What does it take to start a business? Constraint appraisal as predictor of taking entrepreneurial action among nascent entrepreneurs

Abstract

Combining the transactional ideas of cognitive appraisals and the affective events theory, we explore the subjective nature of entrepreneurial constraints and its consequences for nascent entrepreneurial action. In Study 1, we developed a measure of entrepreneurial constraint appraisal (opportunity and threat). In Study 2, using a cross‐lagged panel design, we found that entrepreneurial passion mediates the positive relationship between opportunity appraisal and taking action. In Study 3, findings provided support for the long‐term effects of this relationship (3 and 9 months after). Our study provides empirical evidence on how constraints evaluated as opportunities ignite entrepreneurial passion and lead to nascent entrepreneurship activity.

Psychologically gaining through losing: a metaphor analysis

“…Building on a cost-and-benefit analysis framework (Gooty et al ., 2010), Lazarus asserts that emotions are linked to varied assessments of emotional responses to events, individuals, or situations. Cognitive appraisal theory not only explains how constraints can transform into passions leading to innovative actions (López et al ., 2022) but also elucidates the role of secure attachment in enabling constructive coping with adverse conditions (Jiang, 2017). Furthermore, it rationalises how diverse cognitive processes, such as rumination and problem-solving, can result in different behaviours, such as openness or resistance to knowledge sharing (Madrid et al ., 2015).…”

“…Yet, cognitive appraisal theory seems largely overlooked in crisis management studies; possibly because the literature has largely ignored the emotions of managers in crisis. Moreover, most cognitive appraisal studies employ traditional quantitative methods to test their hypotheses derived from cognitive appraisal theory (e.g., López et al ., 2022; Majeed and Naseer, 2021). It is time for managerial psychological scholars to look for greater in-depth exploration (Wilhelmy and Köhler, 2021) and innovative qualitative research methods to elaborate on the theory (Fisher and Aguinis, 2017).…”