No abstract

Extant research proves the central role of passion for individual development and entrepreneurial performance. However, the phenomena of multiple sources and domains of passion and their effects are largely unexplored. Particularly, this concerns individuals whose entrepreneurial journeys originate from pursuing interesting ideas and activities unleashed by a passion that is basically not entrepreneurial. Current passion theories can neither entirely capture nor consistently explain the effects of complementing and conflicting domains of passion. It is thus a theoretical and empirical puzzle of how and why multiple sources of passion(s) develop and impact performance. This article identifies and compares predominant theories and elaborates an interest-based approach that reconciles constitutional theoretical differences by proposing self-concordance of interests, activities, goals and passion(s) as the precondition for extraordinary entrepreneurial outcomes. The resulting framework facilitates a new empirical perspective to explore the dynamics of passion(s) and makes an important contribution to the literature of passion and performance.

No abstract

PurposeNon-entrepreneurial passions may be the beginning of an extensive entrepreneurial journey. However, current passion theories cannot fully capture the essence of such passions and their effects. The purpose of this study is to explore and explain the real-life composition of passion and performance.Design/methodology/approachThe investigation was conducted with comparative causal mapping (CCM) on a qualitative sample of people we designate rock “n” roll entrepreneurs (i.e. individuals driven by a passion for music and who are successful both artistically and economically). Aggregated causal maps of passion elicited through semi-structured interviews were analyzed and contrasted with performance indicators.FindingsPassion is revealed to be an individual phenomenon, one composed of central and peripheral concepts that include—contrary to prior theories—personality traits and life contexts. Furthermore, the results suggest that the concordance of concepts determines the scope, degree and performance of passion.Research limitations/implicationsThis study complements prevailing passion theories in psychology and entrepreneurship. As a context-bound study, the generalizability of the results is limited to its context, which, however, paves a clear way for future research.Practical implicationsCreative economy entrepreneurs and educators can use the mechanism of concordance to consciously reflect passion-driven tensions between artistic, social and entrepreneurial demands and to translate passion into behavioral effectiveness.Originality/valueThis study is the first to use a CCM approach to investigate passion. Findings highlight the potential to research entrepreneurial phenomena at the intersection of emotion, cognition and action.