Organisational performance and growth in start-up enterprises: analysis of leadership patterns and functional perceptions

Abstract 
This study aims at analysing perceptions of entrepreneurial leaders to determine leadership patterns in start-up enterprises (SUEs). Perceptions of entrepreneurial leaders in reference to employee openness, administrative controls, innovations, and spatial expansions of SUEs have been critically examined in the study. This study has been conducted using qualitative research method, by applying in-depth interviews to the entrepreneurial leaders. In-depth interviews from entrepreneurial leaders of 32 start-up enterprises have been conducted within metropolitan area of Mexico City, which accounts for 10.25% of the top ranked start-ups, selected using convenience sampling method. Research instrument has been developed based on two focus group discussions. This study reveals that leadership in SUEs is centralised, which offers low flexibility and employee openness while exercising high administrative controls. However, in some SUEs, leadership is transforming by delegating autonomy to teams for specific functions. Innovations in SUEs are partially driven by employees and entrepreneurial leaders.