Summary: A new study found increased neuronal connectivity in the brains of serial entrepreneurs.
Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), the researchers discovered that entrepreneurs have higher connectivity between key brain regions associated with cognitive flexibility and exploratory choices. This may explain why they can effectively balance between exploration and exploitation, a vital trait for their success.
The study offers an innovative approach to understanding the entrepreneurial mindset and highlights the need for fostering cognitive flexibility in organizations.
Key Facts:
- The study showed that serial entrepreneurs have higher neuronal connectivity between the right insula and the anterior prefrontal cortex compared to managers.
- The research utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to observe the brain at rest, offering a novel approach to understanding the entrepreneurial mindset.
- The increased connectivity suggests that serial entrepreneurs possess greater cognitive flexibility, enabling effective alternation between exploration and exploitation.
Source: University of Liege
In a pioneering study involving serial entrepreneurs and managers, a multidisciplinary research team led by HEC – School of Management at the University of Liège and Liège University Hospital (CHU Liège), combining entrepreneurship researchers and brain specialists, found evidence of increased neuronal connectivity in the brains of entrepreneurs, which may contribute to distinct cognitive attributes.
Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), the study showed that serial entrepreneurs have higher connectivity between the right insula (associated with cognitive flexibility) and the anterior prefrontal cortex (a key region for exploratory choices), compared to their fellow managers.
These results, published in the journal Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, suggest that serial entrepreneurs possess greater cognitive flexibility, enabling them to alternate effectively between exploration and exploitation, a balance that is crucial to their success.
Unlike the traditional fMRI approach based on tasks submitted to the subject, the rs-fMRI on which this study is based observes the brain at rest, in the absence of cognitive tasks or presentation of stimuli, which constitutes an innovative approach to improving understanding of the entrepreneurial mind. Forty people, entrepreneurs and managers, took part in the study.
“This study represents an important advance in our understanding of the entrepreneurial mind. It highlights the potential of neuroscience and how this approach complements the traditional tools used to study entrepreneurial cognition.
“By highlighting the difference in cognitive flexibility, it also offers a new perspective to inform the design of training or professional development programs aimed at improving the cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit of individuals within various organizations”, explains Frédéric Ooms, researcher and Assistant Professor in management and entrepreneurship (HEC – ULiège School of Management), first author of the publication, based on the results of his PhD thesis on entrepreneurial cognitive flexibility presented in April 2023.
“In a world of rapid and unpredictable change, organizations need to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and foster cognitive flexibility within their teams, qualities recognised by the OECD as a 21st century challenge,” points out Professor Bernard Surlemont, Professor of Entrepreneurship at ULiège (HEC Liège).
“This collaborative, multidisciplinary study illustrates ‘neuro-entrepreneurship’, the integration of knowledge in neuroscience (at the ULiège GIGA and the CHU of Liège) and the world of entrepreneurship (HEC Liège), and shows how neuroimaging techniques help to better visualise the neural networks involved in ‘cognitive flexibility’, in order to be able to adapt to a constantly changing reality, which is the source of entrepreneurial success”, notes Dr Steven Laureys, neurologist and Clinical Professor at the Centre du Cerveau of the University Hospital (CHU) of Liège, Research Director at the Fund for Scientific Research – FNRS and Visiting Professor at the CERVO Research Centre (Laval, Quebec).
About this neuroscience research news
Author: Didier Moreau
Source: University of Liege
Contact: Didier Moreau – University of Liege
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Closed access.
“Advancing (Neuro)Entrepreneurship Cognition Research Through Resting-State fMRI: A Methodological Brief” by Frédéric Ooms et al. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Abstract
Advancing (Neuro)Entrepreneurship Cognition Research Through Resting-State fMRI: A Methodological Brief
Despite many calls, functional brain magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies are relatively rare in the domain of entrepreneurship research.
This methodological brief presents the brain-imaging method of resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) and illustrates its application in neuroentrepreneurship for the first time.
In contrast to the traditional task-based fMRI approach, rs-fMRI observes the brain in the absence of cognitive tasks or presentation of stimuli, which offers benefits for improving our understanding of the entrepreneurial mind.
Here, we describe the method and provide methodological motivations for performing brain resting-state functional neuroimaging studies on entrepreneurs. In addition, we illustrate the use of seed-based correlation analysis, one of the most common analytical approaches for analyzing rs-fMRI data.
In this illustration, we show that habitual entrepreneurs have increased functional connectivity between the insula (a region associated with cognitive flexibility) and the anterior prefrontal cortex (a key region for explorative choice) as compared to managers.
This increased connectivity could help promote flexible behavior. Thus in brief, we provide an exemplar of a novel way to expand our understanding of the brain in the domain of entrepreneurship.
We discuss possible directions for future research and challenges to be addressed to facilitate the inclusion of re-fMRI studies into neuroentrepreneurship.
