IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/sbusec/v56y2021i2d10.1007_s11187-019-00273-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How individual cognitions overshadow regulations and group norms: a study of government venture capital decisions

Author

Listed:
  • Jeaneth Johansson

    (Luleå University of Technology
    Halmstad University)

  • Malin Malmström

    (Luleå University of Technology)

  • Joakim Wincent

    (Hanken School of Business
    St Gallen University)

  • Vinit Parida

    (Luleå University of Technology
    University of Vaasa)

Abstract

This paper explores how government venture capitalists approve or reject financing applications. Based on longitudinal observations, complemented by interviews, documentation, and secondary data, the findings show the limited influence of the regulative and normative logics (e.g., formal guidelines and accepted behavior) on government venture capitalists’ decisions. Instead, individual decisions are observed to be largely overshadowed by cognitions and heuristics, which dominate formal regulations and socially constructed group-level norms. Although official decision communications state that regulations have been followed, the evidence suggests that the cognitive logic dominates the funding decision-making process through a set of overshadowing forces that restrict the influence of the normative and regulative logics on funding decisions. This research has implications for venture financing and highlights the importance of cognitions in shaping venture capital decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeaneth Johansson & Malin Malmström & Joakim Wincent & Vinit Parida, 2021. "How individual cognitions overshadow regulations and group norms: a study of government venture capital decisions," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(2), pages 857-876, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:56:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-019-00273-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-019-00273-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11187-019-00273-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11187-019-00273-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bertoni, Fabio & Tykvová, Tereza, 2015. "Does governmental venture capital spur invention and innovation? Evidence from young European biotech companies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 925-935.
    2. Laura Abrardi & Annalisa Croce & Elisa Ughetto, 2019. "The dynamics of switching between governmental and independent venture capitalists: theory and evidence," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 165-188, June.
    3. Trevino, Len J. & Thomas, Douglas E. & Cullen, John, 2008. "The three pillars of institutional theory and FDI in Latin America: An institutionalization process," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 118-133, February.
    4. Fabio Bertoni & Massimo Colombo & Anita Quas, 2015. "The patterns of venture capital investment in Europe," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 543-560, October.
    5. José Martí & Anita Quas, 2018. "A beacon in the night: government certification of SMEs towards banks," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 397-413, February.
    6. Paul Gompers & Anna Kovner & Josh Lerner, 2009. "Specialization and Success: Evidence from Venture Capital," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(3), pages 817-844, September.
    7. Jonas Gabrielsson & Morten Huse, 2002. "The venture capitalist and the board of directors in SMEs: Roles and processes," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(2), pages 125-146, April.
    8. Terttu Luukkonen & Matthias Deschryvere & Fabio Bertoni, 2013. "The value added by government venture capital funds compared with independent venture capital funds," Post-Print hal-02312981, HAL.
    9. Dimov, Dimo & Shepherd, Dean A. & Sutcliffe, Kathleen M., 2007. "Requisite expertise, firm reputation, and status in venture capital investment allocation decisions," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 481-502, July.
    10. David Ahlstrom & Garry D. Bruton, 2006. "Venture Capital in Emerging Economies: Networks and Institutional Change," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 30(2), pages 299-320, March.
    11. Josh Lerner, 2012. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams:Why Public Efforts to Boost Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Have Failed--and What to Do About It," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 8984.
    12. Josh Lerner, 2002. "When Bureaucrats Meet Entrepreneurs: The Design of Effective "Public Venture Capital" Programmes," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 112(477), pages 73-84, February.
    13. Mitchell A. Petersen & Raghuram G. Rajan, 1995. "The Effect of Credit Market Competition on Lending Relationships," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 110(2), pages 407-443.
    14. Pamela S. Tolbert & Robert J. David & Wesley D. Sine, 2011. "Studying Choice and Change: The Intersection of Institutional Theory and Entrepreneurship Research," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(5), pages 1332-1344, October.
    15. Gompers, Paul & Kovner, Anna & Lerner, Josh & Scharfstein, David, 2008. "Venture capital investment cycles: The impact of public markets," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 1-23, January.
