Paper by Stela Ivanova, Theresa Treffers and Fred Langerak accepted in the International Small Business Journal

The paper “Emotional Paths leading to Opportunity Desirability and Feasibility Beliefs through Controllability” with Stela Ivanova as first author got accepted for publication in the International Small Business Journal. Please find the abstract below:

Abstract:

Extant studies promote opportunity belief as an antecedent of entrepreneurial action. However, we do not sufficiently understand how beliefs about the desirability and feasibility of an entrepreneurial opportunity are formed. We argue that desirability and feasibility are related but distinct micro-foundations of entrepreneurial action formed through different cognitive-emotional mechanisms. Drawing on the appraisal tendency framework, we investigate the indirect effects of three basic emotions (anger, fear, and happiness) on desirability and feasibility through the appraisal tendency of controllability. In an experimental study (N = 191) we find evidence for the distinctiveness and interconnectedness of desirability and feasibility beliefs. In addition, our findings show that desirability can be predicted by emotions through controllability, but we cannot predict feasibility through the same appraisal process. Our study seeks insights concerning how desirability and feasibility beliefs about an entrepreneurial opportunity are distinctively formed based on individuals’ inner cognitive and emotional processes.