Causal modelling of failure fears for international entrepreneurs in tourism industry: a hybrid Delphi-DEMATEL based approach

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to recognise and identify fears of failure in the international entrepreneurship ecosystem and find the effects of these fears on each other to reduce these increasing effects and minimise the mental barriers for potential entrepreneurs. Therefore, this research is beneficial to strengthen international entrepreneurial personality and to reduce the shadows of fears on entrepreneurs’ minds. To address this purpose the international tourism industry has been investigated in the emerging economy of Iran.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is organised based on experts' opinions, and then factors are identified by literature review and are finalised through the Delphi method with a panel of practical and academic experts. These fears are categorised using a questionnaire and factor analysis (FA) technique. The respondents were entrepreneurship students and tourism entrepreneurs. Subsequently, the effect and importance of fears of failure are scored and ranked by some experts. These fears were analysed through decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The results presented the effects of fears of failure in the international entrepreneurial in the tourism industry and the relationship amongst them.FindingsThe first two fears are respectively “fears of future” which are caused by the unclear situation; and “fear of losing credit” that is due to the importance of “personal relationships” in Iranians culture. As pointed out by results, “fear of future” is the most effective group of factors that may lead to other fears too. This fear seems important in the international entrepreneurial tourism industry because of future ambiguity.Originality/valueThis study indicates the relations between groups of fears and offers some practical and applicable solutions to reduce these effects. To the best knowledge of the authors, analysing the relationship between fears amongst the entrepreneurs has not been investigated previously.

A systematic international entrepreneurship review and future research agenda

“…Additionally, Yang (2018) reports that managers apply bricolage techniques for developing international marketing, including co-innovation, accelerating customer value and international expansion. Hashemi et al (2021) identify failures in the tourism industry's IE ecosystem, highlighting "fears of the future" as the effective group of factors that may lead to other fears. Lycko and Galanakis (2021) propose a framework for implementing consultancy projects in the IE context.…”

“…It concentrates 41.54% of all the studies on IE and also accounts for the largest number of sub-themes. Research in this area is quite diverse, especially the studies on internationally successful companies, and focuses on issues that drive and facilitate international entrepreneurial activities (Fernhaber et al, 2008;Gil-Pechuan et al, 2013;Hajiagha et al, 2021;Hashemi et al, 2021;Sarasvathy et al, 2014;Sozuer et al, 2017;Turcan et al, 2010;Wach, 2015a;Yang, 2018), and that impact on the speed and intensity of internationalisation (Cass and Weerawardena, 2009;Cumming et al, 2009;Dimitratos et al, 2010;Fletcher, 2004;Oviatt and McDougall, 2005;Schwens et al, 2017). Other relevant and emerging topics are related to IEO (Acosta et al, 2018;Ahmed and Brennan, 2019;Boso et al, 2017;Calabr o et al, 2017;Freixanet et al, 2021;Gupta et al, 2021;Hern andez-Perlines et al, 2016;Jin and Cho, 2018;Joardar and Wu, 2011;Kuivalainen et al, 2007;Swoboda and Olejnik, 2016), and IEC (Dimitratos et al, 2012(Dimitratos et al, , 2016aGabrielsson et al, 2014).…”

A process-based guide for international entrepreneurs while investing in the agrifood sector of an emerging economy: a multi-layer decision-making approach

“…, 2021). Eventually, the network map reveals the causal relationship of the barriers for IEs to invest in the agrifood sector of the emerging economy of Iran (Hashemi et al , 2021). Step (5) Measuring b arriers i mportance .…”

“…The matrix-based questionnaire at this level included the eleven impediments. It was asked to rate the impact of each barrier on the other on a nine-point Likert scale, which included very very high; extremely high; high; nearly high; neither high nor low; nearly low ; low ; very low and exceptionally very low (Hashemi et al , 2021). The fundamental question was how each IE believes that one of the obstacles ( B 1 to B 11 ) influences the other barriers ( B 1 to B 11 ).…”

“…Moreover, the positive or negative value of (E i ) presents the cause or effect of the barrier, respectively (Ghosh et al, 2021). Eventually, the network map reveals the causal relationship of the barriers for IEs to invest in the agrifood sector of the emerging economy of Iran (Hashemi et al, 2021).…”