Purpose

Social cognitive theory suggests that entrepreneurs' characteristics affect entrepreneurial outcomes through interaction with their environment. This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurs' characteristics and performance in the context of entrepreneurial nascence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigated lagged-panel responses from a sample of 100 confirmed nascent entrepreneurs. Data collected on three separate occasions included core self-evaluations, commitment, fear of failure and success. PLS analysis was used to assess mediation of commitment on the self-evaluation – success relationship.

Findings

Core self-evaluations are an important predictor of entrepreneurial success in nascent-stage entrepreneurs participating in pre-venture assistance programs; positively affecting success and commitment, while negatively affecting fear of failure.

Research limitations/implications

This investigation contributes to a fuller understanding of social cognitive theory as it pertains to nascent entrepreneurship. Furthermore, contrary to general expectations found in the entrepreneurship literature, the authors uncover a context where entrepreneurs' characteristics are relevant predictors of early entrepreneurial outcomes.

Practical implications

Results showed core self-evaluations as a robust predictor of perceived success in nascent entrepreneurs. Administrators of pre-venture assistance programs should consider screening applicants to programs designed to assist nascent entrepreneurial opportunity development for signs of high core self-evaluations.

Originality/value

This study advances theory by (1) demonstrating the value of assessing nascent entrepreneurs' core self-evaluations as a specific predictor of early-stage entrepreneurial outcomes, (2) suggesting social interaction amidst participation in pre-venture assistance programs makes commitment a salient part of perceived success and (3) providing evidence that entrepreneur-level characteristics need consideration in the context of nascent entrepreneurship and pre-venture assistance programs.

中文翻译：

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早期创业成果的新生企业家特征预测因子

目的

社会认知理论认为，企业家的特征通过与环境的互动来影响创业成果。本研究考察了创业初期背景下创业者特征与绩效之间的关系。

设计/方法/方法

本研究调查了来自 100 名已确认的新生企业家样本的滞后小组反应。在三个不同场合收集的数据包括核心自我评价、承诺、对失败和成功的恐惧。PLS 分析用于评估承诺对自我评价-成功关系的中介作用。

发现

核心自我评估是参与创业前援助计划的初级创业者创业成功的重要预测指标；积极影响成功和承诺，同时消极影响对失败的恐惧。

研究限制/影响

这项调查有助于更全面地理解社会认知理论，因为它与新生的创业精神有关。此外，与创业文献中的普遍预期相反，作者揭示了一个背景，即企业家的特征是早期创业成果的相关预测因素。

实际影响

结果显示，核心自我评价是新生企业家成功感知的有力预测指标。创业前援助计划的管理者应考虑筛选旨在帮助新生创业机会发展的计划的申请人，以寻找高核心自我评估的迹象。

原创性/价值

本研究通过 (1) 证明评估新生企业家的核心自我评价作为早期创业成果的具体预测指标的价值，(2) 表明参与风险前援助计划的社会互动使承诺成为重要部分感知成功和 (3) 提供证据表明创业者层面的特征需要在新生创业和创业前援助计划的背景下加以考虑。