This study examines the role of women in leadership positions in Italian innovative startups projects and their impact on patent filing. Utilizing a cross-sectional quantitative research design, data were collected from 517 startups across Italy. The study explores the relationship between gender diversity in startup leadership and the number of patents filed, with a focus on Knowledge Transfer (KT) as a mediating factor. Grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Social Capital Theory, the research highlights the unique internal resources women contribute and how their networks influence innovation. The study also considers the impact of external factors such as non-natural persons (e.g., venture capitalists, banks), industry activity, and public funding on patenting. The results reveal a complex, albeit weak, relationship between women in leadership and patent filing, with some unexpected negative associations between gender diversity and KT. Despite these challenges, the findings offer insights into the multifaceted dynamics of gender, entrepreneurship, and innovation, contributing to policy recommendations aimed at fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. This study fills a critical gap in the literature by focusing specifically on Italy’s startup environment and the underexplored intersection of gender diversity and intellectual property.
Drawing on the challenge-hindrance stressor framework, this study examines the mechanisms through which daily cognitive and emotional conflicts affect entrepreneurs' eudaimonic well-being (EWB). The first pathway we explore is a behavioral pathway, in which the effect of cognitive conflict on EWB is mediated by improvisation. The second mechanism is an emotional pathway, in which the effect of emotional conflict is mediated by loneliness. We further examine whether digital technology usage (specifically phone-related deconcentration) moderates the emotional pathway. Using multilevel generalized structural equation modeling, we capture daily within-person fluctuations in cognitive and emotional conflicts and their behavioral and psychological consequences for EWB. Our findings indicate that emotional conflict does not affect entrepreneurs' EWB directly, but rather indirectly through the mechanism of loneliness, while cognitive conflict does not affect well-being either directly or indirectly. Moreover, deconcentration associated with extensive smartphone use exacerbates the negative effect of loneliness on well-being.
The work-life balance of entrepreneurs is a developing research topic, with numerous contradictory studies. While some researchers argue that many are turning to entrepreneurship due to a better work-life balance, others say that many are quitting their business ventures because of the challenges of balancing work and business life. This study addresses the conflicting findings regarding the work-life balance of entrepreneurs. For this, a TCCM framework-based systematic review was conducted, covering 64 articles published between 1996 and 2025 (30th June) in Q1 category journals. The results show that growth-oriented entrepreneurs have more work-life imbalances than others, and this group mostly consists of men. Mothers are choosing entrepreneurship for flexible timing and taking care of their family, leading to better work-life balance, but it costs them business profitability. At the same time, work-life imbalances can cause entrepreneurial failure. This study summarizes all such major findings in this area. Additionally, it puts forward various theoretical, contextual, methodological, and characteristics-based limitations.
This paper examines how the entrepreneurial mindset is collectively enacted and transmitted across generations in a multigenerational family business through the intertwined processes of succession and strategic renewal. Drawing on the concept of entrepreneuring, we argue that transgenerational entrepreneuring is not a fixed organizational trait but a dynamic, collectively reproduced disposition sustained by entrepreneurial legacy and activated by succession preparation and strategic reorientation. We conduct a longitudinal processual analysis of a sixth-generation French family firm founded in 1826, combining semi-structured interviews, archival records, and secondary data collected over 5 years. Our findings reveal that succession functions not merely as a governance transition but as a strategic inflection point that legitimizes entrepreneurial reorientation, while the systematic coexistence of two generations within the firm constitutes the primary mechanism through which the entrepreneurial mindset is transferred and reactivated. We contribute by conceptualizing transgenerational entrepreneuring as a three-dimensional process: the progressive immersion of successors, the use of succession as a catalyst of strategic renewal, and the iterative confrontation with environmental disruptions.
