In today's market, characterized by rapid technological advancements and increasing competition, entrepreneurs face high levels of uncertainty. The emergence of the Lean Startup aims to address these challenges through innovative practices, emphasizing agile and iterative learning through customer feedback. The Lean Startup has proven to be an extremely effective tool for increasing the efficiency of individual entrepreneurial initiatives, but in order to be able to evaluate performances and entrepreneurial growth, it is necessary to consider also a broader perspective that goes beyond the individual startup. The concept of Portfolio Entrepreneurship refers to configurations in which an entrepreneur undertakes multiple businesses and within this research it constitutes the second key concept. The objective of the dissertation is, therefore, to understand whether the dynamics of Portfolio Entrepreneurship can face the same challenges as Lean Startup, and, in particular, to investigate the relationships and mutual influences between the two themes. The analysis was conducted within the context of Startup Studios, considered excellent evidence of the concept of Portfolio Entrepreneurship, but also innovative organizations that could integrate Lean Startup methodologies. This research is a case study of two Italian startup studios, in which information was collected through direct interviews, asynchronous communication and online material. Subsequently, a theory building process led to the creation of a theoretical model that highlights the influences between the two key concepts. The thesis contributes to the academic literature on Portfolio Entrepreneurship, demonstrating the ways in which synergies and resource orchestration in startup studios facilitate and make the market opportunity navigation and experimentation phases more efficient. Furthermore, this research delves into the literature on portfolio exit strategies, showing the reduced commitment towards the specific business and the ability to orchestrate resources facilitate the pivoting process.
Nel mercato odierno, caratterizzato da rapidi progressi tecnologici e una crescente competizione, gli imprenditori devono confrontarsi con alti livelli di incertezza. La nascita del Lean Startup si prefigge di affrontare queste sfide attraverso pratiche innovative, enfatizzando un apprendimento agile e iterativo tramite i feedback dei clienti. Il Lean Startup ha dimostrato di essere uno strumento estremamente valido per efficientare i processi all'interno di singole iniziative imprenditoriali, ma per riuscire a valutare propriamente le performance e la crescita imprenditoriale, è doveroso considerare anche una prospettiva più ampia che esula dalla singola startup. Il concetto di Portfolio Entrepreneurship si riferisce a configurazioni in cui un imprenditore intraprende molteplici business, e all'interno di questa ricerca costituisce il secondo concetto guida. L'obiettivo della tesi pertanto è comprendere se le dinamiche proprie del Portfolio Entrepreneurship possano affrontare le medesime sfide del Lean Startup, e, in particolare, investigare le relazioni e le influenze reciproche tra i due temi. L'analisi è stata condotta all'interno del contesto degli Startup Studio, considerati un'ottima evidenza del concetto di Portfolio Entrepreneurship, ma anche organismi innovativi che possano adottare metodologie di Lean Startup. Attraverso un caso studio di due startup studio italiani, sono state raccolte informazioni tramite interviste dirette, comunicazione asincrona e materiale online. Successivamente un processo di theory building ha portato alla realizzazione di un modello teorico che evidenzia le influenze tra i due concetti chiave. La tesi contribuisce alla letteratura accademica sul Portfolio Entrepreneurship, dimostrando le modalità attraverso il quale le sinergie e la capacità di orchestrare le risorse negli startup studio facilitino e rendano più efficienti le fasi di navigazione delle opportunità di mercato e sperimentazione. Inoltre, tale ricerca approfondisce la letteratura sulle strategie di uscita dal portfolio, mostrando come l'affezione ridotta verso lo specifico business e la capacità di orchestrare le risorse facilitino il processo di pivoting.
When Lean Startup meets Portfolio Entrepreneurship: a multiple case study within Italian Startup Studios
Tosi, Francesco
2022/2023
Abstract
In today's market, characterized by rapid technological advancements and increasing competition, entrepreneurs face high levels of uncertainty. The emergence of the Lean Startup aims to address these challenges through innovative practices, emphasizing agile and iterative learning through customer feedback. The Lean Startup has proven to be an extremely effective tool for increasing the efficiency of individual entrepreneurial initiatives, but in order to be able to evaluate performances and entrepreneurial growth, it is necessary to consider also a broader perspective that goes beyond the individual startup. The concept of Portfolio Entrepreneurship refers to configurations in which an entrepreneur undertakes multiple businesses and within this research it constitutes the second key concept. The objective of the dissertation is, therefore, to understand whether the dynamics of Portfolio Entrepreneurship can face the same challenges as Lean Startup, and, in particular, to investigate the relationships and mutual influences between the two themes. The analysis was conducted within the context of Startup Studios, considered excellent evidence of the concept of Portfolio Entrepreneurship, but also innovative organizations that could integrate Lean Startup methodologies. This research is a case study of two Italian startup studios, in which information was collected through direct interviews, asynchronous communication and online material. Subsequently, a theory building process led to the creation of a theoretical model that highlights the influences between the two key concepts. The thesis contributes to the academic literature on Portfolio Entrepreneurship, demonstrating the ways in which synergies and resource orchestration in startup studios facilitate and make the market opportunity navigation and experimentation phases more efficient. Furthermore, this research delves into the literature on portfolio exit strategies, showing the reduced commitment towards the specific business and the ability to orchestrate resources facilitate the pivoting process.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2024_04_Tosi_Tesi_01.pdf
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/218792