IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/intemj/v19y2023i4d10.1007_s11365-023-00898-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The virtuous cycle of entrepreneurial identity and experience – a longitudinal analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Ricardo Figueiredo Belchior

    (Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Hugo Castro-Silva

    (CEGIST, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa)

Abstract

Entrepreneurial identity represents a powerful motivating force that can help explain individuals’ entrepreneurial activity and has been found to be relevant to several new business venturing decisions. Although identity may entail some degree of temporal stability, personal agency and social interactions may change it. While understanding entrepreneurial identity formation and development is a promising research topic, longitudinal analyses are lacking. In this study, we propose a longitudinal model in which intra-individual entrepreneurial identity aspirations exhibit path dependency, and test different types of entrepreneurial experiences as mediators affecting this relationship. Applying structural equation modeling to a longitudinal sample composed of individuals formerly enrolled in higher education programs, we found that past entrepreneurial identity aspirations predicted identity aspirations 11 years later. We also found that, while prior successful entrepreneurial experiences positively influenced current identity aspirations, unsuccessful experiences did not decrease them. It is noteworthy that these results hold even when considering working for others in new business projects as an (indirect) entrepreneurial experience. Our study contributes to the literature by extending the scarce longitudinal evidence that supports the temporal stability of entrepreneurial identity and by adding novel evidence regarding the mediating impact of real-life entrepreneurial experiences while considering both their direct and indirect nature and their positive and negative outcomes. This study may be relevant to policymakers and entrepreneurship educators by providing evidence of a virtuous cycle between entrepreneurial identity and action and its boundary conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo Figueiredo Belchior & Hugo Castro-Silva, 2023. "The virtuous cycle of entrepreneurial identity and experience – a longitudinal analysis," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1739-1770, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:intemj:v:19:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11365-023-00898-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11365-023-00898-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11365-023-00898-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11365-023-00898-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Clarke, Jean & Holt, Robin, 2017. "Imagery of ad-venture: Understanding entrepreneurial identity through metaphor and drawing," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 476-497.
    2. Murnieks, Charles Y. & Cardon, Melissa S. & Haynie, J. Michael, 2020. "Fueling the fire: Examining identity centrality, affective interpersonal commitment and gender as drivers of entrepreneurial passion," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(1).
    3. Bogatyreva, Karina & Laskovaia, Anastasiia & Osiyevskyy, Oleksiy, 2022. "Entrepreneurial activity, intrapreneurship, and conducive institutions: Is there a connection?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 45-56.
    4. Antoncic, Bostjan & Hisrich, Robert D., 2001. "Intrapreneurship: Construct refinement and cross-cultural validation," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 495-527, September.
    5. Jeff Vanevenhoven & Eric Liguori, 2013. "The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education: Introducing the Entrepreneurship Education Project," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(3), pages 315-328, July.
    6. Sanja Pfeifer & Nataša Šarlija & Marijana Zekić sušac, 2016. "Shaping the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Entrepreneurial Intentions of Business Students in Croatia," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(1), pages 102-117, January.
    7. Gry Agnete Alsos & Lars Kolvereid, 1998. "The Business Gestation Process of Novice, Serial, and Parallel Business Founders," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 22(4), pages 101-114, July.
    8. João J. M. Ferreira & Cristina I. Fernandes & Sascha Kraus, 2019. "Entrepreneurship research: mapping intellectual structures and research trends," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 181-205, February.
    9. Herron, Lanny & Robinson, Richard Jr., 1993. "A structural model of the effects of entrepreneurial characteristics on venture performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 281-294, May.
    10. Scott C. Manley & Joseph F. Hair & Ralph I. Williams & William C. McDowell, 2021. "Essential new PLS-SEM analysis methods for your entrepreneurship analytical toolbox," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1805-1825, December.
    11. Mmbaga, Nick A. & Mathias, Blake D. & Williams, David W. & Cardon, Melissa S., 2020. "A review of and future agenda for research on identity in entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(6).
