When Entrepreneurial Leadership Identity and Passion Meet Venture Growth Intention

Within the emerging domain of entrepreneurial leadership research, gender issues have been largely ignored. This study aims to examine the nexus between entrepreneurial leader identity, entrepreneurial passion, and growth intention. This is done within the stacked context of being a woman entrepreneur, and in rural, regional and remote (RRR) Australia. This unique study draws upon a cross-sectional survey of 99 women entrepreneurs, employing a partial least square structural equation model. The study has found a positive relationship between entrepreneurial leader identity on the one hand and growth intention and passion on the other but could not find any conclusive evidence of a relationship between entrepreneurial passion and venture growth intention. The study opens new research avenues into the novel construct of entrepreneurial leader identity and helps to better understand the dynamics of RRR women entrepreneurship in the Australian context

Loading, reliability, and validity statistics of higher-order components of EL competency.

Loading, reliability, and validity statistics of higher-order components of EL competency.</p

Loading, reliability, and validity statistics of lower-order components.

Loading, reliability, and validity statistics of lower-order components.</p

Discriminant validity assessment of higher order construct using the HTMT criterion.

Discriminant validity assessment of higher order construct using the HTMT criterion.</p

S1 Data -

Cultivating business growth intentions in rural, regional, and remote women entrepreneurs is crucial, considering the unique challenges they face in rural areas. The growth intentions of rural, regional, and remote women entrepreneurs remain understudied. This study pioneers research on the interplay between entrepreneurial leadership competency, identity, and growth intentions of rural, regional, and remote Australian women. We surveyed rural, regional, and remote women entrepreneurs in Queensland, Australia, using structural equation modeling for analysis. Results revealed a positive relationship between entrepreneurial leader identity, business growth intentions, and entrepreneurial leadership competency. Moreover, entrepreneurial leadership competency positively correlated with growth intentions. The study indicated that entrepreneurial leadership competency partially mediates the link between identity and growth intentions. This research addresses a theoretical gap by introducing a new model showcasing the relationships between entrepreneurial leadership identity, entrepreneurial leadership competency, and venture growth intentions. From a practical standpoint, our findings strengthen the business case for improving tailor-made rural, regional, and remote entrepreneurial development programs.</div

Structural model of the interplay between EL identity, EL competency, and growth intentions of women in rural Australia.

Structural model of the interplay between EL identity, EL competency, and growth intentions of women in rural Australia.</p

Direct and indirect effect of ELI on GI.

Cultivating business growth intentions in rural, regional, and remote women entrepreneurs is crucial, considering the unique challenges they face in rural areas. The growth intentions of rural, regional, and remote women entrepreneurs remain understudied. This study pioneers research on the interplay between entrepreneurial leadership competency, identity, and growth intentions of rural, regional, and remote Australian women. We surveyed rural, regional, and remote women entrepreneurs in Queensland, Australia, using structural equation modeling for analysis. Results revealed a positive relationship between entrepreneurial leader identity, business growth intentions, and entrepreneurial leadership competency. Moreover, entrepreneurial leadership competency positively correlated with growth intentions. The study indicated that entrepreneurial leadership competency partially mediates the link between identity and growth intentions. This research addresses a theoretical gap by introducing a new model showcasing the relationships between entrepreneurial leadership identity, entrepreneurial leadership competency, and venture growth intentions. From a practical standpoint, our findings strengthen the business case for improving tailor-made rural, regional, and remote entrepreneurial development programs.</div

Explanatory power and predictive value of the model.

Explanatory power and predictive value of the model.</p

Discriminant validity assessment of lower order construct using the HTMT criterion.

Discriminant validity assessment of lower order construct using the HTMT criterion.</p

Path coefficients of the structural model of the interplay between EL identity, EL competency, and growth intentions of women in rural Australia.

Path coefficients of the structural model of the interplay between EL identity, EL competency, and growth intentions of women in rural Australia.</p