Purpose This study investigates the direct and indirect effects of emotional intelligence (EI) and social networks (SN) on entrepreneurial resilience (ER), mediated by entrepreneurial adaptability (EA), in the entrepreneurial firm's context across China, Nepal, Indonesia and Pakistan. Adopting a social-epistemological lens, the research examines how culturally situated knowledge processes shape resilience. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from 375 owners, co-owners, and senior managers of entrepreneurial firms in China, Nepal, Indonesia and Pakistan. The study used validated scales to gather data, and pilot testing provided a foundation for subsequent analysis. SmartPLS 4 was employed to examine the relationships among emotional intelligence, social networks, and entrepreneurial resilience. Findings The study shows that emotional intelligence (EI) and social network support significantly influence entrepreneurial resilience, with adaptability acting as a mediator, highlighting the need for region-specific strategies. Research limitations/implications This research expands the understanding of entrepreneurial resilience by highlighting the role of emotional and social resources across cultures, offering insights into how cross-cultural factors influence emotional intelligence (EI), social networks and adaptability. Practical implications In China and Indonesia, policies should focus on fostering emotional intelligence through formal training and strengthening networking mechanisms. In Pakistan and Nepal, efforts should prioritize reinforcing informal community networks and promoting peer-to-peer support to enhance adaptability and long-term success. Originality/value This study offers a nuanced interpretation of entrepreneurial resilience by emphasizing the importance of cultural contexts and the synergistic impact of emotional intelligence (EI) and social networks, providing a foundation for tailored interventions to address the unique environmental challenges faced by entrepreneurs globally.
Purpose This paper explores the role of imprinting in shaping next-generation human capital within family firms, particularly focusing on how early-career experiences inside or outside the firm affect succession planning and organizational performance. This research advances our understanding by integrating imprinting theory with human capital accumulation theory, offering new insights into the subtleties of leadership succession in family firms. It also provides practical implications for balancing internal and external career experiences to optimize succession planning and long-term organizational adaptability. Design/methodology/approach Using a phased survey of 121 family firm employees, we employ regression and structural equation modeling to assess the relationships between early-career imprinting, human capital (firm-specific vs. general), organizational learning, task performance and turnover intention. We supplement this quantitative analysis with illustrative interviews from family firm members to provide richer insights into how imprinting shapes human capital accumulation and influences succession planning outcomes. Findings Imprinting within family firms significantly enhances firm-specific human capital, which leads to improved task performance and a deeper alignment with the firm’s operational processes. However, this comes at the cost of limiting general human capital, which constrains adaptability and broader market knowledge. Originality/value This study highlights the balance between internal and external career experiences in shaping leadership transitions in family firms and offers practical insights for succession planning strategies. While previous research has emphasized the role of human capital in family business succession, this study deepens the understanding by using imprinting during early-career experiences, whether inside or outside the family firm. It underscores the importance of integrating firm-specific knowledge with external expertise to foster both continuity and innovation in family firms.
PurposeThe food industry plays a fundamental role in the economy and society with implications for human health, environment and social welfare. Understanding the factors that enable or constrain entrepreneurship in this industry is crucial. This study aims to provide a systematic review of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) research in the food industry to better determine the contexts and drivers of contemporary entrepreneurship in this specific industry. Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a systematic literature review of 31 articles that have studied EEs in the sectors of food products and beverages retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Guided by the complex adaptive system (CAS) 4P framework, the review evaluated the EE components of place, people, purpose and process. FindingsThe EE analysis is relatively new in the food industry. The interest has grown in recent years. The USA and Italy emerged as prominent countries of focus, in the sub-sectors of wine production and agri-food tourism. We found a need for more quantitative-based analyses. EEs in the food industry demonstrated unique characteristics compared to other sectors. Nonlinearity, hierarchy, feedback loops and emergence shape their evolution. The focus on local resource dependence, sustainability, cultural values and innovation should be emphasised. Research limitations/implicationsThis study offered a framework for policymakers and entrepreneurs mainly related to understanding EE boundaries, path dependence, community support and local rules and cultural values. Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review on EEs in the food industry applying the CAS theory.
