Search Results (80)

New ventures operating in volatile and unpredictable environments must rely on rapid adaptation and decisive action, making improvisation a critical entrepreneurial capability. This study examines how improvisation enhances new venture performance by uncovering the psychological and learning-based mechanisms through which its effects unfold. Drawing on the Knowledge-Based View (KBV) and Social Learning Theory (SLT), the model proposes that improvisation strengthens entrepreneurial self-efficacy, enabling entrepreneurs to approach uncertainty with greater confidence and adaptive judgment. Using a two-wave survey of 322 startup founders in Turkey and analyses conducted through PROCESS and complementary SEM estimation, the findings show that improvisation significantly boosts both entrepreneurial self-efficacy and new venture performance. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy emerges as a key mediating mechanism, indicating that improvisational experiences help entrepreneurs develop mastery, reinforce capability beliefs, and translate spontaneous action into improved outcomes. The results further suggest that improvisational episodes provide immediate learning cues that enhance situational awareness and decision-making agility, deepening the psychological pathway that links spontaneous behavior to venture performance. Additionally, relative explorative learning significantly moderates the relationship between improvisation and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, demonstrating that entrepreneurs benefit more from improvisation when they actively pursue new knowledge, experiment with unfamiliar approaches, and challenge routine assumptions. This moderating role clarifies when improvisation produces its strongest effects, while the mediating mechanism explains how performance improvements materialize through confidence-building processes. By integrating these mechanisms into a unified explanation, the study advances understanding of the improvisation–performance relationship and highlights the importance of learning-oriented behavior in converting spontaneous action into sustained entrepreneurial advantage. The findings offer theoretical contributions and actionable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen adaptability, resilience, and competitiveness in fast-changing environments. Full article

This study establishes a comprehensive structural isomorphism between Conway’s Game of Life and the entrepreneurial process, analysing the latter as a complex adaptive system governed by non-linear dynamics rather than linear predictability. Through a rigorous qualitative approach based on a systematic literature review and abductive inference, the research identifies and correlates four fundamental dimensions: uncertainty, adaptability, growth, and sustainability. Transcending traditional metaphorical comparisons, this paper introduces a novel mathematical model that modifies Conway’s deterministic logic by incorporating an «Agency» variable (A). This critical addition quantifies how an entrepreneur’s internal capabilities can counterbalance environmental pressures (neighbourhood density) to determine survival thresholds, effectively transforming the simulation into a «Game of Life with Agency» where participants actively influence their viability potential (Ψ). The analysis explicitly correlates specific algorithmic configurations with real-world business phenomena: high-entropy initial states («The Soup») mirror early-stage market uncertainty where outcomes are probabilistic; «gliders» represent the necessity of strategic pivoting and continuous displacement for survival; and «oscillators» symbolise dynamic sustainability through rhythmic equilibrium rather than static permanence. Furthermore, the study validates the «Gosper Glider Gun» pattern as a model for scalable, generative growth. By bridging abstract systems theory with managerial practice, the research positions these simulations as «mental laboratories» for decision-making. The findings theoretically validate iterative methodologies like the Lean Startup and conclude that successful entrepreneurship operates on the «Edge of Chaos», providing a rigorous framework for navigating high stochastic uncertainty. Full article

This paper advances a unified theoretical framework that synthesises Shane and Eckhardt’s individual–opportunity nexus, Ramoglou and Tsang’s opportunities-as-propensities perspective, and Davidsson’s tripartite model of new venture ideas, external enablers, and opportunity confidence. Building on these foundations, the paper develops an entrepreneurial entanglement model that explains how opportunities emerge as probabilistic propensities within dynamic configurations of agents, artefacts, distributed agencies, and spatiotemporal conditions. The model clarifies how material artefacts, socio-cognitive processes, and environmental shifts jointly shape the emergence, visibility, and realisation of entrepreneurial possibilities. By situating opportunity formation within an entangled field—rather than within isolated acts of discovery or creation—the framework deepens understanding of how entrepreneurial actions give rise to potentialities and how these potentialities become actualised under conditions of uncertainty. The analysis contributes to both theory and practice by offering a relational, mechanism-based account of how entrepreneurial behaviour and environmental factors intersect to structure the formation and realisation of opportunities. Full article

