The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy in the Effect of Entrepreneurial Curıosity on General Risk Propensity

Öz

The aim of this study is to test the effect of entrepreneurial curiosity on the general risk propensity observed in entrepreneurs and to determine the role of the entrepreneur's self-efficacy perception in this effect. A quantitative research design was adopted in the study and data were obtained from 305 entrepreneurs by choosing the survey model. After ensuring the construct validity of the scales as a result of the tests, the direct effects and mediation effect between the scales were tested in accordance with the research model. The analysis of the data revealed that entrepreneurial curiosity has a positive and significant effect on risk propensity (β=0,421), entrepreneurial curiosity on entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β=0,579), and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on risk propensity (β=0,108). It was also found that the indirect effect of entrepreneurial curiosity on risk propensity is positive and significant (β=0,373). Accordingly, entrepreneurial self-efficacy partially mediates the effect of entrepreneurial curiosity on risk propensity. The results indicate that entrepreneurial self-efficacy is an important variable in explaining the relationship between curiosity and risk-taking propensity in entrepreneurs. The most important theoretical implication of this study is that it fills an important gap by identifying the way in which curiosity influences risk propensity in entrepreneurial individuals and the personal factors affecting entrepreneurs' overall risk propensity. Furthermore, by adapting the General Risk Propensity scale developed by Zhang et al. (2018) into Turkish, a valid and reliable measurement tool has been introduced to the local literature.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Entrepreneurial curiosity
• Entrepreneurial self-efficacy
• General risk propensity
• Mediating effect

Girişimsel Merakın Genel Risk Eğilimi Üzerindeki Etkisinde Girişimsel Öz-Yeterliliğin Aracı Rolü

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, girişimsel merakın girişimci bireylerde gözlemlenen genel risk eğilimi üzerindeki etkisini test etmek ve girişimsel öz-yeterlilik algısının bu etki üzerindeki rolünü belirlemektir. Araştırmada nicel araştırma deseni benimsenmiş ve tarama modeli tercih edilerek 305 girişimciden veri elde edilmiştir. Yapılan testler sonucunda ölçeklere ilişkin yapı geçerliliklerinin sağlanmasından sonra araştırma modeline uygun olarak ölçekler arasındaki doğrudan etkiler ile aracılık etkisi test edilmiştir. Verilerin analiz edilmesi sonucunda girişimsel merakın genel risk eğilimi üzerinde (β=0,421), girişimsel merakın girişimsel öz-yeterlilik üzerinde (β=0,579) ve girişimsel öz-yeterliliğin genel risk eğilimi üzerinde (β=0,108) pozitif ve anlamlı bir şekilde etkili olduğu görülmüştür. Girişimsel merakın genel risk eğilimi üzerinde dolaylı etkisi incelendiğinde ise bu etkinin de pozitif ve anlamlı olduğu (β=0,373) görülmüştür. Elde edilen bulgulara göre girişimsel öz-yeterliliğin, girişimsel merakın genel risk eğilimi üzerindeki etkisine kısmi aracılık etkisi bulunmaktadır. Sonuçlar girişimsel öz-yeterliliğin, girişimci bireylerde merak ile risk eğilimi arasındaki ilişkiyi açıklamak için önemli bir değişken olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu çalışmanın en önemli teorik çıkarımı, girişimci bireylerde merakın risk eğilimini hangi yolla etkilediğini ve girişimcilerin genel risk eğilimini etkileyen kişisel faktörleri belirleyerek önemli bir boşluğu doldurmasıdır. Ayrıca bu çalışmada alana özgü olmayan az sayıda risk ölçeğinden birisi olan ve Zhang vd. (2018) tarafından geliştirilen Genel Risk Eğilimi ölçeğinin Türkçeye uyarlanması ile yerli literatüre geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracı kazandırılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Girişimsel merak
• Girişimsel öz-yeterlilik
• Genel risk eğilimi
• Aracılık etkisi

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