    12. Cardon, Melissa S. & Stevens, Christopher E. & Potter, D. Ryland, 2011. "Misfortunes or mistakes?: Cultural sensemaking of entrepreneurial failure," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 79-92, January.
    13. O'Neil, Isobel & Ucbasaran, Deniz, 2016. "Balancing “what matters to me” with “what matters to them”: Exploring the legitimation process of environmental entrepreneurs," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 133-152.
    14. Ucbasaran, Deniz & Westhead, Paul & Wright, Mike, 2009. "The extent and nature of opportunity identification by experienced entrepreneurs," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 99-115, March.
    15. Mathias, Blake D. & Williams, David W., 2018. "Giving up the hats? Entrepreneurs' role transitions and venture growth," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 261-277.
    16. Jean S. Clarke & Robin Holt, 2017. "Imagery of ad-venture : Understanding entrepreneurial identity through metaphor and drawing," Post-Print hal-02312019, HAL.
    17. Steven M. Farmer & Xin Yao & Kate Kung–Mcintyre, 2011. "The Behavioral Impact of Entrepreneur Identity Aspiration and Prior Entrepreneurial Experience," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(2), pages 245-273, March.
    18. A. Amaral & Rui Baptista & Francisco Lima, 2011. "Serial entrepreneurship: impact of human capital on time to re-entry," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 1-21, July.
    19. Véronique Bouchard & Olivier Basso, 2011. "Exploring the links between entrepreneurial orientation and intrapreneurship in SMEs," Post-Print hal-02312700, HAL.
    20. Ricardo Figueiredo Belchior & Roisin Lyons, 2021. "Explaining entrepreneurial intentions, nascent entrepreneurial behavior and new business creation with social cognitive career theory – a 5-year longitudinal analysis," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1945-1972, December.
    21. Dawn R. DeTienne & Gaylen N. Chandler, 2007. "The Role of Gender in Opportunity Identification," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 31(3), pages 365-386, May.
    22. Miruna Radu-Lefebvre & Vincent Lefebvre & Eliana Crosina & Ulla Hytti, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Identity: A Review and Research Agenda," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(6), pages 1550-1590, November.
    23. Jain, Sanjay & George, Gerard & Maltarich, Mark, 2009. "Academics or entrepreneurs? Investigating role identity modification of university scientists involved in commercialization activity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 922-935, July.
    24. Newbery, Robert & Lean, Jonathan & Moizer, Jonathan & Haddoud, Mohamed, 2018. "Entrepreneurial identity formation during the initial entrepreneurial experience: The influence of simulation feedback and existing identity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 51-59.
    25. Jeffrey G. York & Isobel O'Neil & Saras D. Sarasvathy, 2016. "Exploring Environmental Entrepreneurship: Identity Coupling, Venture Goals, and Stakeholder Incentives," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(5), pages 695-737, July.
    26. O'Neil, Isobel & Ucbasaran, Deniz & York, Jeffrey G., 2022. "The evolution of founder identity as an authenticity work process," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(1).
    27. Veroniek Collewaert & Frederik Anseel & Michiel Crommelinck & Alain De Beuckelaer & Jacob Vermeire, 2016. "When Passion Fades: Disentangling the Temporal Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Passion for Founding," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(6), pages 966-995, September.
    28. Maximilian Scheu & Andreas Kuckertz, 2023. "Explorers of the twenty-first century? A systematic literature review of the scholarship on international entrepreneurs from developed economies," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 177-235, March.
    29. Simmons, Sharon A. & Carr, Jon C. & Hsu, Dan & Craig, S. Bartholomew, 2023. "Intention to reengage in entrepreneurship: Performance feedback, sensation seeking and workaholism," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. O'Neil, Isobel & Ucbasaran, Deniz & York, Jeffrey G., 2022. "The evolution of founder identity as an authenticity work process," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(1).
