Prior entrepreneurial exposure and the emergence of entrepreneurial passion:The moderating role of learning orientation

Entrepreneurial passion is important for individuals to advance in the entrepreneurial process, but we lack a theoretical understanding of how passion develops. Drawing on social learning theory, the present study examines how prior entrepreneurial exposure (that is, entrepreneurial role model experience and direct entrepreneurial experience) affects entrepreneurial passion and how an individual's learning orientation moderates the relationship. To empirically validate our research model, we collected data from 928 students across several disciplines. Consistent with our theorizing, we find both types of prior entrepreneurial exposure to positively influence entrepreneurial passion. Further, medium to high levels of learning orientation strengthen these relationships

Too Small to do it All?:A Meta-analysis on the Relative Relationships of Exploration, Exploitation, and Ambidexterity with SME Performance

We tailor theory on the relative performance implications of exploration, exploitation, and ambidexterity to the unique characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). First, as SMEs' limited resources make it unclear whether ambidexterity is superior to exploration or exploitation in SMEs, we investigate their relative effects on SME performance. Second, as SMEs' resource and particularly knowledge constraints make property rights protection (PRP) pertinent to these firms, we examine PRP as a moderator. Consistent with our hypotheses, meta-analytical evidence from 5,488 SMEs across 34 studies suggests that: (1) ambidexterity has a less positive relationship with SME performance than both exploration and exploitation and (2) PRP decreases the positive relationship between exploration and SME performance. Unexpectedly, PRP decreases the positive relationship between exploitation and SME performance. Building on our findings, we develop a roadmap for SME-specific research, focusing on sequential switching between exploration and exploitation and contingency factors of the direct relationships

Facilitating stress prevention in micro and small-sized enterprises:Protocol for a mixed method study to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation process of targeted web-based interventions

BACKGROUND: Workplace-related stress is a major risk factor for mental and physical health problems and related sickness absence and productivity loss. Despite evidence regarding the effectiveness of different workplace-based interventions, the implementation of stress prevention interventions is rare, especially in micro and small-sized enterprises (MSE) with fewer than 50 employees. The joint research project “PragmatiKK”(+) aims to identify and address the specific barriers to the implementation of stress prevention interventions in MSE. This study protocol describes a mixed method study design to evaluate the effectiveness of adapted stress prevention interventions and the implementation process via an integrated web-based platform (“System P”) specifically targeted at MSE. METHODS: First, we develop a web-based intervention, which accounts for the specific working conditions in MSE and addresses stress prevention at a structural and behavioral level. Second, we use common methods of implementation research to perform an effect and process evaluation. We analyze the effectiveness of the web-based stress prevention interventions by comparing depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up (after 6 months and 12 months). Indicators for a successful implementation process include acceptability, adoption, feasibility, reach, dose, and fidelity, which we will measure with quantitative web-based questionnaires and qualitative interviews. We will also analyze the accumulated usage data from the web-based platform. DISCUSSION: Collecting data on the implementation process and the effectiveness of a web-based intervention will help to identify and overcome common barriers to stress prevention in MSE. This can improve the mental health of employees in MSE, which constitute more than 90% of all enterprises in Germany. (+) Full Project Name: „PragmatiKK - Pragmatische Lösungen für die Implementation von Maßnahmen zur Stressprävention in Kleinst- und Kleinbetrieben “(= Pragmatic solutions for the implementation of stress prevention interventions in micro and small-sized enterprises). TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Register of Clinical Studies (DRKS): DRKS00026154, date of registration: 2021-09-16. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12921-7