As the global creative economy expands, understanding the psychological drivers of entrepreneurial intention among artistically inclined individuals is critical for cultural entrepreneurship theory. This study investigates artistic orientation’s role in shaping entrepreneurial intention among undergraduate students in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where Javanese aesthetic values infuse creative identity with symbolic capital. Drawing on Regulatory Focus Theory, the research proposes that entrepreneurial passion mediates the relationship between artistic orientation and entrepreneurial intention, while entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderates this indirect effect. Using a survey of 302 students and analyses via hierarchical regression and bootstrapping techniques (SPSS PROCESS Macro Model 4 and Model 14), results suggest full mediation: artistic orientation predicts entrepreneurial intention primarily through entrepreneurial passion, with the direct path becoming statistically non-significant. Contrary to expectations, entrepreneurial self-efficacy does not moderate the indirect effect, suggesting that emotional drive derived from creative identity may operate independently of perceived competence. This null moderation indicates that passion derived from culturally embedded identity functions as a sufficient motivator in contexts where symbolic capital substitutes for calculative self-appraisal. These findings contribute to theory by suggesting that artistic orientation may be understood as culturally embedded symbolic capital that fuels venture creation through passion-mediated pathways, extending cultural entrepreneurship theory beyond Western, opportunity-driven paradigms.
This study investigates the influence of family ownership and board characteristics on the level of environmental disclosure among European firms. Using panel data from 76 companies listed on Euronext between 2019 and 2023, and applying a fixed-effects model, the analysis identifies a significant positive relationship between family ownership and environmental disclosure, suggesting that greater family involvement enhances transparency in environmental reporting. Furthermore, the findings show that family-owned firms with larger boards tend to disclose less environmental information. In contrast, the presence of female board members is positively associated with improved disclosure practices, as is CEO duality. These results contribute to the literature on corporate governance and sustainability by highlighting how ownership structure and board composition influence environmental accountability.
This study investigates how awareness of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) influences entrepreneurial intention among Vietnamese tourism students through cognitive and self-efficacy mechanisms. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Institutional Theory, the research proposes that RCEP Awareness (X) affects Entrepreneurial Intention (Y1) both directly and indirectly through Opportunity Cognition (M1) and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy (M2), while RCEP Cognitive Level (D1) moderates these relationships. A total of 658 valid responses were collected from tourism students across Vietnam and analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Smart PLS 4.0. Results show that RCEP awareness has a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial intention (beta=0.34, p<0.001). Both Opportunity Cognition and Self-Efficacy serve as significant mediators, forming a sequential chain between policy awareness and entrepreneurial motivation. Furthermore, the moderating effect of RCEP Cognitive Level strengthens the association between RCEP awareness and opportunity cognition. The model explains 58% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention. These findings highlight the importance of linking macro-level trade policies with micro-level entrepreneurial cognition. The study provides both theoretical insights into the "From Macro-Rules to Micro-Minds" framework and practical implications for entrepreneurship education and policy communication within emerging economies.
This paper explores what really matters for the longevity of craft-businesses that operate in resource-constrained contexts and deliberately reject growth-oriented logics. Drawing on an in-depth qualitative study of 24 craft-entrepreneurs in small towns in northeastern France, the findings suggest that business-level success is anchored in what we call a craft affectio societatis (CAS), a shared set of existential conventions that functions as a necessary relational grounding for sustaining a craft-business. CAS becomes meaningful only when enacted through relationships, and the analysis identifies four conventions that together form a sufficient configuration for sustaining longevity, namely, a sense of belonging to a sustainable CAS, exclusivity and recognition within it, moving beyond transactions toward mutuality, and co-preserving shared conventions. This framework enriches contextual and relational understandings of entrepreneurship and offers insights for entrepreneurs seeking to sustain their craft-businesses over decades despite operating in resource-constrained contexts.