    2. Yan Shi & Bo Zou & Roberto S. Santos, 2021. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: How do academic entrepreneurs deal with identity conflict?," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(8), pages 2165-2191, November.
    3. Christopher S. Hayter & Bruno Fischer & Einar Rasmussen, 2022. "Becoming an academic entrepreneur: how scientists develop an entrepreneurial identity," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1469-1487, December.
    4. Mmbaga, Nick A. & Lerman, Michael P. & Munyon, Timothy P. & Lanivich, Stephen E., 2023. "Juggling Act: Waged time investments and the health–wealth trade-off," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    5. Mathias, Blake D. & Wang, Stephanie, 2023. "Not so silent partners: Exploring the interconnected roles of entrepreneurs and their spouses," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(4).
    6. Hui Zhang & Yuan Mo & Dong Wang, 2021. "Why do some academic entrepreneurs experience less role conflict? The impact of prior academic experience and prior entrepreneurial experience," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1521-1539, December.
    7. Gregori, Patrick & Holzmann, Patrick & Wdowiak, Malgorzata A., 2021. "For the sake of nature: Identity work and meaningful experiences in environmental entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 488-501.
    8. Eric Boyd, D. & Keith Harrison, C. & McInerny, Haley, 2021. "Transitioning from athlete to entrepreneur: An entrepreneurial identity perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 479-487.
    9. Jörn H. Block & Walter Diegel & Christian Fisch, 2024. "How venture capital funding changes an entrepreneur’s digital identity: more self-confidence and professionalism but less authenticity!," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(8), pages 2287-2319, August.
    10. Megan Yuan Li & Shige Makino & Lingli Luo & Chunyan Jiang, 2024. "Entrepreneurial passion and organizational innovation: The moderating effects of events and the competence to exploit events," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 549-582, June.
    11. Colin Donaldson, 2021. "Culture in the entrepreneurial ecosystem: a conceptual framing," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 289-319, March.
    12. Maribel Guerrero & Jorge Espinoza-Benavides, 2021. "Does entrepreneurship ecosystem influence business re-entries after failure?," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 211-227, March.
    13. Castelló, Itziar & Barberá-Tomás, David & Vaara, Eero, 2023. "Moving on: Narrative identity reconstruction after entrepreneurial failure," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(4).
    14. Maribel Guerrero & Jorge Espinoza-Benavides, 2021. "Do emerging ecosystems and individual capitals matter in entrepreneurial re-entry’ quality and speed?," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 1131-1158, September.
    15. Rohny Saylors & Amrita Lahiri & Benjamin Warnick & Chandresh Baid, 2023. "Looking Back To Venture Forward: Exploring Idea and Identity Work in Public Failure Narratives," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(2), pages 398-429, March.
    16. Carlos Poblete & Felipe Rifo & Joana Huaman, 2021. "The Role of Circular Business Modeling in the Entrepreneurial Identity-Construction Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-25, December.
    17. Wu, Shuai, 2023. "Impact of serial entrepreneurs on IPO valuation: Evidence from U.S. IPOs," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    18. Yancy Vaillant & Ronald Mora-Esquivel & Marco Alvarado, 2025. "The forgetting curve in entrepreneurship: decaying learning benefits of past entrepreneurial experience," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(1), pages 11-36, January.
    19. Liu, Jingting & Zhu, Ying & Serapio, Manuel & Cavusgil, S. Tamer, 2019. "The new generation of millennial entrepreneurs: A review and call for research," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 1-1.
    20. Alejandro Lara-Bocanegra & M. Rocío Bohórquez & Jerónimo García-Fernández & Vanessa Ratten & Pablo Gálvez-Ruiz, 2025. "Design, validation and psychometric properties of a questionnaire to assess intrapreneurial behaviours in sports organisations," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-26, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:intemj:v:19:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11365-023-00898-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.