in the entrepreneurial cognition research stream. In doing so, we bring increasing attention to the usefulness of entrepreneurial cognition research. First, we offer and develop a central research question to further enable entrepreneurial cognition inquiry. Second, we present the conceptual background and...

The ability for engineers and those in business fields to understand perspectives beyond their own expertise and to work together productively is critical to the success of an organization. To address this educational need, we are developing a certificate program that focuses on bringing business and engineering students together in a product devel...

Prior franchise research has examined the success/failure of franchises, franchise performance and strategy, and franchisee/franchisor relationships. Yet, the study of actual franchisee expertise is in its infancy. Fortunately, expertise-based explanations have now shown that—independent of location and culture—entrepreneurs share common experience...

This paper offers a typology suggesting a stakeholder theory of the entrepreneurial firm to provide a new lens for entrepreneurial management. To accomplish our task we: (1) generate from the literature a list of purported "theories of the firm"; (2) apply qualifying criteria; (3) analyze the list according to two dimensions – stakeholder inclusion...

While Canada is not considered to be economically disadvantaged, certain peoples within Canada are. For example, economic 'mastery in one's own house' is important to native peoples in Northwest British Columbia (NWBC) but has not yet been achieved. Thus arises the yet unanswered question: How can such economic dependency be eliminated? In this pap...

Entrepreneurs often use intuition to explain their actions. But because entrepreneurial intuition is poorly defined in the research literature: the “intuitive” is confused with the “innate,” what is systematic is overlooked, and unexplained variance in entrepreneurial behavior remains high. Herein we: (1) bound and define the construct of entrepren...

Most of us believe that entrepreneurs are special. We do this because both scholars and practitioners tell us so. Scholars may disagree on the nature of entrepreneurship itself; but they do agree that the results of entrepreneurship are unique and important to economic well-being worldwide. Practitioners likewise. Whether they be policy makers seek...

Through mapping both distinctive and inclusive elements within the domain of entrepreneurial cognition research, we accomplish our task in this introductory article to Volume 2 of the Special Issue on Information Processing and Entrepreneurial Cognition: to provide a fitting backdrop that will enhance the articles you will find within. We develop a...

In this study we investigate new venture failure. We do this in two ways: first, by testing for moderating effects of new venture failure on the relationship between startup experience and perceived startup expertise with a sample of 220 entrepreneurs; and second, by qualitatively exploring the nature of these relationships, drawing insights from i...

This article investigates whether there is an underlying morality in the ways that human beings seek to obtain economic security within our imperfect economy, which can be illuminated through evolutionary biology research. Two research questions are the focus of the analysis: (1) What is the transaction cognitive machinery that is specialized for t...

Global entrepreneurship may be defined to be the creation of new, value-adding transactions or transaction streams anywhere on the globe. The objective of this chapter is to present and examine a theory of global entrepreneurship. At the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, in January 1999, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called for glo...

Drawing on stakeholder theory, network theory, and transaction cognition theory, a model is developed for determining the order in which classes of start-up stakeholder relationships should be developed. The stakeholder sequence model is then illustrated by application to a technology intensive start-up involving ‘ground-effect machine (GEM)’ techn...

The failure of past “entrepreneurial personality”—based research to clearly distinguish the unique contributions to the entrepreneurial process of entrepreneurs as people, has created a vacuum within the entrepreneurship literature that has been waiting to be filled. Recently, the application of ideas and concepts from cognitive science has gained...

This paper identifies the thinking patterns necessary for nonfamily employees to work effectively within family businesses. Herein, we use transaction cognition theory (Mitchell, R.K., 2001) to systematically identify the extent of cognitive complexity experienced by nonfamily employees, and thereby highlight factors within the cognitive situation...

In this study we examine three research questions concerned with entrepreneurial cognition and culture: (1) Do entrepreneurs have cognitions distinct from those of other business people? (2) To what extent are entrepreneurial cognitions universal? and (3) To what extent do entrepreneurial cognitions differ by national culture? These questions were...