PurposeThe primary method for providing interest-free financing to businesses owned by immigrant Muslim entrepreneurs relies on implicit and tacit knowledge. To better understand this, we analyse both formal and informal financing options, the reasons behind entrepreneurs' choices and the influence of religious values on their decision-making. Design/methodology/approachWe collected data from Muslim immigrant entrepreneurs in four cities in Scotland and analysed it using descriptive, inferential and partial least squares structural equation modelling statistical techniques. FindingsOur research reveals a prevalent dissatisfaction with formal financing, including Islamic finance, among immigrant Muslim entrepreneurs. This dissatisfaction highlights the need for alternative solutions, prompting the development of community-based informal financing options within the Muslim community. Practical implicationsThis study highlights micro-level interest-free financing within the Muslim community, offering alternative solutions for interest-free financial support. Originality/valueThe primary method for providing interest-free financing to businesses owned by immigrant Muslim entrepreneurs is based on implicit and tacit knowledge. Previous literature has often overlooked how various factors influence these entrepreneurs' financing decisions. This study addresses that gap by empirically investigating the reasons behind their financing choices and how religious values impact their decision-making.
PurposeThis article synthesizes research on perspective taking (PT) in entrepreneurship and identifies conceptual patterns and future directions. It also positions PT as the cognitive foundation of the emerging simulated empathy theory (SET) of entrepreneurship. By illustrating how PT enables entrepreneurs to mentally simulate stakeholders’ experiences, the review provides microfoundations for understanding others in entrepreneurial processes. Design/methodology/approachAn integrative literature review of 96 peer-reviewed articles was conducted, in which PT plays a central role in entrepreneurial cognition. The review includes a descriptive analysis of trends in the field, and a thematic coding process was used to identify recurring themes and functional areas. FindingsThe review reveals 10 themes across 4 entrepreneurial functions: (1) opportunity identification, (2) design thinking and new product development, (3) social entrepreneurship and prosocial motivation, (4) learning and knowledge absorption in organizations, (5) entrepreneurial education, (6) decision-making, (7) PT in teams, (8) negotiations, (9) investors and venture financing and (10) negative consequences. These intersections highlight promising directions for future research. Originality/valueThe review demonstrates how PT serves as the cognitive engine of SET. It clarifies the breadth of the construct’s relevance to entrepreneurship and identifies opportunities for further theoretical and empirical development.
Purpose To investigate factors affecting the growth of small business through the analysis of the experience of new business streams, considering elements of diversification strategy while integrating specific entrepreneurship motivations. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative study of an interpretivist perspective. By interviewing 16 managers from 14 small businesses in Brazil, across various sectors (commerce, manufacturing and services), we analyse the interpretations of entrepreneurs about their experience of new business streams. The main categories analysed are the way entrepreneurs seize new opportunities, their motivation towards expansion and growth, their strategic thinking and strategic management. Findings The results indicate that new business streams are neither arbitrary nor intuitive; they are shaped by market opportunities aligned with customer demand, where diversification coherence emerges from iterative experiential learning rather than ex ante strategic planning. It was found that the pursuit of personal fulfilment and positive customer feedback act as mechanisms that help offset the inherent risks of expansion. The study reveals that success depends on the transition from a reflective management approach, where entrepreneurs leverage prior experiences to refine the selection of new business streams. Research limitations/implications Despite the variety of companies analysed in this study, similarly to all qualitative research, it has limitations regarding the generalisability of the findings. Although small business growth is largely centred on the entrepreneur and shaped by personal motivations, it is anchored in the company’s existing technological and market foundations. In this regard, future research should also include additional sectors, particularly knowledge-intensive or technology-intensive businesses. Practical implications The framework proposed categorises small business growth experiences according to different stages of evaluation and learning process (initial, limited and consistent) study provides small business managers with insights into the challenges involved in selecting new business streams, such as awareness of needs and their understanding of the project they currently manage and envision for the future. The typology of growth experiences presented here can turn into a practical contribution for small firms to self-diagnose their growth challenges. Originality/value This study departs from prior literature by explaining growth not as a function of resources or strategy, but as a process enacted through the interaction between entrepreneurial motivation, selection decisions and learning dynamics. By integrating the theory of corporate coherence, traditionally applied to large firms, with the micro-foundations of entrepreneurial motivation and behaviour, the main contribution is demonstrating that the coherence in small firms is a dynamic and emergent property, built through the entrepreneur's learning function and historical trajectory (path dependence).
