The Self-Efficacy and Risk-Propensity of Entrepreneurs

Kathryn Densberger ()
Additional contact information
Kathryn Densberger: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Journal of Enterprising Culture (JEC), 2014, vol. 22, issue 04, 437-462

Abstract: This research explores the relationship between entrepreneurs' self-efficacy and risk-propensity. By considering these concepts together, this paper hopes to clarify that relationship as well as somewhat contradictory findings regarding risk-propensity in the existing literature. Specifically, the review of existing literature and data presented herein suggest that any particular propensity for risk that may be exhibited by entrepreneurs is a side-effect of their relatively high self-efficacy. This paper analyzes data from semi-structured, in-person interviews with 49 entrepreneurs in three American cities. Results indicate that high levels of self-efficacy allow entrepreneurs to be comfortable taking risks. Furthermore, it may be that the mixed results of previous investigations into entrepreneurs' propensity for risk may be due in part to the heterogeneity of the samples. That self-efficacy plays a role in entrepreneurship is important because this characteristic can be developed through education and experience and could be targeted through policy initiatives.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; risk-propensity; self-efficacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0218495814500186
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wsi:jecxxx:v:22:y:2014:i:04:n:s0218495814500186

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from

DOI: 10.1142/S0218495814500186

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Enterprising Culture (JEC) is currently edited by Teck-Meng Tan

More articles in Journal of Enterprising Culture (JEC) from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Tai Tone Lim ().