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Opportunity recognition and the tendency to be an entrepreneur: A bivariate genetics perspective

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  • Nicolaou, Nicos
  • Shane, Scott
  • Cherkas, Lynn
  • Spector, Tim D.

Abstract

We applied quantitative genetics techniques to a sample of 851 pairs of monozygotic and 855 pairs of dizygotic female twins to examine the influence of genetic factors on the variation across people in opportunity recognition. We also examined the extent to which the same genetic factors contribute to both opportunity recognition and the tendency to be an entrepreneur. We found substantial heritability for opportunity recognition (0.45), with no influence of the shared environment. Moreover, we found that 53% of the phenotypic correlation between opportunity recognition and the tendency to be an entrepreneur had a common genetic aetiology.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolaou, Nicos & Shane, Scott & Cherkas, Lynn & Spector, Tim D., 2009. "Opportunity recognition and the tendency to be an entrepreneur: A bivariate genetics perspective," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 110(2), pages 108-117, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:110:y:2009:i:2:p:108-117
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