Discovering Entrepreneurs’ Thinking Style – Do They Have Different Abilities Regarding Creativity, Rationality, and Intuition?

Abstract: This research explored how entrepreneurs differ from non-entrepreneurs regarding creative,rational, and intuitive thinking. Individuals’ creativity was tested through the Kaufman Domain of Creativity Scale (K-DOCS). Individuals’ rationality and intuition was tested by the Revised Rational Experiential Inventory (REI). Analyzing from 68 entrepreneurs and 106 non-entrepreneurs from all over the world, the findings suggest that entrepreneurs have excelled ability regarding creative and rational thinking compared to non-entrepreneurs. However, there is no significant difference regarding intuitive thinking between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, there is a tendency that female entrepreneurs score higher on intuitive thinking. Earlier research has shown contradictory results on rationality and intuition and these are discussed in relation to the present findings. Implications of the results include giving advices to organizations about how to train and integrate entrepreneurial employees and expanding the current entrepreneurship-related literature pool.