An emotional learning process? The role of socially induced and regulated emotions for the development of an entrepreneurial mindset

Abstract

Purpose

Although emotional dynamics (EDs) during the entrepreneurial learning (EL) process are acknowledged to promote the growth of an entrepreneurial mindset (EM), while having social causes, empirical research on learning mainly looks at emotions as socially isolated concepts. This study aims to investigate how socially induced and regulated emotions during the EL process affect EM development.

Design/methodology/approach

We applied a qualitative, inductive approach related to interpretative phenomenological analysis to get deeply involved into individuals’ experienced emotions. We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants of two EL programs. Open-ended questions stimulated free narratives and detailed descriptions of experiences that were analyzed following a five-stage process.

Findings

There is a correlation between socially induced and regulated emotions and the development of EM elements. We suggest a framework for the EL process based on EDs, which triggers four main mechanisms that help individuals develop an EM: “re-assessment of individual emotions through EDs”, “EDs affected by facilitator intervention,” “sharing and co-creation of emotions,” and “sensemaking of experiences and emotions.”

Originality/value

This study adds to the knowledge on EDs during the EL process and contributes to the literature on EL and emotions in learning. Therewith, it helps to sensitize practitioners toward the complexity of emotions in the entrepreneurial process, allows to moderate individual emotional reactions and social Eds, and improves existing EE programs. Future research could investigate the interplay of specific personality traits, learning environments, and socioemotional team dynamics in EL.

Citation

Zabel, C.M.K., Meister, A., Van De Sandt, N. and Mauer, R. (2024), "An emotional learning process? The role of socially induced and regulated emotions for the development of an entrepreneurial mindset", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2023-0914