PurposeAs artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more embedded into higher education, it is essential to understand why some students remain sceptical. This study aims to develop and validate a scale that measures university students' distrust of AI within the context of entrepreneurship education. Design/methodology/approachA three-phase mixed-method research design was used, combining qualitative item development with quantitative psychometric validation. Data was collected from 662 business students in Catalonia using a quota-based sampling strategy. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess the scale's dimensional structure, reliability and validity. FindingsThe results support a robust three-factor model of AI distrust comprising: (1) data protection distrust – contextual concerns about data use, (2) functional distrust – cognitive doubts about educational effectiveness and (3) distrust of AI replacing humans – emotional resistance to losing human interaction in learning. The final 9-item scale demonstrated strong internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity and model fit across independent samples. Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study is regionally focused, the findings provide a foundation for future cross-cultural validation and longitudinal research to explore how student attitudes toward AI evolve over time. Cultural and technological variables should be considered when applying the scale beyond the original context. Practical implicationsThe scale can serve as a practical diagnostic tool for educators, curriculum designers, and developers to identify and address student distrust toward AI to ensure more inclusive AI adoption in entrepreneurship education. Originality/valueThis is the first validated scale specifically designed to measure student distrust of AI in entrepreneurship education, offering both theoretical and practical value to researchers and practitioners.
Purpose Pressing societal challenges, particularly related to sustainability, characterize the current global context and increasingly forge activist initiatives. This paper originally focuses on fashion activism for sustainability and investigates the coexistence of activism and entrepreneurship through the concept of activist entrepreneurship, specifically the role of the activist entrepreneur. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a qualitative methodological approach, based on ten case studies of activist entrepreneurs in the sustainable fashion sector. For data collection, this paper primarily relies on in-depth interviews. Findings We propose that three distinct pathways – co-evolution, dialectic, and separation – allow activism and entrepreneurship to coexist, with the activist entrepreneur serving as a unifying element that binds them. Activist entrepreneurs champion sustainable fashion by leveraging both activist movements and their companies' business activities. Simultaneously traversing the three pathways enables the activist entrepreneur to maintain the dual nature; otherwise, through a metaphor, we illustrate how the degradation of any single pathway, or a potential divergence among them, can undermine the very essence of the activist entrepreneur. Originality/value Set within the context of sustainable fashion, this research adds an empirical dimension to the understudied field of activist entrepreneurship. While the literature has already identified potential intersections between activism and entrepreneurship, the paper clearly presents three pathways that enable their coexistence; when navigated simultaneously, these pathways, even if at varying altitudes and paces, allow the activist entrepreneur to maintain the dual identity. Otherwise, unforeseen trajectories might emerge that warrant further scholarly investigation.
