Entrepreneurial Orientation in Management Buy-Outs and the Contribution of Venture Capital

Abstract

This paper focuses on the development of entrepreneurial orientation (EO)after a management buy-out (MBO) and on the role played by venture capitalfirms in enhancing EO. It presents results of two exploratory case studiesof divisional buy-outs with regard to their EO and the areas where theventure capital firm (VC) has been of greatest help. We discuss theircontribution to elements of the EO of the buy-out firm. The key output isexpected to be a better understanding of the functioning and operations ofthe VC with regard to their contribution to the EO of the firm after an MBO.This will also benefit the management team that seeks venture capitalsupport to improve the firm?s economic performance by using its upsidepotential.

Keywords: venture capital, governance, entrepreneurial orientation, management buy-outs

JEL Classification: M, M10, G31