Mentoring for entrepreneurs: A boost or a crutch? Long-term effect of mentoring on self-efficacy

Abstract

This study focuses on whether a mentor can facilitate the development of entrepreneurial self-efficacy particularly with regard to opportunity recognition (ESE-OR) for novice entrepreneurs and whether their level of learning goal orientation (LGO) has a moderating effect. Based on a sample of 219 mentees and a longitudinal follow-up for 106 of these respondents, the results show that mentoring supports the development of ESE-OR, but only for low LGO mentees. Furthermore, the effect of mentoring on ESE-OR for low LGO mentees is ephemeral as it decreases once the relationship ends. This suggests the need for long-term support in order to maintain their ESE-OR high throughout the entrepreneurial endeavour. At the opposite end, high-LGO mentees see their ESE-OR slightly decline in an intense mentoring relationship suggesting that mentoring helps to adjust ESE-OR to a more appropriate level for novice entrepreneurs.

Perceived institutional support and small venture performance: The mediating role of entrepreneurial persistence

“…The important role of networks have been noted in the success of entrepreneurial ventures (Hoang and Antoncic, 2003;Hoang and Yi, 2015). Networks provide access to critical resources such as financial, informational and human resources and other non-economic benefits (e.g., mentoring) which enable entrepreneurs to pursue entrepreneurial activities (Ahsan, Zheng, DeNoble, and Musteen, 2018;St-Jean and Tremblay, 2020). In other words, networks supplement institutional support by providing the necessary resources to undertake entrepreneurial action.…”

Role of Education and Mentorship in Entrepreneurial Behavior: Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

“…Entrepreneurial self-efficacy seems to be triggered in part by entrepreneur mentorship ( St-Jean and Tremblay, 2020 ). Compared with someone with low self-efficacy, a farmer with high self-efficacy is more willing to pursue and complete a task ( Elliott et al, 2020 ).…”

Exploring the Link Between Mentoring and Intangible Outcomes of Entrepreneurship: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Moderating Effects of Gender

“…In line with the Social Cognitive Career Theory (Hackett and Lent, 1992;Lent and Brown, 2013), entrepreneurial self-efficacy develops from entrepreneurial socialization or learning occurring through education, training, and experiences that enhance the skills and mastery experiences of novice entrepreneurs. In a number of studies, individuals who have undertaken entrepreneurial training formally or informally have reported higher levels of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (Ho et al, 2018;St-Jean and Tremblay, 2020). However, this may be dependent on the protégés' learning orientation (St-Jean et al, 2018).…”