The Role of uncertainty avoidance and success targets in Berlin’s Startups

Abstract

This research explores the relationship between culturally-rooted uncertainty avoidance and success targets in Berlin-based technology-oriented startups. Using uncertainty avoidance defined by Hofstede, two groups of founders from nations on opposing extremes of Hofstede’s spectrum are compared based on how they view success in their startups. 10 founders comprise each comparison group, and empirical, qualitative information is gathered through semi-structured interviews with each founder. Findings show a strong relationship linking Low UAI founders with technical educational fields and more modest success targets, while High UAI founders are more likely to study functional fields and have more ambitious, industry-changing success targets.