Do Entrepreneurial Pre-entry Search Activities Change in Successive Spells of Entrepreneurship?

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Abstract

Prior research highlights the link between habitual entrepreneurs' past experience and performance, advancing entrepreneurial learning theory. However, the specific lessons learned and their influence on subsequent actions remain underexplored. This study proposes that examining pre-entry search activities can illuminate this. We argue that prior search experience equips habitual entrepreneurs with cognitive frameworks for similar tasks. Furthermore, exceeding performance aspirations enables more extensive subsequent pre-entry search due to resource buffers. Analysis of 136 habitual entrepreneurs in Ghana's informal economy largely supports our theory.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Eighty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management
EditorsSonia Taneja
Number of pages6
Place of PublicationValhalla, NY
PublisherAcademy of Management
Publication dateJul 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2025
SeriesAcademy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings
ISSN0065-0668

Bibliographical note

Abridged version of the “Best Papers”.

Keywords

  • Cognitive frameworks
  • Informal economy
  • Learning theory
  • Performance
  • Search activity
  • Engineering education

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