This research note examines the effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video reviews on consumer trust and purchase intention within an entrepreneurial marketing context. As entrepreneurs increasingly adopt AI avatars to generate persuasive content and accelerate digital engagement, ethical challenges regarding transparency and authenticity arise. Using a pre-test/post-test design, 134 adult participants viewed a hotel video review that they initially believed to be created by a real person. After learning that the reviewer was an AI-generated avatar, participants reported their trust and purchase intention again. Results from paired-sample t-tests revealed significant declines in both trust (M-1= 3.61, M-2= 2.62, p < 0.001) and purchase intention (M-1 = 3.17, M-2 = 2.59, p < 0.001). The findings underscore the ethical tension between entrepreneurial agility and consumer transparency, suggesting that while AI avatars offer cost-effective entrepreneurial marketing opportunities, undisclosed use can erode relational trust and damage brand credibility. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to prioritize disclosure and authenticity when integrating AI tools into customer-facing communications.
Few studies have been conducted on social entrepreneurs and informal institutions, where the emerging economies in which they operate are addressed as postcolonial contexts. Based on this largely disregarded perspective, this study unravels how social entrepreneurs in postcolonial countries leverage informal institutions. Following 34 interviews with social entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship hub representatives in Kenya and Rwanda, we find that they proactively leverage informal institutions predominantly through collaborative efforts. How and with whom social entrepreneurs collaborate depends on both (a) the social entrepreneurs' situating process, which is based on their experiences with and perceptions of the local historico-cultural heritage, and (b) their individual evaluation of informal institutions. Specifically, social entrepreneurs draw on international patrons when faced with pervasive dependencies, they mobilize community co-creation in response to societal constraints, and they build relationships with local elites and mobilize community-co-creation when they feel they can resort to Ubuntu mindsets. By debunking the dominant Western views in the literature, our findings propose a generative approach to informal institutions through a local historico-cultural lens in postcolonial countries. Drawing on these findings, this study offers two key principles as managerial advice for social entrepreneurs.
This study explores how digitalisation and digital technologies impact SME business models and competitiveness. It examines the relationship between SME owner-manager attitudes towards digitalisation, the level of digitalisation, and competitive performance. Drawing on Upper Echelons Theory (UET) and SME digitalisation literature, the study employs a quantitative survey of 269 Finnish SME managers, analysed through structural equation modelling. A positive owner-manager attitude towards digitalisation enhances SME digitalisation levels. This attitude indirectly impacts competitive performance, mediated by the firm's digitalisation level. The findings demonstrate the influence of individual cognitive processes on firm-level digitalisation and performance, highlighting the significant role of owner-manager attitudes in SME digitalisation and competitive advantage. Furthermore, the results emphasise a micro-foundations perspective on the antecedents of digitalisation in SMEs.
This study examines how entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Germany apply heuristics in opportunity evaluation, distinguishing between person-related and idea-related heuristics. A factorial survey experiment with 528 German and 500 Middle Eastern entrepreneurs reveals that person-related heuristics, particularly "connections," "leadership style," and "experience," strongly influence evaluations in the Middle Eastern market. In contrast, in Germany, "connections" and "leadership style" also play significant roles, with a preference for "participatory leadership" over "autocratic leadership" in both regions. The findings highlight that person-related heuristics dominate in the Middle East, whereas idea-related heuristics play a lesser role. While some heuristics appear common across contexts, closer interpretation suggests that their meaning and operation may differ according to cultural and institutional norms. Moreover, the analysis treats the Middle East as a single regional category, even though it comprises diverse national environments; findings should therefore be read as region-level generalizations. Grounded in dual-process theory, the study demonstrates how cultural contexts shape the intuitive foundations (System 1 processing) from which heuristics emerge, with person-related heuristics proving more cognitively accessible than idea-related characteristics requiring effortful analytical evaluation. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on heuristic application in opportunity evaluation. Entrepreneurs can leverage these insights to refine decision-making, while policymakers may use them to foster supportive environments and mitigate biases in entrepreneurial processes.
