Prior entrepreneurial exposure and the emergence of entrepreneurial passion: The moderating role of learning orientation

ABSTRACT

Entrepreneurial passion is important for individuals to advance in the entrepreneurial process, but we lack a theoretical understanding of how passion develops. Drawing on social learning theory, the present study examines how prior entrepreneurial exposure (that is, entrepreneurial role model experience and direct entrepreneurial experience) affects entrepreneurial passion and how an individual’s learning orientation moderates the relationship. To empirically validate our research model, we collected data from 928 students across several disciplines. Consistent with our theorizing, we find both types of prior entrepreneurial exposure to positively influence entrepreneurial passion. Further, medium to high levels of learning orientation strengthen these relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• Entrepreneurial passion
• prior entrepreneurial exposure
• role models
• learning orientation
• social learning theory

Notes

¹ Our theoretical notion of LO being a moderator of the relationship between PEX and EP does not preclude that LO also has a (theoretically distinct) direct influence on EP. Consistent with recommendations by Andersson, Cuervo-Cazurra, and Nielsen (2014), we theoretically established how LO directly influences EP: Individuals with higher LO identify with an entrepreneurial role to a greater extent (that is, LO increases the identity centrality of such a role in individuals’ self-concepts) and, thus, display a higher EP. Indeed, prior research indicates that LO fosters proactive behavior (Porath & Bateman, 2006) as well as innovativeness (Montani, Odoardi, & Battistelli, 2014), and positively relates to an affinity for risk taking (Pintrich, 2000), which are all key characteristics of an entrepreneurial role.

Additional information

Funding

This research project was supported financially by the Dr. Werner Jackstädt Foundation.