The Silent Story: Using Computer-Aided Text Analysis to Predict Entrepreneurial Performance

Abstract

To provide a naturalistic, empirical analysis of entrepreneurial decision-making through textual analysis, DICTION is used to analyse student journal entries made in conjunction with an entrepreneurship simulation used widely in teaching entrepreneurship. Concrete terms are used as a proxy for action orientation and cognition-related words as a proxy for analytical orientation. Being disposed toward cognitive activity instead of concrete action detracts from performance. To the degree that one’s use of language reflects underlying thought patterns, thinking concretely is a desirable trait for entrepreneurs. This article contributes to research conducted in a naturalistic environment and allows for a closer examination of cognitive processes by analysing the kinds of words used. The article also introduces CATA as a viable methodological tool for the entrepreneurship domain.