Baguley, Richard (2025) Prioritising Team Composition in Entrepreneurial Ventures : A Strategic Approach to Early Recruitment (Session 26159). In: 85th AOM conference in Copenhagen., 2025-07-25 - 2025-07-30, Copenhagen.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
This conceptual paper examines the currently underexplored role of early hires, particularly the ‘first follower’, in the initial stages of start-up ventures, recognising their critical role as co-creators and culture carriers, helping to set the trajectory and define the DNA of the embryonic organisation. While the role of founders, or founding teams as co-directors, is well established, the role of initial recruits and first followers is less well documented, especially around how effectively they are recruited and the significance of their role. Prior research has predominantly focused on entrepreneurial teams as founders, whereas this study emphasises the strategic importance of initial non-founding hires, who significantly contribute to the nascent organisation's development yet are often recruited under time constraints and informal processes. Drawing from interdisciplinary insights on team formation, recruitment and organisational imprinting, this paper argues that adopting strategic hiring methodologies similar to those of larger organisations can mitigate growth limitations frequently observed in small and medium enterprises. Through this lens, it addresses a fundamental question of how early-stage recruitment decisions shape the long-term success and resilience of ventures? The paper aims to deepen understanding, offering implications for entrepreneurs, scholars and policymakers seeking to optimise growth and productivity in start-up contexts.