17585: Shaping the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Family, Sociocultural and Individual Influences (session 26126)

This study examines the antecedents of the entrepreneurial mindset (EM), a construct that captures how individuals create value and gain a competitive advantage. Despite its significance, EM remains underexplored, particularly in how its cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects develop. Drawing on Social Cognitive Theory and family embeddedness perspective, this research uses a configurational approach to investigate how family, sociocultural, and individual experiences shape EM in young individuals. Data were collected from 3,437 respondents at a private Mexican university, mostly with privileged access to family-based resources and a tradition of business ownership. Using qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study identifies 24 configurations of life experiences leading to high EM. The findings enabled us to generate propositions emphasizing how key antecedents —privileged access to family-based resources (entrepreneurial families, affluent families, educated parents, staying-home moms), sociocultural factors (regional gender equality) and individual experiences (entrepreneurial and work exposure)— influence EM development. By addressing cross-level antecedents and their interdependencies, this research highlights the importance of examining EM as a multidimensional construct, filling a gap in entrepreneurship literature. Additionally, the study provides valuable insights into a unique context, rich in academic and social opportunities, offering valuable perspectives for crafting specialized programs to foster EM.

view paper (if available)