A Systematic Study on Entrepreneurial Passion: Critical Review and Future Research Guide

Author: Dr. Asif Yaseen, Dr. Khawar Naheed, Muhammad Haseeb Khan Khakwani 

Abstract

This research explores comprehensive scholarship and reviews about the concept of Entrepreneurial Passion (EP). This critical exploration of literature highlights that passion underscores a pivotal assistance in entrepreneurship literature. The objective of scholarship is to comprehend the concept of EP, review the literature, and suggest avenues for future research in this specific field. This article defines EP by developing an understanding of its four dimensions: passion for developing, founding, and creating including passionate for work; ensemble and fanatical and observed. Inculcating theoretical and empirical frameworks on EP, this study also discusses several research methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, experimental, and intervention) used by various researchers in EP research. This study also reviews the antecedents and outcomes of EP mentioned in prior research. Finally, this study identifies research gaps that can extend their research using the EP concept.

Keywords

Entrepreneurial Passion (EP), EP for venture creation, EP for Work, Obsessive Passion (OP) and Harmonious Passion (HP), Perceived EP, Literature Review.

References

Adomako, S., & Ahsan, M. (2022). Entrepreneurial passion and SMEs’ performance: Moderating
effects of financial resource availability and resource flexibility. Journal of Business
Research, 144, 122-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.02.002
Adomako, S., Mole, K.F., Murnieks, C., & Franklin, R. (2019). Analyzing the entrepreneurial
passion-performance relationship. Academy of Management Conference.
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2019.12874abstract
Adomako, S., Zheng, C., & Ahsan, M. (2018). Passion undisciplined: Exploring the downside of
entrepreneurial passion. Academy of Management Conference.
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2018.17843abstract
Baum, J. R., & Locke, E. A. (2004). The relationship of entrepreneurial traits, skill, and motivation
to subsequent venture growth. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89(4), 587-598.
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0021-9010.89.4.587
Baum, J. R., Locke, E. A., & Smith, K. G. (2001). A multidimensional model of venture growth.
Academy of Management Journal, 44(2), 292-303. https://doi.org/10.5465/3069456
Bayraktar, S., & Jiménez, A. (2022). Friend or foe? The effects of harmonious and obsessive passion
on entrepreneurs’ well-being, strain and social loneliness. Cross Cultural & Strategic
Management, 29(2), 320-348. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/CCSM-03-2021-0056
Bhansing, P.V., Hitters, E., & Wijngaarden, Y. (2017). Passion inspires: Motivations of creative
entrepreneurs in creative business centres in the Netherlands. Journal of Entrepreneurship,
27(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971355717738589
Biraglia, A., & Kadile, V. (2017). The role of entrepreneurial passion and creativity in developing
entrepreneurial intentions: Insights from American home brewers. Journal of Small Business
Management, 55(1), 170–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12242
Breugst, N., Domurath, A., Patzelt, H., & Klaukien, A. (2012). Perceptions of entrepreneurial passion
and employees’ commitment to entrepreneurial ventures. Entrepreneurship theory and
practice, 36(1), 171-192. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2011.00491.x
Campos, H.M. (2017). Impact of entrepreneurial passion on entrepreneurial orientation with the
mediating role of entrepreneurial alertness for technology-based firms in Mexico. Journal of
Small Business and Enterprise Development, 24(2), 353–374.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-10-2016-0166
Cardon, M. S., Post, C., & Forster, W. R. (2016). Team Entrepreneurial passion: its emergence and
influence in new venture teams. Academy of Management Review, 42(2), 283–305.
https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2014.0356
Cardon, M.S. (2008). Is passion contagious? The transference of entrepreneurial passion to
employees. Human Resource Management Review, 18(2), 77–86.
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1016/j.hrmr.2008.04.001
Cardon, M.S., & Kirk, C.P. (2015). Entrepreneurial passion as mediator of the self-efficacy to
persistence relationship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 39(5), 1027–1050.
https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12089
Cardon, M.S., Glauser, M., & Murnieks, C.Y. (2017). Passion for what? Expanding the domains of
entrepreneurial passion. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 8(C), 24–32.
