Identifying the orientations of growth entrepreneurs in Finland

Abstract

This study focuses on Finnish entrepreneurs with the high prospects and expectations for growth. The purpose was to explore the characteristics of growth intentions of Finnish entrepreneurs and find out if the Finnish growth entrepreneurs have common themes that are typical fortheir growth intentions. To this study, these Finnish entrepreneurs were selected based on their success as high-growth company founders. As governmental statistics indicate, the amount of high-growth companies in Finland is low and, for this reason from the educational and governmental point of view, additional interest is to find out new ways to support entrepreneurs’intentions to grow. In this respect, twelve entrepreneurs were interviewed in Finland. Results of this preliminary study indicated that growth entrepreneur’s orientation towards growth, organizational culture and leadership, professional development and importance of mentors indicate to have parallel thoughts.