A friend or a foe? Exploring the paradoxes of entrepreneurial anger from a decision-making perspective

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the dual impact of anger on decision-making, addressing the gap in understanding its paradoxical nature in entrepreneurial contexts. Design/methodology/approach - Using an integrative approach, this study synthesises insights from the appraisal theory of emotion, affect infusion model, emotional intelligence framework, broaden-and-build theory and resource-based view to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of entrepreneurial anger and its psychological foundations. Findings - Anger exhibits a paradoxical duality influencing entrepreneurial decision-making and behaviour. This duality manifests across several dimensions. Cognitively, it can sharpen focus or lead to fixation; emotionally, it may energise or overwhelm; motivationally, it can spur action or provoke recklessness; volitionally, it may enhance determination or induce impulsivity; and behaviourally, it can lead to strategic assertiveness or reactive aggression. Research limitations/implications - Although this theoretical examination reveals the paradoxical nature of entrepreneurial anger, future empirical studies are needed to explore its temporal evolution, cross-cultural variances and interactions with other emotional states. This research should help validate the proposed dimensions and implications of entrepreneurial anger in real-world settings. Practical implications - Understanding the paradoxical nature of entrepreneurial anger is vital for entrepreneurs. recognising its dual properties allows them to mitigate the anger’s negative consequences while leveraging its potential as a strategic asset. To transform anger into a strategic asset, entrepreneurs need to augment their self-awareness, hone emotion regulation skills and cultivate deliberation-based decision-making approaches. At an organisational level, entrepreneurs should foster a culture where emotions are openly acknowledged and addressed, as well as constructively managed. This can help turn anger into an entrepreneurial performance driver. Social implications - By promoting a deeper understanding of entrepreneurial anger, this research can foster healthier entrepreneurial ecosystems where emotions are acknowledged, understood and managed effectively, leading to more sustainable and harmonious entrepreneurial ventures. Originality/value - This work offers a holistic conceptual analysis of entrepreneurial anger elucidating its paradoxical properties and implications.