Entrepreneurial passion and venture performance: a proposed framework

Purpose - This paper aims to attempt to synthesize the evidence in literature on the link between passion and passion outcomes to propose a parsimonious framework of entrepreneurial passion and venture performance based on the theory of social cognition, identity and self-regulation. Design/methodology/approach - A detailed review of empirical and conceptual articles related to the topic was the adopted methodology. An eclectic synthesis of the evidence guided the development of the framework as proposed. Findings - Empirical review of the related studies reveals that the link between entrepreneurial passion and venture performance is distal. Based on the theoretical foundation of the study, entrepreneurial passion is proposed to have a direct link on venture performance and an indirect link mediated by goal-setting, entrepreneurial behavior and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Control variables proposed include age, sex, size, work experience or tenure and self-regulation or feedback. Research limitations/implications - Entrepreneurial passion is conceived as an experienced construct conceptualized as the interaction of intense positive feeling and identity centrality associated with venture outcomes defined as opportunity recognition, venture creation/growth and threshold performance. Practical implications - The study provides a parsimonious framework of entrepreneurial passion and venture performance that includes goals, entrepreneurial behavior and self-efficacy as mediator variables and age, sex, size, work experience or tenure and self-regulation or feedback as control variables. Originality/value - The framework extends the ontological field of entrepreneurial passion, which can be validated by empirical research.