Psychosocial aspects of entrepreneurial potential

Abstract

This study presents a theoretical model regarding the entrepreneurial potential construct, and the main psychosocial aspects that contribute towards an individual's preparedness to engage in activities typically associated with entrepreneurship. The general question addressed in this study is: How to explain the entrepreneurial potential construct theoretically, and how to assess it empirically? This study seeks to contribute by creating an instrument (the EPAI – Entrepreneurial Potential Assessment Inventory) that can be used to measure the entrepreneurial potential construct. In this paper we present four studies on its empirical validation. The results suggest reliable scale characteristics, convergent and discriminant validity. The EPAI can be used by an entrepreneur for self-assessment, for training, and for professional development.

Cette étude présente un modèle théorique relatif au construit d’un potentiel d’entreprise, ainsi que les principaux aspects psychologiques contribuant à la préparation d’un individu dans la mise en place d’activités généralement associées à l’entreprenariat. La question générale à laquelle cette étude s’adresse est : Comment expliquer théoriquement le construit d’un potentiel d’entreprise et comment l’évaluer empiriquement? Cette étude espère contribuer à la réponse à cette question en créant un instrument (l’EPAI – Inventaire d’évaluation du potentiel d’entreprise) pouvant être utilisé pour mesurer le construit du potentiel d’entreprise. Cet article présente quatre études sur sa validation empirique. Les résultats indiquent des caractéristiques d’échelle fiables, ainsi qu’une validité convergente et discriminante. L’inventaire d’évaluation du potentiel d’entreprise peut être utilisé par un entrepreneur pour l’auto-évaluation, la formation et le développement professionnel.

Keywords:

• entrepreneurial potential
• scale development
• entrepreneur
• competencies

Mots clés:

• potentiel d’entreprise
• développement d’échelle
• entrepreneur
• compétences

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our colleagues Sílvia Fernandes Costa (ISCTE-IUL) and Paola Spagnoli (Seconda Università di Napoli) who cooperated on data collection and commented on previous drafts of the present paper, as well as Sílvia Silva and Ana Passos (ISCTE-IUL) for their comments and suggestions.

Additional information

Funding

Part of this work was supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal [grant number SFRH/BD/45768/2008] and [grant number PEst-OE/EGE/UI0315/2011].

Notes on contributors

Susana Correia Santos

Susana Correia Santos has a PhD in human resources management at Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL). The main research areas include the psychosocial processes of entrepreneurship, business opportunity recognition, and cross-cultural entrepreneurship processes.

António Caetano

António Caetano has a PhD in organizational and social psychology and is a full professor at Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), where he teaches courses on organizational behavior and human resources. The main research areas include entrepreneurship, performance appraisal, training evaluation, organizational social exchange processes, and subjective well-being at work.

Luís Curral

Luís Curral has a PhD in organizational and social psychology and is assistant professor at Faculty of Psychology, Lisbon University, where he teaches courses on organizational theory and cognition, and organizational behavior. The main research areas include the entrepreneurship, team work, and innovation processes.