Based on Social Cognitive Theory and Positive Psychology, this study addresses a research gap by examining internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a mediating mechanism between psychological capital and internet entrepreneurial intention in the digital context—a relationship rarely explored among engineering students in Eastern European economies. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 900 undergraduates enrolled in three Romanian technical universities who completed a set of specific instruments. Entrepreneurial intention was measured with the Individual Entrepreneurial Intent Scale adapted for online entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial self-efficacy in the online context was assessed using the Internet Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Scale; and psychological capital was measured with the Psychological Capital Questionnaire adapted for the student environment. The mediation analysis conducted through PROCESS-macro showed that psychological capital exerts a significant indirect effect on internet entrepreneurial intention via internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Psychological capital exerted a strong effect on internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.538), which in turn influenced the intention to start an online business (β = 0.213), while the direct effect on internet entrepreneurial intention remained relatively reduced (β = 0.037). The results indicate that positive psychological resources foster entrepreneurial intention by strengthening confidence specific to the digital environment. This study advances Social Cognitive Theory by demonstrating that internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy operates as the proximal cognitive pathway through which psychological capital is translated into entrepreneurial intention in online settings, clarifying how general psychological resources acquire domain-specific relevance in digital entrepreneurship. Full article

Context: Digital entrepreneurship has attracted the attention of governments, investors, and researchers, who are directing their efforts and resources toward investigating its causes. Several studies have focused on the positive factors contributing to entrepreneurial intentions, with Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) being the most cited. This paper examines the relationship among TPB, emotions and social capital in the digital context. Objective: To evaluate the impact of social capital and anticipated emotions (positive and negative) on the digital entrepreneurial intentions of students from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Methodology: The research proposed seven hypotheses, including two new ones, all of which are embedded in the digital context. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to undergraduate students in Business Administration, Engineering, and Information Technology. A total of 1110 valid responses were obtained. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: Considering the TPB factors, Attitude (AT) and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) significantly impact Digital Entrepreneurial Intentions (DEI), while Subjective Norms (SN) show a statistically significant but weak effect (f² < 0.02). Social Capital (SC) indirectly influences DEI by shaping attitudes. Anticipated Positive Emotions (APE) and Anticipated Negative Emotions (ANE) are statistically significant; however, their practical moderating effects are weak. Conclusions: Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) emerges as the strongest predictor of Digital Entrepreneurial Intention (DEI), while Subjective Norms (SN) and emotional factors (APE and ANE), though statistically significant, exhibit limited practical influence. Practical implications: Understanding how anticipated emotions interact with SC in shaping DEI can help educators and policymakers develop more effective strategies to support aspiring entrepreneurs. Originality: This study highlights the relationships among TPB factors, SC, APE, and ANE, underscoring the complex role of emotions in the digital entrepreneurial process. This research enriches the literature by incorporating emotional and social dimensions into the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), demonstrating that digitalisation reshapes, rather than displaces, the cognitive foundation of entrepreneurial action. Full article

This study examines how parental leadership, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial resilience—viewed through social capital theory—shape intentions around family business succession in Saudi Arabia. It also investigates the moderating role of the presence of older siblings, exploring how family dynamics affect the transfer of social capital and the likelihood of succession. This research employs structural equation modeling to analyze data from 522 respondents in Saudi Arabia. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy emerges as a key factor in shaping intentions around family business succession, highlighting the importance of psychological resources in this process. The moderating analysis shows that the presence of older siblings weakens the impact of parental guidance and entrepreneurial traits on intentions around family business succession, possibly due to competition among siblings for leadership roles in the family firm. These findings underscore the need for family businesses to strategically manage the distribution of social capital, especially in households with multiple siblings. Initiatives that enhance entrepreneurial self-efficacy and resilience can improve preparedness for succession. Moreover, addressing sibling rivalry through structured succession planning and conflict resolution mechanisms is essential for maintaining business continuity in the Saudi context. Based on social capital theory, this research offers a new perspective on how a family’s resources, networks, and relationships influence intentions around family business succession. Emphasizing the moderating role of sibling dynamics provides useful insights into managing family business transitions in Saudi Arabia, where family ties and social capital are vital. Full article

Informal entrepreneurship is a pervasive feature of developing economies, yet the psychological drivers of the transition to formal entrepreneurship remain poorly understood. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this research investigates the mediating role of behavioural control in the relationship between economic motivation and future intentions’ transition to formalisation among informal entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey design, primary data were collected from 544 informal electronics entrepreneurs across six major marketplaces in South-West Nigeria. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling in the PLS 4 software. The findings showed that behavioural control significantly and substantially mediates the positive direct effect of economic motivation on formalisation intention. This indicates that informal entrepreneurs are more likely to translate financial aspirations into concrete plans for formalisation when they possess a strong belief in their own capabilities to navigate the process successfully. Consequently, we conclude that effective policy must move beyond purely financial incentives to embrace strategies that build entrepreneurial skills, simplify regulatory procedures, and enhance the self-efficacy of informal entrepreneurs, thereby empowering them to confidently transition into the formal economy. Full article

