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Beyond the Initial Spark

Karadak, Robin LU and Strid, Emelie LU (2024) ENTN19 20241
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Throughout history, the aspiration for wealth and success has been universal, further amplified by media portrayals that often glamorise entrepreneurial success. However, the reality of entrepreneurship frequently contrasts sharply with these optimistic depictions, highlighting a significant gap and underscoring the need for a nuanced exploration of entrepreneurial optimism (EO). This study explores how EO unfolds by identifying its inherent processes based on prior research and new insights. Utilising a qualitative method of nine semi-structured interviews, this thesis contributes to a research area previously dominated by quantitative methods (Rauch et al., 2014). A dynamic model was developed that integrates the aggregated dimensions of... (More)
Throughout history, the aspiration for wealth and success has been universal, further amplified by media portrayals that often glamorise entrepreneurial success. However, the reality of entrepreneurship frequently contrasts sharply with these optimistic depictions, highlighting a significant gap and underscoring the need for a nuanced exploration of entrepreneurial optimism (EO). This study explores how EO unfolds by identifying its inherent processes based on prior research and new insights. Utilising a qualitative method of nine semi-structured interviews, this thesis contributes to a research area previously dominated by quantitative methods (Rauch et al., 2014). A dynamic model was developed that integrates the aggregated dimensions of antecedents, external and internal influences, and the manifestations and outcomes of EO. The findings reveal that EO is shaped by twelve distinct yet interactive concepts within these aggregated dimensions. The model illustrates how EO evolves in an iterative process, highlighting its dual potential to both enhance and impair entrepreneurial performance. This study addresses gaps in the literature, which has focused on correlations within entrepreneurial optimism rather than its underlying meaning, and offers practical implications for managing EO. The thesis encourages future research in entrepreneurship and optimism to use qualitative methods, as these can contribute to a deeper understanding and often generate more fundamental theories (Van Burg et al., 2020). Consequently, this study provides a dynamic understanding of how EO unfolds, synthesised in a comprehensive integrative model. (Less)
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author
Karadak, Robin LU and Strid, Emelie LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENTN19 20241
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Entrepreneurial optimism, optimism, entrepreneurship
language
English
id
9171032
date added to LUP
2024-08-26 08:46:52
date last changed
2024-08-26 08:46:52
@misc{9171032,
  abstract     = {{Throughout history, the aspiration for wealth and success has been universal, further amplified by media portrayals that often glamorise entrepreneurial success. However, the reality of entrepreneurship frequently contrasts sharply with these optimistic depictions, highlighting a significant gap and underscoring the need for a nuanced exploration of entrepreneurial optimism (EO). This study explores how EO unfolds by identifying its inherent processes based on prior research and new insights. Utilising a qualitative method of nine semi-structured interviews, this thesis contributes to a research area previously dominated by quantitative methods (Rauch et al., 2014). A dynamic model was developed that integrates the aggregated dimensions of antecedents, external and internal influences, and the manifestations and outcomes of EO. The findings reveal that EO is shaped by twelve distinct yet interactive concepts within these aggregated dimensions. The model illustrates how EO evolves in an iterative process, highlighting its dual potential to both enhance and impair entrepreneurial performance. This study addresses gaps in the literature, which has focused on correlations within entrepreneurial optimism rather than its underlying meaning, and offers practical implications for managing EO. The thesis encourages future research in entrepreneurship and optimism to use qualitative methods, as these can contribute to a deeper understanding and often generate more fundamental theories (Van Burg et al., 2020). Consequently, this study provides a dynamic understanding of how EO unfolds, synthesised in a comprehensive integrative model.}},
  author       = {{Karadak, Robin and Strid, Emelie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Beyond the Initial Spark}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}