The primary objective of this study is to require the experts' unanimous agreement on different dimension of entrepreneurial mindset and items of the scale. This study used the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) to gather answers and feedback using a five-point Likert scale. The survey (items) was reviewed and approved by 16 panel members or experts. They were selected based on purposive sampling and consisted of a teacher educator, experts of entrepreneurship education, school teachers and an entrepreneur. The evaluation included 52 items: a list of 27 sub-dimensions related to entrepreneurial mindset that required consensus, and the percentage of experts' approval. The data were evaluated using triangular fuzzy numbering and the position (ranking) of each variable was established through defuzzification. The findings revealed that out of 27 sub-dimensions, only two sub-dimensions of behavioural attribute received low levels of expert consensus as the alpha-cut defuzzification values i.e., 0.5 for these sub-dimensions, were less than 0.05 and threshold value is above 0.2. Further, all of the items except two received high levels of expert agreement, significantly greater alpha-cut defuzzification values i.e., 0.5, the overall value of the threshold (d) is less than 0.2 and had to comply with the overall percentage of consensus, which must be greater than 75%. Fifty recommended items were retained adequately and are acceptable for a final scale. Finally, each item was prioritised (ranked) based on the defuzzification value. So, by using FDM, 50 items from 25 sub-dimensions of entrepreneurial mindset scale got unanimous consensus among the experts.
This paper explores the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Greece's silversmithing and goldsmithing sector through a qualitative country-perspective approach. Drawing on six in-depth interviews conducted in the Attica region, the study investigates the motivations, challenges, and meanings of entrepreneurial success among women operating in this traditional craft industry. The findings reveal diverse routes into entrepreneurship, shaped by family history, artistic passion, and the need for economic independence. Participants developed their businesses through self-taught technical skills, informal networks, and additional learning, while overcoming significant barriers such as financial constraints and market uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the women define success in personal rather than purely economic terms, emphasizing autonomy, creativity, customer relationships, and the ability to sustain their craft. The study contributes to understanding women's entrepreneurship in Greece by highlighting the cultural and sectoral context of small artisan enterprises.
This study investigates the impact of Entrepreneurial Passion (EP) on Entrepreneurial Intention (EI), exploring the mediating role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy (ESE), based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour ( Ajzen, 1991 ) and Social Cognitive Theory ( Bandura, 1986 – 2012 ). Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 100 Tunisian female students and analysed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The results reveal a significant positive direct effect of EP on EI, as well as an indirect effect mediated by ESE. Control variables indicate that students who took entrepreneurship courses exhibited stronger EIs, highlighting the interplay between psychological factors and education. This research contributes to the literature by clarifying how entrepreneurship education and psychological factors (passion, self-efficacy) shape EI among women in an emerging economy. It also offers practical insights for policymakers and educators, advocating for the integration of entrepreneurship training across all academic disciplines to empower future female entrepreneurs.
This study examines the influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on firm performance and the moderating effects of family involvement dimensions on the EO-performance relationship. Drawing on resource-based theory, the results from the analysis of a sample of 170 SME entrepreneurs in Vietnam show positive impacts of EO and family culture on both financial and non-financial performance satisfaction. Family culture was found to moderate the relationship between EO and performance satisfaction, indicating higher firm performance when EO and family culture are high. Family culture as a dimension of family involvement may be a key variable in studying firm performance. Family commitment and value sharing could help the SME owner-manager to achieve a higher level of satisfaction with both financial and non-financial outcomes of the firm. Overall, the study contributes by extending our understanding of the EO-performance relationship and the moderating effect of family involvement on this relationship.
