The research presented in this dissertation was aimed at investigating the consequences of reward-oriented motivation (i.e., an inclination to strongly focus the entrepreneurship on pursuing... Show moreThe research presented in this dissertation was aimed at investigating the consequences of reward-oriented motivation (i.e., an inclination to strongly focus the entrepreneurship on pursuing rewards) and security-oriented motivation (i.e., an inclination to strongly focus the entrepreneurship on ensuring one’s survival and security) for business growth motivation among small-business owners. In addition, the research was aimed to examine the process through which reward-oriented motivation and security-oriented motivation relate to business growth motivation among small-business owners. The findings generally showed that relative to security-oriented motivation, reward-oriented motivation is positively predictive of business growth motivation among small business owners in a consistent manner. Furthermore, time perspective in the context of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial-self-esteem, and perceived competence were found to be important variables in explaining the relationship between reward and security-oriented motivation and business growth motivation among small business owners. The findings in this dissertation highlight the importance of taking into account small business owners' motivation of engagement in entrepreneurship in efforts to assist small business owners to grow their businesses. Show less
In this dissertation I investigate how individuals respond to collective disadvantage from the perspective of regulatory focus theory. Regulatory focus theory distinguishes between two motivational... Show moreIn this dissertation I investigate how individuals respond to collective disadvantage from the perspective of regulatory focus theory. Regulatory focus theory distinguishes between two motivational systems: promotion focus, the system in charge of the approach of positive end-states, and prevention focus, the system in charge of the avoidance of negative end-states. In 7 studies I investigate the effects of promotion and prevention focus on 1) low status group members’ choice between seeking individual or group status improvement, 2) their level of commitment to collective status improvement and 3) the extent to which they see hostile forms of collective action (e.g. riots, sabotage) as justified. The results showed that activation of the prevention system (compared to activation of the promotion system) causes members of low status groups 1) to prefer collective status improvement over individual status improvement, 2) to commit to collective action when they value its goal, even when the likelihood of achieving this goal is low and 3) to come to see hostile forms of collective action as justified in order to reach group status improvement. I conclude that activation of the prevention system is more conducive to collective action than activation of the promotion focus. Show less