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBVI.2017.05.004
Cardon, M.S., Gregoire, D.A., Stevens, C.E., & Patel, P.C. (2013). Measuring entrepreneurial
passion: Conceptual foundations and scale validation. Journal of Business Venturing, 28 (3),
373–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.03.003
Cardon, M.S., Wincent, J., Singh, J., & Drnovsek, M. (2009). The nature and experience of
entrepreneurial passion. Academy of Management Review, 34(3), 511–532.
https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2009.40633190
Chen, C., Zhang, J., Tian, H., & Bu, X. (2022). The impact of entrepreneurial passion on
entrepreneurial success and psychological well-being: a person-centered
investigation. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, (ahead-ofprint). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-12-2021-0977
Chen, X. P., Yao, X., & Kotha, S. (2009). Entrepreneur passion and preparedness in business plan
presentations: A persuasion analysis of venture capitalists’ funding decisions. Academy of
Management Journal, 52(1), 199-214. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2009.36462018
Chen, X.P., Yao, X., & Kotha, S. (2009). Entrepreneur passion and preparedness in business plan
presentations: A persuasion analysis of venture capitalists’ funding decisions. Academy of
Management Journal, 52(1), 199–214. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2009.36462018
Curran, T., Hill, A.P., Appleton, P.R., Vallerand, R.J., & Standage, M. (2015). The psychology of
passion: A meta-analytical review of a decade of research on intrapersonal outcomes.
Motivation and Emotion, 39(5), 631–655. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s11031-015-
9503-0
Dalborg, C., & Wincent, J. (2015). The idea is not enough: The role of self-efficacy in mediating the
relationship between pull entrepreneurship and founder passion – a research note.
International Small Business Journal, 33(8), 974–984.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242614543336
Dalborg, C., Von Friedrichs, Y., & Wincent, J. (2015). Risk perception matters: why women’s
passion may not lead to a business start-up. International Journal of Gender and
Entrepreneurship, 7(1), 87–104. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijge-01-2013-0001
Davis, B. C., Hmieleski, K. M., Webb, J. W., & Coombs, J. E. (2017). Funders’ positive affective
reactions to entrepreneurs’ crowd funding pitches: The influence of perceived product
creativity and entrepreneurial passion. Journal of Business Venturing, 32(1), 90-106.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2016.10.006
De Mol, E., Cardon, M. S., de Jong, B., Khapova, S. N., & Elfring, T. (2020). Entrepreneurial passion
diversity in new venture teams: An empirical examination of short-and long-term
performance implications. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(4), 105965.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2019.105965
Deci, E.L. and Ryan, R.M. (1985) intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior.
New York: Plenum Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7
Doyne, S. & Proulx N. (2022, October 11). What is your passion?. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/11/learning/what-is-your-passion.html
Drnovsek, M., Cardon, M.S., & Patel, P.C. (2016). Direct and indirect effects of passion on growing
technology ventures. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 10(2), 194–213.
https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1213
Duckworth, A.L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M.D., & Kelly, D.R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and
passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101.
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087
Fesharaki, F. (2019). Entrepreneurial passion, self-efficacy, and spiritual intelligence among Iranian
SME owner–managers. Psychological Studies, 64(4), 429-435.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12646-019-00507-0
Fisher, R., Merlot, E., & Johnson, L.W. (2018). The obsessive and harmonious nature of
entrepreneurial passion. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research,
24(1), 22–40. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-01-2017-0011
Gagné, F. (2007). Ten Commandments for academic talent development. Gifted Child Quarterly,
51(2), 93–118. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986206296660
Gielnik, M., Spitzmuller, M., Schmitt, A., Klemann, D.K., & Frese, M. (2015). “I put in effort,
therefore I am passionate”: Investigating the path from effort to passion in entrepreneurship.
Academy of Management, 58(4), 1012–1031.
