The differences between the brains of serial entrepreneurs and managers, as established at the end of the multidisciplinary study conducted by HEC Liège - School of Management of the University of Liège and the Centre du Cerveau of the CHU of Liège.
Newswise — In an innovative study encompassing repeat entrepreneurs and executives, a diverse research group headed by HEC - School of Management at the University of Liège and Liège University Hospital (CHU Liège), blending entrepreneurship scholars and brain experts, discovered signs of heightened neuronal connectivity in the brains of entrepreneurs, potentially impacting distinctive cognitive qualities.
Utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), the research revealed that repeat entrepreneurs exhibit elevated connectivity between the right insula (linked to cognitive adaptability) and the anterior prefrontal cortex (a pivotal area for exploratory decisions), in contrast to their managerial counterparts. Published in the journal Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, these findings imply that serial entrepreneurs possess enhanced cognitive adaptability, facilitating their adept navigation between exploration and exploitation, a vital equilibrium for achieving success.
Diverging from the conventional fMRI methodology that involves subject participation in cognitive tasks or stimulus presentation, the basis of this study lies in rs-fMRI, which captures the brain's activity while at rest. This innovative approach contributes to a deeper comprehension of the entrepreneurial mindset. The study enlisted a cohort of forty individuals comprising both entrepreneurs and managers.
Frédéric Ooms, researcher and Assistant Professor in management and entrepreneurship at HEC - ULiège School of Management and the first author of the publication, emphasizes the significance of this study as a notable advancement in comprehending the entrepreneurial mindset. By showcasing the potential of neuroscience and its complementary role alongside traditional tools for studying entrepreneurial cognition, the study sheds light on the disparity in cognitive flexibility. Ooms further highlights the implications of these findings, suggesting that they can offer fresh insights for designing training or professional development programs that aim to enhance cognitive flexibility and foster an entrepreneurial spirit within diverse organizations. These insights stem from the results of Ooms' doctoral thesis on entrepreneurial cognitive flexibility, which was presented in April 2023.
Professor Bernard Surlemont, a renowned expert in entrepreneurship and a Professor at ULiège (HEC Liège), emphasizes the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and fostering cognitive flexibility within organizations in a world characterized by rapid and unpredictable change. These qualities are recognized by the OECD as a significant challenge for the 21st century. Professor Surlemont's statement underscores the relevance of the study's findings, which highlight the role of cognitive flexibility in entrepreneurial success and provide valuable insights for organizations aiming to navigate and thrive in a dynamic and evolving landscape.
Dr. Steven Laureys, a prominent neurologist and Clinical Professor at the Centre du Cerveau of the University Hospital (CHU) of Liège, as well as a Research Director at the Fund for Scientific Research – FNRS and Visiting Professor at the CERVO Research Centre (Laval, Quebec), highlights the significance of this collaborative and multidisciplinary study in the field of "neuro-entrepreneurship." The study demonstrates the integration of neuroscience expertise from ULiège GIGA and the CHU of Liège with the world of entrepreneurship represented by HEC Liège. Dr. Laureys emphasizes the role of neuroimaging techniques in providing visual insights into the neural networks associated with "cognitive flexibility," enabling individuals to adapt to an ever-changing reality. This adaptability, he notes, is a crucial factor in entrepreneurial success, as it allows individuals to effectively navigate the challenges posed by a dynamic environment.
RSS