Despite growing scholarly interest in leadership within entrepreneurial settings, little is known about how relational leadership operates in informal, resource-constrained ecosystems. This study examines how entrepreneurial leadership fosters positive relational dynamics and collaborative resilience within Ecuador’s highly informal entrepreneurial ecosystem. Drawing on entrepreneurial cognition and relational leadership theories, it investigates how entrepreneurs act as informal leaders who cultivate trust, empathy, and mutual support in the absence of formal institutional structures. Using an original mixed-method lexical–clustering design, data were collected from 880 micro and small entrepreneurs in Quito, who categorized 75 entrepreneurial attributes using a forced-choice instrument. Two dominant narratives emerged: collaborative resilience (65%), defined by empathy, adaptability, and social cohesion, and structural vulnerability (35%), marked by bureaucracy, fear, and emotional strain. Gender differences revealed that women emphasize relational stress and communal coping, while men focus on structural barriers and operational constraints. The findings extend leadership research by demonstrating how positive relational processes enable entrepreneurs to transform adversity into collective strength. The study advances relational leadership theory by revealing its cognitive and emotional foundations in nontraditional contexts. It offers policy insights for designing inclusive, trust-based ecosystems that promote psychological safety, collaboration, and sustainable entrepreneurship in emerging economies. Full article

This article integrates diverse strands of theory and empirical research to combine views on economic complexity and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the context of mountain regions, focusing on the role of orchestrator platforms in shaping innovation and growth. Mountains are often marginal, dispersed, and loosely integrated areas that suffer from scarce opportunities for resource combination and interaction at the basis of the innovative process. The research relies on the case study of the European Alps, combining multiple sources of data—surveys, interviews, and ethnographic studies—to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the mountain ecosystems. Orchestrator platforms emerged as the central actors in the innovative network that overcomes the difficulties and constraints of the mountains. The article provides a comprehensive perspective on how economic complexity can drive development in mountain regions, offering both theoretical and practical contributions to the broader discourse on entrepreneurship and regional growth. Full article

This study examines the transition from digital entrepreneurial alertness to digital startup intent in connection with perceived desirability, feasibility, and intentions. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the entrepreneurial event/potential model (EPM) form the foundation for a mediation model, which is examined by structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS on data gathered from 571 Saudi youth engaged in digital entrepreneurship. The results show that digital entrepreneurial alertness has a strong predictive power in relation to intent to start digital ventures, and that this is partly mediated by perceived desirability and feasibility. Intentions, however, fully mediate the relationship between alertness, desirability, feasibility, and actual digital entrepreneurial behavior. This study adds to digital entrepreneurship scholarship by de-mystifying the thought processes bridging opportunity recognition and action, particularly in emerging economies. This study validates the EPM framework and confirms its applicability to include digital entrepreneurial alertness (DEA) as a key antecedent of digital entrepreneurial intentions (DEI) and other factors. This study also highlights the theoretical relevance of the EPM by illustrating its utility in understanding youth decisions to pursue digital entrepreneurship, particularly in transitional countries such as Saudi Arabia. Policymakers and educators in Saudi Arabia should promote attention and amplify desirability/feasibility perceptions to stimulate youth engagement in digital ventures. This work highlights intentions as the determinative gateway between entrepreneurial cognition and concrete digital startup success. Full article

The formation of entrepreneurial intentions and their translation into behaviors still remains unclear. This study contributes to the field by examining socio-cognitive concepts and dysfunctional career beliefs that have not been employed in previous studies. Emotional states are one primary source of self-efficacy, an important driver of career decisions. In turn, emotional states interact with dysfunctional beliefs when making entrepreneurial career decisions. Using a sample of 323 participants, the analysis revealed two key findings. First, positive emotions significantly predict both entrepreneurial intentions and subsequent behaviors. Second, “criticality of the decision”, a dysfunctional career belief, was found to be a key moderator that (a) mitigates the negative effects of adverse emotions on entrepreneurial intentions and (b) weakens the relationship between intentions and actual entrepreneurial actions. These findings are novel and deepen our understanding of the emotional and cognitive processes underlying entrepreneurial career choices. They also provide theoretical insights on the connection between entrepreneurship and career theory and have practical implications for educators and career counselors who aim to support the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs systematically and coherently. Full article

