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This paper aims to attempt to synthesize the evidence in literature on the link between passion and passion outcomes to propose a parsimonious framework of entrepreneurial passion and venture performance based on the theory of social cognition, identity and self-regulation.

A detailed review of empirical and conceptual articles related to the topic was the adopted methodology. An eclectic synthesis of the evidence guided the development of the framework as proposed.

Empirical review of the related studies reveals that the link between entrepreneurial passion and venture performance is distal. Based on the theoretical foundation of the study, entrepreneurial passion is proposed to have a direct link on venture performance and an indirect link mediated by goal-setting, entrepreneurial behavior and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Control variables proposed include age, sex, size, work experience or tenure and self-regulation or feedback.

Entrepreneurial passion is conceived as an experienced construct conceptualized as the interaction of intense positive feeling and identity centrality associated with venture outcomes defined as opportunity recognition, venture creation/growth and threshold performance.

The study provides a parsimonious framework of entrepreneurial passion and venture performance that includes goals, entrepreneurial behavior and self-efficacy as mediator variables and age, sex, size, work experience or tenure and self-regulation or feedback as control variables.

The framework extends the ontological field of entrepreneurial passion, which can be validated by empirical research.

Drawing on the human capital theory and the dual model of passion, this study aims to explore the mediating role of passion on the relationship between entrepreneurship education programme and students’ attitude towards self-employment (SE).

The proposed research framework was tested on a sample of 445 higher education students in four universities in North-Central Nigeria.

The results indicated that learning and inspiration account for the variation in students’ attitude towards SE. Furthermore, the study revealed that harmonious and obsessive passion largely mediate the relationship between entrepreneurship education programme and attitude towards SE.

The policy implication is the scaling of policies targeted at encouraging the development of passion given its significant role in the entrepreneurship education programme and attitude towards SE link.

The study has established the importance of human capital theory in explaining the attitude towards SE phenomenon using a multi-theoretical approach and has advanced the theoretical field of affect and its relevance in the field of entrepreneurship.