Corporate Entrepreneurship: How does a Change of Structure induced by new Ownership impact Employees’ Perception of Entrepreneurial Agency within SMEs?
(2022) ENTN19 20221Department of Business Administration
- Abstract
- Entrepreneurial agency theory has been designated as an important field of research within the
corporate entrepreneurial context. When ownership structures in well-established corporations
change, certain agitation can result. These ownership changes can subsequently influence
entrepreneurial agency in such ventures. As a change of ownership in small to medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) has an even bigger influence on individuals working in the company, it is
of particular interest to conduct further research in this field. Consequently, this thesis aims to
answer the question of how a change of ownership in an SME influences employees’
perception of entrepreneurial agency. We chose a qualitative research approach, where we
conducted... (More) - Entrepreneurial agency theory has been designated as an important field of research within the
corporate entrepreneurial context. When ownership structures in well-established corporations
change, certain agitation can result. These ownership changes can subsequently influence
entrepreneurial agency in such ventures. As a change of ownership in small to medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) has an even bigger influence on individuals working in the company, it is
of particular interest to conduct further research in this field. Consequently, this thesis aims to
answer the question of how a change of ownership in an SME influences employees’
perception of entrepreneurial agency. We chose a qualitative research approach, where we
conducted a single-case study at a Swedish aviation company. As the big group ownership
changed towards private investor ownership structures, employees expressed an overall
improvement in the perception regarding entrepreneurial agency. Our three main findings
concern the change in company structure, the reduction of company size and scale, as well as
the impact new owners with a more entrepreneurial mindset can have on the individuals’
perception of corporate entrepreneurial behaviour. Our study shows, from a practical point of
view, that a decrease in company size or a change from big to small ownership can offer
possibilities for improved perceived corporate entrepreneurial agency. Our findings further
stress out on the importance of communication within SMEs, especially in the corporate
entrepreneurial context. Presented outcomes further lay a great foundation for research on how
corporate entrepreneurial behaviour can be put into practice after a change of ownership. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9084137
- author
- Mueller, Jan LU and Otterdijks, Jimmy LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- ENTN19 20221
- year
- 2022
- type
- H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
- subject
- keywords
- Corporate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial agency, ownership change, change of ownership in SMEs, perceived entrepreneurship
- language
- English
- id
- 9084137
- date added to LUP
- 2022-06-08 15:29:45
- date last changed
- 2022-06-08 15:29:45
@misc{9084137,
abstract = {{Entrepreneurial agency theory has been designated as an important field of research within the
corporate entrepreneurial context. When ownership structures in well-established corporations
change, certain agitation can result. These ownership changes can subsequently influence
entrepreneurial agency in such ventures. As a change of ownership in small to medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) has an even bigger influence on individuals working in the company, it is
of particular interest to conduct further research in this field. Consequently, this thesis aims to
answer the question of how a change of ownership in an SME influences employees’
perception of entrepreneurial agency. We chose a qualitative research approach, where we
conducted a single-case study at a Swedish aviation company. As the big group ownership
changed towards private investor ownership structures, employees expressed an overall
improvement in the perception regarding entrepreneurial agency. Our three main findings
concern the change in company structure, the reduction of company size and scale, as well as
the impact new owners with a more entrepreneurial mindset can have on the individuals’
perception of corporate entrepreneurial behaviour. Our study shows, from a practical point of
view, that a decrease in company size or a change from big to small ownership can offer
possibilities for improved perceived corporate entrepreneurial agency. Our findings further
stress out on the importance of communication within SMEs, especially in the corporate
entrepreneurial context. Presented outcomes further lay a great foundation for research on how
corporate entrepreneurial behaviour can be put into practice after a change of ownership.}},
author = {{Mueller, Jan and Otterdijks, Jimmy}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Corporate Entrepreneurship: How does a Change of Structure induced by new Ownership impact Employees’ Perception of Entrepreneurial Agency within SMEs?}},
year = {{2022}},
}