ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to review both the theoretical and empirical literatures which bear upon the characteristics of the entrepreneur and upon how those characteristics may be related to the performance of the entrepreneurial venture. This literature is reviewed for the purpose of integrating its relevant findings and theoretical underpinnings with those of the aforementioned entrepreneurship literature. Given the rather limited success previous research has had in linking new venture performance to the personality, experience, and demographic characteristics of the entrepreneur, the question remains as to whether such a linkage can be made and, if so, why previous research has not been successful at establishing that link. Thus, although there is good reason to believe that at least some characteristics of the entrepreneur effect new venture performance, previous research into personality, experience, demographic and other characteristics of the entrepreneur have failed to establish such a link.
