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The moderating role of anticipated affective ambivalence in the formation of entrepreneurial intentions

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Abstract

Students’ predictions of the affective consequences of starting their own business encompass, simultaneously, positive and negative thoughts and feelings (anticipated affective ambivalence). We theorize that anticipated affective ambivalence constitutes a significant element in the entrepreneurial process holding a central role in the realization of entrepreneurial intentions. In the herein presented research, we propose and test a model within which anticipated affective ambivalence is expected to moderate the impact of attitudes towards entrepreneurship (ATT), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on entrepreneurial intention. Results from a large sample of university student participants found that anticipated affective ambivalence moderated the effects of ATT and SN on entrepreneurial intention (INT) but not the effect of PBC on INT. Theoretically the findings introduce affective ambivalence in the area of nascent entrepreneurship and within the Theory of Planned Behavior model. Practically, the study highlights affective ambivalence in the context of universities’ increasing interest to promote entrepreneurship and to develop suitable educational programs.

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Notes

  1. Following Cardon et al. (2012) in this paper we use the terms “emotion” and “affect”, interchangeably and as a broad label for subjective feelings of pleasure or displeasure.

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Acknowledgments

The research reported in this paper was fully supported by the “ARISTEIA” Action (“EMO-ENTRE” program: 2511) of the “Operational programme Education and Life Long Learning” and is co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and National Resources. The views, opinions and results are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not correspond to official ESF or Greek Government opinions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Production Engineering and Management, Management Systems Laboratory, Technical University of Crete, University Campus, Chania, Crete, 73100, Greece

    Leonidas A. Zampetakis, Manolis Lerakis & Vassilis S. Moustakis

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Crete, Gallos Campus, Rethymnon, Crete, 74100, Greece

    Konstantinos Kafetsios

Authors
  1. Leonidas A. Zampetakis
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  2. Manolis Lerakis
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  4. Vassilis S. Moustakis
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Correspondence to Leonidas A. Zampetakis.

Appendix

Appendix

Items used for the survey

Personal attitude towards entrepreneurship (ATT)

1 Being an entrepreneur implies more advantages than disadvantages to me

2 A career as entrepreneur is attractive for me

3 If I had the opportunity and resources, I’d like to start a firm

4 Being an entrepreneur would entail great satisfactions for me

5 Among various options, I would rather be an entrepreneur

Entrepreneurial intention (INT)

6 Intend to set up a company in the future

7 Plan your future carefullya

8 Read business newspapersa

9 Never search for business start-up opportunities (R)

10 Read financial planning booksa

11 Are saving money to start a business

12 Do not read books on how to set up a firm (R)

13 Plan your finances carefullya

14 Have no plans to launch your own business (R)

15 Spend time learning about starting a firm

Subjective norm (SN)

16 Your close family

17 Your friends

18 Your colleagues

Perceived behavioral control (PBC)

19 To start a firm and keep it working would be easy for me

20 I am prepared to start a viable firm

21 I can control the creation process of a new firm

22 I know the necessary practical details to start a firm

23 I know how to develop an entrepreneurial project

24 If I tried to start a firm, I would have a high probability of succeeding

aDistracter items

(R) Reverse scored items

Anticipated positive and negative affect

25 Interested

26 Distressed

27 Excited

28 Upset

29 Strong

30 Guilt

31 Scared

32 Hostile

33 Enthusiastic

34 Proud

35 Irritable

36 Alert

37 Ashamed

38 Inspired

39 Nervous

40 Determined

41 Attentive

42 Jittery

43 Active

44 Afraid

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Zampetakis, L.A., Lerakis, M., Kafetsios, K. et al. The moderating role of anticipated affective ambivalence in the formation of entrepreneurial intentions. Int Entrep Manag J 12, 815–838 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-015-0367-2

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