This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can act as a co-creation partner to foster social equity leading to social sustainability by addressing persistent barriers faced by women and minority entrepreneurs. We develop a theoretical framework integrating social capital theory and the resource-based view to analyze how AI can systematically address resource gaps across structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions while serving as a strategic capability that enables competitive advantage. Modern AI systems including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity represent practical technologies already operational for everyday entrepreneurs through accessible platforms, low-cost subscriptions, and no-code tools enabling workflow automation with minimal technical skill. While prior work has explored how social capital creates competitive advantages, little research explains how AI technologies specifically enhance both social capital development and resource-based competitive advantage simultaneously for ventures of underrepresented entrepreneurs. This study explicitly identifies the entrepreneurial venture as the unit of analysis and articulates five testable propositions on AI’s influence across structural, relational, and cognitive capital, clarifying mechanisms by which AI functions as a technological mediator that democratizes access to both network resources and strategic capabilities for underrepresented founders. Using AI-generated hypotheticals from Los Angeles demonstrating replicable processes with current technologies like retrieval-augmented generation and cloud AI workspaces, we show that AI-enhanced social capital can reduce venture development disparities while generating distinctive advantages for strategically adopting entrepreneurs. The framework requires empirical validation through longitudinal studies and acknowledges dependencies on infrastructure, ecosystem support, and cultural context, ultimately reconceptualizing AI as an active partner, illustrating that equity and competitive excellence are complementary and achievable through deliberate AI-enabled social capital development. Full article

The banking sector faces increasing pressure to balance financial performance with sustainability goals amid ongoing digital transformation, regulatory reform, and societal expectations for ethical responsibility. Entrepreneurial leadership has emerged as a pivotal approach for addressing these challenges; however, the behavioral and contextual mechanisms through which it shapes sustainability remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on Social Learning Theory (SLT), this study investigates how and when entrepreneurial leadership enhances sustainable bank performance through the mediating role of employee creativity and the moderating influence of an innovation-oriented climate. A two-wave multi-source survey was conducted among 459 employees and managers from Turkish banks, and the hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling to ensure robust empirical validation. The results indicate that entrepreneurial leadership significantly fosters employee creativity, which serves as a critical behavioral mechanism linking leadership behaviors to sustainability-oriented outcomes. Moreover, an innovation-oriented climate strengthens both the direct effect of entrepreneurial leadership on creativity and its indirect effect on sustainable bank performance, emphasizing the contextual importance of supportive organizational environments. Theoretically, this study extends the leadership and sustainability literature by illustrating how learning and behavioral modeling processes translate leadership vision into sustainable performance. Practically, it offers actionable guidance for bank executives to develop innovation-oriented climates, empower employees’ creative engagement, and design incentive systems that align leadership behavior with sustainability imperatives, thereby enhancing resilience and long-term competitiveness. Full article

Sustainability is a goal for modern organizations since every organization aims to be in operation for the number of years needed to achieve profitability and even diversify for continuous survival. To achieve sustainability, firms need to understand and adopt the triple bottom line of sustainability, which is the economy, the environment, and society. This research draws on information processing theory and uses complementary insights from stakeholder theory to examine the significance of information sharing in organizational operations towards the holistic achievement of organizational goals. Primary data was obtained from 236 companies out of 255 surveyed from four (4) regions in Ghana operating in five (5) industries, which were mining, extraction, manufacturing, distribution, and service provision. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 25) and Mplus version 7.4 were used to conduct the analysis. The results revealed that information sharing is positively related to sustainability. Additionally, resilience partially positively mediates the relationship between information sharing and sustainability. However, the use of technological tools did not strengthen the positive relationship between information sharing and supply chain resilience. Similarly, entrepreneurial orientation did not moderate the positive relationship between supply chain resilience and sustainability. This study emphasizes the important role of supply chain resilience in explaining how sustainability can be achieved through the timely sharing of information. Furthermore, constant efforts by organizations to train employees to embrace the use of technological tools to enhance sustainability are highly recommended. It was concluded that managers can implement a range of policies for insightful actions geared towards collaboration and improved environmental/social/economic performance across supply chains. Full article

This study examines the factors that influence individuals’ intentions to create socially oriented ventures, emphasizing the joint role of social and technical systems. Grounded in Socio-Technical Systems Theory, the research investigates how perceptions of social legitimacy and technological infrastructure shape social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) and how these effects are conditioned by generational cohort, familiarity and intent to use artificial intelligence (AI), and social proximity to entrepreneurial peers. Based on survey data from 388 respondents in China who expressed interest in both entrepreneurship and social problem-solving, the study applies a conditional process structural equation model to capture the complex interplay between external systems and individual-level readiness. The results show that both social and technical systems significantly and positively influence SEI, particularly among younger generations (Millennials and Generation Z). Furthermore, AI familiarity and social proximity operate as moderated mediators, differentially transmitting and shaping systemic influences on SEI. These findings advance the theoretical understanding of socio-technical determinants of social entrepreneurship and offer practical insights for fostering inclusive, generationally responsive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Full article