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How Can Problems Be Turned Into Something Good? The Role of Entrepreneurial Learning and Error Mastery Orientation

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  • Rebecca Funken
  • Michael M. Gielnik
  • Maw-Der Foo

Abstract

How can problems be turned into something good? We develop and test a theoretical model suggesting that error mastery orientation influences whether problems have positive or negative outcomes. We argue that problems increase or decrease entrepreneurial learning and venture progress depending on error mastery orientation. We tested our theoretical model using a longitudinal design with one baseline measurement and 11 weekly measurements. Analyses were based on 1,016 lagged observations from 168 individuals, who engaged in venture creation as part of entrepreneurship training courses. The results suggest that error mastery orientation functions like a switch, turning problems into something good.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Funken & Michael M. Gielnik & Maw-Der Foo, 2020. "How Can Problems Be Turned Into Something Good? The Role of Entrepreneurial Learning and Error Mastery Orientation," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(2), pages 315-338, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:44:y:2020:i:2:p:315-338
    DOI: 10.1177/1042258718801600
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    15. Susan S. Harmeling & Saras D. Sarasvathy, 2013. "When Contingency is a Resource: Educating Entrepreneurs in the Balkans, the Bronx, and Beyond," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 37(4), pages 713-744, July.
    16. Linlin Jin & Kristen Madison & Nils D. Kraiczy & Franz W. Kellermanns & T. Russell Crook & Jing Xi, 2017. "Entrepreneurial Team Composition Characteristics and New Venture Performance: A Meta–Analysis," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(5), pages 743-771, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lourival Ribeiro Chaves Júnior & Maria Salete Batista Freitag & Jeffrey J. McNally, 2024. "Learning practices in social entrepreneurship: a cross-cultural comparison of non-profit organizations in Canada and Brazil," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 2397-2422, September.
    3. Pérez-Campdesuñer Reyner & Sánchez-Rodríguez Alexander & García-Vidal Gelmar & Martínez-Vivar Rodobaldo & Ruiz-de la Peña Jenny & de Miguel-Guzmán Margarita, 2023. "The Premature Mortality of Micro and Small Enterprises," Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 26(2), pages 49-76.
    4. Maribel Guerrero & Grace S. Walsh, 2024. "How do entrepreneurs build a resilient and persistent identity? Re-examining the financial crisis impact," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 1963-1997, September.
    5. Kuckertz, Andreas & Bulut, Cagri & Brändle, Leif, 2024. "Unobserved heterogeneity in firm performance: The alignment of entrepreneurial orientation and organizational error management culture," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    6. Stela Ivanova & Theresa Treffers & Fred Langerak & Markus Groth, 2023. "Holding Back or Letting Go? The Effect of Emotion Suppression on Relationship Viability in New Venture Teams," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1460-1495, July.
    7. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang & Quang-Loc, Nguyen & Nguyen, Loan & Le, Tam-Tri & Phi, Xuan-Tuan & Vuong, Quan-Hoang, 2023. "How does the knowledge accumulation process affect Vietnamese entrepreneurs’ success likelihood?," OSF Preprints tgfr5, Center for Open Science.
    8. Bohlayer, Carina & Gielnik, Michael M., 2023. "(S)training experiences: Toward understanding decreases in entrepreneurial self-efficacy during action-oriented entrepreneurship training," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(1).
    9. Holger Patzelt & Dean A. Shepherd, 2024. "A fatigue model of social venturing," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 1065-1088, October.

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