Entrepreneurial cognitions: Linking willingness and ability expert scripts to self-efficacy and new venture creation decisions

Abstract

In bringing the concept of expert scripts to bear upon the venture creation decision and following a script-scenario construction model the existence and degree of mastery of scripts are inferred from a selection of items consisting of paired script recognition and distracter cues. These cognition cues are then linked to motivation, operationalised with the general self-effcacy construct. Individuals with varying demographics who met qualifying criteria from an unrestricted range of businesses and industries (n = 161) were surveyed. Moderate support was found to consistently recognise and select statements that evidence expert entrepreneurial scripts. Associations with self-effcacy were modest, suggesting weak links between entrepreneurial cognition and motivation.