PurposeThis study explores the dynamics of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment by examining the lived experiences of rural Indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs in Sarawak, Malaysia. Focusing on this distinct group, the research investigates how access to resources, support mechanisms, and cultures and traditions shape the development of entrepreneurial resilience. The study further examines how such resilience facilitates personal, social, and economic empowerment among these women. Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with fourteen rural Indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment. FindingsThe findings reveal that the resilience of rural indigenous women entrepreneurs is shaped by a set of interconnected factors. Key challenges include balancing cultural values with business demands, coping with financial constraints, and navigating uncertainty in the business environment. At the same time, resilience is strengthened by access to financial and digital resources, strong family and community support, and supportive government initiatives. Cultures and traditions, particularly values emphasising sustainability, respect for the environment, and harmony with nature, play a critical role in guiding business practices and decision-making. Collectively, these elements foster personal growth, social recognition, and economic empowerment among the entrepreneurs. Originality/valueThis research offers valuable insights into the intersection of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment among rural indigenous women entrepreneurs. By illuminating the experiences of a distinct and under-researched demographic, it extends existing scholarship on gender, entrepreneurship, and rural development. The study also offers practical implications for policymakers and development agencies seeking to design context-sensitive interventions that promote gender equality, strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystem, and advance sustainable rural economic development.
PurposeEntrepreneurial mentoring is increasingly recognized as a valuable form of support in entrepreneurial ecosystems. However, research remains heavily focused on dyadic mentor-mentee relationships and gives limited attention to broader program-level dynamics. This study addresses that gap by examining how mentoring is structured and delivered in an independent entrepreneurial mentoring program. We draw on formal mentoring theory and the entrepreneurship literature to view mentoring as a program-level process embedded in its ecosystem context. Design/methodology/approachOur research adopts an exploratory case study approach to examine a mature and independent entrepreneurial mentoring program. Data were collected through interviews with mentors, mentees, and program organizers, which was complemented by participant observations and secondary data. A template analysis was used to identify the key elements. FindingsOur findings highlight distinctive program-level features of entrepreneurial mentoring, captured through an integrative mapping of three interconnected dimensions: the program model, the role of organizers, and the emergence of a mentoring community. Originality/valueOur study proposes a new three-dimensional entrepreneurial mentoring organizing (EMO) framework that reframes entrepreneurial mentoring programs as organizational contexts and independent support organizations within entrepreneurial ecosystems. The framework offers a stronger basis for understanding and analyzing how program-level mechanisms shape mentoring as it is organized and delivered to entrepreneurs.
Purpose This study examines how dynamic capabilities influence innovation performance throughout the startup lifecycle. We focus on the AgTech sector to understand how combinations of trust, commitment, and communication (collaboration capability), absorptive capacity, and organizational agility, impact innovation at different lifecycle stages. Design/methodology/approach We apply fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to a dataset of 237 startups (AgTechs) to identify sufficient combinations of dynamic capabilities that lead to high or low innovation performance. We performed multiple analyses of fsQCA, one for each lifecycle stage (organization and traction, growth and scale, and consolidation and transition). Findings The results highlight the critical role of absorptive capacity and organizational agility across all stages of a startups’ lifecycle. Commitment and communication emerge as key factors in explaining innovation performance, but their influence varies by lifecycle stage. The study underscores the changing needs of startups and how these impact their ability to innovate. Originality/value The research shows the roles of different dynamic capabilities throughout startups’ lifecycle, helping these companies prioritize resource allocation effectively. In other words, the relevance of dynamic capabilities is not static along the firm’s lifecycle. This research advances the theory of dynamic capabilities in startups by detailing the combinations of capabilities that lead to high or low innovation performance at different lifecycle stages. It also offers practical guidance for AgTechs entrepreneurs and managers navigating the challenges of innovation.