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.5465/amj.2011.0727
Gielnik, M., Uy, M.A., Funken, R., & Bischoff, K.M. (2017). Boosting and sustaining passion: A
long-term perspective on the effects of entrepreneurship training. Journal of Business
Venturing, 32(3), 334–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2017.02.003
Ho, V.T., & Pollack, J.M. (2014). Passion isn’t always a good thing: Examining entrepreneurs’
network centrality and financial performance with a dualistic model of passion. Journal of
Management Studies, 51(3), 433–459. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12062
Hubner, S., & Baum, M. (2017). Contagion of entrepreneurial passion and its effects on employees’
commitment and work performance. Academy of Management Conference.
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2017.15150abstract
Huyghe, A., Knockaert, M., & Obschonka, M. (2016). Unraveling the “passion orchestra” in
academia. Journal of Business Venturing, 31(3), 344–364.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2016.03.002
Iyortsuun, A. S., Nmadu, M. T., Dakung, R., & Gajere, M. C. (2019). Entrepreneurial passion and
venture performance: A proposed framework. Management Research Review, 42(10), 1133-
1147. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-10-2018-0382
Kang, J.H., Matusik, J.G., Kim, T.Y., & Phillips, J.M. (2016). Interactive effects of multiple
organizational climates on employee innovative behavior in entrepreneurial firms: A cross
level investigation. Journal of Business Venturing, 31(6), 628–642.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2016.08.002
Karimi, S. (2020). The role of entrepreneurial passion in the formation of students’ entrepreneurial
intentions. Applied Economics, 52(3), 331-344.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2019.1645287
Karimi, S., & Reisi, S. (2023). Linking entrepreneurial passion to entrepreneurs’ life satisfaction: the
mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction and work engagement. FIIB Business
Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/23197145231190520
Kiani, A., Ali, A., Kanwal, S., & Wang, D. (2019). How and when entrepreneurs’ passion lead to
firms’ radical innovation: Moderated mediation model. Technology Analysis & Strategic
Management, 32(4), 443-456. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2019.1667972
Ko, W.W., Liu, G., Yusoff, W.T.W., & Mat, C.R.C. (2019). Social entrepreneurial passion and social
innovation performance. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 48 (4), 759–783.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764019830243
Lee, Y., & Herrmann, P. (2021). Entrepreneurial passion: A systematic review and research
opportunities. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 31(3), 122-147.
http://dx.doi.org/10.53703/001c.29740
Li, C., Murad, M., Shahzad, F., Khan, M. A. S., Ashraf, S. F., & Dogbe, C. S. K. (2020).
Entrepreneurial passion to entrepreneurial behavior: Role of entrepreneurial alertness,
entrepreneurial self-efficacy and proactive personality. Frontiers in psychology, 1611.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01611
Li, J., Chen, X.P., Kotha, S., & Fisher, G. (2017). Catching fire and spreading it: A glimpse into
displayed entrepreneurial passion in crowd funding campaigns. Journal of Applied
Psychology, 102(7), 1075–1090. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/apl0000217
Lopez, A.A., Neves, P., & Gonzalez-Morales, M.G. (2018). The mediating role of passion in the
constraint-appraisal–taking action relationship. Academy of Management Conference.
https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/AMBPP.2018.14871abstract
Ma, C., Gu, J., & Liu, H. (2018). Entrepreneurs’ passion and new venture performance in China.
International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 13(4), 1043–1068.
https://doi.org/10.1007/S11365-017-0435-X
Mensmann, M., Frese, M., Campos, F., Goldstein, M., Iacovone, L., Johnson, H., & McKenzie, D.
(2018). Closing the gender gap: Personal initiative training and female business performance.
Academy of Management Conference, 2018(1).
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2018.10669abstract
Mitteness, C., Sudek, R., & Cardon, M. S. (2012). Angel investor characteristics that determine
whether perceived passion leads to higher evaluations of funding potential. Journal of
Business Venturing, 27(5), 592-606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2011.11.003
Moeller, J. (2014). Passion as concept of the psychology of motivation: Conceptualization,
assessment, inter-individual variability and long-term stability.
