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What do we mean when we talk about business angels? Some reflections on definitions and sampling

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  • Sofia Avdeitchikova
  • Hans Landström
  • Nils Månsson-super-1

Abstract

Early research on business angels recognized a couple of methodological obstacles that significantly have hindered knowledge accumulation about the phenomenon. In this article we will reflect upon these methodological obstacles with focus on definitional issues and sampling techniques. The purpose is to provide a framework that systemizes and inter-relates the variety of definitions within the field as well as to critically review the sampling techniques currently applied in the research field. We maintain that researchers need to make conscious definitional choices when conducting studies of informal investors and business angels, and argue that changing the unit of analysis from investor level to deal level can help to avoid definitional inconsistencies. Further, we suggest two alternative ways of creating high quality samples of business angels and informal investors -- the random sample approach and the multi-sample approach. Both procedures reduce the sample bias and allow for longitudinal analysis which is argued to be essential in future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Avdeitchikova & Hans Landström & Nils Månsson-super-1, 2008. "What do we mean when we talk about business angels? Some reflections on definitions and sampling," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(4), pages 371-394, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:veecee:v:10:y:2008:i:4:p:371-394
    DOI: 10.1080/13691060802351214
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    Cited by:

    1. Mojca Svetek, 2023. "The Role of Entrepreneurs’ Perceived Competence and Cooperativeness in Early-Stage Financing," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(6), pages 2047-2076, November.
    2. Sebastian Schmidt & David Bendig & Malte Brettel, 2018. "Building an equity story: the impact of effectuation on business angel investments," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 88(3), pages 471-501, May.
    3. Kristin Hommel & Peter M. Bican, 2020. "Digital Entrepreneurship in Finance: Fintechs and Funding Decision Criteria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-18, September.
    4. Richard Harrison & William Scheela & P. C. Lai & Sivapalan Vivekarajah, 2018. "Beyond institutional voids and the middle-income trap: The emerging business angel market in Malaysia," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 965-991, December.
    5. Lefebvre, Vincent & Certhoux, Gilles & Radu-Lefebvre, Miruna, 2022. "Sustaining trust to cross the Valley of Death: A retrospective study of business angels’ investment and reinvestment decisions," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    6. Li, Changhong & Shi, Yulin & Wu, Cong & Wu, Zhenyu & Zheng, Li, 2016. "Policies of promoting entrepreneurship and Angel Investment: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 154-167.
    7. Douglas Cumming & Minjie Zhang, 2019. "Angel investors around the world," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(5), pages 692-719, July.
    8. Appah Ebimobowei & Okoli Margaret Nnenna, 2013. "Angel Investments: A Financing Option for Economic Transformation in Nigeria," International Journal of Management Sciences, Research Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 1(9), pages 341-348.
    9. William Scheela & Edmundo Isidro & Thawatchai Jittrapanun & Nguyen Trang, 2015. "Formal and informal venture capital investing in emerging economies in Southeast Asia," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 597-617, September.
    10. Daniel Blaseg & Lars Hornuf, 2024. "Playing the Business Angel: The Impact of Well-Known Business Angels on Venture Performance," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 48(1), pages 171-204, January.

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