New Delhi, According to recent research, denser gray matter in the cognitive region of the brain could help serial entrepreneurs adapt multiple strategies, allowing them to repeatedly launch new businesses compared to others.
The study provides a neural basis for cognitive flexibility, which helps adapt and shift from one strategy to another and is known to be critical to success in launching and managing multiple businesses.
"This study is essential for entrepreneurship and neuroscience researchers, educators designing entrepreneurship training programs, and business leaders who want to foster innovation within their organizations," said Bernard Surlemont, professor of entrepreneurship at the University School of Management. University of Liège, Belgium.
The research team compared 727 participants' responses to questionnaires measuring their cognitive flexibility with magnetic resonance imaging to discern how the brain structure of serial entrepreneurs differentiates them from managers or less experienced entrepreneurs.
"This multidisciplinary approach allowed us to correlate self-reported cognitive flexibility with actual brain structure," said Steven Laureys, study author and neurologist at the University of Liège.
Published in the Journal of Business Venturing Insights, the research found that more gray matter in the insula of the cerebral cortex (outer layer of the brain) was linked to greater cognitive agility by improving divergent thinking – the ability to consider multiple solutions for the same problem, without necessarily choosing the simplest one.
Divergent thinking is also known to improve creativity.
"This finding suggests that the brains of habitual entrepreneurs are uniquely adapted to foster the cognitive flexibility necessary to identify and exploit new opportunities," Laureys said.
Understanding the scientific basis underlying the specific trait of serial entrepreneurs can help improve training and education, as such programs can be designed in a way that develops cognitive flexibility in applicants, the researchers said.
They said organizations could also benefit from fostering this capability among managers, which could lead to more innovative and adaptive business strategies.
The authors also called for similar studies that could open new perspectives in the field where entrepreneurship and neuroscience intersect.
The study provides a neural basis for cognitive flexibility, which helps adapt and shift from one strategy to another and is known to be critical to success in launching and managing multiple businesses.
"This study is essential for entrepreneurship and neuroscience researchers, educators designing entrepreneurship training programs, and business leaders who want to foster innovation within their organizations," said Bernard Surlemont, professor of entrepreneurship at the University School of Management. University of Liège, Belgium.
The research team compared 727 participants' responses to questionnaires measuring their cognitive flexibility with magnetic resonance imaging to discern how the brain structure of serial entrepreneurs differentiates them from managers or less experienced entrepreneurs.
"This multidisciplinary approach allowed us to correlate self-reported cognitive flexibility with actual brain structure," said Steven Laureys, study author and neurologist at the University of Liège.
Published in the Journal of Business Venturing Insights, the research found that more gray matter in the insula of the cerebral cortex (outer layer of the brain) was linked to greater cognitive agility by improving divergent thinking – the ability to consider multiple solutions for the same problem, without necessarily choosing the simplest one.
Divergent thinking is also known to improve creativity.
"This finding suggests that the brains of habitual entrepreneurs are uniquely adapted to foster the cognitive flexibility necessary to identify and exploit new opportunities," Laureys said.
Understanding the scientific basis underlying the specific trait of serial entrepreneurs can help improve training and education, as such programs can be designed in a way that develops cognitive flexibility in applicants, the researchers said.
They said organizations could also benefit from fostering this capability among managers, which could lead to more innovative and adaptive business strategies.
The authors also called for similar studies that could open new perspectives in the field where entrepreneurship and neuroscience intersect.