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/224752915.pdf
Moeller, J., Dietrich, J., Eccles, J.S., & Schneider, B. (2017). Passionate experiences in adolescence:
Situational variability and long-term stability. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 27(2),
344–361. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12297
Mueller, B.A., Wolfe, M.T., & Syed, I. (2017). Passion and grit: An exploration of the pathways
leading to venture success. Journal of Business Venturing, 32(3), 260–279.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2017.02.001
Mumi, A., Ciuchta, M., & Yang, Y. (2018). Social media for entrepreneurial opportunity and process:
An effectuation perspective. Academy of Management 2018 Conference.
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2018.27
Murnieks, C. Y., Cardon, M. S., & Haynie, J. M. (2020). Fueling the fire: Examining identity
centrality, affective interpersonal commitment and gender as drivers of entrepreneurial
passion. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(1), 105909.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.10.007
Murnieks, C.Y., Cardon, M., Sudek, R., White, D., & Brooks, W.T. (2016). Drawn to the fire: The
role of passion, tenacity and inspirational leadership in angel investing. Journal of Business
Venturing, 31, 468–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2016.05.002
Murnieks, C.Y., Mosakowski, E., & Cardon, M. (2014). Pathways of passion: Identity centrality,
passion, and behavior among entrepreneurs. Journal of Management, 40(6), 1583–1606.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206311433855
Neneh, B. N. (2022). Entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial intention: the role of social support
and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Studies in Higher Education, 47(3), 587-603.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1770716
Newman, A., Obschonka, M., Moeller, J., & Chandan, G. G. (2019). Entrepreneurial passion: A
review, synthesis, and agenda for future research. Applied Psychology, 70(2), 816-860.
https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12236
Nordström, C., Sirén, C.A., Thorgren, S., & Wincent, J. (2016). Passion in hybrid entrepreneurship:
The impact of entrepreneurial teams and tenure. Baltic Journal of Management, 11(2), 167–
186. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-01-2015-0007
O’Keefe, P.A., Dweck, C.S., & Walton, G.M. (2018). Implicit theories of interest: Finding your
passion or developing it? Psychological Science, 29(10), 1653–1664.
https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0956797618780643
Obschonka, M., Moeller, J., & Goethner, M. (2019). Entrepreneurial passion and personality: The
case of academic entrepreneurship. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, article 2697.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02697
Oo, P. P., Allison, T. H., Sahaym, A., & Juasrikul, S. (2019). User entrepreneurs’ multiple identities
and crowd funding performance: Effects through product innovativeness, perceived passion,
and need similarity. Journal of Business Venturing, 34(5), 105895.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.08.005
Perrewe, P.L., Hochwarter, W.A., Ferris, G.R., McAllister, C.P., & Harris, J.N. (2014). Developing
a passion for work passion: Future directions on an emerging construct. Journal of
Organizational Behavior, 35(1), 145–150. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1002/job.1902
Qian, S., Brannon, D. L., & Tabak, F. (2022). Exploring mechanisms in the entrepreneurial passion–
entrepreneurial behavior relationship: mediating role of growth-oriented intentions. Journal
of Career Development, 49(4), 922-933. https://doi.org/10.1177/08948453211005848
Ruth, M., & Flattern, T.C. (2019). The Mediating effect of entrepreneurial passion on the relationship
between core self-evaluation and market effectiveness. Frontiers of Entrepreneurship
Research, 39, 309-315.
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=c
rawler&jrnl=07407416&AN=153167660&h=sUAAeI12A8poiEdX9p73ycFCo1fY9ICpmq
%2BjfqUJw14Db1QmDBOSnzSOX7WYEFOEkn%2B99vzWNq3d7gtQ7nDtDg%3D%3D
&crl=c
Schenkel, M. T., Farmer, S., & Maslyn, J. M. (2019). Process improvement in SMEs: The impact of
harmonious passion for entrepreneurship, employee creative self-efficacy, and time spent
innovating. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 29(1), 64-77.
https://libjournals.mtsu.edu/index.php/jsbs/article/view/1153
Schumer, L. (2018, October 11). Why following your passions is good for you (and how to get
started). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/10/smarter-living/followyour-passion-hobbies-jobs-self-care.html
Schumpeter, J. A. (1951). Imperialism and social classes. Augustus M Kelley Pubs.
