Counterfactual Thinking and Entrepreneurial Self–Efficacy: The Moderating Role of Self–Esteem and Dispositional Affect. (March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arora, Punit; Haynie, J. Michael; Laurence, Gregory A.
• Is Part Of: Entrepreneurship theory and practice. Volume 37:Number 2(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 359
• Page End: 385
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Subjects: Small business -- Periodicals; New business enterprises -- Periodicals; Entrepreneurship -- Periodicals; 658.421
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2011.00472.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-2587

Abstract

Scholars have suggested that counterfactual thinking may play an important role in entrepreneurship; however, empirical research positioned to inform the nature of this relationship has been equivocal. In this study, we draw on the tenets of social cognition theory as a basis to investigate the relationship between counterfactual thinking and the dispositional attributes of the entrepreneur, hypothesizing concomitant influences upon the entrepreneur's self–efficacy. Based on a survey of 138 entrepreneurs, our findings suggest that the implications of counterfactual thinking for entrepreneurial self–efficacy are moderated by individual differences based in the dispositional attributes of the entrepreneur.