PurposeThis study examines how entrepreneurs sustain economic activity under conditions of protracted political domination, where ordinary economic life is systematically constrained and futures are radically uncertain. Focusing on Palestine, the paper reconceptualises entrepreneurship beyond opportunity recognition, resilience and recovery-based frameworks.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on 26 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Palestinian entrepreneurs operating in Gaza and the West Bank, the study adopts an abductive qualitative approach.FindingsThe findings show that entrepreneurship under protracted domination takes the form of affective-political endurance - sustained practices of remaining, operating and caring that are morally organised through cultural resources and oriented towards continuity, presence and dignity. Political domination generates shared affective atmospheres, which are morally reworked through sumud (steadfastness) and related cultural and religious practices. Entrepreneurial agency emerges as ethical endurance rather than autonomous initiative, with gender shaping exposure to domination and the distribution of affective and moral labour.Originality/valueThis study introduces affective-political endurance as a necessary concept for explaining how entrepreneurship is sustained under conditions of protracted domination. It advances affective political contextualisation as an integrative framework that reconceptualises context as a constitutive power-affect order, theorises affect as collective and infrastructural rather than individual and reframes entrepreneurship under domination as endurance rather than resilience or recovery.
PurposeThis paper examines whether debt remains a viable and strategic financing option for entrepreneurs, through a systematic review of the literature on entrepreneurial debt financing.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA protocol. Articles were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, resulting in 62 peer-reviewed journal publications from 1997 to 2024.FindingsThe findings highlight the dual nature of debt as both an enabler and a constraint for entrepreneurial ventures. Debt can support growth and ownership retention, but poses significant risks, particularly in environments with uncertainty, institutional weakness or low financial literacy. Financial literacy emerges as a cross-cutting factor.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to journal articles published in English and indexed in two databases, which may omit relevant studies from other sources. Future research could explore sector-specific or regional dynamics in greater depth and expand to alternative forms of entrepreneurial finance.Practical implicationsEntrepreneurs should align debt financing with their firm's maturity and financial capacity. Policymakers are encouraged to strengthen institutional frameworks and promote access through targeted programs. Improving financial literacy emerges as a key enabler of better financing decisions and debt management.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review that explicitly focuses on the role of debt in entrepreneurial finance. By synthesizing empirical and conceptual studies, the paper offers a comprehensive framework and identifies underexplored areas for future research.
PurposeThe study integrates the conservation of resources (COR) and social embeddedness theories to explain how psychological capital (Psy-Cap) and entrepreneurial ecosystem quality (EEQ) affect the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during turbulence periods.Design/methodology/approachThe study employes the structural equation modeling on a dataset of 364 Tanzanian SMEs to test both direct effects of Psy-Cap dimensions on firms' performance and the moderating effects of EEQ.FindingsThe study finds that self-efficacy, resilience and hope significantly enhance SMEs' performance during crises, whereas optimism negatively affects performance during prolonged turbulence. Furthermore, while EEQ significantly strengthens the positive effects of self-efficacy and resilience on performance but does not significantly moderate the relationships involving hope and optimism. The results highlight the nuanced role of psychological capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem quality in shaping firms' outcomes during turbulent times.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by integrating psychological capital and the entrepreneurial ecosystem perspectives in a crisis context. It offers novel insights from a developing-country setting, thereby addressing the empirical gap in non-Western economies. Uniquely, the study reveals that excessive optimism may hinder firms' performance, challenging conventional assumptions. It also underscores the critical role of ecosystem quality in enhancing psychological resource utility for SME sustainability during crises.
PurposeWe examine how socioemotional wealth (SEW) and rurality influence small-business owners' exit intentions. With over 50% of US small businesses owned by individuals over 55 and most lacking succession plans, understanding how non-financial factors drive exit intention is critical for economic continuity.Design/methodology/approachA multinomial logit model was used to analyze the exit intentions of 471 US small business owners. The sample was divided by age cohort to provide further insights into exit intention. The study employed the validated REI scale to measure SEW across four exit strategies.FindingsBusiness owners with high SEW were more likely to choose stewardship strategies rather than liquidating or selling to outsiders. Both older and younger rural business owners were less likely to sell their business to outsiders. Female business owners were less likely to sell to family members. Minority business owners were less likely than White business owners to choose liquidation.Practical implicationsResults highlight the urgent need for succession planning education in rural communities. Policymakers and financial advisors could tailor succession resources by SEW score, provide more support for rural owners and design culturally responsive programs for minority owners.Originality/valueTheoretically, we extend the behavior agency model by establishing SEW as a valid reference point for understanding loss aversion in exit decisions. Methodologically, we validate the REI scale for both family and non-family businesses, providing researchers with a reliable tool to measure SEW across heterogeneous contexts. Empirically, we document novel findings regarding how rurality and race shape exit intentions.
