Stephen L. Mueller

Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy: Refining the Measure

A growing number of studies on entrepreneurial motivation, intentions, and behavior include entrepreneurial self–efficacy (ESE) as an explanatory variable. While there is broad consensus among researchers on the importance of including ESE in an intentionality model, there remain inconsistencies in the definition, dimensionality, and measurement of ESE. This study takes an important step toward refinement and standardization of ESE measurement. Within a new venture creation process framework, a multi–dimensional ESE instrument is developed and tested on a diverse sample that includes nascent entrepreneurs. Implications for entrepreneurship theory and entrepreneurship education are discussed.

The Influence Of Social Ties And Self-Efficacy In Forming Entrepreneurial Intentions And Motivating Nascent Behavior

Theoretical models of entrepreneurship suggest that an individuals intention to start an enterprise is a strong predictor of eventual entrepreneurial action. Less understood are factors that influence the likelihood of entrepreneurial intentions and nascent behavior. In this study, we develop and test several hypotheses about how social network ties and self-efficacy affect entrepreneurial intentions and nascent behavior. We found that a personal network of supportive strong ties coupled with high entrepreneurial self-efficacy increases the likelihood of entrepreneurial intentions and nascent behavior. A personal network of weak ties with practical business knowledge and experience also increases the likelihood of entrepreneurial nascent behavior but not entrepreneurial intentions. In contrast, a personal network of strong ties with practical business knowledge and experience has little effect on either intentions or nascent behavior and may, in fact, suppress both. The contribution of this study to nascent entrepreneurship research and implications for future research are discussed.

Gender-Role Orientation As A Determinant Of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy

Entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) is often included in entrepreneurial intentions models to explain why some individuals are more likely than others to become entrepreneurs. An unsettled question among researchers is whether ESE differs between men and women. While early studies seem to suggest that men have higher ESE than women, more recent studies are inconclusive. Lacking empirical support for gender differences in ESE compels researchers to look for other factors to explain variation in entrepreneurial self-efficacy.The present study confirms two recent studies by finding no significant difference in ESE between men and women in a representative sample of MBA students. This finding leads to an investigation of gender-role orientation as a possible determinant of differences in entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Results indicate that the relationship between gender-role orientation and entrepreneurial self-efficacy is complex and multifaceted. Early in the venture creation process, the searching and planning tasks demand creativity and innovation where a strong mix of masculine and feminine traits (androgyny) improves performance. Later in the venture creation process, an individual (male or female) with a strong masculine orientation seems better suited for undertaking entrepreneurial tasks associated with persuading and leading others.

Demographic and cultural predictors of international service worker job satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of demographic and cultural characteristics on the job satisfaction level of international service workers.Design/methodology/approach – The data in this study resulted from a survey of 1,128 service workers from 82 different countries. The employees were recruited from 14 ships of a major cruise line. Multivariant regression analysis was performed to determine the independent effect of four demographic factors and traditional culture on job satisfaction.Findings – The results suggest that work environment, cultural background and demographic characteristics combine in various ways to impact on service‐worker job satisfaction. The findings are discussed in the context of extant research.Research limitations/implications – The limitation of this paper is that the sample drawn from a single industry.Practical implications – Job satisfaction in the context of international service workers is a complex issue that may require investigation within the...

Gender‐based income disparity among self‐employed professionals

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to test two possible explanations for persistent income disparity between male and female self‐employed professionals. First, men are more likely than women to be motivated by the potential for high income to establish a professional practice. Second, men are more likely than women to adopt a thinking‐over‐feeling cognitive decision‐making style.Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a gender role/career motivation model to develop a set of hypotheses that explain observed gender‐based income disparity among self‐employed professionals. Hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression analysis with data drawn from a large‐scale national survey of male and female veterinarians in private practice.Findings – Male veterinarians showed less empathy toward their clients and were more likely to use a thinking‐over‐feeling decision‐making style than were female veterinarians. Also, practice income was greater for male veterinarians with high client empathy (CE) a...

East-West Differences in Gender-Role Orientation and Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy: A Proposed Study

Studies over the past decade suggest a persistent gap between men and women in their level of entrepreneurial activity (Minniti, Arenius and Langowitz 2005), in entrepreneurial orientation and propensity (Langowitz and Minniti 2007; Mueller 2004), as well as in the motivation, desire, and intention to become entrepreneurs (Minniti and Nardone 2007). Some researchers have attributed this “gender gap” to differences in how men and women perceive the environment for entrepreneurship and how they perceive their ability to succeed (Langowitz and Minniti 2007).