Shane, S., Drover, W., Clingingsmith, D., & Cerf, M. (2020). Founder passion, neural engagement
and informal investor interest in startup pitches: An fMRI study. Journal of Business
Venturing, 35(4), 105949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2019.105949
Shockley, J., & Turner, T. (2016). A relational performance model for developing innovation and
long- term orientation in retail franchise organizations. Journal of Retailing and Consumer
Services, 32, 175–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.06.013
Steel, D. (2021). Season of passion: An epic, unputdownable read. London: Sphere.
https://www.amazon.in/Season-Passion-unputdownable-worldwide-bestsellerebook/dp/B08WHJQT91
Stenholm, P., & Renko, M. (2016). Passionate bricoleurs and new venture survival. Journal of
Business Venturing, 31(5), 595–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2016.05.004
Stoeber, J., Childs, J.H., Hayward, J.A., & Feast, A.R. (2011). Passion and motivation for studying:
Predicting academic engagement and burnout in university students. Educational Psychology,
31(4), 513–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2011.570251
Strese, S., Keller, M., Flatten, T. C., & Brettel, M. (2018). CEOs’ passion for inventing and radical
innovations in SMEs: The moderating effect of shared vision. Journal of Small Business
Management, 56(3), 435-452. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12264
Stroe, S., Sirén, C., Shepherd, D., & Wincent, J. (2020). The dualistic regulatory effect of passion on
the relationship between fear of failure and negative affect: Insights from facial expression
analysis. Journal of business venturing, 35(4), 105948.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2019.105948
Syed, I., Butler, J. C., Smith, R. M., & Cao, X. (2020). From entrepreneurial passion to
entrepreneurial intentions: The role of entrepreneurial passion, innovativeness, and curiosity
in driving entrepreneurial intentions. Personality and Individual differences, 157, 109758.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.109758
Taggar, S., Domurath, A., & Coviello, N. (2019). Team entrepreneurial passion: linking intra-and
inter-personal influences with outcomes. Academy of Management Proceedings (1), 16015.
Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2019.89
Thorgren, S., & Wincent, J. (2015). Passion and habitual entrepreneurship. International Small
Business Journal, 33(2), 216–227. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242613487085
Thorgren, S., Nordström, C., & Wincent, J. (2014). Hybrid entrepreneurship: The importance of
passion. Baltic Journal of Management, 9(3), 314–329. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-11-
2013-0175
Türk, S., Zapkau, F.B., & Schwens, C. (2019). How harmonious and obsessive passion affect social
entrepreneurial intention differently. Academy of Management Conference, 2019(1).
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2019.17047abstract
Turner, T., & Gianiodis, P. (2018). Entrepreneurship unleashed: Understanding entrepreneurial
education outside of the business school. Journal of Small Business Management, 56(1), 131–
149. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12365
Vallerand, R. J., Blanchard, C., Mageau, G. A., Koestner, R., Ratelle, C., Léonard, M., Gagné, M., &
Marsolais, J. (2003). Les passions de l’ame: On obsessive and harmonious passion. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(4), 756. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-
3514.85.4.756
Vallerand, R.J., & Miquelon, P. (2007). Passion for sport in athletes. In S. Jowette & D. Lavallee
(Eds.), Social psychology in sport (pp. 249–263). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.5040/9781492595878.ch-018
Wan, M., Carlson, D. S., Quade, M. J., & Kacmar, K. M. (2022). Does work passion influence
prosocial behaviors at work and home? Examining the underlying work–family
mechanisms. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(9), 1516-1534.
https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2566
Warnick, B. J., Murnieks, C. Y., McMullen, J. S., & Brooks, W. T. (2018). Passion for
entrepreneurship or passion for the product? A conjoint analysis of angel and VC decisionmaking. Journal of Business Venturing, 33(3), 315-332.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.01.002

DOI: 10.52279/jlss.06.04.440458 | 440-458  PDF