Unraveling the “passion orchestra” in academia

Abstract

This paper disentangles how organization members' "passion orchestra" is related to their entrepreneurial intentions in the particularly relevant context of academia. Drawing on passion literature and identity theory, we propose and test a model linking two central parts of researchers' "passion orchestra", namely entrepreneurial and obsessive scientific passion, directly and indirectly, to spin-off and start-up intentions. While spin-off intentions refer to intentions to found a firm based upon research results, start-up intentions denote intentions to start any type of company. Using a sample of 2,308 researchers from 24 European universities, our findings reveal that higher levels of entrepreneurial passion are associated with both stronger spin-off and start-up intentions. Further, obsessive scientific passion is positively associated with researchers' intentions to create a spin-off, and negatively with their propensity to establish a start-up. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and affective organizational commitment mediate these effects. Finally, the two types of passion show characteristic interactions. Obsessive scientific passion moderates the entrepreneurial passion-intentions relationship such that it strengthens spin-off intentions. Our results highlight that recasting the individual driven by a singular passion to one with a "passion orchestra" provides a more holistic understanding of the new venture creation process. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Uncovering the backings to passion: why do small firm owners/managers engage in entrepreneurship?

“…A number of perception-based elements may be attributed to entrepreneurs, perhaps the most widely noted and readily visible element is passion (Smilor 1997;Davis et al 2017), because it indicated that entrepreneurial behavior is passionate, full of emotional energy, drive, and spirit (Huyghe et al 2016). Passion is at the heart of entrepreneurship (Cardon et al 2005), since it can foster creativity and the recognition of new information patterns critical to the discovery and exploitation of promising opportunities (Baron 2008;Sundararajan and Peters 2007;Cardon et al 2013).…”

“…Passion is at the heart of entrepreneurship (Cardon et al 2005), since it can foster creativity and the recognition of new information patterns critical to the discovery and exploitation of promising opportunities (Baron 2008;Sundararajan and Peters 2007;Cardon et al 2013). It is the "fire of desire" that fuels entrepreneurs' daily efforts and creativity (Cardon et al 2009) and urges them to persist even in the face of challenge and adversity (Cardon et al 2005;Cardon and Kirk 2015;Huyghe et al 2016).…”

“…Baron 2008), and in particular have noted that entrepreneurial passion may be an important construct in need of more careful study (Cardon 2008a(Cardon , 2008bCardon et al 2009). A growing volume of research indicates that entrepreneurial passion, which involves intense positive emotions and a meaningful identity connection is central to the entrepreneurial experience and venture-related outcomes (Huyghe et al 2016). But, passion alone will not make owner/managers to engage on entrepreneurial activity.…”

Multilevel Transmission of Cultural Attitudes and Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence from High-School Students

“…Firstly, 'intention' is standardly hypothesized to depend on basic personal and socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, native/migrant status, professional background, experience and skills and 'passions' (see, e.g., Fischer et al 1993;Huyghe et al 2016;Kourilsky and Walstad 1998) (Carland et al, 1988).…”

Comparing Entrepreneurial Passion of Social and Commercial Entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic

“…At the same time as being successful and creating sustainable impact, they also need to be passionate about creating and delivering values, creating effective business model and operations, and developing and supporting the growth of the entity (Dees & Anderson, 2003). Our research wants to find out if passion for inventing, passion for founding, and passion for developing the venture are present in the "Passion orchestra" (a term first used by Huyghe et al, 2016, to express a set of different passions playing role in entrepreneurship), of social entrepreneurs. The research takes also a closer look how social and commercial ventures prioritize their goals.…”