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ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial passion, and entrepreneurial performance

Author

Listed:
  • Isabella Hatak

    (University of St. Gallen)

  • Manling Chang

    (National Chung Hsing University)

  • Rainer Harms

    (University of Twente
    Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies)

  • Johan Wiklund

    (Syracuse University)

Abstract

Recent studies have substantially enhanced our understanding of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in entrepreneurship—articulating the theoretical relevance of ADHD-type traits in entrepreneurship and confirming the positive linkages between ADHD symptoms/diagnosis and entrepreneurial intentions and behavior. However, how and why some people with ADHD symptoms run successful ventures, while other entrepreneurs fail to perform well, is still not well established. Our study builds on a Gestalt perspective that integrates person–environment fit and broaden-and-build theorizing, and proposes that strong positive emotions enable entrepreneurs with ADHD symptoms (at the subclinical level) to mitigate/reinforce the effect of ADHD’s trait-specific weaknesses/strengths to achieve entrepreneurial performance. Relying on fuzzy-set methodology, our findings indicate that for entrepreneurs with ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial performance occurs when they simultaneously experience passion for founding and developing. This passion configuration is unique to successful ADHD-type entrepreneurs. As such, this study offers novel theoretical and empirical insights as well as implications for practitioners. Plain English Summary Do people with ADHD perform well in entrepreneurship? Our research shows how ADHD symptoms relate to entrepreneurial performance finding that passion is important. Entrepreneurs who are highly and thereby ambidextrously passionate for growing their businesses and for founding activities while lacking intense positive feelings for coming up with new ideas can benefit from ADHD. These results are important for people with ADHD and their loved ones.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabella Hatak & Manling Chang & Rainer Harms & Johan Wiklund, 2021. "ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial passion, and entrepreneurial performance," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1693-1713, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:57:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s11187-020-00397-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-020-00397-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Karolis Matikonis & Matthew Gobey, 2024. "Small Business Property Tax Reductions and Firm Productivity," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(1), pages 307-324, January.
    3. Clark, Daniel R. & Crawford, G. Christopher & Pidduck, Robert J., 2023. "Exceptionality in entrepreneurship: Systematically investigating outlier outcomes," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).
    4. Artamoshina, Polina & Shirokova, Galina & Osiyevskyy, Oleksiy & Bodolica, Virginia, 2023. "ADHD symptoms of CEOs and business model innovation in the SME context," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    5. Annelot Wismans & Katsuyuki Kamei & Roy Thurik & Olivier Torrès, 2021. "The link between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and entrepreneurial orientation in Japanese business owners," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(4), pages 857-872, October.
    6. Qifan Wang & Sajjad Nawaz Khan & Muhammad Sajjad & Irshad Hussain Sarki & Muhammad Noman Yaseen, 2023. "Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Work-Related Strains and Work Engagement among Job Demand–Resource Model and Success," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ADHD; Entrepreneurial performance; Entrepreneurial passion; Entrepreneurship; fsQCA;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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