| dc.description.abstract | Topic:
The Role of TMT in Norwegian High-Tech Startups
An explorative analysis of top management teams and firm’s performance in light of Upper Echelon, Diversity, Performance theories and by utilizing elementary and advance statistical techniques
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to explore team processes and diversity related factors that affect firm’s sustainable performance. The research has been carried out in the context of top management teams (TMT) in Norwegian high-tech Startups. Building on established theoretical basis, cross sectional survey data was collected on multiple facets of leadership & central team processes such as Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Strategic Decision Speed and Comprehensiveness, Polychronicity/ Multitasking, Interpersonal & Task-oriented Interactions and other similar factors. In addition, a broad range of diversity related items like age, gender, no. of TMT members, leader’s diversity preferences and others have been included in the survey.
Through extensive use of both elementary as well as advance statistical techniques like Graphs, Correlation, Multi Regression, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) the survey data has been analyzed. In the light of testing propositions the research results are then modeled using Regression based Path Analysis and SEM based techniques. There is a substantial room for improvements in the data collection especially for diversity related items, measuring instruments and the analysis techniques.
This research supported that Sociobehavioral Integration (SBI) is a valid and operational construct, which could be utilized as a measure of gauging team’s performance. The analysis revealed that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is positively correlated to both the SBI and performance of a team. Strategic decision making speed and comprehensiveness showed positive relationship with EO. The operationalization of three types of diversities was achieved - disparity, separation, variety. The effects of diversities were not supported significantly in regression analysis as anticipated. The gender (male) had a significantly negative effect on decision-making comprehensiveness, though in a weaker model.
Thankfully, this research provided a rich learning experience spanning many areas for the author.
Keywords
Top Management Teams, TMT, Norwegian Startups, Sustainable Competitive Advantage, Upper Echelon, Diversity, Disparity, Separation, Variety, Demographic, Constructs, Survey, Questionnaire, Sociobehavioral Integration, SBI, Interpersonal Interactions, Task-Oriented Interaction, Strategic Decision Speed, Strategic Decision Comprehensiveness, Polychronicity, Multitasking, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Resource Based View, Competitive Dynamics, Social Identity Theory, Tuckman Model, Explorative Approach, Diversity Measurement. | eng |