Affiliation:
1. Marriott School of Business Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
2. Social Innovation & Impact, Schulich School of Business York University Toronto Ontario Canada
3. Fisher College of Business The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
4. University of Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam Tanzania
Abstract
AbstractResearch SummaryAlthough entrepreneurship training programs are designed to help necessity entrepreneurs acquire skills and capabilities to take entrepreneurial action, participants in these programs often fail to do so. In partnership with a local government agency, we conducted a randomized field experiment involving 165 entrepreneurs in rural Tanzania where in addition to providing technical‐skills training, approximately half of the participants also received “growth mindset” psychological training. Those who received the growth mindset training displayed more entrepreneurial action in their business than those in the control group. Importantly, higher levels of entrepreneurial self‐efficacy mediated the positive impact on entrepreneurial action displayed by participants who received the growth mindset training. We discuss how complementing traditional technical‐based training with growth mindset training can improve the efficacy of entrepreneurship training programs.Managerial SummaryEntrepreneurship training programs often fall short in translating knowledge into action. To address this issue, we conducted an experiment with 165 entrepreneurs in rural Tanzania. All participants received technical‐skills training, but half were also exposed to “growth mindset” training. Those who received the growth mindset training displayed greater initiative in business growth. The newfound confidence and grit they gained empowered them to apply learned principles effectively, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of entrepreneurship training programs.
Subject
Strategy and Management,Economics and Econometrics,Business and International Management