Date of Award

Spring 2000

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)

Department

Leadership

Abstract

The information economy and the Internet entrepreneur are two significant developments of the late 20th century. This theoretical study seeks to understand the connection between the two phenomena. From a perspective of leadership it is critical to understand the relationship between individual actors and a system, and the implications of their interaction on the world. The research question asks whether Internet entrepreneurs are active creators of the information economy, or are they a creation of the information economy?

Central to answering the research question are the theoretical concepts of active and passive human agency. Active human agency proposes that the individual plays the dominant role in creating reality; Passive human agency proposes that the system or environment plays the dominant role in creating reality. Personality and Systems theories provide the basis for understanding the interrelationship of the Internet entrepreneur and the information economy. The theoretical concepts are applied through references to specific Internet entrepreneurs and the development of the information economy.

The conclusion of this study identifies the ways in which Internet entrepreneurs are both active creators of the information economy, and creations of the information economy.

Identifier

SC 11.MAL.2000.Hauser.N

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