    16. Steven N. Kaplan & Josh Lerner, 2016. "Venture Capital Data: Opportunities and Challenges," NBER Chapters, in: Measuring Entrepreneurial Businesses: Current Knowledge and Challenges, pages 413-431, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    17. Douglas Cumming & Sofia Johan, 2019. "Government venture capital research: fake science and bad public policy," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 121-131, January.
    18. Joern H. Block & Massimo G. Colombo & Douglas J. Cumming & Silvio Vismara, 2018. "New players in entrepreneurial finance and why they are there," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 239-250, February.
    19. Malin Malmström & Jeaneth Johansson & Joakim Wincent, 2017. "Gender Stereotypes and Venture Support Decisions: How Governmental Venture Capitalists Socially Construct Entrepreneurs’ Potential," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(5), pages 833-860, September.
    20. Petty, Jeffrey S. & Gruber, Marc, 2011. ""In pursuit of the real deal": A longitudinal study of VC decision making," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 172-188, March.
    21. Zacharakis, Andrew L. & Shepherd, Dean A., 2001. "The nature of information and overconfidence on venture capitalists' decision making," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 311-332, July.
    22. Douglas J. Cumming & Jeffrey G. MacIntosh, 2007. "Mutual funds that invest in private equity? An analysis of labour-sponsored investment funds," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 31(3), pages 445-487, May.
    23. Baum, Joel A. C. & Silverman, Brian S., 2004. "Picking winners or building them? Alliance, intellectual, and human capital as selection criteria in venture financing and performance of biotechnology startups," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 411-436, May.
    24. William Ocasio, 1997. "Towards An Attention‐Based View Of The Firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(S1), pages 187-206, July.
    25. Gorman, Gary G. & Rosa, Peter J. & Faseruk, Alex, 2005. "Institutional lending to knowledge-based businesses," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 793-819, November.
    26. Dirk J. Bezemer, 2002. "De-Collectivization in Czech and Slovak Agriculture: An Institutional Explanation," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(3), pages 723-745, September.
    27. Macmillan, Ian C. & Siegel, Robin & Narasimha, P. N. Subba, 1985. "Criteria used by venture capitalists to evaluate new venture proposals," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 119-128.
    28. David Kirsch & Brent Goldfarb & Azi Gera, 2009. "Form or substance: the role of business plans in venture capital decision making," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 487-515, May.
    29. Royston Greenwood & Amalia Magán Díaz & Stan Xiao Li & José Céspedes Lorente, 2010. "The Multiplicity of Institutional Logics and the Heterogeneity of Organizational Responses," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(2), pages 521-539, April.
    30. Massimo Colombo & Douglas Cumming & Silvio Vismara, 2016. "Governmental venture capital for innovative young firms," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 10-24, February.
    31. Hall, John & Hofer, Charles W., 1993. "Venture capitalists' decision criteria in new venture evaluation," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 25-42, January.
    32. Mouritsen, Jan, 1994. "Rationality, institutions and decision making: Reflections on March and Olsen's rediscovering institutions," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 193-211, February.
    33. Michael Gibbert & Winfried Ruigrok & Barbara Wicki, 2008. "What passes as a rigorous case study?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(13), pages 1465-1474, December.
    34. T. Lawrence & R. Suddaby & B. Leca, 2011. "Institutional work - Re-focusing institutional studies of organization," Post-Print hal-00802293, HAL.
    35. Yuejia Zhang, 2018. "Gain or pain? New evidence on mixed syndication between governmental and private venture capital firms in China," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 995-1031, December.
    36. Leleux, Benoit & Surlemont, Bernard, 2003. "Public versus private venture capital: seeding or crowding out? A pan-European analysis," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 81-104, January.
    37. Jorge Silva, 2004. "Venture capitalists' decision-making in small equity markets: a case study using participant observation," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(2-3), pages 125-145, February.
    38. Wright, Mike & Thompson, Steve & Robbie, Ken, 1992. "Venture capital and management-led, leveraged buy-outs: A European perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 7(1), pages 47-71, January.
    39. Bart Clarysse & Mike Wright & Andy Lockett & Philippe Mustar & Mirjam Knockaert, 2007. "Academic spin-offs, formal technology transfer and capital raising," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 16(4), pages 609-640, August.
    40. Cumming, Douglas J. & Grilli, Luca & Murtinu, Samuele, 2017. "Governmental and independent venture capital investments in Europe: A firm-level performance analysis," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 439-459.
    41. Julie Battilana & Bernard Leca & Eva Boxenbaum, 2009. "How actors change institutions : Towards a theory of institutional entrepreneurship," Post-Print hal-00576509, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Adams, Kweku & Attah-Boakye, Rexford & Yu, Honglan & Johansson, Jeaneth & Njoya, Eric Tchouamou, 2023. "Female board representation and coupled open innovation: Evidence from emerging market multinational enterprises," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    2. Abeer Alomani & Rui Baptista & Suma S. Athreye, 2022. "The interplay between human, social and cognitive resources of nascent entrepreneurs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1301-1326, December.
