Resume: Ordinary entrepreneurs show greater cognitive flexibility and a larger gray matter volume in the left insula, compared to managers. This brain area is associated with divergent thinking, crucial for successful entrepreneurship.
The research suggests that understanding the neural basis of cognitive flexibility could improve entrepreneurship training and education. These findings highlight the importance of integrating neuroscience with entrepreneurship to promote innovation and adaptability.
Key Facts:
- Cognitive flexibility: Ordinary entrepreneurs have greater cognitive flexibility than managers.
- Brain structure: Increased gray matter in the left insula correlates with cognitive agility in entrepreneurs.
- Practical implications: Insights can improve entrepreneurial training programs and promote innovation in organizations.
Source: University of Liège
In a recent study led by the University of Liège, researchers delved into the intersection of entrepreneurship and neuroscience, looking specifically at the cognitive flexibility of ordinary entrepreneurs – those who repeatedly launch new businesses – compared to less experienced entrepreneurs and managers .
Cognitive flexibility – the ability to adapt and switch from one concept or strategy to another – is crucial to entrepreneurial success. Understanding the neural basis of this trait could provide valuable information for improving entrepreneurial training and education.
Recently published research suggests links between entrepreneurial behavior and brain structure, opening new perspectives in the emerging field of neuroentrepreneurship.
“Our research used a two-phase methodology,” explains Frédéric Ooms, university lecturer and first author of the study.
“First, we collected self-reported measures of cognitive flexibility from 727 participants, including entrepreneurs and managers. We then performed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a subset of these participants to examine differences in brain gray matter volume.
“This multidisciplinary approach allowed us to correlate self-reported cognitive flexibility with actual brain structure.”
And what emerges first from the analyzes is greater cognitive flexibility and brain differences between entrepreneurs and managers. Ordinary entrepreneurs show an increase in gray matter volume in the left insula compared to managers.
This brain region is associated with improved cognitive agility and divergent thinking, essential traits in entrepreneurship. The study also links gray matter density in the left insula to cognitive flexibility, specifically divergent thinking.
“This finding suggests that the brains of ordinary entrepreneurs are specially adapted to promote the cognitive flexibility needed to identify and exploit new opportunities,” explains Steven Laureys, a neurologist at ULiège and Laval University.
This research has practical implications for teachers and organizations. By recognizing the importance of cognitive flexibility, educational programs can be designed to cultivate this characteristic in aspiring entrepreneurs.
Organizations may also benefit by promoting cognitive flexibility among managers, which could lead to more innovative and adaptive business strategies.
“This study is essential for researchers in the fields of entrepreneurship and neuroscience, educators designing training programs for entrepreneurs, and business leaders seeking to foster innovation within their organizations,” resumes Bernard Surlemont, professor of entrepreneurship.
“By understanding the neural basis of cognitive flexibility, stakeholders can better support entrepreneurial success and adaptability.”
The discovery of distinct neural signatures in habitual entrepreneurs not only advances our understanding of entrepreneurial cognition, but also opens new avenues for research into how these brain structures develop and change in response to entrepreneurial activities.
Longitudinal studies are underway to investigate whether these differences are due to innate predispositions or the brain’s plastic response to entrepreneurial experiences.
This groundbreaking research highlights the importance of combining neuroscience with traditional entrepreneurship studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of what makes successful entrepreneurs distinctive at the neurological level.
“As we continue to explore the role of the brain in entrepreneurship, this study represents an important advance in the field of neuroentrepreneurship,” concludes Frédéric Ooms.
If you are interested in contributing to these groundbreaking studies at the intersection of entrepreneurship and neuroscience, please follow this link.
About this research news on cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurship
Author: Didier Moreau
Source: University of Liège
Contact: Didier Moreau – University of Liège
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access.
“Entrepreneurial neuroanatomy: examining gray matter volume in habitual entrepreneurs” by Frédéric Ooms et al. Journal of Business Venturing Insights
Abstract
Entrepreneurial neuroanatomy: Exploring gray matter volume in habitual entrepreneurs
A growing body of research examines the relationship between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurship. In particular, studies have found positive associations between cognitive flexibility and both entrepreneurial intentions and alertness (Dheer and Lenartowicz, 2019; Jiatong et al., 2021).
Similarly, Shepherd (2015) also emphasizes the importance of cognitive flexibility for the initiation and progression of entrepreneurial ventures.
Studies have also shown that cognitive flexibility contributes to an increase in creativity, innovativeness and information-seeking activities, among others (Kiss et al., 2020).
Taken together, this research corpus provides evidence of the relevance of cognitive flexibility in entrepreneurship, where the ability to adapt, switch between different concepts and change strategies is crucial.