Preparing for success: Eight case studies examining the learning styles of entrepreneurs who successfully made the transition from employee to business principal.

摘要

Eight self-selected mid-western entrepreneurs, after giving informed consent, were the subject of this descriptive pilot study. They completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Form G, Revised, and then completed a structured interview lasting approximately 90 minutes. The structured interview was created expressedly for this study, and consisted of five question areas.; The number of subjects (n) in this pilot study is insufficient for conventional statistical analysis with nominal power and significance levels. There is sufficient information, however, in the interviews to perform qualitative analyses. Each interview was transcribed, and then analyzed for the answers to the five general question areas. Responses to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator were also analyzed, and the results compared with those of the interview. The data describe successful entrepreneurs as not concentrating on one particular learning style but bringing a number of strategies to learning. In addition, they do not rely on a single source of information, but learn as much as possible in every way possible, and from all available sources.; Each of the eight entrepreneurial learning styles as predicted by the MBTI was analyzed from a paradigm of Isabel Myers for types of learners in conventional schools: High aptitude is generally associated with high scholastic achievement, but a lower aptitude can be compensated for with high application or high interest. Although these three different factors in the paradigm produce different types of learners, they all can produce successful learners. It is suggested by the data that the paradigm also applies to entrepreneurs with similar results: A successful entrepreneur can be the product of high aptitude, high application, or high interest.; In addition, the results of this study are consistent with the survey results of Cross, the profile of the adult learner as described by Knowles, and the four types of entrepreneurs as described by Miner.