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The impact of entrepreneurial overconfidence on incubator effectiveness

Author

Listed:
  • Mingfeng Tang

    (School of Business Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

  • Hao Huang

    (School of Business Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

  • Grace Walsh

    (National University of Ireland Maynooth
    National University of Ireland Maynooth
    Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Smart Manufacturing)

  • Maribel Guerrero

    (Universidad del Desarrollo
    Northumbria University)

Abstract

The low utilization of incubator resources has been subject to much academic attention within entrepreneurship research. This study explores how entrepreneurs’ overconfidence impacts the utilization of incubator resources and influences incubation performance. Based on interviews with 8 incubators and questionnaires from 184 entrepreneurs, the findings show a negative relationship between entrepreneurs’ overconfidence and the incubation performance of start-ups. This finding emerges in the context of incubation management through the fully mediating role of entrepreneurial learning. As a moderator, the contract control of the incubator weakens the negative relationship between entrepreneurs’ overconfidence and entrepreneurial learning. The microcosm of the incubator context allows the researchers to examine the internal agent interaction. This paper explores the related literature, presents the research study, discusses the findings and provides avenues for future scholarly research on this topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingfeng Tang & Hao Huang & Grace Walsh & Maribel Guerrero, 2023. "The impact of entrepreneurial overconfidence on incubator effectiveness," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 416-440, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:48:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10961-022-09938-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-022-09938-w
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    Keywords

    Overconfidence; Incubation performance; Entrepreneurial learning; Incubator governance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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