This research focuses on the degree of similiarity between pre-ownership experience and the work requirements of the present venture as a moderator of the relationship between pre-ownership experience and venture performance. Multiple itme scales are developed to assess two dimensions of business similarity: (1) talk environment similarity, and (2) skills/abilities similarity. The results indicate a positive main effect for task enviroment similarity and a curvilinear moderation effect for skill/abilities similarity. Qualitative interviews are used to help better explain the results.
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