The power of optimism and the adaptive process in a learning context of venture creation

LOI, MICHELA

;CASTRIOTTA, EMANUELE;DI GUARDO, MARIA CHIARA

2018-01-01

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Abstract

Grounded on Scheier and Carver (1981) self-regulation theory, this study explores the role of dispositional optimism in entrepreneurship education. Previous works have shown that optimism is a key concept for academic achievement and entrepreneurial nascency, but little understanding has been developed with respect to its role in an entrepreneurial learning context oriented to create a new venture. With a quasi-experimental design with a group control, we found empirical evidence for the positive feedback loop predicted by Segerstrom (2006; 2007), showing higher level of optimism to be connected to a pursuit of a learning behaviour, and a lower level of optimism to a disengagement from a learning behaviour. Moreover, among optimistic students entrepreneurship education seems nurturing an increment in the students’ level of optimism. These findings sustain the dispositional optimism as a promising adaptive variable that future studies should investigate further.