Goal Orientation (GO), a critical motivational construct that describes an individual’s propensity to pursue different types of goals, shapes individuals’ behaviors and entrepreneurial outcomes. Despite its importance in the entrepreneurship context, little is known about the factors that influence the development of GO. This study explores how Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET) programs influence the GO of early-stage entrepreneurs. We focus on two distinct decision-making approaches taught in these programs: the scientific approach and the effectuation approach. Through a randomized control trial involving 241 participants, entrepreneurs were randomly assigned to one of three groups: those learning the scientific approach, those learning the effectuation approach, and a control group learning standard entrepreneurial tools. The findings reveal that the type of decision-making approach significantly affects how individuals prioritize personal growth (i.e., learning GO), seek external validation (i.e., performance-approach GO), or avoid negative evaluations (i.e., performance-avoid GO). This research contributes to the Achievement Goal Theory by demonstrating that specific educational methods and decision-making approaches can influence motivational orientations. It introduces GO as a novel outcome of EET programs and offers practical insights for designing curricula that address diverse needs and aspirations, ultimately supporting the success and development of early-stage entrepreneurs.
