Summary: Habitual entrepreneurs show greater cognitive flexibility and increased gray matter volume in the left insula, compared to managers. This region of the brain is associated with divergent thinking, crucial for entrepreneurial success.
Research suggests that understanding the neural bases of cognitive flexibility can improve entrepreneurial training and education. These results highlight the importance of integrating neuroscience with entrepreneurship to foster innovation and adaptability.
Highlights:
- Cognitive flexibility: Habitual entrepreneurs have higher cognitive flexibility than managers.
- Brain Structure: Increased gray matter in the left insula correlates with cognitive agility in entrepreneurs.
- Practical implications: Knowledge can improve entrepreneurial training programs and foster innovation in organizations.
Source: university of Liege
In a recent study led by the University of Liège, researchers looked at the intersection of the fields of entrepreneurship and neuroscience, looking specifically at the cognitive flexibility of habitual entrepreneurs – those who launch new businesses repeatedly – compared to less experienced entrepreneurs and managers.
Cognitive flexibility – the ability to adapt and move from one concept or strategy to another – is essential to entrepreneurial success. Understanding the neural basis of this trait can provide valuable insights to improve entrepreneurial training and education.
Newly published research suggests links between entrepreneurial behavior and brain structure, opening new perspectives in the emerging field of neuroentrepreneurship.
“Our study used a two-step methodology,” explains Frédéric Ooms, assistant professor and first author of the study.
“First, we collected self-reported measures of cognitive flexibility from 727 participants, including entrepreneurs and managers. Next, we performed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a subset of these participants to explore differences in gray matter volume in the brain.
“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 cerebral differences between entrepreneurs and managers. Habitual entrepreneurs show increased gray matter volume in the left insula compared to managers.
This brain region is associated with increased cognitive agility and divergent thinking, essential characteristics of entrepreneurship. The study also links gray matter density in the left insula to cognitive flexibility, particularly divergent thinking.
“This discovery suggests that the brains of habitual entrepreneurs are specially adapted to promote the cognitive flexibility necessary to identify and exploit new opportunities,” explains Steven Laureys, neurologist at ULiège and Laval University.
This research has practical implications for educators and organizations. By recognizing the importance of cognitive flexibility, educational programs can be designed to cultivate this trait in aspiring entrepreneurs.
Organizations can also benefit from managers’ cognitive flexibility, which could lead to more innovative and adaptive business strategies.
“This study is essential for researchers in entrepreneurship and neuroscience, educators who design entrepreneurial training programs and business leaders wishing to encourage innovation within their organizations,” continues 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 characteristics in habitual entrepreneurs not only advances our understanding of entrepreneurial cognition, but also opens new avenues of research into how these brain structures develop and change in response to entrepreneurial activities.
Longitudinal studies are underway to determine whether these differences result from innate predispositions or the brain’s plastic response to entrepreneurial experiences.
This pioneering research highlights the importance of combining neuroscience with traditional studies of entrepreneurship to gain a comprehensive understanding of what distinguishes successful entrepreneurs at a neurological level.
“As we continue to explore the role of the brain in entrepreneurship, this study represents an important advance in the field of neuro-entrepreneurship,” concludes Frédéric Ooms.
If you would like to contribute to these pioneering studies at the frontier of entrepreneurship and neuroscience, follow this link.
About this research news on cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurship
Author: Didier Moreau
Source: university of Liege
Contact: Didier Moreau – University of Liège
Picture: Image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Free access.
“Entrepreneurial neuroanatomy: exploration of gray matter volume in habitual entrepreneurs” by Frédéric Ooms et al. Journal of Business Venture Insights
Abstract
Entrepreneurial neuroanatomy: exploring gray matter volume in habitual entrepreneurs
A growing body of research explores the relationship between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurship. In particular, studies have found positive associations between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial intentions and alertness (Dheer and Lenartowicz, 2019; Jiatong et al., 2021).
Similarly, Shepherd (2015) also highlighted the importance of cognitive flexibility for the initiation and progression of entrepreneurial ventures.
Studies have also shown that cognitive flexibility helps increase creativity, innovation, and information-seeking activities (Kiss et al., 2020), among others.
Taken together, this body of research provides evidence for the relevance of cognitive flexibility in entrepreneurship, where the ability to adapt, switch between different concepts, and change strategies is essential.