The Theories and Critical Factors in Founding Team Studies - A Brief Review

Abstract

This paper provides a systematic review on research of founding team. Compared to TMT in established companies, founding team is an immature but fast growing research field. This review conducts an in-depth analysis of theories and critical factors related to founding team from various disciplines. Founders‘ background is found to be a central theme. The review identifies various future research directions, such as linking different theories or factors, and paying attention to alternative interest parties, historical trend, self-selection and international context.

Keywords: founding team, TMT, founder background, entrepreneurship, spin-offs, career history, labor mobility, signaling, learning, imprinting, demography

JEL Classification: M13