PurposeThis study investigates the role of earnings in the relationship between age and self-employment decisions, which has remained unclear. By bringing together two areas of the self-employment literature, this research demonstrates how self-employment entry occurs differently across age, where the effect of prior employment pay is not consistent.Design/methodology/approachData from the UK Household Longitudinal Study 2009 to 2020 is used to examine how an individual's prior pay from employment impacts their propensity to enter self-employment through logistical regression methods.FindingsOur results suggest that older individuals with higher prior employment pay levels have an increased likelihood of becoming self-employed. By contrast, young individuals are more likely to become self-employed from lower-paid employment.Research limitations/implicationsOur findings unlock key insights for future research, as we discover that an individual's decision to enter self-employment is influenced by their age in conjunction with their prior earnings from employment.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that financial aid directed to younger individuals may increase self-employment rates, whereas other assistance, such as training courses and network development, is likely to be a more effective policy strategy for older individuals.Originality/valueThis study bridges two distinct strands in the current literature on self-employment by analysing how both an individual's age and earning capacity determine their likelihood of transitioning from paid employment to self-employment. This offers a new perspective, as these aspects have not been considered in tandem before.
PurposeThis study aims to analyse the institutional dimensions that influence social entrepreneurship, focusing on the interactions between the country and individual levels. Specifically, the paper investigates the moderating effect of the regulative dimension on the relationships among the cultural-cognitive and normative dimensions and social entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a multilevel logistic regression approach, utilising data from the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey (GUESSS) 2018 and the World Bank. The dataset includes information from 53 countries and 165,679 individuals, enabling a comprehensive multilevel analysis. FindingsThe results highlight the moderating role of the regulative dimension in shaping the relationships between the cultural-cognitive and normative dimensions and social entrepreneurship. Notably, a supportive regulatory environment encourages general entrepreneurial activity yet can deprioritise social entrepreneurship. Similarly, normative support for entrepreneurship negatively impacts social entrepreneurship. Practical implicationsPolicymakers should focus on providing more comprehensive support to social entrepreneurs, streamlining processes and facilitating a favourable regulatory environment. Additionally, local opinion leaders and influential stakeholders can play a crucial role in legitimising social entrepreneurs' activities by aligning them with community values and norms. Originality/valueThis paper is among the few that adopt a multilevel perspective on institutional factors in social entrepreneurship, addressing both the country and individual levels. Exploring the interaction effects across these dimensions emphasises the need for a specific approach to supporting social entrepreneurs – one that combines regulatory reforms with cultural and community-based support, reflecting the complex interplay between individuals and their contexts in shaping social entrepreneurship.
PurposeThis study examines the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) humility and strategic alliances in new ventures, as well as the dynamic effects of CEO humility across the life-cycle stages of firms.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of 222 new high-tech firms in China, we applied logistic and multinomial regression models to analyze the impact of CEO humility on strategic alliance formation and partner types.FindingsThe results suggest that CEO humility increases the likelihood of strategic alliance formation by new ventures. CEO humility is also associated with a higher probability of forming alliances with diverse partners (private and public entities) than with either private or public partners. Moreover, the effect of CEO humility is stronger in the startup stage than in the growth stage of new ventures.Research limitations/implicationsThis study considers the effect of CEO humility from the perspective of a new firm, overlooking the perspectives of potential partners. The research data come from a single country, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other countries.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature on new ventures' strategic alliance formation by identifying CEO humility as an important antecedent. It also responds to a call for research exploring the implications of CEO humility from an interorganizational perspective. Novel insights are offered into the dynamic effects of CEO humility on alliance formation.