Purpose: This research investigates sustainable female entrepreneurship in Muslim societies, with a primary focus on India. The purpose is two-fold: to contribute to academic understanding and offer practical guidance based on successful real-world cases. By centering on sustainable female entrepreneurs, the study aims to extract actionable insights that inform both theoretical discourse and practical applications, fostering an environment supportive of sustainable female entrepreneurship. Methodology: The research employs a qualitative analysis of sustainable case studies to delve into the lived experiences of women navigating entrepreneurship in Muslim-majority regions of India. A set of comprehensive research questions guides the inquiry exploring sustainability initiatives and challenges faced by these women. The research is driven by a belief in the power of positive narratives to inspire change. Major Findings of the Study: The study highlights the pivotal role of sustainable practices, community engagement, and ethical employment in the success of female entrepreneurs. It highlights the alignment of sustainable and community-centered approaches with the increasing demand for socially responsible businesses. Despite these positive trends, a shared challenge is the difficulty in securing essential financial resources. Addressing this financial hurdle is critical for the sustained growth of women-led sustainable enterprises, irrespective of cultural or ecological contexts. Originality: This research contributes original insights by bridging the gap between theory and practice, acknowledging the interconnected dynamics of economic progress, social transformation, and cultural influences on sustainable female entrepreneurship. By focusing on successful case studies, the study challenges stereotypes and reshapes narratives surrounding women's roles in business within Muslim-majority regions.
Work environment and organisational culture have recently experienced major shifts towards virtual and hybrid settings. The underlying transformational changes pose new challenges to the leadership and business management which need to adapt to the changing environment. Especially the insights on how to successfully lead hybrid teams and manage related organisational changes in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still lacking and require a different approach to leadership than in traditional teams. This paper employs a quantitative approach with mediation analysis to better understand the underlying adaptation and transformation processes. Specifically, it deals with the organisational culture in the context of hybrid teams and explores empirically its mediating role in the relationship between transformational leadership and change management in the context of German SMEs. Our results suggest that organisational culture partially mediates this relationship between transformational leadership and change management in hybrid teams. The effect is slightly stronger than for virtual teams. Accordingly, managers should actively shape and reinforce a strong, adaptable culture to facilitate smoother change initiatives. Moreover, since transformational leadership is crucial for effective change management, especially in hybrid teams, managers should focus on inspiring a shared vision, fostering innovation, and providing individual support to drive change. Finally, managers should take advantage of in-person interactions in hybrid settings to reinforce cultural values and leadership presence.
This study explores how mobile phone ownership and usage influence entrepreneurial outcomes and perceived emancipation among rural female entrepreneurs in Uganda. Drawing on survey data from 298 participants in an entrepreneurship training programme, the research employs a critical quantitative approach to examine the relationship between mobile technology and women's economic engagement. Findings show that mobile phone ownership is positively associated with perceived emancipation (measured in terms of autonomy, confidence, and decision-making power) though it does not directly affect business turnover. Conversely, intensive use of mobile phones for business purposes significantly increases the likelihood of improved financial performance. The analysis also highlights how demographic factors such as marital status and educational attainment shape access to mobile technology. These results suggest that while mobile phones can enhance rural women's participation in entrepreneurship, their transformative potential depends on effective usage, digital literacy, and enabling structural conditions. The study contributes to ongoing debates on digital inclusion and gendered entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa, and it offers policy insights to promote inclusive economic development.
Purpose: There has been a rapid emergence of startups that use novel technologies to promote products or services. This paper explores the impact of marketing mix strategy and marketing challenges on the financial performance of tech startups. The moderating role of entrepreneurship characteristics in improving financial performance is also explored. Methodology: In this descriptive and quantitative study, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 100 founders of Tech Startups from Bengaluru city, India. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed to test the proposed conceptual model. Findings: The results show that all four marketing mix elements, namely, promotion, place, price and product, influenced the financial performance of tech startups in terms of increased market share and profitability. Further, challenges, such as lack of international market, shortage of funding, delay in sanction of loans, lack of corporate experience and managerial education, poor technical knowledge, and limited access to advanced technology and product innovations, lowered the performance of tech startups. However, entrepreneurship characteristics, such as risk-taking ability, decision-making, social networking, and acquisition of new skills, had a moderating effect. Conclusion: The study emphasizes on the integration of four marketing mix elements for improving the performance of tech startups. Furthermore, challenges in market, finance, management and technology domains must be addressed to improve the financial performance of tech startups. From the perspective of entrepreneurship characteristics, potential entrepreneurs should have technological knowledge and skills, risk-taking abilities and critical assessment of the scenario to go through different stages of startup.
