Parents’ performance in entrepreneurship as a “double-edged sword” for the intergenerational transmission of entrepreneurship

Abstract

We investigate how perceived parents' performance in entrepreneurship (PPE) affects the entrepreneurial career intentions of offspring. We argue that while perceived PPE enhances offspring's perceived entrepreneurial desirability and feasibility because of exposure mechanisms, it inhibits the translation of both desirability and feasibility perceptions into entrepreneurial career intentions due to upward social comparison mechanisms. Thus, perceived PPE acts as a double-edged sword for the intergenerational transmission of entrepreneurship. Our predictions are tested and confirmed on a sample of 21,895 individuals from 33 countries. This study advances the literature on intergenerational transmission of entrepreneurship by providing a foundation for understanding the social psychological conditions necessary for such transmission to occur.

The Influence of Parents on Female Entrepreneurs in Three Career Development Phases

“…Younger entrepreneurs were working for a family member more often, but we could not confirm the statistically significant difference. The results are in line with a recent survey of intergenerational transmission of entrepreneurship which shows the importance of social comparison and a perceived parental performance in entrepreneurship (Criaco et al 2017) suggesting that not all offsprings would like to follow their parents into entrepreneurship even if this can still be their career choice. The second hypothesis suggesting that female entrepreneurs in different life stages have parents with different employments status at the time of their entrepreneurial start-up, was accepted.…”

“…They argue that the opportunities to start a business are significantly influenced by the traditional resources of education, family status and wealth. The resent study of students' career intentions across the globe shows the importance of perceived parents' performance in entrepreneurship as an important factor for young people while choosing entrepreneurship as their career path (Criaco et al 2017). Koellinger, Minniti, and Schade (2013) believe that the reason for a smaller number of women entrepreneurs is in their attitude towards entrepreneurship, which is reflected in a lower degree of self-confidence in entrepreneurial abilities, risk predisposition and in various social networks.…”

The impact of role models on entrepreneurial intentions and behavior: a review of the literature

“…Parents are early role models for children in acquiring social values, habits and attitudes (Scherer et al 1991b) and can act as negative or positive models for entrepreneurship (Morales-Alonso et al 2016;Pablo-Lerchundi et al 2015). Prior research suggests that having entrepreneurial parents affects the likelihood of entrepreneurial intentions (e.g., Geldhof et al 2014;Chlosta et al 2012;Wang and Wong 2004;Laspita et al 2012;Saeed et al 2014;Criaco et al 2017;Andersson and Hammarstedt 2011;Niittykangas and Tervo 2005;Zapkau et al 2015). Hickie (2011) finds that entrepreneurial parents can constitute an advantage in developing relevant human capital but can also provide access to the values, knowledge and support of someone with experience.…”

“…A large number of studies conclude that having entrepreneurial parents creates a greater chance of choosing an entrepreneurial career (e.g., Criaco et al 2017;Kennedy et al 2003;Scherer et al 1991a, b;Scott and Twomey 1988). However, most of these studies examine the effects of parental role models in adulthood while at Dohse and Walter 2012).…”

“…Our literature review reveals that past studies mainly used cross-sectional research designs (e.g., Lafuente et al 2007;Díaz-García and Jiménez-Moreno 2010;Karimi et al 2014;Lafuente and Vaillant 2013;Criaco et al 2017;Laspita et al 2012). Although this design fits the datasets and surveys used, it does not allow to assess longer-term effects and actual entrepreneurial behavior (e.g., Fellnhofer 2018; Huyghe and Knockaert 2015;Laviolette et al 2012;Du Toit and Muofhe 2011).…”