Mentors' motives and mentoring functions: comparing social and commercial new ventures

IF 5 3区 管理学 Q1 BUSINESS
Ayna Yusubova, Joris Knoben
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

Entrepreneurial support programs, like incubators and accelerators, often offer mentorship to new ventures. However, existing research on mentoring has mainly focused on the entrepreneur's perspective, leaving researchers with limited understanding of why experienced mentors provide support to new ventures. This study aimed to explore mentors' motives in mentor–venture relationships and their impact on the advisory process. It also examined different types of mentors (social and commercial) and their motivations for assisting and supporting new ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study utilizes a qualitative research approach to investigate the motivations and mechanisms through which new venture mentors assist founders in their growth and success. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 mentors supporting both social and commercial ventures. These mentors were selected from ten accelerator and incubator programs situated in Belgium. The interviews aimed to gain insights into the mentors' motivations and their experiences in the role of mentors.

Findings

Based on the social exchange theory and the norm of reciprocity, this study identified two main motives of mentors: “gaining back” reflecting mentors’ self-interest in deriving benefits from the relationship and “paying back” representing their altruistic reasons for supporting new ventures. Additionally, the study identified mentor functions that primarily involved providing career-related support to new ventures. Moreover, the research revealed intriguing similarities and differences in the motivations and mentoring functions between mentors of social and commercial ventures.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore the evaluation process and criteria used by mentors and new ventures when selecting each other for a productive mentoring relationship. Additionally, further investigation is needed to examine the firm-level impact of various mentoring services on the performance of social and commercial new ventures at different stages of development. Comparing mentor motives and functions across diverse geographical settings would address the limitation of the study and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Practical implications

The findings of the study can inform policymakers, accelerator and incubator program managers and new ventures seeking mentors and support initiatives. They can use the insights to design effective mentoring programs that align with the specific needs and motivations of mentors and new ventures. Understanding the different motives and functions of mentors can help in the selection of appropriate mentors who can provide the necessary support and expertise to new ventures.

Social implications

The study highlights the importance of mentorship in the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Accelerator and incubator programs play a crucial role in connecting new ventures with mentors who have the right motivation and expertise, contributing to the growth and success of new ventures and the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem. By identifying both altruistic and self-interest motivations in mentoring relationships, the study emphasizes the dual dimensions that characterize the mentor–venture relationship. This understanding can foster stronger collaborations and reciprocal exchanges between mentors and new ventures, ultimately benefiting both parties.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by exploring the mentor–new venture relationship from mentors' perspective. It expands the existing research on mentor–protégé relationships, broadening the understanding of mentoring dynamics in different organizational settings. The findings offer insights grounded in social exchange theory and provide directions for future research on mentor–venture relationships, resource exchange and relationship development. The study also holds practical implications for policymakers and program managers involved in fostering mentoring initiatives for new ventures.

导师的动机与指导功能:社会创业与商业创业的比较
创业支持项目,如孵化器和加速器,通常为新企业提供指导。然而,现有的指导研究主要集中在企业家的角度,使得研究人员对为什么有经验的导师为新创企业提供支持的理解有限。本研究旨在探讨师徒关系中导师的动机及其对咨询过程的影响。它还研究了不同类型的导师(社会和商业)以及他们协助和支持新企业的动机。设计/方法/方法本研究采用定性研究方法来调查新创业导师帮助创始人成长和成功的动机和机制。与18位支持社会和商业企业的导师进行了深入访谈。这些导师是从位于比利时的十个加速器和孵化器项目中挑选出来的。访谈旨在深入了解导师的动机和他们在导师角色中的经历。基于社会交换理论和互惠准则,本研究确定了导师的两种主要动机:“获得回报”和“回报”,前者反映了导师从关系中获得利益的利己主义动机,后者代表了导师支持创业的利他主义动机。此外,该研究还确定了导师的职能,主要涉及为新企业提供与职业相关的支持。此外,研究还揭示了社会企业和商业企业导师在动机和指导功能方面的有趣异同。未来的研究应该探索导师和新企业在选择彼此建立有效的师徒关系时所使用的评估过程和标准。此外,还需要进一步调查,以检验各种指导服务对不同发展阶段的社会和商业新创企业绩效的企业层面影响。比较不同地理环境下导师的动机和功能将解决本研究的局限性,并提供对该主题更全面的理解。实际意义研究结果可以为政策制定者、加速器和孵化器项目经理以及寻求导师和支持倡议的新企业提供信息。他们可以利用这些见解来设计有效的指导计划,与导师和新企业的具体需求和动机保持一致。了解导师的不同动机和功能可以帮助选择合适的导师,他们可以为新企业提供必要的支持和专业知识。社会意义本研究强调了师徒关系在创业生态系统发展中的重要性。加速器和孵化器项目在将新企业与具有正确动机和专业知识的导师联系起来方面发挥着至关重要的作用,有助于新企业和整个创业生态系统的成长和成功。通过识别师徒关系中的利他动机和自利动机,本研究强调了师徒关系的双重维度特征。这种理解可以促进导师和新企业之间更强的合作和互惠交流,最终使双方受益。创新/价值本研究从导师的角度探讨导师与新创企业的关系,对创业文献有所贡献。本研究拓展了已有的师徒关系研究,拓宽了对不同组织环境下师徒动态的理解。研究结果为未来师徒关系、资源交换和关系发展的研究提供了社会交换理论的基础和方向。这项研究也对决策者和项目经理在促进新企业的指导计划方面具有实际意义。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
10.40
自引率
17.60%
发文量
107
期刊介绍: The subject of innovation is receiving increased interest both from companies because of their increased awareness of the impact of innovation in determining market success and also from the research community. Academics are increasingly beginning to place innovation as a priority area in their research agenda. This impetus has been partly fuelled by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) who have designated innovation as one of nine research areas in their research initiative schemes.
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