Theories of social cognition, information processing, and expertise provided the foundation for a cross-cultural model of venture creation. Using data from seven countries, we found support for the cognitive model. In particular, arrangements, willingness, and ability scripts were found to be associated with the venture creation decision; some two-...

Using unique data provided by the CEOs of 80 large U.S. firms, we examined relationships among the stakeholder attributes of power, legitimacy, urgency, and salience; CEO values; and corporate performance. We found strong support for the attribute-salience relationship and some significant relationships among CEO values, salience, and corporate soc...

Decision-making institutions evident in today’s small businesses display remarkable similarities to medieval feudalism. This paper presents: (1) the institutions of feudalism as applied to small business, (2) a theoretical framework as a foundation for explaining obvious parallels, and (3) propositions that furnish a basis for further research.

Stakeholder theory has been a popular heuristic for describing the management environment for years, but it has not attained full theoretical status. Our aim in this article is to contribute to a theory of stakeholder identification and salience based on stakeholders possessing one or more of three relationship attributes: power, legitimacy, and ur...

Stakeholder theory has been a popular heuristic for describing the management environment for years, but it has not attained full theoretical status. Our aim in this article is to contribute to a theory of stakeholder identification and salience based on stakeholders possessing one or more of three relationship attributes: power, legitimacy, and ur...

Notes that because oral histories illuminate insider meanings, they can contribute valuable insights to the demystification of expert experiences. The world of expert entrepreneurs is often misunderstood because of its sensationalization and/or idealization. Sets out to narrow the gap between mythical and actual entrepreneur through the use of the...

In this article, the authors link entrepreneurial expertise with the notion of an expert script as a means for enhancing entrepreneurial expertise. The focus of this article is an instructional pedagogy that improves students' entrepreneurial expertise by applying the recommendations of information theorists regarding script acquisition. Expert inf...

Thesis (Ph. D.)--David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, 1994. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [220]-234).

Comments are offered in response to a 1999 lecture by S. Venkataraman. By claiming that business ethics and the field of entrepreneurship are both concerned with value creation and value sharing, Venkataraman provides connections between entrepreneurship and stakeholder theories that warrant further investigation. Using a social cognition perspecti...

ACADEMIC ABSTRACT Self-interest seeking behavior in human beings makes wealth-creation possible. Over two hundred years ago Adam Smith termed this self-interest seeking behavior "the invisible hand." We propose herein that in the wealth-creation process there is another invisible hand: "framing". When entrepreneurs face a field of multiple institut...

ACADEMIC ABSTRACT In this paper we use an extensive analysis of China's economy to explore an under-considered phenomenon in public-sector entrepreneurship: social inductance (reactivity/ resistance to development). Herein we demonstrate, in this still-planned economy, how the decisions of policy-makers and institutional entrepreneurs can impact lo...

Opportunity identification is considered to be the most distinctive and fundamental of entrepreneurial behaviors (Gaglio, 1997; Venkataraman, 1997, Shane and Venkataraman, 2000). Opportunity identification has been also assumed a cognitive task and cognitive explanations have often suggested that entrepreneurs operate a distinctive set of perceptua...

In the past, the separation of the production and the distribution of wealth has been accepted as the natural state of affairs. In the information age, this separation need no longer be the case, because—due to the communications revolution and advances in entrepreneurial cognition research—production and distribution are, or can be, much more clos...

In this study, we investigate the emergence of new transactions. Whereas transaction cost economics (TCE) takes transactions as given—focusing on questions of governance—in this study we investigate how the emergence of new transactions might be explained. A transaction consists of three elements: the creating entity (social actors as transaction i...

Research on life-cycles and growth stages suggests that founders will likely face a variety of difficult challenges as their firms mature and grow (Covin and Slevin, 1997; Dobrev and Barnett, 2005). The value of founders to their firm may diminish over time (Jayaraman et al., 1997) and they are often replaced by professional managers (Hanks et al.,...