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Fear of Failure and Entrepreneurship: A review and direction for future research

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriella Cacciotti

    (Warwick Business School)

  • James C. Hayton

    (Warwick Business School)

Abstract

The impact of the experience of fear of failure on individual cognition and behaviour can be beneficial as well as detrimental. Despite this dualistic nature, in research on entrepreneurship, fear of failure is examined as only a barrier to entrepreneurial behaviour. A systematic review of the entrepreneurship literature on fear of failure published between 1994 and 2013 reveals a general lack of precision in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of this construct. Drawing on achievement motivation theories, the appraisal theory of emotions, and coping theories, we develop a deeper understanding of the fear of failure phenomena and identify the attributes relevant to studying fear of failure in entrepreneurship. We then address the conceptual issues related to fear of failure, and the role it may assume within the entrepreneurial process. We then propose an agenda for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriella Cacciotti & James C. Hayton, 2014. "Fear of Failure and Entrepreneurship: A review and direction for future research," Research Papers 0024, Enterprise Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:enr:rpaper:0024
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nabiha Nefzi, 2018. "Fear Of Failure And Entrepreneurial Risk Perception," International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Center for International Scientific Research of VSO and VSPP, vol. 6(2), pages 45-58, December.
    2. Kuen-Hung Tsai & Hui-Chen Chang & Chen-Yi Peng, 2016. "Refining the linkage between perceived capability and entrepreneurial intention: roles of perceived opportunity, fear of failure, and gender," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 1127-1145, December.
    3. Raquel Puente & María Antonia Cervilla & Carlos Giovanni González & Nunzia Auletta, 2017. "Determinants of the growth aspiration: a quantitative study of Venezuelan entrepreneurs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 699-726, March.
    4. Afra Hameli & Ilias Kampouris & Amal Kamal Machaal & Charilaos Mertzanis, 2021. "Financial Development, Institutions, Gender and Entrepreneurship in the United Arab Emirates," Asian Journal of Empirical Research, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 11(2), pages 11-22, February.
    5. Alberto Chong & Marco Z. Chong, 2023. "Feeling the heat? Fear of failure and performance," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(1), pages 3-17, February.
    6. Stroe, Silvia & Sirén, Charlotta & Shepherd, Dean & Wincent, Joakim, 2020. "The dualistic regulatory effect of passion on the relationship between fear of failure and negative affect: Insights from facial expression analysis," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(4).
    7. Darden, Bryan B. & Kellermanns, Franz W. & Best, Emma L., 2022. "Entrepreneurial fear of failure: Transgender versus cis-gender entrepreneurs," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    8. Kumju Hwang & Jinsook Choi, 2021. "How Do Failed Entrepreneurs Cope with Their Prior Failure When They Seek Subsequent Re-Entry into Serial Entrepreneurship? Failed Entrepreneurs’ Optimism and Defensive Pessimism and Coping Humor as a ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-24, June.
    9. Pau Sendra-Pons & Sara Belarbi-Muñoz & Dolores Garzón & Alicia Mas-Tur, 2022. "Cross-country differences in drivers of female necessity entrepreneurship," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 16(4), pages 971-989, December.
    10. João Pereira & Ricardo Gouveia Rodrigues & Pedro Mota Veiga, 2024. "Entrepreneurship among Social Workers: Implications for the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-18, January.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    fear of failure; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial emotion; entrepreneurial cognition.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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