The Impact of Positive Affect on Entrepreneurial Motivational Outcomes: A Self-Regulatory Perspective

Abstract

We investigate the effect of an overall positive affective state of individuals on motivational - rather than cognitive - outcomes in entrepreneurship. Drawing from a self-regulatory perspective, we emphasize the key role of positive affect in influencing three motivational behaviors in regards to entrepreneurial engagement: direction (intrinsic versus extrinsic orientation), intensity (amount of entrepreneurial effort), and persistence (likelihood of entrepreneurial persistence). We also argue that environmental uncertainty acts as a moderator between positive affect and entrepreneurial motivations. Utilizing a data sample of entrepreneurs from a nationally representative household survey for China, we find support for positive relationships between positive affect on the one hand and intrinsic entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial persistence on the other. We also find support for the hypothesized moderating role of environmental uncertainty regarding these motivational outcomes.

Keywords: positive affect, entrepreneurial motivation, environmental uncertainty, entrepreneurial intrinsic orientation, entrepreneurial effort, entrepreneurial persistence