    3. Chen, Zhuming & Luo, Xue, 2024. "Optimal investment and exit decision of venture capitals with multiple heterogeneous Beliefs," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 1138-1153.
    4. Jeffrey Sohl, 2022. "Angel investors: the impact of regret from missed opportunities," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 2281-2296, April.
    5. Caroline Tarillon & Han Yu & Ludivine Adla & Elodie Manthé & Geoffroy Enjolras, 2023. "Similarity is not everything: the influence of personal characteristics of entrepreneurs and investors on their fit," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 709-732, June.
    6. Iqbal Muhammad & Stéphanie Serve, 2025. "Performance of government venture capital (GVC): an Asian perspective," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-34, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jeaneth Johansson & Malin Malmström & Joakim Wincent, 2021. "Sustainable Investments in Responsible SMEs: That’s What’s Distinguish Government VCs from Private VCs," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Guerini, Massimiliano & Quas, Anita, 2016. "Governmental venture capital in Europe: Screening and certification," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 175-195.
    3. Soleimani Dahaj, Arash & Cozzarin, Brian Paul, 2019. "Government venture capital and cross-border investment," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 113-127.
    4. Li, Yuchen & Meng, Jiayin & Zhou, Ruifan & Wang, Ying, 2024. "Does governmental venture capital (GVC) advance green innovation? Big data evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 772-788.
    5. Iqbal Muhammad & Stéphanie Serve, 2025. "Performance of government venture capital (GVC): an Asian perspective," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-34, December.
    6. Annalisa Croce & Jose Martí & Carmelo Reverte, 2019. "The role of private versus governmental venture capital in fostering job creation during the crisis," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(4), pages 879-900, December.
    7. Fabio Bertoni & Massimo G. Colombo & Anita Quas, 2019. "The Role of Governmental Venture Capital in the Venture Capital Ecosystem: An Organizational Ecology Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 43(3), pages 611-628, May.
    8. Rafał Morawczyński, 2020. "Venture Capitalists’ Investment Criteria in Poland: Entrepreneurial Opportunities, Entrepreneurs, and Founding Teams," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-30, October.
    9. Laura Abrardi & Annalisa Croce & Elisa Ughetto, 2019. "The dynamics of switching between governmental and independent venture capitalists: theory and evidence," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 165-188, June.
    10. Fu, Xiaoqing Maggie & Harrison, Richard T. & Li, Dongfu Franco, 2022. "Venture capital investment in university spin-offs: Evidence from an emerging economy," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    11. Dohyeon Kim & Su Yong Lee, 2022. "When venture capitalists are attracted by the experienced," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.
    12. Anita Quas & Diego D’Adda, 2018. "High-tech entrepreneurial ventures seeking external equity: whether, when, where… and why not?," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 45(3), pages 311-334, September.
    13. Jianjun Xu & Lijie Yu & Rakesh Gupta, 2020. "Evaluating the Performance of the Government Venture Capital Guiding Fund Using the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-24, August.
    14. Fabio Bertoni & Massimo Colombo & Anita Quas, 2015. "The patterns of venture capital investment in Europe," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 543-560, October.
    15. Bertoni, Fabio & Martí, Jose & Reverte, Carmelo, 2019. "The impact of government-supported participative loans on the growth of entrepreneurial ventures," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 371-384.
    16. Poonam Khanna & Lemaro Thompson & Michael Mcdonald, 2015. "Research On Venture Capital Firms’ ‘Investment Behavior A Review’," Working Papers 0197mgt, College of Business, University of Texas at San Antonio.
    17. Devarakonda, Ramakrishna & Liu, Aqi, 2023. "A legitimacy-based view of the impact of government venture capital on startup innovation: Evidence from a transition economy," Other publications TiSEM 3afc4804-f469-4dd7-bb34-8, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    18. Pavlova, Elitsa & Signore, Simone, 2019. "The European venture capital landscape: an EIF perspective. Volume V: The economic impact of VC investments supported by the EIF," EIF Working Paper Series 2019/55, European Investment Fund (EIF).
    19. Thomas Standaert & Sophie Manigart, 2018. "Government as fund-of-fund and VC fund sponsors: effect on employment in portfolio companies," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 357-373, February.
    20. M. Knockaert & T. Vanacker, 2011. "The Association between Venture Capitalists’ Selection and Value Adding Behavior: Evidence from Early Stage High Tech Venture Capitalists," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 11/741, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:56:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-019-00273-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.