Entrepreneurial Cognition and Behaviour: The Antecedent Role of Affect

Taking action in the entrepreneurial context is fraught with uncertainty, risk, affective responses, and time pressures. Each of these elements impacts entrepreneurs’ evaluative abilities and behaviour. This chapter examines the affective micro-foundations of entrepreneurial cognition and its impact on behaviour. Starting with recent research on mental health and entrepreneurship the chapter critically explores a number of perspectives to facilitate an understanding of the affective drivers shaping entrepreneurial behaviour. The literature on affect in the entrepreneurial context is examined, and a comprehensive conceptual framework is proposed incorporating both the antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurial affect. Specifically, fear is discussed as an operational example and the importance of attention is presented. The chapter concludes with an overview of the conceptual framework.